Chapter 309

Chapter 309: Detected a Large Number of Divine Reactions!

"Whoosh… hiss…"

"Whoosh——!"

The massive backs occasionally arched up in the Sea of Ether, then quickly sank, like islands bobbing on the water.

Their smooth divine bodies broke through the waves of the Sea of Ether, swiftly swimming near the "Chaos Swamp," close to the "Endless Ether Realm."

"Whoosh…"

"Whoosh——!"

A Shallow Ether Wanderer slowly floated to the surface, breathing out a mist of etheric liquid into the void and drawing in energy from the emptiness.

The etheric mist and void energy gathered and clashed in the sky, forming a bright illusory rainbow.

This was how deities active between ether and void created landscapes and miracles with their breaths.

But suspicion showed in their eyes.

"I felt something was strange."

Originally, there were five deities in the group, but now only four remained; the first "Second" had been killed by the "Border Dragon."

Although the "Border Dragon" was killed by the "Colossal Giant God," avenging their fallen comrade didn’t bring it back.

Because of this, the leader of this small Divine Cluster gained more prestige.

Yet that prestige wasn’t enough to sway everyone, let alone make them fully accept its pro-Giant God stance.

Especially after the "Colossal Giant God" chanted a strange, one-syllable "spell" packed with huge information that hit their souls and left a mark on their foreheads, that doubt grew faster.

"We only ate some mortals."

"Mortals are as lowly as dust."

"I didn’t think a pile of dust could do us any good."

"So, that ‘Colossal Giant God’ fed us dirt and even put a weird mark on our foreheads."

After eating those "mortals," the Shallow Ether Wanderers looked at each other, finding a strange mark on every forehead—a huge open mouth full of sharp teeth!

No matter how they saw that mark, it looked very wrong.

"Even…"

"Ugh…"

The sound of empty stomachs and belly walls churning echoed.

"What a cheap, wild, primitive feeling!"

Actually, deities didn’t need other divine bodies to keep moving; they were high, pure beings that could soak up huge energy from the void and the Sea of Ether.

Under their souls’ sway, they burned it or turned it into the "divine stuff" needed to build their divine bodies.

Though their "divine organs" were still there, they often handled key jobs like storing magic power and casting spells.

Magic power got forged, broken down, and remade inside their "divine stomachs," finally becoming powerful spells that shook the heavens and earth!

These "divine organs" were truly noble.

"But now, that strange ‘mark’ was driving us to commit such barbaric acts!"

"Besides…"

"Enough! Shut it!"

The Leader of the small Divine Cluster finally couldn’t endure his companions’ nonsense.

"I trust the wisdom and methods of the ‘Colossal Giant God!’

"And I firmly believe He wouldn’t harm us."

"If He truly meant ill, none of us would’ve escaped alive from that ‘new world!’"

"But He spared us and even granted us an opportunity."

"I believe He must have a greater plan!"

"Participating in such a grand design should be our honor as Shallow Ether Wanderers!"

"What rubbish are you spouting!"

"Besides, this is absolutely not the time for infighting!"

…

The deities’ Leader looked ahead, his gaze severe.

"Huff…"

"Hiss…"

A massive shadow lunged toward them from the front!

It charged at the Shallow Ether Wanderers at breakneck speed.

"What is that thing…"

"It’s enormous!"

"I knew it—this is a trap!"

Panicked cries quickly erupted within the Divine Cluster.

Fortunately, their Leader held his ground.

"Fools!"

"That’s the Cod Deity Cluster!"

The Cod Deity Cluster wasn’t a single deity, but a gathering of smaller gods.

These deities moved in groups known as "Ether Cod Deities."

Though each Cod Deity’s power ranked between etheric worms and etheric serpents—neither strong nor formidable—their divine forms hinted at hidden complexity.

Giant eyes bulged wide, burning with greed and ferocity.

Razor-sharp teeth filled their Big Mouths, perfect for devouring small deities or tearing flesh from larger ones.

Their streamlined bodies cut through the Ether Sea’s currents, enabling swift hunts.

While a lone Cod Deity could be slain by powerful deities or even mid-tier gods like Ether Wanderers, hundreds united became a threat that made even mighty Tyrants wary.

What was even more terrifying was that these creatures had "destructive micro divine ranks" coating their sharp teeth.

