Hero Realm, Dragon Court
Pantheon
In the grand and magnificent temple, gods, elemental lords, animal lords, devil lords, and even the Lord of the Nine Hells were present.
Gods stood in abundance.
The power of the demigods also shone brightly.
This was the true Pantheon.
All the gods and demigod-level beings in the Great Ring Multiverse had now come under the Pantheon, unified into a single force. The operation of the Great Ring Multiverse was under the control of the Pantheon.
As for those who did not wish to join the Pantheon, they were crushed under the overwhelming force, leaving no trace.
A completely unified multiverse, especially one as vast as the Great Ring Multiverse, could mobilize terrifying power. The Three Pillar Gods who invaded the Great Ring Multiverse, even if they could fight on par with Garon and others, would definitely not have a way out.
At that time, to prevent panic and avoid the information becoming a beacon for the enemy, the Pantheon did not reveal the news of the Outer Gods.
But if it came to a critical moment, the Nine-faced Dragon God would definitely summon the Pantheon gods to deal with the Three Pillar Gods.
Unfortunately, the Three Pillar Gods did not have enough power to push Garon and others to that step.
Now, Garon and the Nine-faced Dragon God felt it was time for the gods of the Great Ring Multiverse to understand the truth of the infinite multiverse.
Having a great organization to unify the multiverse had both good and bad sides.
A unified multiverse meant internal turmoil had been completely quelled, but the conflicts among the gods could not be completely eradicated. Without overt wars, the conflicts would shift to covert scheming, which could be more dangerous than open warfare.
Garon had seen a unified multiverse before.
He was well aware of the situation in the Olympian Multiverse.
The gods in the Olympian Multiverse, unified under Olympus, were full of suspicion and scheming against each other, with countless instances of backstabbing. Even the God King could not rest easy because the gods, having no external enemies, easily turned their ambitions towards the throne of the God King.
The state of the Olympian Multiverse was not just due to the gods' mutual distrust.
The most crucial reason was that the Olympian Multiverse had no external enemies anymore. Over the endless ages, the Olympian gods resorted to internal strife to pass the boring, tedious time.
The Dragon God system of the Great Ring Multiverse was very strong.
Not only were there the Nine-faced Dragon God, the ruler of the gods, and the ever-so-stronger Eternal and Time Dragon, but the other Dragon Gods were not weak either.
This seemed to be able to suppress the gods.
However.
Very few beings were completely content with the status quo.
Gods were no exception.
Over time, conflicts within the non-Dragon God factions would become extremely serious. There would undoubtedly be some daring individuals eyeing the Dragon God's dominant position, not daring to act openly but secretly plotting.
The Olympian Multiverse was a cautionary tale.
Moreover, the gods of the Great Ring Multiverse had their ambitions, wanting to expand their influence and elevate their divine ranks. A new multiverse was a perfect target.
In the Pantheon.
Time flowed silently.
The knowledge of the infinite multiverse was being explained by the Nine-faced Dragon God and was being known to the gods.
Garon had now restored the existence of the Nine-faced Dragon God and the Heavenly Emperor in the Time River. The gods and all living beings remembered them again.
"The Great Ring Multiverse is actually a finite multiverse."
"Beyond the Great Ring Multiverse, there are other finite multiverses."
"Infinite multiverse... outer gods from other multiverses..."
"Old outer gods invading the Great Ring Multiverse."
"..."
Listening to the Nine-faced Dragon God's words, every god showed great interest, and some evil gods did not hide their greedy expressions, itching to move, their eyes almost glowing green.
The silver dragon silently observed the gods' reactions in the temple.
"In the primordial era, ancient deep sea gods from the Old Multiverse had already infiltrated the Great Ring."
"The second Dawn War had traces of manipulation by old outer gods."
"Recently, three powerful outer gods from the Old Multiverse descended upon the Great Ring, viewing us as nothing."
Not in his usual gentle and tolerant manner, the Nine-faced Dragon God spoke with a stern face, a cold voice, and sharp eyes.
"As the Pantheon that maintains the operation of the Great Ring Multiverse, we cannot tolerate such invasions from the Old Multiverse."
"Those who invade our Great Ring, no matter how far, must be exterminated!"
The second Dawn War was incited by ancient deep sea gods who, through the original wild gods who opposed the gods, sought to weaken the strength of the Great Ring Multiverse from within.
Moreover, the ancient deep sea gods arrived in the Great Ring Multiverse a long time ago.
The Old Multiverse and the Great Ring Multiverse had contact long ago, and it was the Old that invaded first.
The Nine-faced Dragon God was not just shouting slogans.
To maintain the sovereignty of the gods in the Great Ring Multiverse, any outer gods invading the Great Ring, no matter how far away, must pay a heavy price.
Realizing what the Nine-faced Dragon God wanted to say, the gods in the Pantheon were slightly stirred, their fighting spirit high.
Immediately, under the expectant and eager eyes of the gods, the Nine-faced Dragon God solemnly said, "Everyone, I have decided to lead the gods in counterattacking the Old Multiverse!"
The Elf God.
The Orc God.
The Goblin God.
The Dwarf God.
The Fairy God.
The main gods of various pantheons stood up.
They echoed, "We are willing to respond to the call of the Lord of the Gods! Counterattack the Old Multiverse!"
After confirming the counterattack against the Old Multiverse, the gods began to discuss the details of the attack.
