Chapter 522 (1): What a Strong Man

Peak of Courage, the third level of the Divine Realm of Sun.

Steep ranges rose all the way into the distance, reaching into the clouds. Awash in the intersecting lights of dawn and dusk, the mountains stood in golden red luminance as if the whole mountainous world was burning. The visual was magnificently stunning.

On the third level, only heroes could overcome all difficulties and reach the radiant peak.

Two rays of light flooded outward, confronting each other on top of two peaks a kilometer apart.

Kaleb chose the third level as the battlefield to prevent Her treasured temple and garden from getting destroyed, but also to praise Wayne’s courage in scaling the tall peak.

Crimson storm swept through, fluttering the robe Kaleb wore. Her long blonde hair floated up, making Her look like a descending goddess—actually, She was one.

With a wave, infinite golden light rippled out behind Her back, manifesting the faint projections of a spear, greatsword, holy shield, armor, and tank. Each of the blurry shapes radiated incredible energy.

It was the Divine Armory!

Sun and Moonlight had come together since the beginning of the War of Faiths. Siluk was the brains, and Kaleb, the brawns. The latter was able to reach peak battle prowess with Her talent and natural advantages.

In combat power alone, She was the strongest among the five goddesses.

Kaleb drew the golden spear from the armory. It was a physical manifestation of the power of the sun, representing an inviolable light that was above all else. The tip of the spear was beyond sharp, capable of penetrating all darkness. The intricate fire patterns pulsing along the blade contained the heat and radiance of the Sun. A single swing would ignite the brightest light in the sky.

Wherever the spear passed, devastating energy threatened to turn anything and everything to ashes. The big, hard, and hot weapon was very much in line with the church’s preferences.

The demigods guarding the Peak of Courage went weak in the knees when they saw their goddess descend with the eagerness to fight. One of them fled and went straight to the Court of Judgment, the seventh level, seeking help from the two subordinate gods.

Hurry. Hurry and stop Her. The goddess is at it again.

Unlike Ines, who maintained Her image through acting, Kaleb didn’t even attempt to act. She was straightforward and carefree, never reining in Her volatile and passionate feelings. The Goddess of Sun’s image had only remained as good as it did thanks to the higher-ups’ concealment of the truth. They painted the goddess as a serene and wise figure for the followers’ benefit.

It was a classic case of branding overcompensating for what was lacking, especially in regards to wisdom. A new worshipper of the Sun would think they were worshipping the Goddess of Wisdom!

It was too late once one entered the Divine Realm. To protect the finest goddess, they would play along with the higher-ups and promote the same narrative.

The two subordinate gods arrived almost one right after another. Weaver gaped at the two figures standing in opposition, flabbergasted. Wasn’t Wayne here to assist the goddess? Why were they fighting?

Oh, right. The goddess valued him and wanted to test the third subordinate god personally.

“What are you thinking? The goddess just got an itch and wanted to play a game with Wayne.” Aroman huffed, breaking Weaver out of his reverie and preventing him from escaping reality.

Weaver glared at her. That shouldn’t be spelled out.

Aroman couldn’t care less. She wasn’t a demigod of faith. She followed Kaleb because fire elements attracted each other, and more importantly, because their personalities fit. She liked the Goddess of Sun as She was; a true Goddess of Wisdom would have no appeal for her.

Kaleb pointed at the air and kept the two subordinate gods outside the third level, protecting them from friendly fire while allowing them to witness the fight.

At the break of dawn, Kaleb’s robe shimmered with sunlight, and Her long hair cascaded like a golden waterfall. Responding to Her call, the entire Divine Realm of Sun brought its heavy pressure down upon the only outsider within its territory, zeroing in on Wayne.

The infinite pressure made Wayne’s head ring. He imagined the notifications alerting him to all the debuffs he was subjected to. Not only was his power significantly nerfed, but he also had problems utilizing his full power. Meanwhile, Kaleb became infinitely stronger with the Authority of the Divine Realm buffing Her. She was the new meta.

Wayne became so much weaker in comparison that it would seem like he had no chance.

