Titan King: Ascension of the Giant Chapter 1617 Firmament of Demigods

High above the firmament resided the Demigod Heaven. This dimension, also known as the First Heaven, was a realm of pure law unique to the Ascendant Plane. It bore similarities to the Abyssal World, with the First Heaven constituting the primordial second layer of the Abyss. However, the Abyssal World was exceedingly ancient; its First Heaven had long since transformed into an entirely new world, giving rise to additional spatial laws.

As the Titanion Realm achieved ascension to an Ascendant Plane, it inherently generated its own First Heaven. Presently, it existed as a desolate void, accessible solely by the phantom will of a demigod. Consequently, Orion and his contemporaries bestowed upon it the name Demigod Heaven.

In its current condition, this was a perilous expanse of nothingness, where primordial astral winds and world-forging lightning struck without warning. Even a genuine demigod could meet their demise if caught unprepared.

Within this void, six figures maintained a tense confrontation. In absolute silence, they engaged with The Weave of Reality, observing the initial engagement between The Lifeless Expanse and the Titan Continent.

"Chrono-Toxin," a voice shattered the quiet. "Even the Saint Gran Council possesses minimal quantities of this substance, let alone common demigod factions. To effectively counter Chrono-Toxin, one must command time magic or wield secret arts and martial skills intrinsically linked to Temporal Laws."

The speaker was identified as Morando, the Vice-Speaker of the Saint Gran Council. Beside him stood Deputy Commander Edward and Alexander, the guardian of The Bastion Wall.

Morando's presence was not driven by an interest in The Lifeless Expanse or the conflict unfolding beyond The Bastion Wall. He had been drawn by the macabre aura radiating from their adversary.

This adversary was a stranger—a naked, spectral matriarch.

Hailing from Hell, The Infernal Matriarch was a supreme powerhouse equipped with a Demigod Artifact. She was the inaugural elite entity to accept The Lifeless Dreadgod's invitation, thereby joining The Lifeless Expanse.

To Morando, The Infernal Matriarch exuded a suffocating miasma simply by her presence. A profound sense of dread, decay, malice, and abhorrence assailed their senses. The sensation was physically nauseating, akin to being coated in viscous slime or bound by chains forged from pure resentment. For a brief instant, the looming shadow of death washed over them.

"The stench of Hell," someone murmured.

Both the Deputy Commander and Alexander had demigod phantoms stationed in the Minor Hell realm, aiding Arthas in guarding the Ever-Burning Volcano. They were well acquainted with this infernal energy.

"Ancient entities are already placing their bets?" Deputy Commander Edward narrowed his eyes. "Isn't it somewhat premature for that?"

This was less a question and more a somber assessment.

"It stands to reason. The sooner they enter the fray, the greater their influence," Morando responded. "When the Titanion Realm eventually solidifies the Divine Mantle, they will be the primary beneficiaries."

Despite being a full tier beneath The Infernal Matriarch, Morando displayed no fear, nor any intent to withdraw.

"Assuming, naturally, that they survive that long," Morando added coldly. His tone conveyed the detached indifference of a deity, a master of magic who had endured countless trials and mastered every arcane law.

"And an Abyssal breed, at that," Alexander interjected, breaking his customary stoic silence. "Is she not concerned that Orion might abduct her for breeding purposes?"

This blunt remark altered the tense atmosphere. Standing beside The Infernal Matriarch were two other individuals: the black-robed Vaelian, and a succubus demigod from the Abyssal World, radiating the aura of a Demigod Second-Stage. Alexander was acutely aware that Orion already possessed a pair of succubus twins among his consorts.

"Emissaries from both Hell and the Abyss. This Dark Deity possesses considerable connections, strength, and deep-seated influence," the Deputy Commander observed. This was his initial genuine assessment of The Lifeless Dreadgod. Having never encountered the entity directly, his estimation of the Dreadgod's threat level continued to escalate.

"If The Lifeless Expanse is deploying this caliber of power, the forces backing the Continent of the Pantheon and The Swarming Continent will be significantly more formidable. We are likely on the verge of a full-scale war," Morando stated, his tone reverting to a conversational level, shedding the icy, god-like detachment.

He then shifted the topic. "On a more favorable note, Orion's offspring presents a rather tempting prospect."

Caelus's raw power and innate talent were undeniable. A four-headed, eight-armed mage—the mere thought of him provoked a desire in Morando to seize the boy. Whether as a disciple or an avatar puppet, Caelus was exceptionally alluring.

"Ahem... Caelus is a disciple of Commander Thresh," Deputy Commander Edward coughed, offering a friendly admonishment to his ally. Morando had made no effort to conceal his avarice.

"His disciple?" Morando exclaimed, his voice laced with surprise.

Edward merely offered a shrug. He kept the fact that Caelus was also technically his disciple to himself; he was aware that his own name wouldn't command enough respect to dissuade Morando. After all, Morando stood as a Demigod Fourth-Stage powerhouse, wielding a mastery over magic that Edward could not yet rival.

"That explains it, then," Morando sighed, a dawning realization in his eyes. "What a terrible pity. Such immense potential." A spark of hope then ignited in his gaze. "That young prodigy ought to join our Saint Gran Council in the future."

He directed his gaze toward Edward, his statement carrying the weight of both a directive and a genuine plea.

Edward responded with a gentle smile and a nod, remaining silent.

Recalling his own initiation into the Saint Gran Council, Edward remembered enduring countless trials—securing a sponsor, conquering the council's rigorous tests, and signing a multitude of binding agreements. His very essence, body and soul, had been indelibly marked by the Council.

Yet, here was Caelus, immediately garnering the favor of Vice-Speaker Morando based solely on his extraordinary talent and lineage. This stark contrast stirred a complex and somewhat bitter emotion within Edward, one he couldn't precisely define. Naturally, he acknowledged that the formidable reputations of Commander Thresh and Orion played a significant role. It was an inherited advantage that Edward could only yearn for.

Across the divide, The Infernal Matriarch and the Abyssal succubus also displayed an equally rapacious interest in Caelus's aptitude and combat prowess.

"What a remarkably potent fiendish seed," The Infernal Matriarch whispered. Her voice possessed a surprising melody, akin to ice fragments tinkling against wind chimes—cool, resonant, with elongated tones that drifted with the elegance of bubbles ascending from the ocean's depths.

"He bears the direct lineage of the Giant King," Vaelian interjected swiftly. "If it meets your approval, My Lady, I shall dedicate all my efforts to capturing him and delivering him directly into your dominion."