At this moment, the Thorn Evil God found being imprisoned in this cage quite acceptable. Truly, it was good. Though the space was narrow, it was, for now, extremely safe. The outside world was far too dangerous.
"You could come out and take a look," Muria suggested, his voice dripping with ill intent as he watched the Thorn Evil God try to restore the Nebula Chains' seal.
"No need. I feel quite comfortable here," the Thorn Evil God decisively rejected Muria's seemingly enticing but clearly malicious proposal.
"Are you sure? This is your only chance at freedom. You won't get another opportunity," Muria teased, thoroughly enjoying himself.
The Thorn Evil God ignored him, realizing he couldn't force the chains back to their original state. Instead, he constructed an additional primitive yet profound sealing array within the cage himself.
Fine, if you won't seal me properly and even leave me a way out, then I'll seal myself. I'm not going out. The outside world is no place for someone as pitiable as me.
"If you don't come out this time, you might be stuck in there forever," Muria warned.
The Thorn Evil God's resolve was unshakable. With the world so terrifying outside, not even if my mind were shattered would I go out. Hadn't he just seen what happened to the Desolate Evil God?
"So many beings pursue freedom at all costs, even sacrificing their lives for it. And here I am offering you freedom, yet you refuse. Such a pity!" Muria's voice penetrated the Evil God's self-made seal and echoed within.
The Thorn Evil God scoffed internally, unwilling to engage. Freedom was indeed precious, but only if one were alive to enjoy it. Without life, what freedom could there be?
"Muria, I see you've caught yourself another Evil God," a group of Titans approached Muria. These were his kin who had recently ascended to the epic level through the secret technique of Heavenly Demonic Rebirth.
Although they spoke to Muria, their gazes occasionally flickered toward the sealed Nebula Chains behind him. They made no effort to hide their interest.
"Brother, the Evil God you've captured seems to be in decent shape. Could we borrow it for some training matches?"
"You can borrow it, but how do you plan to compensate my grandson for his losses?" Before Muria could respond, Demes interjected. "My grandson intended to use this Evil God to expand his demi-plane and evolve it into a full world. If you use the Evil God for battle, it will deplete its essence, indirectly harming my grandson's demi-plane."
"Grandfather." Muria sighed, feeling both exasperated and touched. He understood Demes' intentions—ensuring Muria's interests remained uncompromised. Yet his grandfather's dragon-like instinct to guard his "treasures" was unmistakable.
"Cut the nonsense. This Evil God was captured with my help, through battles fought in the void. You want to borrow it to gain combat experience? Fine. But you must pay accordingly," Demes declared.
"That's only fair." The newly ascended Titans exchanged glances, showing no signs of dissatisfaction.
"No need," Muria said with a wry smile. He hadn't intended to profit from this.
The Titan race had always been generous to him. These new epics needed practical experience, and he had the means to provide it. Logically, he could charge a fee, but Muria believed it was better not to. Building goodwill with these newly ascended Titans, whose futures were boundless, seemed a wiser investment.
However, Demes' calculation was not misplaced. Titans often took the help of their kin for granted. Muria's grandfather merely sought to remind these Titans to show proper appreciation.
"Little Evil God, come out and spar with my kin!" Muria grinned, releasing the seal with a thought.
"What are you doing?" The Thorn Evil God panicked as its "cage" was suddenly undone. Seeing the eager Titans, it roared in feigned rage, "I refuse to fight! I'm in no condition to battle!"
The Thorn Evil God then offered an excuse so flimsy even it didn't believe it. It turned to Muria, pleading, "Seal me again to prevent my escape!"
"No need. I'm not worried about you escaping. In fact, I'd like to see if you dare," Muria replied with a playful smirk.
"I don't dare," the Thorn Evil God admitted without hesitation, fully embodying submission. The oppressive gazes it felt were so overwhelming it couldn't even entertain the thought of escape.
"Could you at least get your kin to stop staring at me? If you guarantee my safety, I'll willingly serve you," the Thorn Evil God offered, glancing at the still-beaten Desolate Evil God.
A tempting proposition. To have an Evil God as a servant was an opportunity most epics wouldn't refuse. Muria was tempted but ultimately shook his head.
"I've already promised my kin you'd fight. But I can guarantee your life."
"Then I refuse to serve you."
"In that case, I'll let them kill you."
"...Fine, I'll obey your commands."
...
Later, far from the chaos of the Multiverse Transmission Hall, a black-haired, golden-eyed youth walked alongside a dragonkin outside Erathia's world barriers.
"Why'd you refuse an Evil God's servitude?" the dragonkin, tall and muscular, asked curiously.
"I was tempted, but after thinking it through, I decided it was better to refuse," Muria replied.
"Why?"
"The only beings I know who can command other epics are the Ten Sovereigns."
"And?"
"I've heard the Sovereigns use their scepters to control multiple epics. But their power is the real reason epics serve them. I don't have such an artifact, nor do I possess the strength to suppress an epic. I'm not qualified to accept such loyalty yet."
"You're remarkably clear-headed. I'm relieved. It seems I don't need to worry about your journey through the void anymore," the dragonkin said.
"What?" Muria asked, puzzled.
"I'm pleased to inform you that from now on, you're banned from using Heavenly Demonic Rebirth to reincarnate into small and medium-sized worlds. You'll now embark on a wandering—or rather, a journey—through the void."
"But I haven't even reached a breakthrough!" Muria protested. He hadn't had enough fun with Heavenly Demonic Rebirth.
"You've already reached the threshold for the ban."
"But isn't this a Titan decree? Why are you enforcing it?"
"Because the Dragon race intends to follow suit."
"If small and medium worlds are off-limits, what about large ones?" Muria pressed, catching the subtle phrasing.
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