In the Monster Forest, the roles of hunter and prey often interchange, with the drama of survival unfolding daily. Today, as usual, failure means the ultimate price: life.
In this brutal world, the rule is simple: survival of the fittest.
"Buzz..."
A black arrow mysteriously halts in mid-air. This eerie scene startles a hidden assassin, who immediately recognizes the presence of a master. Without hesitation, he flees at full speed, powered by his combat energy.
"Thud..."
The arrow reverses its course, fatally striking the fleeing assassin, who falls, stirring a cloud of dust.
Linn and Selina proceed indifferently, as if the event was just a fleeting moment in their journey deeper into the Monster Mountains. To them, such minor obstacles are not worth a pause.
For a god-tier warrior accompanied by a holy domain fighter, navigating the Monster Mountains is akin to a leisurely walk in a park.
As these words are uttered, a lower-tier fire deity artifact materializes in his hand, immediately captivating the Fire Phoenix with its allure. She gasps, instinctively craving it.
Flying into a valley teeming with fire elements, likely a hotspot of elemental activity, Linn and Selina anticipate encountering formidable beasts worthy of such a prime location.
Linn smiles, appreciating the wit of both humans and beasts alike.
The Silver Dragon, Kaisha, overwhelmed by despair in the presence of such power, reluctantly approaches, her wings quivering in fear.
Before departing the Monster Forest, Linn glances at the colossal Fire Phoenix and Silver Dragon following him and gives a succinct command. They are here for a purpose beyond mere showmanship.
"Great Lord," a voice, both icy and haughty, interjects. The sagacity of these sacred beasts rivals that of humans, especially the Fire Phoenix, known for her fiery temperament yet sharp caution. She intuitively senses the formidable nature of the duo, particularly the man whose aura is inscrutable.
Linn, with a smile he perceives as friendly but which appears daunting to the Silver Dragon, turns to his husband.
"Clang, clang!"
Returning to his routine, Linn's different godly avatars engage in their respective pursuits. His water and dark god avatars focus on secluded cultivation, while his fate avatar explores the world, experiencing the myriad paths of fate.
Remaining discreet about his godhood is crucial for Linn, to avoid drawing connections to a divine legacy. His biggest concern is the unwanted attention this revelation might bring.
In this region of the Monster Forest, the formidable presence of the dragons instills fear in the hearts of many creatures.
"Roar!"
"Bind yourself in a master-servant contract with my wife."
"..."
In a sequence similar to before, Selina tames the holy domain Silver Dragon, Kaisha, who eagerly receives and integrates the deity artifact with her blood, her emotions fluctuating dramatically from despair to euphoria.
Linn reflects on his fate-based powers and the path to becoming a higher deity, musing on the value of keeping some aces up his sleeve. Even a higher god, if they possess a deity artifact, can be a vital pawn in dire situations.
Linn repeats with a sardonic smile, "Humans boast god-level warriors. Does your dragon race have any?"
"Don't fear... come forward."
"...You're next!"
"Buzz..."
"Roar!"
"This is a deity artifact!"
"Woo... woo... I'm doomed..."
The sole remaining Silver Dragon, trembling in fear, curls up, resembling a massive silver beetle.
Pointing to Selina, Linn says, "This is my wife. Form a master-servant pact with her. Rest assured, you'll be well-compensated."
"You'll be fairly rewarded..."
Selina then forms a bond with the Fire Phoenix, learning her name is Salina.
"Master," declares the leading Golden Dragon, its voice laden with scorn and profound disdain.
"Humans, leave! This isn't your domain to invade!"
As divine presence descends, the Fire Phoenix is overcome with terror, her body rigid, her eyes reflecting her fear.
"Shrink yourselves down."
Salina, with utmost respect, addresses Selina, yet her gaze is fixated on Linn, or more accurately, on the deity artifact in his grasp, radiating longing and thrill.
Linn then notices Salina's intense gaze, almost as if conveying envy at his fortunate encounter.
"Mercy, great one!"
