"Big brother."
Though these two words were spoken lightly, anyone familiar with Aether understood their immense significance to him. For Aether, this was the most important matter of all.
As for everything else? It didn't matter. To Aether, nothing else was of any significance.
Aether chatted with Hemera for a while. After their conversation ended, Hemera departed, and Aether resumed his work.
No matter the circumstances, the first step had already been taken. From here on, there was no room for complacency.
After all, while the first step was undoubtedly difficult, the subsequent steps required just as much effort, if not more.
Aether threw himself into his work with renewed determination. He had to achieve success in the shortest time possible because that was the most crucial thing.
Hypnos.
Thanatos.
The twin god brothers had once again gathered together.
"Thanatos, how is everything?"
Hypnos asked calmly.
Thanatos nodded, his tone steady. "The divine power has fully stabilized. As for this level of the God-King..."
He trailed off and shook his head.
There were some things that simply couldn't be expressed in words.
It wasn't a joke—far from it.
As always, the sentiment held true: unless one reached the level of a God-King, they could never truly comprehend the power of one. The gap between a God-King and a Chief God, though seemingly small, was monumental.
The Chief God realm was an extension beyond that of a Major God—surpassing the latter but still inferior to the God-King.
Because of this, the difference was unfathomably vast. It wasn't just a matter of steps; it was a chasm that could only be described as immeasurable. The phrase "as far apart as heaven and earth" was no exaggeration.
Hypnos spoke with a composed tone. "Still, in the new era that is possibly about to unfold, the power of a God-King might merely be the starting point. Without the power of an Ancient God, this chaotic sea's upheaval and the dawning of a new age might render even a God-King insufficient."
Hypnos saw the situation clearly and understood it deeply.
This wasn't an exaggeration.
In Hypnos' view, the future was predictable to a degree. The outcome was bound to be extraordinary.
Admittedly, in any single mythological world, both God-Kings and Ancient Gods were rare. Their numbers were limited—this was a well-established fact.
Even so, this current upheaval was not confined to a single mythological world. Instead, it encompassed the entire chaotic sea. Such a situation was beyond mere words.
What did the chaotic sea's upheaval signify?
It didn't take much thought to understand that it affected all mythological worlds and countless minor worlds.
If one were to calculate the number of God-Kings and Ancient Gods across all mythological worlds combined, the result would be staggering.
No one could provide an exact figure, but it was clear that the number was not small. This much was certain to anyone with even the faintest understanding.
Moreover, as for the minor worlds—could they truly lack God-Kings or Ancient Gods? Of course not.
While the emergence of God-Kings and Ancient Gods in minor worlds was exceptionally rare, it wasn't impossible. Even under such arduous conditions, success remained within the realm of possibility.
This point was irrefutable.
In fact, sometimes God-Kings or Ancient Gods emerging from minor worlds were even more fearsome. Unlike those from mythological worlds, these entities had no choice but to fight relentlessly for survival.
This unyielding determination to press forward was the key difference.
For them, there was no retreat. Survival meant risking everything, and retreat meant death. This stark reality left no room for hesitation.
As a result, their growth was often astonishingly rapid.
This was the root of their terrifying potential.
"Hmm…"
Thanatos seemed deep in thought. "At least for now, Hypnos, it's nearly impossible for us to step into the realm of Ancient Gods."
"I know."
Hypnos nodded. "We have absorbed the essence of sky and earth. The potential of this essence is unquestionable. However, advancing further within a short timeframe is almost unrealistic."
"Then..."
"The best option is clear: we must help Aether become an Ancient God."
"Aether?"
Thanatos looked perplexed, evidently unsure of what Hypnos meant.
After all, Thanatos was unaware of Aether's current situation. His focus had been entirely on stabilizing and mastering his own divine power.
That had been Thanatos' priority all this time, leaving him in the dark about everything else.
"What's going on?"
Thanatos furrowed his brow, his expression serious. Did Aether really have what it took to reach the realm of Ancient Gods? How was that even possible?
