Divine Artifact, Calendar, and Three Conditions

Chapter 14: Divine Artifact, Calendar, and Three Conditions

In the Underworld, without the sky's embrace, everything was silent and still.

When the earth was torn asunder, Ryan had already crossed through it, arriving in this empty land.

This was one of the three parts of Khaos. Sky and earth were one, oceans and rivers coexisted, only the Underworld, shrouded in darkness, existed in solitude.

Under the influence of divine power, as Ryan passed through the earth's layers and looked around, an endless gray Great Plains greeted his eyes.

The Underworld at this time was vastly different from the myths recorded in his past life. There was no River of Flame, no Three-Headed Dog, no Styx or Acheron, and certainly no palace of the King of the Underworld. This gray land, later called the 'Truthful Garden,' was utterly empty—more desolate than the surface had been a thousand years ago.

Back then, the surface at least had mountains and seas, but now, in the Underworld, there was nothing at all.

"This should have been the resting place for souls."

"But it won't be in the future."

Shaking his head, Ryan silently made his judgment. Using divine power, he shaped a small hill and crafted a set of stone tables and chairs for himself.

This was a new invention of Khaos, and so he gained a sliver of divinity in craftsmanship and creation.

"Better than nothing."

Casually merging this scrap of divinity—barely even a 'Authority'—with his [Spirituality], Ryan didn't continue creating new things. Instead, he quietly waited for his guest.

After all, without users or appreciators, [Craftsmanship] could never become a divine office. When new gods were born and humans appeared in the future, he would have better ways to obtain them.

Days passed one after another. Though the Underworld had no sun or moon, by sensing the Time Sequence and the moon, Ryan could still tell how long had gone by.

Roughly twenty-four years after the Twelve Titans Returned to the Womb, a flash of Dark Green Light streaked across the sky, and the desolate Underworld Soil finally welcomed its second visitor.

Seeing Gaia again, Ryan clearly noticed her aging. The Earth Mother now looked like an old woman in her fifties. Her emerald eyes were dim and lifeless, her hair—once adorned with fresh flowers—was dry, yellow, and withered, and even the hem of her skirt was covered in dust.

"Long time no see, Earth Mother."

Without rising, Ryan pointed with his right hand at the stone chair across from him, signaling that she could sit.

He wasn't being polite. Strictly speaking, he had never really liked these ancient gods.

Gaia lifted her eyes to look at Ryan. This was their fourth meeting, and she clearly sensed the change in his attitude.

Unlike the respect and courtesy of before, Ryan was now indifferent and distant toward her.

Gaia wasn't surprised by this. With the wisdom of a Seer, he had likely long sensed the dissatisfaction she and her children held toward him.

Before, she was the God Queen, the Earth Mother, an ancient god with boundless divine power, so he had greeted her with a smile. But now, though she didn't know what he relied on, it was clear Ryan no longer feared her.

"Long time no see, wise Lord Ryan."

After locking eyes with Ryan for a moment, Gaia finally sat down on the chair. Whatever this god before her was thinking, she no longer wanted to endure.

First, six of her children were imprisoned in the Abyss, then twelve were forcibly stuffed back into the womb. After committing such brutal acts, Uranus had unhesitatingly indulged his desires for over twenty years.

Gaia could feel her essence draining away with every moment. Though as a god she was immortal, if this continued, one day she would fall into eternal slumber.

"I came to seek help," Gaia said wearily. "I have conceived the Prophesied Knife. You once declared it could shake the God King's throne."

"I asked my children. Though most swore oaths not to oppose their father, Cronus bravely took on the role of the Knife Wielder."

"I am the helper you prophesied. But now, the greatest obstacle stands before us. Seer, wise Lord Ryan, tell me—how can I truly shake Uranus's kingship, or even ensure he is never a threat again?"

Facing the Earth Mother's inquiry, Ryan smiled faintly and did not respond.

"What do you want?" the Earth Mother asked again. Faced with Ryan's silence, she directly questioned him.

"I can do whatever I can to fulfill your request, as long as you tell me how to end this nightmare."

"Lady Gaia, you alone may not be able to give me what I want."

Unmoved by Gaia's words, Ryan said calmly.

What he wanted was not something Gaia alone could provide. In fact, compared to it, her part seemed insignificant.

"I need the destined Knife Wielder. Now it seems to be the honorable Lord Cronus. If he can end the Sky Father's rule, he will be the unquestioned new king. I need you, Earth Mother, to do two things for me. But I need him to agree to three conditions. Then, you will know what you seek."

This was Ryan's price: two tasks from a Primordial God, three conditions from a future God King. It was no small demand.

Though Gaia was still weak, power still rippled through her. Vaguely, even though she had not yet been reborn, the power of time and space gathered within her.

"You made the prophecy, yet you met with me multiple times," Gaia said coldly. "If the God King knew of this, he would not let you off either."

"Perhaps. But that's not your concern. From the very first time we met, I foresaw this day."

"I originally prepared three tasks for you. But since you kept your previous agreement, the oracle cancels one out. Beyond that, two requests and three conditions—not one can be omitted."

Faced with Ryan's firmness, Gaia felt anger but also helplessness.

Though she didn't believe he could have seen this day thousands of years ago, she had to admit that since the Seer dared to sit here, he must have made thorough preparations.

At least in the realm of 'foresight,' Gaia acknowledged she was far inferior to him.

"State your conditions. Though I cannot agree on behalf of my child, for my part, I am willing to hear your requests."

After a moment of thought, Gaia said in a deep voice. Things had already reached this point; she could no longer hesitate.

Smiling faintly, Ryan was unsurprised by Gaia's submission. Clearly, compared to a few external possessions, she hated the tyrannical King more.

"A Divine Artifact," he said. "The [Life Treasure Bottle]. I want to borrow it for a thousand years. That is my first request."

The [Life Treasure Bottle] is Gaia's bonded Divine Artifact; only in her hands can its power remain constant. Once separated from Gaia, the Life Treasure Bottle will gradually fall silent until it becomes a mere mortal object, so Ryan only intends to borrow it temporarily.

Of course, Ryan cannot guarantee whether it will be returned intact.

"I agree. And the second condition?" Faced with Ryan's request, Gaia nodded in acceptance and immediately asked further.

"The second condition is even simpler," Ryan said. "I require you to arrange the growth of plants and the changes of climate according to the Calendar I have established, under the waxing and waning of the illusory [Moon]. It must not be altered until you challenge the God King."

This was Ryan's way of clearly defining the control of [Time Sequence] and [Moon] over plants and climate, as well as further perfecting their authority.

In theory, the Earth Mother could abolish it at any time after the new king ascends, but Ryan did not care.

He only needed this period of time—as long as the parts of Khaos concerning 'plant growth' and 'climate change' were temporarily placed under [Time Sequence] and [Moon], once he devoured this origin, everything would be set in stone.