Although all his followers were ordinary people and he only barely managed to push someone into becoming a demigod, it was still rather unremarkable.
But even so, a demigod was, after all, close to godhood.
At the level of demigod, this was the most supreme power in the world, aside from the gods themselves.
Within any of the major churches, a demigod could become the archbishop of a branch.
To achieve the status of a demigod, aside from one’s own strength, the most important thing was mastery over Divine Authority.
Lu Ming revealed the Divine Authorities he held.
“[Authority of Fertility], [Authority of Lies], [Authority of Procreation], [Authority of Life], [Authority of Pleasure], [Plants].”
“I’ve acquired the [Plants] Authority, probably because I summoned so many plants.”
“But, it’s surprising that [Authority of Lies] has become the second most mastered Authority I possess.”
Lu Ming pondered for a moment.
It seemed quite normal—he’d gone to the Parallel Blue Star and decei… harvested over a million believers.
And everything he did was perfectly in line with the [Authority of Lies].
Moreover, the myth of the Goddess of Life—this lie—was probably spreading across the Parallel Blue Star like wildfire by now.
His greatest mastery was still over [Authority of Fertility], but there had been no change from before.
Even though he was now a demigod, Lu Ming still had no clue how to ascend to true godhood.
There was nothing about this in “Ymir’s” memory.
He only knew one thing.
Once one fully mastered any single Divine Authority, they could ascend to godhood.
But as to how one might achieve full mastery, he was clueless.
Was it simply to keep acting in accordance with the Authority?
Or did one need to gain the recognition of some particular being?
That was just Lu Ming’s speculation.
In fact, before leaving the Parallel Blue Star,
He had wanted to check out that Containment Facility.
He was still very interested in Containment Objects and Forbidden Objects.
Most importantly, he had sensed Faith from the “Smiling Angel”.
Lu Ming wanted to figure out just what these so-called Containment Objects truly were.
But in the end, he gave up.
He was playing the part of the Goddess of Life on the Parallel Blue Star, and the Authority of Life was a main god-level power anywhere.
He had to maintain the mystery and integrity of his persona.
***
The less he did, the fewer flaws there would be.
Having Yu act as his spokesperson was also to establish a preliminary friendly relationship with the Containment Facility.
With this foundation, it should be much easier to make contact in the future.
As for that Divine Revelation.
It wasn’t a big deal; aside from making Yu an Acolyte of the Goddess, ascending to a Supernatural, it was just some basic Divine Techniques.
Elemental Attack, Grand Healing, Mass Fertility… well, that last one he hadn’t taught.
And some additional settings for the “Goddess of Life” persona.
Mainly, he really didn’t know any other Divine Techniques.
Of all the Divine Authorities he mastered, barely any were aggressive in nature.
After his joy faded, Lu Ming started thinking about the predicaments he faced in this world.
His face instantly fell.
But this expression, on that exquisitely beautiful and lively face, instead had a kind of fragile beauty.
Seeing his reflection in the lake, clear as a mirror, Lu Ming was dazed for a moment.
He shook his head and looked away.
***
“This face really is too beautiful—best not to look at it, best not to look.”
Lu Ming then fell silent, deep in thought.
“But it’s not all bad. After becoming a demigod, the essence of my power is completely different from that of a false god.”
“Unless a god descends in person, or a demigod stronger than me appears, no one will discover the truth.”
“As long as I don’t draw too much attention, I shouldn’t attract the Procreation Church or the other churches’ demigods.”
Mentioning the Church of Procreation,
Lu Ming couldn’t help but frown.
Sooner or later, he, Lu Ming, would definitely come knocking at their door!
As for what needed to be done now,
It was still to continue wielding the [Authority of Fertility], spreading the truth of [Fertility], and paving the way for his eventual ascent.
Then he needed to figure out just how to actually ascend to godhood.
If he needed Faith, he could just return to the Parallel Blue Star.
But he couldn’t relax his vigilance too much.
As he was lost in these thoughts about the future,
Lu Ming sensed someone entering his Shrine.
