Venti stared in disbelief at the rankings of the 'Cosmic Center'. Even though the rankings weren't meant to be judged with her eyes, she couldn't help but rub them in astonishment and take a deep breath.
"The Great Dendro Archon is about to be promoted to the Supreme God! This is unbelievable! She's leaving us all far behind!"
Venti understood how difficult it was to comprehend the 'truth'. Even with his own comprehension speed, it would take him at least several decades to be promoted to the level of High God. This was under the current conditions of the 'Teyvat Universe'. If the universe underwent another upgrade, the quality of truth would become even higher, making it more challenging to grasp.
Though his strength steadily grew, reaching the rank of "Supreme God" would take longer and longer.
"I understand... The Dendro Archon is the incarnation of the World Tree, after all. Since the universe has grown so powerful, the World Tree must have grown stronger as well. Maybe it provides assistance in understanding the truth and rules!"
Venti's eyes filled with envy. The Dendro Archon's unique nature set her apart. Even in the era of Phanes, she had a sort of 'golden ticket' that others envied.
"A Supreme God... it calls for a grand festival. What kind of gift should I prepare?"
With the establishment of the various divine systems and the increase in gods from the distribution of "merits," the excitement about the Great Dendro Archon ascending to the status of "Supreme God" had overshadowed everything else.
After all, she was the first 'Supreme God' to be promoted through her own efforts, without an appointment from 'Heavenly Principles'. This held tremendous significance.
---
Zhongli clasped his hands behind his back, looking at the divine light pillars rising across Liyue, then cast his gaze towards Sumeru and sighed.
"Given the Dendro Archon's accomplishments and her special nature, it was only natural for her to be ahead of everyone."
"This occasion will surely be a thousand times grander than the Flower Festival of three thousand years ago."
A young-looking Ruotuo Dragon King, who appeared as a ten-year-old girl, crossed her arms and glanced at the aged Zhongli. "I thought you'd be the first to become the 'Supreme God', but it turns out the Dendro Archon is getting there before you."
With a smirk, she added, "Morax, you'll be nearly 7,000 years old in a few centuries, still considered young among gods. Look at Olympus and Asgard next door. The gods there are hundreds of thousands of years old and still full of energy. But you, Morax..."
Marcius laughed, patting his chest like a proud old teddy bear. "Morax is just young at heart. I've been dragged by that girl Xiangling to cook every day, feeling rejuvenated with all the youthful energy of Liyue's people. I feel like I'm only 2,000 years old!"
Zhongli shook his head, shifting the topic. "Enough about my issues. With the Dendro Archon being promoted, I plan to present finely ground tea leaves from Qingce Village and a set of glazed lamps I polished myself. What do you think?"
Ruotuo Dragon King pouted. "How about just giving her Glaze Lilies instead?"
Marcius smiled. "Perhaps I'll cook a feast for the Dendro Archon myself. That's a sincere enough gesture, right?"
As they conversed, Zhongli gazed at Liyue Harbor's bustling activities. The ceremony of ascension had ended, and joyous voices filled the air.
"Grandma Ping, I've become a god!"
"Grandma knew all along that Yaoyao would ascend."
"Baizhu, you've become a god now. You've finally realized your wish."
"Eternal life doesn't change everything. Even as a god, there are ailments that can't be healed—especially matters of the human heart."
"Qiqi has ascended. Does that mean Qiqi isn't a zombie anymore?"
"..."
"Dad, look at me. I've become a god, so you don't need to worry."
"Master Yun Jin has become a god. Will we still get to see her performances?"
"Don't worry, everyone. I am the God of Opera. Opera will forever be part of me."
"Xingqiu, you became a god too!"
"Joining the celebration, congratulations, Chongyun."
"Yelan, congratulations on becoming a god."
"Ningguang, have you become a higher god?"
"Yes."
"Sister! Wow, you've become a god! It's unbelievable!"
"Of course. Our Beidou fleet..."
The same events were unfolding in Inazuma, Sumeru, and Fontaine, but things were a bit different in Snezhnaya.
---
In the Winter Palace of Snezhnaya, Tsaritsa looked at her executives, now ascended to mid-level gods, with a sense of satisfaction.
"The Winter Pantheon has finally taken shape. Though we still fall short compared to the other nations, this is a good beginning."
The Fatui Harbingers knelt before her.
Childe spoke first. "I, Tartaglia, will serve Her Majesty the Tsaritsa with utmost dedication."
He was ecstatic to have ascended. For a warrior like him, growing stronger was the ultimate reward, and now, there were countless powerful beings in this vast universe for him to challenge.
All of the Harbingers declared their loyalty.
Tsaritsa nodded. Though Snezhnaya had become more than ten times more powerful than before, there was still the problem of comparison. The other nations had gods numbering in the hundreds or thousands, while she had only a handful.
While the other Archons had ascended to "First-Level Main God," she remained a "Second-Level Main God." Though her rank was at the top of this tier, the gap between the two levels was substantial.
Even the newly added pantheons from other worlds had a larger number of gods compared to her.
Snezhnaya had the smallest pantheon in the entire Teyvat Universe.
And as the last Archon to ascend, it seemed unlikely that new gods would choose her pantheon. Without many resources or prestige, she had little to offer to potential followers.
Sighing internally, Tsaritsa couldn't help but compare herself to her fellow Archons.
---
When news spread that the Great Dendro Archon was about to become a Supreme God, the entire Teyvat Universe felt the weight of this monumental achievement.
Odin, from the Asgard pantheon, looked towards Sumeru with a pensive expression. "The promotion of a Supreme God is a momentous occasion. Surely, there will be a ceremony, and I wonder if we will receive an invitation to attend."
Ascending to Supreme God meant recognizing many new relationships and allies.
For a "Second-Level Supreme God" like Odin, who was still struggling to comprehend the truth, the path to becoming a Supreme God was an uphill climb.
Like Odin, many of the main gods of other pantheons wondered the same—eagerly hoping for an invitation from the Dendro Archon, and the opportunity to establish ties with her.
In addition to competing in strength, gods also relied on building relationships with one another.
At that moment, an announcement came through the public channel of the Cosmic Center.
[I, the Great Dendro Archon, Buer, Supreme God of the Sumeru Pantheon, will ascend to the Supreme Throne tomorrow. I hereby extend an invitation to all upper gods and above to join the banquet in celebration.]
Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!