Seeing that his father and mother had grown somewhat older than before, Simon felt a jumble of emotions. For the two of them, who had not reached the Saint Realm, nearly seventy years was not as short as it had felt to him.
But how could Simon have expected to be away from home for so long? He understood the cruelty of the Coiling Dragon World well, so he could only suppress his faint longing for home.
Looking at his parents before him, Simon knew that, having only attained their current strength after more than a hundred years, their hopes of breaking through to the Saint Realm on their own in the future were extremely slim.
However, with five hundred years of lifespan ahead of them, Simon was not too anxious. Once this year's Wind God Festival ended, he planned to head to another continent to see whether he could find methods or treasures useful for ordinary people breaking through to the Saint Realm.
While cultivating in Icewind Canyon and the Arctic Ice Plains, Simon had kept an eye out as well, but unfortunately, he had found nothing. He could only try his luck elsewhere.
If possible, Simon still hoped that both Darren and Iseline could reach the Saint Realm. Otherwise, five hundred years would pass in the blink of an eye, and once Simon went to a Supreme Plane, he might never see them again.
Magical Beast King John
Patriarch Solo was still tirelessly testing the aptitudes of this year's batch of children from the family. Even though he had repeated this process countless times, this patriarch, who devoted himself wholeheartedly to the family, remained serious every time.
There were several hundred children being tested, yet only a few had shown aptitude for magical cultivation so far. Quite a few, on the other hand, had aptitude for warrior training.
Among them, the most talented had high fire-element affinity, but their spiritual energy was merely average, only five times greater than that of their peers.
With such aptitude, they could barely cultivate magic, but being born into a warrior family, the warrior path would undoubtedly offer better prospects.
At last, Patriarch Solo finished testing all the children. Regrettably, no miracle had appeared; there were merely a dozen or so promising warrior seedlings.
That was also the family's normal state of affairs. Solo sighed softly. After all, producing even one genius like Simon was already the family's good fortune.
The tested children were taken away by their respective parents.
Those deemed worth cultivating, meaning those highly likely to train as warriors or magi beyond the seventh rank, remained at the family ancestral residence for unified instruction.
Meanwhile, the more than ninety percent of children with no cultivation aptitude returned to their respective homes to learn cultural and management knowledge, preparing to take over family businesses in the future. Once they came of age, they had to marry. Free love was acceptable, and family-arranged marriages were acceptable as well. In any case, once they reached the proper age, they had to marry and contribute to the family's propagation.
Those with cultivation talent like Simon were not forced to do so. If they wanted to marry and have children, they naturally could; if not, no one would urge them.
And so, amid an atmosphere where some rejoiced while others worried, this year's Wind God Festival came to an end.
After spending several months with his parents, Simon set off once more. This time, his goal was to head west, cross the entire Rayast Continent, traverse the Endless Sea, and then set foot on the Shadow Continent. Only after roughly exploring the entire continent would he return.
This journey was expected to take more than a hundred years.
Everyone in the family supported this.
During those months, Simon's parents and the two elders learned that he had already become a god. They remained stunned for a long while, once again revising their definition of a genius.
After all, God-Level experts were beyond Simon's parents' understanding. In their eyes, Saint Realm experts were already synonymous with invincibility.
Patriarch Solo also knew that Simon's current strength was sufficient to explore the continent, so he did not stop him.
Before leaving, Simon took out two artifact longswords nurtured by Wind Divine Power. After removing their bindings, he handed them to Patriarch Solo as part of the family's foundation.
Although Edward, a Lowgod, was stationed in the empire and nothing should happen, Simon still chose to leave them behind as a precaution.
Patriarch Solo declined several times. Only after learning that Simon still possessed several such longswords did he accept them without further ceremony, though he took several longswords forged from equally top-grade materials from the family treasury and gave them to Simon.
There were few things in the Coiling Dragon World that could enhance one's strength, and artifacts were among them. Especially for Saint Realm experts, a longsword at the level of a Lowgod Artifact was enough to multiply one's strength several times over.
With it in hand, Patriarch Solo would not fear even ordinary Saint Realm Limit experts.
After packing his bags and bringing along plenty of wine brewed by the family, Simon set off once more.
The Gale Empire was located relatively far inland, quite distant from the Endless Sea, so Simon flew westward all the way.
When he passed through the Lania Mountain Range, Simon stopped. This was a famous gathering place for magical beasts, and legend said that a Magical Beast King capable of taking human form ruled here.
Although the Rayast Continent had many Saint Realm experts, there were few God-Level experts or stronger. Simon naturally paid closer attention to such a place.
