Jilu City was completely alive with excitement, with both yōkai and humans shouting enthusiastically.
"Greetings to the Lord of Cutting the Moon and Building the Sun (Shenjun)..."
"Greetings to Liuyun Borrowing Wind's Fate (Shenjun)..."
"Greetings to Lishui Dieshan (Shenjun)..."
"Greetings to Gechenlang City (Shenjun)..."
"Greetings to the Demon-Conquering Lord..."
"Greetings to Ganyu Nu Ming (Shenjun)..."
The unified voices resounded through the sky as if they wanted to shatter it.
Adding 'fate' after a god's name is the highest honorific title that people in this world give to a god.
It has been less than a month since the establishment of 'Liyue,' and humans and yōkai have not yet changed all the honorific titles for the gods. However, the Qixing and Eight Sects who came to this world from Teyvat, as well as the 'Qianyan Army,' called the six newly promoted gods 'divine kings.'
Hanakain Hidemoto and Monk Tenkai, who were among the shouting crowd, did not dare to blink as they replayed the entire process of ascension in their minds. This scene was too shocking for onmyoji and mages like them.
Once they regained their ability to think, they began analyzing and frantically absorbing the mythical and legendary information.
'Creation God,' 'Lord of Heaven,' 'Rex Lapis,' 'Ascension to God,' and 'Six Newly Promoted High Heaven True Gods.'
After some painters came back to their senses, they went mad and pulled out their canvases from the cloth bags on their backs, their faces filled with fanatical belief, wanting to capture the scene of the six immortals ascending to godhood.
Princess Ryotsuki came back to her senses and saw the six new gods in gorgeous divine costumes, suspended in mid-air, untouched by the world's filth. Her heart nearly leaped from her chest.
In her perception, although she wasn't as awe-inspiring as Rex Lapis, she still felt an urge to worship them.
She had spent days with these immortals, and now they had become High Heaven True Gods.
"I am also an immortal, and I will become a high god in the future."
This thought filled her heart.
The six new gods recovered from their transformations, looked at Rex Lapis, who was watching them with a smile, and bowed slowly.
"Emperor..."
They were now gods, albeit still at the lowest level of divinity. However, the 'divine covenant' clearly stipulated that gods were only classified by levels, not by subordination. Only the 'Heavenly Principle' could directly command them.
Though no longer dependents of Rex Lapis, they still respected him deeply, as it was thanks to him that they ascended to godhood.
Zhongli smiled and nodded. He hadn't felt such happiness in a long time.
He had never regarded the 'immortals' as his subordinates but as friends. However, as a god, it was necessary to have subordinates.
Now, even as a main god who was still respected above them, the barrier that had separated them had disappeared.
He could converse freely with the 'gods,' and despite the respect, there was no longer the fear or distance that existed before. It was now more like his relationship with Barbatos.
Next, the 'new gods' turned their joy of being promoted into blessings and shared them with all the yōkai and humans present.
Except for Xiao, whose authority was related entirely to combat, the other immortals had the 'authority to bless.'
The celebration reached its climax. There was no barrier between yōkai and humans, who celebrated together in this grand event. There were activities hosted by yōkai and activities hosted by humans—a pure, joyous festival.
While Liyue was reveling in the birth of the new gods, the great yōkai of Kyoto were shrouded in a heavy gloom.
Originally, Liyue had Rex Lapis, the 'Main Lord Royal God,' which already intimidated them. The hope was that Nue in the underworld would gain enough power to match them.
Now, with all the 'immortals' becoming gods, there were now seven High Heaven True Gods in this world.
Under such circumstances, it was only a matter of time before they were subdued by the High Heaven True Gods, let alone slowing down the pace of their world domination.
Just as their resolve wavered, the voice of the 'Lord of Demons and Monsters' they followed echoed from the underworld.
[Don't be afraid. He is just an ordinary god of heaven.]
[I have gained the divine power of Izanami, the 'Lord of the Underworld.' Once I return to the world, I will become the new 'Lord of the Underworld.']
Abe no Seimei, in the 'Yellow Spring Country,' sensed that the great yōkai loyal to him were feeling shaken.
If his subordinates became too fearful and quit, the throne of the 'Lord of the Underworld' he was about to seize would slip away.
He felt the immortals' 'ascension to godhood' again, and he was eager to ascend to the 'Lord of the Underworld.' He knew that as long as he was resurrected, he could take the throne of the Underworld.
He had waited a thousand years in the underworld for this day to come.
There was only one thought in his mind now: to ascend to godhood, to ascend to godhood immediately!
He wanted to become the second Izanami, the new Lord of the Underworld.
He could sense clearly that the throne of the 'Lord of the Underworld' was definitely above the throne of Rex Lapis. It was one of the two highest thrones.
So he revealed his plan directly to the yōkai without hiding it.
The Great Tengu was shocked. "What? Nue, you're planning to steal the throne of the Lord of the Underworld?"
The evil aura in Ibaraki-dōji rose, and his voice became hoarse. "We're almost there!"
Kidōmaru couldn't control his excitement, his demonic aura overflowing. "As expected of Nue, the master of demons and monsters! He's going to become the 'Lord of the Underworld'!"
[Exactly. Rex Lapis is just a lord, and the six new gods are merely ordinary High Heaven True Gods. The 'Lord of Yellow Springs' is one of the two highest gods, aside from the God of Creation.]
[Once I return to the mortal world, just as the Lord, and the ordinary gods...]
[Once I become the 'Lord of Yellow Springs,' I will grant all of you great yōkai seats in Yellow Springs. You will be my vanguard, the genealogy of Yellow Springs.]
The great yōkai were so excited that they couldn't control their demonic power.
No yōkai could resist the temptation to become a god. All hesitations vanished, replaced by disdain for Rex Lapis and the new gods.
Once Nue returned from the underworld, the world would be a paradise for yōkai, rendering any 'contract of peaceful coexistence between yōkai and humans' void.
Abe no Seimei, captivated by the immense allure of the 'Lord of the Underworld's' supreme godhood, never considered whether the 'God of Creation' would permit him to ascend.
The newly ascended gods had only been born because Rex Lapis asked the 'God of Creation' for permission.
Humans and yōkai in Jilu City were celebrating a seven-day festival filled with song and dance.
At this moment, the six new gods came to the Temple of Rex Lapis to offer the last cup of tea and conclude the final 'contract.'
As the 'God of Contracts,' Zhongli understood better than anyone the importance of 'letting go when it's time' and 'leaving when it's time.'
Next, he would conclude a new 'contract' with the 'gods,' and from now on, their only connection would be 'friendship.'
Witnessing this scene was Immortal Princess Ryotsuki, the newly promoted immortal under Rex Lapis.
As the new immortal under Rex Lapis, she was qualified to witness this event.
The sound of footsteps echoed up the steps leading to the 'Temple of Rex Lapis.'
With a smile on his face, Takumi approached. The birth of the new gods, the end of the initial contract, and the forging of a new one—how could he not come for such an occasion?
Moreover, as the Heavenly Principle, he also wanted the newborn gods to see who their true master was, didn't he?