Greek Pantheon, Mythic World.
Hades hovered at the edge of the Crystal Wall System, carefully managing the divine power maintaining the connection. As he sensed the first small world's annihilation, the explosion of cerulean light felt like fireworks.
Even with his usual stoic demeanor, Hades couldn't suppress a slight smile. Success! Though it was merely the first step and far from the point where the World Seed would sprout into a World Tree, or even take root, it was a significant milestone.
Having successfully taken the first step meant the most challenging part was over. "Nine-tenths," Hades thought, "By guiding the world to its destruction, I captured nine-tenths of its world force, exceeding the initial estimate of six-tenths. This confirms the method's efficacy."
Reining in his thoughts, Hades prepared for the next phase. This was just the beginning; there was no room for complacency or arrogance.
With the initial success, the subsequent process became almost mechanical: controlling the demonic stars and the seven-headed, ten-horned great red dragon to enter the small worlds, selecting Underworld Fighters to steer these worlds toward self-destruction, and finally, having the dragon consume the emerging world consciousness.
Each step was meticulously planned and repeated, becoming routine. The main challenge now was maintaining the divine power connection and staying vigilant for any unexpected dangers in the Chaotic Sea.
Engaged in this repetitive and methodical work, time passed swiftly.
Initially, Hades's father, the Titan King Kronos, granted him 500,000 years. The Titans eagerly awaited the moment to kill Hades and claim Kronos's reward.
But 500,000 years passed, then another 500,000, and Hades was nowhere to be found. The Titans scoured the entire Mythic World, except for the forbidden Underworld and the dreaded Tartarus, but Hades had vanished.
In the end, their search led them to the Astral Realm, where Hades was last seen. Yet, entering the Astral Realm to hunt for Hades was out of the question. They sought rewards, not death. The vastness and unique dangers of the Astral Realm made it a suicide mission.
Thus, a million years flew by. During this time, Hades absorbed an unimaginable amount of world force, destroying countless small worlds. On this journey, he witnessed many wonders and encountered many worlds on the brink of self-destruction.
Even after a million years, the World Seed had not yet sprouted, though the accumulated world force had significantly bolstered Hades's power. This journey represented a critical advancement in his own foundational strength.
With the absorption of another small world's force, Hades sensed the World Seed reaching its limit, ready to take root and sprout. Controlling his eagerness with cold rationality, he carefully maneuvered the demonic stars back.
Though impatient, Hades knew better than to rush. Each step had to be taken cautiously. Over the next several thousand years, the demonic stars and the seven-headed, ten-horned great red dragon gradually returned from their voyage through the Chaotic Sea.
"Creak, creak..."
"Roar!"
As the familiar eerie laughter and the dragon's roar echoed, Hades smiled, collecting the eight demonic stars. He stored away the Seven Deadly Sins Crest, causing the great red dragon's spectral form to dissipate.
Hades gently cradled the World Seed, now emitting a brilliant light, sensing it had reached the critical stage of taking root. This moment was pivotal—the most crucial step in his grand plan.
Hades vanished, reappearing within his own body. For every god, creating a divine kingdom within themselves is possible, though most gods show little interest in cultivating such a realm due to the immense resources required. Even possessing a World Seed, the resources for its maturation and the vast amount of world force needed for its germination posed significant challenges.
As for Hades's daring approach? Most gods would dismiss it as madness. They weren't reckless enough to take such a perilous gamble.
Therefore, most gods simply established basic divine realms to house their followers. But Hades was different. Inside him was an expanse of endless darkness, punctuated only by the light of 108 demonic stars and the faint red glow of Mephistopheles's contract inferno.
Hades arrived within his inner domain and, without hesitation, began injecting his divine power into the World Seed. This was the critical step for the seed to take root and sprout.
Providing the seed with the right soil was essential. Equally important was imbuing it with the god's divine power and laws. Only through this process could the World Seed grow into a World Tree that matched its creator's desires.
As Hades's divine power infused the seed, it began to transform, causing the surrounding darkness to tremble.
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The World Seed, now brimming with divine energy, started to respond to Hades's influence. Within the infinite darkness of Hades's inner world, the seed glowed brighter, absorbing the essence of his power.
Gradually, the seed began to change. The once dormant core started to pulse with life, resonating with the rhythms of creation. It was as if the very fabric of Hades's inner domain was welcoming the birth of a new world.
This pivotal moment marked the beginning of a new phase. The World Seed's transformation was not just a simple sprouting; it was the birth of a nascent world within Hades's domain. This process would lay the foundation for the World Tree, a symbol of immense power and potential growth.
As Hades continued to pour his energy into the seed, the trembling intensified. The darkness surrounding the seed seemed to be in awe of the impending creation. Each pulse of the seed's light signaled its growing strength and readiness to take root and expand into a full-fledged World Tree.
In this sacred and transformative moment, Hades's gamble had finally paid off. The first step was complete, and the World Seed was on the verge of fulfilling its potential. The journey ahead would be long and arduous, but this success had set the stage for what was to come.
As the seed began to integrate with his domain, Hades stood as a witness to his own creation, a testament to his resolve and ingenuity. The path to mastering the World Tree had just begun, and with it, the promise of untold power and influence awaited him.
Hades's inner world, once a void of endless darkness, was now the cradle of a burgeoning universe, ready to grow under his guidance and ambition. The future was vast, and with the World Seed's first root taking hold, Hades's ascent towards unmatched power had only just started.
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