The morning sun streamed through the curtains into the room, and Ying Ping slowly opened his eyes.
After a night of full rest, his mental state had returned to optimal condition.
"Master, are you awake?"
Kokkoro gently knocked on the door: "Everyone is waiting for you."
Ying Ping quickly dressed, opened the door, and saw all his beloved girls standing outside, their faces filled with worry.
"Master, we want to go with you to plead with Lord Ouranos! We must make sure Lord Artemis stays in the Lower World!"
Chisato was the first to speak, her eyes shining with determination.
"Yes, let's go together."
Takina also chimed in.
Ilena tossed her long hair: "Well, even though he's a great god among the gods, he should at least be reasonable, right?"
Ying Ping's heart warmed, and he smiled, shaking his head: "It's alright, you don't need to come. There's no danger this time, it's just a conversation."
"With Hestia and so many divine allies, nothing will go wrong."
He stepped forward and gave each girl a big hug: "Just wait for my good news."
Kokkoro was still very worried: "Then Master, please be careful, and absolutely do not get into a conflict with Lord Ouranos…"
"Don't worry, Hestia said he's a very reasonable and easy-going god."
Ying Ping ruffled her hair, "I'll be back soon."
Leaving the inn, Hestia and Artemis were already waiting at the entrance.
Hephaestus, Miach, Take Mikazuchi, Demeter, Hermes, and other gods were also all present.
"Ying Ping-kun, are you ready?"
Hestia asked, feigning a relaxed tone.
Ying Ping took a deep breath and nodded: "Yes, let's go."
He had already prepared himself mentally enough.
If things developed to an irreparable point, and Artemis was still sent back.
Ying Ping was prepared to reveal his and the entire Hestia Familia's levels, and then negotiate with Ouranos.
As for the worst-case scenario…
It wasn't about getting into a conflict with Ouranos.
Instead, after Artemis was forcibly sent back, he would have her commit suicide in the Heavenly Realm, and then she would only need to wait 24 hours to revive by Ying Ping's side.
Of course, while this method was theoretically feasible, Ying Ping still didn't want Artemis to try it easily.
The group walked through the bustling streets of Orario, arrived at the Guild Headquarters, and met the receptionist, Eina.
Eina first congratulated Ying Ping on his victory in the recent expedition to the Great Tree Labyrinth, and then the two didn't have much time for small talk.
After a few pleasantries, under her guidance, Ying Ping and his party descended a spiral staircase, eventually arriving at a massive underground altar.
Pushing open the heavy stone door, what greeted their eyes was a circular hall illuminated by countless candles.
The air was filled with a faint scent of incense, and ancient divine script was carved into the surrounding walls.
And on the high platform in the center of the altar, sat an old man draped in black robes.
His beard and hair were completely white, his face majestic and weathered, and his eyes were deep and exceptionally sharp.
As soon as Ying Ping stepped into the room, he felt an invisible, immense pressure wash over him.
His body involuntarily tensed, and his breathing became difficult.
"This is… divine power?"
Ying Ping thought with shock in his heart.
Although he had long known that there was a chasm-like difference between gods and mortals, experiencing this disparity firsthand was a first.
In the face of Ouranos's unleashed divine power, Ying Ping felt no thought of resistance whatsoever.
If Level 20 Shadow Monarch Ying Ping's strength already stood at the pinnacle of Dungeon Crawl adventurers.
Then Ouranos was equivalent to standing at the pinnacle of Dungeon Crawl gods, his level probably at least Level 100 or more.
There was no way around it; the difference in life essence and power between the two was simply too vast.
Of course, Ouranos wasn't intentionally releasing divine power in front of everyone, or targeting Ying Ping.
Because his duty was to be stationed here, constantly suppressing the Dungeon with divine power to ensure that the monsters within the Dungeon would not surge to the surface.
Artemis noticed Ying Ping's discomfort and quietly took his hand.
A warm power flowed through him, and looking at her gentle eyes, Ying Ping immediately felt the pressure lessen considerably.
"Long time no see, Lord Ouranos."
Hestia led the way in bowing, and the other gods also greeted him.
Ouranos nodded slightly, his voice calmly saying: "Hestia, you don't need to be so formal."
