Chapter 249: The Immortals' Challenge
Chapter 249: The Immortals' Challenge
The ascension of the Twelve Divine Beings—comprising the Divine Triad, Duo Dragons, and Seven Dragons—to supreme power sparked a wave of ambition among immortals across the multiverse. These lesser immortals, envious of the Twelve's unparalleled might and influence, sought ways to challenge their authority and ascend to an equivalent status.
However, their aspirations quickly clashed with an immutable truth: the Absolute Realm, the divine sanctuary of the Twelve Divine Beings, was utterly inaccessible to those outside its divine system.
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The Barrier of the Absolute Realm
The Absolute Realm, home to the Twelve Divine Beings, was a universe of unparalleled sanctity and power. Its very fabric was imbued with divine energy, forming an unbreachable barrier that no mortal or immortal could pierce without the blessing of the Twelve.
Unbreachable Gates: No immortal, no matter how strong, could even approach the Absolute Realm without permission. Its gates were guarded by divine constructs and beings of immense power, ensuring that no intruder could enter.
A Different Plane: The Absolute Realm existed outside the flow of the regular multiverse, shielded from any form of teleportation, spatial magic, or dimensional traversal.
Faced with this impenetrable barrier, the immortal challengers realized that direct confrontation was futile.
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Shifting Strategies: Gaining Followers
Unable to reach the Twelve Divine Beings, the immortals turned their attention to another path: gaining followers. They believed that by amassing large numbers of devoted worshippers, they could elevate their own power and influence to rival that of the Twelve.
Spreading Their Teachings: Immortals began spreading their philosophies, presenting themselves as divine beings worthy of worship. They established sects, cults, and kingdoms dedicated to their names.
Granting Blessings: By sharing fragments of their power, they created small systems of cultivation for their followers, offering blessings, powers, and rewards to those who proved loyal.
Creating Realms: Some immortals created pocket dimensions or sanctuaries where their followers could train and grow stronger under their guidance.
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The Response of the Twelve Divine Beings
The Twelve Divine Beings were fully aware of the immortals' efforts, but they chose to remain distant observers rather than intervening. Their reasons were rooted in both pragmatism and principle.
No Threat to the Absolute Realm: The immortals' actions posed no real threat to the Twelve or their dominion. The Absolute Realm and its divine system were beyond the reach of any challenger.
Preservation of Balance: The Twelve Divine Beings only intervened when the actions of immortals risked creating chaos or destabilizing the balance of society. As long as the immortals' efforts remained peaceful, they were allowed to continue.
This hands-off approach allowed the multiverse to flourish organically, with a natural competition between forces that did not disrupt the overarching order.
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A Warning Unspoken
Despite their tolerance, the Twelve Divine Beings exuded an unspoken warning: any attempt to create chaos, destruction, or rebellion would be met with swift retribution. The Twelve had no need to make overt threats; their very existence served as a reminder of the insurmountable gap between themselves and the immortals.
Even among the immortals, whispers of the Twelve's power spread:
Tales of Ashborn's ten celestial wings descending to erase a rebellious faction.
Accounts of Sung Jin-Woo's shadow legions engulfing entire armies in an instant.
Legends of Sung Su-Ho's fiery dragon lords reducing entire realms to ash in retaliation for acts of defiance.
These stories served as cautionary tales, ensuring that most immortals pursued their ambitions without crossing the lines established by the Twelve.
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The Immortal Challengers' Reality
While the immortals gained followers and strengthened their influence, they remained acutely aware of their limitations:
1. Inaccessible Godhood: Without the approval of the Twelve Divine Beings, immortals could never ascend to True Godhood. Their power, no matter how great, was finite compared to the infinite might of the Twelve.
2. The Illusion of Equality: Even with vast armies of followers and personal strength, the immortals could not rival the Twelve Divine Beings, whose mastery over Inner Worlds, Lesser Absolutes, and the Absolute Crown System placed them in a league of their own.
3. The Multiversal Hierarchy: The Twelve Divine Beings represented the pinnacle of power and authority in the multiverse. Challenging this hierarchy was akin to defying the natural order itself.
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The Balance Maintained
Despite the immortals' efforts, the multiverse remained in balance. The Twelve Divine Beings continued to oversee the realms, ensuring peace and prosperity, while the immortals pursued their ambitions without overstepping their bounds.
This uneasy coexistence highlighted the wisdom and restraint of the Twelve Divine Beings. By allowing the immortals to strive for greatness without interference, they fostered a dynamic, thriving multiverse where growth and ambition flourished without tipping into chaos.
As the immortals pursued their dreams of godhood, they could only gaze longingly at the Absolute Realm, the unattainable sanctuary of the Twelve Divine Beings—a reminder of the insurmountable heights of true divinity.