After slicing through a deity’s flesh, the micro divine ranks would invade the victim’s body, damaging their magic organs, blocking their magic circuits, and even affecting their divine rank!

A single bite delivering micro divine ranks might not have been alarming, but with hundreds of Ether Cod Deities attacking together, it wasn’t just about one bite anymore!

While the Shallow Ether Wanderers hesitated, the Ether Cod Deities put on a show of force.

"Bang—!"

"Crack—!"

Inside the Cod Divine Cluster, the streamlined bodies of the Ether Cod Deities surged forward, their jaws snapping together with terrifying "bang bang" sounds.

Even in the dim Ether Sea choked with Primal Mud debris, the cruel glint of their blades flashed coldly; the faint green glow on their teeth warned approaching intruders—their teeth were coated with micro divine ranks!

"Don’t bother us!"

"Stay back!"

"Scram—!"

These tiny fish, which loved gathering in swarms, shared one trait—"soul resonance."

Unlike the advanced "Soul Network," soul resonance couldn’t work across vast distances.

Only when clustered closely could their overflowing consciousnesses link together, forming a crude "shared will."

This "collective will" remained vague, usually just a basic agreement.

Yet most times, that simple agreement sufficed—enough to unite the Ether Cod Deities toward their goal, and easy to manipulate.

Deep within the distant Fantasy Tree of Subspace, Barbatos concentrated on guiding them.

Through the Ether Cod Deities’ "shared will," he sent a "friendly" signal to the Shallow Ether Wanderers:

"We don’t want conflict!"

"Our target is there!"

"Clear the way!"

This swarm of Ether Cod Deities aimed for the "new world"—"First New Themis."

After several prior assaults, Barbatos had mapped Themis’ defenses perfectly.

Those menacing "traps" hovering mid-air stayed fixed in place. Though they gave the Outer Gods from the Void pause, careful maneuvering avoided them—just minor nuisances.

Traps in the Ether Sea only worked against Outer God larvae or etheric worms; they barely slowed etheric serpents.

Exploiting these flaws, the First Demon God crafted a new plan—overwhelm with numbers and quality!

Massive groups of Ether Cod Deities, hailing from the Endless Ether and armed with "micro divine ranks," would smash through the traps and storm Themis’ heart.

Facing such a unified assault, even two False Bodies would likely crumble.

But now, the plan hit a snag.

They’d run into four unexpected guests.

A direct clash might end in mutual ruin.

Fortunately, this situation seemed unlikely to occur.

—-

The Shallow Ether Wanderers flashed fear in their eyes.

They quickly developed the urge to retreat.

"They’re not trying to stop us."

"We must scatter!"

This was the right choice.

Shallow Ether Wanderers would chase isolated Ether Cod Deities; encountering groups of ten or even dozens, they’d feel a hunter’s excitement, pursuing them to use magic or their Divine Bodies to kill and seize their divinity.

But this time was different!

"Buzz… Buzz… Buzz…"

The "giant jaws mark" engraved on the foreheads of these four deities suddenly flashed excitedly.

The mark’s light pulsed outward and, more crucially, inward.

This flickering quickly threw the souls of the Shallow Ether Wanderers into chaos.

Fear was swept away by swelling greed.

Afraid?

Hesitant?

Second-guessing?

No!

"Ugh…"

"I’m… I’m… hungry… so hungry—!"

At that moment, the Shallow Ether Wanderers knew only one word—hunger!

"Roar—!"

Thus, dragged by their suddenly surging appetite, the Shallow Ether Wanderers charged into the cluster of Ether Cod Deities.

A battle that should have been avoided erupted!

Yet, the Ether Cod Deities remained unaware.

"Whoosh… Hiss…"

"Roar—!"

"Roar—!"

The already scattered Shallow Ether Wanderers spread further apart; twisting their bodies, they swam swiftly through the murky, complex swamp-like ether, vanishing into the turbid Ether Sea and the roots of the Fantasy Tree.

It seemed they were clearing a path to flee.

"Now, it should be over…"

"Let’s avoid further complications."

But the very next second…

"Gush—!"

Barbatos spewed "blood"!

His soul, connected to the group of Ether Cod Deities, shuddered violently as if assaulted by something terrifying!