After listening to Garon, Volibear, with a fierce tone, said, "That guy who ambushed you, remember to call me over when you find him. I'll help you avenge this."
The thought crossed Garon's mind that even all four brothers combined might not be able to defeat him. The deity who attacked him belonged to a category of powerful divine forces, far beyond what Volibear and Garon could currently compare to.
"Alright, let's kill him together, brothers!" Garon nodded in agreement.
After a curious inquiry from Volibear about the future, and upon hearing Garon's plan to return soon, Volibear suddenly asked, "Fourth brother, you won't stay long in Valoran, will you? When do you plan to leave?"
Garon thought for a moment and seriously said, "The main timeline I belong to needs me now."
"After the ambush, my kin might have already started a bloody war."
"So, I plan to head back to the main timeline once Ornn, the big brother, has repaired my equipment."
Volibear nodded, showing interest upon hearing the word "war."
"So, can you take me with you to your timeline?"
"I love to battle, and I can join your war."
At this time, Valoran was still in a primitive era, quite boring compared to the prosperous future Garon spoke of, so Volibear was interested in leaving with Garon to see the future world, not just being confined to this ancient age.
Seeing the expectant look in Volibear's eyes, Garon shook his head, regretfully saying, "I'm not sure."
"I need the aid of external equipment to travel between different timelines."
"Maybe I could do it with an ordinary creature."
"But for a primordial god like you, brother, my power is insufficient to take you along."
Volibear sighed with slight disappointment but soon perked up, "At least we have the Time Alliance. When you need me, I can lend you a helping hand."
Garon smiled, "When I'm strong enough, and if you still wish to visit my world, I'll take you there."
"By then, it'll be my turn to protect you, brother."
Volibear laughed heartily, "Alright, I look forward to that day."
Instead of using spatial teleportation, Volibear and Garon flew towards Ornn's territory, chatting along the way, mainly with Volibear asking questions and Garon answering. After learning Garon was from a future timeline, Volibear was filled with curiosity.
"If you return to your timeline and then find me again in Valoran,"
"Would the future me remember you?" Volibear asked Garon with a curious gaze.
Garon thought for a moment and shook his head.
"Probably not."
"After I arrived here and met you brothers, a new timeline was created."
"My brothers are you from this new timeline."
"In the main timeline, the Volibear there isn't my brother and won't have memories related to me."
Just like when he visited the continent of Freljord, if Garon went to the main timeline's Freljord and Ionia was still alive, he wouldn't recognize Garon.
"I see." Volibear nodded in realization.
"I was thinking, if the future me is powerful and still remembers you,"
"Then when you return to the main timeline and find me, I could still protect you."
Garon smiled, "Don't worry, brother. Under the protection of my clan's Dragon God in the main timeline, I won't easily fall into trouble."
After a pause, Garon suddenly thought, Volibear and Ornn have been born for many years; was their strength not as formidable when they were first born? Could their future possibly involve becoming a powerful divine force?
"Over the years, has your strength remained constant, or has it been growing?"
Garon inquired.
Volibear thought for a moment, "Ornn, our big brother, and I were born with demi-god strength. As time passed, aside from becoming more skilled in wielding our powers, our raw strength hasn't significantly increased."
No growth Garon looked at Volibear, feeling a bit disheartened.
The primordial divine powers, depending on their type, seem to have a limit. Volibear's storm power isn't considered outstanding, and the same goes for Ornn and Anivia's divine powers. Perhaps, the demi-gods born directly in Valoran at this time possess unremarkable divine powers.
"Maybe, demi-god power is the limit for you and the others."
Garon frowned slightly.
He wasn't too familiar with Ornn and Anivia.
But he understood Volibear quite well.
This second brother, who loves battle and reveres strength, would probably find it hard to accept if he could only remain at the demi-god level.
However, there's more than one way to gain power. Transcendent divine power is the mainstream.
Thinking this, Garon seriously said to Volibear, "How are those beings you encountered in the canyon now?"
Immediately, Volibear's face showed pride, "They still worship me as a god, doing their best to please me."
Garon nodded slightly.
Then he continued, "Brother, you might not understand, but faith is a power even stronger than your storm power. If you have enough faith, with infinite faith upon you, you will gain a vast and mighty power known as transcendent divine power."
"Transcendent divine power? What's that?"
Volibear was slightly stunned.
It doubted, "Can it really be more powerful than my storm power?"
To Volibear, caring for those insignificant primitive humans was just to find some amusement in its dull life, not with the intention of deliberately gathering faith. It didn't believe the mere faith of mortals could grant it power beyond its storm power.
Garon nodded solemnly.
