Sure enough, when you make up your mind to study, something will definitely interfere with you.
[Divinity Panel is updating… ]
Obsidian squinted.
Divine Name: Obsidian Nexus Lin
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
Domains: Dragon / Shadow / Protection / Light (Learning)
Divine Title: Flamekeeper
Divinity Rank: 2
Challenge Rating: 32
Divine Emblem: Eye of the Obsidian Dragon
Followers: 128 (98 Ice Trolls, 30 Primordial Dragons)
Faith Strength: Stable
Divine Realm: Serakhen (Incomplete)
Blessing Authority: Tier 2 Open (Maximum Clergy Level 8)
Path to Power: ① Divine Power Advancement ② Path of the Ancient Dragon ③ Seize the Primal Force
"Divinity Rank 2, over a hundred followers, one domain learned, Challenge Rating increased by two levels… I guess it's a matter of reaping what you sow."
Obsidian tilted his head, staring at the changing numbers, his tone devoid of excitement.
Because he saw that the [Guidance After Ascension · Phase One], which had remained unchanged, now had a second phase:
[Guidance After Ascension · Phase Two]
① Compile Doctrine.
② Expand the Church.
③ Initial Exploration of Primal Force.
Actually, after seeing the first phase of guidance, Obsidian didn't strictly follow its instructions.
Mainly because he didn't want to be continuously manipulated by the things left behind by the system.
But the three suggestions offered this time were all practical, and they were also what he should do next.
However, the term "Primal Force"…
Obsidian's gaze returned to the third item on the "Path to Power": Seize the Primal Force.
If he remembered correctly, before this, there should have been four "?" marks here.
Now that it's unlocked, perhaps it's because he only became qualified to accomplish such a feat after igniting his divine fire?
This term is not used lightly in Azeroth.
Primal Force refers to the six fundamental cosmic forces: Life, Death, Order, Disorder, Light, and Shadow.
Each possesses vast and ancient materialized powers: the domain of Life represented by Elune, the realm of Death in the Shadowlands, the iron laws of Order represented by the Titans, the fires of Disorder spread by the Burning Legion, the Light faction of the Naaru, and the abyssal Shadow controlled by the Void Lords.
What does "Seize the Primal Force" mean? Seizing territory from these major powers?
Most likely not; it should be about seizing the essence of their core power from them.
"Tsk, is this implying I'm not dying fast enough?"
Obsidian shook his head; with his current strength, it wasn't the time to consider this.
He pulled his attention back to the present.
At his claw, a core condensed from pure light energy spun on its own, emitting a gentle, platinum-white glow.
This was a byproduct of mastering the [Light] domain knowledge, a delicate practice piece.
It was useless to Obsidian, but it would surely be a good toy to bestow upon his followers.
The blueprint of the Divine Realm had been fully sketched in his consciousness, and the basic rule network had been woven; it was time to bring it into reality.
So, Obsidian slowly rose. He faced the core of Serakhen, his divine sense spreading out, and a low, majestic voice resounded throughout the entire demiplane:
"I say, let there be day and night!"
As soon as the command was issued, the laws immediately responded.
Above Serakhen, the ethereal layer of light, which had swayed and flickered with his divine mood, suddenly solidified.
Disordered radiance was forcibly combed and settled; light ascended into a soft, domed sky, and shadow settled into a deep base.
The rhythm of alternating light and dark was thus established, namely, day and night within the Divine Realm.
He lowered his gaze, touching the shattered, erratically floating sky-platforms beneath his feet, and his voice rose again:
"I say, let there be order!"
From the depths of the void, an invisible, mighty force surged forth.
Countless suspended platforms simultaneously emitted a dull roar; their chaotic drifting was forcibly halted, tightly anchored by chains extending from the abyss.
From the bottom of the abyss, a magnificent array of stairs materialized, precisely connecting the scattered floating platforms, transforming chaotic drifting into orderly pathways.
Obsidian perceived the state of the Divine Realm after its initial stabilization, comprehended its current core needs, and issued another decree:
"I say, let there be pillars!"
Boom!
Accompanied by a thunderous roar that shook the plane, a colossal, sky-piercing tower burst through the void, standing majestically upon the central floating platform of the Divine Realm.
Its entire body was as black as ink, spanning heaven and earth, becoming the backbone supporting the entirety of Serakhen.
At the same time, deep shadows descended from the top of the tower, silently flowing along the cracks of the stairs and the edges of the dome, spreading like living things, gently enveloping every inch of the Divine Realm's boundary.
Finally, he raised his dragon claw and pointed to the top of the tower:
"I say, let there be fire!"
Buzz—!
With a rising hum, an indestructible golden barrier instantly formed, enveloping the entire Serakhen, rejecting all external invasive forces.
And atop that tower, a platinum-white flame suddenly ignited, pure and blazing, its light penetrating layers of shadow, burning eternally.
This fire not only illuminated the domain where order and shadow intertwined but also transformed into an eternal lighthouse and an unshakeable bulwark.
Obsidian surveyed the newly transformed Divine Realm, his divine words echoing through heaven and earth:
"This is my seat—Serakhen!"
A newborn Divine Realm, forged here.
The forging of the Divine Realm did not allow Obsidian to rest.
His gaze fell upon the Divine Realm panel, and the "Followers" section clearly caught his eye—the number of followers had surpassed a hundred.
What followed was an increasingly complex and noisy network of faith.
This network grew wildly, connecting the minds and prayers of different followers, its clamor multiplied several times compared to before.
Even more, different followers began to diverge in their understanding of the god, and their prayers became increasingly disorganized.
Warriors sought strength, hunters yearned for guidance, the wounded prayed for healing, and there were even a few Proto-Dragons who simply regarded him as their "boss," with their prayers entirely consisting of "I want to eat meat today."
Obsidian realized that this was very detrimental to the development and spread of faith. A disorganized church and followers could not generate powerful faith.
He quickly came up with two solutions.
Firstly, establish a systematic church organization, led by clergy who would guide, organize, and filter the prayers of followers to maintain order in faith.
Secondly, establish a unified doctrine, at least to provide followers with a clear "direction of faith," to avoid a chaotic situation in the future where they "believe this today and that tomorrow."
He currently only had two churches; the Proto-Dragons were already taking shape, but they wouldn't provide much faith power, more so assistance in mortal warfare.
As for the Ice Trolls, they still had no stable stronghold.
Tok-Aak's shrine had been built and attracted the first batch of followers, but it was very remote and not an ideal location for faith.
It was more suitable as a branch and a place of pilgrimage.
At least it was Obsidian's first shrine.
Italk, once occupied by Tuke, was a better choice.
It had good terrain and a wide radiation range.
He could issue a divine oracle, instructing Skala and the others to establish a base there, to develop and preach.
As for the doctrine…
Obsidian sighed, looking at the familiar prompt in the upper right corner of the panel: "Doctrine: None."
"Sure enough, I still have to write it myself… Overtime!"
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