With the arrival of Linn and Selina, an aura of unfamiliarity invades, shaking the earth and evoking furious cries from the phoenixes.
Linn confidently hands the deity artifact to Salina, who is visibly thrilled, quickly binding it to herself with a glint of red light as it melds into her being.
In Dragon Valley, a majestic sight unfolds as numerous high-level Fire, Green, and Blue Dragons, along with three holy domain dragons, darken the sky with their formidable presence.
The Fire Phoenix, breathless with excitement, willingly pledges herself as a magical pet, grateful that the integration of the deity artifact doesn't trigger cosmic rules. She understands that god-level magical beasts, in human form, can stay under the radar, adding quietly to Linn's family's strength.
With a sense of despair, the Fire Phoenix accepts her new reality under the god-level beings, her once fiery spirit now subdued.
Seeing an opportunity, she quickly sets up a contractual magic circle with her blood, desperate not to lose this chance.
Selina looks on with affection, especially drawn to magical beasts that are both aesthetically pleasing and powerful.
The dragons, overwhelmed by the immense power, fall from the sky, their dignity crushed under the weight of this formidable presence.
After a brief journey...
Linn, sensing his wife's attention, opens his divine domain without hesitation.
"I am, in fact, a god-level being."
Given the Violet Plane's natural and dark churches' presence of god-level beings, Linn is cautious about revealing his power, though they pose no threat to him.
The process of integrating a deity artifact is intricate, taking about a decade to fully understand and assimilate its divine laws.
The once mighty dragons now lie prostrate, the Golden Dragon quivering in fear, resembling a gilded worm under Linn's overwhelming presence.
Realizing their fate, the dragons accept their servitude, acknowledging the honor of serving a god-level master.
Linn's words instill fear and despair among them.
Without mincing words, Linn points to Selina, holding a white crystal radiating a gentle glow.
"God-level!"
Delighted, Selina compares the Fire Phoenix to the mythical creatures from knightly tales.
Linn, with his divine sense, seeks the right target.
Unsurprised by the sheer dominance of a god-level over the holy domain, Linn is ready to act.
A minute later, they return to the Blackstone Duke's estate.
Linn's statement stokes the dragons' fury but hits too close to home for them to deny.
"Salina, to think you've submitted to mere humans. Why have you come to Dragon Valley?"
The dragons quickly scatter, including the Golden and Frost Dragons, all fleeing back to their lairs.
Their presence triggers immediate uproar among the dragon group.
"Five thousand years ago, I witnessed a war among god-level beings. The memory is still fresh."
The Golden Dragon, Frost Dragon, and Silver Dragon, longing for the power of god-level beings, are ready to pay any price.
A fiery red figure, resembling a noble and elegant rainbow-feathered holy domain beast - the Fire Phoenix - emerges.
"Oh, you're aware of god-level beings."
The Golden Dragon, ready to challenge, is stopped in its tracks by the overwhelming terror emanating from Linn.
The Fire Phoenix, cautious, prefers to avoid direct conflict, believing she has been polite enough.
Kaisha's eyes widen with joy, overwhelmed by her sudden fortune.
"It's yours now, integrate it with your blood."
Their selection is discerning, focusing on potential and aesthetics, narrowing down their choices significantly.
Linn, sensing another target, informs Selina, "There's a holy domain Silver Dragon nearby. Let's subdue her before we leave."
"Silver Dragon of the holy domain, stay. Others, leave."
Salina and Kaisha comply, shrinking to ordinary pet size, their aura hidden.
Majestic beasts like Tyrannosaurs, Violet-striped Black Bears, Hydras, and others bow before the dragons, the undisputed rulers among magical beasts.
If unleashed, this group of dragons could easily topple kingdoms and principalities, their arrogance and pride unchallenged beneath god-level beings.
As the air sizzles, Linn, slightly taken aback, relinquishes his control.
He wanders without purpose, shifting forms at will, experiencing the spectrum of human life, their joys, sorrows, and struggles, gaining insights and stirring his soul.
Gradually, Linn comes to a profound realization.