Above Athena's Divine Palace on the Summit of Holy Mountain, a golden pillar of light shot into the sky, containing divine power as vast as the ocean. Even Li Yu, who was in Aquarius Palace, could clearly sense it.
Li Yu stood before the palace, gazing at the dazzling pillar of light, his black hair gently swaying in the wind, his heart filled with emotion.
As a Saint who had awakened the Eighth Sense and possessed divinity, he knew better than anyone how formidable this divine power was.
"Athena truly lives up to being one of the twelve main gods of Olympus. Her divinity is far deeper than I anticipated!"
As Athena announced her return, the entire Sanctuary was enveloped by a golden shield.
The pillar of light reached its peak, and a golden shield suddenly unfurled, covering the entire Sanctuary.
Li Yu instantly felt Athena's Cosmo, like a fine fishing net, completely enveloping him, a sensation even the Aquarius Cloth couldn't block.
The power of Athena's Cosmo permeated every corner of Aquarius Palace.
Li Yu frowned slightly. Even though Saori claimed she hadn't recovered all of her divine power, the might of her divinity still exceeded his expectations!
Just then, Saori Kido's clear voice, like a divine oracle, echoed in the ears of everyone in the Sanctuary.
"Everyone, please come to the Pope's Chamber for a discussion!"
The reason she didn't gather everyone in the Goddess Palace was because it was essentially Athena's private chambers, and no lady would meet people in her bedroom.
Li Yu subconsciously walked towards the Pope's Chamber, and it wasn't until he reached Pisces that a faint divine spark suddenly lit up in his mind, sending a warning.
This was a weak resonance from his divine clone in the Bleach World, which instantly jolted him awake.
Why did I have no resistance whatsoever to Saori Kido's invitation?
Previously, Li Yu would always consider how to end a conflict if he were to clash with Saori Kido.
But as Athena's divine domain completely enveloped the Sanctuary, he hadn't even entertained such a thought moments ago.
The more he thought about it, the more terrifying it became. Athena's ability to subtly alter others' subconscious was utterly impossible to guard against.
However, this was also because Li Yu had transformed most of his divinity into a divine clone and sent it to the Bleach World. If he had all his divinity protecting him, he certainly wouldn't have his thoughts so easily changed.
Divinity, I need more divinity!
Li Yu walked into the Pope's Chamber. Saori Kido, dressed in a white robe and holding the Staff of Nike, exuded immense divine power.
She nodded slightly to Li Yu but said nothing more.
Li Yu walked to the star chart point representing Aquarius and stood firm. The dome of the Pope's Chamber was inscribed with the star charts of eighty-eight constellations, with the Twelve Palaces representing the Gold Saints at the forefront.
Next were the twenty-four northern constellations representing the Silver Saints, and finally, the forty-eight southern constellations representing the Bronze Saintss.
Whenever the Sanctuary summoned all Saints, everyone would stand in this order.
But this time, the Bronze Five and Camus stood directly beside Saori Kido. Their positions had surpassed the Gold Saints, making them the closest to the Goddess.
Li Yu chuckled inwardly, saying nothing. He closed his eyes and waited quietly. Before long, the surviving Gold Saints had all arrived.
The result of the Bronze Five's brave assault on the Twelve Palaces was that, except for Cancer Deathmask who perished, all other Gold Saints survived.
Currently, ten Gold Saints are alive. Besides Dohko, who couldn't attend because he was guarding Five Old Peaks, and Sagittarius who perished early on, and Cancer who was killed by Shiryu, all other Gold Saints were gathered in the Pope's Chamber.
Saori Kido's light green eyes scanned the Saints present, then she said faintly.
"Thank you all for your efforts. I have successfully reincarnated and returned!"
The Gold Saints looked at each other. Milo, Aphrodite, Mu, and others knelt on one knee. They bowed their heads and said in unison.
"Please forgive us, Goddess!"
Li Yu, Saga, Shaka, and Aiolia stood in place, their eyes subtly moving, not following suit.
Li Yu's gaze was calm and unruffled. Saga's sea-blue hair fell beside his face, obscuring the complexity in his eyes.
Shaka's eyes were slightly closed, as if he were communicating with a Buddha.
Aiolia clenched his fists, still replaying the scene he witnessed in Sagittarius Palace, his emotions unsettled.
Saori Kido's gaze paused on the four of them for a moment, then she slowly said.
"Please rise, everyone. All that has passed is like a wisp of smoke; there's no need for excessive self-reproach. The Holy War is imminent; we must cooperate wholeheartedly to jointly protect the human lands."
"Yes!"
The kneeling Gold Saints stood up and stood respectfully at her side.
Saori Kido nodded slightly, her tone becoming serious.
"The Holy War is imminent. Pope Shion has already reported the world situation to me. There is still one lingering doubt that requires thorough investigation."
Her gaze suddenly focused on Li Yu's face, and she said, word by word.
"Li Yu, I trouble you to thoroughly investigate the truth behind the resurrection of Hydra."
Li Yu nodded slightly, with no surprise in his heart.
From the reactions of everyone just now, he had already seen that the Gold Saints were subtly divided into two factions.
One faction, led by Mu, Milo, and Aphrodite, was close to the Goddess and obeyed her every command.
The other faction consisted of him, Saga, Shaka, and Aiolia. Although fewer in number, their strength was among the best of the Gold Saints.
He held the title of the strongest Saint of the current era. Saga was called the incarnation of a god, and Shaka was hailed as the man closest to a god!
The three of them firmly stood at the pinnacle of the Gold Saints.
Even Aiolia was firmly among the top of the second tier.
With these four united, even Athena would find it difficult to easily control them.
Athena intended to send him out of the Sanctuary so that she could subtly influence the thoughts of Saga, Shaka, Aiolia, and others.
Coincidentally, he also didn't want to remain in the Sanctuary.
Saori Kido's Cosmo could freely invade the Twelve Palaces. If he were to enter the Reincarnation Space from Aquarius Palace, Athena would certainly detect an anomaly.
It wasn't yet time to completely reveal his hand to Athena.
Just then, Saga suddenly stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and urgently tried to dissuade her.
"Goddess, Li Yu's strength is the greatest in this era. The Holy War is imminent, and it is not advisable to send him out! If the Hydra incident needs investigation, I am willing to go in Li Yu's stead!"
The passing of Xue'er was an eternal pain in his heart. He had always felt that there were many suspicious points about Hydra's resurrection. Now that Athena mentioned it, it further strengthened his belief that there was a hidden agenda.
He only wanted to personally investigate the truth, expose the mastermind, and comfort Xue'er's spirit in heaven.
Li Yu couldn't help but glare at Saga, his eyes growing colder. Isn't being your Pope good enough?
You want to slip away too?
Don't forget how you promised me then: stay in the Sanctuary, cooperate with my plan, and stabilize the Gold Saint faction.
Saori smiled faintly.
"There's no reason for the Pope to investigate personally, Saga. I know you are eager to prove yourself, but the power of the Titan God Clan is very strong. I only feel somewhat at ease if Li Yu goes..."
She paused, looking towards Camus, who stood beside her.
"Besides, isn't Camus still in Aquarius Palace? It is the Sanctuary's fortune that this generation's Aquarius can have two Saints..."
Li Yu chuckled inwardly. Saori's words were beautiful, but in reality, she just wanted him to leave the Sanctuary temporarily.
Without him in the Sanctuary, he presumed that when he returned next time, the few Gold Saints who hadn't knelt just now would all be kneeling.
Except for Saga, the schizophrenic.
Aiolia and Shaka would both be unable to avoid being influenced by Athena, even if Shaka was the reincarnation of a Buddha.