Two lively girls wandered curiously along the bustling street, letting out gasps of surprise and occasional squeals of fright.
Dressed in knitted school uniforms from the modern world, the two girls didn't seem out of place at all. On the contrary, they blended in perfectly—this street was filled with people from various nations, different worlds, and even different eras.
It was a place where beings from all kinds of worlds and timelines could mingle, and remarkably, there was no communication barrier whatsoever.
Even those who hadn't become quasi-gods or joined a pantheon could still communicate freely with other races thanks to blessings from the gods.
"Hana, stop pointing. It's rude," Miko Yotsuya quickly pulled back her overly excited friend, who was practically impossible to restrain.
A non-human being—who looked very much like a vampire—turned their head with irritation.
"Hey! You two are clearly from a low-magic modern Earth-type world, huh? Only people from that kind of world make such a fuss over seeing other races."
The airheaded Hana Yurikawa jumped in fright and hurriedly apologized, "Sorry, sorry, I didn't mean to!"
Miko also quickly bowed and said, "I'm sorry for the trouble."
The non-human didn't press the issue. After all, those who reached the Main World without being quasi-gods had all been invited by a god.
Miko sighed in relief, her thoughts drifting back to two weeks earlier.
She had awakened her spirit sight and learned the true face of the world—since then, she had tried hard to pretend not to see the monsters.
She lived in constant fear of being discovered by one of them, or revealing herself and getting eaten.
Still, no matter how well she pretended, mistakes were inevitable.
At her lowest moment, an angel descended to save her.
That angel was none other than the famous Gabriel.
From then on, she had traveled with Gabriel, learning divine arts and magic while purifying the world.
Gabriel continued to cleanse the monsters born from lingering thoughts of the dead, and more and more people began to witness angels firsthand.
Many things happened, and in the end, the Pope personally begged her to become the "Saintess" of the Church.
Before Gabriel departed, she gave Miko several invitation letters.
Just a few days ago, Gabriel told her to use one and head to the Main World.
And so, under the eyes of the entire Vatican, she ascended to "Heaven."
Hana followed soon after, using an invitation of her own.
Before Miko could even recover from the experience, Gabriel had taken her and Hana straight to the Liyue Pantheon's nation. Along the way, they saw countless gods—so many that she lost track.
"Where did Lady Gabriel go...?" Miko looked around. Hana had dragged her along for quite a distance, and now they were lost.
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?! I'm the Spirit Lord, you know! A fully omnipotent god who's lived for over a billion years, and you dare say I'm an underage god just to deny me alcohol?!"
Miko turned her head toward the commotion and spotted a cute child—around seven or eight years old—throwing a tantrum at an event booth, as if ready to leap up and punch the staff in the knees.
Just then, she heard voices behind her. Two girls in mage cloaks were walking by.
"Tabitha, are we lost? Where exactly did Lady Cattleya say to meet her??"
"Lady Cattleya said to wait at the front of the general affairs bureau, Louise."
"But where is the general affairs bureau?! This city is huge!"
"No choice—we'll just have to search."
Miko took in all the sights, her amber eyes capturing every detail.
Then a voice called out her name.
"Miko Yotsuya."
She turned quickly. It was a man her age with an unusual presence, his arm linked with that of a beautiful elven girl.
"Um... are you calling me?"
With so many gods around, it wasn't strange for one of them to know her name.
She didn't believe these two were ordinary humans—they were clearly gods.
Although she wasn't even a quasi-god, Miko could still sense whether someone was a god.
Noah nodded and smiled, "Yes. It's not because of anything specific—just because you happened to be standing here, I decided to call out to you. I'll give you a little blessing."
"Just a tiny bit of luck. No need to thank me."
Miko was just about to thank him, but swallowed the words back. Her amber eyes blinked.
In this place, divine blessings were an everyday occurrence. She'd already received blessings from several gods just on her way here.
She didn't know exactly what blessings did, but they definitely couldn't be bad.
"From now on, you'll be a bit luckier. Like, finding valuable unclaimed things on the street."
A small luck blessing—there was nothing wrong with giving that to a favorite anime character.
Miko had the potential to become a god, though her ceiling likely wasn't too high.
"Oh, and I'll give your friend a small blessing too."
Noah pointed at Hana Yurikawa, who was inside a dessert shop happily receiving free sweets.
After finishing, he walked away as Miko watched.
"Wow! Miko, look, I got free delicious stuff!"
Miko looked at her airheaded, carefree friend and muttered softly, "Sometimes I really envy you, Hana... always so carefree, and so lucky too."
"Hey! The wine barrel! You really took the whole wine barrel?!"
A seven- or eight-year-old girl was running barefoot with a wooden wine barrel in her arms. Behind her, tavern staff gave chase.
...
