Erebus, the Primordial god, praised Hades, but he remained calm, with no emotional fluctuations. He understood his own situation, any joy was merely a result of luck and coincidence. It was impossible for Hades to feel thrilled or overwhelmed, as if he were already comparable to Cronus.
"Hades."
"The lament of the gods against Cronus; you're keeping it."
"I can help you transform it."
At that moment, Nyx spoke up suddenly.
Hades considered this and asked, "What can the lament of the gods be transformed into?"
Nyx replied, "The transformation of the lament is not aimed at Cronus, but at a certain Primordial god. The potency of the lament is far beyond what it seems. There are only four such vials in existence. What Metis transformed was only a fraction of its true power."
Without hesitation, Hades took out the lament of the gods and said, "Let's aim the transformation at that Primordial god."
Nyx smiled, a rare occurrence for the goddess of the night. She looked at Hades with amusement, as if she had anticipated his choice.
For someone as proud as Hades, making such a decision was not surprising; it was only natural. Faced with the Titan battle against Cronus, he would strive to win using his own strength, knowing the lament could be immensely useful.
"Very well."
Nyx nodded, taking the lament of the gods. Wisps of divine power emerged, and the previously radiant lament gradually darkened to a deep lacquer black.
Nyx handed it back to Hades, saying, "The power of the lament can weaken 70% of a Primordial god's divine power, but remember, it lasts only half a minute."
Her tone was serious. Hades accepted the lament and nodded, "Understood."
With wisps of light emerging, Hades left with the twin gods.
Erebus's voice resonated, "Follow this light to exit. You'll leave this place and return to the world."
Quietly watching the three gods disappear, Erebus and Nyx exchanged smiles.
"Erebus, Hades's potential is truly limitless, and his resolve is remarkable. He may not know much, but he is on the right path."
"Indeed!"
"Nyx, your choice was wise. Hades is the most suitable and outstanding candidate. I believe he can take that step."
Their voices faded, and the darkness seemed to dissolve.
On the other side, emerging from the darkness, Hades left the Underworld. After a moment's thought, he said, "Hypnos, Thanatos, return to the Underworld."
"Yes, Master Hades!"
As the gate of the Underworld opened, the three gods returned together.
In the Underworld, with Hades now possessing the handle of the King of the Underworld, everything had changed. The realm seemed to pulsate with life, beginning to flow steadily.
Like a massive gear set now lubricated, it started to turn rapidly.
Hades stood at the crown of the World Tree, observing the operations of the Underworld. "The Underworld has become complete; everything is now in motion."
The River of Blood and the two soulless rivers began to flow downstream, now infused with souls. The eight great prisons, Four Laps, Dark Wind Valley, Blood Falls, and the Wall of Sighs, all were operational. Though many positions remained vacant, the Underworld had transformed into its true essence.
Certainly, many changes were inevitable, with the most crucial being the wheel of reincarnation.
Hades surveyed the wheel that was gradually forming with the return of the handle of the King of the Underworld.
It had evolved into a genuine wheel of reincarnation.
Yet, it would take time for such a treasure to operate fully, progressing step by step. For entities, this process might span tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of years.
However, in this mythological age, time was plentiful. Hades was not in a hurry; after observing for a while, he continued to monitor the Heaven and Earth Serpent.
Now, the Heaven and Earth Serpent no longer struggled. In the realm of life and death, even with its primal instincts, it recognized that struggle was futile.
"Um?"
As he watched the Heaven and Earth Serpent, a smile appeared on Hades's lips. "Has the Heaven and Earth Serpent truly transformed?"
This was shocking. Hades had never anticipated such a development. Although he had hoped for a transformation, the odds were slim only being about 5%, if not lower.
Yet, to his surprise, the Heaven and Earth Serpent gradually transformed, surpassing the realm of life and death. This was beyond Hades's expectations.
Suddenly, Hades felt a surge of joy. If the transformation of the Heaven and Earth Serpent was completed, the Underworld would experience a second transformation, further strengthening his domain.