"The being that almost killed me possessed such a powerful transcendent divine power."
He conjured a spell to display the scene of the ambush he experienced.
Seeing the divinely bright sword that seemed capable of destroying the world, Volibear's eyes widened in disbelief.
Even in its colossal form, Volibear seemed too insignificant compared to the divine sword that pierced the world. Having only encountered demi-gods at its strongest, Volibear's worldview was massively shaken just by witnessing the descent of the divine sword, feeling a tremble and realizing the other party was not on the same level as itself.
"You and our big brother, as well as our sister, have been born with this world for who knows how many years."
"But your strength has always remained unchanged."
"This shows that your divine powers have reached their limit. You need a new pathway to power."
"Transcendent divine power is the most suitable and omnipotent power."
"It can make barren lands teem with life, cause heaven and earth to invert, worlds to collapse, and can also transform into the storm power you love, brother."
Garon shared information about transcendent divine power with Volibear.
Gradually, Volibear was persuaded.
"So, how can I obtain transcendent divine power?"
Volibear asked in confusion.
Garon smiled slightly, "Brother, you were born in a good era."
"In my timeline, if you wanted to snatch faith from the mouths of gods, you'd probably end up skinned alive."
Volibear's face turned fierce at the thought.
"Huh? Who dares to skin me? I'll tear them apart first!"
Garon pointed at the still-visible divine sword in the image.
"The owner of this sword is a bearer of transcendent divine power."
"If they wanted your bear skin, do you think you could resist?"
Always prideful, Volibear fell silent for a moment, then stiffened its neck stubbornly, "Hmph, I, Volibear, am not easy to mess with! Even if it means death, I'll leave my enemy with an indelible wound."
Garon chuckled, ignoring Volibear's bravado, and continued, "As time goes on, there will be more and more intelligent beings."
"Before the seed of faith has sprouted, brother, you just need to seize the opportunity to harvest enough faith, and there might be a chance for you in the future to become a powerful divine force."
Volibear became even more interested.
It looked at Garon, asking, "Fourth brother, you seem to know a lot about this. How can one gather faith and obtain transcendent divine power?"
"Explain in detail to your brother."
Of course, Garon knew.
He was born in an era where faith was widespread, and gods filled the sky.
Although he had never gathered faith himself, he had seen plenty.
"Spread miracles, build temples, compose myths and legends, erect statues and sculptures, gather disciples and messengers, spread doctrines..."
Garon told Volibear all the usual ways gods gathered faith.
To prevent Volibear from forgetting, he deliberately recorded these messages on a magic stone and gave it to Volibear.
"I've decided, I want to give myself another name."
After receiving the stone, Volibear was full of fighting spirit.
"What name?"
Garon asked curiously.
"The God of Thunder and Storms!"
Volibear crossed its bear arms, proudly stating.
Garon nodded and smiled, "That works, I wish my brother to become a powerful divine force one day."
Then, Volibear suddenly said, "There's also Ornn, our big brother, and Anivia, our sister. I think we can establish a church together."
Thinking it over, Volibear chuckled, "How about we call it the Church of the Four Gods?"
"The God of Thunder and Storms, the God of Fire and Forge, the God of Winter and Snow, and the God of Eternity and Time."
"I've thought of your divine names for you."
"How does that sound?"
At that moment, Volibear was excited.
Garon couldn't help but laugh, "Of course, it's possible."
Soon, a dragon and a bear traversed the vast land, arriving at the location of Ornn's volcano.
Seeing the unique scenery in their field of vision, Garon finally understood why the land had suddenly turned snowy and white.
In Garon's pupils, the reflection of a towering, majestic volcano was visible.
And at the highest peak of the volcano, there was a black and red metal fortress connected to the deep heart of the earth through the volcano, resembling a giant furnace, radiating intense heat. A lava waterfall, mixed with many metal scraps, flowed out from the fortress into a canal dug out at some point on the ground.
Steam billowed, and countless vapors ascended into the sky.
The constant fluctuation of temperature eventually evolved into the current snowy and frigid landscape.
"So, it was big brother Ornn who changed the weather."
"The landscape of this world seems to be born from the demi-gods."
"When Volibear battled the lava giant, it created countless canyons and ravines."
Garon thought as he looked at the metal fortress.
At the same time, he and Volibear noticed many small structures surrounding the volcano where the metal fortress was located. These structures housed many humanoid beings hammering away, seemingly crafting something, with some Ornn sculptures faintly visible among them.
"These people seem to be more civilized and intelligent than the humans Volibear encountered in the canyon."
After a few glances, Garon withdrew his gaze.
"Big brother!"
