Aurek turned and gazed at the horizon, lost in thought.

He had initially intended to focus his efforts on dealing with the threat posed by Elizabeth, but now it seemed that the strategy needed to be adjusted.

"How much do you know about the ancient war? How powerful were the invaders from the Abyss demon realm?"

Aurek asked.

Philip answered, "The invaders were mostly of Divine Cleric rank, with a few at God Fire rank, and some even among the Grand Divine Clerics. The most troublesome were the High God-level demon generals, led by Time Devourer."

"However, according to ancient legends, the invaders that attacked Eura continent might have been from some lesser factions within the Abyss demon realm."

"If the passage opens again this time, the enemies we face may be far more powerful."

"I see. You may leave now."

Aurek dismissed the others and then spoke.

"Suggwoth, stay behind."

Everyone bowed and left.

Lucio and Philip hesitated for a moment but said nothing more and headed toward Godfall Gorge.

Once they had departed, Aurek turned to Suggwoth and gave the final order.

"I'll send you one million Divine Cleric rank soldiers to guard Godfall Gorge. I want that place to become an eternal nightmare for the Abyss demon race!"

Suggwoth knelt on one knee, solemnly accepting the order. His voice was filled with a steely determination.

"I will make the Abyss remember what the Empire's wrath truly means!"

Aurek smiled coldly, a cruel arc on his lips.

"I look forward to your victory."

That promise was exactly what he wanted!

With a sea of white bones, he would pave the Empire's path to ultimate power!

——

Royal Forest Garden.

The Divine Spring and Sacred Baptismal Pool had been relocated here, and the rare flowers and plants in the garden were imbued with a touch of divinity.

Thanks to this, the rank progress of Josephine and the others had been remarkably swift.

"Saint An, Your Majesty!"

Aurek arrived at the Sacred Baptismal Pool.

Josephine, Sophia, Natasha, and Princess Belinda were all present, bowing respectfully to the Emperor.

Aurek looked at the Sacred Baptismal Pool, which covered an area of about a thousand square meters, filled with holy water that resembled diluted milk, rising with a dreamlike mist.

Bathing in this pool and forming a divine body was only a matter of time.

After the Ring of the Firmament Church pledged allegiance, some of the chosen saintesses and core female members of the court had already begun to form their divine core through the pool, with their promotion to Divine Cleric rank just around the corner.

If not for limited resources, the Church would have produced more than five Divine Clerics!

Aurek noticed that there were traces of the natural essence and laws circulating outside the baptismal pool, continuously flowing into the water.

This, he realized, was the secret to the pool's unending power.

It could absorb the natural essence and fragments of laws from the surrounding environment, transforming them into holy water through its divine nature.

For him, however, this would make a great private bathing space for his consorts.

Though it was incredibly luxurious, what of it?

Aurek turned his gaze to Josephine and the others.

Sophia had already reached Star Rank Level 6 and was about to face the stellar rank calamity.

Josephine had made even more impressive progress, reaching Star Rank Level 9, having gained an entire rank. Her talent was not inferior to Sophia's, though the latter had more opportunities.

As for Natasha... Aurek had already seen through her—she was currently at Stellar Rank Level 1.

Gloria certainly had a keen eye, as the three students' talents were extraordinary. Now, with the Sacred Baptismal Pool refining their divine bodies and magical cores, their talents had been fully unleashed.

In fact, there were many with exceptional talents across Eura continent. The lack of resources and divine nourishment had slowed their progress.

That's why, as Elizabeth had said, once these strong individuals enter the god realm, their rate of advancement would exceed all expectations.

With the Divine Spring and Sacred Baptismal Pool, Josephine and the others' promotions had accelerated.

Aurek then shifted his focus to Princess Belinda.

The princess wore a colorful dress, and a fragrant aroma enveloped her, which could be smelled even from a distance.

She carried herself with regal poise, each movement exuding the aura of royalty, a born noblewoman.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

Upon seeing Aurek, Princess Belinda quickly bowed.

She had once thought she was in danger, but upon arriving here, she realized that any random female official could be of higher status than she, perhaps even an imperial princess or saintess!

Even Josephine's attendants were the saintesses of major factions!

Now, she couldn't fathom how many women envied her for being able to enjoy the Sacred Baptismal Pool and Divine Spring. Even the women accompanying her were scheming to get closer to Aurek, hoping to gain favor and become his consort.

How fortunate she was!

Will had completely given up, but his earlier disregard had only worked in Belinda's favor.

He had specifically instructed his daughter to ensure she bore royal blood, securing her position.

Now that the Crossbridge Empire was at its peak and the unification of the continent was unstoppable, becoming an imperial consort was an unmatched honor. Countless eyes were on this opportunity.

Aurek gave her a second glance before turning his gaze to Sophia.

In his divine vision, a holy mark appeared on her forehead.

Elizabeth had said that Sophia, like Sacco, came from the god realm, though her exact identity was unknown.

This mark seemed to confirm Elizabeth's words.

However, Aurek wasn't concerned with her identity. If Sophia was truly connected to the god realm, he had no qualms about using any means necessary to sever that bond.

No one would lay a finger on her!

"Your brother Aurek has reached Divine Cleric rank!"

Sophia's contract spirit exclaimed incredulously in her mind.

It could hardly fathom how someone could go from Sage Rank Level 9 to Divine Cleric in just a few months!

This completely shattered its understanding of the world.

Its knowledge extended beyond Eura continent, including the god realm itself!

If Aurek were from the god realm, it could have understood that, but he didn't carry any of the god realm's aura!

Sophia was secretly startled.

After being reminded, she realized this and was taken aback.

But soon, a smile of delight appeared on her face, with two adorable dimples showing.

"Congratulations, Brother Aurek, for reaching Divine Cleric rank and becoming a god!"

Josephine, Annie, Natasha, and Belinda all froze in surprise.

Divine Cleric!?

None of them had sensed it.

"The road ahead is long. You all need to accelerate your own promotions to keep up with my progress if we are to welcome the new future of the Empire."

"Don't worry, Brother Aurek. We will catch up!"

Sophia cheerfully promised.

Josephine and the others nodded seriously.

For Josephine, the destiny she carried meant she would need to work far harder than most.

Aurek didn't say anything more. After chatting briefly, he went to Roseries Palace to rest, and had a letter sent to Selene Empire.

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