I Slay Gods and Demons in the Deceit Night-Chapter 1454 - 758: Heavenly Destiny City of the Cycle!

Song Ling took a deep breath and shook her head, saying, "I can strive for thirty years for the second half of my life, but I cannot trade my whole life for thirty years of wealth!"

"You refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit; do you know what the consequences are?" the middle-aged man said solemnly.

"I am a student of the Heavenly Destiny Academy, and I am about to undergo an examination. If anything happens to me, the Observatory will conduct a thorough investigation!" Song Ling said, "This is a law established by the Saint Master to protect the younger generation of the Human Clan from harm!"

"Do you think the Gao Family doesn't have other means?" the middle-aged man sneered.

"You mean impersonation?" Song Ling lifted her head and said, "There was once a major case where a noble family member assumed the 'achievements' of an impoverished student and ended up working at the City Guard Mansion! This case was personally overseen by the Supreme Commander Lin Xiaoyue of the Observatory, who dismantled the family's leadership and those involved, imprisoning all corrupt officials in the city! Do you want Gao Yu to replace me?"

"I'll give you one more chance!"

The middle-aged man said with a cold expression.

"I stand upright with righteousness on my side, supported by the Human Clan, protected by law, and blessed by the Saint Master."

Song Ling spoke out, "Under the leadership of the Saint Master, the Human Clan has entered today's era. I have the right to compete based on my own skills… This opportunity is not given by your Gao Family!"

"Fine, fine, fine!!!"

The middle-aged man flicked his sleeves and left.

As he exited the alley, he turned back with a cold laugh and said, "Courting death!"

——

Song Ling took a deep breath, calming the emotions stirred by anger that kept rising and falling.

Then she smiled, opened her home door, and walked into the house.

Her father, exhausted from a day's work, was repairing the cart he used to transport goods.

Her mother had just prepared coarse rice, with a dish of greens, a fish, and two sweet potatoes on the table.

Her younger brother was practicing a basic Pile Technique taught at the primary academy, standing in a horse stance.

Song Ling had seen the luxurious homes of her classmates in the Inner City and once thought her family was poor, struggling to make ends meet.

But her father said these were peaceful days he couldn't even imagine in his youth.

They had a stable home and no longer wandered outside.

They could earn Silver Coins with their hands, enough to buy food for today and even tomorrow.

When it rained, they had shelter.

When they were ill, they could find a doctor in the city.

During festivals, they could use the saved Silver Coins to buy desired food and clothes.

In the old days, her father lay in a hole in the Pure Land, with a roll of dry grass… every time he fell asleep, he didn't know if he would wake up the next day.

Every time he opened his eyes, he didn't know if he would live to see the night.

Every time he stepped out of the Pure Land, he didn't know if he would find food and return alive, or make it alive to the next Pure Land.

"Xiaoling, you're back; come eat quickly."

Mr Song put down the hammer, laughed heartily, and called the family to dinner.

At the dinner table, Song Ling did not mention the earlier events.

And on the side, her brother pushed the dish of fish towards his sister, whispering, "Sis, Dad and Mom heard about your upcoming examination and used the New Year's money pouch to buy you fish…"

"Let's eat it together."

Song Ling rubbed her little brother's head and said, "Once I get into the Array Formation Hall, we'll eat meat every day! I'll make sure you grow strong and master martial arts soon!"

She picked up a piece of fish and was about to feed it to her brother's mouth.

But just then, there was a sigh.

"I cannot stand the suffering of the Mortal World."

A man in white walked from outside, flicking his hand, knocking the piece of fish down, and sighed, "Consider this fish bought by me..."

Song Ling froze for a moment, then immediately realized it was poisoned!