Because a cross-multiverse battle was not something ordinary gods could participate in, this counterattack against the Old Multiverse would be led by the Nine-faced Dragon God, the Heavenly Emperor, and Garon Aurelian, with many powerful gods and demigods, opening a cross-multiverse portal to the Old Multiverse.
Anan and some other powerful gods stayed in the Great Ring Multiverse.
To prevent any issues within the Great Ring Multiverse while most of the power was away, or in case of another outer god invasion—unlikely but possible—such an occurrence would have severe consequences, so precautions were necessary.
While the gods were eager and excited.
The silver dragon looked down, silently contemplating.
"The Three Pillar Gods of the Old have been dealt with, but they were just the top visible beings of the Old Multiverse."
"There might be other hidden top beings or plane kings like Yacondar who can exhibit Class-20 divine rank strength in special environments."
"It wouldn't hurt to bring more allies. Being surrounded in another multiverse under suppression is not a pleasant experience."
"Moreover, this isn't a small, covert infiltration."
"This is—a large-scale, formal, inter-multiverse war!"
Leading most powerful gods and demigods to counterattack the Old Multiverse, Garon felt there wouldn't be any unexpected twists with the Three Pillar Gods dealt with.
Once the threats in the Old Multiverse were mostly cleared, the Great Ring Multiverse could relocate some gods there, occupying the Old Multiverse. The gods could then work together to establish a fixed cross-multiverse teleportation array, making the Old Multiverse the backyard of the Great Ring gods. With the number and quality of the Great Ring gods, they could manage another multiverse, and with new resources, more gods could be elevated.
However, Nyarlathotep's last disdainful expression made Garon feel uneasy.
To be safe, Garon used the Eye of Time to foresee the future.
But what appeared before the silver dragon's eyes was a misty, blurry scene like a dream, revealing no effective scenes.
"The future is shrouded."
"This means a being of the same level is actively shielding against foresight targeting them, or there is a being stronger than me, making them imperceptible."
Garon pondered.
"Azathoth... could this Old God really be strong enough to sweep the same level? Hence, causing my unease?"
Garon was skeptical.
Because even he did not have such confidence.
At their level, standing at the pinnacle, even if there were differences, it wouldn't be much. Garon was unaffected by multiverse suppression, and with the Nine-faced Dragon God and the Heavenly Emperor, the three-on-one odds made it unlikely Azathoth could handle all of them.
"Unless he is a god above gods."
Garon thought jokingly.
That possibility was very slim.
The Great Ring Multiverse was created by the Ayo God, but Garon had never directly faced the legendary Ayo God, not even once. The Heavenly Emperor, said to be an aspect of Ayo, in communication denied knowing if he was a separated aspect of Ayo.
In the Olympian Multiverse.
Garon also found no traces of a god above gods.
The Chaos, origin of the Olympian gods, was merely a Class-20 being like Garon. Garon could also create god-like beings now if he wanted.
Moreover.
During his travels through various timelines, Garon had been to many finite multiverses, but had never seen a god above gods.
Garon believed in the existence of gods above gods.
But he also knew they were not easy to encounter.
Like mortals finding it hard to see gods.
Gods above gods rarely appeared before ordinary gods.
Not long after, the Pantheon determined the gods and demigods to counterattack the Old Multiverse and those to remain in the Great Ring Multiverse.
The Pantheon was always efficient.
Once a plan was confirmed, it would be immediately executed.
After deciding to counterattack the Old Multiverse.
Buzz buzz buzz!
Amid divine light like falling stars, figures wrapped in godly light soared out from the Pantheon, monitoring and guarding various planes of the Great Ring Multiverse as assigned.
At the same time.
More gods and demigods remained in the Pantheon.
The Metallic Dragon God.
The God of Light.
The Eternal Sun.
The Goddess of the White Night.
The Lord of Knowledge.
The Lord of Nature.
The Orc God.
The Fairy God.
The Elf God.
The God of Tyranny.
The God of Storms and Destruction.
The gods stood silently, waiting.
The former Lord of the Nine Hells, Asmodeus, and some archdevils were also present.
Due to Garon's intimidation, Asmodeus had wisely relinquished the power of the King of Hell. Though no longer the Lord of the Nine Hells, he remained the most powerful devil. Garon sought the King of Hell's power mainly to control the Time River. After succeeding, he could return the title to Asmodeus.
"As the vanguard in counterattacking the Old Multiverse, you bear greater risks."
"Once we successfully conquer the Old Multiverse, the territories there will be yours to choose and divide first."
Offering only effort without special rewards wouldn't work, the Nine-faced Dragon God said.
The gods' eyes brightened, already planning how to harvest faith in the future.
"Perhaps through this, I can ascend and become a supreme being within the multiverse like Lord Ayo and Lord Garon."
The gods thought.
Next, the silver dragon moved slowly, stretching his wings, then descended to the center of the Pantheon, joined by the Nine-faced Dragon God and the Heavenly Emperor.
"The portal to the Old Multiverse is about to open."
After speaking, under the expectant gaze of the gods, the silver dragon waved his claw, summoning an endless stream of Time River water to anchor the spacetime coordinates of the Old Multiverse, forming a portal capable of cross-multiverse travel.
The Nine-faced Dragon God controlled the rules, and the Heavenly Emperor unleashed purple-gold flames.
Both assisted in stabilizing the portal, allowing many powerful gods and demigods to cross through.
