My System Arrives 3 Years Earlier, But the Deities Haven't Come Yet

"Just as I suspected, my divine realm is the highest level, and it's rated SSS."

"This means the divine realm's evaluation is similar to some games' letter ratings, likely ranging from SSS, SS, S, down to A, B, C, D."

Looking at the information on the divine realm panel, Zeng Shen made a rough reverse guess about the realm's level.

At the same time, he gained a general understanding of his divine realm's status.

As he gazed down at his realm again, he gained a more intuitive understanding.

His realm was about the size of Jinhai City.

A winding river flowed from the unseen darkness into the area he could view.

This river, with its clear waters revealing the pebbles below, resembled a mother river of the realm, flowing through the rugged mountains, eventually splitting into two tributaries along two massive mountain ranges.

One tributary flowed through an ancient forest, irrigating a fertile plain.

The other continued along the mountain range, flowing into the dark areas beyond the realm.

After briefly observing the river, Zeng Shen shifted his focus to a canyon formed by the intersecting mountain ranges.

Here, a majestic and sacred palace radiated a dazzling glow.

Zeng Shen focused intently.

This palace was built against a cliff.

Massive stone pillars supported the ornate dome, reaching the mountain's summit, with sculptures of majestic dragons.

These dragons were of Chinese heritage.

They seemed to dance and soar atop the dome and mountain, as if a thousand dragons were flying.

As Zeng Shen's gaze lowered from the dome, he felt deeply impressed.

The palace was beautiful, with walls of white jade as smooth as mirrors, appearing like a cloud hanging in the canyon.

In front of the palace doors, two giant statues stood.

One was a massive beast, wolf-like, with an eternal flame in its mouth, exuding power; the other was a stunning woman with a bow and arrow, draped in a sheer cloth, with butterfly-like wings.

"So this is the wonder, the Deity Palace?"

"I wonder what the inside looks like."

Zeng Shen murmured, curiosity piqued.

[In the divine realm, focus your consciousness to open the palace doors. Focusing intently on a target lets you see through any barrier in the realm.]

Upon hearing this prompt, Zeng Shen unhesitatingly focused on the palace doors.

Instantly, the doors of the Deity Palace opened, letting out a bright light.

Through the open doors, Zeng Shen's focused consciousness caused the palace's dome to fade and become transparent in his view.

In no time, everything inside the Deity Palace came into clear view, leaving him deeply awed and surprised.

He was awed by the palace's walls adorned with giant, priceless paintings depicting various mythological deities, each with a halo and divine artifacts, exuding sacred majesty.

He was surprised by the massive statue behind the central throne, resembling him, intricately detailed, incredibly handsome, and exuding boundless authority.

"Wow, truly handsome."

Zeng Shen marveled, retracting his gaze from the palace.

"But how do I bring followers into the divine realm?"

As Zeng Shen voiced his confusion, a helpful prompt sounded in his mind.

[Focus your consciousness to summon the Gate of the Divine Realm, which can open before you, allowing followers to enter. You can also position the gate anywhere in your realm.]

"So that's how. How do I exit here?"

[Focus your consciousness on your body to return.]

"I see, consciousness is key. I'll try focusing my consciousness if I have questions."

Zeng Shen mused, focusing his consciousness on his body.

While his consciousness was in the divine realm, Zeng Shen sensed his physical body standing still in the abandoned hospital, knowing he could swiftly return his consciousness to his body with a thought.

Upon returning to his body, Zeng Shen stretched, easing the stiffness from standing.

He looked at the wild cats eagerly eating cat food around him.

He focused his consciousness and called softly.

"Open, Gate of the Divine Realm."

Instantly, a spiral of white light appeared before him, forming a transparent, ethereal membrane.

Through this membrane, a majestic Deity Palace exuded an overpowering aura, compelling those who saw it to bow in reverence.

The wild cats were startled by the sudden gate.

They instinctively wanted to flee but were mesmerized by the palace within the gate, freezing in place.

Seeing this, Zeng Shen was delighted.

He had wondered how to entice them into the realm.

They were so awed by the Deity Palace they didn't dare move.

How convenient!

He picked up the slightly struggling large black cat and tossed it through the gate.

[Warning! Your follower lacks divine energy. Entering the realm will age and decay rapidly.]

"What!"

Alarmed by the prompt, Zeng Shen rushed to retrieve the cat.

But another prompt sounded a moment later.

[Divine Blessing trait activated. Your follower gains divine energy protection, allowing normal survival in the realm.]

"Phew, that was close.

"So creatures without divine energy age rapidly in the realm. No wonder the creature cards always mention divine energy—without it, survival in the realm is impossible."

Relieved, Zeng Shen wiped sweat from his brow, grateful for his realm's Divine Blessing trait.

Otherwise, he'd have lost his large black cat follower.

After this minor scare, Zeng Shen quickly tossed the ten wild cats, the five kittens, Little Black, and the cat bowls into the gate.

Then he stepped into the gate himself.

As he entered, a prompt sounded in his mind.

[Thanks to the Deity Palace, you can enter and exit your realm safely even without being a true deity.]

Listening to the prompt, Zeng Shen gazed at the grand Deity Palace, holding the curious Little Black, and said:

"Good thing for this palace, or I'd only access my realm through consciousness until becoming a true deity."

"Meow."

Little Black meowed, half-understanding.

Meanwhile, the wild cats Zeng Shen had tossed near the palace doors remained still, too awed to move.

Zeng Shen gently moved them to a forest edge twenty meters from the palace.

Only then did the wild cats dare to move, exploring their surroundings.

Zeng Shen noticed their gaze at him carried a hint of reverence.