Chapter 417 It's so easy to become a god! - Socially Anxious Witch in the Apocalypse

Su Miao found herself standing amidst the void, slipping out of an extreme rational state. When she noticed numerous Demon Lords and Dark Gods nearby fixating their gazes on her, she was almost as frightened that her hand jerked instinctively, considering striking those who displayed malice. However, too many of the Demon Lords and Dark Gods bore ill intentions. Without malice, they wouldn't be worthy of the titles of Demon Lords or Dark Gods. Yet, the Demon Lords and Dark Gods present were more frightened themselves. After all, this was the mysterious Shadow Demon God! In the absence of the Supreme God, the Shadow Demon God was an unattainably supreme existence among them. And yet, such a powerful being had been obliterated by Su Miao in just a few breaths. They hadn't even caught a glimpse of how Su Miao had acted. If not for the torrential blood rain that followed, signifying the death of a mighty entity, they probably wouldn’t have believed that the Shadow Demon God could be slain so swiftly. Utterly terrifying! "Who is she?" "The Shadow Demon God is truly dead?" "It's horrifying. When the Shadow Demon God spoke just now, I thought someone had a death wish, only to realize it was the Shadow Demon God who was killed." "Serves him right. Why sympathize with that old dog, Shadow? This vile creature would kill or consume anyone who irked him. He met his match!" "Does anyone know who this supreme being is?" "First, rule out the Magical Girls. I've seen them before, and they don't resemble this." "She's a Witch! This is a Witch!" “…” The truce-holding Dark Gods and Demon Lords communicated cautiously through divine consciousness, terrified of attracting Su Miao's attention and inviting their doom. The most direct response came from the high-ranking Demon Gods and Grand Demon Lords occupying nearby peaks—the very embodiment of power and status, which they abandoned decisively. Lacking a suitable location, many were content to stand on the ground amidst the ordinary Demon Lords and Dark Gods. Si Wu glanced at the void, quickly retracting his gaze, his heart in turmoil. “Could she be the Witch Su Miao?” He found it difficult to believe and even harder to imagine, yet he was forced to accept it. Through the intelligence network of the Twelve Divisions, Si Wu had investigated Su Miao, curious about her formidable strength. The sole conclusion gathered was that Su Miao had been a Witch even before the apocalypse. When exactly she became a Witch was unknown. Additionally, Si Wu confirmed through investigation that Su Miao was just a young woman who hadn't long graduated from university. Could she really have reached this level of power from the womb? Take the Twelve Divisions as an example. They painstakingly ventured into various perilous ruins to gather remnant energies of Dark Gods. Why? So they could hold their own against the Demon Lords and Dark Gods. Without these external powers, they couldn't possibly stand against them. Should they ever face such a confrontation, they could only expend these forces temporarily—resulting in severe risk. Unless, of course, they chose to wield authority by sacrificing their life force. But how much life could they expend before ascending to godhood? Yet Su Miao had effortlessly slain a Demon God... Could it be? Si Wu considered a possibility. The Su Miao before him was not Su Miao, yet still Su Miao. In simpler terms, Su Miao on Earth was merely a projection of the Su Miao before him, much like his own state. If his true form in the Abyss of Ruins were to be successfully revived, Si Wu had confidence he wouldn't be overshadowed by Su Miao. Fortunately, he never revealed himself earlier. Si Wu breathed a sigh of relief. Simultaneously, a new hope ignited within him. If Su Miao could enter the Abyss of Ruins and slay numerous Dark Gods and Demon Lords there, his true form could revive more rapidly. With the downpour of blood rain looming over them, many observing Dark Gods and Demon Lords began venturing into the Abyss of Ruins. They feared the potential crossfire from impending conflicts. Si Wu promptly decided to follow these Dark Gods and Demon Lords into the Abyss of Ruins. Witch Su Miao remained an unpredictable factor here. Should she decide to unleash her wrath upon the Abyss of Ruins, all his plans could be undone. [I cannot take that risk.] [Though such a revival might not be perfect, thanks to Si Shu's serendipitous actions, I could acquire the blood sacrifice of numerous Dark Gods and Demon Lords. Even if not all my dispersed powers return, it should suffice to enter the Starsea in the future.] Resolute, Si Wu, disguised as a Demon Lord, ventured into the Abyss of Ruins, vanishing amid the chaotic meteor clusters, unknown to others. He intended to prematurely revive his true form! If possible, he hoped Si Sui, Si Zhi, and Si Shu, who had arrived here, could enter as well, reclaiming the powers they controlled. The rebirth flaws of his true form would then become