Above the firmament lay the Demigod Heaven.

Also known as the First Heaven, it was a dimension of pure law, unique to the Ascendant Plane. It functioned similarly to the Abyssal World, where the First Heaven formed the primordial second layer of the Abyss. However, the Abyssal World was incredibly ancient; its First Heaven had long since evolved into a completely new world, spawning further spatial laws.

As the Titanion Realm ascended to an Ascendant Plane, it naturally manifested its own First Heaven. Currently, it was a desolate void accessible only by a demigod’s phantom will. Thus, Orion and his peers aptly named it the Demigod Heaven.

In its current state, this dimension was a hazardous expanse of nothingness. Primordial astral winds and world-forging lightning struck without warning. Even a true demigod could perish here if caught off guard.

Six figures stood in a tense standoff within this void. In absolute silence, they tapped into The Weave of Reality, watching the initial clash between The Lifeless Expanse and the Titan Continent.

"Chrono-Toxin," a voice broke the silence. "Even the Saint Gran Council possesses very little of this, let alone ordinary demigod factions. To effectively resist Chrono-Toxin, one must master time magic or possess secret arts and martial skills tied to Temporal Laws."

The speaker was Morando, Vice-Speaker of the Saint Gran Council. Flanking him were Deputy Commander Edward and Alexander, the guardian of The Bastion Wall.

Morando wasn’t here out of interest in The Lifeless Expanse or the war brewing beyond The Bastion Wall. He had been drawn by the macabre aura emanating from their adversary.

It was a stranger—a naked, spectral matriarch.

Hailing from Hell, The Infernal Matriarch was a supreme powerhouse armed with a Demigod Artifact. She was the first elite entity to accept The Lifeless Dreadgod’s invitation and join The Lifeless Expanse.

To Morando, The Infernal Matriarch radiated a suffocating miasma just by standing there. A profound sense of dread, decay, malice, and abhorrence assaulted their senses. It felt physically sickening, like being covered in viscous slime or being bound by chains forged from pure resentment. For a fleeting moment, the looming shadow of death washed over them.

"The stench of Hell," someone muttered.

Both the Deputy Commander and Alexander had demigod phantoms stationed in the Minor Hell realm, assisting Arthas in guarding the Ever-Burning Volcano. They were intimately familiar with this infernal energy.

"Ancient entities are already placing their bets?" Deputy Commander Edward narrowed his eyes. "Isn’t it a bit early for that?"

It was less a question and more a grim observation.

"It makes sense. The earlier they enter the board, the more control they wield," Morando replied. "When the Titanion Realm eventually coalesces the Divine Mantle, they’ll be the first in line to reap the rewards."

Despite being a full tier below The Infernal Matriarch, Morando showed no fear, let alone any intention of retreating.

"Assuming, of course, they live that long," Morando added coldly. His tone held the detached indifference of a deity, a god of magic who had weathered countless trials and mastered every arcane law.

"And an Abyssal breed," Alexander chimed in, breaking his usual stoic silence. "Isn’t she afraid Orion will kidnap her to breed?"

The blunt remark shifted the tense atmosphere. Beside The Infernal Matriarch stood two other figures: the black-robed Vaelian, and a succubus demigod from the Abyssal World, radiating the aura of a Demigod Second-Stage. Alexander knew for a fact that Orion already had a pair of succubus twins among his women.

"Emissaries from both Hell and the Abyss. This Dark Deity is well-connected, powerful, and deeply entrenched," the Deputy Commander noted. This was his first real measure of The Lifeless Dreadgod. Having never met the entity face-to-face, his estimation of the Dreadgod’s threat level continued to climb.

"If The Lifeless Expanse is bringing this kind of firepower, the forces backing the Continent of the Pantheon and The Swarming Continent will be far worse. We’re looking at a full-scale war soon," Morando said, his tone returning to a conversational level, dropping the icy, god-like detachment.

He changed the subject. "On a lighter note, Orion’s offspring is quite a tempting prize."

Caelus’s raw power and innate talent were undeniable. A four-headed, eight-armed mage—just the thought of him made Morando itch to snatch the boy up. Whether as an apprentice or an avatar puppet, Caelus was incredibly enticing.

"Ahem... Caelus is Commander Thresh’s disciple," Deputy Commander Edward coughed, offering a friendly warning to his ally. Morando hadn’t bothered to hide his greed.

"His disciple?" Morando blurted out in surprise.

Edward simply shrugged. He didn’t mention that Caelus was technically his disciple as well; he knew his own name wouldn’t carry enough weight to deter Morando. After all, Morando was a Demigod Fourth-Stage powerhouse, possessing a mastery over magic that Edward couldn’t currently match.

"That makes sense then." Morando sighed in realization. "A damn shame. Such incredible potential." Then, his eyes gleamed with hope. "The kid should join our Saint Gran Council in the future."

He looked at Edward, phrasing it as half an order and half an earnest invitation. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Edward just smiled and nodded, saying nothing.

Back when Edward first joined the Saint Gran Council, he had to survive endless trials—finding a sponsor, passing the council’s grueling tests, and signing numerous binding contracts. He had been branded with the Council’s mark, body and soul.

Yet here was Caelus, earning the immediate approval of Vice-Speaker Morando on sheer talent and pedigree alone. The disparity left Edward with a bitter, complicated feeling he couldn’t quite articulate. Of course, he knew Commander Thresh and Orion’s formidable reputations played a massive role. It was a birthright Edward could only envy.

On the opposing side, The Infernal Matriarch and the Abyssal succubus were equally ravenous for Caelus’s aptitude and combat instincts.

"What a magnificent fiendish seed," The Infernal Matriarch murmured. Her voice was surprisingly melodious, like ice crystals chiming against wind chimes. It was cool and rich, with drawn-out syllables that floated elegantly like bubbles rising from the ocean floor.

"He is the direct heir of the Giant King," Vaelian quickly interjected. "If it pleases you, My Lady, I will do everything in my power to capture him and deliver him straight to your domain."