"Everyone, follow us."
The silver dragon moved first, entering the portal, followed by the Heavenly Emperor and the Nine-faced Dragon God.
Looking at the slowly rotating portal with unknown outcomes, the gods hesitated slightly.
Hesitation was natural.
After all, Tartarus had been killed in the Great Ring Multiverse after following Garon through a portal, and that event was still fresh in their memories.
If Garon harbored any malice.
Rushing in could mean no return.
However, upon reflection, if Garon had ill intentions, there was no need for such convoluted methods. With his current power, comparable to or exceeding the Lord of the Gods, any malice could be directly executed, unstoppable.
With this realization.
The gods hesitated no more, entering the portal one by one.
The divine light of the gods extinguished in the Pantheon.
But.
It rekindled in another multiverse.
Upon stepping through the portal, it felt both eternal and instantaneous. As the gods' consciousness cleared, they found themselves in a world both familiar and strange.
Familiar due to its general concept.
Countless planets hung in the cold, lifeless void, similar to the cosmic world of the Great Ring Multiverse.
Strange due to its environment.
Few stars illuminated this universe, surrounded by near-total darkness, with only faint light from distant starfields. The gods' arrival brought rare light to the area.
Moreover, in the dark void, an omnipresent murmur seemed to pervade every inch of space, carrying a terrifyingly corruptive force that could drive even gods to madness.
The suppression from the Old Multiverse also descended upon the gods from the Great Ring Multiverse.
The oppressive force and the constant, nameless whispers eroding their minds made the newly arrived gods frown.
"This feeling... is the entire Old Multiverse filled with this maddening murmur?"
A god found it unbelievable.
"It seems so."
Another god, fully extending his perception, found the situation similar throughout his range.
"If this is true, the gods here are likely all mad."
"If we stay here too long without returning to the Great Ring to recover, we might become mad too."
The Lord of Knowledge mused, speaking slowly.
"Maddening, incomprehensible whispers... what's their source?"
The Elf God closed his eyes, silently sensing.
After a few seconds, he reopened his eyes, shaking his head.
The strange murmur was everywhere, with no discernible source.
The Eternal Sun's eyes flickered, speaking slowly, "If we encounter a local god with solar authority, leave him to me."
Hearing this, the God of Light, who had reclaimed his solar authority, stepped back.
Silently distancing himself from the Eternal Sun.
The Eternal Sun was now just a step away from Class-20 divine rank. Absorbing another solar authority would likely elevate him. The God of Light, possessing similar authority but less power, felt a bit anxious.
If not for the Great Ring's campaign against the Old Multiverse.
Sharing the Great Ring Multiverse with the Eternal Sun, the God of Light would feel even more anxious, but he was unwilling to relinquish his strong authority.
"A mad multiverse."
The silver dragon, arriving ahead of the gods, narrowed his eyes.
During the battle with the Three Pillar Gods, when Nyarlathotep opened the chaotic gate connecting to the Old Multiverse, Garon sensed the madness of the Old Multiverse.
Now, directly here.
The feeling was more real.
"Everyone, activate your senses and locate the gods of the Old Multiverse."
The silver dragon spoke calmly.
At the same time.
Buzz!
The silver dragon's body flickered, becoming blurry, as if not existing in real time. Simultaneously, a pair of indifferent, grand dragon eyes opened in the Time River, with endless time river water flowing within, reflecting the past events recorded in the Old Multiverse.
A vast amount of information poured into Garon's mind.
The silver dragon closed his eyes slightly, sorting through the information obtained from the Time River.
"Main universe, life planets, subspaces, dimensional dimensions, spacetime cracks..."
Murmuring softly, the silver dragon slowly opened his eyes.
Unlike the Great Ring Multiverse, the Old Multiverse lacked many plane worlds. In the main universe where Garon and the gods now stood, there were many subspaces, dimensional dimensions, spacetime cracks, and more, where most Old gods resided.
Suddenly, the silver dragon's body solidified.
His claw slashed toward a direction in the void.
Tearing spacetime, a giant spider, hidden in a spacetime crevice, was pulled out, its human face full of caution and fear.
Spider God, Atlach-Nacha.
"Outer gods invading."
It murmured, its legs trembling, as if pulling unseen threads.
The next second, the Heavenly Emperor struck with his sword.
The purple-gold sword light sliced through the peering Spider God, cutting it in half. Though not dead immediately, it was gravely injured. The Heavenly Emperor, unconcerned about its survival, instantly moved to assist other gods against the Old gods.
"I have pinpointed the locations of all gods in the Old Multiverse. Remember these spacetime coordinates."
"Great Ring gods, unleash your divine power freely."
"Let the gods of the Old Multiverse know the price of provoking us Great Ring gods!"
During his perception, Garon identified numerous dimensional dimensions and subspaces, transmitting their spacetime coordinates to the gods.
"Alright!"
The eager gods immediately responded.
Then, in the dark, oppressive, and lifeless universe, one god after another stepped out, crossing endless space, their bodies vanishing from the spot and appearing at their targets.
In a subspace filled with majestic mountains.
The Metallic Dragon God tore open the space barrier, squeezing his massive body inside.
Before him was a god with a dazed expression, eyes full of fear.
It stood on a hill, with tentacle-like limbs on a humanoid torso, its name being Alvassa, the God of Silence.
"Intermediate level, uninteresting."
