Chapter 237: Falling from Grace
The three realm theory of the Lionheart God caused a sensation among the beast clan deities.
"Lionheart, I can't quite believe what you're saying. If there are three realms after becoming a Heavenly God, then we who have been gods for a thousand, ten thousand years, have not yet touched the boundaries of the realm? How is that possible!"
"Exactly, exactly, what are these three realms? Ever since I became a god, I've never felt the existence of any bottleneck. Isn't it just about accumulating Divine Power? There are no such things as realms."
"Quiet, quiet!" Calming the chaotic meeting environment, the Lionheart God did not elaborate too much on the matter of realms, after all, his own understanding was very limited, and he could not prove it to the beast clan deities present. He would have to wait until he had broken through the realm himself, and let the facts speak for themselves.
"Alright, there's another matter I need to inform you about." Lionheart took out a letter entrusted to him by Lu Hong: "This is a definite message from the War God. The realms in this world have been cursed. Whoever cultivates forcefully is bound to die without a doubt, so I have decided to return to the Era of the Gods, to go back to the past."
"What?!"
At this, the beast clan deities were even more agitated than before.
"You, Lionheart, are leaving? Did I hear that wrong? Are we giving up the territory we've fought so hard to establish?"
At this moment, the Fallen Wolf God and the Yin Serpent God were making calculations in their hearts. It would be very difficult for them to give up the vast Star Sea, but their experiences of being beaten in Abyssal Hell made the two understand that without strong power, how could they protect their territory? Now they are in possession of vast lands, enjoying endless resources, but who can foresee whether a powerful figure like Liesuotus might emerge any day, to thrash them.
After much contemplation, the Fallen Wolf God and the Yin Serpent God exchanged glances and said in unison: "We choose to go back with you."
"Good." Lionheart nodded in satisfaction, then looked around: "Is there anyone else willing to leave with me?"
Unfortunately, besides the Fallen Wolf and the Yin Serpent, not one other spoke up.
Short-sighted fools!
Lionheart God snorted coldly: "In that case, regarding the new leader of the beast clan, you all can decide among yourselves. Fallen Wolf, Yin God, we leave for the Netherworld in two years to search for the Goddess of Fate."
With Lionheart's abdication, the policies of the beast clan within the Star Sea changed drastically. Those who belonged to this era suffered more severe exploitation and oppression.
Two years passed hastily, and the three, Lionheart, arrived at the entrance to the Netherworld as planned.
Soon, they caught sight of Lu Hong from afar.
Upon seeing the three, Lu Hong could not help but remark: "It seems you three have looked further into the future."
"Are you sure you can find the Goddess of Fate?"
"Of course, it's her who gave me the contact point, though it may take some time to reach."
"No matter, we should try. Since she was able to send us here, she should also be able to send us back."
Lu Hong nodded: "Most likely."
Lu Hong had also contemplated how to deal with the matter of the beast clan. As Lionheart was a top Heavenly God among the beasts, he definitely could not die. Even if his phantom remained in the past, inheriting 100% of Lionheart's combat power, he could not possibly confront Abyssal Hell in the future.
So, after much thought, Lu Hong considered the possibility that coincided with what Song Quan had said about the latter part of the Era of the Gods.
That was for Lionheart God to return from this era to the Era of the Gods. Otherwise, there was no way to explain that the concept of realm was initially spread by Lionheart in God's Grace. It was also impossible to explain that he, together with Lionheart, had enough power to confront the Ancestor Dragon, confront hell, and even enter the Netherworld to strike a deal with the Netherworld God!
Without matching strength, no one would bother with you.
Only by Lionheart returning to the past and spreading the secrets of the Heavenly God Realm could God's Grace obtain the matching power to defend its homeland.
As for Lionheart God, he agreed to Lu Hong's idea purely to attain the power of the realm.
To Lionheart, territory and kin were important, but were not his pursuit. His own strength was the longing in his heart.
Under the guidance of Lu Hong, the three sped towards the river of time where the Goddess of Fate resided.
Over the past two years, Lu Hong had been searching for Danni and Lando, but unfortunately, the Star Sea and Star Fields were too vast. Like looking for a needle in the ocean, Lu Hong found no trace whatsoever.
"War God, how will you treat the beast clan after I leave?"
"I don't know, but once the hundred-year agreement passes, I might lead the Star Alliance to take back our former homeland."