Despite being quasi-gods, the staff were no match for the little girl.
"Hahaha! I'm the Spirit Lord! An omnipotent god! If I had enough believers, I could grant any wish in the world! Even if I don't have many followers now, you still won't catch me! The wine barrel's mine!"
Noah watched the farcical scene, rubbing his chin.
Spirit Lord... a god from a world without native gods, born from faith alone.
She belonged to the purest category of faith gods.
These gods had a notable trait: the number of believers determined how powerful their miracles could be.
In theory, there was no upper limit. But in reality? That was another story.
Still, the Spirit Lord's upper limit could reach the level of a First-tier Primary God.
Moreover, she possessed an unusual Authority—she could traverse past and future. In theory, if supplied with enough faith energy, she could even reverse time.
As Noah walked down the bustling street, he kept encountering familiar faces.
Suddenly, cheers erupted from the crowd. In the sky, rainbow-colored bands formed from the scent of food.
"It's starting! The Gourmet Divine Championship is opening!"
"Let's go check it out—we can't miss this!"
"I want to taste the dishes made by the Gourmet Gods and Cooking Gods! They say random spectators are selected for tasting!"
"I want to see the grand prize for this year! Rumor says it's a Divine Persona!"
"I heard that Divine Persona isn't just any ordinary one—it actually holds a Rule Authority."
"A true Authority? Ssshh... that's huge. In major communities, Middle Gods are the pillars of power."
"Exactly. A Middle God alone can establish a community. In most nations, over 90% of community leaders are Middle Gods."
"Isn't that obvious? Upper Gods are strong enough to lead super-large national communities. They're the most powerful beneath Primary Gods, and each pantheon has only a few."
"Just meeting one by chance is rare luck."
By now, Liyue Harbor had grown to an immense size—thousands of times its original scale, comparable to a small country on Earth.
A single large community typically managed a region the size of a city—and that didn't even include the pocket realms and subspaces within them.
The Wanmin Hall Community's managed area was teeming with people. Gods could be seen everywhere during this grand festival.
Don't assume that just because the Main World now had nearly a million gods, that deities were common.
The human population of the Main World had reached several hundred billion. Adding in other races, their combined numbers exceeded a trillion.
With several hundred nations in the Main World, that averaged fewer than a thousand gods per country—and over 90% of them were Lower Gods.
Middle Gods remained rare. In some newly founded nations, there might only be one or two Upper Gods.
And Primary Gods? They were as elusive as dragons in the clouds.
Even in a universe this vast, there were only about a hundred Primary Gods.
In Wanmin Hall Community's grand plaza, the crowd was dense, and cooking stoves were set up all around.
Multicolored aromas formed rainbows in the air—literal manifestations of culinary rules.
"Wow! It smells amazing! Food Gods everywhere!"
"I wonder who's going to win the grand prize this time!"
"They say the festival is being overseen by the God of the Stove. A Primary God, can you believe it?!"
"Not only that—the leader of the Wanmin Hall Community, Lady Xiangling, is serving as one of the judges."
"According to rumors, major gods from other pantheons have also been invited as guest judges. The prestige is through the roof."
"Yeah! And it's not just the top three—apparently the top ten will be recognized as the Ten Gourmet Gods by the top gods across pantheons. Just thinking about that kind of honor makes me dizzy!"
Among the crowd discussing the festival, others had different goals.
"Ohhh... this is wild. This is the Main World for you—a universe-wide Gourmet Divine Championship. I have to take photos. Hope I brought enough film."
"Nao, there are too many people here. Don't get lost."
Nao Tomori hopped around cheerfully with a camera, snapping photos at will. Behind her, her older brother followed, drenched in sweat.
"You're so annoying, big bro. This is a city under a Primary God's jurisdiction—the highest-ranked one. How could there be any danger?"
"Besides, Lady Charlotte told us to take lots of pictures. I'm doing legit work."
"Whoa! Look over there! A divine couple! Their aura is amazing. I bet they're Upper Gods. Maybe even famous! Gotta sneak a photo!"
"That's so rude. If they notice and get upset, it'll be bad."
"It's fine! We've got Steambird Press credentials. Even if it's sneaky, they'll just think it's journalism."
Unbeknownst to them, their conversation had already been overheard. For gods, this was no different than announcing it out loud.
"My dear husband, even when we suppress our aura completely, we still stand out, don't we?"
Buer clung to Noah's arm, her gentle voice tinged with a playful smile.
Noah looked toward Nao Tomori and smiled. "I am the Heavenly Principle, and you are a Supreme God. No matter how well we hide it, our divine rank cannot be concealed."
Buer followed his gaze and spoke softly, "That girl is full of potential. Husband, are you interested in her?"