Hephaestus stepped forward: "Lord, we are here about Artemis's matter…"
"Lord Ouranos!"
Hestia interrupted impatiently: "Artemis is innocent! The situation was urgent at the time, and she was devoured by that monster, so she had no choice but to use her divine power!"
Miach added: "Lord Ouranos, Ying Ping-kun not only killed that monster but also saved Artemis. Considering this great achievement of saving a goddess and the Lower World, could you please show mercy this once?"
Demeter also quickly chimed in: "Yes, Lord, you see Artemis has even split her soul now. This sacrifice is truly too great. Please don't continue to hold Artemis responsible…"
The gods pleaded for Artemis, speaking over each other, and the scene became somewhat chaotic.
Seeing all the gods speaking up for him, Ying Ping's heart was filled with gratitude, and he secretly remembered this favor.
"Quiet."
Ouranos gently raised his hand, and everyone immediately fell silent.
His deep gaze lingered on Artemis for a moment, then turned to Ying Ping: "Young man, you did indeed do very well in resolving the matter of the monster that devoured Artemis."
"Hermes told me that you were able to instantly kill that kind of monster, and the strength you displayed should be at least Level 5, or even higher than Level 5."
"Can you tell me what your true level is?"
Upon hearing this, Ying Ping hesitated slightly and looked at Hestia and Artemis.
Both of them nodded at him, giving him encouraging looks, and the other gods also looked at him with anticipation.
"My level is LV20."
Ying Ping looked directly into Ouranos's eyes, stating clearly.
The entire altar instantly fell into a deathly silence.
"Wh-… What?!"
Hermes was the first to cry out in surprise, his hat falling to the ground.
Although he had made many conjectures about Ying Ping, this level still shocked him to the extreme.
Miach and Demeter exchanged glances, their faces filled with disbelief.
"That's impossible!"
Hephaestus stared intently at Ying Ping, blurting out: "Throughout Orario's history, there has never been an adventurer above Level 10, and you're saying you're Level 20…"
Take Mikazuchi even walked directly over, asking with a shocked expression: "Ying Ping-kun, are you sure you didn't make a mistake?"
Mortals couldn't lie in front of gods, but the gods still couldn't believe Ying Ping.
Seeing the commotion in the room, Ouranos raised his hand, once again signaling for everyone to be quiet.
His gaze became exceptionally sharp: "Ying Ping, are you willing to let me see your Divine Blessing?"
"Don't worry, I guarantee, as a great god of the Heavenly Realm, that everyone present, including myself, will absolutely not reveal this secret."
Ying Ping was silent for a moment, then nodded.
He slowly took off his upper garment, revealing his muscular torso, and then turned his back to Ouranos, who was seated high above.
When the Divine Blessing was revealed before Ouranos's eyes, this well-traveled great god of the Heavenly Realm actually gasped.
His pupils constricted violently, and the wrinkles on his face even smoothed out due to shock.
"Unbelievable, truly unbelievable…"
Ouranos's voice trembled, a rare occurrence.
The gods had never seen Uranus so flustered, and they all looked at him with expressions of surprise and uncertainty.
They also wanted to see, but Hestia and Artemis stopped them.
Hermes, the sly one, found an opportunity and an angle, managing a fleeting glimpse, and immediately saw something extraordinary.
After a long while, Uranus finally took a deep, difficult breath and said, "Alright... put your clothes on."
Ying Ping put his clothes back on and noticed that Uranus's face was unpredictable, as if he was contemplating a major decision.
"Uranus, please, please let Artemis stay in the lower world!"
Hestia suddenly raised her voice, "Do you remember that time in the celestial realm when you owed a few of us a favor?"
"That time, if Artemis and I hadn't been there, and if others hadn't helped cover for you, you probably would have..."
"Cough, cough!"
Uranus suddenly coughed violently, a rare hint of embarrassment appearing on his dignified face: "Hestia, let's not bring up past events..."
Hermes chuckled to himself, but immediately composed himself after Uranus glared at him.
The atmosphere in the room suddenly became a bit more relaxed.
Only then did Ying Ping realize that these seemingly high and mighty gods actually had hundreds of millions of years of friendship.