A massive claw fell, like a golden sky collapsing, crushing the target directly.
In a dimension full of flames.
The Eternal Sun's usually calm and rational eyes flickered, staring at the figure opposite with a predatory greed.
In the flame dimension.
The opposing entity was a giant fireball radiating terrifying heat, with a vague figure constantly changing inside, surrounded by thousands of smaller fireballs, emitting demigod-level energy fluctuations.
Cthugha, the Living Flame.
"Though not a god's authority, similar power will do."
The Eternal Sun's eyes burned hotter.
"You're... an outer god!"
Without hesitation or words.
Boom boom boom!
Endless light and heat erupted.
The Eternal Sun and the Living Flame clashed fiercely in the dimension.
In a white, icy, windy spacetime crack.
The Storm and Destruction Lord Talos raised his hand, thunder flashing in his eyes, his voice deep and fierce, "Thunderous Storm!"
Boom boom boom!
Thousands of thunders fell upon a pale figure with long, withered hair, swaying like a ghost in the cold wind.
Ithaqua, the Wind Walker.
Gods from different multiverses or demigods clashed. The war between the Great Ring gods and the Old gods began.
At this moment, Garon was near
a planet in the cosmic void.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
Shrill and lingering, mournful winds howled endlessly on the planet, its surface desolate and barren, seemingly devoid of life. Such harsh conditions made it difficult for life to thrive.
With Garon's unrestrained form.
His presence near the planet made his scales' light almost illuminate the entire planet.
Before the massive silver dragon, the planet was like dust, not even as vast as one of his scales.
The silver dragon looked down at the planet like dust.
In the next instant, an endless, violent wind emerged from the planet's center, forming a yellow-robed figure with tentacles writhing beneath the robe.
Like a towering tree growing from a speck of dust.
The yellow-robed figure became grand, its robe billowing, shrouding the starry sky, rustling loudly.
The King in Yellow, Lord of the Starry Sea, Hastur!
"Outer gods, a massive invasion of my universe..."
The King in Yellow's voice was like wind stirring dust, hoarse and piercing.
The silver dragon remained silent, his gaze indifferent.
The Time-Annihilating Sword materialized from the Time River, grasped by the silver dragon, who then locked onto the King in Yellow and slashed heavily.
This powerful being in the Old Multiverse.
His pupils contracted sharply within his hood.
Whoosh!
A deadly hurricane capable of shattering godly bodies erupted.
The King in Yellow's robe fluttered wildly, blending into the wind, trying to distance himself from the silver dragon. Facing the silver dragon, this god sensed a deathly danger.
However—
Time ceased to flow.
In an instant, the hurricane capable of shredding stars stopped. The King in Yellow's raised robe froze in the cosmic void.
Clang!
The Time-Annihilating Sword slashed through the King in Yellow, infused with highly concentrated time-annihilating power.
Rather than shattering the opponent.
The silver dragon, his gaze calm as a mirror, sheathed the Time-Annihilating Sword without a glance at the King in Yellow, then leaped into the Time River, vanishing from the spot.
Time stop dissipated.
The King in Yellow looked around blankly, finding no trace of the silver dragon.
Suddenly, he sensed the time-annihilating power coursing through him, his body trembling.
Buzz buzz buzz... The King in Yellow's body swelled, his surface crisscrossed with cracks, then—boom!
A silent explosion erupted.
If he looked back.
Garon would see a silent explosion.
The King in Yellow's shattered body, wiped from existence by the Time River.
Swish!
A purple-gold sword slash streaked across the sky.
The Living Flame, fiercely battling the Eternal Sun, froze, split in half. Though not dead instantly, it was severely injured. The Heavenly Emperor slashed, disregarding the outcome, moving to assist other gods against the Old gods.
"You're mine!"
Seizing the chance, the Eternal Sun surged, the golden sun fiercely colliding with the Living Flame.
"In many tales, the protagonist often encounters formidable enemies or forces, overcoming obstacles to defeat them."
"But now, leading the Great Ring gods to crush the Old gods, where are the obstacles?"
"If this were a story, would an Old god be the protagonist, and I the final boss?"
With the battles simple, even dull, Garon's thoughts wandered.
The flames of war spread across the stars.
As for the battle situation... Prepared Great Ring gods crushed the Old gods like dry weeds.
The Old Multiverse did suppress the Great Ring gods.
But this couldn't bridge the gap of three supreme beings.
The Nine-faced Dragon God.
The Heavenly Emperor.
The Eternal and Time Dragon.
These three supreme beings from the Great Ring Multiverse were three insurmountable mountains, three unconquerable barriers.
They cut through the Old gods like lightning, slaying one after another.
The slain Old gods by them were equal to the combined results of all other gods, even more.
The counterattack went smoothly.
Meanwhile, near a burning star, the silver dragon, larger than the star, reached into a spacetime crack, forcibly pulling out a pitch-black, lightless, amorphous entity.
Swoosh!
A mass of black matter shot out, but as it left the crack, it was grasped by the silver dragon's claw.
In the silver dragon's claw, spacetime was sealed.
The dark matter, Nyogtha, roared and transmitted frenzied mental waves in despair.
"You want to kill all Old gods."
"Ha, you won't escape either. The stars will burn, the gods will be slain, you will awaken him, the great Azathoth!"
"The Old Multiverse will perish, and so will you."
"Together in ru—"
Swish!
Like crushing a small bug, the silver dragon directly killed the dark matter.
