Twenty years later...
"Rumble!"
As the Laws of Heaven and Earth descended, a powerful surge of energy swept down from the sky. Ninisha, hidden within the Mist Sea, rose into the air like a purple shooting star radiating golden light.
At that moment, the Willpower bestowed by the Laws of Heaven and Earth merged into her divine spark. The first Lightning Paragon in the world had been born!
"What an enviable talent!"
In the air not far away, Dili, her long green hair flowing, let out a sigh. Her feelings were complicated.
As Ninisha's companion for a million years, she had watched Ninisha gain new insights after every battle and grow stronger and stronger. And now, she had witnessed the birth of a Paragon High-God with her own eyes.
"Still, I can count a Paragon High-God as a friend now. That's a good thing for me, too."
Dili quickly composed herself, thinking with some excitement. Although she and Ninisha weren't especially close, she could still count on Ninisha's protection.
The favor of a Paragon High-God was even rarer than that of a Sovereign. Dili could consider herself truly one of a kind.
"Whoosh!"
As the thunderclouds gradually dispersed, Ninisha flashed to Dili's side, a confident smile on her face.
"Congratulations, Ninisha!"
Feeling Ninisha's astonishing speed, Dili's pupils contracted slightly. Then she spoke in an even tone.
Ninisha smiled and nodded, then looked toward Bloodridge Continent. A faint purple light flickered in her eyes.
Meanwhile, in the eastern region of the Star Fog Sea, vast quantities of golden seawater surged around countless islands, forming a remarkable scene.
At that moment, on a small island a thousand miles across, two figures sat beside an exquisite stone table, leisurely enjoying tea.
One was a round-faced, middle-aged man with a plump build and a deferential manner. The other was a black-haired young man with sharp brows and bright eyes. His expression was calm as still water, yet he exuded authority. They were Palhouse and Hope.
"Congratulations, my lord. Ninisha has become a Paragon."
The round-faced, middle-aged Palhouse sat beside Hope, speaking with a hint of emotion.
Though the island lay in the eastern Mist Sea, several prefectures away from Ninisha, a Sovereign's divine sense could clearly perceive every movement. Palhouse and Hope naturally knew all about Ninisha and Dili's situation.
Even Palhouse had to admit that Ninisha's talent was extraordinary. He was a Water Element Paragon himself, and over the many years he had been a Sovereign, he had seen countless geniuses. Yet even he couldn't help being amazed by Ninisha.
Unlike Bayer, Ninisha was the first Lightning Paragon since the world was created. None of the seven Lightning Element Sovereigns were Paragons, while Teresia, the Wind Sovereign, had become a Paragon long ago.
"She broke through much sooner than I expected. It seems the Four Divine Beasts Clan put considerable pressure on her."
Hope nodded slightly and spoke in an indifferent tone. He was quite pleased with the speed of Ninisha's breakthrough.
"However, my lord, although Ninisha is now a Paragon, if she clashes with the Four Divine Beasts Clan, Reding and the other three probably won't stand by and do nothing."
Palhouse considered it, then asked.
"My emissary is no concern of Reding and the others."
Hope spoke flatly, not taking the Four Divine Beasts seriously in the slightest.
Palhouse's expression shifted. Hope's words surprised him. He had never thought his lord would fear the Four Divine Beasts, but Hope had always kept the peace with them. Today, though, his intentions seemed different.
"Could it be that my lord intends to make a move against the Four Divine Beasts?"
The thought that surfaced in Palhouse's mind startled him. He didn't know why Hope had set his sights on the Four Divine Beasts, but he didn't ask. He knew Hope would tell him anything he needed to know.
As for whether opposing the Four Divine Beasts Sovereigns would be dangerous, Palhouse wasn't worried. Among the many Sovereigns, he was one of those who understood Lord Hope best. At most, the Four Divine Beasts could deal with Palhouse himself.
Hope glanced at Palhouse and saw his expression shift repeatedly. He knew Palhouse had guessed part of the truth, but he had no intention of revealing anything about the Overgod Mission yet.
"Hmm?"
The next moment, while Hope and Palhouse were chatting, both raised their brows and looked toward the nearby sky.
