The Four Midgods

The second century was the hardest century for the four of them to endure. As Rhodes kept integrating all his profound mysteries into the Thunder Region, its power grew greater and greater. Although he kept his divine power at the Lowgod level, no one had said he could use only one profound mystery!!!

During the third century, as Rhodes continually experimented with fusing profound mysteries by creating ultimate moves, the power within the Thunder Region fluctuated. Rhodes did his best to direct all the lightning containing soul attacks toward Vermilion Bird and Black Tortoise, afraid of seriously injuring Azure Dragon and White Tiger again.

Of Vermilion Bird and Black Tortoise, one excelled in soul strength, while the other, though not particularly strong in soul, excelled at defense. That shell was rock-hard, and not just against physical attacks-its soul defense was tough too.

As for why Black Tortoise had been killed by a single sword strike from the Light Sovereign in the original story, their combined innate ability had probably drained the four of them enormously. They had been supremely confident in their ultimate move, only to discover that their attack had no effect whatsoever. Perhaps, shaken by that discovery, Black Tortoise had failed to activate a defensive innate ability. A divine body alone certainly could not withstand an Overgod artifact's attack, even if that body was comparable to a Sovereign Artifact.

As for the four of them now, their greatest gains were not just their comprehension of new profound mysteries. Their original Divine Beast bodies had all nearly reached the strength of Midgod artifacts. Not the strength of Midgod divine bodies, but nearly that of Midgod artifacts-the difference was enormous.

Azure Dragon's divine body was especially strong, fully comparable to a Midgod artifact. Lightning at Lowgod power no longer did much to temper his divine body when it struck him.

Instead, the bizarre magnetic field, the lightning that caught him off guard, and those soul attacks that gave him endless headaches were what troubled him. He could only battle the lightning figures. If he stopped fighting, lightning would descend from the sky and strike him.

Originally, all four of them had fought a single lightning figure. Over the years, Rhodes had created and controlled another three figures of lightning element. Otherwise, one would long since have ceased to be enough for the four of them to fight.

"They're such f***ing fr**ks. You can practically see them improving. During the first century, one lightning figure chased all four of them around trying to kill them. Now they're each fighting one while also taking the lightning that can fall from the sky at any moment head-on. Give them another century, and they'll probably fully comprehend their profound mysteries and become Midgods." After his exclamation, Rhodes stopped watching the Four Divine Beasts and turned back to studying his ultimate moves and the fusion of the profound mysteries of the laws.

Over these three hundred years, his wind divine clone had also constantly searched for suitable opponents around the Skyrite Mountains. He wore an azure mask, and the irregular black crystal previously found alongside the Thunder Crystal had also been taken into his wind divine clone's soul space.

The azure mask was a Heaven and Earth Wonder previously discovered in the Amethyst Alliance's treasury. Apart from blocking scans of soul power, it had no other use. The irregular black crystal discovered even earlier was more miraculous still: it directly prevented others from detecting Rhodes's soul aura and could also alter that aura. Had a Darkness Element expert skilled in assassination and ambush obtained it, it would have made them even more formidable. Unfortunately, it had still ended up in Rhodes's hands. ｡:.ﾟヽ(｡◕‿◕｡)ﾉﾟ.:｡+ﾟ

Ever since Rhodes first discovered that crystal, he had prepared to let his wind divine clone act independently. After a few more years, Rhodes planned to send his wind divine clone to the Life Godrealm. After all, the Life Godrealm was somewhat safer. He would slowly build a reputation, then wait for Sovereign Sparks to appear.

Now, no matter who came, no one could say that his wind divine clone had anything to do with Rhodes. Two Heaven and Earth Wonders concealed his identity. With good luck, he could obtain two Sovereign Sparks. As for whether they would be greater, intermediate, or lesser, that would truly depend on fate-or Hongmeng's arrangements.

Over these years, Rhodes's lightning divine clone had constantly revised his ultimate moves and fused profound mysteries, barely moving at all. Meanwhile, more than a hundred years earlier, Pash had already joined his wind divine clone in sweeping away the deities around the Skyrite Mountains.

The first time, they drove them away. Those who refused to listen were almost all killed by the pair the second time. Through slaughter, "Pash" had now earned a resounding reputation across the Aksu Continent as a master of both saber and sword.

