<h4>Chapter 131 - The Shadow in the Darkness</h4>


    Tranted by Eve


    Edited by Serefina


    2. The Shadow in the Darkness


    The man looked exactly like Gnodel. The only difference was the ck hair and eyes he had. They made it clear that this was a different person.


    He strode over to Xie He, eyes dark like a bottomless abyss.


    The branches wrapped around Xie He, pulling him up from the ground. The man extended a finger, caressing Xie He’s eyebrows, while Xie He red at him in astonishment and fury. The man then lowered his head and gently kissed those pale-coloured lips....


    It was really sweet enough to intoxicate him....


    Xie He turned his head forcefully. Because of the extreme humiliation, his voice held a tremor. “Who are you? What are you doing?”


    The man chuckled quietly. He ced a palm on Xie He’s and exhaled against his ear. Darkness filled his eyes.... My beautiful treasure, I obviously came here to possess you...I really can’t wait to see your seductive side.


    Xie He could feel the branches tighten abruptly and his expression changed.


    ....................................


    Xie He went soft in the man’s embrace. The vines and branches had already retreated and the pce once again regained its peace. However, Xie He didn’t even have the energy to lift a finger. That nightmare-like experience had coloured both his eyes with humiliation....


    The man kissed the tip of Xie He’s ears tenderly. An elf’s ears were their most sensitive part. Xie He couldn’t help but shudder. His voice was hoarse and enraged, “Just who are you...?”


    The man bit down on Xie He’s ear, hot air puffing against it. As Xie He trembled, the man spoke in a quiet and low voice, “Your body actually craves this kind of treatment. Aren’t you actually feeling very happy and delighted? Don’t deny it. This is what you want....”


    His dark eyes focused on the elf in his arms. That chilly, haughty face was flushed. From between those pink lips came pleasant sounding moans....


    The most noble and beautiful creature had been pulled down from his godly altar and made to indulge in carnal desires...He had blossomed into an astonishing beauty. It was enough to infatuate a god....


    “I’m the dark side of your heart. I came to satisfy you,” The man said.


    【Ding, the target Saj’s Favourability Value +10. The current Favourability Value is 60.】


    【444：......】


    【Xie He：Cough cough.】


    【444：......】Host dada had been exposed so badly, he couldn’t bear to watch. _(:зゝ∠)_


    【Xie He：Honestly, Baby, if it wasn’t because you were sure that the psyche of hosts couldn’t be invaded, I would have believed his words. There was nothing I could object. ?? 】


    【444：......】


    Xie He opened his eyes. Within those emerald eyes was a look of clear-headedness. He parted his lips and a cold voice spat out, “Impossible.”


    The man chuckled in a low voice. “If it were impossible, then how would you exin your performancest night?”


    The man’s hand gently swept over the water’s surface. Ripples appeared and the events fromst night reyed....


    The beautiful blond-haired elf was pressed down on the stone floor by a ck-haired elf. He showed an ecstatic expression while being yed with, letting out erotic noises....


    Xie He’s face paled. Impossible. That wasn’t him!


    He would never enjoy such humiliation. He would never indulge in that kind of ugly desire!


    The man kissed Xie He andughed. “Why aren’t you willing to be honest with yourself? Moreover, it’s something to be happy about. Why do you feel conflicted? I clearly satisfied you, don’t you think...?”


    Xie He’s face looked drained of blood. “Let. Go. Of. Me.”


    The man did not continue to force him. He let go and got up, slowly disappearing into the darkness. Light once again spilled into the pce. It turned out that it was already the next day.


    As the shadow disappeared, the pce resumed its past tranquility and beauty. The pool was as clear as always, the bottom could still be seen from the surface. The white jade floor was unblemished and the vines were still peacefully wound around the columns. It was as if the vines had nevere alive&#k2026;.


    Only the humiliating marks on his body and the clear pain reminded him that it hadn’t been a nightmare. It had been real.


    Xie He lied on the floor for a very long time before he managed to regain some strength. He grabbed his robes and wrapped himself back into them before staggering to his resting quarters. He then fell onto his bed, drained of all energy.


    He had only rested for a moment when he heard a knock on the door. Thamior’s voice came through the other side. “Your Excellency Gn, may I enter? They are waiting for you at the sacrificial ritual by the river valley.”