When he flew above the core region of the Lania Mountain Range, Simon spread out his Divine Sense. He indeed discovered a God-Level expert with the appearance of a young man hidden deep within the mountains. The aura he emitted was distinctly different from that of humans. He truly seemed to be a transformed magical beast, though Simon did not know whether he was a Divine Beast or a magical beast that had cultivated to godhood.
Sensing the Divine Sense sweep over him, the young-looking God-Level expert ended his secluded cultivation, left his cultivation chamber, and flew into the air. Keeping a safe distance from Simon, he examined him and said,
"This friend is unfamiliar. Did you become a god only recently?"
Seeing that the other party had not immediately attacked and seemed rather friendly, Simon answered frankly as well.
"That is correct. I became a god not long ago. Might I ask whether you are the legendary Magical Beast King who rules the Lania Mountain Range?"
"Magical Beast King? I suppose so. This mountain range is indeed under my rule. My name is John. I cultivate the Law of Thunder and have lived in seclusion in the Lania Mountain Range for several thousand years. And how should I address you, friend?"
"Simon. I cultivate the Law of Wind and come from the Gale Empire."
"So you came from that brat Edward's territory. The fluctuations from someone becoming a god in the north some time ago were caused by you, weren't they?"
This unfamiliar God-Level expert named John seemed to know Edward well, but Simon would not let down his guard rashly.
"Yes, that was indeed me. Is Mr. John acquainted with the founding emperor of our Gale Empire?"
Upon hearing Simon admit that he had only recently become a god, John, whose true body was a Saint Realm Thunder Dragon, immediately became restless. He still had a Saint Realm main body that had yet to become a god. Wasn't this perfect?
Looking at the Godhead delivered right to his doorstep, John secretly rejoiced.
"Not particularly well acquainted. We have merely met a few times and sparred several times. That brat is quite strong; the attack power of his Profound Mystery of Dimension is formidable."
Of course they were not close. Back then, John had also coveted Edward's Godhead. However, the attack power of the Profound Mystery of Dimension Edward comprehended was simply terrifying. Had John not fled quickly that time, he would have become Edward's gift for becoming a god. After suffering several more setbacks, John became much more cautious. Unless he had absolute confidence, he no longer attacked lightly.
But now, sensing Simon's exceptionally youthful soul aura, John believed that Simon was so young and had become a god only recently. If Simon had chosen to split his soul in two, perhaps his soul power had not even fully recovered yet.
Feeling that he had at least a ninety percent chance of killing Simon if he attacked this time, and a guaranteed chance of preserving his own life, John could no longer restrain himself.
"Hehe, my friend Simon, would you be interested in visiting my residence? I have collected many novel and interesting things there. I guarantee you will be satisfied. If you like anything, feel free to take it. No need to be polite."
"Is that so? Then I shall gladly accept your invitation and properly admire Mr. John's collection."
Seeing John's impatient appearance, how could Simon not know what he was planning? But the skilled were bold. Simon simply agreed and waited to see whether John would choose life or death.
If the other party could restrain himself and refrain from attacking, Simon would not kill indiscriminately either. He was not bloodthirsty, and every battle carried risks. He was not absolutely invincible; if he could make one more friend, then so be it.
But if the other party insisted on treating him as easy prey, Simon would not mind testing his ultimate technique on him and adding another Godhead to the family's reserves.
With Simon's current strength, even if the other party had cultivated for several thousand years, as long as he had not reached the Midgod level, there was no need to fear him. There was no reason to fear him. After all, once Simon went to the Supreme Planes, he would truly face dangers on every side. Taking advantage of this situation to gain some combat experience against God-Level experts would be beneficial.
With that thought in mind, Simon followed behind John toward the residence he had mentioned.
First Battle of Becoming a God
Seeing Simon agree so readily and act as though he had nothing to fear, John could not help feeling a little uneasy.
"This brat Simon only just became a god. Even if he comprehended high-level Profound Mysteries, he can be at most as strong as Edward. Last time, I managed to withstand Edward's attacks. Even if I cannot defeat Simon this time, I can still save my life."
Before considering victory, consider defeat.
That was also the secret to how John had survived on the Rayast Continent until now.
During the descent, Simon secretly activated Fusion Divine Power and covered himself beneath his clothes with the Ice Mist Battle Armor. The Wall of Illusion above his Soul Ocean was also in place. At the same time, he was ready to activate the Ice Wind Space at any moment. Having made every preparation, Simon followed John toward his residence.