Noah replied, "She's the Child of Fortune from her planet—blessed by its will. She's worth nurturing."
Nao Tomori, protagonist of the world of Charlotte.
She had once been one of his beloved fictional waifus. That world had been under Focalors' management—after all, the eleven modern worlds had been settled in just a few days.
Due to Nao's proactive behavior, Focalors had granted her several invitation letters.
She was now a member of the Steambird Community and entrusted with important duties, one of their prime candidates for godhood.
In the present era, every planet had developed its own planetary consciousness. Each one deliberately cultivated "Human Heroes"—individuals who fit the Heavenly Principle's definition of a hero.
Some were even granted Stella Fortuna Blessings if they met the qualifications for a Vision, to help them ascend more easily to godhood.
After all, once they became gods and moved to the Main World, they could support their homeworlds—and the more gods existed, the greater the universe's feedback.
Planets, too, sought to grow. Cultivating a Primary God would elevate a planet to a major world within Human History.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
Fireworks composed of divine power burst above the plaza, visible throughout the main city of Liyue.
"Ohhh, it's starting!"
"The God of the Stove and Lady Xiangling are here! Look!"
"Ohhhhhhh!"
Under the gaze of hundreds of thousands, a dozen great gods ascended to the high viewing platform of the community, drawing thunderous cheers.
A girl dressed in a white dress, looking like a blend of nun and idol, stepped forward with a megaphone from Fontaine in hand.
"Thank you for waiting. This is the first Universal Gourmet Divine Championship, hosted by the Liyue Pantheon and the Wanmin Hall Community."
"I'm Barbara Gunnhildr from the Mondstadt Pantheon, priestess of the Church of Favonius under Main God Barbatos, and also the Goddess of Healing."
"I have been invited to host the opening of the Gourmet Divine Championship."
"Woooo! Long live Miss Barbara!"
"We're the Barbara Fan Support Group!"
"Barbara-sama is the host! Hooray!"
Barbara waved cheerfully at the crowd.
"Now, I hereby declare the Gourmet Divine Championship—open!"
"Please welcome our first judge, the God of the Stove of the Liyue Pantheon, and honorary leader of the Wanmin Hall Community—Lord Marchosius!"
Marchosius did not appear as a toy bear, but rather took the form of a seasoned middle-aged chef—clearly an expert at first glance.
With hands clasped behind his back, he strode confidently to the main judging seat.
ROARRRRRRRR!
The crowd erupted with cheers. Even in the Main World, 99.99% of people had never seen a Primary God in person.
"And now, our community leader—Great God Xiangling!"
Xiangling appeared in her usual little-chef attire, sweetly waving to the crowd. She showed no nervousness—after all, she had taken part in many major events before.
"Great God" was the Main World's title for Upper Gods.
As the embodiment of the Rule of Cuisine, Xiangling was fully deserving of that title. In fact, the term was a universal consensus in the Main World.
To 99% of gods, the dream pinnacle was to become an Upper God.
Primary Gods? They were an aspiration so lofty, they might as well be considered the "Kings of Gods."
Indeed, the Primary Gods were revered as the monarchs of divinity—respected by all gods alike.
"Lady Xiangling is the symbol of our entire Culinary God tradition! I heard the top ten contestants will receive personal guidance from her."
The crowd's cheers reached a fever pitch.
Barbara continued her introductions.
"Next, let's welcome the guest judges invited by Wanmin Hall from various pantheons!"
"First, from the Inazuma Pantheon, under the Inazuma Primary God, Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine—the Fox Goddess, Lady Yae Miko."
Yae Miko sat down gracefully with a charming smile. "I'm very picky when it comes to cuisine. A single flaw, and I might just give a zero."
"Didn't expect to see Lady Fox Spirit again here... It's been over a hundred years since the last time," said Kyojuro Rengoku, now a middle-aged man with faint wrinkles, looking up at the judges' platform.
"Ahem... indeed. If not for Heaven's mercy allowing me to fulfill my wish within this lifetime, it might've had to wait for the next," coughed Kagaya Ubuyashiki, now a gray-haired old man in his sixties, gently massaging his back.
"Master Kagaya, you're coughing again. Are you alright?" asked Sanemi Shinazugawa, now a middle-aged samurai, his concern evident.
Kagaya waved his hand. "It's an old ailment from years of state affairs. Even after becoming a god, I still instinctively feel the need to cough."
Over the past century, he had turned his country into a truly righteous and benevolent nation—every citizen just and generous.
It was then he fulfilled his wish, lit his sixth Constellation, and ascended to godhood.
"You're as stubborn as ever, Lord Kagaya," sighed Obanai Iguro, dressed like a magistrate, now over a hundred years old himself.
Kagaya smiled, revealing gums missing a few teeth. "These old habits always bring me a strange sense of comfort when recalling the past."