    Xie He recalled that there had indeed been such a thing. For the sake of weing Spring and the food bestowed to them by the forest, the Elves would hold a sacrificial ritual to honour the Goddess of Nature each year. However, how could he make an appearance looking as he did now?


    “Don’te in.” For the first time, Xie He had stopped Thamior. He then said with a low voice, “Go ask Elder Wil to host it on my behalf. I...do not feel too well. I will not be able to participate today.”


    Immediately, Thamior became worried. The Elves could not get sick. Why would he suddenly feel unwell? Elves would only be weakened when nearing death. However, His Excellency Gn was only several hundreds years old. As an elf, he was still a young adult. How could he have fallen ill?!


    “Your Excellency Gn, what’s wrong? Are you okay?” Thamior fretted. However, his respect for the Elf King prevented him from charging in impolitely.


    Xie He was afraid that Thamior would see him in this sorry state. In a moment of desperation, he promptly said, “I’m fine. Don’t worry. Don’t tell anyone else either. I just need to take a break from today’s activities. Thamior...can you help me do this?”


    How could Thamior refuse Xie He’s request? Although he was terribly worried, he still chose to trust Xie He. Without any hesitation, he agreed, “All right. I won’t tell anyone else. I’ll go ask Elder Wil to host the ritual.”


    Xie He finally rxed. “Thank you.”


    Thamior choked with emotion as he said, “No need to thank me. It is my honour to help you with everything.”


    After saying this, he left in a hurry. As for Xie He’s instructions, he would earnestlyplete them.


    Xie He’s taut body rxed. It wasn’t necessary for him to attend the sacrificial ritual. So long as no one questioned it, he would naturally be able to skip it.


    ................................................


    Xie He shut himself in the pce and didn’t leave for two days. Thanks to the Elves’ formidable vitality and healing ability, the sh wounds on his skin had already healed with only shallow marks remaining. When he wore his robes, one could no longer see them.


    During thesest two days, all of Thamior’s requests to see Xie He had been denied. With each day, Thamior grew more concerned. In order to console Thamior, Xie He did not refuse him today.


    Thamior entered Xie He’s quarters and saw that he appeared normal. His heart finally settled and he said, “You Excellency Gn, it’s good that there’s nothing wrong. I have been terribly worried.”


    Xie He said coolly, “I’m fine.”


    Thamior asked, “What happened two days ago?”


    When Xie He heard this, his eyes narrowed. He muttered to himself a bit. “I’ll tell you once I make sense of it.”


    Thamior had always had faith in Xie He. He did not ask anything more. As long as Xie He was fine, he would not feel worried.


    Xie He sent Thamior away and his expression fell. He didn’t believe what that person had said then. Not only did he not have any sort of ugly desires within him, it was obvious that dark magic had been used. The person’s origins had also been very strange.


    What he couldn’t understand though, was how the Nn Forest’s barriers had not reacted despite having been invaded by this kind of darkness.


    That was unbelievable.


    Xie He carefully inspected the entire pce. There were no clues whatsoever. In this kind of situation, he could not make a public announcement because he had no evidence that darkness had invaded this ce.


    If something were to suddenly happen to Nn Forest, which had been peaceful for thousands of years, it would incur panic.


    Over the next few days, the man did not appear. But just as Xie He thought he would walk out of this nightmare, the darkness once again descended while he was praying in the pce.


    This time, Xie He straightforwardly grabbed the sword fastened to his waist and brandished it against the frenzied vines. However, regardless of how many vines he severed, it was of no use. Moreover, darkness enveloped everything. Light and magic were both blocked. Xie He quickly tried to escape but he was dragged back!


    Compared tost time, he was only able to hold on for a little longer.


    The ck-haired, ck-eyed man once again walked out from the dark. He bent down, both hands nted on either side of Xie He, and kissed his Adam’s apple. His ck hair fell down, intertwining with Xie He’s blonde hair....


    “How...did you enter...?” Xie He pursed his lips and asked. This was his Prayer Pce. It was equipped with the strongest wards and life force. How had this vile demon entered so quietly?


    This intense attack made him wonder, did his God forsake him?


