Hades's (Orphos's) figure once again merged with the earth's veins. With the dual cover of [Secrecy] power and the 'Foundation of Gaia', he became like an invisible ghost and began to systematically wander along the edge of the Titan realm, possibly harboring resentment against Cronus's authority.
He acted with extreme caution, never taking the initiative, but through observing geological structures, he sensed the 'rhythm' and 'color' of divine power emanating from different divine domains.
He sensed the restlessness of Koios's divine domain, which was trying to expand but was constrained by the God-King's coercion;
He sensed traces of weariness and doubt beneath the appearance of compliance in Koios's (the messenger's) domain;
He also confirmed the independence and aloofness beneath the gentle exterior of the ocean gods' system.
This information was incorporated into his deductions by the [Knowledge] and [Summary] divinities one by one, constantly refining his cognitive model of the power structure within the Titan god system.
However, these peripheral observations and indirect networks of allies were still insufficient for him to cope with the upcoming great changes and strive for the supreme great divine power.
He needed a more fundamental power, and he had to construct the core laws of his divine system.
Gradually, a grand idea became clear in his mind—Reincarnation.
The influx of ghosts into the Underworld, their eternal wandering, sinking into pain or returning to silence—this was not only a waste of resources but also a lack of order.
If a system of soul reincarnation and cyclical return could be created, it would not only allow the 'resources' of the Underworld to flow but also greatly enhance the laws of death and life, and might even touch the source of the world's balance.
This could be the key to his great divine power!
To construct reincarnation, several key priestly powers were needed: Law, Memory, and Soul.
Law ensured the justice and order of reincarnation, defining the criteria and path for soul reincarnation—the skeleton of reincarnation.
Memory was related to the connection and purification of the soul before and after reincarnation, and was the core of maintaining individual continuity and ensuring the 'refreshing' function of reincarnation—the blood of [Reincarnation].
Soul was the core of the entire reincarnation system, concerning how to establish and develop it.
His gaze naturally fell upon the Titan gods with corresponding powers—Themis, the goddess of justice and law; Mnemosyne, the goddess of memory; and Iapetus, the god of souls.
The two goddesses held a special place in the Titan god system: Themis symbolized ancient order and celestial principles; Mnemosyne carried the memory and history of the past.
They were not fanatical supporters of Cronus, but rather guardians of ancient rules.
Contacting them was extremely risky and would not be satisfying.
They were ancient Titans with unfathomable wisdom and power, who might expose him if he was not careful.
Unlike Iapetus, he was on the periphery of Cronus's power system, and his priesthood was very close to the Underworld.
If Iapetus was also dissatisfied with Cronus, the probability of him defecting to Hades's side was very high.
Having made his decision, Hades began to plan an 'accidental encounter' with Iapetus.
He could not go directly to Iapetus's temple—that would be too deliberate.
He chose a place where Iapetus might appear—an ancient forest on the edge of his domain, where strange spiritual phenomena were said to occasionally occur.
As a plant god, Hades (Orphos) was 'studying' a rare, strange flower here, a plant that could weakly influence the emotions of living beings.
He waited patiently, like a dormant hunter.
A few days later, the target finally appeared.
Iapetus's figure appeared in the forest. He seemed to be patrolling his territory, as if searching for something.
His divine power swept through the forest with the sensitivity of a soul and... a hint of imperceptible greed? He was capturing these lost and weak wandering souls, like collecting scattered pearls.
Hades revealed his figure at the right moment, with 'just the right' amount of surprise and respect on his face: "God Iapetus, I didn't expect to meet you here."
Iapetus stopped, looked at Hades, and raised an eyebrow slightly: "Orphos? What are you doing here?" There was still the same malice and condescension in his voice.
"I am studying these plants," Hades pointed to the flowers beside him, emitting a hazy halo.
"They seem to attract and temporarily contain some unconscious fragments of souls—an interesting phenomenon. Perhaps there is some unknown connection between the growth of plants and the echo of the soul?" He threw out this topic, leading into the realm of souls.
Iapetus was indeed attracted by the topic and sneered: "You, a god of plants, dare to speak of the mystery of the soul? Truly ignorant and fearless. The soul is the most complex and exquisite creation in the world, the true core of life. How can these lowly plants and trees touch it?"
Hades sneered inwardly, but on his face was a humble plea for guidance: "You are right. I know very little about the realm of the soul, but I stumbled upon this strange connection and became curious. I have heard that you are in charge of souls; I wonder if you could dispel my doubts—where will these fragments of souls end up?"
Iapetus seemed to enjoy being 'consulted', and he arrogantly raised his head: "Where do souls go? Hmph, weak fragments of souls naturally dissipate with the wind and return to heaven and earth. As for a whole soul, after death, it must be extradited by Thanatos and fall into the eternal, filthy land of the Underworld. That is their end."
His words were full of contempt for the Underworld, as if it were a huge dumping ground.
Hades's heart stirred, and he continued to tempt: "Eternal confusion... That sounds a bit... what a pity? Such a delicate soul, if it could be cycled, for example... Would it be better to return to the earth, nourish new life, or undergo tempering and re-enter the stream of life?"
"Cycle? Rebirth?" Iapetus seemed to have heard some absurd joke and burst out laughing.
"Orphos, your thoughts are as naive as the plants you birth! Once a soul dies, it loses its value, and its fate is to return to silence. A cycle? What great power and complex laws would that require? Is it easy to establish? Maintaining the status quo and performing one's duties is the best order."
He patted a shimmering pouch at his waist, which seemed to contain many fragments of souls or weak wandering souls he had collected.
"Look, these are my collections in my spare time. Isn't it interesting to observe their journey from life to death, to feel their final cries and struggles? Why even think about some ethereal 'cycle'?"
Hades looked into Iapetus's eyes, which held a cruel interest, and the last trace of appeal or cooperation in his heart was completely extinguished.
Foolish, shortsighted, and cruel.
Iapetus was content with the status quo, indulging in low-level manipulation and control of souls, lacking the vision to contemplate the deeper meaning and potential of the soul.
He even regarded the soul as a private 'collectible' and toy.
Such a god would never understand the meaning of reincarnation, let alone hand over the power of the soul and become part of building a new order.
He would only be an obstacle, an obstacle that needed to be removed.
Hades (Orphos) still maintained a humble smile on his face, and suddenly a slight hint of being 'teachable' appeared: "I see, I took it for granted. Thank you for your advice."
Iapetus nodded with satisfaction, as if he had completed the 'instruction' of a junior, ignored Hades, and continued his 'collecting' work.
Hades stood motionless, watching Iapetus disappear into the depths of the forest, his eyes utterly cold.
The result of this temptation could not be clearer. Iapetus was destined to stand on the opposite side.
Then, for the sake of [Reincarnation], for the path to great divine power, he would have to resort to extreme measures.
Forcibly seizing the divinity of a Titan, especially the core power of [Soul], was extremely risky and would require huge movements, and would most likely immediately attract the siege and suppression of Cronus and the other Titans.
More importantly, this step might incur the aversion of the law itself.
He needed a plan, timing, and a perfect... 'accident'.
A bold and dangerous plan began to form in his mind.
If Iapetus returned to his origin, would the [Soul] divinity he left behind become masterless?
Perhaps, with the power of the Underworld itself, with the constant... erosion of Tartarus?
He needed to return to the Underworld, consult with Metis, and prepare more thoroughly.