After quietly staying in the nascent divine kingdom for a few more days, Ethan immersed himself in the countless mysteries surrounding the birth of the world while observing the subtle changes within his own body.
Only when he realized that the small island world had completed its transformation into a nascent divine kingdom, and his body had stopped undergoing those nearly imperceptible changes, did he finally return to the Artemis to handle the backlog of information accumulated over the past few days.
Ada had already used her exceptional abilities to infiltrate relevant organizations and had obtained some basic information.
Data on the VF-1 generation was no longer highly classified and was easy to acquire.
However, comprehensive data on the VF-171, currently in service with the human military, as well as even more advanced models, was much harder to obtain.
Information on large-scale warships was also not easy to access. Ada estimated she would need to delve deeper into the organization's upper ranks to retrieve what Ethan wanted.
This also meant Ada might have to suspend communication for a while to focus entirely on her work.
Meanwhile, Tony and Pepper treated this trip as a couple's vacation. The concept of interstellar emigration ships, something so fantastical, was a fresh experience for Pepper, who had grown up on Earth and had never truly stepped into the interstellar age.
Moreover, the emigration fleets in that world were not only populated by Earthlings, but also by the well-known Zentraedi. This combat race, originally created as weapons, had already integrated well into human society. Aside from their large size, which could be altered with special technology to match human proportions, and their superior physical abilities, they were practically no different from Earthlings.
Tony also personally tried out some older VF fighter models. In any world, as long as one had money, anything was possible.
As for the money source... although it was a bit of a hassle, after spending some time and with Ada acquiring relevant technical data, Tony and Jarvis could pretty much do whatever they wanted.
In summary, Ethan did not need to worry about the Macross side of things. He just needed to quietly wait for Ada to return with the data and for Tony and Pepper to finish enjoying themselves.
The development of the divine kingdom and divine body could not be rushed, so Ethan took the time to check on Ryu, whom he had sent to the Yu Yu Hakusho world.
Compared to the others around him, Ethan was not particularly concerned about Ryu. Any achievements he made would be a pleasant surprise, and if he failed to accomplish anything, Ethan would not be disappointed.
But Ryu clearly did not want to let this opportunity slip by. He worked hard to complete his mission and earn Ethan's attention.
Not only did he successfully infiltrate Yusuke Urameshi's protagonist group and diligently train to improve his strength, but he also did everything he could to collect various powers and training methods.
After completing the Yu Yu Hakusho world, Ryu brought back the techniques for training and using Spirit Energy, as well as its advanced form, Holy Energy. He also acquired Demonic Energy and some demon-specific training techniques, even obtaining a small amount of Makai flames. In addition, he collected blood samples from Yusuke Urameshi, Kurama, and Hiei.
In fact, he brought back several small items from that world as well, but Ethan had no interest in them and let Ryu keep them.
Compared to Thea, who had a specially tailored training method and access to a multifunctional personal terminal, Ryu had to rely entirely on his own efforts to obtain what he wanted.
Of course, seeing how diligently he worked, Ethan rewarded him with a space storage ring with a one cubic meter capacity, allowing him to carry his belongings more conveniently.
As for the blood samples, Spirit Energy, and Demonic Energy Ryu brought back, Ethan quickly integrated them into his own understanding, absorbing them as part of his own power system.
After completing his first personal mission and gaining a considerable boost in strength, Ethan granted Ryu a vacation, allowing him and Medea to rest for a while. The second mission would be arranged later once Ethan was ready.
Compared to the Main God's space, which had fixed rest periods, Ethan's group operated with far more flexibility, but the expectations were also higher.
There were no set mission intervals. It might be a month or it might be a year. If one could not stay mindful of their identity, remain alert, and continue training diligently, their next mission could very well be their last.
This was also why Ethan deliberately set Ryu aside for now. This rest period was his second test.
By now, Ethan found that most of the minor tasks at hand had already been handled.
His body had matured.
The Transformers world had been abandoned. Of course, abandonment in this case did not mean completely severing ties, just that he would not build a base there or invest in its long-term development. The coordinates of that world were still recorded in the teleportation device, so anyone interested could visit whenever they wanted.
