Storm of Gods

Chapter 187 The Lion Returns
The twelve zodiacal star charts.

The sky was filled with starlight, and as one constellation after another lit up, one figure after another appeared on the chairs. Unlike the tension, apprehension, and other worries of the past, everyone now seemed exceptionally relaxed, even with a hint of anticipation.

Cancer is the first to appear, followed by Ms. Aries, Mr. Gemini, and finally Mr. Taurus.

"Hello everyone, it's great to see you all again," Mr. Taurus's deep voice rang out.

"I miss everyone so much," Miss Aries said. "I hope Mr. Leo is alright."

The lion's seat remains empty.

“Everything is connected. Don’t worry about him, he will come.” Mr. Cancer’s voice was calm and resolute.

"Should we wait for the lion, or start sharing the time?" Li Xin asked with a smile.

“Wait a little while,” Cantona said. “His situation is rather special, but since it meets the requirements of the astrolabe, there must be an inevitable choice. I’ve discovered a possibility that the astrolabe’s automatic summoning will only be initiated at a time when all members can accept the summoning.”

“Taurus’s insight is still very sharp, and I think there is a great possibility,” Christian said, then looked tenderly at Miss Aries.

Ms. Aries, sensing the attention, smiled slightly and said, "Our understanding of the astrological chart is gradually deepening. Congratulations, Mr. Cancer, you have activated your third ascendant."

It was only then that everyone realized that Cancer's third life star had been lit up. Cancer was really moving fast on the hidden path! Mr. Taurus had been close to activating his third life star for some time, but there was still no new progress. Estella had also made no progress after activating her second life star. Of course, she was more interested in the process of exploration than in power. As for Gemini, he was still stuck on his first life star and felt that there was no progress on his second life star.

"Mr. Cancer's mastery of hidden powers is truly astonishing." Cantona didn't hold back his praise. Judging from his voice, Cancer was young, but his progress was rapid. He had cultivated for at least ten or twenty years longer than Cancer and had many channels for mastering hidden powers, but he couldn't catch up. Moreover, it seemed that Cancer had complete control over the increase of power.

He had met strong people. Time is indeed a condition, but not a necessity. Some people may be destined to reach a certain height from birth. At first, he thought Cancer was just young and arrogant, but now he thinks Cancer may belong to that group of people, the "destined ones" with resources and knowledge.

"Congratulations, Mr. Cancer," Li Xin said with a smile. Although he took a laissez-faire attitude towards the activation of his destiny star, Cancer was indeed quite remarkable.

It's rare for the roundtable to reach a consensus like this, and Christian felt everyone's sincerity. "It's not a big deal. If you encounter any problems, you can exchange and share your experiences."

The other three smiled in unison. "Mr. Cancer, could you share what it felt like when your third life star was activated, and what it was like to have your lifespan extended?"

Christian tilted his head slightly. "The third life star increases lifespan, but that's just the surface. Each upgrade not only allows you to gain corresponding benefits from divine relics, but more importantly, it helps you understand yourself through those relics. The power corresponding to our own soul, the Eye of Insight, and the Blood Boiling Technique are all fundamental. As the power of the soul is continuously explored, once the third stage is unlocked, spiritual energy will increase significantly, and we will have the opportunity to comprehend the Myriad Manifestations Heavenly Net. Everyone's Myriad Manifestations Heavenly Net is different, and at this stage, the difference in soul quality will become more apparent."

Christian's voice carried a hint of restrained smugness; he wanted to put on an act but didn't want to openly display it.

"Mr. Cancer, what kind of soul can be considered high-quality?"

“Of course, it corresponds to divinity, to laws, and to authority.” Christian blurted out, then immediately regretted it, feeling that he had spoken too quickly and that he hadn’t acted well this time.

"Doesn't that touch upon a realm that mortals shouldn't tread?" Cantona said, frowning slightly.

“Taurus, how can you be so naive? Gemini would be more suited to saying that,” Christian said calmly.

Li Xin, who was sitting in the chair, shifted his buttocks. Even though they were getting something for free, why did Cancer always target him?

Miss Aries turned her gaze away from Li Xin. The Gemini man in real life was different from the one at the roundtable. This feeling was quite exciting.

Just then, a psionic fluctuation appeared on the high-backed chair representing Leo. Soon after, Mr. Leo appeared, and the four people's eyes focused on him. The atmosphere of the round table changed. Christian frowned. Although Gemini was a bit useless, at least he was normal and had now learned to follow his lead. This Leo was a bit mentally unstable, and his destructive power was even greater than Gemini's.

