With Locke's current Water divine clone, his speed had already surpassed 6,000 meters per second.
Though still slower than wind- or light-element Highgods who specialized in speed, it was by no means slow.
In fact, it exceeded the velocity of many advanced metal lifeforms.
Yet even when powerful Highgods could outfly metal lifeforms, most still chose to travel using them.
Flying personally might be slightly faster—
But one had to constantly maintain direction and distance.
A slight lapse in focus could send one veering wildly off course.
Never underestimate a tiny angle.
Given enough distance, that small deviation could create a gap larger than the entire distance flown.
Metal lifeforms required none of that concern.
Supply divine power—
And they would fly unerringly toward the destination.
However, Locke's metal lifeform had already been exposed when he arrived at Nightblaze Prefecture.
For secrecy—
He traveled instead using Water Traversal, riding the water elements within the air.
More than a month later—
Locke arrived once again at the planar teleportation array of Mirror Moon Cliff.
He still remembered.
It was from here that he had first begun his journey in Hell.
That God named Nien—
After all these years—
Was still merely a squad captain.
This trip, however, required anonymity.
Locke did not seek out his old acquaintance.
Instead, he joined the queue outside the teleportation array.
Mirror Moon Cliff had two arrays:
One brought beings from other planes into Hell
• The other sent Hell's inhabitants outward
"Next destination: Earth Divine Plane! Those heading to the Earth Divine Plane, step forward and pay your fee!"
Unlike a thousand epochs in the future, when gods could individually choose their teleport destination—
Gods of this era were not so wealthy.
They pooled funds together.
When enough people shared a destination, the teleportation array would activate.
As the next departure concluded—
Another call rang out.
"Water Divine Plane! Anyone heading to the Water Divine Plane?"
Locke stepped forward without hesitation.
Soon, thirteen figures gathered.
"Thirteen people. Not bad."
The organizer smiled.
"Plane-to-plane teleportation costs three million Inkstones. Since we're thirteen, I'll take the small loss—two hundred and thirty thousand Inkstones each."
No one objected.
Locke paid as well.
After collecting the funds, the man presented the spatial ring to the Violetthorn Army soldier guarding the array.
The soldier recognized ownership, swept it with divine sense, then nodded.
"You're next. Prepare yourselves."
Moments later—
Locke and the others entered the teleportation array.
"Such dense law aura…"
Emerging from the array, Locke inhaled deeply.
Just as when he first entered Hell—
The Water Divine Plane made him feel an intimate resonance with the Water Laws.
But now—
As a Highgod who had fused three profound mysteries—
The increase in affinity no longer brought dramatic gains.
Still—
It wasn't insignificant.
If he remained here for a hundred years—
His fourth profound mystery would certainly fully fuse.
And his strength would rise another tenfold.
After exiting the teleportation platform—
Locke approached a God squad captain wearing a Sovereign Legion insignia.
The captain immediately stood.
From Locke's presence alone—
He sensed pressure stronger than even his battalion commander.
A terrifying Highgod.
"Sir… how may I assist you?"
Locke smiled.
"Which Sovereign does your legion serve?"
The captain hesitated, then replied:
"We serve Sovereign Phiros of the Snowfall Legion."
"Oh?"
Locke's brow lifted slightly.
Sovereign Phiros.
The same Sovereign whom Celes had once served.
Interesting.
That meant—
To find the Azure Dragon Sovereign—
He would first need to leave Phiros's territory.
"I am newly arrived in the Water Divine Plane. Do you have a map?"
"And which Sovereigns rule which regions?"
The captain hesitated again.
"Sir… I have a map."
"But regarding Sovereign domains… I am only a God. I dare not speak beyond my station."
Locke understood immediately.
Information about Sovereign territories—
Was sensitive.
If traced back, the captain could suffer consequences.
"Understood. Thank you."
Locke tossed him a spatial ring.
"Consider it a token of gratitude."
The captain startled.
"No, no, Sir! I provided no real assistance—how could I accept this?"
He returned the ring with both hands.
Locke chuckled.
"You're interesting."
He accepted the ring.
"If one day you tire of the Water Divine Plane—come to Hell."
"Find any Fiend Castle in any city."
"They'll lead you to me."
"My name is Locke."
With that—
He transformed into a streak of blue light and vanished.
Only after Locke disappeared did the captain straighten and wipe the sweat from his brow.
"Why are you staring?!"
He barked at his subordinates.
"Move! Arrange the mortals from the material planes!"
"You're all weak as chickens!"
"If you don't work harder and reach God soon—next time you'll be reassigned to gather faith in the material planes!"
At those words—
No one dared laugh.
Being sent back to a material plane—
Was the cruelest punishment.
Elemental density and law clarity there were hundreds of times weaker.
Gods accustomed to divine planes would go mad.
It was said even a Highgod had once been banished by Sovereign Phiros—
And had never been recalled.
Mid-flight—
Locke claimed ownership of the spatial ring.
His divine sense swept inside.
A faint smile appeared.
The ring he had just reclaimed—
Was not the original ring he had thrown.
In the instant he tossed it—
The captain had switched it.
Cleanly.
Flawlessly.
He accepted the gift—
Without leaving evidence.
He removed himself from political risk.
Sharp.
Practical.
Not rigid.
A true talent.
That was why Locke had invited him.
Locke valued strength.
But he valued minds even more.
A yellow scroll appeared in his hand.
He unfurled it.
A map of the Water Divine Plane.
Clearly marked—
Major powers and territories.
Locke's eyes narrowed.
The next move—
Was about to begin.
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