To this, both fell silent. From their respective perspectives, neither was wrong, and what they were doing was necessary.
"Never mind, by that time I had already left, out of sight, out of mind..."
After three years of relentless pursuit, they finally arrived at the River of Time overseen by the Goddess of Fate.
To the three of them, the world of the Netherworld appeared grey and hazy, now with the addition of a nearly transparent white river that seemed nothing special to the naked eye.
"You really came?"
At that moment, the voice of the Goddess of Fate emanated from within the river, her tone playful as she looked at Lu Hong, "So, you want me to send the three of them back to the Era of the Gods?"
"Yes, I wonder if Your Divine Grace could assist?"
"Of course, there's no problem. They originally traveled here from the past, so going back is normal. Just... have you considered going back yourself?"
"Me?" Lu Hong had not actually thought about himself.
"Yes, now that you've come to the future, the Era of the Gods no longer has a War God. If you don't return, then the War God will completely vanish from the river of history."
"Then how much longer can I stay in this world? How long until it affects the past timeline?"
"You have another fifteen years or so. In fifteen years, you'll need to go to the sea tribe to rescue the imprisoned Heavenly God of the Human Race. If you don't, the Human Race will only have the Thunder God left as their sole commander."
"Can I come back in the future?"
"I suppose so?" The Goddess of Fate let out a chuckle: "As long as the me from that era is willing to help you."
"Alright, then I'll return to the past with them."
"Since that is so, then follow me." With a wave of her hand, the Goddess of Fate instantly transported everyone to the front of the Abyssal Hell.
"Spatial spells are really useful." At that moment, the Lionheart God couldn't help but sigh in admiration, then turned to the Goddess of Fate and asked, "May I ask Your Divine Grace, which of the three realms do you belong to?"
"Naturally, the Heavenly God Realm." The Goddess of Fate did not conceal the truth, and straightforwardly said, "If you want to cultivate the power of the realms, you cannot stay in this era. I believe the War God has already told you, right?"
"Yes." The Lionheart God nodded, "That's why we are willing to return to the Era of the Gods."
"Since Your Divine Grace belongs to the Heavenly God Realm, you must have methods for cultivating through the realms. Could you share some insights with us?"
Watching the Lionheart God brazenly asking for guidance, the Goddess of Fate slightly shook her head, "It's not that I won't share with you, it's just not suitable for you. My divine soul is different from yours, so the path I walk is not fit for you."
"Alright then." The Lionheart was somewhat disappointed.
Urged by the Goddess of Fate, the gates of Abyssal Hell reopened. Just as Lu Hong was about to step in, he was stopped by the Goddess of Fate, "It's time to return what was borrowed, right? If you take that strength back to the past, wouldn't you turn the heavens upside down?"
As she spoke, under the guidance of the Goddess of Fate, the power that came from the later stages of the Era of the Gods all returned to the River of Time. The great downfall made Lu Hong feel a bit uneasy.
"Can't I borrow it for a little while longer?"
"Nope." The Goddess of Fate waved her hand, "I can't let you mess everything up."
Though regrettably, Lu Hong wasn't obsessed with the power. Once back in the Era of the Gods, as long as he dedicated himself to cultivation, he would sooner or later return to the pinnacle of the Heavenly God Realm.
Just as Lu Hong was stepping through the portal of space and time, his body and soul became separated. The transparent soul was barred by the portal and only his body entered.
"What the...?" Lu Hong was baffled.
Without further explanation, the Goddess of Fate took out Lu Hong's prior remains and, drawing his soul back, infused it into the old shell.
"F*ck?!" Lu Hong, once his body and soul reunited, jumped up abruptly, "What the hell is this?!"
"Your mission is already complete. Xiao Zheng will take over and do well as the War God."
"What did you say?!" Xiao Zheng was precisely the original owner of the body Lu Hong occupied when he traveled through the Era of the Gods.
"You think because you've taken over Xiao Zheng's body, he must be dead? Xiao Zheng is the true War God of the Era of the Gods. Do you understand what I'm saying?" The Goddess of Fate looked at Lu Hong with a smile and then added, "The Beast Race has been quite restless lately, you'd better be very careful on your way back, don't die on the road to return."
Saying so, the Goddess of Fate lightly tapped Lu Hong's forehead, and a majestic power sent his divine soul, which had reached the realm of Heavenly God, plummeting from the clouds, falling back to the Early Stage of Third Transition.