"All right..."
Though she was reluctant in every way, the Goddess of Love could only nod in agreement when her husband remained firm.
She held Poseinan's hand tightly and began chattering away with reminders, things like, "Nan-nan, once you go to the lower realm, you have to take good care of yourself..."
"Stay far away from those pretty, scheming bad women, understand?"
"And don't you dare be like your foolish father, who had the nerve to sail out to sea alone in a broken boat at the age of six. He was far too reckless."
The Sea God's mouth twitched now and then as he stood beside them.
Halfway through, the Goddess of Love grew a little nervous. "Nan-nan, do you think your mother is too long-winded?"
Even though the person in front of her was her own son, she didn't want her incessant nagging to make Poseinan feel even the slightest bit of resentment toward her.
Poseinan smiled obediently. "Not at all. I could listen to Mom nag all day and never get tired of it."
The Goddess of Love breathed a sigh of relief and kissed his cheek. "Mwah~ What a good boy! Just as expected of my precious darling!"
Watching this scene, the Sea God sighed. "Alas, a doting mother spoils her child."
A little while later, the Goddess of Love finally finished saying everything she wanted to.
The Sea God walked up to Poseinan and looked at him sternly. "Nan-nan, even though you're my son, I won't give you any help. Do you hear me?"
"Yes, yes, yes."
Poseinan didn't believe a word of his father's claims, and answered perfunctorily.
He was all bark and no bite.
Hadn't the Sea God helped Tang San in the original story?
Poseinan refused to believe the Sea God would leave his own flesh and blood to fend for himself.
The Sea God's mouth twitched again. He knew the boy hadn't taken a word of it to heart, and his divine eyes turned imposing.
"Poseinan! I'm ordering you in the name of the Sea God! Stand up straight!"
Golden divine light illuminated the entire palace.
A colossal image of the Sea God appeared overhead, raising his trident high.
The palace amid the sea of clouds immediately began to tilt and tremble.
The divine officials in the distance shook with fear.
Poseinan rolled his eyes at him, then straightened up again and listened attentively.
Even the Goddess of Love beside him was startled.
"Since you're ready to descend to the lower realm, don't tarnish the reputation of the Sea God!"
"Remember, you are the son of Poseidon, the Sea God, and you always will be!"
With that, Poseidon's figure dissolved into droplets of water and vanished from the hall.
As soon as the Sea God left, Poseinan returned to his usual lazy manner and grumbled, "Mom, why can't Dad just say what he means?"
"You're always getting your father riled up."
The Goddess of Love didn't answer his question at first. Instead, she affectionately tapped the tip of his nose with her finger.
Then she led Poseinan by the hand into the inner hall, speaking softly as they walked.
"I heard the Evil God King and the Kindness God King have been thinking about reincarnating and starting over. Apparently, they're going to choose a temporary successor to inherit their godhood for the time being."
"Everyone wants to be the lucky one they choose. Your father is right in the middle of the storm, so of course he has to be careful. He can't give people anything to gossip about, right?"
"Don't worry. Your mother may not have much clout in the lower realm, but your father does. He has a huge faction there, you know. I hear it's called Sea God Island. We'll send you there when the time comes..."
In the blink of an eye, afternoon arrived.
The Divine Realm's thousand-year celebration began right on schedule.
Countless gods gathered, and all kinds of delicacies, divine fruits, and spirit wine filled the place in a dazzling array.
Poseinan stuffed handful after handful of divine fruits into his spirit ring.
But he had no desire to eat any of them himself.
These divine fruits and spirit wine had absorbed the essence of divine power in the Divine Realm for years.
Even eating a little would make him burst.
They simply weren't fit for a feeble human like him to enjoy.
As for why he was packing them away if he couldn't eat them, the answer was simple.
If he couldn't eat them himself, he could bring them to the lower realm for other people to eat.
These divine fruits had absorbed the essence of divine power year after year, so they were no ordinary fruit anymore.
They couldn't match Immortal Herbs in Marrow Cleansing or in defying fate and changing one's destiny.
But they could certainly prolong life and heal hidden injuries.
Just as Poseinan busied himself packing the fruit away, a soft, alluring voice suddenly sounded beside him. "Oh, Nan-nan, what are you doing hiding here all by yourself?"
Poseinan turned around. The woman before him had dark purple curls, a tall figure, and a face of stunning beauty.
She had the air of a wicked older sister.
She was none other than Hela, the God of Death.
Poseinan forced an awkward smile. "Um, Hela, why are you here?"
Hela pretended to be displeased. "Hmm? What's that? Surprised to see me?"
Poseinan hurriedly explained, "Of course not, Hela! Who wouldn't like a woman as universally adored as you, whose beauty could make flowers bloom and rival the heavens?"
As a friend to all the goddesses in the Divine Realm, he knew exactly what kind of words each goddess liked to hear.
Hela's face blossomed into a smile. She covered her mouth as she laughed. "Hehehe... Nan-nan, you're such a sweet talker."
"If the God of Death's divine seat suited you, I'd pass it on to you in a heartbeat, then go off in search of my own Mr. Right."
As she spoke, a trace of loneliness flickered in Hela's beautiful phoenix eyes.
As the First-Level God who oversaw the death and reincarnation of all living beings in the Divine Realm, she held an authority over death that few gods could match.
In other words, every deity except the God Kings treated her with respect.
But precisely because her status was so high, she had never met her Mr. Right.
Anyone stronger than her was out of the question, like Asura.
And she wasn't interested in anyone weaker than her.
Poseinan comforted her. "Don't worry, Hela. You'll find him someday. Don't be too sad. Nan-nan's heart aches for you~"
"Hehehe~"
Who wouldn't feel better after hearing that?
Seeing Hela in such a good mood, Poseinan got carried away too and continued to flatter her. "If all else fails, I'll just marry you someday, Hela."
Hela covered her mouth and stared at the boy in surprise. "Oh~ Do you really mean that?"
"Of course!"
There was no law against bragging.
Children's words were innocent. Who would take a child seriously?
He was just trying to make an adult happy.
Hela was grinning from ear to ear, and her eyes held a few new feelings as she looked at Poseinan.
"Come, Nan-nan. Your big sister will give you something nice."
As she spoke, Hela touched the back of Poseinan's neck, and a dark purple scythe-shaped pattern quietly wound its way onto it.
Feeling the mark appear on his back, Poseinan almost cried out in surprise. "Hela, could this be..."
At the crucial moment, Hela pressed a jade-white finger to his lips and winked playfully. "Shh~ Don't tell anyone! This is our secret."
Poseinan was overjoyed inside, but nodded obediently. "Mm-hmm!"
Hela really was treating him like her own little brother!
This was a gifted source embryo!
He just didn't know what Martial Soul it would eventually give rise to: the complete God of Death, a Death Scythe, or perhaps the Sea of the Underworld...
"Nan-nan, come on. The ceremony is about to begin. I'll take you inside."
Hela smiled brightly, took Poseinan by the hand, and walked toward the center of the celebration under the envious gazes of countless divine officials.
Inside the celebration hall.
The Five Great God Kings had gathered together, while the twenty-four main gods took their seats below in turn.
When Hela led Poseinan inside, all the gods looked somewhat surprised, but none of them said anything.
God of Destruction, however, cast Poseinan a cold glance.
After all the First-Level Gods had arrived, the God of Destruction stood up. "Everyone!"