    The man caressed that exquisite, beautiful face, fondling it lovingly. He chuckled in a low voice. “I am you. Therefore, there’s no escape.”


    There was a maelstrom in his eyes, swallowing all light. He then mercilessly vited the elf once more.


    Xie He’s struggles were useless. The humiliation made him tightly shut his eyes, eyshes trembling intensely.


    Aside from that strange feeling, it also felt like there was some dark force which made his heart race invading his body....


    ......................................................


    The next morning when Xie He woke up, the man had already disappeared.


    This kind of circumstance rendered him extremely ashamed and enraged.... There was also a faint, deep fear. That person coulde and go leaving no traces. Moreover, his magic couldpletely suppress his own, leaving him unable to resist.


    Very soon, Xie realized that this nightmare had just begun.


    Perhaps it was because the man couldn’t forget his taste after getting to try him, but the man from the darkness began to vite him frequently. The darkness followed Xie He at all times. The man could appear at any time. There was no way to guard against him.


    Sometimes, Xie He would just be walking through the forest when he would be dragged into the darkness where the demon would do whatever his heart pleased.


    Some time passed like this. Xie He’splexion became extremely ugly. Moreover, it became rare for him to leave the pce.


    Thamior sensed Xie He’s abnormality. When he recalled how the other had said that he had felt unwell, he came to ask Xie He with great concern, “Your Excellency Gn, you don’t seem so welltely. Is it really nothing serious?”


    Xie He’s face was deathly pale. His cold side profile seemed normal, but there was an unease and look of silent forbearance hidden deep in his emerald eyes. He slowly said, “I’m fine.”


    Thamior wanted to say something but hesitated. This time, he didn’t believe the other very much. He felt like there was something on Xie He’s mind that the other wasn’t willing to share.


    Xie He didn’t pay any more attention to Thamior though. He got up and left.


    【Xie He：Saj-Saj really knows how to y around. Even I wouldn’t have been able to think of this many different ways to y. With a sex life like this, I don’t feel that bored. I’m very pleased, ah. Smile.JPG】


    【444：O(∩_∩)O~】


    【Xie He：It’s just that, although I feel good, I should do something after such a long period of time. It wouldn’t be appropriate to keep dragging this on. Sigh.】


    【444：(⊙o⊙)】


    【Xie He：But I believe that Saj-Saj won’t disappoint me. ?? 】


    【444：......】


    Xie He was exceptionally satisfied with Saj. Every day, the man with the same, devastatingly beautiful face as himself would give him a beautiful sex life. That blissful feeling nearly made him want to indulge in pleasure and forget his mission. He almost wanted to forget about his character settings and beg for more. It was a great test of his acting skills, having to pretend he didn’t want it.


    Xie He thought about the possibility of giving the other 100 points, despite the fact that it might make the other arrogant, while heading towards the Nature Shrine in the depths of the forest with a cold face.


    The Shrine honored the Goddess of Nature. Although the goddess had not appeared for several tens of thousands of years, the Nature Shrine was still the holynd of the Elves. Aside from the annual sacrificial ritual, the shrine would not be opened.


    Unless it was essential, even as the Elf King, Xie He would not casually open up the Nature Shrine.


    However, the demon hidden in the shadows of the darkness was too much for him. He felt very ill at ease. In the end, he decided toe.


    Xie He arrived at the shrine. Elder Wil, who guarded the shrine, had already lived for more than ten thousand years. When he saw Xie He, he slightly nodded. “Gn.”


    Elder Wil had witnessed theing and going of many Elf Kings. In his eyes, Gnodel was just a child.


    Xie He greeted Elder Wil respectfully. “Elder Wil, I have been disturbed by a recurring nightmare every day and night as ofte. However, there has been no warning of the Darkness’ invasion. I wonder if the Darkness is already upon us.... This has made me very restless. I wanted toe to the shrine to request instructions on what I should do.”


    Elder Wil gave Xie He a profound look and nodded. He opened the door and let Xie He in.


    He believed that, if it wasn’t important, Gn would note here.


    The shrine was very empty and spacious. In the middle was a huge golden tree. The tree’s branches extended all throughout the shrine. It looked like there was starlight sparkling atop of the leaves. It was very beautiful.


