’In the future, he’ll most likely become a top-tier Upper Rank God.’

’If... the Calamity Court Realm is destroyed and he escapes with its core treasures, he might even have a chance of becoming one of the Ancient Gods in the future.’

’But right now, he’s just a Lower Rank God.’

As for the other two, Zorn didn’t really know them.

Lord Ossirion had previously informed Zorn that there were other teams besides his own.

But these two were probably Terence’s teammates, and their strength was naturally not to be underestimated.

Moreover, Zorn could sense the aura of Insect Curses on them.

Three Lower Rank Gods, and extremely powerful ones at that.

Zorn quickly glanced over the three of them and spoke.

"I was just passing through. I didn’t expect you all to have erected a barrier here. My apologies for breaking it."

The [Demigod] Zorn Corick!

When the three of them got a clear look at the newcomer, they were all slightly startled.

After all, this Demigod Zorn’s reputation was currently resounding throughout the Divine Kingdom.

Terence, their leader, raised a slight eyebrow before speaking.

"We merely set up a small barrier to prevent those active Insect Curses from interfering with our absorption and digestion of other Insect Curses."

"It seems we couldn’t help but block your path. Our apologies for that!"

Zorn glanced behind them, a thoughtful look on his face.

"In that case, I won’t disturb you."

Zorn guessed they had likely imprisoned a powerful, active Insect Curse and had no intention of interfering.

Just as Zorn was about to leave, Terence stopped him.

"Your Excellency Zorn, since you’re leaving, you must have condensed an Insect King Curse!"

"I was fortunate enough to find an Insect King Curse."

Zorn nodded slightly.

"I’ve long heard the legendary tales of the Demigod Zorn, sung by countless Rangers throughout the Divine Kingdom."

"How about we have a little spar?"

Zorn’s brow furrowed slightly. While he was still considering it...

Terence had already made his move, holding nothing back.

The Spatial Layer Realm behind him suddenly turned pitch-black.

Immediately after, the surrounding World began to crackle as strange, silvery chains shot out one after another, weaving through the air.

In an instant, the path Zorn could have used to leave was completely sealed off by the numerous silver Insect Curse chains.

Seeing this, Zorn’s brow twitched.

’These geniuses, these children of the Divine Kingdom’s tide, are all so proud and arrogant. None of them would ever admit defeat easily.’

In recent years, Zorn’s fame had been soaring.

People within the Divine Kingdom had already begun to sing of his stories and legends.

It was obvious that he was the top trendsetter of the Calamity Court Divine Kingdom’s current Mythical Wave.

Naturally, the other Transcendents also wanted to compete with Zorn.

If they could tread upon Zorn’s path in the Mythical Wave, they would receive greater boons from fate, and their future potential would be even higher.

Knowing the other’s intentions, since he wanted to fight, Zorn wouldn’t hold back either.

"SHHH..."

"SHHH..."

A strange, hissing tide of sound washed over the area.

At the same time, from within the blooming Calamity Black Mist, the black Insect King Curse slowly slithered out, accompanied by the rustling sound waves.

The moment Terence heard it, his expression darkened slightly.

His Insect King Curse specialized in strangulation and control. It was currently only Level 1 and had not yet been upgraded to Level 2.

But the rustling sound waves from his opponent were a clear sign of an extremely high level of control over their Insect King Curse.

Even so, he still had a degree of confidence.

He was, after all, a Lower Rank God.

And his opponent was merely a Demigod.

"CRACK... CRACK..."

Like twisting chains, the silver Insect King Curse lunged viciously toward Zorn.

Zorn’s black Insect King Curse immediately pounced as well.

One silver, one black, the two Insect King Curses began to tear and bite at each other in the depths of the cavern.

Although his opponent had the advantage in Divine Power, Zorn had the advantage in his Insect King Curse’s level, and an even greater advantage with his Rune Magic Ring.

Not to mention, the resources Zorn had used to nurture his Insect King Curse were far beyond what his opponent could compare to.

As a result, Zorn’s Insect King Curse was clearly suppressing Terence’s.

Seeing his Insect King Curse being suppressed, Terence immediately began pouring Divine Power into his Insect King Curse.

