The Ten Trillion Divine Power Wall
The Creator Gods who had come to the Spirit Realm war to stir up trouble could only gnash their teeth as they stared at the situation unfolding before them. The Creator had refused their visit, claiming to be in the midst of training, and the reason was the sheer power of those standing in their way. When they confirmed that the barrier could not be forced open, the numbers that appeared left them utterly incredulous. Even after double-checking, the figures remained absurd.
“Sangharama, Creator General of the 499th Master Universe. A Creator Star with one quadrillion sentient beings and a Divine Realm under his control. His innate divine power is officially ten trillion, with an estimated maximum output exceeding twenty trillion. No followers, yet his combat ability is rated as immeasurable by current standards?”
A collective groan escaped their lips. Even as Eternal Beings, they had no idea how long it would take to defeat a Creator God of that caliber. They would have to prepare for countless deaths. That was precisely why they never permitted such levels of divine power in their own universes.
“Even the highest-ranking Creator Gods are capped at five hundred billion. Anything exceeding one trillion risks immediate rebellion.”
Yet here stood a Creator God-level being wielding more than twenty times that power, openly blocking their path. On top of that, he addressed them as Creator proxies in casual speech and drove them back. With the gap in strength so overwhelming, they had no choice but to endure it.
“Did he really say ten trillion? The Creator Gods were the only ones granted permission for numbers in the trillions.”
“How is ten trillion even possible?”
“Even as a Spiritual Being, can a body that isn’t Eternal withstand that kind of power?”
“Where would anyone find the time to train to reach those numbers?!”
Everything was proceeding exactly as the Master Universe Creators had intended. They had orchestrated a large-scale provocation by mobilizing the highest-ranking Creator Gods under the flimsiest of pretexts, only to receive word that every single one of them had perished and only their divine spirits had returned.
“At last, we have a legitimate grievance against this universe to bring before the Alliance.”
“Finally, the time has come to pressure the 499th Master Universe—whether it calls itself an ally or an enemy.”
When this universe had first applied to join the anti-protagonist alliance, they had welcomed it with open arms. The trouble began when that mad Creator started behaving like a rampaging beast, claiming he would settle the score with his rival through fair and honorable means.
“He accepted every scrap of knowledge and support the protagonist offered without the slightest alteration, then added his own will to it, plunging even the gods into an endless hell of competition.”
How he ran his own universe was none of their concern. The real problem was that gods and Transcendents from their universes were being drawn to this one as if bewitched. The direct bloodlines and core factions of the Creators remained stable, but the surrounding powers that supported them were hemorrhaging their strongest and most loyal warriors. The moment any of those key figures suffered even a minor setback or missed a promotion, they abandoned everything and fled to this universe.
“Seeing them willingly become mercenary gods—a title so vulgar we’ve never even heard of it—makes my blood boil.”
“And if we confront them directly, they immediately resort to force. So we have no choice but to seize on any pretext we can find.”
They had considered the possibility that the Creator Gods might have risen in power, only to learn they had been killed instead. The absurdity of it was almost comforting. At least now they had a clear reason to demand compensation and accuse the 499th Master Universe of abnormal operations before the Alliance, forcing it back into line.
“We cannot allow any more gods to leak away.”
“Of course, we must also extract the vitality required to resurrect the slain Creator Gods from them.”
Yet when they saw the monstrous Creator General and the highest-ranking Creator Gods standing boldly in their path, their fury only burned hotter.
“Even if two Creator Generals with ten trillion innate divine power could be suppressed, there’s no way to handle ten other highest-ranking Creator Gods each exceeding five trillion. We only have six people. We’re completely outnumbered.”
How this universe had gone mad enough to produce ten Creator God-level Creator Gods was beyond comprehension. And the situation only grew more infuriating.
The Creators took one look at the faces of the highest-ranking Creator Gods and erupted into furious roars and frantic excuses. Five of the ten highest-ranking Creator Gods blocking their way were their own direct bloodlines. That was why they were losing control of their emotions and shouting despite the loss of face.
