A second divine clone meant a second life.
Who wouldn't envy that?
But Gaspar and Korst had both refined divine sparks to become Demigods. Their potential was fixed. They could not comprehend new Profound Mysteries on their own—so how could they ever cultivate additional divine clones?
Beside them, Yagonia smiled warmly at Oakes.
Ever since pledging allegiance to Lord Locke, Oakes had gained a powerful confidence. Under that confidence, his cultivation advanced smoothly.
In just over four hundred years, he had cultivated his Water Laws to godhood.
"Oakes. All of you—come here."
Locke's voice echoed in their ears.
"Yes, Lord Locke."
Even Yagonia, Gaspar, and Korst bowed respectfully toward Locke's secluded chamber before following Oakes inside.
"Not bad, Oakes. You did not disappoint me."
Locke smiled.
Though hidden behind that smile was a faint sigh.
When he sensed the descent of the Laws, Oakes had already chosen internal godhood. That choice had cost Locke a valuable experimental opportunity.
"All thanks to Lord Locke's guidance," Oakes knelt immediately.
"Without you, it would have taken me another thousand years at least."
"No need to be modest."
"Yes, I guided you. But without your talent and effort, five hundred years would have been impossible."
Locke waved his hand.
Two God divine sparks appeared and floated into Oakes' hands.
"You have not yet reached God level—but I acknowledge your talent and diligence."
Oakes bowed deeply.
Earlier, Locke had promised that once Oakes possessed God-level strength, the Blackstone Tribe would receive two God divine sparks.
Now that Oakes could rival a God through fused divine power, Locke honored his word.
He did not mention divine power fusion before the others.
He merely cited Oakes' effort.
"Go celebrate. Afterward, return. I will guide your next stage."
Oakes' ascension was a grand event for the Blackstone Tribe.
Another god-level expert meant safety, prosperity, and deterrence.
The celebration lasted an entire month.
Nearby forces sent representatives—part congratulations, part reconnaissance.
Oakes accepted every challenge.
In one month, he fought five divine-level experts.
Five victories.
His fame spread rapidly.
Even defeated opponents admitted he already possessed "Fiend-level" strength.
In Hell, being called a Fiend was the highest compliment.
And Oakes did not deny it.
Though only a lower god, with two divine clones and fused divine power, he could already pass a Two-Star Fiend assessment.
After the festivities ended, calm returned.
Gaspar and Korst each received a God divine spark. They agreed Gaspar would guard the tribe while Korst refined his.
Yagonia had already refined her lower Wind divine spark two centuries earlier.
Her God divine spark was half refined.
Within another two hundred years, she would become the tribe's first true God.
Because refining divine sparks did not trigger the descent of the Laws—and because she concealed her aura—no one but Locke and Oakes knew.
After the Celebration
"Lord Locke."
Oakes arrived outside the chamber once more.
Though now possessing God-comparable strength, he knew its source.
And he knew his growth would stall for some time.
After all—fusion required divine powers of equal rank.
Until both his clones became Gods, he could not rival a Highgod.
"Enter."
Oakes stepped inside.
Locke looked at him and shook his head lightly.
"Oakes. You were too hasty."
"…?"
Oakes frowned.
Was speed not good?
"You misunderstand," Locke said calmly.
"I refer to your choice of internal godhood."
"What was wrong with that?"
"You know your soul mutation allows divine power fusion."
"If you had chosen external godhood—"
"Then refined another divine spark with your Saint body…"
"You would have possessed three divine clones."
"Three lower divine powers fused together would rival Highgod-level divine power."
Oakes froze.
His eyes widened.
Regret surged violently.
Three divine clones…
Highgod-level power…
And when all three became Highgods—
What then?
"I'm an idiot… an idiot…"
He struck his own head in frustration.
"Enough."
Locke's voice rang out.
Oakes' body trembled—and froze in place.
Even with fused divine power, he could not move.
Only then did he truly grasp the gap between himself and Locke.
"Disperse."
Control returned.
"I apologize, Lord Locke…"
"Your temperament still needs tempering."
Locke's tone was calm.
"Yes, fused divine power is powerful."
"Two fusions multiply strength tenfold."
"Three fusions multiply it hundredfold."
"But is that the only path to power?"
"Look at the Fiends of the Fiend Castle."
"How many are soul mutants?"
"Yet they reach Five-Star, Six-Star, Seven-Star—even Shura."
"How?"
Oakes' mind cleared.
Indeed.
If soul mutants were rare—
Then what created those monsters?
"Please guide me."
He knelt sincerely.
This time, fear and humility were genuine.
Locke nodded faintly.
Good.
The lesson had landed.
In truth, Locke's earlier claim had been deliberate.
Yes, he regretted losing an experiment.
Any Saint—even with incompatible affinity—could refine a lower divine spark and ascend.
Compatibility only affected speed.
Locke had wanted to test:
If a dual-element soul mutant refined a third divine spark—
Would the soul evolve into triple-element mutation?
Or would fusion remain limited to the original two?
As for the claim that Oakes would certainly fuse three divine powers—
That part?
Purely fabricated.
⭐ Enjoying the story?
You can read ahead and support the translations by joining my Patreon! Your support helps me update faster and take on more projects. Thank you for reading!
Read up to 50 chapters ahead!
patreon.com/AminaSims
Next Bonus Chapter at 250 powerstones.