God of the Mortal World

Shane's voice echoed across the ruined temple plaza.

The lightning patterns on Zeus's gilded robe suddenly flared, his divine might surging. The previously still air instantly became oppressive and heavy.

The usually calm Zeus finally showed an emotional reaction, as if Shane's request had disrupted his plans.

"No."

Zeus's gaze swept over Diana, who stood by a stone pillar.

"Diana is your teacher. There is a bond and a protective heart between you. The core of the ritual is extreme trial and honest confrontation. Introducing concessions based on teacher-student affection will only render the entire process invalid."

Shane looked up. If Zeus had remained so composed, he might have had to activate the second plan with the ring in his hand.

But now, it seemed Batman's Plan B would be enough.

Just as Shane was about to speak again, Diana's voice suddenly rang out, clear yet incredibly firm.

"I swear by the name of Zeus, King of Gods of Olympus, that this battle will be fought with all my might, with no reservations. If I break this oath, I willingly forfeit my Godhood and descend into the abyss of the underworld."

A faint golden divine light rose from Diana, forming intricate patterns that wrapped around her wrists and neck.

These were the marks of a divine oath taking effect. Although sworn in Zeus's name, even the King of Gods himself could not interfere with a fully established oath magic.

The lightning around Zeus abruptly faltered, his divine might receding significantly.

He looked at the unwavering resolve in Diana's eyes. The stern majesty of the King of Gods faded from his deep gaze, replaced by a hint of helplessness.

He slowly shook his head, his voice tinged with weariness.

"Do you still resent me in your heart?"

Diana's hands, hanging at her sides, clenched slightly, but she avoided Zeus's gaze.

"The oath has been made. You have no reason to stop me from becoming the fourth challenger."

Seeing her silence, Zeus understood. He waved his hand gently.

The Oracle's restriction binding Diana was lifted.

"Fine. You've always been this way; I can never force you. I can't control you."

His voice deepened, and he looked at his daughter, who was stretching her limbs and slowly walking towards Shane.

He suddenly spoke, his voice no longer authoritative but filled with a sense of melancholy.

"My actions are not solely driven by greed for his physique. The gods of Olympus are no longer what they once were. The old order is collapsing. I am seeking a chance for change for all the gods of Olympus."

This stopped Diana in her tracks.

While the relationship between the Divine Realm and the mortal world was not as close as before, they were still intrinsically linked. If the Divine Realm faced a crisis, Earth would likely suffer as well.

She slowly turned, her eyes filled with doubt.

"Do you already know of the crisis that may befall the Divine Realm?"

Zeus looked up at the clouds outside the temple's dome, his expression returning to a calm, silent mask.

"I only know that the old gods will eventually be replaced by the times. This is an irreversible fate."

But when the deceased Eris brought back information about Shane, Zeus discovered a peculiar individual who didn't fit into the predetermined past or the uncertain future.

His gaze shifted to Diana, his tone carrying a hint of pleading.

"I implore you, my daughter, in the name of the gods, to continue this hero's ritual. Allow your student to possess Godhood and divine power. It may not be a bad thing for him."

Diana seemed to see Zeus plead for the first time, her shocked face paling slightly.

Her gaze fell on Shane, who stood not far away, covered in blood yet still composed. She looked at him with a sense of helplessness.

During the time Shane was flying with the stone pillar, he had only given her a general outline of the plan.

Diana had never expected Zeus to adopt such a humble stance. Compared to the king of the gods' authority over countless years, this was undoubtedly a huge and difficult concession.

On one hand was her father, connected by blood, and the legacy of the Divine Realm she had protected for years.

On the other was her student, to whom she had taught everything, and the core of this absurd ritual.

Wonder Woman found herself in a rare dilemma.

Shane suddenly raised his hand and waved at Diana.

"Teacher Prince, just follow your heart. You are only the fourth stage of the hero's ritual; we have backup plans."

His voice was filled with absolute confidence.

Diana looked at the composure and trust in Shane's eyes, and the struggle in her heart gradually subsided.

She gritted her teeth, looked up at Zeus, and her voice became firm.

"I demand, by the divine oath of the King of Gods of all gods, that my Vulcan Sword and divine shield be returned immediately. Only when fully armed can it be considered a true all-out effort."

At the same time, inside the Batwing aircraft docked on the grassland, the Vulcan Sword, which had been resting on its alloy stand, suddenly vibrated violently. Its blade emitted a dazzling golden light within the dim cabin, its sword cry echoing throughout the aircraft.

Batman's eyes narrowed. He quickly tapped the control panel with his fingertips. The aircraft's hatch instantly opened, and a biting cold wind, carrying a divine aura, rushed into the cabin.

"Let it go," he said to Cyborg beside him in a deep voice.

The Vulcan Sword seemed to gain a will of its own, breaking free from its stand and transforming into a golden lightning bolt, shooting out of the fighter jet at high speed, charging straight towards the peak of Mount Olympus in northern Greece.

As it flew, the sword's power grew exponentially, tearing through the air and leaving a faint golden trail in its wake.

At this moment, high above the summit of Mount Olympus, Shazam was rubbing his sore arm, hovering in place alongside Superman, both ready to open the spatial gate again.

Only a few seconds remained until the first five-minute deadline set by Batman.

"What is that?"

Shazam's eyes widened suddenly as he pointed at the rapidly approaching golden light in the distance, his face filled with astonishment.

Superman's blue eyes narrowed slightly, instantly locking onto the true form of the light.

It was Diana's Vulcan Sword.

In the blink of an eye, the Vulcan Sword arrived above the summit. The sword body erupted with ultimate golden light, forcefully tearing open the spatial barrier Zeus had erected. A narrow yet stable spatial rift slowly unfolded.

"Now!"

Superman let out a low roar, his body instantly becoming a blue afterimage. Without hesitation, he plunged his hands into the spatial rift that should have vanished in an instant.

The immense power of the god of men erupted from within him, engaging in a fierce tug-of-war with Zeus's divine might from the other side of the rift.

Pulled by the two colossal forces, the spatial rift did not close; instead, it began to widen.

Shazam watched this scene, dumbfounded, his mind unable to process what he was seeing.

Superman actually dared to clash head-on with Zeus's divine power?

This was a scenario he had never imagined.

Wait a minute, if that's the case, how far behind Superman am I really?

Shazam felt a sense of absurdity. Zeus's blessings made up one-sixth of his power, and merely possessing the blessings, he certainly couldn't compare to the true King of Gods.

Just then, Batman's voice came through the earpiece, low and precise. The intense pressure instantly snapped Shazam, who was lost in thought, back to reality.

"Five seconds left until the first five-minute deadline."

Shazam clenched his fists, the divine power within him surging madly.

Batman's orders were never wrong.

"Shazam!!!"