Their relationship was far more intimate and friendly than he had imagined.
Uranus sighed, his gaze sweeping over the faces of the gods: "You all... always make things difficult for me."
He pondered for a moment, then finally spoke slowly: "Artemis's situation is indeed special; after triggering the rule of being sent back to the celestial realm, she actually managed to evade it by splitting her soul."
"Hmm, considering Ying Ping's uniqueness, his Merit in saving the lower world, and also..."
He closed his eyes and said helplessly, "Certain old matters aside, in principle, I can only make an exception this one time."
Hestia instantly became overjoyed: "Really?"
"Naturally, it's true. Artemis can stay in the lower world, but..."
Uranus added seriously, "There are still a few conditions."
As soon as he said this, Hestia's face immediately lit up with joy, and Artemis also breathed a sigh of relief.
Ying Ping immediately straightened his back and said, neither obsequiously nor arrogantly, "Lord Uranus, please state the conditions."
Uranus slowly closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, his gaze had returned to its usual profoundness.
"First, your true level, Ying Ping, must be kept strictly confidential; it cannot be made public, at least at this stage."
"Second, you need to assist the Guild in handling some special events."
"Third..."
Uranus paused: "Hestia, at an appropriate time, I need your Hestia Familia to represent Orario and travel to Dragon's Valley on the other side of the continent to deal with the Black Dragon, one of the last three great quests of the world."
Hestia put her hands on her hips and said proudly, "No problem! My Ying Ping-kun is invincible! I, Hestia, will definitely take on this quest!"
Ying Ping also nodded solemnly: "I have no objections."
Uranus continued, "Everyone, please remember that the content of today's conversation must be kept strictly confidential. If anyone leaks it, don't blame me for being unforgiving in the future."
The gods all nodded in agreement, but everyone's gaze towards Ying Ping had changed—
It was a look mixed with awe, curiosity, and expectation.
"Oh, and one more thing."
"The Merit and rewards for the Hestia Familia saving the lower world this time must be withdrawn. I want to use this as a reason to persuade the other gods."
"Ying Ping, Hestia, Artemis, can you accept this, please?"
Uranus asked again.
Ying Ping and Hestia exchanged glances and nodded without hesitation: "We accept."
Artemis also bowed solemnly: "Thank you very much for your forgiveness, Lord Uranus."
Uranus's conditions seemed very strict.
However, upon closer examination, one would find that it was simply a matter of no rewards, but also no punishments.
Artemis continuing to stay in the lower world had already become a foregone conclusion.
As for Uranus's request to deal with the Black Dragon or other quests, even if he didn't ask, Ying Ping would eventually have to do these things anyway.
Uranus's expression finally softened: "Very good, then this matter is settled."
"That's great!"
"Uranus! You old man almost scared me to death!"
Hestia cheered, almost waving her hands to hit Uranus, but Hephaestus pulled her back in time.
Uranus's lips curved slightly upwards, and a hint of affection flashed in his eyes: "Alright, go forth, young legendary adventurers and gods. The future of Orario, and even the lower world, rests in your hands."
As Ying Ping and his group left the altar, the sunlight shone brightly on the square in front of the Guild.
In the distance, Chisato and Kokkoro were waiting anxiously.
"Master!"
Seeing Ying Ping and Artemis appear safe and sound, Kokkoro was the first to rush over.
Ying Ping opened his arms and gave her a big hug, smiling: "Everything went smoothly. Artemis can continue to stay in the lower world."
"Yay!"
"Finally, we don't have to be separated from the Goddess anymore!"
The girls cheered.
Artemis stood by, watching this heartwarming scene, her eyes filled with happy tears.
"Artemis, that's wonderful..."
Hestia quietly held her hand, also unable to stop her tears, and then embraced Artemis.
"Master, what are your plans next?"
Ilena blinked, asking with a clear voice.
"Does that even need to be said—"
"Of course, it's to continue defeating monsters in the Dungeon!"
"Everyone of the Hestia Familia, let's go!"
Ying Ping couldn't help but chuckle, raising Hestia's Sword, and announced spiritedly.
"Oh!"
"Let's go!"
The girls were all full of fighting spirit..