Myth: The Ruler of Spirituality

Passing through the high peaks of clouds, falling from the edge of the stars.

The silver alchemy long shuttle lived up to its promise, carrying a group of people across the waves of the Western Sea.

Unlike the East Sea, perhaps it was due to Triton, a symbol of shame, or perhaps due to the dread of the Titan who supports the sky, neither Oceanus, the God of the Ocean, nor Nereus, son of the Ancient Sea God destined to become the Principal God, had any intention to expand their realms here.

Poseidon least of all. In the decade-long war during the last epoch, he had also fought on the ground against this Titan who wielded the power of Strength.

Even back then, when Atlas had yet to bear the burden of supporting the sky, his power left a lasting impression on the Sea Emperor.

If possible, he had no desire to provoke this obstinate Ancient God. Thus, all along the journey, Heracles did not encounter any mighty marine creatures.

Even the sea monsters birthed by the Father of Monsters tacitly steered clear of this ocean.

Opening a window from the star shuttle, the great hero faintly glimpsed the blossoming flowers on the Holy Island.

The Golden Apple Tree was planted there, guarded by the hundred-headed dragon Ladon.

Just remotely sensing that powerful aura, the few strange artifacts on Heracles, inherited from the son of Typhon, trembled slightly.

A loud dragon's roar echoed from the distance, shattering the clouds over thousands of miles.

A formidable demon seemed to sense something and wanted to come check personally.

However, the seal left by the Divine King could not be shaken, just as when the First Generation God King imprisoned the Titans and the Second Generation God King confined the sun, Ladon's resistance was futile.

The chain of order shook slightly, then firmly suppressed it down.

Although its ability could exempt part of the law's restraint, part is not all.

Faced with the order suppression personally invoked by Zeus with the power of royal authority, even if it could exempt most of it, the remaining part was enough to firmly limit Ladon's range.

"It's impossible to force through now. Even if I could borrow your strength, I can't resist the world's suppression of divine power."

Hearing is false, seeing is true.

After personally confirming the result, the great hero no longer held unrealistic hopes.

Maneuvering the star shuttle to turn, Heracles headed towards the two very apparent supporting pillar stones in the west.

Although he did not know that in the original trajectory, he obtained the golden apples with Atlas's help, the great hero still looked forward to it.

Instinct told him that meeting the ancient Titan might yield some different gains during this journey.

······

Rustle...

Over the sea surface, silver light flashed.

The son of the Sea God knew nothing of this, deeply entrenched in pain and despair, he had no time to pay attention to the external movements.

Circling around the copper pillar a few times, gazing at the power of heaven and sea interwoven at one point, the great hero felt deeply shocked.

Not by the vastness of the sky and the ocean, but by Triton's intact life.

In theory, the copper pillar, intertwined with forces enough to achieve a great domain, should have collapsed if not for relying on a hint of symbolic support.

Yet Triton being able to survive until now was simply because of the primordial deities' great power.

From Dionysus's words, Prometheus also learned part of the truth about what happened in the mortal realm after he was captured.

For example, Triton came bearing the divine artifact, causing floods in the mortal realm; or being defeated by a single word from the Ancient God, suspended upside down above the West Heaven for seven thousand years.

Clearly, the power contained in a word from a primordial deity far exceeded this; although it punished the offender, it also sustained his life for thousands of years.

Silent and speechless, the group did not disturb the suffering divine child, but instead flew towards the giant god nearby.

From the giant god's knee, they flew to the Titan's face.

Nine layers of clouds pulled back behind them, only at such a position could they look directly at the Mount of the Gods' summit.

Walking out from the star shuttle, Heracles looked at the giant god who seemed to embody the heavens and earth in front of him, loudly stating his intention.

"Honorable Titan, Atlas, son of Iapetus, I am Heracles from the mortal realm."

"My friends and I want to take the apples from the Heavenly Queen's Garden, but the hundred-headed dragon blocks the way."

"Mighty and brave, unyielding and resilient Titan deity, I hope to receive your help."

"If you are willing to lend a hand, I will do my utmost to fulfill your desire."

His voice shook the heavens, and the great hero's expression was earnest.

He hoped to persuade this Ancient God to help him, and was already prepared to accomplish something for him first.

Yet at this moment, unbeknownst to him, more than one gaze was fixed on this end of the West Heaven.

Behind Dionysus, the Divine King sat high on the Mount of the Gods, silently watching here.

They had once fought fiercely, and Atlas would surely recognize his bloodline.

If he sincerely aided him without expecting repayment, Zeus would generously forgive his sins, even willing to marry one of his daughters to him and let him replace the yet-to-return Nereus, becoming the new Principal God of Olympus.

If he outright refused, then he must find a way to deal with him… Presently, the supporting pillar stone cannot be left outside the Divine King's control.

If he chose neither and decided to compete with his son, then Zeus would tolerate him for a while longer...

After all, compared to his previous inaction, this was considered progress, wasn't it?

...

Deep within the earth, beneath boundless earth veins.

Behind Pandora and Epimetheus, Gaia's voluptuous body was wrapped in a blood-red long skirt, the ancient earth god's eyes were filled with satisfaction.