Divine power.

According to most documentaries that existed both in Kierra's world and Central Divine Realm, it is considered a form of energy superior to all others.

With it, the user won't need to worry about virtually anything but their own divinity's capacity and efficiency.

Synergy, compatibility, fatigue.

None mattered.

'Is such a thing even possible?'

Donning a pair of glasses for style, Kierra sat blankly near the window of her bedroom, dangling her ponytail as she thought to herself.

In history, most deities were assigned certain nicknames—God of War, God of Justice, God of Lightning, etc. A popular theory suggested that those gods became gods thanks to their unmatched proficiency at the things for which they became known.

In other words, if one could train their most gifted talent to a point, they would ascend into godhood. There was no evidence of this, but from all accounts by known deities recorded, things did seem to work that way.

However, Kierra thought there must be a separate trigger aside from just that.

First of all, a transition from being a vessel of one energy to being that of another wouldn't occur out of nowhere. She herself was a living demonstration of this.

Kierra believed she was the pinnacle of magic.

It wasn't arrogance. No. It was the truth. The human body could theoretically handle more circles and more mana, yet the brain capacity to execute a, say, thirteen-star spell wouldn't exist.

''Hm...''

For now, she planned to contact one of the Heavenly Empresses to inquire about this problem. She was rightfully resting anyway; better get some of this stuff done.

''Mnya...''

When she turned to the noise, a fluffy pink head greeted her. Diamante had a habit of sleeping on Kierra's lap, sticking to her like a big golden retriever.

Satisfied, the archwizard gently caressed her lover's hair.

''Oh, my. Ponytail? I don't see this often.''

''Hm?''

Before Kierra could react, August had already jumped in from behind, wantonly enjoying her nape like a pervert. Detecting her nemesis's scent, the phoenix(dog) woke up and began to growl at the assailant.

''...''

This was the reality of Kierra's harem. Since everybody else was training under Angelica, only Diamante and August were left to accompany the archwizard.

'They fight like dogs and cats...'

She secretly imagined a scene of them and her turning into animals. A pink dog who fought a blue cat for a black fox. That was certainly bizarre.

''Hah...''

Nevertheless, that was a good feeling. Who wouldn't want people to fight over them?

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Later, Kierra lightly teleported herself to the realm above, successfully jumpscaring Wen Zhuwei, who was meditating in her yard.

''...How did you get here?'' She asked, silver eyes blinking.

''Why? I can't be here?''

''...''

Flopping down in front of the Heavenly Shura, Kierra pulled out a drink and a set of cups. For a while, the two quietly enjoyed the premium wine.

''Heavenly Shura.''

''...Zhuwei is fine.''

''Zhuwei.''

''Yes.''

Eye to eye, the archwizard uttered with an enthusiasm none had seen in her before.

''Do you know about divine power?''

''I see. So even you...''

The Immortal Empress let out a heavy sigh. Somehow, her silver eyes felt a bit pale today. Noticing this anomaly, Kierra immediately pressed on,

''What's the problem? Can you tell me?''

''...''

Wen Zhuwei remained in silence.

Usually, Kierra wouldn't be this patient when dealing with others, yet this time, she had somewhat realized that the information she sought was put inside a Pandora's box.

After a long internal fight with herself, the Heavenly Shura finally responded.

''Hah... fine. Can I count this as you owing me a favor?''

With a satisfied smile, Kierra, of course, replied,

''No.''

''...''

''I can ask others.''

'This brazen vixen...'

Wen Zhuwei wondered why. Dealing with Kierra was such a pain.

''Anyway. It's fine. The things I'm about to tell you are extremely confidential. It's the Heaven's secret, so to say.'' Wen Zhuzen solemnly began. ''From a long, long time ago—''

''Tell me the gist of it.''

''...''

（ꐦ𝅒_𝅒）

''From a long, long time ago, there was a god who visited Central Divine Realm.''

''Tch.''

''That was the age of discovery, with people learning the very first steps to cultivation. At that time, the world only contained a natural source of energy—qi. However, the man apparently claimed that it would be boring that way... and introduced two other sources.''

''Continue.''

''They were divine power, which was sampled right from his flesh, and... mana.''

''...''

''Mana was inherently similar to qi. They both came from nature, after all. Yet, virtually no one could use or even feel the presence of mana. Theorists said that the bodies of the people here just weren't compatible with it. Over time, the very existence of mana faded from everyone's consciousness, and that is why no one knows about it today.''

''What a strange man... what was he like?''

''According to the oldest Immortal who actually encountered him... the man was said to bear the appearance of an ordinary human male. Shoulder-length black hair, black eyes. Besides those, there wasn't anything noteworthy.''

''...Okay, I see. In any case, there is still more to it, no?''

Wen Zhuwei sighed at this question. It seemed that this portion was where the problem lay.

''Truthfully, I know the way to achieve divinity.''

''...!''

''However... I strongly advise anyone not to follow that path. Not you, especially.''

In an instant, the archwizard's surprised face soured. The weather even reflected her mind, getting gloomier by the second.

''Why?''

''...I did say earlier that virtually no one could use mana, right? Well... that doesn't mean there was absolutely no one.'' The Heavenly Shura uttered, her gaze remaining firm despite the sudden wind. ''The three Heavenly Venerates.''

''As expected.''

''Right? I thought you would have predicted it. Those three were the ones that actually thrived on mana, stomping opponents with strange 'spells' of theirs. Of course, they were nowhere near your level, but it was special nonetheless.''

Reaching out her hand, Wen Zhuwei spoke solemnly, ''Promise me, Kierra. That you will consider your choices deeply after hearing this.''

''...Alright.''

''Whew... once a certain level of proficiency on both mana and qi is achieved, one can begin their journey to true divinity by exposing themselves to pure divine energy.''

Dangerously close.

Kierra felt she was one step away from grasping divinity these days, and indeed, she was this close to it. Now that she knew what she needed to do, things became much easier. However, a problem had yet to be mentioned.

If there was a reason they gatekept divinity...

''...Is it because of those fiends?''

Eyes widen, Wen Zhuwei nodded, ''Indeed. They... even gods could be corrupted, and once they were, the havoc they would wreak was unfathomably severe.''

''As you know, the virus from outside this planet's atmosphere is rather deadly.'' She added.

Extraterrestrial entities whose only mission was to destroy everything. They were the cause of concern to all and the enemy that loomed over the planet.

Merely imagining a corrupt Kierra... was enough to cause Wen Zhuwei to cower. The dark monster who devoured everything indiscriminately. Once she shook that illusion off, the sight of Kierra, who was surprisingly calm as she sipped her drink, entered her vision.

Really, how was such a delicate-looking lady unleashing that kind of power?