As his voice fell, Shiroyasha and Queen Halloween, who had been stunned by the 1-Digit Gift, instantly regained their senses.
If Star Spirits could sweat, they would already be drenched. Their golden and red eyes trembled as they gazed at the man before them—so handsome that even by Star Spirit standards, it was almost absurd.
They could not sense any aura from this man.
To know, even the most ordinary human possessed some trace of aura.
But he had none—it was as if he didn't exist in this plane at all.
Smiling gently, he tapped the table with his finger, his eyes filled with calm warmth.
In his gaze, everything within this multiverse was equal and the same.
Two 1-Digit Gifts were lightly placed upon the table.
Merely feeling a sliver of that aura, Shiroyasha felt as though she had been swept into the boundless expanse of Pan-Human History.
The Solar Sovereignty…
And not just any—it was the multiversal-level Solar Sovereignty of Pan-Human History.
Compared to hers, her own Solar Sovereignty was like a mere firefly before a true star.
Her Solar Sovereignty could only influence the shifts of human history, adjusting the cycles of historical turnover.
But the two Solar Sovereignties before her could awaken the infinite gods, Star Spirits, wills of civilizations, and Authorities that would emerge in the future of Pan-Human History…
And they could even summon a strand of will from Pan-Human History itself.
That single strand of will carried the power of a 1-Digit being.
"Gulp… Y-You… are you one of those existences?" Shiroyasha's body tensed, her golden pupils trembling.
For someone who could hide all sense of presence and casually take out two 1-Digit Gifts—there was no doubt he was one of those few wills that had previously descended.
A Primeval God, one of the wills representing the multiverse itself, a true 1-Digit existence.
Perhaps even one of the Super-Primeval Gods, who embodied the origin of the multiverse.
It was impossible to tell—was he a Primeval God, or a Super-Primeval God?
Queen Halloween sat stiffly, placing both hands on her knees and swallowing nervously.
Even though she was known as one of Little Garden's three major problem children, before such an unimaginable being, she behaved obediently.
After all, causing trouble depended on who you provoked—otherwise, she'd end up like Algol.
"So, how about a little wager?" Noah smiled—neither confirming nor denying.
"Let's play a few rounds of chess. Best of three. If you win, you obtain the Solar Sovereignty. Hmm… but if you lose… you'll become mine. How about that?"
Facing a 1-Digit Gift, Shiroyasha and Queen Halloween felt a surge of heat, but not to the point of losing all reason. They exchanged glances.
Queen Halloween shifted her gaze away from the Solar Sovereignty and cautiously looked toward the smiling man.
"What exactly do you mean by 'become yours'?"
The man smiled softly. "Just as it sounds. Wife, maid, companion—your body and existence itself belong to me. But I won't force your will, nor restrict your freedom."
"In other words, I simply wish to collect you."
"Do you know the card collection games mortals play? Some players care about strength, some about rarity, and some about completing the full catalog."
"And I… care about the full catalog. Solar Star Spirits exist in Teyvat, yes, but…"
Noah made no attempt to conceal his true purpose. Having already reached supreme and invincible heights, why bother with pretense?
Indeed, Solar Star Spirits did exist in Teyvat—and in great numbers. Typically, one or two would emerge per Great Universe, each claiming dominion over a small stream within Pan-Human History.
But what he desired to collect were the familiar waifus, not mere substitutes.
"Well… that's the situation. I treasure every card dearly—after all, each is unique."
"Of course, even if you lose, I'll still grant you these two Solar Sovereignties. Since you'll already be mine, I won't be stingy."
As he spoke, Shiroyasha and Queen Halloween watched as he pushed the two Solar Sovereignties toward them.
The multiversal will unique to 1-Digit Gifts and the aura of Pan-Human History's Solar Sovereignty made their consciousnesses waver in intoxication.
Obtain… obtain… obtain…
Desire… desire… desire…
Shiroyasha and Queen Halloween's very existences were completely incapable of resisting such temptation.
They were Solar Star Spirits themselves—how could they possibly withstand the will to possess such a level of Solar Sovereignty?
Haa… haa…
Shiroyasha and Queen Halloween hadn't completely lost their reason to instinct.