negligible. No, perhaps Si Shu shouldn't be involved. Considering Si Shu's acquaintance with the Witch Su Miao, Si Wu couldn't help but feel apprehensive. "Friend, you look unfamiliar," a nearby evil deity standing on an asteroid said with a menacing tone, eyeing Si Wu. "You, come and scout ahead for me." Si Wu looked at the deity, feigning fear, "Yes, Dark God, I will go wherever you command." The deity chuckled maliciously at Si Wu's submissive response, "Haha, I didn't expect such a coward, but I like it. If you survive, I will grant you tremendous rewards." Si Wu responded, "Thank you for the great boon, Dark God." Hmm? The deity suddenly sensed something amiss. Why did the Demon Lord’s voice echo inside his skull? Glancing again at Si Wu before him, he realized Si Wu had soundlessly phased into his mind? The deity was alarmed and desperately tried to activate prohibitions to expel Si Wu, but at that instant, all previously usable powers seemed sealed. No, it was as if the entire Abyss of Ruins was targeting him. This Demon Lord was a significant problem! The deity promptly understood the crux of the issue. Alas, he couldn’t retaliate, nor could he send out a warning, or even scream. The next moment, his body shattered, consumed entirely by the Abyss of Ruins, flesh and soul alike. Standing upon the asteroid, Si Wu clutched the deity’s divine core, sneering coldly. Outside the Abyss of Ruins, he was an ordinary Demon Lord. But within it, he was more terrifying than the Demon God the Witch had slain. Creepy laughter echoed... ... Si Sui and Si Zhi also noticed Su Miao amidst the void, their feelings intensely complex. They had witnessed the battle between Su Miao and Si Di. That battle seemed like it happened just yesterday. Though Su Miao had emerged victorious, from their perspective, they believed their strength wasn't far below hers. Yet at this moment, with a Demon God perishing at the hands of Witch Su Miao, what could they possibly hope to compare with? Recently emerged from the earth, Si Shu was even more perplexed. Suspicions had arisen last time about Su Miao’s presence, but she hadn’t seen clearly enough to confirm. However, this familiar figure, this familiar staff—who else could it be if not Su Miao? ... So many Demon Lords and Dark Gods... What if they all attack together? No, as Demon Lords and Dark Gods, would they really team up? Moreover, the way these Demon Lords and Dark Gods seemed fearful of her, Su Miao felt slightly reassured. Noticing some Demon Gods voluntarily relinquishing their peaks, Su Miao, wary of traps, avoided going over. Instead, with a wave of her Starry Wand, she caused a towering peak to rise from the ground to her height in the void. Perched atop the peak, Su Miao pulled out a table and chairs from her magic space and sat down. She maintained a cold demeanor as magical notes appeared on the table. Although such circumstances made it hard for her to focus on research, she still had time to document the process of killing the Shadow Demon God and recording the various data gathered. Besides, without her interference, surely the remaining Demon Lords and Dark Gods would start fighting again, right? As long as they did, she could collect more divine cores and Demon Lord essences. These would be tremendously beneficial for her research. Seeing that Su Miao took no further action, the distant Demon Lords and Dark Gods sighed in partial relief. It seemed this Witch was also here for the treasures within the Abyss of Ruins. With shared goals, they could feel slightly more at ease. Or could they? However, given the Abyss of Ruins’ vastness, it wasn't the only exit. When acquiring treasures from the Abyss of Ruins, as long as they didn’t escape through Witch Su Miao's location, they wouldn't have any issues. Simultaneously, information regarding Witch Su Miao's appearance was swiftly disseminated by various factions, urging related forces to investigate and acquire firsthand information. On a distant peak, Grand Demon Lord Kento had already sent the intel regarding Witch Su Miao to Fog Island, prompting the Demon Lord Council to begin investigations. Having narrowly escaped death in a forbidden zone, Grand Demon Lord Colette received the information. Watching the transmitted images from the council, he couldn’t help but take a deep breath. “What... has the Highness come to the Inner World? Could it be she feels dissatisfied with my performance?” Grand Demon Lord Colette was drenched in a cold sweat. He glanced at the newly acquired magic potions, hoping that His Highness would consider these offerings and temper whatever punishment might come his way. Seeing the intel about Su Miao instantaneously dispatching the Silver Feather Dark God, Jamor Dark God, and Shadow Demon God, Grand Demon Lord Colette felt fortunate for having kneeled without hesitation during the invasion of the 16th Otherworld. Had he hesitated even for a moment back then, he wouldn't have survived until now. The mere thought of someone instantly killing renowned and long-established Dark Gods and Demon