Chapter 60: A birthday gift
Even if he wakes up and remembers something, he'll probably just think it was all a dream.
But right now, the most important thing was...
"I can't believe the goddess actually has a birthday!"
His wife's birthday, and he was out gallivanting alone!
That's like giving your girlfriend a chilled drink during her period, booking a hotel room, and then spending the time alone solving complex math problems—serious trouble!
Looking out at the dimming sky outside the tavern, the last rays of the sunset were scattering, and it was about to get dark.
Timothy sank into deep thought, quickly figuring out how to make amends.
...
Sky Sanctuary.
Two female disciples knelt at the bottom of the steps, shivering slightly from the cold temperature and overwhelming fear.
"Was it you who sold Timothy's portraits and videos for money?"
Sylvia's authoritative voice boomed, scaring the two disciples out of their wits.
After discovering a sudden surge of Timothy's fanatics at the base of Sky Sanctuary, Sylvia immediately sent an elder to investigate.
To her surprise, they uncovered insiders selling Timothy's portraits and videos.
Especially Layla on the left, a disciple of exceptional talent and a potential future steward, leading such a scheme.
"Please, goddess, forgive me, I didn't mean to!" Layla cried pitifully on the ground, tears streaming down her face.
She knew all too well about the goddess's temper and the invisible Emperor-level pressure in the air, which filled her with immense fear.
Layla tried to downplay her guilt: "I swear on my spiritual path and future cultivation, I never initially intended to make money off Brother Timothy's portraits. My spying on Brother Timothy had other reasons."
Sylvia frowned slightly, "What reasons?"
"I didn't have any ulterior motives, I just... craved Brother Timothy's body!"
Layla tried to shift the blame from betraying her fellow disciples for money to merely being lustful.
But for some reason, after she said that, the oppressive aura from the goddess felt even more terrifying.
Even the air seemed to thicken with a subtle, almost imperceptible intent to kill.
Layla was terrified, quickly adding, "Please, goddess, calm your anger!"
"Although I crave Brother Timothy's body, I only ever glanced at him when he passed by. But I've never actually seen him naked!"
"You haven't... seen him?"
"Yes, Brother Timothy's window is just too small. When he was there, several sisters crowded the window, blocking it completely. Even if I wanted to peek, there wasn't a single gap!" Layla said this with a tone of deep regret and sorrow.
Sylvia: "…"
Well, that's just great. Even though I haven't openly admitted my relationship with Timothy, this is really crossing the line!
Not only people from other Sects, but even the female disciples of Sky Sanctuary are all eyeing Timothy.
If I were to really investigate, how many hidden rivals would I find?
Sylvia clenched her teeth, barely concealing her murderous intent: "One last question, have you noticed anything unusual recently while spying on Timothy?"
"Anything unusual..."
Layla paused for a moment, then honestly replied, "Brother Timothy has been focused on his cultivation these past few days, hardly doing anything else. However, I often hear Brother Timothy mention the goddess to other disciples and elders. It seems like every day, Brother Timothy inadvertently brings up the goddess..."
Hearing this, Sylvia felt a stir in her heart.
It was as if the warm sun had shone down, instantly dispelling the cold in her heart.
The setting sun's rays fell on her beautiful cheeks, the warm light making her feel a warmth inside.
'Maybe I was overthinking it...
Hmph, really, always talking about me in front of others, isn't he afraid of accidentally revealing our secret?'
Sylvia let out a soft snort, still showing displeasure, but a warm smile inadvertently appeared at the corners of her mouth.
"I know everything that happened, you may leave now."
"Remember, there must not be a next time, or I won't hesitate to act."
Her cold, authoritative voice made Layla startle.
'The goddess has forgiven me!'
She had thought that avoiding expulsion from Sky Sanctuary was already the greatest mercy she could expect, never imagining the goddess would actually let her off.
"Thank you for your forgiveness, goddess. From now on, I will dedicate myself to my cultivation to repay your kindness," Layla said gratefully, bowing deeply on the ground.
"Enough, but there's one more thing I need your help with." Sylvia didn't say it out loud but communicated through spiritual power.
A moment later, Layla was startled: "Goddess, do you want me to keep an eye on which other sisters are craving Brother Timothy's body?"
"Exactly."
"Don't worry, goddess, I will keep my identity hidden and complete the mission!"
"Good, you may go now."
"Thank you, goddess!"
Soon after, the two female disciples respectfully left the great hall.
At this moment, a banquet for various visiting powers had been set up.
Sky Sanctuary was lit up and festive, a stark contrast to its usual tranquility.
But Sylvia seemed utterly disinterested in the festivities.
She just stared at the dimming sky outside, feeling a sense of emptiness.
It was an important birthday, yet the most crucial person was missing.
No matter how lively the celebration, it couldn't touch her heart.
Just then, a figure drifted into Sky Sanctuary.
Backlit by the sunset, the golden afterglow highlighted his figure, making him look as if he was bathed in holy light.
Sylvia's eyes narrowed slightly: "Timothy? How did you get back?"
"My wife's birthday? Of course, I had to rush back. Nothing's more important than this!"
Timothy smiled, gently taking Sylvia's hand.
"Hmph, you left early in the morning, hardly seems like you wanted to celebrate my birthday. It looked more like you were trying to escape," Sylvia said petulantly, trying to pull her hand away.
But Timothy firmly held her delicate hand: "Come with me, I've gone to great lengths to prepare a birthday gift for tonight."
"A birthday gift?"
"Even if you did prepare something, the banquet is about to start, and I won't have time to get away," Sylvia pouted, refusing.
"What's so great about the banquet food? Besides, if the goddess herself stands them up, who would dare to complain?"
"Trust me, let's go!"
Timothy took Sylvia's hand and they flew off towards the base of Sky Sanctuary, riding the wind.
As the two rode the wind, they happened upon Elder Turner, who was thoroughly inebriated.
Having been plied with two whole jugs of expensive, potent spirit wine and having taken a hit from Timothy, Elder Turner was feeling a headache, a sore neck, and an overall sense of grogginess.
"Timothy, what are you doing here?" Elder Turner asked, his voice slurred.
But just as he finished his question, he inadvertently turned his head and caught sight of Goddess Sylvia not far behind Timothy.
Instantly, Elder Turner sobered up a bit, startled by her presence.
"Goddess, what are you doing here!"
"The goddess is leaving Sky Sanctuary to handle some important matters, and I'm accompanying her. Elder Turner, don't worry about it. Just go back and tell the guests to head home after the banquet," Timothy said, patting him nonchalantly.
"But what exactly..." Elder Turner watched as Timothy and the goddess, closely followed by one another, flew away.
Left standing there, Elder Turner felt his mind couldn't quite keep up.