"Azathoth... like an unseen sky covering the Old Multiverse, never intervening, but worshipped and feared by the Old gods."
"As the origin of the Three Pillar Gods, far stronger than Chaos, but not unbeatable."
The silver dragon's gaze was calm, contemplating.
However, as if in response to Garon's thoughts.
The ever-present murmur in the universe ceased.
Sensing this change, the silver dragon's pupils contracted, his heart sinking.
This should be good.
This whisper carried a mental corruption force, even gods couldn't fully resist, needing constant vigilance. Its disappearance should bring relief.
However.
The moment the murmur stopped, a tremendous terror descended upon the Old Multiverse.
The gods of both the Great Ring and the Old.
At that moment, felt an intangible, terrifying, insurmountable pressure, as if mortals under a god's gaze.
The Father God of the Three Pillar Gods.
No, more accurately.
The creator of the Old Multiverse, the Blind Idiot God, Azathoth, had awakened.
Eerie drumming and fluting began.
In this music penetrating the soul... the entire Old Multiverse began to collapse. The silver dragon's pupils contracted, reflecting the distant boundary of the main universe.
Red, black, deep purple, white... all colors intertwined.
Like an illusory dream, forming a fantastical mist.
The mist surged, shattering spacetime like bubbles, the main universe, subspaces, dimensional dimensions, spacetime cracks... everything collapsing.
This horrifying scene.
The multiverse collapsing was enough to make even the experienced Garon feel a shiver of horror.
Meanwhile.
Amid the Old Multiverse's collapse.
Seeing the dreamlike, colorful mist.
The silver dragon's eyes gleamed, finally understanding what the Old Multiverse, this so-called perpendicular realm to the infinite multiverse, truly was.
"The Old Multiverse... was just a dream."
"Now, the dreamer is waking, the multiverse dream shattering like bubbles."
Garon felt breathless, his heart heavy.
Azathoth wasn't a god.
He was like Ayo, a god above gods, the creator of the Great Ring Multiverse!
The Old Multiverse was just Azathoth's dream.
Azathoth, in his sleep, created a powerful multiverse. The constant murmur was Azathoth's habitual sleep talk.
"A dream transforms into a multiverse."
"As the dream ends, the multiverse perishes."
"This is the ultimate power of a god above gods."
To a god above gods, powerful gods were mere mortals. This was the ultimate god, standing at the pinnacle of the infinite multiverse... Garon's heart sank.
Unbeatable.
Unconquerable.
"Great Ring gods, retreat!"
All these thoughts flashed through Garon's mind. Without hesitation, he activated the Time Dragon Reverse.
But—there was no response.
Facing a god above gods, even the other Garon across time was powerless.
"Are there no god-level variants?"
For the first time ever.
Garon experienced an emotion he had never felt before—helplessness.
Facing an awakened god above gods, Garon was powerless.
The gods hoped Garon could open a portal back to the Great Ring, but no matter how much he exerted his mental will, the portal in the collapsing Old Multiverse could not stabilize, remaining twisted and chaotic.
"Can't anchor to the Great Ring? Can the chaotic portal be used?"
"Even being sent to an unknown timeline or universe is better than dying here."
The Nine-faced Dragon God's voice, always calm, now held urgency.
"No... the chaotic portal is stuck to the Old Multiverse."
"To return to the Great Ring, to leave the Old, the portal must stabilize."
Garon, struggling to remain calm and rational, quickly said.
"Stabilizing the portal in this situation..."
The Nine-faced Dragon God and the Heavenly Emperor stared at the rapidly collapsing Old Multiverse, emotions changing in their eyes.
"Garon, my lifelong wish is for my dragon children to live in peace, for the Dragon God system to remain eternal."
The Nine-faced Dragon God turned his gaze to Garon, suddenly saying.
Garon was slightly stunned.
"Carry my wish, protect the dragons, pursue my dream, become a god above gods."
Without waiting for Garon's response, the Nine-faced Dragon God's body shattered.
His dragon horns, scales, flesh, blood, bones... his entire body disintegrated into endless chains of rules, adorned with nine-colored scales, quietly encircling the portal.
"Lord God!"
Sadness, anger, regret, and countless other emotions surged in Garon's heart.
Silently, the Old Multiverse had collapsed by more than half.
The drum and flute sounds grew louder, the dreamlike mist closer.
The chain-reinforced portal still twisted, with cracks spreading from the chains.
Under the god above gods' aura, the portal remained unstable.
But it was almost there.
"Take care of Heaven."
The Heavenly Emperor
, his expression indifferent, spoke.
He stepped forward, becoming a silent purple-gold flame, enveloping the portal. With the dual protection of the dragon-scaled rule chain and the purple-gold flame, the wildly twisted portal finally stabilized.
The Nine-faced Dragon God and the Heavenly Emperor sacrificed their lives to stabilize the portal.
"Go!"
The silver dragon, expressionless, wasting no time in sorrow, spoke firmly.
Then, leading the Great Ring gods, he entered the portal, returning to the Great Ring Multiverse as the Old Multiverse collapsed.
In that instant.
The rule chains and purple-gold flame, along with the Old Multiverse, collapsed and vanished.
The dream ended.
The Old Multiverse ceased to exist.
Yet, it was not over—colorful dreamlike mist changed, seemingly sensing the Great Ring Multiverse's aura. The drum and flute sounds gradually faded, and the mist quickly vanished.
