The Beginning of the Demon Web

"Divine Artifact and Calendar."

Faced with Ryan's request, the Earth Mother did not respond immediately, but in her heart, she had already agreed.

Unlike the Divine Oracle, which was a Divine Artifact born of the world and could be transferred or handed over, the Life Treasure Bottle was her companion object—no one could truly wrest it from her grasp.

As for letting the changes of [Moon] guide plant growth and climate, the Earth Mother could accept that as well. After all, the earth was her fundamental Divine Office, and the God of Meteorology would surely be willing to make that sacrifice.

"Cronus." Gaia called out in her heart, wanting to ask the opinion of her brave child.

"I can agree to his terms, but what about your three promises?"

At this moment, the Earth Mother's womb was far from peaceful. When Ryan had declared him the 'undisputed new king,' the Lord of the Ocean and the Sun God could no longer hold back.

If they had known this outcome in advance, they would have stepped forward earlier. But now, they knew the matter was settled. Cronus's power was no weaker than theirs, and without oath-bound restrictions, he was the most suitable Knife Wielder; the Earth Mother would not choose another.

"I agree." Cronus said to the Earth Mother, his voice also transmitting outside her body. He had already secured an absolute advantage, but it had also drawn his brothers' resentment. Now, he only wanted to obtain a more precise prophecy and ascend the throne, not bicker with his brothers inside their mother's womb.

"I am willing to agree to your three conditions, Lord Ryan. As long as they do not affect my kingship, I will do my utmost."

Ryan nodded, unsurprised by Cronus's answer. To him, if he could become the God King, any price was acceptable. If he remained trapped in the Mother Goddess's womb, even the smallest cost was just an empty promise.

"Very well." He smiled and stated his first demand: "First, I want the Essence of Space-Time."

The scene fell silent for a moment. Clearly, neither the Earth Mother nor the Titans had expected Ryan to make such a request.

Not because it was too harsh, but because it was very strange.

After a brief pause, Cronus's voice came through. He was not angry, but somewhat puzzled.

"A god's essence can indeed be transferred, my lord, but the recipient can never truly possess it. If you do not intend to become my subordinate god, then no matter how much essence I give you, it will only return to me with the passage of time."

Cronus was not lying. Unless the world stripped it away, the authority of natural gods could not be transferred; otherwise, the Twelve Titans' divine rights would have been seized by the God King long ago. Being a subordinate god was the only way for a long-term transfer, but no one thought the Seer would become someone else's underling.

"That is my concern. Like the Life Treasure Bottle, at least I need it now."

Ryan did not respond directly, merely reiterating his demand.

"Very well, I agree. As the God of Space-Time, parting with my essence will not severely impact my power. I will give you as large a portion as I can." Cronus promised.

Satisfied, Ryan nodded and began to state his second condition.

"Good. Next, my demand concerns the future of the land beneath our feet."

"In a chance prophecy, I saw that one day in the future, a new moon would rise in the sky. It would be a solid celestial body, like the sun, more suited to hanging there than the [Moon] I created. So I want to find a new home for my creation."

"So you chose the Underworld?"

"Yes." Ryan admitted.

"Cronus, future God King, I want you to make this promise: Celestial bodies above ground have substance; celestial bodies below ground have no substance. Thus, the solid sun and moon are in the mortal world, while the insubstantial sun and moon are in the Netherworld. The sun is a symbol of yang, so the sun above is stronger than the sun in the Netherworld; the moon is a symbol of yin, so the moon in the Netherworld is stronger than the moon above. The solid sun was born first, so all concepts of [Day] originate from it; the insubstantial moon was born first, so all concepts of [Month] begin with it. Heaven and earth correspond to each other—this will also be your achievement as God King."

"I agree."

Cronus did not hesitate. After all, the sun and moon had nothing to do with him, and he could use this to ease his elder brother's jealousy.

"Please state your third condition, my lord. You are always so full of wisdom."

Cronus truly could not fault Ryan's thinking. Like the former [Time Sequence], even though no one had accepted the Divine Offices of 'Year, Month, and Season,' all the gods recognized the respect it showed them. Now the Seer was making demands for his creation, but Hyperion would also benefit from it.

"Earth Mother, and all of you listening here."

Ryan's smile grew more genuine. He was grateful for this still-primitive age.

"I wonder if you have noticed that, even between heaven and earth, among all things in the world, there exist various special particles. They exist and yet do not exist. They can affect physical matter, and they can shape darkness and light. They scatter chaotically across heaven and earth, even right beside us."

"Yes, I can sense them." The Earth Mother said. "Earth, Water, Wind, and Fire; Light, Darkness, Wind, and Thunder—they are special particles with different powers."

"But before divine power, they are as fragile as paper. Aside from following the rhythm when gods exercise their authority, I don't know what value they have."

Ryan smiled faintly, neither confirming nor denying Gaia's dismissal. What she said was not without reason—before divine power, the strength of the elements was indeed negligible.

But he had never intended to use them to oppose divine power.

"That will come," Ryan said. "At least, mastering them allows me, who lacks the Divine Office of Water, to stir the waves, and me, who lacks the Divine Office of Meteorology, to create wind and rain."

Gaia gave a polite smile, while the gods in her womb laughed more openly.

With Gaia's isolation, they were not afraid of Ryan detecting them. Having been led by the nose all day, anger had long simmered in their hearts. But now, his demand finally gave them back some confidence.

Yes, the God of Prophecy might see fate, but his own power was a glaring weakness.

"Weak power." Okeanos commented. "From [Time Sequence] and [Moon] to today's ideas, he's always been finding other ways to gain strength."

"Yes, and he even dares to try influencing the weather."

Crios sneered, displeased with Ryan's attempt to control the climate through 'Calendar.' "But Divine Office is the foundation. Those laughable little trinkets are meaningless."

"Don't say that. At least it's an attempt, isn't it? Everyone knows the destructive power of prophetic divine force is a joke."

Because of Ryan's plans for the sun and moon, Hyperion now felt slightly less hostile toward him—but only slightly.

After all, Ryan's prophecy had only brought him suffering, and the God King's Throne had slipped through his fingers.

"So what will you do, my lord?" Unlike his brothers, at this most critical moment, Cronus was not as reckless as his elders.

His voice was gentle and earnest, as if he genuinely cared for Ryan's interests. "If you are interested in them, after I ascend the throne, I will grant you the authority to control them in the name of the God King. As long as I remain God King, you will wield them as easily as your own fingers."

Ryan smiled inwardly, seeing through Cronus's implication with perfect clarity. His expression unchanged, he gently shook his head in refusal.

"Thank you for your kindness, my lord, but I have other ideas."

"I plan to weave a net to bind these chaotic particles. When I need them, I will follow a pre-set structure and let the net's strings vibrate in harmony. That way, I can control them."

As he spoke, Ryan extended an invitation to the gods:

"When that time comes, if any of you here wish to use this net, you will be most welcome."