Chapter 142: All Underworld Gods Equipped with Underworld Armor

Hades quietly observed the Underworld Armor radiating dark purple light before him. He raised his hand, and with a wave, the Underworld Armor was integrated into the divine statue within the Elysian Fields.

Hades didn't intend to absorb the power of faith directly. Instead, he planned to use the power of faith to nurture the Underworld Armor. Faith is a versatile divine power, useful for many purposes and relatively easy to obtain. Consider the Japanese mythology, which sustains eight million gods solely through the power of faith. Hades always thought that there must be some artifact that amplifies or purifies faith in Japanese mythology. Otherwise, it would be unrealistic to sustain so many deities in a single mythological world.

Though the Greek pantheon is also vast, potentially housing eight million deities, their primary cultivation lies in the power of laws rather than faith. This creates a significant difference and distinction.

Regardless, Hades sent the Underworld Armor into the divine statue for quiet nurturing. With the faith statue in place, the future enhancements it could bring would be enormous.

Having forged his Underworld Armor, Hades exhaled slightly and murmured, "The consumption of heart's blood is indeed exhausting. It's best not to leave the Underworld until I have fully recovered."

Hades, being a calm and rational god, knew to rest when weak. Unlike some sword saints who recklessly ventured around while wounded, Hades found such actions absurd and meaningless.

However, Hades didn't immediately begin his rest. The Titan War was imminent. By the time he had recovered, Poseidon and Zeus would also be ready. When the Titan War started, he needed to enhance the power of his subordinates. Preparing cannon fodder Underworld soldiers was one thing, but strengthening his true Underworld gods was essential.

Hades raised his hand, and strands of divine power appeared. Divine stones began to align and combine. Instantly, every Underworld god felt a thread of their life force being drawn out. Though this didn't harm them, it left them puzzled.

Before long, before Hades, divine power, laws, divine stones, and numerous materials converged. Under the laws of the Underworld, humanoid Underworld Armors emitting dark purple light began to materialize.

Typically, for the soldiers under gods, their armors corresponded to demonic stars, constellations, sea beasts, or mythical beasts, resulting in various peculiar forms. However, divine armors were different, representing the god's own laws. Many gods personally forged these armors. For the Underworld gods, the armors forged by Hades would provide even greater enhancements.

Strands of divine power emanated from Hades' hand as he gradually formed each Underworld Armor. Dark purple light beams left the Elysian Fields, heading towards each Underworld god.

"Lord Hades!" Mephisto knelt respectfully before standing and approaching his Underworld Armor.

Mephisto, the strongest among the Underworld gods, had a unique origin. Though not a descendant of the ancient gods, his background was even more special. Consequently, Mephisto's divine power was strong, and he was steadily transforming, drawing closer to the level of a god-king. It was estimated that when Hades ascended to the level of an ancient god, Mephisto would also reach the god-king tier.

Mephisto's loyalty to Hades was absolute, almost to the point of blind devotion. Hades' first forged Underworld Armor was meant for Mephisto.

Following Mephisto were Hypnos, Thanatos, Aether, Hemera, Moros, Keres, Momus, Ker, Oizys, Nemesis, Apate, Philotes, Geras, Cacia, and Eurynomos. These ancient gods' children, as Hades' subordinates, each received their own Underworld Armor. The craftsmanship of each armor was the same, but the future potential of each depended on the strength of the Underworld god wearing it.

It's worth noting that the four goddesses of fate, Keres, Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos, received particularly unique Underworld Armors. These four armors, while individual, could also combine into a single entity when the goddesses united as Moirai, the goddess of fate.

In total, Hades spent a hundred thousand years forging Underworld Armors for all his Underworld gods. Taking advantage of the opportunity, he also forged armors for the seventy-two demon gods, although their birth would take a long time. He decided to pre-forge their armors and place them within the demon pillars to nurture alongside the seventy-two demon gods, allowing for true origin-based nurturing.

Once all this was done, Hades had spent a hundred thousand years. He then delegated the operations of the Underworld to the twin gods and retreated to the Elysian Fields for a deep slumber.

Or rather, a period of rest and recovery. The loss of his heart's blood required a long time to heal, potentially up to a million years, though it wouldn't necessarily take that long.

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