Volibear roared, calling out to Ornn.
Ornn wasn't sleeping and had opened the fortress gates upon sensing the approach of Volibear and Garon.
"Second brother, fourth brother, welcome to the Forgehold."
Ornn's voice came from inside the forge.
Riding the storm, Garon flew, entering the Forgehold under the awe-filled gaze of many beings below. The metal doors thunderously closed behind them.
Bang, bang, bang! The muffled sounds were continuous, one after another.
Ornn, with his muscular build, was bare-armed, revealing strong muscles like cast iron. He was wielding a giant hammer, striking down repeatedly on an unformed armor. Garon saw some familiar runes on this armor.
Magitech runes.
A giant furnace connected to the earth's core was beside Ornn, containing flames of astonishing heat.
And at Ornn's feet, many forged equipments were scattered around - massive shields, claw-like fist blades, iron rods filled with sharp spikes. These godly weapons, carelessly lying around, shone with dazzling spiritual light.
The equipment forged by Ornn, even if not divine artifacts, were considered powerful legendary items.
This wasn't Garon's first time seeing Ornn.
But it was the first time he truly realized the real capabilities of his big brother.
"So many good equipments"
Garon swallowed, his innate love for treasures surfacing.
"Thank you, big brother!"
Never one to be polite when offered treasures, Garon eagerly ran up and carefully selected equipment and tools.
"Take six, no, take ten."
"We shouldn't be too formal amongst brothers."
Thinking thus, Garon had unknowingly selected more than half of the equipment.
Seeing this, Ornn stroked his dense beard and said, "Fourth brother, I didn't give you a welcome gift when we first met because it was all so sudden. If you like these trinkets, take them all; consider them a gift from your brother."
For a blacksmith like Ornn, having his creations appreciated and liked is a joyous matter.
"Thanks, big brother!"
Garon thanked Ornn several times, happily collecting the equipment.
Even if he didn't use it himself, decorating his dragon's lair with it would be perfect.
"I noticed many intelligent beings gathered below the Forgehold, even building dwellings there."
"Big brother, are these beings under your protection?" Garon asked.
Ornn calmly shook his head, "They worship my craft and gathered here on their own. I haven't bothered to drive them away."
"As for protection... I don't protect them."
Ornn said, but allowing them to live around his fortress was a form of protection in itself.
Garon didn't press further.
"Big brother, how's the repair on the Imaskari artifacts going?" Garon asked after a while.
Ornn thought for a moment and replied, "Those seven items are very delicate and can't withstand too much of my power."
"To avoid damaging them, I plan to fully understand their forging principles before starting repairs."
"It won't take much time. I'm gradually getting a grasp of it."
Garon nodded, "Thanks, big brother."
Ornn smiled, "No trouble at all. Crafting equipment is what I do best and enjoy the most. Your equipment has given me a lot of inspiration."
Then, Volibear approached Ornn, slinging an arm around Ornn's shoulder.
"Big brother, what about my armor?"
"You've given so many pieces to the fourth brother; don't forget about mine."
Ornn pushed the enthusiastic Volibear away, pointing to the armor he was working on, "Once it's finished, it's yours."
Garon looked at the red-hot armor and suddenly remembered the Frostfire Armor he'd received earlier.
He took out the Frostfire Armor from his dimensional space.
This piece immediately began to thrum with a will to attack Garon but was firmly restrained by Garon's power, unable to move.
"Ornn, big brother, take a look."
Without Garon needing to explain, the Frostfire Armor had already caught Ornn's attention as soon as it appeared.
Ornn, with hands as strong as iron clamps, picked up the icy blue armor, showing a look of astonishment, "Fourth brother, you've given me another surprise."
The craftsmanship of the Frostfire Armor differed from that of the Imaskari artifacts.
Looking at the Frostfire Armor, Ornn's eyes were full of wonder.
"This piece has always been disobedient. Big brother, feel free to melt it down and use it to forge new armor for the second brother."
Hearing this, Volibear immediately showed a delighted and ferocious grin.
"I can try."
Ornn nodded.
After a pause, Ornn looked up at Garon and Volibear, pondering for a moment before saying, "Second brother, fourth brother, I need your help with something."
"I'm currently busy forging armor and studying thecrafting principles of the fourth brother's equipment. I can't spare the time."
"What is it?" Volibear and Garon asked curiously.
Ornn gravely said, "When I was constructing the Forgehold, I needed a water source for smelting and asked a demi-god to divert ocean water here."
"This demi-god has run into some trouble, and I promised to help solve it, but I've been too busy lately."
"Now that you two are here, could you head to the northern ocean and help resolve this issue for me?"
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