He turned to a red-haired middle-aged man leaning on a cane.
"Tanjiro, where's your sister? She just disappeared."
Tanjiro scratched his head. "Um... she said she didn't want to hang around with a bunch of old men shuffling around so slowly, so..."
Rengoku laughed heartily and patted his shoulder. "Hahaha! No surprise there. After all, Nezuko lit her fourth Constellation at sixteen and has remained eternally youthful..."
"You only lit yours in your fifties—it's a bit jarring having you around us old-timers..."
"As for me, I wanted to age alongside my family. I couldn't stay young while my wife visibly grew old."
Kagaya smiled warmly. "Still as devoted as ever, Rengoku."
Barbara's voice continued introducing judges.
From the Mondstadt Pantheon came Jean, now the head of its affairs, her presence elevating the prestige of the event.
From Fontaine came Charlotte, deputy leader of the Steambird Community.
From the Biblical Pantheon came the ever-popular Gabriel.
From Norse mythology, the Valkyrie Brynhildr.
From Olympus, the hearth goddess Hestia.
Each pantheon had sent one Upper God as a judge.
Once introductions ended, Barbara announced the official start of the festival.
The voice of the universe rang out:
[Gift Game Name: Gourmet Divine Championship]
Food is one of the fundamental pillars of sustaining life.
Gourmet cuisine is the radiant light of civilization atop that pillar.
Thus, it is no exaggeration to say that food has shaped the course of human civilization.
Happiness, delight, emotion, sorrow, regret—
Let cuisine in this festival be imbued with all the meaning it deserves.
Participants: All beings across the universe possessing the divine position, authority, or title of Food God / Cooking God / Stove God.
Note: Only quasi-gods and above are eligible to compete.
Victory Conditions:
1. Receive favorable evaluations from the majority of judges.
2. Earn approval from the majority of festival attendees.
First Place Conditions:
1. Receive top scores from all judges.
2. Earn approval from the majority of festival attendees.
Host: Wanmin Hall Community
Supervisor: Supreme Main God of the Liyue Pantheon — Morax
Approved and sealed by the Holy God
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Colorful divine fireworks burst into the sky. The grand Gift Game had officially begun.
Food Gods, Stove Gods, and Cooking Gods from across the universe entered the competition area. To the cheers of the crowd, they began channeling all their skills.
All of them brimmed with pride and excitement.
This was the glory of the entire universe! Countless great gods were watching this stage.
They all held a single belief—win the championship.
Of course, this wasn't the only event. Many other contests were ongoing, but the Gourmet Divine Championship was the most popular.
The reason? The dishes were distributed for free to spectators for tasting and scoring.
Naturally, this led to many delightful and amusing moments.
Take, for example, the current scene: Dog General Tōga sat on the sidelines like a defeated stray.
Beside him, a mid-ranked goddess—his wife, a powerful yōkai—held a small yōkai child in her arms.
"Useless. Couldn't even win a taster's slot. Sesshōmaru, don't be like your father. He's good at fighting, but hopeless at everything else."
Sesshōmaru nodded... then shook his head. "Mother, you're right, but... I still think Father is amazing."
Tōga perked up and patted his chest. "I might be dumb, but when it comes to combat, I rank in the top 100 among all Middle Gods."
Sesshōmaru nodded firmly. "I'll reach Father's level one day."
The goddess beside them said coldly, "You're so proud of yourself, Tōga? Do you think I don't know about that human woman you hooked up with in Snezhnaya? She's just a quasi-god, and you still had the nerve. You must've been starving."
Tōga froze, drenched in sweat.
"W-Who said that? Who's spreading lies about me?!"
"Nurarihyon told me."
"D-Dearest, you love to joke! Why would I ever cheat? I'll go get Sesshōmaru a tasting token now—"
"You're not going anywhere."
"Hahaha, dearest, surely you don't believe a word that old liar says—"
"I do. I believe him completely."
"I've already met that human woman. The kid's a year old now. And Inuyasha? That's definitely a name you would come up with."
Tōga gulped. Cold sweat poured down his back.
...
Elsewhere in the audience, Noah watched as a mangy dog ran for its life, being chased by a furious goddess. The absurd sight brought a smile to his face.
"Hey Buer, look over there. Someone's chasing a dog—and it's fast!"
Buer rolled her eyes playfully, slightly embarrassed.
"Husband, your focus is always... so unique."
While others were discussing food, she and her husband had been talking about the outfits and bust sizes of the goddesses on the judging panel—making all sorts of twisted yet strangely persuasive arguments.
People nearby were giving them strange looks.
Noah didn't care at all, but Buer... felt a little awkward.
To make matters worse, reporters from Steambird Press had already taken notice and were preparing to come over for an interview.
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