Chapter 23: The Hierarchy of Ancient Gods

Within the Bear Tribe.

Athena and Mu Changge returned to their residence. Now that Mu Changge was on the verge of transcending the mortal realm to become a god, Athena decided to first teach him how to become an ancient deity.

“My student, you may now embark on the path to becoming an ancient god. Although this road is arduous, I promise you that no matter what, you will become an ancient god.”

“Hmm, I will do my best,” Mu Changge thought to himself, secretly pleased by the perks of being under her care.

“Becoming an ancient god from a mortal involves two stages: the preparation stage and the godhood stage. The preparation stage requires refining the body, tempering the mind, gathering the soul, condensing the source, questioning the heavens, forging the foundation, entering meditation, and ascending. The godhood stage is divided into False God, True God, Celestial God, Ancestral God, and Heavenly Emperor, depending on the individual's potential.”

Athena paused briefly before continuing.

“Refining the body means consuming divine elixirs, sacred fruits, and celestial waters to alter your physical constitution and break through the limitations of your flesh.”

“Tempering the mind involves ingesting treasures that enhance spiritual power, allowing your mental strength to far exceed that of ordinary beings.”

“Gathering the soul means using sacred materials to elevate your soul, freeing it from bondage.”

“Condensing the source entails concentrating your own source power through divine treasures, which will become your divine source after ascending.”

“Questioning the heavens is about cultivating your divinity and godly character, contemplating what kind of god you want to be, and communicating with the Primordial Star through meditation to gain its recognition.”

“Forging the foundation is deciding how to use your divine source after becoming a god—in simpler terms, determining how to wield your divine power.”

“Entering meditation means earning merit and gaining the Primordial Star’s approval, which will grant you a divine seat.”

“Ascending is the final polishing of yourself, where you can consume celestial treasures to remove impurities or enhance yourself, and finally be baptized by the Primordial Star to become a god.”

“A False God can wield the star power of the Primordial Star but lacks a divine seat.”

“A True God possesses a divine seat, can wield the star power of the Primordial Star, and can absorb the power of faith.”

“A Celestial God is a high-ranking deity, known widely, either excelling in the star power of the Primordial Star, having strong faith power, or both.”

“The Ancestral God is a deity who has reached the peak limits of both the star power and faith power of the Primordial Star.”

“The Heavenly Emperor has completely transcended the Primordial Star and entered the cosmic level, able to perceive the universe’s past, present, and future to varying degrees depending on their strength.”

“Additionally, I must warn you, if you truly become a Heavenly Emperor, do not place too much trust in the futures you see, for the future is not set in stone.”

After hearing Athena’s explanation, Mu Changge suddenly realized that becoming an ancient god was no ordinary challenge. The most crucial part was dealing with the Primordial Star, which felt like a corporate job. Ridiculously, even if you snatch others’ opportunities, if the Primordial Star does not recognize you, you cannot become an ancient god. No wonder there are so few ancient gods—such stringent selection surely narrows the field.

Looking at cultivators, though they must survive heavenly tribulations, they are truly free. Even if the cultivation world is brutal and predatory, with Athena’s protection, at least Mu Changge wouldn’t be preyed upon. Moreover, cultivation costs far less than becoming an ancient god; it’s popular and accessible, with everyone having a chance—though aptitude determines who ascends to immortality and who is stuck at certain levels.

“Athena, teacher, may I switch to the cultivation path?”

“Currently, Hongjun Dao Ancestor has not yet opened his lecture at the Purple Cloud Palace on the cultivation path. If you wish to later become the master of the Purple Cloud Palace to succeed Hongjun Dao Ancestor, I do not oppose it.”

“Ah?” Mu Changge’s head filled with question marks. Upon reflection, he gasped inwardly. Becoming a Dao Ancestor? That was a whole different matter. Teaching the Dao might bore even himself to sleep, and guiding others would be difficult—especially with the upcoming chaos triggered by the Investiture of the Gods.

“There’s one more thing. Since China is still in the age of ancient mythology, if you pursue cultivation, wouldn’t you fear that no one across the world will recognize you?”

“Athena, teacher, I think I’d rather strive to become an ancient god.”

“Rest assured, with me here, I guarantee you’ll reach the passing line.”

Mu Changge twitched at the corner of his mouth, then took the chance to ask a question that had long puzzled him. “By the way, Athena, teacher, why didn’t you let me pursue the path of godhood outside the Dragon Kingdom?”

“It’s simple. The gods of China are completely different from those of other pantheons—just like the difference between Western and Eastern dragons.”

“Western dragons are magical creatures, often symbols of evil in legends. Eastern dragons are divine beasts; a true dragon is at least god-level and also a totem.”

“I see. So as a Dragon Kingdom native, taking the foreign path of godhood would be like being out of place, a mismatch.”

“Exactly! Different mythological systems have different methods for wielding divine power. For example, the Greek pantheon I belong to harnesses divine power through the divine word. The Norse pantheon uses magic, and the Egyptian pantheon uses tablet spirits.”

“What about the Indian pantheon?”

“You can look to the Buddhist pantheon—it shares origins with the Indian pantheon. Even if the Indian pantheon drove the Buddhist pantheon out, the fact that the Buddhist pantheon reflects the Indian pantheon remains unchanged.”

Mu Changge nodded. From Athena’s account, he found the Egyptian pantheon intriguing—after all, who wouldn’t want to grasp a tablet spirit and shout, “If that is endless darkness—then obey the Light Dragon and dye the darkness away! Blue-Eyes White Dragon!!”

“All right, no need to worry about other pantheons now. Do you have any other questions?” Athena brought the conversation back.

“Athena, teacher, by choosing the path of ancient godhood, won’t I just become a worker for the Primordial Star?”

“Even if you were the Primordial Star’s illegitimate child, you must bear your responsibilities. Isn’t there a saying in the Dragon Kingdom? Heaven and earth are indifferent, treating all things like straw dogs.”

“Heaven and earth are cruel and indifferent, trampling all things like straw dogs?”

Athena shot Mu Changge a weary look and kicked him lightly. “No, it means heaven and earth show no partiality, allowing all things to develop naturally! The Primordial Star will not deliberately favor anyone.”

“Don’t you think going against heaven is more heroic?” Mu Changge, feeling embarrassed, changed the subject.

“Where did you get such a foolish idea? Heaven and earth provide the place for you to experience life and move about. If you think of them this way, wouldn’t heaven and earth faint from your anger?”

“Will heaven strike me with lightning?”

“Heaven is too lazy to bother with your words unless you really seek your own demise.”

“Then I’m relieved.”

“So, if you have no further questions, I shall begin your transformation.”

Mu Changge nodded with tears in his eyes.