Meanwhile.
Great Ring Multiverse, Hero Realm, Dragon Court.
Ripples in the Time River, the portal formed in the Pantheon.
Gods returned to the Pantheon.
If any mortal being were present, they would be shocked to see the expressions of these seemingly omnipotent gods filled with deep, inescapable fear.
The destruction of the Old Multiverse had a profound impact on the gods.
A multiverse being merely a dream... the gods' divine light flickered uncertainly.
"Garon, what should we do..."
The Heavenly Emperor and the Nine-faced Dragon God perished in the Old Multiverse.
Gods falling outside their own multiverse cannot be resurrected... with the two supreme beings fallen, the gods turned to the only one they could trust.
Facing their inquiries, the silver dragon raised his head, speaking calmly, "Endure, avoid confrontation."
The gods were silent.
Buzz!
A star flashed, the Creator Anan appeared in the Pantheon.
"What happened?"
A divine thought passed, Anan's expression stunned.
A god above gods... Ayo and the Heavenly Emperor have fallen.
"Summon all the gods, immediately."
The silver dragon exhaled deeply, instructing the gods.
Then, looking at Anan, Garon said solemnly, "Anan, with you and me at the forefront, gather the power of all Great Ring gods, move the Great Ring! Erase the Great Ring Multiverse's existence in the infinite multiverse!"
The Great Ring gods descended upon the Old.
Gods fought, Azathoth awoke, the Old fell... likewise, the terrifying god above gods remembered the Great Ring. If no measures were taken, should he find and harbor malice, the Great Ring would fall like the Old.
Azathoth was no benevolent god above gods.
This was evident from the Old Multiverse's madness. The Old Multiverse was Azathoth's dream, and with such a mad dream... Azathoth couldn't be normal.
Garon was right.
Like how gods had beings driven by instinct, gods above gods did too.
Azathoth, the Blind Idiot God, acted on instinct, lacking wisdom.
"Alright!"
Anan, realizing the gravity of the situation, agreed immediately.
But before the gods could act.
What Garon feared happened.
Awoken in anger, Azathoth instinctively sought the Great Ring Multiverse.
He followed the gods' aura, locking onto the Great Ring.
As the gods assembled, preparing to move the Great Ring.
The ethereal, eerie drum and flute sounds resonated throughout the Great Ring Multiverse, heard by all beings.
Then, a wisp of colorful dreamlike mist appeared in Mount Celestia.
The Astral King, who never left Mount Celestia, opened his eyes, arriving in an instant.
"Intruder of Mount Celestia..."
Before finishing, the mist enveloped the Astral King.
"Damn, he's here so soon."
Garon's heart sank.
"What should we do? Is the Great Ring Multiverse doomed..."
The gods recalled the Old Multiverse's ruin, their will shattered, faces showing despair.
Affected by the atmosphere, Garon's heart felt heavy.
Suddenly, a glimmer of hope emerged.
"Ayo God created the Great Ring Multiverse."
"Azathoth attacking, Ayo might intervene."
The silver dragon remained silent.
"...The Heavenly Emperor is most likely an aspect of Ayo, yet even his fall didn't summon Ayo."
"This faint hope... isn't reliable."
"Ayo, Heavenly Emperor, I'll carry your hope, ensuring the Great Ring's safety!"
Exhaling deeply, the silver dragon.
Divine Garon and Faceless Garon arrived, merging into the silver dragon, elevating his aura.
"I, Garon Aurelian, have never relied on others on my journey."
"No matter the challenge, I always relied on myself."
"A god above gods... so what? This time, it won't be different!"
The silver dragon's eyes became resolute.
Buzz!
The silver dragon vanished.
Simultaneously, the Time River surged violently.
The Star Realm, Abyss, Hero Realm, Beast Garden, Nine Hells.
The entire Time River, under Garon's control, surged, forming a macroscopic Time Dragon.
Now, Garon was in a macro form, merged with the Time River.
This was his essence, his true form.
In a macroscopic scale, the Time Dragon's wings encompassed most of the Great Ring Multiverse.
These invisible, massive wings, nearly multiverse-sized, spanned over a trillion light-years, vast and magnificent.
Yet, before the Time Dragon was an even more terrifying, indescribable scene.
In an even larger scale, the Time Dragon, spanning over a trillion light-years, and the even larger Great Ring Multiverse were enveloped by the dreamlike mist.
Red became redder.
Black became blacker.
Blue became bluer.
White became whiter.
The colorful dreamlike mist seemed like an oil painting, with the eerie drum and flute sounds like Azathoth's unconscious murmurs.
The Time Dragon's sight and perception were filled with the mist.
This was Azathoth's full aspect.
He was boundless, endless.
The Great Ring Multiverse, like a lone boat on the ocean, was precarious.
Within the Great Ring Multiverse.
The gods and all beings looked up at the sky.
They saw, before the endless, destructive mist, a steadfast dragon silhouette.
"Great Eternal and Time Dragon, we pray for your protection, sheltering us from death..."
Unconsciously.
The gods prayed like mortals to the majestic dragon.
In a macro view.
Garon, standing on the 'boat,' caught Azathoth's attention.
Seemingly playful.
A wisp of mist gathered, forming tentacles, hands, claws, fins... all conceivable forms, approaching the Time Dragon slowly but steadily.
Yet, to Azathoth's vast form.
