"This [Steam Ironclad] possibly originating from some Demon God is probably the greatest confidence of the Atlantean faction daring to provoke war, isn't it?

But at most, it's equivalent to having an additional quasi-legendary, creating a localized power advantage on the New Continent. In the dispute over 'Potosi,' it's still uncertain who will claim victory in the end."

Having mostly untangled the threads of this unexpected factor and confirmed that the level of weapon technology involved temporarily does not pose a threat to Tulip Alliance.

Only then did Aiven have the time to lift his head and observe the abnormal growth of the Life Tree's phantom in the Witchcraft Garden.

The [Eye of Profound Wisdom] has clearly determined that within a mere few minutes, it has rapidly expanded by one-thirtieth on an already immensely large foundation.

The trait [Nature's Favor] of the Witchcraft Garden: Poseidya seems to have received an imperceptible increase.

And through the connection with the Mysterious Source, with the help of his dual identity as a [Divine Creatures] and "School Chief," just one step away from the Truth Embodiment,

Aiven vaguely sensed the most simple longing emotion from the Life Tree deep in his heart.

"More! Want more!..."

Thoughtfully, he picked up the large clay pot on the ground, with some glowing spring water still left at the bottom.

"Hesi, come have a look."

Casually handing it to Olivia, who has already opened the [True Sight Demon Eye].

Aiven closed his own eyes, swiftly connecting to the "Turin Grand Library" in the Spirit Realm, rapidly searching the entries that are now completely open to him.

The phantom Life Tree beside him and the beacon in the Spirit Realm are the core of the Witchcraft Garden: Poseidya, for Aiven himself, Angie, Serra, Clareesa, Leonara and her three disciples alike.

Though each has its characteristics, they are all equally connected to the school's [Mysterious Source: Tree of Life], and can also be regarded as avatars of the Life Tree.

And the Nether River traversing all Death God's territories, its original source comes from these three spring eyes: the Spring of Sanctity Urd, Spring of Wisdom Mimir, Frost Mist Spring Hevagmir.

Every spring eye possesses incredible power (Chapter 573).

During the last escape from Mit, Aiven had some enlightenment.

Though [Life] and [Death] are opposing forces, they can learn from, transform, and even circulate in an endless cycle.

Especially the spring eyes forming the Nether River—sanctity, wisdom, frost mist—their uses surely aren't so simple.

At this moment.

Aiven has already obtained the highest authority over the "Turin Grand Library" from Lady Kingfisher, excluding herself, allowing him to browse many unknown secrets about the world.

These are the accumulation of knowledge by witches over countless years.

However, the search results made Aiven slightly disappointed.

Even the "Turin Grand Library" has sparse records on the three springs deep within the Netherworld. Not to mention resolving the mystery why the Life Tree underwent this peculiar change.

Ultimately, he only found fragmentary references about the three spring eyes in an autobiography by "Snorri Sturluson," titled "Poetic Edda: The Record of the Giant Gods."

And... another secret.

"Giant Origin? These three spring eyes not only are the source of the Nether River but also the source of all giants in this era?"

Aiven's body slightly trembled, continuing to read.

The book mentioned that at the beginning of the Fifth Era Tonatiuh Civilization, three "Gods of Giants" were born at the three spring eyes respectively.

The Spring of Sanctity birthed the female giant "Urd Cashdela."

This "Triple Goddess" is simultaneously virgin, mother, crone, encompassing new moon, full moon, and waning moon, and represents all feminine qualities: alluring, mature, and wise.

Additionally, she embodies the past, present, and future—the Goddess of Destiny.

Furthermore, the spring water flowing from the "Spring of Sanctity" has the power to purify everything.

The Spring of Wisdom spawned the giant "Mimir Trayus."

For the spring water of the Spring of Wisdom, drinking just a sip can inspire wisdom.

As the master of the Spring of Wisdom, Mimir drinks the wisdom spring water wildly every day using a divine artifact named "Galal Horn," thus gaining a vast ocean of wisdom.

Therefore, He became the first "God of Wisdom," "God of the Ocean" in this era.

Seeing this, Aiven couldn't help but feel moved.

"Mimir? The ancient 'God of the Ocean'?

In the 'Golden Kingdom' gathering countless Divine Descendants, would the one known as 'Ocean Goddess,' rather than 'Goddess of Ocean,' Tirentius Thetis, have some connection to this existence?!"

Lastly, the Frost Mist Spring birthed "Hevagmir Mars."

The cold spring water filled with icy mist is considered venom of snakes, capable of ending life, yet also the source of life.

The first giant True God in this era, "Mars," the ancestor of ancient giant origins, and also the God of agriculture, war, royal authority, order, and chaos, was born from it.