“How do you feel, Wayne?” Kaleb said, assured. “If you surrender now, at least you’ll meet a gracious defeat.”

Wayne closed his eyes to focus on his senses, shaking his head. “I feel no pressure. All is within control. If this is all you’re capable of, Goddess, the results are already set in stone.”

It was his first time facing a deity at full power inside their own Divine Realm. Death didn’t count since the Authority of the Underworld had been stolen, and Her domain, body, and over ninety percent of Her thoughts had already been corrupted by the time She fought Wayne.

Darkness was even less of a threat. Ines was hoping to get married. She offered Herself with Her own flowers, ring, church, and spectating friends. There was never going to be a fight.

Wayne never walked into a war he wasn’t sure he could win. He only visited the Divine Realm of Sun to trouble Kaleb after going through Death and Darkness, and he had promised not to corrupt Kaleb. He was confident that he could defeat Her in an open fight.

Being suppressed by the Divine Realm’s Authority was expected. To put it bluntly, this was far better than the worst-case scenario he had considered. Even in the worst-case scenario, he could guarantee his victory.

“Bold of you to say that!” Kaleb broke into a smile, Her golden eyes burning with fighting spirit. She pointed Her spear at Wayne. “I’ll put you on your knees and make you my subordinate god.”

“Wait.”

“What? Are you submitting?”

“I’d suggest you put on your armor. I’m worried about things derailing in a scandalous manner once the battle begins.”

Wayne glanced at Kaleb’s chest casually. The target was so big and within reach that he couldn’t not hit it. So that Kaleb wouldn’t feel too embarrassed, he suggested that She put another piece of armor on top of the chest armor She was born with.

Kaleb paused, then obliged by putting on additional chest armor.

“Another.”

“You’re a hassle. I didn’t mind, so why are you so concerned...?” Kaleb grumbled, putting on radiant golden pteruges to cover up Her narrow waist, shapely backside, and long, slim legs.

She had covered up all there was to cover. She grumbled, “Is this good enough for you? Any other requests?”

“None.” Wayne nodded. He vanished into thin air and suddenly appeared right in front of Kaleb. His fist shot out from his side toward Her face.

She saw only a flash before a fist swallowed Her vision. The unstoppable force made the Divine Realm tremble and wail as it hurtled toward Her.

So fast!

If he’s so fast even under the restriction of the Authority of the Divine Realm, wouldn’t I stand no chance outside of the Divine Realm?

Kaleb’s beautiful eyes trembled as She raised Her golden spear in defense.

Boom!!

The moment the heavy punch landed on the spear, golden light radiated across the area. Tremendous shockwaves of air currents shattered the surrounding mountain ranges with thunderous impact, hurling debris in all directions in dense barrages.

The land of the third level of the Divine Realm shook. Deep rifts split open, and peaks of courage toppled. Waves of dust rose into the sky like pillars.

Standing in the center of the shockwaves, Kaleb held Her spear with both hands, Her expression turning increasingly grave. The layered space behind Her fell apart in slits like a mirror.

Wayne pushed the spear down with his fist and stepped forward, forcing Kaleb back. She slammed into the solidified spatial barrier behind Her and broke right through it.

Wayne was relying on raw power alone, with no technique involved.

Kaleb had never been in such a difficult position. She was in Her Divine Realm, yet She was forced to use Her Authority and still couldn’t gain the upper hand. Even if She won, She would be too embarrassed to make Wayne Her subordinate god.

The earlier exchange didn’t count. From now on, She would not take a single step back.

Crack!

Black currents shot out of shattered space. The earth, fire, water, and wind elemental energy that constituted the Divine Realm went berserk. Ninety percent of it returned to the Divine Realm, while the other ten percent rushed into Wayne’s body.

The ten percent consisted entirely of fire elements.

-=͟͟͞͞=͟͟͞͞`Д´)っ

The fire elements rushed so fast that Kaleb couldn’t help but question Herself. She felt like a tyrant who had wronged them.

Boom!!