Gods of the Inner World was beyond Grand Demon Lord Colette's wildest imagination. The previous plans by the Demon Lord Council to attack the 16th Otherworld seemed terrifying now. Nowadays, if anyone dared to suggest such a thing again, he’d be the first to put an end to it. "Kento..." "That fool might not amount to much, but for the sake of Fog Island’s survival, I should at least give him a heads-up." With this thought in mind, Grand Demon Lord Colette immediately sent a message to Fog Island. He hoped Kento wouldn't act foolishly. Grand Demon Lord Colette downed a potion to temporarily suppress his bodily injuries and made haste towards the Abyss of Ruins. He needed to deliver the acquired magic potions to His Highness Su Miao immediately. ... In the Abyss of Ruins, Grand Demon Lord Kento received the feedback from Colette. [This Witch is an unbelievably terrifying being, absolutely not someone Fog Island can afford to offend. She might be linked to the ancient witches that once appeared in the Inner World.] [I'll provide detailed intel on this once I return to Fog Island.] Upon receiving the message, Grand Demon Lord Kento remained expressionless on the surface, but internally, he was astounded. Colette actually knew the origins of this Witch. That sly fox, how deeply he had concealed such knowledge. However, Colette's warning was utterly pointless. Given that the Witch Su Miao had slain not only the Silver Feather Dark God, Jamor Dark God, and Shadow Demon God outside the Abyss of Ruins but had done so in an instant, who could possibly dare to provoke her? If others didn't know better, he definitely would. Were it not for the potential ridicule he might face later, Grand Demon Lord Kento might have already fled. The treasures within the Abyss of Ruins—let anyone who wanted them fight over them. Fog Island was wealthy enough, lacking nothing of the sort. "Everyone, regardless of who starts fighting later, or who tries to draw us in, do not engage." Kento advised the twenty Demon Lords from Fog Island who accompanied him. All twenty Demon Lords agreed in unison. Fog Island's strategy always favored aligning with the wind; they steadfastly refused battles with contrary winds. ... In a secluded area, Si Sui proposed, "The Witch is an unstable factor here. Come with me into the Abyss of Ruins, what do you think?" Si Zhi smiled enigmatically, "Si Sui, do you want my powers?" Si Sui replied, "Si Zhi, you are my ally. I have no reason to stab a partner in the back in such a perilous place." Si Zhi shook their head, "Hypocritical, so hypocritical, Si Sui. You could be more candid. If you want my powers, just say it outright—no need to trick me into the Abyss of Ruins to make a move there." "Are you worried about Si Shu lurking in the shadows, or afraid of being noticed by the Witch Su Miao?" "One should be honest about their desires. Otherwise, how can they take that step forward?" Si Sui found Si Zhi's twisted logic and rhetoric perpetually perplexing. "What are you trying to say, Si Zhi?" "I didn't expect you to be not only hypocritical but also foolish, Si Sui." Si Zhi shook their head in disappointment, "Actually, if you want my powers, just ask. As an ally, I would readily give them to you." Si Sui grew more vigilant, "Si Zhi, don't joke around. You know what losing powers means for a member of the Twelve Divisions?" Si Zhi said, "You mean being reduced to an ordinary ability user, or even less than that? Si Sui, I was right to call you foolish." They placed a hand over their heart, blood trickling from their mouth. A terrifying presence seemed to emanate faintly. "What are you doing?" Si Sui took a few steps back, looking at Si Zhi in horror. Si Zhi grinned, "Naturally, I'm extracting my powers to give them to you, my hypocritical ally. Being with someone as foolish as you is too dangerous." Si Sui urged, "Don't act impulsively, Si Zhi." Si Zhi chuckled darkly, "Too late." A softly glowing orb appeared in their palm. "Look, this is my Si Zhi power. So beautiful, I'm giving it to you. If you don't catch it now, it’ll be snatched away by other Demon Lords or Dark Gods." They released the orb, sending it toward Si Sui. Madman! It's said that the Twelve Divisions produce madmen, and Si Zhi, fond of twisted logic, was the epitome of madness among them. Despite having always been on guard against Si Zhi, Si Sui never imagined that Si Zhi would actually dig out and offer their core powers. Seeing nearby Dark Gods and Demon Lords drawn to the aura of Si Zhi's power, Si Sui promptly accepted and absorbed the offered power. The moment Si Sui integrated Si Zhi’s power, the world around seemed to transform. Everything previously unclear suddenly made sense. Infinite knowledge. Endless wisdom. “Hahaha, this is the power of Si Zhi! Becoming a god is this simple!” “I have grown stronger!” Si Sui stared at their hands, ignoring the heavily injured Si Zhi, who had extracted their own powers, and turned to a nearby corner, "Si Shu, you’ve been observing for a while, it's time to step out." (End of the chapter)