Noah looked at the two, breathing heavily as their wills fought for dominance.
"So then, what do you say? Solar Star Spirits, Queens of Realms—after gaining the Solar Sovereignty, it's highly possible you'll become multiversal wills yourselves."
Shiroyasha bit her lip, her golden eyes full of inner conflict.
To gain the Solar Sovereignty only to become someone else's collectible?
To become a 1-Digit existence at the cost of body and soul?
Was it worth it?
For some 2-Digit beings, of course it was.
After all, that was a 1-Digit.
"Gulp… You truly… won't restrict my freedom or will?"
Shiroyasha's very existence was locked in a fierce negotiation with her own will.
Clearly, her yearning for a 1-Digit Solar Sovereignty had already surpassed her self-control.
"Of course," Noah replied calmly.
Shiroyasha felt as if, in just those two or three seconds, her entire being had gone weak.
Her golden eyes once again met that being's gaze.
To gamble against a 1-Digit existence—there was absolutely no way she could win.
And yet, she could not possibly refuse the Solar Sovereignty.
He had already won from the very beginning.
Moreover…
She had already heard from Focalors and the others.
The Solar Sovereignty War had just concluded.
Even beings such as the Primeval Gods at the very beginning, those of the highest standing, would not dare to casually take or reassign an unallocated Solar Sovereignty without authorization.
Which meant… he was an existence beyond the 1-Digits.
Queen Halloween realized this as well.
Her expression shifted several times before she could no longer resist the overwhelming temptation.
Catching a glimpse of Shiroyasha, she saw that her reaction was the same.
"Bet!" ×2
Shiroyasha and Queen Halloween both slammed their palms down upon the Solar Sovereignties that had been pushed before them.
...
A chessboard appeared upon the card table.
Shiroyasha and Queen Halloween both raised their brows.
Not surprised, not surprised—this was perfectly normal…
Yeah, right!
The chessboard was composed entirely of Principles, and it was impossible to discern just how many kinds it contained. Every single piece was made of a different Principle.
To master even one Principle was enough to ascend as a Primeval God, though one required the acknowledgment of a supreme existence.
So, it could now be said with certainty—this being was indeed one of the Super-Primeval Gods.
"Who's going first?" Noah smiled at the two Star Spirits.
Who could have imagined that beings who roamed so freely through Little Garden, feared even among 2-Digit existences, would now stand so reservedly before him?
The gods and buddhas below the 2-Digit rank in Little Garden would probably refuse to believe such a sight.
Queen Halloween and Shiroyasha both stepped forward simultaneously—only to bump right into each other.
"Oof!"
Shiroyasha, caught off guard due to her height, was knocked flat onto the ground, eyes wide. "Hey! I was first!"
Queen Halloween shot her a mocking glance, not sparing her a shred of face.
No matter what the task, she had to go before Shiroyasha.
Whatever Shiroyasha had, she must also have—and whatever Shiroyasha lacked, she must still surpass her. As fellow Solar Star Spirit, she refused to come second.
Though admittedly… she lost more often than she won.
Just then, a playful voice rang out.
"Ah~ You came without notifying me? That makes me feel quite rude, you know~"
A girl dressed like a tomboy, her eyes gleaming with the suits of a playing card—diamonds and clubs—appeared above the table with a soft pop.
A faint aura of the Principle of Games spread outward.
Shiroyasha and Queen Halloween froze, their lips twitching slightly.
A Lawbearer?
What was going on? How had they, upon barely arriving here, immediately encountered such an existence?
The Principle of Games…
An entity fully capable of becoming a 1-Digit Primeval God.
Just sensing her presence exerted tremendous pressure upon the two Star Spirits.
That pressure far exceeded what the Twin Goddesses could muster—it was a true abyssal gulf.
"Oh~ Tet, you've made great progress lately. Already reached Super God level. Looks like, in at most a million years, you'll break through to Primeval God class with a ten-thousandfold single-universe surge."
Noah said with a smile as he looked at the suddenly appearing girl.
Currently, Tet's strength had already reached over two hundredfold single-universe power.
