After talking to Lin Hua for a little longer, the party understood a little more about the God Trials. Each god had a different trial depending on their divinity. For example, Helion was most likely going to choose the Hephaestus trial and that trial required him to forge good pieces of equipment.

  As for the Goddess Aphrodite, Shiro didn’t want to imagine. After all, Aphrodite wanted to make Shiro her chosen and that would have been a rather ’interesting’ trial.

  Making their way towards the staircase that could be seen even from the city, Shiro turned to Lin Hua and asked about Nan Tian’s whereabouts.

  "The Branch Master has already exited seclusion as a tier 6 entity. He’s just solidifying his foundations right now as he is still not quite used to the power. This is why he wanted me to escort you girls instead as he is currently busy." Lin Hua explained as Shiro sighed in relief.

  "So Nan Tian succeeded. That’s good." Shiro smiled.

  "Are you worried about the Branch Master?" Lin Hua asked curiously.

  "Well isn’t it natural that I’ll be worried? Who knows if he’ll run into trouble while classing up." Shiro shrugged.

  "You don’t have to worry about that since everyone in the sect was keeping watch on the Branch Master. The Sect Master has already passed down the order that during this time, no one is to disturb the Branch Master and make sure that he is safe." Lin Hua replied as Shiro nodded her head.

  Making their way towards the staircase, the party could already see a few people walking up and statues could be seen in the distance which represented the lesser gods.

  "This is as far as I can take you since those who have cleared the trials once cannot clear it again. Or rather, they don’t have the qualifications to take it again since the gods are rather petty. They don’t want to take another’s leftovers." Lin Hua explained with a shrug.

  "In any case, I wish you lot good luck in your journey up the mountain. I shall await here for your return as this is the task handed to me by the Branch Master." She bowed.

  Looking at the staircase, Shiro glanced towards her party members and nodded her head.

  "Let’s go." Shiro grinned.

  Taking the first step, she could already feel a faint pressure weigh down on her as she raised her eyebrow. However, this pressure was rather negligible and Shiro took another step with ease.

  The party was the same and could keep up the same pace with Shiro. The higher they travelled, the more people they found sitting by the side and drinking some water with stressed out expressions.

  When they saw the party walking up without any signs of fatigue, they wondered who they were as not many could walk up the stairs so effortlessly. Especially for Shiro, she looked as though she was taking a stroll in the park.

  Time passed and the party continued higher up the mountain. At this point, things were becoming rather difficult even for Shiro as each step felt like she was carrying a mountain on her back.

  But rather than physical burden, it was more psychological as their bodies weren’t strained. Only their mind was and each step had to be taken while trying to keep their focus.

  As they continued up the mountain, the steps soon became personal trials as all distractions were cast aside. They started to lose vision of their party members as it was only them and their own will.

  Shiro had tried to communicate with Nimue only to find out that she could not, meaning that she had to walk up the stairs alone.

  "A rather annoying trial I must say." Shiro muttered with a soft smile since she wanted to see her party member and encourage them to go further. That way, they can support each other up the journey but it seemed like the gods have other plans.

  Shaking her head, Shiro continued to walk up the steps.

  Never looking back, Shiro couldn’t see how high up the mountain she was as her focus was the top.

  "My my, so you’re the girl that Aphrodite and Athena were fighting over." A voice rang out as Shiro was surprised since she had been on her own for a while but looked towards the source.

  Floating there with a rather cheerful grin was an illusionary image of a child. The child had wavy blond hair and a set of brown eyes which surveyed Shiro. He wore a pair of shoes with crested wings on the side which gave Shiro an idea of his identity.

  "Hermes I presume?" Shiro asked with a smile.

  "Indeed. It is I, Hermes the messenger of the gods." Hermes bowed as Shiro continued her steps.

  "So what brings you to me? Am I not to continue to the top since Nyx wanted a meeting with me?" Shiro asked, feeling rather happy about some company since walking up the stairs was rather boring.

  "Because I am curious. The gods are rather greedy over you I suppose for a lack of a better word. Aphrodite wants you because of your beauty. Athena wants you because of your strength, wisdom and the desire to protect this world. There are others who want you as well including Hestia and even Hera. One is the v.i.r.g.i.n Goddess while the other is the Goddess of Marriage and Childbirth. You reach out to quite a diverse audience no?" Hermes raised his eyebrow.

  "What can I say? I have three children but the most I’ve done is hold hands." Shiro laughed.

  "Indeed. I’ll tell you this though, even the titans are interested in you. Namely Kronos so be careful." Hermes warned.

  "Wasn’t Kronos the one that tried to eat his children?" Shiro raised her eyebrow.

  "Yes and Zeus is still rather unhappy about that." Hermes laughed.

  "The two do fight occasionally but they’re unable to kill one another because of the system’s intervention."

  "I see. Should I be happy or sad that they want me?" Shiro shrugged.

  "If It was me, I’d say sad. Having gods fight over you isn’t as great as some would presume. Regardless of who you choose, there are some who will attempt to kill you with the thought that if I can’t have them, no one can." Hermes sighed while glancing towards the top of the mountain.

  "Luckily for you, it’s Nyx who has her eye on you so the others can’t do much about it. After all, her identity is rather special even to the system." Hermes reassured.

  "Speaking of which, since you’re the messenger, it means that you know a lot of things right?" Shiro asked.

  "Yup."

  "Then can you tell me about who the figure that Nyx said has her eye on me? She never mentioned the name but it seems like Nyx has some respect for her." Shiro asked as Hermes’ eyes flickered with a knowing light.

  Naturally, this did not escape Shiro’s notice.

  "You know don’t you?" Shiro narrowed her eyes.

  "Maybe, maybe not. I can’t give all the information away without a price." Hermes shrugged.

  Shaking her head, Shiro flicked her finger at Hermes nose and to his surprise, she could actually touch him.

  "Huh?"

  "What? Are you surprised that I can touch you?" Shiro grinned.

  Flickering on her finger was a few red circuits that had allowed her to extract a portion of Aekari’s soul. With her passive Skill Scholar, it was only natural that she could utilise the element to some extent. Though if she wanted, she could extract Hermes’ soul right now and try to get a skill. The success rate was unknown but it was worth a shot.

  Feeling danger, Hermes made some distance between them as Shiro laughed.

  "Don’t worry, I ain’t gonna kill you."

  "But you can if you want no?" He narrowed his eyes.

  Seeing a god hide behind a statue of another god, Shiro only laughed.

  "Maybe, maybe not. I can’t give all the information away without a price." She shrugged as Hermes pouted a little but shook his head.

  "There’s no point in telling you since Nyx has ordered me not to. All I can say is that you need to be respectful towards her." Hermes sighed.

  "Got it. Will I see the other gods then or are you the only one?" Shiro asked.

  "I’m probably the only one. Thanks to my divinity, I’m able to create an avatar without too much sacrifice as long as I obey the rules. The other’s aren’t the same so unless they REALLY want to talk to you, I doubt that they’ll make an avatar." Hermes shrugged.

  However, just as he said this, a similar godly aura appeared as a beautiful woman appeared in front of them.

  "Are you sure about that? The others are coming soon. They’re still making their avatar since their rank is higher than mine." The woman smiled softly as Hermes scratched his head in wonder.

  "They want to talk to her that much?"

  "Yes." The woman chuckled and turned to Shiro.

  "Nice to meet you, I’m Artemis, Goddess of the Hunt."