Traveling through the second dimension, the joy system encourages me to laugh heartily!

However, Chen Ming was still very curious about the content of the meeting, so he asked, "I hope you can tell me the whole story of the conversation; every detail could be very important."

Mirle took a deep breath, just as she was about to explain in detail.

"Gurgle..."

A clear rumbling sound came from her abdomen, sounding particularly abrupt in the quiet living room.

Miler's face flushed instantly—this time the blush was clearly visible, because she had removed her white disguise. She frantically covered her stomach with her hands, her voice barely audible:

"I'm so sorry. We were only halfway through discussing something important, and I..."

Her embarrassment was almost tangible. As Yalan Garula, she had always maintained a pure and dignified image and had never shown such an "indecent" side to anyone.

But then she thought about it again. Chen Ming had already seen her true self and knew that she was just an ordinary girl who would go hungry. This realization gave her a strange sense of relaxation.

Chen Ming smiled and said gently, "Before we talk in detail, let's have a meal first. I'll prepare the food. Is there anything you don't like to eat?"

He figured it was a long story, and rather than letting Mirle try to recall it on an empty stomach, he'd better satisfy her basic physiological needs first.

Moreover, while gathering information was important, gaining Miler's trust was equally crucial; he didn't want to leave Miler with the impression of being "cold-blooded and only interested in intelligence."

Even if you force someone to continue talking on an empty stomach, their rational mind might understand the urgency of the situation, but subconscious dissatisfaction and resistance will still quietly arise. In Chen Ming's experience, a hot meal or a warm drink can often bridge the gap between people more effectively than any words.

"I can't accept this," Miler quickly waved her hands. "You saved me, and now you're even preparing food for me..."

"I'm hungry too, don't mind. How about... a get-together between good friends?"

His statement cleverly transformed the meal from a "favor" to an "equal exchange," easing Mirle's psychological burden.

The girl hesitated for a moment, then her stomach growled softly again. This time, she didn't try to hide it, but instead gave a slightly shy smile: "Really? Then I'll leave it to you."

"it is good."

Chen Ming pointed to the spiral staircase on one side of the living room, "This house was prepared especially for you. There are clothes prepared for you to change into in the bedroom on the second floor. You must feel uncomfortable looking like this, right? You can go upstairs and change your clothes first."

Upon hearing this, Mirle looked down at herself.

She was still wearing the white, sheer robe she wore for her baths in the public baths. Woven from the finest silkworm silk, it was as light as mist, but precisely because of this, it appeared excessively thin and transparent in the bright light of the living room. Her damp hair wasn't completely dry, and a few strands of red clung to her neck, further emphasizing her...inappropriate state.

This appearance is indeed not suitable for spending a long time with men.

“Well then,” Miler stood up and bowed slightly, “I’ll be really looking forward to your cooking. And…” she added, remembering something, “I don’t dare eat fish. I choked on a fish bone when I was little, and it left me traumatized.”

After saying that, she seemed to be escaping an awkward situation, blushing as she ran towards the stairs, her bare feet barely making a sound on the soft carpet.

Chen Ming watched her go upstairs, then turned around and began to materialize dishes other than fish.

When Mirle changed her clothes and came downstairs, the dining table was already filled with delicious-looking food.

She changed into a light blue loungewear set, the material soft and comfortable, the style simple and elegant. Her red hair, already towel-dried, was loosely draped over her shoulders. Stripped of all pretense, she looked as fresh and natural as the girl next door.

Chen Ming smiled and invited, "Come on in, please have some."

After Mirle sat down, she first looked curiously at the cup of milk tea—a drink she had never seen before, with a layer of delicate milk foam floating on the surface.

She carefully picked up the cup and took a sip.

Instantly, her eyes lit up.

"Wow, it's so sweet." She took another big gulp, feeling the comforting sensation of the warm liquid sliding down her throat. "This drink is so delicious, it warms me up."

"I'm glad you like it."

Chen Ming sat down opposite her. "This is milk tea. If you're interested, I can teach you how to make it. There are ingredients in the kitchen, so you can make it yourself whenever you want..."

With that, the two began to eat.

At first, Mirle was a little reserved, eating in small bites, but soon, the temptation of the food overcame her restraint. The deliciousness of the mushroom soup, the juiciness of the steak, the crispness of the vegetables... every dish amazed her.

Chen Ming didn't rush to urge her to talk about serious matters. Instead, he leisurely enjoyed his own meal, occasionally introducing the special features of a dish or two, or chatting about life in Space City. This relaxed atmosphere whetted Mirle's appetite.

She quickly devoured the food in front of her, rubbing her stomach contentedly—this time she didn't hide the action.

"Thank you for the hospitality," she said sincerely. "The food was so delicious that I couldn't help but wonder what all the food I've ever eaten before was worth."

"Don't be shy, you can have it every day if you want..."

Chen Ming pushed the cutlery aside and smiled, "Hmm, you look much better now. Can you tell me now? What did that goddess… no, what did the goddess discuss with the demons using your body?"

The atmosphere instantly became serious.