“Why are you here? Even if you deserted the battlefield without permission, you are still my direct descendant. How could you do this? You may not be the heir, but how can you betray me like this?”
“To survive.”
“What? Who would dare threaten the life of a direct descendant of a Creator God? And how could anyone threaten a Creator God with over five trillion divine power?”
“I started at one hundred billion when I arrived here and desperately raised my power. I was critically wounded during combat missions against the Demon Race with the other heirs. We were attacked as a group and nearly died. I barely escaped.”
“No such report was ever made. I received word that you deserted out of fear of fighting the enemy, and I even confirmed it with the Eye of Truth because I couldn’t believe it.”
“The Eye of Truth is not omnipotent. There are countless ways to evade it. To them, I was an enemy. So of course the report that I fled after fighting them was technically true. A competitor with high potential but no backing is eventually eliminated. I hid my strength, but when I was forced to reveal it during a battle with the Demon Race, the order came immediately.”
“What—?!”
“They didn’t know my origins and I was critically wounded, but they treated me as a valuable, powerful Main God. They gave me a fair price and even granted me a Divine Realm. That place is what kept me alive until now.”
“I don’t care about the past! Return at once. A Creator God with over five trillion innate divine power can serve as a Creator’s proxy. You will become the heir.”
“That’s… my Divine Realm is here. More importantly, I still haven’t repaid my debt to the Creation Realm, so it’s impossible.”
“My direct descendants made such a mess of the authentication trials that my debt only grew.”
“I should have just frozen it, but I made a mistake.”
“How dare a weakling like you start as the Main God of an independent Divine Realm?”
“A foolish partner and incompetent children are nothing but enemies.”
The Creators lashed out at their direct descendants, who had suddenly begun rambling incoherently.
“Debt? Who would dare turn a Creator God-level Creator God into a debtor? Who could possibly force repayment—?!”
When they saw their descendants glancing nervously at the Creator General without answering, the situation became clear. Twice the power was one thing, but a gap of five trillion or more was not something that could be endured. If such a being demanded repayment with proper justification, there would be no stopping him.
The moment the topic of debt arose, even the faint killing intent radiating from the Creator General made it obvious he had no intention of showing mercy or compromise. Furthermore, the sight of him openly displaying one pair of dark wings alongside his twenty-six pairs of light wings meant he had already obtained Chaos and stood just one step away from becoming a Creator God himself.
Yet he was no match for Eternal Beings like themselves.
“No matter how high his divine power, it decreases with use. A mere Spiritual Being who has never experienced death or annihilation cannot possibly stand against a Creator God.”
With that thought, the Creators turned to Sangharama and shouted confidently.
“I will pay the debt right now, so send them back immediately!”
“How much is the debt?”
“One hundred trillion each.”
“……”
“……”
The number that emerged was on the scale of an entire Super Universe’s sentient population. The Creators stood speechless, stunned by the unimaginable amount of vitality involved.
“Even for a Creator God, that amount of vitality is impossible to handle.”
“What kind of disaster could have led to such a debt? I almost want to know.”
When they saw the other highest-ranking Creator Gods who were also direct descendants sighing heavily, it became clear the situation was the same across the board. The Creators were horrified.
“What kind of fraud led to this debt?! How is the Creation Realm even still functioning with losses like that?”
“Ten trillion in vitality was borrowed for the advancement of the highest-ranking Creator Realm, and ninety trillion went to supporting the authentication trials of their direct descendants. The Divine Realm Lord God and Demon Race they fought as mercenaries were paid in advance by me and the Creation Realm. If repayment is not made promptly, they will be sent to his battlefield. This is forced collection.”
“Huuuuh—?! Please, anything but that—!”
“We will create Main God Stars immediately and repay it.”
The highest-ranking Creator Gods cried out in unison at the cold threat, leaving the Creators’ faces twisted in confusion.