Bati reappeared in this magical place, with the same dazzling starry dome, bright room, huge round table, and magnificent high-backed chair. In the city of Diva, only the chief deity could sit in such a chair, and now he was sitting here as well.

He arrived, and after a struggle, Barty, who had died once, was indeed different. Death made him reflect on everything he had experienced.

"Greetings, sirs. I am Barty. I sincerely apologize for my rudeness last time." Barty stood up and bowed deeply.

In the past, one would have knelt down. Miss Aries smiled slightly, “Mr. Leo, we are not adults. Those who can reach the Round Table are companions exploring the hidden path. You can choose not to talk about privacy issues. We have no mandatory requirements. Everyone will address each other by their zodiac sign code names.”

Barty was silent for a moment, then nodded.

“Leo, sit down. Leaving your seat for too long can cause your zodiac chart to become unstable. Last time it was too rushed, so this time I'll give you a basic overview of the rules governing the operation of the twelve zodiac charts,” Christian said. Of course, he wasn't one to do educational stuff.

Cantona took over the conversation and gave another introduction to the zodiac chart and the people there, as well as the known basic rules of the zodiac chart.

“According to the rules, when a newcomer enters the roundtable for the first time, you can ask each of us a question, and then we will ask you a question. Of course, you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to,” Miss Aries said.

Barty stood up again and bowed, "Thank you all for your help."

Everyone could see that Batistuta's first life star had been activated, which hadn't been activated when they came last time. Christian squinted and glanced at the Gemini, thinking that the Gemini might still be the ones dragging them down.

Miss Aries sensed Barty's restraint. "Then I'll go first. Mr. Leo, could you tell me more about your world? Perhaps this way we can better exchange and share knowledge in the future."

Barty stood up. "Okay, Miss Aries."

Bati gave a detailed account of the Misty Continent, the city of Dipo, where he was located, including his own identity: a lowly Rahu, a redeemer, and now a professional lamplighter.

Barty spoke quickly but clearly, and everyone looked at each other in bewilderment. It was obvious that this place was not on the Eastern Continent of Daoyuan. Cantona was also searching through his own knowledge base. Because the God of the Underworld controlled the power of death, he was involved in many hidden places, but he had no recollection of such a place at all.

The lamplighter, the worm—is this a niche path, an internal loop?

Everyone listened attentively, and perhaps because of this attentiveness, Bati spoke more clearly, giving everyone a general understanding of Dipo City and the Misty Continent.

"The Great Evolution Heavenly Net Omniscient and Omnipotent Triad God of Proliferation, Creation, and Destruction, what a boastful tone! This is almost comparable to the Supreme Will." Christian said indifferently, with a hint of disdain on his lips. "This is probably the work of some wild wandering god or evil god."

If it were the old Bati, he probably would have drawn his sword against the other party immediately. But having experienced death once, his mind seemed to have been enlightened, especially after learning about the outside world, with its many gods and beliefs.

In particular, God loves the world.

I've been through this before, but this time it's much better, although I still feel uneasy.

Cantona noticed Batty's change. "Mr. Lion, please don't mind. We are likely on different continents and in different civilizations, so there will be differences. Mr. Cancer, I don't mean anything by it. From your description, this god has some problems. Here, life is born without original sin. Gods protect life and bestow power. This is the case in most countries. Even slaves are often punished for their own sins. This is a means of maintaining national order."

Barty nodded, gradually getting used to the situation here, because no one in his life had ever explained anything to him.

“Different faiths and different countries will have different customs, but as a living being, one has the basic right to survival and freedom,” Li Xin said. “Dipo City may remain in an ancient and backward order because of its closed-off state.”

Li Xin's statement was accepted by everyone.

“Mr. Lion, you can ask me a question,” Estella asked.

"What is Aries's kingdom like?" Barty asked, eager to learn about the outside world.

Speaking of her country, Estella's face beamed with a smile. "My country is Montaleta, a bountiful land blessed by the Earth Mother Goddess. The current king is King Aura XVIII of Daoyuan, the Just King. The country boasts vast oceans and mountains, and its people live in peace and prosperity. Democracy, freedom, and justice are our main themes, and various professions have emerged. There are no lamplighters, but rather chefs, architects, scholars, painters, artists, acrobats, and so on. There are also knights who maintain order. Here, nobles enjoy more power but also bear more obligations. In the event of war, nobles are on the front lines, and then it is the ordinary people who come first."

As everyone listened, they all guessed that Miss Aries was a noblewoman from Montaletta, full of pride in her country. Her words had a certain idealistic element, but on the whole, they were plausible.

Bati felt like he was listening to a foreign language; even the taboo stories circulating among the Rhada wouldn't dare to be made up like this.

(End of this chapter)