Soul mutation only truly reveals its potential after one becomes a deity.
For a dual-element soul mutate who attains dual-element lower Divinity, the fusion of divine power is roughly ten times stronger than that of an ordinary lower God.
If such a lower God manages to fuse two types of variant mysteries, although they cannot ascend to mid-Divinity, their strength would surpass even a mid-God who has fused two mysteries.
For a triple-element soul mutate, when all three elements reach lower Divinity, the fusion of divine power would be a hundred times greater than that of an ordinary lower God.
Just relying on this fusion alone would allow them to rival a mid-God.
And if a triple-element mutate were to fuse variant mysteries, it would be comparable to an ordinary cultivator fusing five types of law mysteries.
That was why Beirut decided: as long as Sadius achieved upper Divinity in all three elements, he would grant him the position of a lower Sovereign of the earth element.
Sadius finished his enlightenment and noticed everyone's gaze fixed on him. He didn't feel embarrassed in the slightest.
"Disperse for now. In half a month, after the Tomb of the Gods opens, return and prepare yourselves properly," Beirut said calmly.
Only then did everyone leave.
"Sadius, you stay."
Hearing Beirut call out to him, Sadius couldn't help but pull a bitter face.
The last time Beirut had taken a drop of his essence blood, it had taken him ages to recover. Who knew what Beirut wanted this time?
But he had no choice. Sadius stayed behind as the others left, their eyes full of speculation about the relationship between him and Beirut.
When the area cleared, only Sadius and Beirut remained.
Beirut casually took out a small bottle and tossed it to him.
Sadius caught it, puzzled by its contents.
"Inside are two drops of Azure Dragon essence blood. I refined them based on the sample of your own essence blood. They're on par with the one you refined before. Take them back and absorb them."
Sadius couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement upon hearing this.
"Lord Beirut, I still have plenty of my essence blood. Could you… refine more for me?" Sadius asked with a fawning smile.
Beirut gave him a sideways glance.
The essence blood produced when Sadius transformed into the Azure Dragon was indeed Azure Dragon blood—but it was a thousand times thinner and less potent than the blood of the true Azure Dragon, Redding. Its research value was negligible compared to Redding's.
The so-called "refined blood" wasn't something Beirut had synthesized. He simply took the essence blood directly from Redding's corpse. There was no way he'd give Sadius more.
"Can't be refined any further. Just focus on absorbing it well; it will still strengthen you."
Beirut didn't bother entertaining him further.
This fellow truly lacked the self-awareness of someone beneath him.
Without another word, Beirut turned and left.
Sadius expressed his thanks again, then returned to the Magical Beast Mountains.
In the Misty Valley, the magical beasts were celebrating joyfully.
When they saw Sadius return, they eagerly awaited their rewards. After all, Sadius had promised that once the Radiant Church was destroyed, he would reward them according to their merits.
"Harsel, have you selected the Saint-level beasts who will enter the Tomb of the Gods?" Sadius asked.
The Saint-level Tyrannosaurus Rex nodded.
"Alliance Leader, there are six slots. Currently, only four have been confirmed: myself, the Saint-level Violet-Eyed Golden Lion, Azzi, the Saint-level Black Armored Giant Scorpion, Moss, and the Saint-level Nine-Headed Hydra Emperor, Uno. The last two slots are hard to decide—none of the others meet your requirements."
Sadius had set a strict baseline for this expedition: only Saint-level beasts who had at least touched the threshold of the laws were eligible.
After all, the Tomb of the Gods was perilous beyond measure. Anyone who hadn't even reached the mysteries' threshold would simply be marching to their death.
Even though most Saint-level magical beasts could rival peak human Saints, within the Tomb lurked strange and powerful Saint-level creatures. Even those at the Saint peak could die there.
Just as Sadius was contemplating which two more Saint-level beasts to choose, a voice came from outside.
"Sadius, have you forgotten about us?"
Two Saint-level rats flew into the palace from beyond the Misty Valley.
"Nien, Lia? Weren't you both in the Dark Forest? Why are you back?"
"The three ancestors said they'd taught us everything they could, so they kicked us out," Lia said casually.
"And now?"
"I've already reached the Saint peak. I've also comprehended the basics of the Dark Elemental Mysteries. The ancestors said if we cultivate diligently, we might become deities within a few hundred years."
"Alliance Leader, me too," Nien added.
"In that case, the last two slots for the Tomb of the Gods go to you two," Sadius decided.
He then ordered Harsel to summon the other three selected beasts.
Soon, the six strongest Saint-level magical beasts stood before Sadius.
"Remember, the Tomb of the Gods is extremely dangerous. If you cannot win, prioritize survival. Your lives are more important than anything else."
"Harsel, as for you four, I'll give you your rewards after you return from the Tomb. As for the others, we'll begin distributing their rewards now."
When he annihilated the Radiant Church, Sadius had gained plenty of treasures.
He had also received a large share from the Dark Church. Using these to reward his Saint-level subordinates was more than fitting.
As for Harsel and the others heading into the Tomb, Sadius planned to reward them with Divine Sparks upon their return.
It was too difficult for magical beasts to become deities. Even if they comprehended the laws, it could take countless years to achieve Divinity.
Among them, only Nien and Lia had a real chance of becoming deities within a reasonable time thanks to the cultivation provided by the Violet-Gold Rat King.
"Sadius, what about me? What reward do I get?" Lia bounded up to him with an expectant expression.
"Uh…"
Sadius paused for a moment, then brightened as he remembered something.
"Right, this Life Origin Pearl is for you. I've already become a deity, so it's of no use to me now."
He summoned the Life Origin Pearl, released its binding, and handed it over to her.
Nien looked a little envious, but his personality wasn't as lively as Lia's, so he didn't speak up.
"You too, Nien."
Sadius took another Life Origin Pearl from his spatial ring.
This one came from the spoils of a lower God he had slain.
"Thank you, Alliance Leader," Nien said gratefully.
"Prepare yourselves well. Our Magical Beast Alliance must make a name for itself across the continent during this expedition into the Tomb of the Gods."
In the blink of an eye, half a month passed. The day of the Tomb's opening finally arrived.
That day, Sadius led the six Saint-level magical beasts north toward the Dark Forest.
Before long, they encountered Dylin, who had caught up, accompanied by six magical beasts of his own—his three sons and three Saint-level magical beasts from the Sunset Mountains.
"Sadius." Dylin greeted him with respect.
Dylin had sworn loyalty to Sadius for a thousand years, but Sadius never made him call him "Lord." After all, they were both deities; some courtesy was necessary.
This time, for the Tomb of the Gods, Sadius' Magical Beast Alliance had secured seven slots, while Dylin's Sunset Mountains had six.
But Sadius only granted six slots to his Magical Beast Mountain subordinates because he had another subordinate who also needed to enter the Tomb.
Before long, a figure approached—the peak Saint, Cesar.
"My Lord," Cesar greeted.
Cesar originally didn't want to enter the Tomb. He preferred indulging in worldly pleasures.
But since Sadius ordered it, he complied.
"Cesar, among all the Saints entering the Tomb from my side, you're the strongest. Look after them. Don't let them act recklessly. Bring them all back if you can."
Cesar agreed, but deep down, he knew he couldn't even guarantee his own safety. After all, he was well aware of the dangers lurking on the Tomb's sixth floor.