Walking through the dense forest, the group was discussing Quetzalcoatl when a jaguar-person descended from the sky, blocking their path.
However, they were directly ignored by the group. As Li Xing passed by the jaguar-person, he reached out and stroked its ear.
The ignored jaguar-person was very displeased, then ran to the front of the group again, assuming a fighting stance.
But Ishtar directly unleashed a gem magic attack. The hit jaguar-person was in so much pain that tears welled up in its eyes.
"Hey! I'm talking to you! Servants can also be killed! As a lone Servant yourself, you must understand my feelings, meow! A once-in-a-lifetime miracle summon, yet without a Master. A tiger-striped cat-eared jaguar-person striving for recognition! Though I'm not a goddess, I am a god of great spirits! At least show me some respect?"
Hearing this, everyone finally stopped. The jaguar-person was not Quetzalcoatl's subordinate, but a lone Servant, meaning they could potentially recruit her to their side.
Merlin then advised Fujimaru Ritsuka to use his strengths to persuade the jaguar-person. More companions were always better.
Fujimaru Ritsuka, with a tentative attitude, stepped forward and said, "Though it may be too late, you are truly a peerless beauty!"
The jaguar-person, praised by Fujimaru Ritsuka, shivered on the spot, and a "meow" sound echoed...
"Great! I'll join you! I understand, I understand. Defeating Quetzalcoatl, right? Leave that to me, big sister!"
"S-such a fickle god..." Li Xing was speechless. She was won over with just a compliment. Li Xing felt he was much more handsome than Fujimaru Ritsuka. Could it be the buff of being the last Master of humanity?
...
Thus, led by the jaguar-person, Fujimaru Ritsuka and the others headed towards Eridu. However, as they neared the Eridu temple, they saw soldiers from Uruk.
"Are these... the soldiers killed in Uruk! They weren't killed?" Mash was surprised and delighted, yet still very confused about what was happening.
Fortunately, the jaguar-person provided the answer. These people had indeed died. Quetzalcoatl's attack had dealt a fatal blow, but simultaneously bestowed a fatal resurrection.
However, they were unable to leave this place, as these people were important sacrifices, and could be used as Kukulkan's soldiers when necessary.
"Oh well, none of that matters. Let's hurry to the Eridu temple! A head-on battle for our souls, to silence Quetzalcoatl!" Li Xing, not wanting to waste time, immediately had the jaguar-person lead the way. Fujimaru Ritsuka seemed to have grasped the key point: a battle of souls. Throughout their journey, he had spoken with Ishtar at night and learned a crucial piece of information: Quetzalcoatl is the pinnacle of benevolent gods. A Servant with benevolence could not defeat her.
...
Upon arriving at the Eridu temple, everyone immediately spotted the Axe of Marduk in the rear. Quetzalcoatl stood atop the temple, awaiting their arrival.
"Hi! Welcome to my temple. I knew you would come."
Quetzalcoatl exuded a powerful aura, incredibly imposing.
"Regardless of your methods, you've come to defeat me, haven't you? I respect your courage and initiative. I will not falter in any battle, any challenge."
"Because I enjoy it! Humans are worth bullying from head to toe, they can be killed, spared, threatened, or protected. Though I no longer have memories of the first generation, the seeds of information accumulated over generations tell me this: I love humans, and I want to coexist with them. This species is the very value of our existence."
"This assertion cannot stand..." Fujimaru Ritsuka could not agree with Quetzalcoatl's statement.
"Talking further is a waste of time. Let's defeat her first!" Ishtar lost her patience, flying forward and telling Fujimaru Ritsuka to prepare for battle.
"Fine, your target is the Sunstone, right? The longer you can delay, the more opportunities the Master will have. So, let's compete in this manner!"
"But before that, I have a request. Fujimaru Ritsuka, never forget joy. I fight because I enjoy it, and humans fight because they enjoy it. As long as you don't harbor hatred, you won't kill your opponent. This is the mystery, and the virtue, of Mexican wrestling. So, you too must enjoy this crisis! Only by doing so can we understand each other more deeply."
Fujimaru Ritsuka suddenly remembered what Jaldabaoth had said: those who harbor joy should not be agreed with. He immediately stated, "I do not agree!"
Quetzalcoatl, rejected, suddenly became cold and then retorted, "What is battle?"
"It is an existence that needs to be overcome with full effort for the [joy] after the battle!"
"Is that so! So you are that kind of human!" Quetzalcoatl laughed, her thoughts unknown.
"Enough talk! Let's fight!" Li Xing shouted, stomping on the ground. A deep pit appeared, and Li Xing flew towards Quetzalcoatl.
"Ahaha! Little brother, you're too hasty!" Quetzalcoatl chuckled, grabbed Li Xing's shoulders with both hands, and forcefully slammed him onto the floor behind her. Li Xing was violently thrown to the ground.
"Damn! She's strong!" Li Xing was stunned for a moment. Was this wrestling? He then spat out a mouthful of blood, his internal organs churning from the impact.
Immediately, the others attacked Quetzalcoatl simultaneously. Except for Ishtar, the rest were melee fighters. However, no one could match Quetzalcoatl in close-quarters combat. Before long, everyone was defeated by Quetzalcoatl.
Fujimaru Ritsuka seized this opportunity to approach the Sunstone. If he could break the Sunstone, Quetzalcoatl would be defeated. However, Fujimaru Ritsuka felt that Quetzalcoatl was not expecting this outcome.
"You've finally realized it?" Li Xing smiled gently and instantly appeared beside Fujimaru Ritsuka.
"Are you ready?"
"Huh? Wait..."
Before Fujimaru Ritsuka could finish speaking, Li Xing threw him into the sky, letting him face Quetzalcoatl!
"Hey! At this height, even a professional would die!" Quetzalcoatl looked up at Fujimaru Ritsuka's falling figure, her expression somewhat tense.
...
When Fujimaru Ritsuka opened his eyes, he found he was unharmed and breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, his gamble paid off.
Through dialogue and intelligence, Fujimaru Ritsuka believed Quetzalcoatl to be a benevolent god who loved humans the most. Falling from a great height was a wrestling move. The feathered serpent god loved humanity and would not allow anyone to die before her. Fujimaru Ritsuka's fall from the sky was a wrestling move, a battle for his soul, and a gamble that Quetzalcoatl would catch him because she loved humanity.
"Oh my, you win, Master. I never expected to be defeated like this!" Quetzalcoatl conceded. By catching Fujimaru Ritsuka, she had become the lower party, and the superior Fujimaru Ritsuka had won this wrestling match.
"Because I believed in you! You love humans the most!" Although Fujimaru Ritsuka said this, the cold sweat on his face indicated how close it was. If he had been wrong, it would have been over. However, with Li Xing present, Li Xing would not have let Fujimaru Ritsuka die.
"Oh my, big sister loves humans the most. I will withdraw from the League of Three Goddesses from now on and sign a contract with you. Come, let's get married!" Quetzalcoatl laughed and hugged Fujimaru Ritsuka's head.
This caused Mash, as a formal Servant, to become anxious and quickly stepped forward to stop such a lewd behavior.