Two hours later.
After meeting the newly joined tribesmen and reinforcing his reputation, Su Xingyu instructed his attendants to arrange accommodations for the newcomers. He then made his way alone to the temple.
"Patriarch!"
The temple guard, Changye Dashan, quickly approached and saluted.
Su Xingyu glanced at him with a smile. "Dashan, have you broken through to the fifth level?"
"Yes, just a few days ago," Ye Dashan said proudly, nodding.
"Good. Keep pushing forward," Su Xingyu replied with a nod of approval, patting Dashan's shoulder. "I'm going in to pray. Stand guard outside. No interruptions."
"Understood, Chief. As long as I'm here, no one will disturb you." Ye Dashan pounded his chest, the black armor echoing with a dull bang, bang, bang.
Su Xingyu walked into the temple, the heavy doors groaning shut behind him. He approached the massive statue at the temple's heart, sat down at its base, and closed his eyes.
Within the Divine Realm.
The godly form of Su Xingyu now towered at over five meters tall, the result of constant cultivation. Had he not practiced restraint, his form might've swelled to a ten-meter giant by now.
Dark power radiated from his divine body, sacred and overwhelming.
In recent months, the Night Tribe had grown at a staggering pace. The number of believers had more than doubled. As the tribe's influence took root, even those who once held only shallow faith had become devout. This surge in genuine belief fed directly into Su Xingyu's divine power, strengthening him at a pace even he could barely control. There were moments when the power surged too rapidly, forcing him to remain in the divine realm to refine it.
Rising from his obsidian throne, Su Xingyu stretched his limbs. A wave of pure darkness spread across the entire realm, pulsing with barely restrained might.
The divine domain had expanded multiple times in size.
[Deity Interface]
Name: Su XingyuGod's Name: Lord of Darkness, King of Eternal NightGodhead: DarknessAuthority: FallenDivine Fire: Unignited
Divine Domain: Dark DomainDivine Body: UncondensedDivinity: 1Extraordinary Traits: Darkness Favors (greatly enhances night vision and strengthens combat ability in darkness, depending on the believer's faith)
[Cult Interface]
Name: Eternal NightFaith: Eternal Night KingEmblem: Endless Abyss with an all-seeing eye
Divine Arts: Withering, Strength Enhancement, Mental Weakness, Dark Gun, Burning Blood, DevouringFollowers: 1,069,746Saints: None
Fanatics: 56,231Devout: 320,212Ordinary: 536,325General Followers: 120,250Pseudo-believers: 36,728
Levels:
Level 6: 1
Level 5: 27
Level 4: 452
Level 3: 3,351
Level 2: 45,232
Level 1: 164,523
Faith Value: 12,325,284 units (10,000 units = 1 unit of Divine Source)
Divine Source: 34,529 units
The faith network now functioned as a perfect loop. As believers grew in number and strength, the divine power they generated increased. This, in turn, allowed Su Xingyu to feed power back into them, strengthening their faith and drawing in more followers.
The synergy between god and tribe had finally stabilized. With this virtuous cycle in motion, both deity and people would only grow stronger.
His divine body hadn't yet undergone a qualitative change, but his control over power had deepened. His influence in the mortal world was growing ever more distinct.
As for the Night Tribe, their transformation was even more dramatic. Their strength had multiplied several times over in recent months.
Of particular note were the semi-metal giants.
Though their numbers were modest and many were not yet adults, they had already contributed a considerable share of high-level warriors. Among all combatants above the third level, a significant portion came from these metallic behemoths.
Thankfully, they were docile by nature. Their only request was food.
As long as they were fed, they posed no problem. Otherwise, if they ever turned hostile, containing them would be a nightmare.
But things had gone smoothly. After some time working together, relations between the giants and the Night Tribe had become amicable. While the giants hadn't fully submitted, they no longer resisted orders and followed directions well.
In addition to helping mine fine iron ore veins, the giants were supplied with other ores—something they couldn't get on their own.
Previously, refined iron ore was the only thing they could depend on. It was harsh, tasteless, and barely nutritious, but it was the only stable source of sustenance. With the Night Tribe's support, however, their dietary options had improved.
The Night Tribe didn't possess the richest veins, but their resources were far better than what the giants had before. Su Xingyu could also trade with other "players" for additional ores.
To the semi-metal giants, the Night Tribe had become their lifeline.
No longer did they have to chew on cold iron for every meal. Now, they even enjoyed the occasional treat.
Su Xingyu, however, did not relocate their entire tribe into Night Tribe territory. He stationed about two thousand giants at various strongholds while the rest remained in their original valley.
Their lives hadn't changed drastically, but they were unquestionably more comfortable.
Su Xingyu wasn't in a rush. He knew time was on his side. As the Night Tribe's strength continued to grow, the balance of power would inevitably shift in his favor. When the time came, the giants would willingly join them in full.
Having organized his divine realm tasks and finalized his shopping list, Su Xingyu opened a gate to the City of Gods.
A radiant portal of mysterious energy bloomed before him.
Without hesitation, he stepped through. His vision blurred briefly before stabilizing, and he found himself once more on the wide, shimmering streets of the City of Gods.
Above, the familiar endless starry sky twinkled silently.
Su Xingyu drew a deep breath, keeping his body stabilized at five meters tall. It wasn't about showing off—this was the smallest size he could manage without the plane's suppressive laws to restrain him.
Even so, among the "players," his towering figure stood out.
Most kept their divine forms minimal. Many chose bodies just over human height. A few bold ones dared to reach three meters, but five? That was rare.
Compared to his first visit, the City of Gods was far busier now. More players had arrived, and divine energy pulsed in the air like a heartbeat.
The game of gods was growing more crowded.
And Su Xingyu—Lord of Darkness, King of Eternal Night—was ready.