The technical data for the VF series and Macross was still in the process of being retrieved. Once Ada succeeded, Tony would likely begin his work.
Adding the Cybertronian ship technology, Kryptonian ship technology, Starship Troopers ship technology, and some technology from various advanced spacefaring civilizations in the Marvel universe, there was already more than enough reference material. Tony's task was to digest and fully master these technologies, then build space warships truly belonging to Ethan and his team.
This was not something that could be completed overnight. It would take time, and fortunately for Ethan's team, time was one thing they had in abundance.
He strolled onto the bridge, which was usually the liveliest place on the ship.
When not busy with their respective tasks in other worlds, the crew's favorite place to gather was the bridge.
As for the island, most people used it for relaxation and solitude. Because it was quite large, everyone would choose their own preferred spots to stay, and group gatherings were rare.
"Hmm? You seem a little different."
Maria Hill was busy analyzing the data currently being collected. The Artemis had finally arrived at its target planet after a long voyage.
At present, the Artemis was orbiting the planet for observation. Once basic data had been confirmed, they would decide whether to land or leave based on the findings.
"There have indeed been many changes. Some were unexpected surprises."
The benefits far exceeded Ethan's expectations, which was very good news. He did not have a habit of hiding things, especially something that everyone should know.
Betty and Nebula, who were also on the bridge, paused after hearing Ethan describe the divine kingdom.
"A divine kingdom?"
"So it's possible to reach that level?"
They all had similar thoughts. Ethan was getting closer and closer to the mythical gods.
As for Logan, who had stayed on the ship instead of visiting Atlanna today, he felt it was a good thing. Although he did not mind living on a spaceship long-term, especially with Ethan providing so many worlds to explore, relax, and vacation in, if given a choice, he would still prefer a planet.
Even though, in essence, there was no real difference between a planet and a massive ecological ship capable of supporting full life cycles, both were just places drifting in the universe.
"But is this divine kingdom located on the ship, or somewhere else?"
The original island world had been an expanded space built into the Prinz Eugen. Later, Ethan transferred that space to the Artemis, but it still relied on the ship for existence.
Now that it had become a divine kingdom, things were different. Its connection to Ethan surpassed that of the Artemis, yet its location was not within his body either.
"The divine kingdom hasn't truly matured yet. Once it does, it will become a fully independent universe."
Just as Ethan could observe countless worlds, the divine kingdom would become one of them. The door on the ship would simply serve as an access point.
After explaining for a while, and once everyone had a clearer understanding of what the divine kingdom was, they stopped asking questions. It was clear this divine kingdom would become their future home, and there was no need to worry about moving for the time being.
Only Betty remained silent, focusing intently on the screen in front of her as she reviewed the incoming data.
Ethan gently patted her shoulder to reassure her.
"Even if we could move into the divine kingdom right now, I wouldn't forget my promise."
A promise was a promise. Even if they had a divine kingdom to settle in immediately, Ethan would still help Betty search for her family. Even if it took decades in this world, he would not give up. That was Ethan's principle. Or rather, his god's creed.
"Thank you. Actually..."
Betty was deeply moved. Whether Ethan succeeded in helping her or not, just hearing those words was enough. After all, he had no obligation to help her. She was merely someone he rescued in passing. Yet he was willing to devote years, possibly decades, and who knew how much energy, just to help her.
She had no idea how she could repay such kindness.
"Don't overthink it. Just consider us warmhearted busybodies."
That was the truth. Ethan and the others had plenty of free time, and since they were going to drift through the universe anyway, helping Betty along the way was not a burden.
But to Betty, even if they were helping out of boredom, the help was real. She would remember this kindness for the rest of her life.
After chatting a bit longer, Ethan left the busy group and walked out of the bridge.
"What should I do next?"
Ethan thought for a moment and decided to go find Diana. After all, he had been busy in the Arrowverse for more than two years, and he also wanted Diana to see how powerful he had become after growing up again.
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)