Miler sat up straight, her hands clasped gently under the table. She was silent for a few seconds, seemingly organizing her memories and thoughts, before speaking:

"Actually... although I remember everything, I don't quite understand what the goddess meant."

She lowered her head guiltily, "Some of these words sound like riddles, and some concepts I've never encountered before. I'm afraid I might misunderstand them when I relay them, and mislead you in the process."

Chen Ming nodded in understanding.

The conversation between the goddess and the demons may have gone far beyond the scope of human common sense. Although Mirle is a priestess, she is, after all, just a native human of this world with limited knowledge.

“It’s alright,” he said gently, “Remember as much as you can. I hope you will tell me exactly what you heard, without adding your own interpretations or guesses.”

Chen Ming needed raw intelligence; Mirle's haphazard interpretations would only be a distraction. He preferred to analyze the seemingly obscure words himself, combining them with his understanding of the world to uncover the truth.

"Okay, then I will relay what I heard directly to you."

She began to repeat herself, speaking slowly and clearly, pronouncing each word:

"The goddess's first words were: 'Your faith is not pure enough. You need to continue your efforts to elevate your faith through fear...'"

Chen Ming had already guessed this, so he continued to ask, "How did the Demon Clan respond?"

"The demons have admitted their mistake and said they will come up with a solution, and then..." Miler's voice lowered even further, "they requested that the goddess remain neutral. Their exact words were: 'In the upcoming conflict, we hope you will maintain a neutral, administrator-like stance and not directly interfere in the process.'"

"Neutral, is that it?" Chen Ming repeated softly. "An interesting word. So, what did the goddess say?"

“The Goddess said…” Miler closed her eyes, as if listening to a voice from her memories, “I will not cause trouble. As long as you do not touch the core rules or disrupt the basic structure of the world, you are free to do as you please… In addition, the appointed day is approaching, so prepare in advance. When the balance is completely broken, new rules will take its place. At that time, the contract between you and me will also be re-evaluated…”

"That's all."

After speaking, Mirle let out a long sigh of relief, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders. These words had been suppressed in her heart for too long, and now she had finally spoken them.

A brief silence fell over the living room. Outside the window, the planet slowly rotated, and a cloud was covering a continent.

Chen Ming frowned slightly. Although there were some things he couldn't fully understand yet—such as what the "appointed day" specifically referred to, and what the "new rules" were—the overall framework was gradually becoming clear.

There is indeed a kind of rule-based coexistence agreement between the goddess and the demons. The demons are responsible for spreading fear, the goddesses are responsible for spreading faith, and the heroes are just tools to be used and discarded at will.

This completely overturned the millennia-long propaganda of the Yalan Cult—that demons are purely evil and goddesses are absolutely good.

But Chen Ming was not surprised.

“Thank you,” he finally said, his voice sincere. “These words were very valuable and helped me clarify a lot of my confusion.”

Mirle breathed a sigh of relief: "Luckily, it was helpful to you. I was worried that these rambling words would be useless..."

"Quite the opposite!"

Chen Ming stood up, walked to the window, and looked down at the world below. "These seemingly random words are the key pieces of the puzzle... By the way, judging from your retelling of the conversation between the goddess and the demons, although the content is unsettling, it doesn't seem to directly involve your personal safety. What makes you so sure that the demons will definitely target you?"

Upon hearing this, Miler's face paled slightly, and she said with lingering fear:

“Before I discovered that the cult leader was a demon, I was already being threatened—the cult leader forced me to proclaim his words to the people as those of a goddess. These words included declaring you a ‘fallen angel,’ inciting hostility towards you from various countries… He also said that the position of Yalan Carola was merely a mouthpiece, and if I dared to disobey, he would kill me and find a nun who was easy to manipulate to temporarily take Yalan Carola’s place. He even named several candidates, all of whom were young nuns who had recently joined the church and were absolutely loyal to it…”

“And I have always refused, even praying to the goddess for help—every day when I pray, I ask for guidance and protection with the most sincere heart... but the goddess never responds to these. She only conveys those decrees and refuses to help me!”

Her voice carried a self-deprecating tone, "When the goddess was talking to the demons, she didn't mention me at all... At that moment, I understood completely. She wouldn't save me, nor would she interfere with the demons' slaughter. In the gods' game of chess, it doesn't matter if I, this pawn, am eaten; she can just replace me with another one."

"So I had no choice but to ask Niman to contact you... You are my last hope!"

Chapter 332: The Goldfish's Trial

As Mirle spoke, she walked up to Chen Ming, suddenly bowed deeply, and her red hair cascaded down like a waterfall.

"Thank you for saving me. I, Miler, have no way to repay you, except to be your ox or horse in my next life, and to repay your kindness in return..."

Chen Ming was speechless upon hearing this. The kindness of saving the people was to be repaid in the next life? Did this girl think he was plain-looking?

So he interrupted:

"Wait, why not offer yourself in marriage?"

Upon hearing this, Miler sat up straight, overjoyed, and said, "Eh? Is it...is it okay?"

