But the power of authority, in a sense, instead became an obstacle preventing Deities from becoming truly powerful.
What was a true powerhouse?
For beings like them, what was powerful was never some item, some technique, or some path.
It was themselves!
Precisely because of this, they would never fall straight from the clouds into the mud just because some item, technique, or ability of theirs had been broken.
Their techniques and spells had been honed and created by themselves. They understood the flaws in their attacks very clearly.
They could also constantly adjust their attacks according to their enemies' circumstances.
Authority could allow a Deity to reach Rank 7 and easily attain an above-average position among those of the same rank.
It could even place them near the top.
Yet it was difficult for it to bring them to the pinnacle of the pyramid.
Because Their strength did not wholly belong to Themselves.
Did these Deities not know that?
They were Deities with the greatest talents. How could They possibly not know Their own problems?
But shortcuts were simply too tempting.
Two roads lay before you.
One was to study and train by yourself.
Enduring loneliness and hardship in exchange for gains as small as a mosquito's leg.
The other was to keep spreading faith.
As long as you nurtured a Rank 7 fanatic, even if you did nothing, you could grow stronger while lying down.
And the extent of that growth was quite considerable.
Moreover, authority had already bound itself to you and, in most cases, would never leave.
As long as the authority was not refined into a divine spark, you would not die.
Tell me, would you still continue down that long road covered in thorns?
No!
Human desire was like falling rocks tumbling down a