Is Fate's Hand Guiding Everything?

The bedframe stopped creaking.

Lilith, flushed with excitement, left with Iris to continue their simple task of repairing the Bewildering Forest. Yi Bai, on the other hand, replaced his blanket and resumed lying down, savoring the rare peace of the sage's moment. Occasionally, he glanced at the Mirror Realm, where the statues continued their mournful, piercing screams, each voice a tortured wail. The sounds intertwined, creating a melody that resonated deeply within him—strangely beautiful.

After spending several hours with Lilith, Yi Bai figured it was time to reconnect with Yuanmeng.

Calming his mind and clearing his thoughts, Yi Bai, with perfect control over his body, effortlessly drifted into a deep sleep. For those who struggled with insomnia, this might have been a scene of envy.

"Darling, over here!"

No sooner had he closed his eyes than Yuanmeng's soothing voice echoed in his ears. Looking around, Yi Bai saw Yuanmeng in her red bridal gown, and Shier, now in a white princess dress, waiting eagerly.

In a flash, the adorable little loli turned into a streak of light, landing straight into Yi Bai's arms. By Yuanmeng's side, a faint silhouette was gradually materializing.

"Impressive. The Dream Demon's ability is truly extraordinary. To bridge two realms like this is no small feat," commented the newly manifested Rose Countess, taking in the scene with awe.

"A mere trifle," Yuanmeng replied humbly, though a proud glint sparkled in her eyes. The "keyboard warrior" in the dream realm was vastly different from her real-world persona.

"Little one, you really have a knack for stirring up trouble. Haven't had enough in the Horror World, so you're causing a ruckus here too?" Rose Countess shook her head, one hand pressed to her forehead as if dealing with a headache.

Yi Bai, silent, thought to himself, Blame me? What can I do? I'm just as desperate here!

Seeing Yi Bai's silence, Rose Countess sighed, "Who else would be worrying for you if not me? After all, you're my only source of sustenance, and yet, instead of peace, you bring me more headaches."

The good-natured Shier, still in Yi Bai's arms, flushed slightly, embarrassed.

Yi Bai's thoughts drifted for a moment as he recalled his earlier promise to the Countess—he had promised to help her with her blood-related issues. But as their relationship grew closer, that promise seemed to slip further from his mind. However, the Countess's complaints didn't last long.

"I've gathered enough information about the God of Greed," Rose Countess continued, her expression turning serious. "He's hiding in the shadows in the Horror World, a terrifying manifestation of a malevolent god's will. But his true identity is still unknown."

"However, the problem of the god's shrine, I've come up with a solution that will make things easy for you."

Yi Bai was taken aback. "Easy? Are you sure?"

"Of course, I'm sure. When have I ever deceived you?" Rose Countess shot him a knowing look, her eyes narrowing with a hint of mischief.

"Ah, I was wrong to doubt you! Please, tell me what to do next, the situation is urgent," Yi Bai quickly apologized, shifting focus to the pressing matter.

Rose Countess gave him a half-smile, the kind that spoke volumes of her allure. "The shrine of the God of Greed, as you said, is suppressed in the mortal realm and can only exert power at the level of the Red Clothes—barely a threat to you."

Yi Bai's eyes widened. "A rare opportunity?"

"Yes, an opportunity you can't afford to miss!" Rose Countess confirmed, her voice rich with confidence. "You know that ability of yours to revive the ghoul in the Third Hospital, it's tied to the concepts of 'redemption and salvation,' right?"

"Yes." Yi Bai nodded, not hiding anything. There was no reason to, not in front of those he trusted.

"Then it's no problem," Rose Countess smiled again, her voice tinged with a hint of envy. "The God of Greed's greatest feature is to lead people into temptation, causing them to fall into depravity and become puppets."

"Redemption... don't you think that word clashes with 'temptation' and 'depravity'?"

Yi Bai's eyes flashed with realization, and then an involuntary shiver ran down his spine, a strange, creeping fear growing within him. His face turned serious as he looked at Rose Countess.

"Rose Countess... do you think there is a god of fate in the Horror World, one who controls the rules of destiny?"

"Fate..." Rose Countess murmured, her blood-red eyes narrowing with suspicion. "Are you suggesting there is a terrifying being manipulating everything that happens?"

Yi Bai's heart sank. "What a coincidence, isn't it?"

The coincidences had stacked up, one after another. Was it really just coincidence?

The City of Memories. The Forest of Fairy Tales. The God of Greed's shrine, with its power to lead to temptation, fall, and corruption.

And just so happened, Yi Bai had brought back the seed of the redemption rule from the Forest of Fairy Tales, along with the king's power to suppress the god's aura.

And in the mortal world, he had noticed the presence of Shinkan City at the perfect moment.

Yuanmeng, bound by the fateful connection, was able to act as a cross-dimensional communicator.

And now, Rose Countess had come up with a solution for the shrine.

Coincidence? Or was there some invisible hand at play, strumming the strings of fate, composing a prewritten song of destiny?