Her reaction completely surprised Chen Ming—she didn't shyly refute him, nor did she panic and explain; instead, she... earnestly inquired about the feasibility.

Chen Ming raised an eyebrow: "Of course you can, but—" He deliberately dragged out his words, "You're not going to be Yalan Garula anymore? I remember that priestesses have to keep their bodies pure, right?"

Miler's pretty face flushed slightly, but she didn't back down. Instead, she looked directly at Chen Ming and said firmly:

"I'm not doing it anymore! Anyway, the goddess has already given up on me! Besides..."

She paused, her voice lowering slightly: "I used to want to be Yalan Garula, mainly to live a life of luxury. I come from a commoner family, and it was difficult for me to even have enough to eat when I was a child, so it was naturally hard for me to resist the wonderful life of becoming a priestess."

As she spoke, she looked around, her gaze sweeping over the villa’s simple yet technologically advanced furnishings, the vast starry sky outside the window, and the exquisite gourmet tableware that had not yet been cleared away.

"And life here is obviously more comfortable and more...free than in the Holy Land. Here, I don't have to apply whitening cream every day, I don't have to wear a wig all the time, and I don't have to maintain a holy posture at all times. I can be Miler again, an ordinary girl who goes hungry, cries, and laughs..."

She took a deep breath, her smile bright and genuine: "So, whoever wants to be Yalan Garula can be, I choose to stay here and serve you!"

It seems that Mirle was truly heartbroken by the goddess's cold and indifferent attitude.

Chen Ming could understand, after all, the essence of a goddess is to maintain the machinery and rules of the world, and she has no feelings for individual humans, she can only rationally analyze gains and losses.

In the goddess's eyes, Mirle is just a replaceable part; there are countless substitutes. If saving her would require additional resources, abandoning her would be the only option.

Chen Ming smiled and nodded: "Alright, as you wish. However, the identity of Yalan Carol is still somewhat useful. At least we can't completely abandon it before the final battle."

Mirle tilted her head, her red hair swaying over her shoulder: "Use?"

"Yes."

Chen Ming walked to the holographic projection area in the center of the living room, swiped his finger in the air, and brought up a 3D map of the Holy Land of Fengwolei. "The demons have set a trap, inviting me and the hero to the Holy Land. I plan to thwart their conspiracy head-on. You will appear as Yalan Jialula and bring the demons to justice..."

Mirle, however, was somewhat worried: "This invitation is ostensibly to commend your achievement in slaying the demons, but in reality, it's to convene a religious court before the kings and believers of various countries to try your crimes... And although it's called a court, it's really just a formality to pin charges on someone. Once that process begins, those judges have no intention of listening to your defense. Even if I appear to testify, it will be useless!"

Chen Ming knew that her concerns were reasonable. As a witch who had lived in the Yalan religion for many years, she understood the workings of religious trials better than anyone else.

Religion is this kind of thing.

They will never admit, nor can they admit, any wrongdoing. When the church decides to place suspicion on someone, that person is already guilty.

The trial is not about finding out the truth, but about 'proving' a pre-set crime.

Although this is a conspiracy by the demons, once the trial begins, all the clergy participating in the trial and the jury will share the same understanding: the person being judged must be guilty!

Under such collective psychological pressure, any defense will be seen as sophistry, and any evidence will be reinterpreted or rejected in order to conform to the established conclusion.

If handled through normal means, it would be impossible to overturn the case.

This is why the demons chose this method—they exploited the most deeply ingrained flaws in human religions.

"Mirl, don't worry!"

Chen Ming walked to the window, looked down at the slowly rotating blue planet below, and said in a calm and confident voice: "If reasoning doesn't work, I also know a little about martial arts."

Upon hearing this, Mirle recalled Chen Ming's past displays of almost invincible power, slaying five demons as easily as cutting grass... Her mind immediately calmed down.

"I understand."

She straightened her back, her red eyes shining with an unprecedented determination. "I will appear as Yalan Garula to bear witness. This is not only to help you, but also to reveal the truth to the world and save the lost sheep..."

Chen Ming smiled gently and placed his hand lightly on her shoulder.

"Very good, with your help, perhaps many fewer people will die."

No matter how powerful Chen Ming is, without the key trump card of Yalan Garula, he would have no choice but to make an extreme decision when he was unable to defend himself—to eliminate all the high-ranking church officials who were controlled by the demons, as well as those humans who were deceived.

This was not because he was bloodthirsty, but because he was forced by the situation.

When the entire system is corrupt, sometimes the only solution is to tear it down and rebuild it.

Now, with the most authoritative witness, Yalan Gabriella, stepping forward, the situation will be completely different.

At the very least, her testimony can tear a hole in the web of lies, allowing some rational people to see the truth and giving those who have been misled a chance to turn back.

“This can be considered,” Chen Ming murmured to himself, gazing at the spinning blue planet outside the window, “I gave them one last chance.”

If the people can wake up and realize who the real enemy is, then they will not have to die.

……

In the following days, the situation indeed developed as Chen Ming had predicted.

First, the rumor that "Yalan Carola was summoned to the side of the goddess" spread like wildfire.