Among the 108 Specters of the Underworld, two stand out as the most unique and significant.
In theory!
There is no real hierarchy among the Specters.
Why?
Each Specter is, by design, equal in potential. While their initial strength may vary, their ultimate development depends entirely on their effort.
This equality is a hallmark of the perfect Specter.
However...
Though they are theoretically equal, two Specters are exceptions.
The Heaven Prime Star
The Earth Prime Star
By designation:
The Heaven Prime Star is the leader of the 36 Heavenly Gang Stars. The Earth Prime Star leads the 72 Earthly Fiend Stars.
But why isn't the Heaven Prime Star the leader of all 108 Magic Stars?
The reason is simple. Only Hades himself can hold that title. No other entity possesses the qualifications to claim it.
These two Magic Stars are exceptional in nature.
Their potential is astounding, representing the pinnacle of the 108 Stars.
But!
Does their upper limit truly exceed that of other Specters?
Yes and no.
Each Specter has the capacity to grow.
For instance:
Every Specter can ascend to the level of a God-King, tied closely to Hades' own power. As Hades grows stronger, so do his Specters.
When Hades ascends to the level of Absolute God, every Specter will have the potential to ascend to Ancient God or even Creator God.
This is because the Magic Stars are tied intrinsically to Hades as his divine artifacts. The bond between them ensures that all Specters can rise, capped only one level below Hades himself.
This unique trait defines the Specters and the Magic Stars.
Of course!
This applies only to perfect Specters. Lesser versions lack such potential.
Thus, while all Specters share the same theoretical cap, the Heaven Prime Star and Earth Prime Star hold a distinct advantage.
Greater Potential
To put it simply:
Ordinary gods cannot hope to reach the level of a God-King without a miraculous event. For most, such opportunities are impossibly rare, akin to divine intervention.
But for the Heaven Prime Star and Earth Prime Star, it's not a matter of miracles but opportunities—genuine chances.
This subtle yet profound difference is critical.
For most, progress relies on miracles, whereas for these two Specters, advancement is attainable through hard work and seizing the right moment.
For this reason, they are exceptional even among the 108 Magic Stars.
Hades gazed calmly at Grand Marshal Mingwang before him. Raising a hand, he summoned a Magic Star.
In an instant, the star transformed into a sinister, grinning skull, emitting a chilling "gagaga" laugh as it merged with the Marshal's body.
In that moment!
The transformation began.
Grand Marshal Mingwang was being remade, reshaped by the Magic Star into the Earth Prime Star's Specter.
Yes!
Grand Marshal Mingwang was the Specter of the Earth Prime Star.
The Buddhist Pantheon
"Buddhist Pantheon..."
Hades muttered, his mind turning to the origins of Mingwang.
In the vast Chaos Sea, nearly all pantheons were creations of Absolute Gods. But the Buddhist Pantheon stood apart.
Unlike others, it evolved from the Indian Pantheon, diverging to form its own distinct identity.
This unique history set the Buddhist Pantheon apart.
Starting from nothing, it grew into one of the most prominent pantheons.
Though internal factions existed, the Buddhist Pantheon presented a united front externally.
Unlike other pantheons—where individual deities and factions operated like independent sects—the Buddhist Pantheon functioned as a singular, massive entity.
Yes, internal disputes occurred, but these were internal, productive rivalries.
Moreover, the Buddhist Pantheon was uniquely adept at assimilation.
No one fully understood the methods it used to convert other gods across the Chaos Sea. Yet, its ability to absorb external deities was unparalleled, creating a strange and mysterious dynamic.
Hades knew only the surface details of the Buddhist Pantheon. Its secrets were deeply shrouded in mystery.
Even the Indian Pantheon, its origin, could not fully explain the Buddhist Pantheon's structure.
The few known figures were its Five Buddhas, representing the Three Times (past, present, and future) and the dual aspects of transcendence and immanence.
However, whether these Buddhas wielded the power of an Absolute God remained uncertain.
The Earth Prime Star's Specter
As Hades observed Mingwang's transformation, he contemplated the implications.
Grand Marshal Mingwang, known as Āṭavaka, was one of the Sixteen Yaksha Generals, also referred to as the Sixteen Good Gods, Sixteen Kings, or Sixteen Yaksha Gods.
However...
Mingwang's power had been corroded by Hydra.
In his weakened state, he appeared to be only at the level of a God-King.
But Hades could discern that Mingwang's true potential was far greater.
At his peak, Mingwang had the capacity to reach the level of Titan Chief God—a rare level of power.
This revelation was startling. If each of the Sixteen Yaksha Generals possessed such power, then the Buddhist Pantheon's strength would be extraordinary, far exceeding that of most other pantheons.
As Mingwang's transformation into the Earth Prime Star progressed, Persephone emerged from the temple, her voice soft yet curious.
"Husband, what's this? I sensed the power of a Magic Star just now."
She paused, her gaze falling on the transforming Mingwang.
Her expression shifted to surprise.
"Earth Prime Star?"
Persephone's expertise as the Queen of the Underworld granted her knowledge of the unique traits of the Heaven and Earth Prime Stars. Unlike ordinary Specters, their transformations required significantly more time.
The unusual duration of this process had not escaped her notice.
"Mingwang of the Buddhist Pantheon?" Persephone mused, her brow furrowing slightly. "If this involves the Buddhist Pantheon, we must be cautious. Husband, if the Buddhist Pantheon takes an interest in the Underworld, it could spell trouble for us in our current state."
She added with a serious tone, "We should prepare for the possibility of conflict."
Preparation, Not Surrender
Persephone's suggestion wasn't to retreat but to prepare.
To surrender something as critical as the Earth Prime Star was unthinkable.
In the world of gods, surrender was not an option. Conflicts were resolved through strength, not diplomacy.
The stakes were clear. The Earth Prime Star would significantly enhance the Underworld's capabilities, making it a prize worth fighting for.
Persephone recognized the immense strategic value of the Earth Prime Star.
With its awakening, the process of locating and recruiting the remaining perfect Specters would become vastly more efficient.
Currently, finding Specters was akin to navigating a map shrouded in fog, requiring aimless exploration.
But with the Earth Prime Star's awakening, Hades could narrow the search to specific regions.
And once the Heaven Prime Star awakened?
It would illuminate the entire map, pinpointing every Specter's exact location.
The Path Forward
This was the gap between the present and the potential future—a difference akin to heaven and earth.
For Hades and Persephone, surrendering the Earth Prime Star was unthinkable.
The only course of action was to prepare for the inevitable. Should the Buddhist Pantheon challenge them, the Underworld must be ready to defend its gains.
The stakes were clear. The Earth Prime Star represented not only immediate growth but a strategic advantage for generations to come.
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Fairy Tail: Igneel's Eldest Son (Chapter 256)
I Am Thalos, Odin's Older Brother (Chapter 336)
Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 542)
Solomon in Marvel (Chapter 924)
Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1284)
Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1289)
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1316)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1402)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld! (Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 660)
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