It wasn't that Thanatos doubted Aether.
Despite his volatile nature, Thanatos had immense respect for his older brother, who had always cared for their siblings and fulfilled his role as the eldest to the fullest.
Still, from Thanatos' perspective, this didn't make sense.
His elder brother might be a stellar God-King, but his position as the ruler of his domain was intricately tied to their Lord's own progression.
Without their Lord advancing further, these God-King positions seemed incapable of breaking through any barriers.
This was simply logical.
Although the underworld, with its flourishing world tree, had nearly become a complete mythological world, its fundamental nature remained distinct.
A mythological world's essence lay in its pantheon.
Meanwhile, the underworld's essence was its nature as a divine kingdom. No matter how developed or fearsome it became, its foundational nature as a divine kingdom would not change.
This was an immutable truth.
So how could such limitations be overcome?
Clearly, this question was crucial. For deities like Aether, Hemera, Charon, and Europa, who served as rulers of a single domain, their potential was undeniably vast but also intrinsically tied to their Lord's journey.
"Hmm…"
Hypnos regarded Thanatos with a meaningful gaze. "It seems you truly know nothing about this."
"Know what?"
Thanatos looked even more confused. Something felt off—had he missed some monumental development?
Clearly, Thanatos was utterly unaware of what Aether was planning or the steps he had already taken.
"Honestly…"
Hypnos shook his head, exasperated by his brother's ignorance.
Hypnos began explaining everything to Thanatos.
"What?"
Thanatos' eyes widened in shock. "Is this truly possible? Isn't the probability of success far too low? But if it does succeed, the underworld's feedback would be incomparably immense!"
Despite his impulsive demeanor, Thanatos was no fool.
He quickly grasped the implications.
Yet, he couldn't help but feel astonished. Could such a plan really succeed?
"This is…"
Thanatos found himself lost in thought, overwhelmed by disbelief.
Hypnos calmly stated, "Now do you understand why I said that if Aether succeeds, he will genuinely qualify to step into the realm of Ancient Gods?"
"I understand now."
Thanatos nodded stiffly, still processing the information.
This development had caught him completely off guard.
Hypnos continued, "Given the current circumstances, it's too early to make concrete predictions. But one thing is certain: the first step has already been taken."
"Already succeeded?"
Thanatos was stunned.
What had he missed?
Although the first step was far from the final goal, it was the most critical one.
For any endeavor, the first step was the hardest. Once taken, the path ahead often became clearer and more straightforward.
And now?
Aether had taken that step.
"Indeed."
Hypnos nodded. "The first step has succeeded, and with it, the path forward will gradually become simpler. There's no doubt about that."
"Even though..."
"The costs and challenges ahead remain immense, the rewards will be equally staggering as long as we continue down this path."
"Fantastic!"
Thanatos clenched his fists, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "So, Hypnos, do you have a detailed plan? What about the context? How is the framework being set up?"
Thanatos was visibly thrilled. This was a rare opportunity.
If seized, the benefits for Aether—and by extension, the entire underworld—would be immeasurable.
That said, everything had to align with the underworld's principles. Otherwise, it would all be for naught.
"Thanatos," Hypnos sighed, shaking his head. "Calm down. That's exactly what we're here to discuss."
Hypnos couldn't help but feel exasperated at his brother's unbridled enthusiasm.
"Alright, alright!"
Thanatos nodded repeatedly, brimming with excitement.
Hypnos pondered for a moment before speaking. "For this matter, we'll need to approach Father and Mother. Aether hasn't revealed everything yet, but with just our divine power, we won't be able to handle it alone."
"We'll need Father and Mother's assistance."
"Since the first step has succeeded, we must not falter. We must press forward with unwavering resolve."
Hypnos' tone was firm and serious. This wasn't the time to hesitate or treat the matter lightly.
It was vital to proceed with determination.
------------------
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Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1289)
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1316)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1402)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld! (Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 660)
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