If ranked by sheer might, she would comfortably sit at the 14th position—the one ahead of her being Lumine, who possessed a thousandfold single-universe strength.
"Hehehe~ That's all thanks to the Gift Game! Without it, I'd only be around Fufu's level right now~"
A chair appeared behind Tet, and she sat down beside Noah without a care, hugging his arm while completely ignoring the stunned gazes of Shiroyasha and Queen Halloween.
Her eyes, patterned with playing card suits, sparkled with amusement as she looked at the two Star Spirits.
"I'm Tet, the God of Games, and the future Lawbearer of the Principle of Games."
"And by the way~ the Lawbearer rank was a Gift from Lord Noah~"
Noah flicked her forehead lightly with a finger. Tet let out a small cry, "Ow~!" before looking up at him with tearful eyes.
Noah chuckled. "You talk too much. Do I look like someone who needs an assistant to help me win?"
Tet rubbed her forehead and playfully stuck out her tongue.
"Then, may I at least witness this game?"
That was her true goal.
To witness Lord Heavenly Principle's game—if she were permitted to do so, it would be a blessing beyond measure.
The level of mastery she could achieve over the Principle of Games after witnessing such a match was beyond imagination.
The multiverse was currently expanding infinitely, with its mass endlessly increasing.
Even though she had long since mastered five percent of the Principle, that proportion remained unchanged.
No matter how hard she worked, her progress merely managed to keep pace with the rate at which the multiverse grew stronger.
It was truly frustrating.
She had once camped at the Temple of Truth for nearly ten thousand years, hoping to encounter Lord Heavenly Principle.
But he had never returned to the Temple.
She and Phanes had spent those ten thousand years staring at each other in silence—long enough for her courage to completely wither.
She had returned to Fontaine in low spirits, only to run into Lord Heavenly Principle by chance.
It was the best stroke of luck imaginable.
As for why she didn't expand the domain of the Principle of Games to Little Garden?
Naturally, because the benefits gained from acting spoiled before Lord Heavenly Principle far outweighed any amount of hard work.
"If you want to watch, then stay. Hmm… as a reward, I'll grant you ten percent control authority. Satisfied?"
Noah, seemingly aware of Tet's thoughts, reached out and pinched her cheeks.
"Mmph—hehehe…" Tet giggled foolishly, overjoyed.
After all, Lawbearers and the Lords of Divine Collectives weren't even in the same league.
Shiroyasha and Queen Halloween exchanged glances, both thinking the same thing.
This Tet, the Lawbearer of Games, must also be one of this being's collectibles.
Seeing how happy she looked—her silly smile said it all. She had just received an unimaginable boon.
Ten percent control authority?
That must be ten percent control of a Principle.
Just from a little bit of playful flattery, she'd received a reward that defied all logic…
Though, in truth, it looked more like how a master might reward a beloved pet.
Still, they couldn't help but think—they wanted to be such pets too.
The last trace of prideful resistance faded from their hearts.
After all—
If all it took was a bit of acting cute to gain such heavenly rewards, then they would fight for the chance to be his pets!
A little flattery today, a little more tomorrow… and before long, they'd be 1-Digit existences! It was too easy!
"Ahem! Then, this game shall be hosted by me, Tet, the God of Games!"
Clap! Clap!
Tet clapped her hands together.
A Gift Game Document condensed from the Cosmic Nexus of the main universe's governing rules appeared.
Since Teyvat had ascended to the multiversal level, the original Cosmic Nexus, which maintained order, now only oversaw the main universe—serving as its central controller.
"Now then, challenger goes first," Noah said with a smile.
Queen Halloween took a deep breath. Though she knew the outcome was certain defeat, she still wanted to see how many moves she could last against such an existence.
Carefully, she lifted one of the chess pieces condensed from Law.
Hum~
The Principle of Enigmata stirred faintly. This piece was formed from the Principle of Enigmata itself.
The moment she picked it up, Queen Halloween was touched by its aura, gaining a faint understanding of that Law.
She instantly realized that with each move, she would gain comprehension of a new Principle.
This game… was designed to increase their chances of ascending to 1-Digit status.
Her crimson eyes flared with heat.
No matter what, she would give it her all—to play as many moves as she possibly could!
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