At the foot of Mount Olympus, the Sphinx, who had been lying asleep, raised its head in shock. Its eyes nearly popped out as it stared at the Thunder Giant before it, twice its own size.
"Getting hit by this fellow's fist would probably hurt, wouldn't it?"
The thought inexplicably crossed its mind.
At Gods' Plaza on the summit of Mount Olympus.
The gods present all stared blankly at the enormous figure that had suddenly appeared, a sense of helplessness welling up within them.
They did not understand the true nature of this Thunder Giant.
The Thunder Giant lifted his huge feet and began walking away, his back to the gods.
Each footfall shook the earth and mountains.
Only after taking several steps did he burst into laughter that resounded across the sky.
Hearing that laughter, the gods finally realized that this was God-King Zeus's transformed form, and all breathed sighs of relief.
A few bold researchers even flew up before him to ask for his measurements and record them, paving the way for the gods' future evolution.
After a good deal of fuss, the enormous Thunder Giant finally vanished, and a dignified, handsome middle-aged man appeared in the sky.
He laughed again, then flew toward them with several researchers.
His voice arrived before he did.
"Hahaha! Jiang Yang, my good brother. I knew back then that you were too tough to die. My judgment really was spot-on. Welcome to Olym... huh???"
Zeus landed in the plaza, laughing. He was just about to give Jiang Yang a bear hug when he discovered his good brother and his most cherished daughter locked in an intimate embrace.
"What? Goddammit, what's going on here? I treated you as a brother, and you're hitting on my daughter?"
His expression soured.
Seeing Zeus land, Jiang Yang gave an awkward smile. He had actually been trying to push Artemis away, but she clung to him so tightly that he could not budge her. The more he pushed, the tighter she held on.
With his strength, he could have forcibly pushed her away, but he did not want to hurt Artemis, which had led to Zeus witnessing this scene.
"Brother Zeus, look, this is actually a misunderstanding. Hahahaha."
Zeus was silent for a while, then suddenly spoke.
"Jiang Yang, I know what happened to Ania hit you hard, and Artemis really is perfect and beautiful. But we're the same age... We've been brothers all our lives. I'm not ready to be your father yet. This is too sudden."
Goddammit, who wants to be your son?
Jiang Yang was utterly speechless. He really had no other intentions toward Artemis.
Although what had happened to Ania was a thousand years in the past for them, to Jiang Yang, it was as though it had happened yesterday.
Those bygone days remained vivid before his eyes. How could he dare forget them?
He gently patted Artemis's jade-white back again. This time, she obediently left his embrace and stood to one side, her face flushed crimson.
Both Jiang Yang and Zeus visibly breathed sighs of relief.
"Zeus, have you broken through to the Emperor-Rank Second Step?"
Jiang Yang hurriedly changed the subject.
At this, Zeus quickly forgot what had just happened and began talking enthusiastically.
"Speaking of which, I really have that video of your fight with Gilgamesh six months ago to thank. It gave me the inspiration to break through to the Emperor-Rank Second Step."
"Thanks to the researchers from the various shelters helping with the research, and discussions with a few of the old fellows, I finally broke through."
Having said all that in one breath, Zeus asked a nearby god for a cup of fine wine and continued with a sigh.
"You know, we were stuck at this step for hundreds of years. And what was even more unexpected was that the first to break through was actually a mixed-blood demigod! What astonishing talent!"
Hearing him marvel at Gilgamesh's remarkable talent, Jiang Yang could not help sighing in admiration as well.
"Yes, Gilgamesh really is powerful. He cultivated and broke through to the Emperor-Rank Second Step all on his own. His talent could be called the greatest of all time."
"The difference that single step makes is terrifying. I can feel how tremendously my strength has increased since breaking through!"
Zeus took a delighted sip of his wine and spoke with considerable satisfaction.
As the first member of the Divine Clan to break through to the Emperor-Rank Second Step, he was immensely proud.
"Yes, he really is powerful. I could feel the difference in Gilgamesh before and after his breakthrough. Even I almost failed to subdue him back then."
Jiang Yang also raised his cup and took a sip, continuing with a sigh.
"Uh..."
Zeus choked, thinking that last sentence could have been left unsaid. The little trace of pride in his heart quickly faded, and at the same time, a thought arose within him.
"By the way, I think we must no longer permit unions between gods and humans. Demigods' talent is simply too astonishing."
"Huh?"
Jiang Yang was rather bewildered. How had the conversation wound its way here?
Zeus gave him a speechless look and explained.
"If a freak like you hadn't appeared, Gilgamesh could have swept through our entire Divine Clan. If you'd awakened from the solid ice a little later, the whole civilization of the Old Humans really would have been gone."
"To be safe, and to prevent a second Gilgamesh from appearing, I'll propose that all seven shelters enforce this rule together. I imagine the other old fellows think the same way."
"All right. You're in charge of Olympus now, so you have that authority. I'm fine either way, but Li Xiaowa is in charge of the Great Snowfield Shelter now. You should ask her to attend your meetings."
Jiang Yang spread his hands and spoke indifferently.
"Heh. I never said I was going to ask you. You really are full of yourself."
Zeus gave Jiang Yang an odd look and spoke disdainfully.
"Heh, Zeus, what's this? Itching for a fight after your breakthrough? Want to have a match?"
"What are you talking about? As a distinguished shelter leader and the great God-King of Olympus, why would I fight a lowly soldier like you? Until I figure out that super combat state of yours, I'm absolutely not fighting."
"What super combat state? It's called the Forbidden Domain!"
"Whatever it's called, you'd better explain properly how to enter it. If you teach me how, I'll let you be my son."
"Damn it! Who the fuck wants to be your son?"
That night, the lights on Mount Olympus shone as brightly as day, and the gods resumed their drinking and revelry, passing cups back and forth.
Artemis stayed beside Jiang Yang the whole time, her eyes brimming with happiness as she watched him drink and boast with Zeus.
Apollo and Ares had long since separated. Though both had bruised noses and swollen faces, they continued enthusiastically eating and drinking in their own little circles.
Hera, too, stopped making sarcastic remarks at Artemis. She stayed quietly beside Zeus, occasionally adding a word to his conversation with Jiang Yang, making for a harmonious, cheerful scene.
Meanwhile, Filiya, the little girl Jiang Yang had brought away from the Golden Humans' tribe, slept soundly in a side hall.
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