    Beneath the tree was an exquisite altar.


    Xie He slowly walked over and knelt down. He ced his hands into the pond in the center of the altar. He shut his eyes and his lips started to move, quietly whispering.


    This was the prayer the Elves used to ask for instructions from their goddess. After a moment, the water began to ripple despite the absence of wind. Soon after, the water turned pitch ck, as if it had been polluted with ink. It began to bubble.


    Elder Wil had been standing off on the side the whole time. When he saw this, his expression changed drastically. Incredulity and fear appeared in his always wise, farsighted and calm eyes. He muttered, “The Darkness is about to descend...the seal...has the seal been destroyed?”


    Xie He’s expression was very solemn. He turned to look at Elder Wil. “The seal you’re referring to is the seal in the depths of the Dead Sea Forest?”


    Elder Wil’s eyes were sombre. “Yes, I’m afraid that the seal has been destroyed after so many years...perhaps that demon has awoken....”


    Xie He was inwardly shaking in fear. He muttered to himself for a while before decisively saying, “If that’s the case....”


    However, halfway through his words, someone outside came rushing over hastily, shouting, “Your Excellency Gn, are you here? A party of humans hase, seeking for an audience with you!”


    Xie He’s eyebrows furrowed. They were just mere humans. He could meet with them whenever. There was nothing to make a fuss over.


    He was about to refuse when he heard the elf say fretfully, “One of the humans ims to be the Church’s Holy Son. He says that he has some urgent matters to discuss with you. He says that the Darkness is drawing near!”


    Xie He’s expression changed slightly. He exchanged nces with Elder Wil and turned to leave.


    ......................................................


    The Humans had always believed in the Church. The Church worshipped the almighty God of Light. Although the Continent was peaceful these days and the Church’s influence was not as great as it had been in the era of darkness and chaos, it was still a colossal power not to be trifled with. Actually, its power was greater than any single human country.


    Xie He returned to his pce and saw that several human men were already waiting for him. The young man in the center stood out the most.


    He wore a loose, luxurious, gold-bordered white robe. He had soft, short golden hair. His blue eyes looked like the sea and his handsome visage was akin to the Sun God. Despite being a human, his appearance did not lose to the Elves. The people around him wore the attire of Special Knights. They were all outstanding talents amongst the humans. However, they were like dust whenpared to the man in the center.


    Even if he wasn’t the Holy Son, with that appearance, he would still be able to receive the Elves’ respect.


    That’s right. The Elves were ones to base their judgements on appearance.


    Xie He slowly walked over. When he looked at the other, the man also looked at him. At this moment, he heard the System’s notification.


    【Ding, Joshua’s Favourability Value +50. The current Favourability Value is 50.】


    Thamior was waiting for Xie He. He promptly introduced him, “This is His Eminence, Joshua, of the Church.


    Joshua had a suitable smile on his face the whole time. He waited until Xie He sat on his throne before he nodded and said, “Your Excellency, the Honourable Gn, because matters are urgent we have visited presumptuously. I sincerely apologize.”


    Xie He leaned forward slightly. His eyes fell on the other and his voice was clear and melodious. “What do you mean by ‘the Darkness’?”


    Joshua got straight to the point, “I have received enlightenment from my God. I have found out that the seal in the depths of the Dead Sea Forest is unstable. The Darkness is about to arrive in the mortal world.... In order to protect the millions of lives on the Continent, we must not allow the demon to escape. However, we must traverse the Elven territory you preside over in order to get to the Dead Sea Forest. Therefore, I hope to receive your permission to pass through.”


    Xie He gazed at him firmly. A momentter, his thin lips parted. “I will permit it...but you must allow me toe with.”


    The author has something to say:


    My dears, don’t get stirred up! They are not twins, there’s no blood rtion! Do you want to see this novel get locked? _(:зゝ∠)_


    The gong and shou are not of the same race...the gong’s appearance is just a disguise right now. There’s no blood rtion at all....Fear.JPG


    Eve: Why are the Holy Sons always named Joshua.


    sere: ^ lmao? Like in FOD? Also XD at his FV shooting up 50 from seeing his face... he’s gonna harvest he points in this world cuz everyone’s a face-con