A streak of starlight descended, and faint golden stars gathered as a man in a dark golden robe slowly appeared.
He had long, deep-purple hair that fell over his shoulders. Brilliant stars adorned his robe, but the most striking feature was the purple horn on his forehead, which made him look extraordinarily uncanny.
"Xingyi pays his respects to Lord Hope!"
The purple-haired man came before Hope and bowed slightly.
"It's been a long time, Xingyi. Sit down."
Hope nodded slightly and waved his right hand. A new stone stool took shape, and he gestured for the purple-haired man to sit.
"Thank you, my lord!"
The Star Sovereign Xingyi slowly sat down, then nodded in greeting to Palhouse beside him.
Although Palhouse was now a Sovereign-level powerhouse, and an ordinary Sovereign would address him as "my lord," Xingyi showed him no particular deference.
For one thing, Xingyi was exceptionally talented and ranked just below the Sovereign of Destruction in Hell. Even if he wasn't quite Palhouse's equal, there wasn't much between them, so he had no need to address Palhouse as "my lord."
For another, Palhouse was, after all, Hope's subordinate. It would have seemed inappropriate for Xingyi to address both of them as "my lord" in Hope's presence.
"I never expected another Paragon to appear. My lord, you haven't visited my Star Fog Sea in a long time. Is this visit because of Ninisha?"
After sitting down, Xingyi smiled faintly and looked toward Ninisha, asking with a sigh.
As the Sovereign of the Star Fog Sea, Xingyi occasionally kept an eye on what was happening in the region. Two million years ago, when Ninisha came to Hell's Star Fog Sea from the Lightning Elemental Plane, Xingyi had learned of her.
Especially recently, the Four Divine Beasts Clan had made quite a stir. After looking into it, Xingyi quickly discovered that Gaislesen and the others had gone to hunt Ninisha. Surprised, he began paying closer attention to her.
This time, the instant Ninisha broke through to become a Paragon, she instinctively released her Willpower, drawing Xingyi's attention. He sent his divine sense to investigate.
At first, Xingyi was delighted and planned to ask Ninisha whether she would become his emissary. After all, according to what he had heard from Bloodridge Continent, Ninisha had offended the Four Divine Beasts Clan. Reding and the other three weren't exactly the sort to care about appearances. If Ninisha had injured Gaislesen and the others, they might personally step in.
If that happened, Xingyi could protect Ninisha by intervening and persuading them. There was a good chance he could make her his emissary. The Four Divine Beasts were stronger than him, but here in Hell, they all belonged to the Sovereign of Destruction's faction. Xingyi had enough influence to make that count.
As Xingyi's divine sense spread out, however, he discovered two unexpected figures: Hope, the Water Sovereign, and Palhouse, the Water Element Intermediate Sovereign. So he immediately came over.
"Ninisha has been my emissary for a million years."
Hope lifted his teacup and glanced at Xingyi, speaking in an even tone.
"What? She already is?"
A flicker of surprise crossed Xingyi's brilliant eyes. He immediately sent out his divine sense, letting it linger on Ninisha for a moment, then sighed inwardly.
"Congratulations, my lord. You've gained another Paragon emissary. That makes three now. I envy your eye for talent."
A moment later, Xingyi withdrew his divine sense and glanced at Palhouse before respectfully addressing Hope.
Hope merely nodded at Xingyi's words and offered no further explanation. Xingyi didn't press him, instead changing the subject.
"My lord, a large group from the Four Divine Beasts Clan has arrived. From what I've heard, they seem to be here for Ninisha. Ninisha naturally has nothing to fear, but Reding and the other three..."
As he spoke, Xingyi watched Hope's expression. Seeing how calm he remained, Xingyi understood that Lord Hope didn't mind clashing with the Four Divine Beasts.
But on second thought, it made sense. The Water Elemental Plane had only just won a ten-game streak for the first time in millions of years. The Water Sovereign now had one more Willpower than an ordinary Law Sovereign. In terms of soul defense alone, he likely rivaled every Law Sovereign except the Thunder Sovereign. Naturally, he wouldn't fear the Four Divine Beasts.