In the heart of Upper-Yard, a magnificent temple forged entirely from gold stood proudly.
Climbing the long golden steps revealed eight solid gold pillars standing in the vast temple. Everything inside was cast from gold, with the floor covered in luxurious animal pelts.
The golden light shone without appearing vulgar, instead carrying an air of solemn dignity.
At this moment...
"What did you say? Another God's Guard unit has gone missing?" Gan Fall's expression turned grave. "Could it be a Shandia attack? Why wasn't I informed?"
"Lord God, these brave soldiers have been confirmed dead. After my investigation, I found a Blue Sea Islander holding Captain Constance hostage. They're heading toward God's Island. Please allow me to arrest him!" Merrickin said, struggling to contain his anger.
"A Blue Sea Islander? Damn..." Gan Fall felt his divine authority facing unprecedented challenges.
"Lord God! The guards... the guards have been struck by Divine Punishment!" A guard rushed in, gasping for breath. His face showed extreme terror, as if he'd witnessed something unbelievable.
Boom!
Deafening thunder roared outside the temple. Lightning bolts descended continuously, striking down each member of the God's Guard one by one.
The massive tremors made even the rock-solid temple shudder. The wine in Gan Fall's hand spilled across the floor. After several violent shakes, everything came to a halt.
Just then...
Zzzt! Zzzt! Zzzt!
A piercing roar descended from the heavens, coalescing into a dazzling blue flash within the temple. Its tip aimed directly at Gan Fall—the Sky Island God—seated at the highest position.
"Look out!" Merrickin, who had been kneeling on one knee, roared. He actually moved to block the Thunder God's Spear with his own body.
This sudden development stunned the armed guards in the temple. Gan Fall's face, seated on the divine throne, underwent a dramatic change, a surge of anger rushing to his forehead.
But he was still the god of Sky Island. If he lacked power, he would have been pushed down long ago.
Silver-white armor shimmered as he sprang up from the divine throne in the nick of time. He unleashed a breathtaking burst of speed, causing the Thunder God's Spear to embed itself directly into the Golden Divine Throne.
The gold-crafted throne melted into a gaping hole, terrifying everyone present.
After the Thunder God's Spear dissipated, Gan Fall took two deep breaths before raising his head. His gaze fell upon the door as he said, "Thunder? Is this divine punishment, or has someone gained control of thunder's power?"
The temple stood empty save for the guards lying unconscious on the ground.
"What's happened?" Gan Fall roared, a sudden chill of dread running through him.
Whoosh!
A figure materialized within the temple, wreathed in crackling blue lightning. The guards jumped, instantly assuming battle stances as electronic energy coalesced around Yasa's form.
"You actually survived my Thunder God's Spear?" Yasa's voice rang out. "Not bad for a mortal!"
Though his spear hadn't reached its full velocity, it remained beyond ordinary evasion. Gan Fall's unguarded dodge proved his exceptional reflexes—but that was all.
"Who are you?" Gan Fall demanded, his voice taut with wariness. He dared not act rashly.
"Your executioner," Yasa replied, flicking his wrist to unleash another bolt. "The one who'll make you forge the Thunder God."
Without eliminating Gan Fall as a warning, how could Yasa hope for obedience? How would the others submit to crafting the Thunder God vessel? Yasa needed no further justification.
While others slaughtered commoners to intimidate, Yasa chose to strike at the heart—the true master of the chicken-and-monkey analogy.
Thunder roared again, unleashing its majestic power with a flick of the wrist. Lightning ten times more potent than the Thunder God's Spear locked onto Gan Fall, leaving him with an inescapable feeling—as if fleeing to the ends of the earth wouldn't save him.
The pillar of lightning loomed larger in his vision. Gan Fall's pupils contracted to pinpricks, despair welling up in his heart.
How can a man resist such thunder? This must be the true power of a god, the thought flashed through his mind as white light engulfed his body.
"Aaaaaah!" Gan Fall's strength wasn't insignificant. He actually managed to endure several seconds under the Rumble-Rumble Fruit's effects, filling the temple with pig-slaughtering screams.
"God!"
"Lord Gan Fall!"
Merrickin and the guards' eyes reddened, tears streaming down their faces. Yet none dared approach, their gazes fixed in hatred on Yasa.
As the lightning dissipated, Gan Fall's collapsed form came into view. Miraculously, he wasn't dead—still clinging to life by a thread.
"He's still alive?" Yasa was surprised. He'd released no ordinary current, but high-voltage electricity. Yet Gan Fall had somehow endured it.
"After obtaining the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, I grew proud and complacent. The great sea teems with powerful warriors—countless souls who could withstand my lightning..."
He deeply reflected on himself, lowering his head in contemplation. After a moment, he suddenly burst into laughter. "Ha ha ha! What if there are many powerful warriors? Doesn't that make it all the more exciting? The day will come when the one standing at the pinnacle will be me!"
Yasa cast aside all doubts, and lightning once again gathered in his hand.
This movement struck terror into everyone present...
"What tremendous power! This is far beyond what any human can wield!"
"Could this man be the true God come to judge Lord Gan Fall?"
Among the God's Guard filling the hall, some began to waver in their faith. Their gazes toward the fallen Gan Fall no longer held reverence or worship.
In a world where strength reigns supreme, the rules are simple: whoever is strongest becomes the God!
"Guh..." Gan Fall stirred, his consciousness already fading.
"Lord Gan Fall!" Merrickin rushed over to support him.
"Sky Island has never offended the Blue Sea, has it? Why... why would you... start slaughtering us so ruthlessly?" Gan Fall's unfocused gaze locked onto Yasa.
"No, you're mistaken!" Yasa shook his head, correcting him. "No one has offended anyone. Strength is everything. I intend to conquer Sky Island!"
He raised his head to look at the full hall of God's Guards, his voice indifferent. "Those who don't wish to die should all submit to me. My patience is limited! From now on, I am Sky Island's new god—the Thunder God!"
"I see... Ahem, you're right..." Gan Fall's arm fell limp as he spoke weakly. "Captain Maelkin, members of the God's Guard, I—Gan Fall—abdicate my position to the Thunder God today. You shall henceforth swear loyalty to him..."
He had seen through the situation clearly. The man before them was simply too powerful to resist. Any attempt at defiance would only lead to death.
Before he could finish speaking, his head slumped to the side—he was dead!
The God's Guards looked at each other, momentarily undecided. Merrickin, however, remained steadfast in his loyalty to Gan Fall, determined to carry out every task entrusted to him.
Leading the way, Yasa knelt on one knee, followed by the entire God's Guard behind him as they pledged their loyalty.
"Greetings to the mighty Lord of Thunder!" Their voices rang out in unison, echoing through the Temple.
Constance, who had arrived late, stepped through the gates to witness a scene that would forever be etched in his memory.
"Hahahahahahaha!"
Yasa's unrestrained laughter shook God's Island—Upper-Yard—announcing the arrival of the Thunder God!