I Am Hades, Lord of the Underworld!

Hades wasn't particularly concerned with the Book of Eternity, leaving it for Hestia to use as needed.

Next, Hestia carefully took out a crystal ball, and Hades reached out to take it. This was the true foundation of everything. For the Underworld, divine artifacts and divine weapons held some significance, but their importance wasn't paramount.

The reason was simple: the Underworld was a highly unique place. With the World Tree at its core, Hades had access to an infinite future. In theory, the World Tree could produce countless divine artifacts. Additionally, every piece of divine armor worn by the Underworld gods, as well as every divine weapon used by the Underworld warriors, was imbued with the authority of the Underworld's World Tree. 

Even though the Underworld's World Tree might not be on the same level as the Mythical World of the Greek pantheon, their statuses were equivalent. This meant that as Hades' power grew, these divine artifacts and weapons would also naturally enhance. Hades, therefore, didn't place much importance on them.

However, the Black Sea Whale was different. It represented the element of water among the four Divine Beasts—Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind. Integrating the Black Sea Whale into the Underworld would bring a significant boost and advancement to the Underworld. After all, the true progress would only come when all four Divine Beasts were united.

Hades carefully guided the Black Sea Whale into the World Tree. As he did so, his entire being vanished from the Elysian Fields, reappearing at the World Tree's crown. Here, the Serpent of Sky and Earth, in the form of an ouroboros, was rapidly transforming. Surrounding it were four glowing orbs, each representing Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind.

In the first orb, representing Earth, the Earth Mother Serpent lay in a deep sleep. The other three orbs were still empty. Surrounding the Serpent of Sky and Earth were phantom-like pillars, resembling toothpicks, representing the seventy-two Demon God Pillars.

Hades stood there quietly, waiting. As time passed, the Black Sea Whale gradually merged with the water element of the four orbs. As this occurred, the entire Underworld trembled slightly. Hades could clearly sense the World Tree's joy.

Another step forward—just two more to go before the World Tree fully matured. Once Sky and Earth, the Pillars of Heaven, and the elements of Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind were all in place, the next step would be the creation of a world. At that point—or rather, as soon as the four elements were gathered—Hades' divine power would fully ascend to the level of an Ancient God.

The Ultimate Power—a concept that seemed forgotten by Hades—was something he hadn't ignored. He knew that when he truly ascended to the level of an Ancient God, his Ultimate Power would naturally manifest. As for the Ultimate Power he had previously collected, it currently served no purpose. Yet Hades didn't view his earlier efforts as futile. Sometimes, things that seem insignificant at the time prove their worth later.

Had he not nurtured the World Tree to its current stage, could he not have used the collected Ultimate Power to ascend to the level of an Ancient God? Even if there were challenges, it would have been an alternative path, not without its merits. Moreover, Hades could consider using this Ultimate Power to elevate one of his subordinate God-Kings to the level of an Ancient God. Though such a being would be the weakest of Ancient Gods, with no potential to grow beyond that, they would still be an Ancient God—a status few would refuse.

Mephistopheles, for example, was obsessed with becoming a God-King. Whether he could further ascend to become an Ancient God was irrelevant to him. His sole ambition was to break free from his predetermined fate by becoming a God-King. If Hades were to offer him the chance to ascend to Ancient Godhood, even as the weakest of them, Mephistopheles would undoubtedly accept without hesitation. And it wasn't just Mephistopheles—no god would turn down such an opportunity.

To Hades, something of little value might be seen as a priceless treasure by others. The unfairness inherent in the nature of divinity was a fundamental truth.

"However," Hades murmured to himself, "the integration of the Black Sea Whale hasn't brought a significant enhancement to the World Tree."

He wasn't surprised by this. When the Earth Mother Serpent was integrated, the increase was also minimal, just a slight fluctuation. This wasn't unexpected.

Both the Earth Mother Serpent and the Black Sea Whale were incomplete parts of the whole—perhaps only half of what was needed. The full enhancement would only come when all four Divine Beasts were assembled. 

"Earth and Water are now in place," Hades muttered. "Only Fire and Wind remain. I already have some ideas for Wind, but Fire is still missing."

Even Hades, with his usually composed heart, felt a stir of excitement. This was a perfect opportunity to fully ascend to the level of an Ancient God. Seizing this chance would mean entering an entirely new stage of existence. Who could remain completely indifferent at such a moment?

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