"Hmm? Wasn't I just asleep? How did I suddenly end up here?"

He felt a cool breeze gently brushing across his face.

Originally, Aiven was in deep slumber, but as he slowly opened his eyes, he was amazed to find himself floating in a boundless silver ocean.

The liquid in this ocean wasn't water, but a peculiar substance that allowed one to breathe freely, akin to the fresh, natural air in the forest after a thunderstorm.

Within, there was no distinction between up and down, the soft light clouds moved gently above and below, gray and white streaks of light rolled continuously, reflecting farther stars.

In the far distance, where even the "Eye of Profound Wisdom's" remote vision struggled.

Large and small floating islands, rocks, lakes, magma belts... things resembling the Material World hovered faintly, suggesting that normal life might exist here.

Aiven quickly realized his body had reverted to how it was at twelve or thirteen years old, and faintly emanated a golden divine Radiance from inside out.

What had arrived here was clearly not his physical body, but merely his soul.

He surveyed his surroundings briefly.

His rich Mystical Knowledge allowed him to identify that this was no longer the Material World, but the celestial realm where the Divine Kingdom of the Gods was, also known as the Sea of Stars!

This discovery caused Aiven's body to shudder slightly; to say who could effortlessly pull a Divine Creature's soul into the celestial realm.

The answer could only be a... True God!

Right at this moment.

Aiven suddenly felt a strong sensation of weightlessness and, powerless to resist, fell towards a vast star in the far distance, surrounded by sea water with faint sounds of waves.

Bam!

When his feet landed again, he found himself in a field of tender green grass.

Several young celestial white deer were leisurely strolling here, while in the distance, white stone buildings resembling endless sails were veiled by layers of forest.

In front of him was a large pool built from white jade, its size comparable to a lake.

The water was clear yet faintly shimmering with silver light, and Aiven immediately recognized it as the "Holy Baptism Pool" in the Goddess Divine Country!

Just because the reason he managed to achieve balance among three Attributes before advancing to Tier 3 Branded Swordsman was drinking the water from this Holy Baptism Pool.

Once he confirmed his location, the alarm was lifted, and Aiven breathed a sigh of relief.

The thing he feared most was being suddenly ambushed by the insidious God of Black Wings. Although unsure why his own Goddess suddenly pulled him into the Divine Kingdom, it likely wasn't for life-threatening reasons.

"Speaking of which, there's no one here to welcome me? Where should I..."

Aiven murmured softly while glancing around.

Splish splash...

Suddenly, clear water sounds came from the pool.

He quickly looked up to see an infinite beauty, somewhat dazzlingly white, suddenly rising from the silvery pool water not far away.

"This... Holy Baptism Pool... Holy Baptism Pool... is indeed the Goddess's bathing place?!"

His nose suddenly felt hot, and his heart began pounding like a drum.

Although the owner of this beautiful sight seemed indifferent to anyone being present, Aiven dared not look more, using immense willpower to lower his head and stare firmly at his own toes.

Next came the sound of that beautiful figure wading ashore, followed by the rustling of clothing.

Aiven kept his head down.

But his sharp senses could still clearly perceive the figure stepping on the tender grass, slowly approaching him, leaning back onto a chair made of air.

"Hehehe, my beloved Saint, look up now."

Like the sound of spring water, the voice flowed in Aiven's heart.

Upon hearing this, Aiven's gaze swept upwards.

The Goddess wore a sea-blue silk robe with a high split, sitting with long legs crossed, her pure white feet adorned with bright anklets, and thigh bands crafted like stars shone on her legs.

Yet all luxury on Her only served as embellishments without overshadowing Her presence.

Finally, he beheld Her in full.

An angel halo resembling a sun crown hovered above, Her white jade-like arm supporting snowy cheeks.

Golden shimmering long hair, green starlight eyes; no earthly words could describe even a fraction of Her beauty.

Behind Her was a magnificent divine light.

Among it, galleys, dragon-head ships, flute ships, karack ships, galleons, new-style sailing battleships, Galliot-type Heavy Cruisers, Bregentine-type two-masted mixed sail ships, flying clippers...

And brand new, mass-produced "Dreadnought-class: All-Heavy Cannon Battleships" with their transitioning ships and sailors on board.

This was the embodiment of the Goddess who once had a chance encounter with Aiven, kissed by Him and granted the [Secondary Authority: Sea Monarchy]—the "Royal Authority Angel".