Moreover, due to the unique nature of frost mist spring water, the "giant" race also evolved from this first giant True God.

Although a whole fifty thousand years have passed in a flash, even the True Gods ruling the world have changed several times. The three magical springs have also been occupied by a later "Jet Black Dragon," but their origins have clearly not altered.

Anita being able to perfectly merge the bloodline powers from both the "Jet Black Dragon" and the "Giant" also isn't without reason (Chapter 709).

Finally.

Although Aiven accidentally discovered the secret of the Giants' origins, the issue of the "Tree of Life" remains unresolved; he only knows that those three springs must be greatly beneficial to the "Tree of Life"!

However, if you want to delve deep into the "Netherworld" in the territory of the "Jet Black Dragon," and challenge this strongest-status existence, it's better not to have such a notion without the strength of Tier 5 [Truth Embodiment].

Meanwhile, after receiving Olivia's conclusion of "too high level to be analyzed," Aiven can only temporarily set aside the matter of the three springs.

At this time, the battle on the sea surface has also gradually declared a winner.

Atlant undoubtedly achieved victory.

However, this battle also highlighted the limitations of the [Steam Ironclad]; although compared to the Sailing Battleship, it has better resistance to adverse sailing conditions and doesn't have to worry about "calm winds" directly causing a standstill.

But due to the lack of supporting logistics facilities, it ultimately couldn't achieve complete success.

The Sak Empire, after losing two battleships and dispatching three Level 5 Battleships as cannon fodder to block the [Steam Ironclad] operations, still managed to preserve most of its existing forces.

However, regardless of the outcome.

As long as they don't interfere with the Tulip Alliance's normal silver mining in Potosi, Aiven doesn't plan on militarily intervening.

At this moment, in Aiven's eyes, even a war between two countries is akin to child's play.

By simply transforming into the form of [Divine Meteorological Spirit], a sneeze could plunge those two fleets, a thousand kilometers away, into the ocean.

Aiven's opponents are no longer merely mortals.

For example....

With a gentle gesture, the dome above the battlefield vanished, revealing a city from the Source Continent lying beneath the night sky.

"Here we are, 200 kilometers away from Royal Capital Bekele... Sheffield?"

Even in the dark of night, Liweina, a qualified Her Majesty the Queen, recognized at a glance that small inland city under her rule.

She turned her curious gaze towards Aiven, unsure of why he suddenly shifted the "camera" here.

"It seems that after three years, those Demon Gods who've survived the dormant period finally began to slowly become active.

However, while some are sophisticated, like the entity behind Atlant clearly having connections with the Kingdom's dignitaries and even managing to reap [World's Favor],

others are rather crude in their actions..."

Murmuring, Aiven continued to wave his hand, enlarging the dome's image until an old-look small chapel filled the entire view.

It can be seen that although this chapel also hosts the "Black Iron Cross," the main spot is given to many other gods' holy statues; a total of thirty in various sizes.

In theory, within the Tulip Alliance's territory, the Goddess should monopolize the worship, and no other gods should partake in belief.

Yet, there are indeed exceptions.

That would be in the "Holy Rosar Empire," the birthplace of all modern civilizations on the Source Continent, ruled by an array of non-personified Rule Gods led by the "Primordial God" Tirentius.

The most fundamental reason being that none of the current Seven Gods are omnipotent, each having their own specific Divine Position domains.

While the authoritative powers managed by the thirty Assistant Gods of the "Holy Rosar Empire" cover every aspect of mortal life, making them the perfect go-to for any believer in times of need.

Janus is responsible for guarding the "Door," Vesta for the "Kitchen," Larris for protection of "Land, House, Fence, and Pole Point," Saturn looks after "Seeding," Chris for "Grains," Pumuna for "Fruits"...

Especially as people's intelligence expanded during the "Renaissance Period," this occurrence has become even more widespread.

And under the three's gaze.

Click....

Vesta's "Kitchen God" holy statue incessantly cracks, a limb-twisted "Black-robed Nun" emerges from within, her entire face a terrifying burnt appearance.

"Ah——!"

"Goddess!"

"Mommy!"

Terrified, the Holy Professional and a group of believers holding a small mass ceremony retreated one after another.

Meanwhile, the cracking sounds continued, one after another burnt "Black-robed Nun" emerged from the sacred statue.

One of the fundamental abilities of the Demon Gods [Desecration].

A certain Demon God has somehow used a special ability to usurp these Rule Gods' sacred statues.

Seventy-two beings at least equivalent to Divine Creatures have slipped into the Material World, after their dormant period, finally beginning to refresh their presence!