Even a wisp was like a monstrous wave around the boat.
"Hoo..."
Though not needing to breathe, the Time Dragon mimicked the action, calming his mind.
Facing a god above gods, the pressure was unimaginable to Garon.
Buzz!
The Time-Annihilating Sword materialized.
Simultaneously, endless Time River water surged, pouring into the Time Dragon.
Garon, disregarding his capacity, infinitely absorbed the Time River.
A faint light appeared on the Time Dragon's surface.
Meanwhile, as the endless Time River poured in, countless 'cells' formed within the Time Dragon, over a hundred billion 'cells' like infinite giant bubbles, filling the Time Dragon.
These were not cells.
Each one was a mini-timeline created by Garon.
This technique was learned from the Unity of All Things.
And surpassed it.
Buzz!
"One creates all things, all things unite, I am the only one!"
The Time Dragon roared softly.
In an instant, over a hundred billion mini-timelines expanded, layering upon each other, finally forming a thin, bubble-like sheen on the Time Dragon's surface.
Hundred billion timelines enveloped.
The silver dragon raised the Time-Annihilating Sword, slashing at the approaching mist.
Swish!
The mist was cut.
For a moment, time seemed to stop as the ever-surging mist paused, then became even more ferocious.
Azathoth couldn't believe he was harmed.
Even a wisp of his body was intolerable, unacceptable.
The endless mist surged, more gathering towards the Time Dragon.
The Time Dragon's gaze was sharp, deep and vast.
Ignoring the approaching mist, the Time Dragon's wings swept the Time River, leaping into the mist.
Enveloped by Azathoth's body.
The outer void calmed, as if the Time Dragon was swallowed.
But it was just beginning.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
Like a gale, the mist churned.
In the colorful mist, the Time Dragon stood, the Time-Annihilating Sword slashing, erasing large swaths of color, carving a blank path in the endless mist.
Boom boom boom.
Azathoth roared in fury.
Drums thundered.
The mist surged, engulfing the Time Dragon.
Crack crack.
On the Time Dragon's surface, the bubble-like sheen dimmed, with countless ripples spreading.
Every millisecond.
Countless timelines' barriers were devoured by the mist.
Hundred billion timelines allowed Garon to move within Azathoth, but it wouldn't last long.
Hundred billion timelines, layer by layer, were devoured.
Yet the Time Dragon seemed unaware of the growing crisis.
The Time-Annihilating Sword's shadows danced, slashing the mist, clearing the surroundings, only for more mist to gather, engulfing the Time Dragon again.
It seemed like a doomed struggle.
But the 'struggling beast' seemed unfazed, continuing the hopeless battle.
"Really no hope?"
"No, I, Garon Aurelian, cannot fall here."
With only half of the hundred billion timelines remaining, nearing death, Garon's thoughts
raced.
"Class-20 divine rank is the limit for other beings, the limit of finite multiverses."
"But this is not my limit."
"This is just the beginning!"
In the hopeless battle with Azathoth, in a situation with no chance of winning, Garon remained calm, more rational than ever.
Countless scenes flashed in his eyes.
Every frame was a possible future, but all ended with Garon being devoured.
But Garon didn't despair.
His thoughts raced, recalling his entire dragon life, seeking a way out.
Every thought caused the future to shift drastically, though ultimately unchanged, it brought hope.
Time seemed to stop.
Only less than a billion timelines remained, death looming closer, Garon slashed at the mist, resisting devouring while continuing to predict.
"Variants."
"Cross-time variants."
"Each with unique abilities..."
Suddenly, as if realizing something, the Time Dragon's eyes brightened, showing clarity.
The golden Garon with golden time power.
The creator of the Time-Annihilating Sword, himself.
The purple Garon with mental and time power.
The eternal, impervious iron Garon.
Scenes of using the Time Dragon Reverse, various variants' displays, all flashed in Garon's mind.
"I see."
"From the beginning, you were all me, and I was you."
"We are one."
A relieved whisper sounded.
A smile appeared on the Time Dragon's face.
Before the timelines completely shattered, the Time Dragon voluntarily dispersed them, releasing the Time-Annihilating Sword, exposing himself to the mist.
Whoosh!
The voracious mist surged, engulfing the Time Dragon.
Everything seemed to end.
Yet, it was just the beginning.
Boom boom boom!
The boundless Time River appeared, spanning the infinite multiverse.
The mist was repelled.
The Time Dragon reformed in the Time River, opening his eyes again.
The river surged, boiling.
Buzz!
Suddenly, another illusory Time River appeared.
Like a parallel timeline crossing the main timeline.
With it.
A golden dragon with golden scales, shimmering, appeared.
Black rings covered his vast body, radiating Class-20 divine rank aura.
"Long time no see."
Golden Garon and Garon exchanged looks, speaking simultaneously.
Next second, Golden Garon turned into a stream of light, merging with Garon.
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
More timelines crossed, converging in the main timeline.
With them.
Silver Garon.
Bronze Garon.
Copper Garon.
Red Garon.
Blue Garon.
Green Garon.
Black Garon.
Other White Garons.
Purple Gold Garon, Crystal Garon, Emerald Garon, Sapphire Garon, Yellow Jade Garon... and Purgatory Garon, Iron Garon, Lava Garon, Black Emperor Garon, Mirror Garon, Sea Emperor Garon...
One by one, variants, accompanied by their timelines, arrived in the main timeline.