Aksu, the leader of the Light Alliance, had also sent people to invite the two of them to join the Light Alliance. Rhodes and Pash refused outright without even considering it.

Most of the time, Pash handled things in person. As for when Rhodes's wind divine clone appeared, it was mainly to fight, and he killed anyone he could. After all, the fewer people who knew, the safer things would be in the future, wouldn't they?

As for why Pash, a saber user, had acquired a reputation as a master of both saber and sword, the reason lay with Rhodes. His wind divine clone had previously forged an artifact shaped like a "jade flute." Since it had always been his lightning divine clone fighting outside, and his wind divine clone had never appeared, he had not noticed any problems.

After many battles, he discovered that this "jade flute" was not practical at all. Although it was tremendously helpful for fusing the Sound Profound Mystery, Rhodes had now completely fused two profound mysteries, and he found the "jade flute" a little superfluous.

He then forged a longsword, made entirely by smelting Wind Element divine materials. To do so, he even pulled Vermilion Bird out of the sea of lightning midway through. After more than twenty years of using Sparrow Flame, he finally forged a new artifact. Rhodes named it the divine sword "Whirling Rise."

Striking the water for three thousand miles, riding the whirling wind upward for ninety thousand miles. A wind that spiraled upward was called a "whirling rise."

It also embodied Rhodes's hopes for his wind divine clone. Unlike his lightning divine clone, which possessed a Lightning Element Heaven and Earth Wonder and could grind his way to Paragon with time alone, his wind divine clone had no advantages whatsoever over Divine Beasts born at the same time. He was even somewhat lackluster.

Three hundred years of slaughter had also allowed him to successfully achieve complete comprehension of the Dimension Profound Mystery and find a point of convergence with the Profound Mystery of Speed. Since the Profound Mystery of Speed had already fused with the Profound Mystery of Slowness, given enough time, the Dimension Profound Mystery would certainly fuse completely with the Speed Profound Mystery.

Overall, Rhodes had made considerable progress over these three hundred years. Pash primarily comprehended the Destruction Rule. Rules could not be clearly subdivided into profound mysteries like laws, so they could only be measured by combat strength.

His wind divine clone was still a notch weaker than Pash in battle. After all, Pash's current strength could be said to stand at the very peak of Six-Star Demons. One step further, and he would possess the strength of a Seven-Star Demon, a top-tier expert capable of roaming the Infernal Realm alone.

Rhodes's wind divine clone, however, had only comprehended three profound mysteries. Although several other profound mysteries had already found points of convergence, the increase in power was limited. He was unlike his lightning divine clone, whose many points of convergence placed his strength firmly in the Seven-Star Demon tier.

Once this period of cultivation ended, Rhodes would certainly take another great step forward among Seven-Star Demons. Even if he did not reach the very top, he would no longer be someone who had only just entered that level. Coupled with his willpower, his exact strength would be difficult to gauge.

Another two hundred years passed as they cultivated. Pash even fought several battles with the leader of the Light Alliance and slaughtered several of the enemy's Highgods, deepening their enmity further and further.

Seeing that Pash's life was in no danger, Rhodes did not end his cultivation. Otherwise, he would have emerged from seclusion long ago and joined Pash in wiping out that damned Light Alliance.

"It's here!"

Rhodes withdrew the Thunder Region. Oh, it could no longer be called the Thunder Region now. It should be called the "Heavenly Tribulation Thunder Region." Those who failed to survive it would all turn to ash.

"Hummm~~~~"

A vast, soul-shaking power enveloped the Four Divine Beasts.

Rhodes looked toward the Four Divine Beasts. All four had actually advanced to Midgod at the same time. "Was it a coincidence, or had fate arranged it long ago?" Rhodes murmured to himself.

"Boss, although I've personally experienced becoming a god several times, every time I see it, I still find it incredibly awe-inspiring." Pash stood beside Rhodes, watching the Four Divine Beasts floating in the sky.

Rhodes nodded in complete agreement. The sight of becoming a god was indeed profoundly awe-inspiring.

PS: First chapter. I get even less writing done on days off than on workdays. As soon as I have time off, all I can think about is resting. Please send monthly tickets and recommendation votes! I'll put in extra hours these next few days and write more. Thanks to all the brothers supporting me with votes. May every brother who votes strike it rich, ride a favorable wind, and soar straight up ninety thousand miles!!!!