The two landed one after the other before a residence within a cave. Simon looked over the courtyard before him. If it were not situated deep in the core region of the most dangerous Lania Mountain Range, Simon would have thought it was a mountain estate meticulously built by some noble lord.
"What a beautiful home. Mr. John, you have excellent taste. This residence must have taken considerable effort to build."
Simon praised.
"Haha, since Brother Simon likes it so much, how about making it your grave?"
John turned to look at Simon, no longer concealing the cruel smile on his face.
Before his words had even faded, John instantly transformed into a Thunder Dragon more than a hundred meters long. Amid flashing lightning, he wielded his War Blade and unleashed his strongest attack at Simon—Thunder Light Slash.
The moment he attacked, he used the material-attack ultimate technique he had continuously refined over several thousand years after comprehending the Profound Mystery of Thunder Element.
Seeing how impatient the other party was, Simon merely smiled.
"This is Mr. John's territory. Naturally, it should be left as your grave."
Already prepared, Simon remained exceptionally calm as he watched the blade-light streak toward him at Extreme Speed. Activating the Speed Profound Truth, he easily evaded it.
As Simon dodged, he activated the Domain Ultimate Technique, Ice Wind Space. In an instant, 365 streams of Cyan-Blue Divine Power spread along special trajectories. The space within several thousand meters instantly froze before transforming into a kingdom of ice and snow, with countless ice blades and wind blades whirling through the air.
Seeing his strongest attack dodged so easily by Simon, John knew things were bad and wanted to launch another attack. But the sudden, powerful binding force pinned him in place, while countless ice blades and wind blades slashed toward him.
"You're a Midgod? What a sinister human!"
Unable to move, John cried out in terror. He thought this was a Midgod Domain unleashed by Simon.
"That's right. The Laws of Heaven and Earth descended twice in succession when someone became a god some time ago. Could both instances have been caused by this brat before me?"
John felt utterly speechless. To run into such an unlikely situation was truly...
"Sinister? In that regard, I fear I cannot compare to you, Mr. John. And judging by how practiced you are, this is not the first time you have done something like this, is it?"
Watching John remain completely immobilized by the Ice Wind Space, Simon spoke lightly. Of course, he only appeared relaxed. As this was Simon's first battle against a God-Level expert, he remained fully vigilant.
After using every method he had and still failing to break free from the restraints, John finally admitted helplessly that he had lost.
"Brother Simon, no, Lord Simon, since I have not harmed you, please show mercy and spare me this once. I can give you everything valuable I possess. I can even agree to serve you for ten thousand years!"
"You're an ugly Thunder Dragon, yet you have beautiful dreams. If I lacked strength, would you have spared me? Besides, I have no interest in your possessions, much less in taking you as a subordinate. You should just die."
Simon looked coldly at John's Thunder Dragon body, which was torn to pieces by the ice blades and wind blades before constantly regenerating under divine power. He sneered disdainfully.
"If you wish to kill others, you must be prepared to be killed."
Seeing that begging was useless, John, bound and unable to move, instantly unleashed nearly all his soul power and used his half-baked Soul Attack against Simon.
In an instant, a huge illusory blade-light flew toward Simon.
In response, Simon unleashed his soul-attack ultimate technique, Phantom Spear.
The two collided. The nearly undiminished phantom spear-shadow followed the path from which the blade-light had come and plunged directly into the head of the Thunder Dragon John had transformed into.
Within John's Soul Ocean, the suddenly appearing phantom spear-shadow broke through the defense formed by John's remaining soul power like bamboo splitting apart. It instantly struck his lightning-shaped soul. John's exposed lightning-shaped soul had almost no power to resist and was destroyed in an instant.
The enormous Thunder Dragon bound within the Ice Wind Space twitched violently once, then never moved again.
Thus fell John, the Thunder Dragon who had dominated the Lania Mountain Range for several thousand years!
Seeing that John had not used any Innate Divine Ability even at the end, Simon knew that he had most likely been an ordinary Saint Realm Thunder Dragon who spent a long time cultivating into godhood.
"Ah, why bother? So eager to die."
Simon sighed. Then he swung his longsword, effortlessly slicing open the Thunder Dragon's skull. A Godhead emitting purple light fell out.
Without ceremony, he stored the Godhead and the fallen War Blade in his Spatial Ring. At the same time, he collected John's fallen Spatial Ring and bound it with a drop of blood.
Sending his Divine Sense inside, he found several Saint Realm Magic Crystal Cores scattered about, along with some ore-like materials. Other than that, there was nothing particularly valuable.
"This Thunder Dragon really was poor."
Before you continue