Zijing Continent, Yemu Prefecture, high above the Siyasila Mountain Range.
"Boom~~"
A terrifying pressure emerged. Vast quantities of blue liquid gathered and took shape, transforming into a figure hidden in the water mist, its silhouette shimmering with a blue glow.
"Greetings, Sovereign!"
Ninisha and Dili dropped to their knees at the same time, their expressions solemn as they spoke.
"Ninisha, what do you need me for?"
Hope glanced at Ninisha and Dili, his face impassive and his tone emotionless.
"Lord Sovereign, here's what happened..."
Ninisha and Dili exchanged a look, then briefly recounted the entire story.
"Oh? The Four Divine Beasts Clan? They're as overbearing as ever."
Hope spoke calmly. The Four Divine Beasts Clan's way of doing things came as no surprise to him.
Among all the Sovereigns, only a small fraction had children, and no more than five had large clans. The Four Divine Beasts Clan and the Augusta Clan were the only two clans with Sovereign-level powerhouses, so both naturally acted with extreme arrogance.
"Lord Sovereign, this is the Five-Colored Blood Crystal. Ninisha knows her strength is modest, but she is willing to swear in the name of the Overgod that she will serve you forever. She only asks that you protect her."
As Ninisha spoke, she took out the Five-Colored Blood Crystal and sent it floating toward Hope. Then she watched him anxiously.
Ninisha had survived countless life-and-death battles, but no one wanted to die. Faced with the Four Divine Beasts Sovereigns, that colossal force, she felt powerless.
She had never expected the Four Divine Beasts Clan to be so overbearing. Even though she hadn't intended to do anything, Kedun Reding still wanted to kill her. And she had never imagined that the Four Divine Beasts Sovereigns would disregard their status and attack an Asura.
All she could do was ask the Sovereign of Water to protect her, hoping at the very least that he would stop the Four Divine Beasts Sovereigns.
"Generally speaking, Sovereigns don't interfere in battles between gods. But you're my emissary, and to a certain extent, you represent my reputation. I won't intervene if you fight the Four Divine Beasts Clan, but if Reding and the others dare to act personally, I'll make them back off."
Hope waved a hand and accepted the Five-Colored Blood Crystal. His expression didn't change as he gave a slight nod. His tone was calm, yet brimming with confidence and arrogance, as if the Four Divine Beasts Sovereigns were beneath his notice.
He was a little surprised that Ninisha had provoked the Four Divine Beasts Clan, but to Hope, it was nothing.
The Four Divine Beasts Sovereigns were said to be as powerful as Sovereigns, but Hope didn't take them seriously.
As a Water Paragon Sovereign, with the Willpower earned from ten consecutive victories in the Plane War and the ultimate techniques he had studied over countless years, Hope feared no one except the Four Rules Sovereigns—not even Augusta.
If Ninisha had been an ordinary Asura, Hope wouldn't have cared. But she had the potential to become a Paragon, and he didn't mind protecting her.
"Thank you, Lord Sovereign!"
A trace of joy appeared on Ninisha's face. She dropped to her knees, her voice full of gratitude.
"However, Ninisha, your strength is considerable, but the Four Divine Beasts Clan has six direct Asuras and several honorary elders. Its Seven-Star Fiends also have plenty of Sovereign's Might. You're no match for them. Your best course is to become a Paragon as soon as possible."
Hope looked down at Ninisha, a hint of anticipation in his voice. He was eager to see if she could become a Paragon under the pressure of the Four Divine Beasts Clan.
Once Ninisha became a Paragon, Hope would have another Paragon emissary at his disposal and another trump card in the Plane Battlefield.
"Yes, Lord Sovereign. Ninisha will do everything she can to become a Paragon."
Ninisha raised her head, determination flashing in her pale violet eyes.
"I look forward to the day you become a Paragon."
After saying this, Hope moved and vanished instantly, as if he had never been there.
After Hope left, Dili and Ninisha slowly rose to their feet. A refreshing aura rose from Dili's body, and she was filled with elation.
I made the right bet. The Sovereign truly values Ninisha—he's even willing to step in and stop the Four Divine Beasts Sovereigns. A flicker of joy passed through Dili's heart. She took a deep breath to calm herself, then turned to Ninisha.
"Ninisha, let's leave first. The Four Divine Beasts Clan will start making its move soon."
Dili looked at Ninisha, her tone serious. The two of them would soon have to face the Four Divine Beasts Clan's pursuit.
"All right. Dili, thank you for helping me. If I become a Paragon and survive this crisis, let me know if there's anything you need. I'll do whatever I can to help."
Ninisha's purple hair fluttered in the wind. She clenched her fists, then gazed into the distance, as though she could see the Four Divine Beasts Clan on Bloodridge Continent from there.
Ninisha and Dili flew toward the Star Fog Sea, while Hope fell into deep thought.
"Ninisha may become a Paragon soon, but one Paragon isn't enough."
Hope pondered the matter, beginning to consider the next Plane War.
Under the Sovereign Covenant, each Paragon High-God could participate in the tenth battle of the Plane War only once. Palhouse and Bayer had already participated. With Ninisha's help, perhaps Hope could win another ten consecutive victories next time.
But one Paragon wouldn't be enough. The Water Elemental Plane's last ten-win streak had taken many Sovereigns by surprise. After all, no one had expected Bayer to become a Paragon.
It would be much harder for the Water Elemental Plane to win ten consecutive victories again. For one thing, Augusta's emissary, the Light Paragon High-God, had yet to participate in the tenth battle of the Plane War.
Augusta hadn't sent Clementine into battle before. Perhaps he had been helping Oufu, planning to step in when the Celestial Realm was on the verge of its ninth consecutive victory. But if Hope got nine consecutive victories again, Augusta might send Clementine to stop him.
Of the Paragons in Blue Star's memories, only Bamo and Leilin haven't appeared. I'll have to keep an eye on Bamo from now on.
Hope pondered for a moment, a few flashes of insight passing through his eyes.
Blue Star's memories had clearly mentioned seven Paragon High-Gods by name: Dannington, Magnus, Bayer, Clementine, Ninisha, Palhouse, and Bamo. Leilin might count as one as well.
Hope had kept an eye on these people for years, but he hadn't managed to find every Paragon. Apart from Palhouse, Bayer, and Ninisha, the other three—Clementine, Dannington, and Magnus—had already become Paragons by the time Hope noticed them.
As for Bamo and Leilin, they had yet to appear. If Hope wanted to win a second ten-win streak, it would still be very difficult.
"Never mind. I can't rush things. Hmm? What's this?"
After collecting his thoughts, Hope instinctively infused the Five-Colored Blood Crystal with Sovereign's Might. He sensed a strange energy. His expression froze, and then an incredulous guess surfaced in his mind: a Supreme God Token.
At the same time, on Bloodridge Continent, at Lake Heart Island in the Lianyun Mountain Range.
Hope's expression turned grave. He shot to his feet, his gaze sharp.
"My lord?"
Bloodridge Sovereign Pashi stared at him in confusion and asked cautiously.
"Pashi, I have something to take care of. Let's stop our game of chess here for today."
Hope spoke, his expression settling back into calm as if nothing had happened. Then he moved and vanished from the Lianyun Mountain Range.
"W-what happened?"
Pashi watched Hope disappear, his expression shifting repeatedly. He had known Hope, the Sovereign of Water, for many years, but had never seen him act like that.
After pondering for a moment, Pashi quietly put away the chess pieces, pretending nothing had happened. He had no intention of telling anyone. After all, a competent Lower Sovereign knew what to say and what to keep to himself.