These variants were strong, without exception, reaching demigod levels. Upon crossing timelines, they turned into streams of light, merging with Garon.
Garon.
The macro Time Dragon spread his wings, eyes closed, head raised, embracing the world, embracing the Time River.
In infinite timelines, infinite possibilities existed.
Each timeline's Garon Aurelian differed.
Variants, all time power-centric, each unique.
When infinite timelines' Garons converged.
They became the singular Garon.
The singular Garon was truly omnipotent, omniscient, knowing all past, present, and future, the true omniscient and omnipotent being.
So far, no timeline's Garon reached the god above gods.
But when all Garons merged, he surpassed the god above gods, becoming the only true god in infinite timelines.
"Infinite timelines, I am the only one."
The Time Dragon opened his eyes again.
With a thought, the Time River surged.
The Nine-faced Dragon God and the Heavenly Emperor, who had fallen with the Old Multiverse, emerged from the Time River, confused, but feeling a familiar, calming aura, their spirits lifted.
Looking up, the grand Time Dragon appeared.
The Time Dragon nodded lightly, then turned to Azathoth.
Buzz!
The Time Dragon expanded again, instantly encompassing most of the Great Ring Multiverse, but this was just the beginning. With infinite radiation, the infinite multiverse's Time River all became the Time Dragon.
The previously boundless mist.
The vast Azathoth...
Now compared to the Time Dragon... like an atom in the ocean.
With a thought.
Like an eraser removing a smudge, the mist enveloping the Great Ring Multiverse, endless Azathoth, was erased.
As Azathoth fell.
Infinite streams of light separated from the Time Dragon, becoming variants, and the Time Dragon collapsed, quickly returning to the Great Ring Multiverse.
"The long road ahead, we journey together."
Countless variants left the main timeline, returning to their timelines, and the crossed Time Rivers calmed.
"Hoo..."
The Time Dragon collapsed again, forming the usual silver dragon.
Garon exhaled deeply, rejuvenated.
He fully understood his essence.
He was himself, a part of him, yet the complete him.
The only true god in infinite timelines... this was not his limit.
When every timeline's Garon reached the god above gods, then infinite unity... this was his ultimate goal.
"A god above gods seems far, yet near."
The silver dragon smiled slightly, serene and composed.
---
A century later.
Garon fully mastered the Great Ring Multiverse's Time River, but had not yet become a god above gods.
The gap between a god above gods and gods was like a chasm.
It wasn't easily crossed.
Having reached Class-20 divine rank, Divine Garon and Faceless Garon remained in the Great Ring Multiverse. Garon decided to embark on an infinite journey to achieve god above gods, like all Garon Aurelians, pursuing the ultimate goal.
The flourishing Great Ring Multiverse under the Pantheon's guidance.
With two avatars left, unless the Great Ring faced existential crisis, Garon's main body wouldn't intervene.
"Father, are you leaving the Great Ring Multiverse?"
In the Dragon Court.
Now grown, weak god-level Anna, reluctant, asked Garon, her usual mischievous demeanor gone.
The deep and calm silver dragon smiled.
"This is a journey I must take."
"And I exist in the Great Ring."
"I am the Time River covering the Great Ring. As the Time River flows eternally, I am always here, with you and your mother."
"My main body can return anytime."
Hearing this, Anna's eyes twinkled, dropping her elegant facade.
She stuck her tongue out at Garon, laughing, "I don't need you with me always, just be with mother. Your constant watch gives me pressure."
The silver dragon gently patted Anna's head, "Is that so... as you wish, your happiness matters."
Anna thought, then said, "Father, in the main timeline, all gods respect me, all beings admire me because of you."
"It's too boring. I want to travel to other timelines like you did."
Garon agreed, fulfilling his daughter's request, "Alright."
A ring formed from divine power appeared, becoming a Time Crystal Ring, settling on Anna's right wrist.
"Thank you, father."
Anna, joyful, then hurried off with the ring to experience it.
The silver dragon then looked at his mate.
"Go pursue your path."
The always beautiful Power Dragon blinked her pale purple eyes, speaking softly.
Garon nodded.
After spending time with Yuna, Garon bid her farewell, preparing to leave the Great Ring Multiverse.
But before leaving, he had one more task.
With a flash, the silver dragon vanished from the dragon's nest.
A past timeline.
Noah Continent, Extreme North Ice Field.
In the snowstorm, a young white dragon, just having successfully hunted and found some old, buried coins, was delighted.
"Who's the coolest dragon in the Extreme North?"
"Of course, it's me, Salia."
She hummed, enjoying the snow, returning to her nest.
Suddenly.
The snowstorm paused.
The entire snow-covered world froze like a painting.
A pair of platinum eyes appeared in the sky, silently watching the white dragon.
Garon's silver claw reached into this timeline's Time River, pulling out a long-gestated but still embryonic, formless true spirit.
Looking at the white dragon.
The silver dragon materialized from the snowstorm, releasing the true spirit.
The true spirit, gestated by the Time River, stumbled into the white dragon.
A rich life force immediately emanated from her abdomen.
"Time is a ring, with no beginning or end."
"This is the start, and the end."
"The end, too, is the start."
The silver dragon whispered, gradually fading away.
Then.
In the vast, snow-covered Extreme North Ice Field, the snowstorm resumed, the white dragon unaware of the event, happily humming away.
The snowstorm thus came to an end.
_________________________
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