I waved my hand, and a shiny little object emerged from my personal space. It was only a few centimeters long, about the size of a miniature Warhammer, and it emitted a strange, pleasant aroma…
This was the advanced tool I once used for the "Obedient Pandora Training Plan," a favorite among weird uncles and beloved big brothers, something that had captivated countless innocent lolis and made a huge contribution to the food industry—a lollipop!
I had absolutely no doubt about the lollipop's power. Back in the day, even Pandora, who was nearly immune to all loli-related items, would immediately obey me when faced with a lollipop (though, to be honest, that little girl was always obedient unless it involved battles). I just couldn't believe that a loli from the Otherworld could resist it!
Well, although this unknown creature had just escaped the loli category in terms of size and appearance, it was still a tiny being, so its interests should be similar to those of a typical loli, right?
Hmm, probably?
The lollipop's aroma clearly caught the little thing's attention. She gradually stopped crying, her emerald-like eyes fixated on the strange item in my hand.
I tried to smile as kindly as possible and unwrapped the lollipop. Immediately, a stronger, more enticing smell wafted out. The little thing's tiny nose twitched as she looked at me cautiously.
"Little sister, don't be afraid, your uncle's giving you a lollipop... cough cough, little one, don't cry, look at the big brother's lollipop… cough cough, little... never mind, this sounds so wrong no matter how I say it..."
I talked nonsense while observing the little one's reactions. She clearly sensed my goodwill and finally stopped retreating in fear. Instead, she watched me curiously.
"Here you go," I said, offering the lollipop, "It's delicious~"
The little one looked into my eyes seriously, then cautiously flew over and gently licked the lollipop. Instantly, she showed an expression of wonder.
It proved that the lollipop was a miraculous invention in human culinary culture! It successfully conquered Xyrin Empire's Commander Pan Lingling, General Pandora, and even Empress Sandora. Now, it had undoubtedly conquered this mysterious Otherworld creature!
The little one was so small that even a tiny lollipop appeared gigantic in front of her. Watching her struggle to hold the massive sugar ball, I couldn't help but chuckle as I took the candy back. By now, her vigilance towards me had completely dissipated. She made a faint, indiscernible sound, then lightly landed on my hand and knelt down, beginning to lick the candy.
"What's your name?" I asked cautiously, fearing that a heavy breath might blow the little one away.
"Dingdang," she replied in a small, melodious voice, as clear as spring water.
"Dingdang?" I got interested, "That's an interesting name. Do you live here?"
"Yes," the little one nodded, "Ever since I lost contact with the Goddess, I've been living here. There are dangerous things outside. Dingdang's strength isn't enough to purify them, so I've been waiting for my power to recover..."
"The Goddess?"
I keenly noticed the term she mentioned. From Sandora, I knew that the legendary Divine Race truly existed. They were powerful beings formed from energy and fundamental laws, and they were also creators of many worlds. Unlike the lofty gods of myth, they were actually quite friendly, considering themselves as just beings with greater power. They loved to interact with those who could withstand their presence. Before the Xyrin Empire fell into slumber, these powerful beings had even maintained close contact with the Empire, helping perfect many of its mysterious power studies. Broadly speaking, the Xyrin Apostles strengthened by the Divine Race were essentially artificial gods!
The little one took a lick of the lollipop, then softly answered, "Yes, Dingdang is an Angel Envoy of the Life Goddess!"
Over the next ten minutes, I roughly understood the background of this little one who called herself Dingdang.
She was actually of the Divine Race!
Without a doubt, a bona fide member of the Divine Race...
Of course, from Dingdang, I also learned that not all Divine Race members were as tiny as she was...
Dingdang belonged to a branch of the Divine Race that governed Life Power. Her serving Goddess was the highest source of all Life Power—the Life Goddess. Dingdang came to this world to combat the Abyss Power here!
Although the cause of Abyss Power was still unknown, its harm was obvious. Countless worlds were destroyed by Abyss Power every second. This not only caused immense harm to ordinary worlds but also posed a significant threat to the Divine Race. Therefore, Abyss Power was a primary target for the Divine Race to hunt down. Every thousand years, the Divine Race would send out many expeditionary armies around the Void to annihilate these wandering dangerous powers. These expeditionary armies would patrol various worlds, destroying every Abyss exit they found until the next expeditionary army replaced them.
Dingdang was a member of such an expeditionary army.
In a fierce battle, her squad was dragged into an Abyss entrance by chaotic Space Power. Although a few powerful Divine Race generals ultimately used a Fake World switch to destroy the Abyss entrance, Dingdang was separated from the main force in the final explosion and ended up in this world. As she prepared to seek aid from the Divine Realm, she discovered that this world was also infected by Abyss Power. Though the infection wasn't severe and the native beings of this world barely resisted the Abyss's influence, Dingdang's distress signal was blocked by the interference created by Abyss Power.
Thus, Dingdang temporarily stayed in this world, trying her best to recover her power so she could soon break free from the Abyss's interference and report this world's dire situation to the Goddess.
"It's been years!" the little thing said, licking the sugar ball hard, "Dingdang has stayed in this world for many years! But to regain enough power to break through the Abyss blockade, Dingdang would need to stay even longer, because Dingdang isn't a combat-specialized Divine Race member... but now, Dingdang's home is gone..."
The little thing's mood fell once more as she spoke, and even the sweet-smelling lollipop couldn't attract her attention anymore.
...Alright, I was defeated. I was defeated by the guilt brought upon me by this palm-sized little beauty...
"How about you come with me?" I suggested tentatively. Though Abyss Power was mighty, with the powerful combat strength of the Xyrin Army and the expertise of Sandora, an Abyss battle-hardened expert, breaking through the Abyss blockade here shouldn't be too difficult. Perhaps this Little Goddess did possess greater power, but surely all the Xyrin Apostles together were stronger than her alone?
I just didn't know if this little one would trust me, a stranger who had just burned down her home.
To my surprise, the little one only stared at me blankly for a moment, then readily agreed, "Sure, Dingdang will go with you!"
Readily and unbelievably.
Could it be that so-called Heavenly Gods were all naïve creatures without brains?
Of course not, Dingdang immediately resolved my doubt, "Dingdang can sense the heart of any living being. You are a good person, and it seems like you have a way to leave here, so Dingdang trusts you!"
I must admit, as a Divine Race member, this little one did possess an enviable ability.
On the way out of the forest, Dingdang sat on my head, curiously asking, "Ah Jun, where are we going?"
"First, we're going to find a few friends of mine who have the power to fight against the Abyss. With their help, leaving this world shouldn't be an issue – before that, we still need to pick up two girls who don't have any means of self-protection."
Meanwhile, near the exit of some Nameless Valley, Qianqian and Chen Qian were encountering a bit of trouble.