"Your Majesty!"
"Master Goddess!"
At that moment, the two brothers, Di Cao and Mu, approached the uncle and niece simultaneously. They knelt on one knee, and Di Cao bowed his head respectfully, his eyes filled with admiration as he spoke earnestly.
"Tian Qiaoxing Hanuman: Di Cao!"
"See Your Majesty!"
"Um."
Hades nodded lightly, maintaining a calm demeanor. Di Cao stood up and positioned himself beside Hades, remaining silent but casting a deep glance at Athena, as if contemplating something different.
Hades then said, "My niece, it's our first meeting, and I look forward to our next encounter."
The gates of the Underworld slowly opened as Hades stepped inside with Di Cao, leaving Athena with a complex expression and Mu, who approached respectfully.
Mu knelt again and said, "Master Goddess! I'm..."
Athena replied calmly, "I know what has transpired. Di Cao is a natural warrior of the Underworld. He has been a perfect fighter since birth. No human or god can change that. This is not your fault, Mu. Bring the entire family of Mu Continent to submit to me, and I will grant you a new life."
"Yes!"
Mu knelt once more, this time feeling a distinct shift. Athena had changed completely; she radiated the arrogance and majesty of a king. This was the goddess Mu wanted to follow, not a fragile girl.
As Athena prepared herself, she gazed into the distance. At that moment, something shifted within her. Although it was merely a conversation with Hades, it had instigated a profound transformation in Athena.
As a pawn of fate? No! She refused to accept that. Ambition ignited within her, ensuring everything would be different.
And this was precisely what Hades anticipated. Without an opponent in this game, it would be dreadfully boring. Thus, he looked forward to Athena's growth, hoping she would rise to her potential.
"Uncle Hades!"
"I will prove that I am not just a pawn!"
Athena raised the scepter of the earth, her eyes gleaming with determination. Her heroic stance resembled that of a Valkyrie. This was the true Athena—the goddess of war, victory, and wisdom—holding the scepter as she transformed into the Earth Mother Goddess.
Without such confidence and potential, Athena could never become the Earth Goddess. A radiant light enveloped her as she extended her hand, channeling divine power that lifted the entire Mu Continent into her sanctuary. Athena developed her own divine realm, drawing on her unique attributes.
In fact, not only Athena, but Poseidon and Zeus had done the same, each establishing their kingdoms based on their own essences.
Only Hades lacked this ability, as his sole artifact was the magic star, preventing him from creating his own divine realm. However, he could still shape the Underworld around the World Tree.
With the Mu Continent incorporated into the sanctuary, it became a small planet attached to it, crafted by Athena.
Waves of divine power flowed into Mu's body, rejuvenating his old face at an astonishing rate, restoring him to his peak form. He appeared as a handsome figure with long white hair, clad in a white battle uniform, kneeling respectfully.
"Thank you, my lord goddess!"
Athena nodded lightly and instructed, "Mu, go and forge the holy garments—create 88 of them!"
"Obey!"
Mu retreated respectfully. Sitting on her throne in the Goddess Temple, Athena whispered, "The people of Mu Continent will be the foundation for the holy garments. With the creation of these 88 garments, we still need to select a saint. However..."
Saint warriors differed from ghost warriors, sea warriors, and sky warriors. They were unique. Saint warriors needed to be born under specific constellations, or alternatively, intense meditation could suffice. As one's strength increased, they could even forge the golden holy garments into personal artifacts.
The path of a saint warrior involved gradual self-improvement, distinctly different from other divine warriors. Many divine warriors relied on special methods, while the saint's journey was one of personal cultivation—a route that promised significant transformation.
In the sanctuary, transformative changes unfolded. Under Mu's leadership, the elites of the entire Mu Continent forged holy garments.
In truth, rather than saying they crafted the holy garments, it was more accurate to say the holy garments were gradually birthed, with their final creation assisted by the people of Mu Continent.
Thus, it was not merely a creation; it was a birth—a collaborative effort.
Forty-eight bronze holy garments.
Twenty-four silver holy garments.
Twelve golden holy garments.
Additionally, four most unique garments.
A total of 88 holy garments emerged, and as they were born, the sanctuary radiated with dazzling light, signaling profound changes.
In the Temple of the Goddess, Athena observed the transformations within the sanctuary and whispered softly, "With the birth of these 88 holy garments, the sanctuary has completely transformed. The final step of its evolution is now complete."
"But..."
"The essence of the gods!"
This was the critical thought occupying Athena's mind.
For the gods, the strength of divine warriors was undeniable, but this was only part of the equation. The true importance lay in the essence of the gods themselves. Take Hades and Poseidon, for example, battling Zeus, who seemed untouchable.
This was an unavoidable reality.
Athena frowned slightly and murmured, "It's still insufficient. Catching up to them seems incredibly difficult; everything requires time."
Despite the advantages of different eras, Athena recognized it also limited her possibilities for further advancement.
And then, a roar echoed like a white sheep, as the golden light signified the birth of a golden saint.