Naturally, Zorn did the same, infusing his with Divine Power.

The "Eating Phase Insect King Curse" could possess both a Curse Body and an Insect Body.

It could launch continuous attacks against an enemy.

If an opponent couldn’t find a way to block the Insect King Curse, just one or two bites would be enough to kill them.

To make the Eating Phase Insect King Curse attack and fight continuously, or even unleash greater power, one needed to constantly pour in more Divine Power.

Compared to other Ancient God Curses, the upper limit of the Eating Phase Insect Curse was astounding.

As the two poured in their Divine Power, the battle between the Insect King Curses grew increasingly fierce.

RUMBLE...

The entire Star Realm Rift Area was shaking violently, and shards of Star Realm debris even began to drift and fill the air.

"HISS..."

"CRACK..."

The two great Insect King Curses continued to tear at each other.

This terrifying power made the two Divine Spirits beside Terence shudder inwardly.

"If that terrifying power hit me, a single bite would be enough to severely injure me. And what’s more, this Insect King Curse can devour, absorb, and digest anything to strengthen itself."

"After all, the terrifying Eating Ancient Insect was what chewed out the entire Star Dust Plateau."

CRACK CRACK CRACK...

HISS!

As the tearing and trembling continued, Terence’s expression grew darker and darker.

His Insect King Curse had originally been stable and powerful enough.

But as the battle raged on, Zorn’s Insect King Curse easily stretched out to a length of ten thousand meters, and it remained incredibly stable.

His own Insect King Curse, however, was already becoming difficult to sustain at a length of around ten thousand meters.

Although the length to which an Insect King Curse could extend didn’t necessarily prove anything, judging by their respective stability, his Insect King Curse could hardly contend with Zorn’s.

More importantly, he could clearly feel that Zorn’s Insect King Curse was devouring and digesting his Divine Power with high efficiency.

His Insect King Curse, on the other hand, was finding it difficult to devour and digest his opponent’s.

’If this keeps up, I’m bound to lose sooner or later, and the longer it goes, the worse the defeat will be.’

With that thought, Terence quickly retracted his Insect King Curse.

Seeing this, Zorn unhurriedly retracted his own Insect King Curse as well.

"Your Excellency Zorn’s Insect King Curse is truly formidable. This battle is my loss."

Terence said magnanimously.

"Your Insect King Curse is also exceptionally powerful. Given time, it too will bring great splendor to the Insect King Curses of our Calamity Court Realm."

Zorn replied with a measure of admiration.

With that said, Zorn didn’t linger. He cast his Witchcraft and swiftly departed.

Only after Zorn had left did a faint rustling sound emerge from within Terence’s body.

Streams of Divine Power continuously dissipated from him.

Looking in the direction Zorn had left, his expression was uncertain.

’A Two-Phase Insect King Curse... that guy has some incredible methods. To dare cultivate a Two-Phase Insect King Curse at the mere Demigod Level, he’s truly not afraid of death!’

’In a one-on-one Insect King Curse battle, I’m already no match for him.’

’Once he unleashes that Two-Phase Insect King Curse, I’m afraid the three of us combined wouldn’t be his match when it comes to Insect Curses.’

With these thoughts, he gained a much deeper understanding of the [Demigod] Zorn Corick, whose fame had been growing daily in the Divine Kingdom.

’This guy is truly extraordinary.’

...

「About half a day later.」

Zorn successfully left the Star Realm Rift Area and returned to the Ancient Hall where the Ancient God Curses were inherited.

After reporting to the Upper Rank God stationed there, Zorn headed for his Floating Island in the Divine Kingdom while sending a message to Abigail to ask about the progress of the Divine Artifact’s forging.

He quickly received a reply.

"It should be finished in about three more months."

"For now, you should just focus on your cultivation in the Divine Kingdom. I’ll contact you when the Divine Artifact is ready."

After receiving this concrete information, Zorn’s mind was at ease.

’Once I get my hands on the Divine Artifact and buy another batch of resources, I can go to the Black Star Divine Kingdom to properly cultivate my Rune Magic Ring and advance to Legendary Demigod.’

’Legendary Demigod...’

Zorn thought to himself.

’Its Level... can also be raised without limit.’