“We have never seen anyone in our own universes dare demand repayment from such a powerful being, let alone use the words ‘forced collection.’”
“Yet here, they accept it as if it were completely ordinary.”
They knew of the authentication trials.
“I heard they were meant to test one’s qualifications as a Divine Realm Lord God, but do they really consume this much vitality?”
“To think they would engage in such meaningless consumption just for authentication trials.”
Sangharama cut them off sharply.
“If the Divine Realm Lord Gods and Creator Gods lose trust in me, no amount of compensation will ever bring them back to the battlefield. Never forget that this is the price for a struggle waged with their lives and divine power. That price will also apply to your future participation in battle.”
“Understood!”
“There will be no compensation until the debt is fully repaid. You are judged as mercenary gods.”
“Kuh—!”
“Huuuuh—!”
“Our Divine Realm operations are already running at a deficit… What do we do now?”
The despair on their faces at the mention of working without pay made it clear this was their normal way of life.
“I can’t understand why anyone would want to come to a place like this.”
Taking advantage of the momentary silence, Sangharama continued.
“Five of our Creator Gods were killed by your Creator Gods. We demand an explanation and compensation. Furthermore, the cause of this incident must be eliminated. This is our rightful demand.”
“It seems there has been a misunderstanding. Our Creator Gods have never personally entered battle. All Creator Gods have been summoned to acquire authorities, and the management of every star cluster is handled by Main Gods.”
“What—?! You dare play dumb—?!”
The Creators prepared to attack, deciding that further conversation was pointless. Sangharama sneered.
“I did receive a report that a single Creator Candidate killed several unidentified Main Gods who had violated the Boundary. Surely the Creators themselves wouldn’t come to protest over a mere squabble between Main Gods, would they?”
“What—?! A Creator Candidate? How dare you spout such nonsense… Wait a moment.”
At the additional report hastily delivered by a Creator God from behind them, the Creators couldn’t help but cry out.
“Are you saying five of our highest-ranking Creator Gods were all defeated by a single Creator Candidate here—?! Was it definitely a Main God with thirteen pairs of wings?”
“Yes. I confirmed it again. There is no mistake.”
A Creator God being killed by a Main God was more humiliating than a god being slain by a mortal.
“You—! Why are you reporting something this important only now—?!”
If this fact were reported to the Alliance, they would become laughingstocks before they could even accuse this universe of wrongdoing.
“To think they were all killed and forced to flee by a single Creator Candidate who isn’t even a highest-ranking Creator God… It’s absurd.”
Just to be sure, they checked the warrior’s title again. It really was a Creator Candidate. Moreover, it was the rather famous “Permanent Candidate” who had failed to pass the promotion exam for over ten thousand years. Faced with this ridiculous situation, the Creators ground their teeth in silence before turning away.
“We need to reassess the situation.”
As they turned to leave, Sangharama’s eyes grew even colder as he made a silent vow.
“The moment they cross the Spirit Realm, I will treat it as an invasion and slaughter them all to use as the foundation of this universe. I will gladly accept your universes’ territories as well.”
It wasn’t only the other universes that lacked vitality for development. The Creator Gods were growing stronger and their direct bloodlines were multiplying far too quickly.
“Fortunately, the Main God Stars provide a foundation, so there’s no immediate crisis. But the future is a problem. Eventually, there will be a shortage of star systems to house the Main God Stars the Creator Gods produce. The only solution is invasion.”
The desire to pick a fight was not limited to the surrounding Creator Gods. It was equally desperate for the Creator General, who had to sustain the endlessly expanding Creation Realm.
Shhhhhhh!
“How dare the weak offer me a pretext for a Master Universe war? I should be grateful.”
The surrounding highest-ranking Creator Gods turned deathly pale at the chilling wave of divine power laced with killing intent that exceeded twenty trillion. A dreadful premonition of war descended upon them.