Chapter 48: Underworld Artifact: Black Cats, Journey to the Far West

Hades held the Earth Beast Star in his palm, resembling a world within his grasp. From his perspective, everything on the Earth Beast Star was clear: the towering statue of himself in the center, the temple, and the altar before it.

Cheshire had just returned to the Earth Beast Star and began his arduous training after brief preparation. Hades observed all this, but his real focus was on what lay within Cheshire's body.

Cheshire had an exceptionally unique constitution. Specifically, he could absorb darkness, a truly fascinating trait. The world above contained many such intriguing and special phenomena.

For instance, the darkness Cheshire absorbed was among these phenomena. This darkness, nurtured in the absence of any light, carried the laws and divine power, and Cheshire consumed it effortlessly.

Normally, even humans from the Golden Age who consumed such darkness would be doomed. However, Cheshire appeared accustomed to it, as if he had been taking it for some time.

Since becoming an Underworld Warrior, Hades noticed the large amounts of darkness within Cheshire's body. This darkness seemed to twist and transform, becoming a unique law of darkness and a divine entity.

"Underworld Artifact..." Hades pondered. Could the darkness Cheshire consumed be used to forge an Underworld Artifact for the Earth Beast Star?

The origin of Underworld Artifacts is straightforward, mirroring the relationship between Hades and the Magic Star. An Underworld Artifact can only be forged if the Magic Star finds a perfect Underworld Warrior. The Artifact and the Warrior are akin to Hades and the Magic Star.

This is the relationship, and forging an Underworld Artifact requires divine power, laws, and divine entities related to the perfect Underworld Warrior. It's not something that can be done arbitrarily.

Hades was interested in the darkness Cheshire had absorbed. Using this darkness as a primary material, along with other divine entities, an authentic Underworld Artifact could be created.

Hades raised his hand and extracted the darkness from within Cheshire. Throughout this process, Cheshire remained oblivious. Hades also took a portion of the Earth Beast Star's essence and combined it with various divine entities.

As these elements merged, they naturally began to combine. What would ultimately emerge as the Underworld Artifact was uncertain, but it would be the artifact most suited to Cheshire.

Over time, as the divine power dissipated, small crystal cat statues appeared. These statues were jet-black with dark purple eyes, and there were 199 of them in total.

"Cheshire absorbed darkness 199 times," Hades murmured. "Using this darkness, 199 black cats were forged."

Each of the 199 black cats contained the laws of darkness, the Magic Star's seal, and devouring. These statues, existing in crystal form, were living artifacts designed to assist Cheshire in battle.

Although Hades found it peculiar that such strange Underworld Artifacts were created, he trusted the process. These artifacts, born naturally from the Magic Star, were the most suitable for Cheshire.

Hades sent the Underworld Artifact into the Earth Beast Star and then returned the Earth Beast Star to the Underworld.

"Huh?!"

Inside the Earth Beast Star, Cheshire, who was training, suddenly opened his eyes and saw the descending black cat statues. Without inspecting them, he kneeled and respectfully said, "Thank you for your gift, Lord Hades!"

Receiving no response, Cheshire waited for a moment before standing up to examine the black cat statues.

"Meow~~~"

Sensing their master, the crystal cats transformed into small, adorable black cats, about the size of a baby's fist, and affectionately rubbed against Cheshire, bringing a smile to his face.

"Next…" Cheshire thought briefly, and with a mental command, his small universe ignited in dark purple flames.

"Roar!"

The once docile black cat statues let out a beastly roar and gathered together to form a massive, sky-covering black tiger with three eyes.

Darkness.

Seal.

Devour.

These three laws manifested in the tiger's three eyes, and terrifying divine power surged from it. Unlike Cheshire, who needed to train to realize his limitless potential, the black cat statues could immediately tap into the Magic Star's own divine power, overwhelming in its magnitude.

"Additionally…"

Cheshire began exploring how to fully unleash the power of the black cat statues as Underworld Artifacts. It's not enough just to be their master; one must also learn to control and harness their divine power.

Cheshire now had his hands full, not only with his own training but also mastering the Underworld Artifacts. 

After returning the Earth Beast Star, Hades shifted his attention elsewhere, contemplating his next destination.

According to his initial plan, after obtaining the Golden Apple and successfully experimenting with it, his next step would be to go to the Underworld.

However, from the two Ancient Gods, he learned about the existence of the World Chains. These five World Chains contained formidable sealing laws. Mastering them and integrating them into the Magic Star would significantly increase the success of his plans.

Considering this, Hades pondered which World Chain to seek next. After a moment, he gazed westward and murmured, "The Far West, the Heaven and Earth Sealing Barrier is in the Far West. In that case, I should continue to the Far West."

This strategy, while seemingly overlooked, was very secure. With time pressing, Hades swiftly headed toward the Far West.

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