Even though in Aiven's view, the Goddess's attire was somewhat overly... pleasing to the eye, the sanctity and majesty emanating from Her left no room for any thoughts of desecration.

Kneeling on one knee at the Goddess's feet, he performed a ritual only allowed for a "Saint" among True Believers, gently kissing Her outstretched delicate fingertip.

"Hehe, young one, I heard you seem to have many questions?"

Aiven felt a stir in his heart, already understanding the purpose of the Goddess bringing him to the Divine Kingdom.

Before he could respond, Hekater continued speaking:

"My beloved Saint, if not for you, I really would have been overwhelmed because of that disgusting fellow, Sessi.

Today, Belenus has already reported the questions you raised to me.

Rest assured, you are the unique one. In the name of 'Sea Monarchy', I promise you that Saint Aiven will safely traverse through the coming Era Catastrophe."

A warm feeling rose in Aiven's heart, and he promptly bowed in gratitude, though he cautiously asked another question boldly:

"Then... what about others?"

"Others? Hehe..."

Hekater elegantly covered her small mouth, letting out a bell-like laugh.

"You really don't need to worry about that; time will naturally make choices for you, or rather, within the grind of time's currents, you don't need to worry at all.

Moreover, even though we have done many things beneficial to the world's ascension together.

But my power is ultimately limited, aside from a very limited few in the Divine Kingdom, only you... are truly unique in the entire Material World!"

Aiven noticed the emphasis the Goddess placed on the word "only".

Her meaning was clear: besides him, having acquired a ticket.

Even including Watt, the promoter of the Steam Industrial Revolution, and this vast Divine Kingdom, at some future point, would become objects to be discarded.

"My Goddess, have the True Gods already begun planning for the Era Catastrophe?"

The Goddess's attitude towards Aiven, who contributed significantly to affirming "Sea Monarchy," was notably different.

"True Gods are wiser than you imagine; in fact, several eras ago, those eligible to face an Era Catastrophe had already thought of various countermeasures.

From the Second Era Ehecoatl Civilization, which learned to stay hidden behind the Door; the Third Era Muriya, which mastered pinpoint elimination to control the intensity; to the Fourth Era Zongderilic Civilization, which already managed to carry a select few offspring through the Catastrophe.

All these we know.

And in this era, from ancient times, we have been aware of this issue, and the methods of traversing an Era Catastrophe have indeed been progressing...

It's just that the 'Natural Deity' and the 'Humanized God' have different attitudes towards humanity as a whole..."

As Aiven listened to the Goddess's explanation, he pondered.

In fact, the changes in human society offer no additional benefits to the "Natural Spirits".

And for True Gods, when reaching that level, belief is no longer indispensable for Them.

Just like the completely secluded "Howling Storm" Billers, who has stayed confined to the "South Wind Country" without ever expanding its influence.

They merely need a cycle of believers, in life, sickness, and death, to help Them imprint their "way" or "path" into the world's Origin.

No matter how much the "Spiritual Tide" changes, continuity can be gained within the "World Root Source".

The greatest contribution of [Natural Deity] to this world is their role as stabilizers.

As long as there is no massive population decline, or events like the "Enlightenment Movement" causing them significant trouble, the True Gods themselves are not particularly keen on intervening in mortal lives.

Of course, the phenomenon of the Church using the True God's name for personal gain is another matter.

As for "Humanized Gods", the more they propel the world's tides forward, the better the capital to withstand an Era Catastrophe.

In the mouth of the Goddess, this is destined to be the crux of the future rivalry between "Sea Monarchy" and the "God of Black Wings".

However, Aiven felt it should encompass more than just a conflict of trends.

"Looking at the God of Black Wings' series of schemes, it seems it shouldn't be purely a dispute over trends, right?"

At this moment, the Goddess leaned forward, bringing a lingering fragrance as She whispered gently in Aiven's ear:

"By the way, since you've rarely come to the Divine Kingdom, you may use the Holy Baptismal Water, its original and optimal effect, oh! Hehe..."

Amidst a clear and crisp laughter, Hekater had already vanished before Aiven's eyes.

Indeed, She was a True God with a vastly different understanding from mortals; the Goddess was like whimsical waves and floating clouds, utterly overwhelming.

"Are all these sea-related goddesses' characters so... um, unconventional?"

Saying no, but his body honestly complied, he looked around and picked up an earthen jug by the pool, filling it to the brim.