Wayne held Her spear with both hands and stepped forward, pressing the spear against Kaleb’s chest. She fought to keep Her grip on the weapon, Her two arms shaking. She staggered back, furious.

Where did this monster come from? Why is he so powerful? Could Ines really take it?

Crack! Crackle—

Spatial barriers shattered in quick succession, bursting into dozens of black holes in the air. Kaleb had leveraged the entirety of the third level’s might and still couldn’t stop Wayne’s momentum. Under his terrifying strength, the Peak of Courage whined.

The Divine Realm’s Authority told Kaleb to stop struggling and utilize Her knowledge instead. If She didn’t put an end to this battle of raw power, Wayne would singlehandedly push the third level out of the Divine Realm of Sun.

“What a strong man!” Aroman marveled.

Weaver was stunned. Hearing the praise and the sound of a gulp, he turned to Aroman in disbelief. Her eyes were glinting, and she was shaking with excitement.

So you are gulping!

Weaver was so angry that his face distorted. He snapped, “Aroman, remember who you are. We’re the goddess’s subordinate gods and should praise the goddess rather than Her opponent.”

“As expected of the goddess, She’s still so beautiful even when She’s in a hard spot,” Aroman said.

Weaver rolled his eyes in rage, exasperated. “Open your eyes and take a good look. The goddess is pulling Her punches to allow Wayne to demonstrate his strong suits and pass the test to become a subordinate god. She hasn’t gone all out.”

“Oh, since when is the goddess so considerate? And since when has She become so smart?”

“...”

Please shut up, I’m begging you.

Rumble!

Rumble!!

The mountain ranges shifted as deep cracks snaked across the land. Wayne’s fight with Kaleb threatened to devastate the third level completely. Moreover, the third level would soon be pushed out of the Divine Realm of Sun, banished to the infinite Astral Plane.

Kaleb was still struggling. Veins popped up on Her forehead as She ground Her teeth together. She refused to admit Her defeat in a proper duel. She would defeat Wayne and conquer him fair and square so that he would willingly become Her subordinate god.

Wayne let go all of a sudden and stepped back.

Kaleb tried and failed to pull back, the momentum throwing Her right into Wayne’s arms, with two sets of frontal armor.

Her head knocked into Wayne’s chin, making Her grimace... She managed to keep a poker face.

She stepped back with a dark look on Her face. “Why did you stop? Have you exhausted yourself?”

Wayne shrugged and said honestly, “If I keep pushing, the Divine Realm of Sun will lose one level of its foundation. Although it won’t be a problem to you, and, as the only god in this Divine Realm, you can reforge this place anytime you want without diminishing its reserve, the news itself will damage your reputation. The other goddesses will jeer at you for that.”

“Why, thank you!”

“You’re welcome. I like you, so I should maintain your dignity.” Wayne put on a punchable smile.

Enraged, Kaleb tossed Her golden spear aside and relaxed Her hands and feet. “That didn’t count. I didn’t expect you to be this good. Let’s go again. This time, I’m ready for you. You—”

“Doesn’t matter how many times we go at it. I’m confident in my life essence. You, with your elven evolution, may be able to dominate your own people, but a tentacled monster is something of a natural bane to you. You can’t win even after a hundred tries.”

He spouted the harsh truth in an earnest tone, ignoring Kaleb’s furious eyes. “Use your knowledge. Your physical body isn’t my match, but your thoughts and magic may even the playing field. Hm... you’ll have an advantage with the Authority of the Divine Realm buffing you.”

“Don’t look down on me. Even without the Authority—” Kaleb scowled when She realized that She had almost fallen for his trick. She eyed him darkly. “Insidious man, no wonder Ines likes you so much. You’re both black-hearted.”

Wayne didn’t deny that. He gave Her a thumbs-up and said, “You crave whatever you lack. That’s why I like the Sun. You’re optimistic and kind-hearted.”

Kaleb punched the shameless man in the face, doing no damage to him while suffering a great loss on Her part. Her chest tightened with rage.

No matter what he said, She swore that She would prove Her life essence in this fight. She transformed into a pure, noble sun elf.