He sent out his divine sense to take a look.
Two women were walking in hand in hand, the one on the left wearing a smile of reverence.
The one on the right seemed a bit reserved and anxious.
“Ilena?”
Lu Ming looked at the woman on the left with slight surprise.
It was the very same Ilena who had come to the Shrine last night and whom he had granted a child.
Her lower abdomen was slightly rounded, and her delicate face appeared even rosier and softer, though her expression was tinged with hesitation.
“Ilena, will Her Grace the Goddess really hear my prayers?”
“Mhm, the Goddess is loving and merciful beyond compare—you will be blessed with a child.”
“Ilena, why does your face look so strange?”
Ilena waved her hands quickly, “No, I absolutely haven’t hidden anything from you!”
As she spoke, she hurriedly called out toward the entrance of the Shrine.
“Celia, aren’t you coming in to pay your respects to Her Grace the Goddess? It would be disrespectful not to, you know.”
Outside the Shrine.
A petite girl of exceptional beauty, especially endearing, hung her head low.
On the left side of her face, there was a scar running from the corner of her mouth to her forehead.
Celia spoke in a soft voice, looking very shy.
“Sis, I… I’ll just wait here for you, okay?”
Ilena didn’t insist, but a look of pity and concern flashed across her face.
“Be good and wait for me and Naya outside, okay?”
“Mhm.”
With that, she turned and led the still somewhat nervous Naya toward the statue.
Ilena was the first to kneel before the statue and began to pray in a gentle voice.
Her every movement was almost devout to the extreme, and her faith was evident.
But Lu Ming clearly sensed that Ilena’s expression had become odd, as if she had thought of something.
She would even glance at Naya from time to time.
***
Lu Ming watched silently, feeling that Ilena might become the second of his fanatical devotees.
At her side, Naya observed Ilena’s actions.
Naya began to imitate her.
She knelt, put her hands together, and prayed.
“Great Goddess of Fertility, Ymir, please grant me a child…”
Naya had chestnut brown hair and healthy, wheat-colored skin.
Her features were even more pronounced than Ilena’s, yet she possessed the charm of a sweet, gentle girl.
She was even more youthful than Ilena.
Actually, given that the legal age for marriage was lower in this world,
Naya was only nineteen, while Ilena was just twenty-two.
But so young, and both already widows—all because of the war between the two empires.
After the two prayed for a while,
Lu Ming, with a touch of calculation, revealed himself.
A gentle green light shone over the two, and a hazy, goddess-like figure appeared before them.
“Ilena, Naya, I have heard your prayers.”
“Naya, come here.”
For a moment, Naya was overwhelmed with excitement, looking at Lu Ming in shock.
What a warm feeling! That ethereal and kind voice—she wished she could hear more.
“Ilena, I…”
“Ahem, Naya, go on—accept the radiance of the Goddess!”
As Naya walked over, Lu Ming reached out his sinful little hand and drew her into the Divine Realm.
***
Ilena watched Lu Ming and Naya disappear, her gaze as if seeking confirmation.
Looking at the wondrous, almost fairyland-like scenery before her,
Naya was once again astounded—she had never imagined a place like this could exist in the world.
“So this is the Divine Realm?! I am actually fortunate enough to come to Her Grace the Goddess’s dwelling…”
Naya was utterly captivated by the beauty of the Divine Realm, letting Lu Ming lead her along.
It wasn’t until they entered the garden
That she suddenly sensed something.
“Why do my legs feel so cool?”
She looked down, and in that moment, Naya’s mouth fell open, her cheeks flushed red.
She realized that her rough, homespun dress had somehow vanished.
She was now dressed in a rather odd, tight-fitting garment, of excellent material and very comfortable.
But it was a bit too revealing.
Her navel was exposed.
Worse yet, her lower body—
She was wearing a pair of sheer, white stockings that went all the way up her thighs.
And the size seemed a bit small, cutting into her flesh and making a visible dent in her thighs.
“Your Grace, why are you touching my leg?”