The stone path leading back to the palace shimmered beneath the morning sun. Golden Valley Village was alive now—no longer just a collection of buildings, but a place with purpose. The ten newly arrived villagers were already at work, their presence generating a quiet hum of faith across the domain.
Clark ascended the steps of the palace, pushing open the massive doors that led into the marble hall. The air inside was still and cool, a faint divine glow spilling down from the high windows.
Seraphiel stood by the edge of the main chamber, silent and still, like a statue in armor. Her radiant wings were furled behind her, and her hand rested lightly on the hilt of her blade.
She turned as he approached. "Lord."
"I need you to scout the outer perimeter of the domain," Clark said. "Mark potential threats, resources, or unknown structures. Be thorough."
She bowed her head slightly. "As you will."
Without another word, she turned, wings spreading wide. A gust of divine wind followed her ascent as she launched into the sky, vanishing beyond the palace walls.
Alone now, Clark moved to the **God's Throne**—a raised platform at the rear of the great hall. From here, he could access his full divine inventory and interface.
Waiting within were two treasure chests. One gleamed with star-silver trim and quiet authority: the **Universal Chest**, rewarded for being the first to reach Rank 1. The other pulsed with soft gold light: the **Ascendant Chest**, earned for establishing the first large divine village.
Clark didn't hesitate.
"Open Universal Chest."
The box dissolved into glowing particles, and the system voice responded:
> **Universal Rank Chest Opened.**
> Contents:
> – Recruitment pool: Fallen Angels (C-Rank)
> – Divine Soil (10m)
> – 20 Divinity
A sharp ripple ran through the air.
> **EX Talent Triggered – Divine Multiplier x1000 Activated.**
> Processing Chest Contents...
> **Adjusted Results:**
> – Recruitment pool upgraded: **S-Rank Fallen Angels (50/day)**
> — *Consumes 50 Divinity per recruit*
> – Divine Soil: **10,000m (10km)
> – Divinity: **20,000**
Clark's breath caught as the results finalized. Even the **recruitment order** had evolved far beyond standard. Fifty S-Rank Fallen Angels per day—he could raise an army within weeks, assuming he could afford the daily **2,500 Divinity** required.
And the soil… 10,000 square meters. That was a territory fit his current domain twice!
He wasn't finished.
"Open Ascendant Chest."
> **Ascendant Rank Chest Opened.**
> Contents:
> – Sacred Spring
> – Divine Upgrade Token ×1
> – 10 Divinity
> **EX Talent Triggered – Divine Multiplier x1000 Activated.**
> Resource Quality: Enhanced
> Quantity: Multiplied
> **Adjusted Results:**
> – **Divine Fountain** (Upgraded Sacred Spring): +10000 Faith/day
> – **Divine Upgrade Tokens ×1000**
> – **10,000 Divinity**
A soft golden glow rose from his interface as the numbers updated.
> **Current Totals:**
> – **Divinity:** 126, 400
> – **Divine Crystals:** 1,110,000
**Upgrade Tokens:** 1,000
> – **Recruit Pool (S-Rank Fallen Angels):** 50/day
...
Clark silently walked back toward his throne and sat down. The Divine Fountain had already been placed in the center of the palace gardens. The ambient energy surged with faith-rich mist.
And now the chat would soon start buzzing.
He had not only ascended, but now possessed one of the highest-value infrastructures among new gods — before most had even managed to build a single outpost.
All he had to do now… was expand.
Clark turned his focus toward the heart of his domain — the God's Palace.
System Notification:
Building: God's Palace (Tier 0)
Upgrade to Tier 1 requires: 10 Divine Upgrade Tokens
Upgrade to Tier 2 requires: 50 Tokens
Upgrade to Tier 3 requires: 100 Tokens
Proceed with upgrade?
He tapped "Upgrade."
The palace trembled.
Stone reshaped. Towers rose. Columns realigned. Gold-tinged flame ignited across its trim as divine engravings etched themselves across the floor and ceiling.
God's Palace Upgraded: Tier 0 → Tier 3
Tokens consumed: 160
Unlocks:
– Extended build queue
– Increased domain control radius +8km
– +10% resource output bonus
– +2 Construction Slots
The aura of the domain visibly shifted. His throne now overlooked a structure worthy of a rising god. Though his territory still spanned just two kilometers, the divine infrastructure it held was anything but average.