Chapter 783: From Torture to True Godhood

Rachel turned toward Atlas, her expression filled with concern as she watched Garion struggling beneath the terrifying pressure.

"What do you mean, Atlas? Is there something wrong with the ascension process?"

Atlas scratched his tiny head, trying to figure out how to explain the strange situation to her.

[Don’t you remember? During our previous ascensions, the system directly rebuilt and transformed the cultivator’s body using the necessary essence.]

He glanced toward Garion, who was still struggling to withstand the three overwhelming forces.

[But this time, instead of immediately rebuilding his body, the system is forcing him to endure extreme pressure first. That’s the part I don’t understand.]

Rachel followed his gaze toward Garion before taking a deep breath, her expression gradually becoming thoughtful.

"So that’s what’s bothering you..." She rubbed her chin gently before continuing.

"Unfortunately, I don’t understand it either. Perhaps we should wait until his ascension finishes. We might discover the reason afterward."

Atlas reluctantly nodded, although his confusion remained.

[Yeah, I guess you’re right. For now, let’s just hope this ridiculous process actually works as intended.]

And just like that, time began passing as Rachel and Atlas patiently waited for Garion to complete his ascension.

One day passed, followed by another, and before they knew it, an entire month had gone by.

Throughout that month, Garion continued enduring the relentless pressure of Gravity, Black Hole, and White Hole powers.

Eventually, after an entire month of continuous suffering, the three terrifying forces finally began weakening.

Garion, who had barely managed to remain standing during the final stages, immediately collapsed onto the platform.

His entire body trembled uncontrollably, and his breathing was heavy and uneven.

"Hahaha... Finally..." he muttered weakly, a tired grin spreading across his exhausted face.

At that moment, a golden system panel materialized before them.

---

[Ascension Successful]

[God Physique Tempering Complete]

[Rebuilding the Tempered Body with Absorbed Essence...]

---

Atlas’s eyes immediately widened as he read the notifications, his previous confusion suddenly disappearing.

[Ohhh! I see now! So that’s how it works! No wonder the ascension process was so different!]

Rachel quickly turned toward him, her eyes brightening with curiosity. "You understand now, Atlas? What’s actually happening to Garion?"

Atlas nodded enthusiastically, pointing toward the glowing platform.

[Exactly! The system is still using the same rebuilding principle as before, but this time, it first tempers the body beyond its existing limits.]

He raised one tiny finger before continuing his explanation.

[Previously, the system simply injected the necessary essence and reconstructed the cultivator’s body according to its existing foundation.]

[But becoming a true god is different. The God Physique must first transcend its natural limits through actual tempering and extreme pressure.]

Atlas glanced toward Garion, whose exhausted body was beginning to glow with golden-white light.

[Only after that tempering is complete can the system rebuild the body using the absorbed essence, creating a far stronger divine foundation.]

Rachel nodded thoughtfully, finally beginning to understand the difference between the two ascension methods.

"So instead of simply rebuilding the body, the system first expands its limits through tempering and then reconstructs it using the essence."

Atlas grinned proudly, looking extremely pleased with his discovery.

[Exactly! It’s basically tempering and rebuilding combined into one ascension process! Much more effective than the previous method!]

However, just as Atlas finished explaining, Garion’s remaining consciousness finally began fading.

At the same time, the golden-white light surrounding the platform suddenly intensified, causing Garion’s body to float into the air.

Countless strands of divine energy emerged from the surrounding formations and began wrapping around him, gradually forming an enormous cocoon of condensed essence.

Within seconds, Garion had completely disappeared inside the glowing cocoon, which floated silently above the platform while the system continued rebuilding his tempered body.

Rachel watched the process quietly, her expression softening as she sensed the powerful vitality gradually accumulating within the cocoon.

And so, another month passed.

Throughout that entire month, the cocoon remained suspended above the platform, continuously absorbing the essence provided by the Ascension Hall.

Eventually, after two full months since the beginning of Garion’s ascension, the enormous cocoon finally began trembling.

CRACK! CRACK!

Thin cracks spread across its glowing surface, and a moment later, the cocoon shattered completely, scattering countless fragments.

From within the light, Garion slowly emerged, his newly reconstructed body radiating an entirely different presence from before.

He landed gently on the platform before lowering his head and examining himself.

Garion slowly clenched his fists, feeling the overwhelming power flowing through his body before finally grinning. "Hehehe... I’m back!"

---

Rachel immediately approached Garion, her pink-gold eyes examining him carefully before a relieved smile appeared on her face. "Darling, how do you feel? Is everything alright?"

Garion slowly clenched his fists, feeling the incredible power flowing through every inch of his newly reconstructed body. "Feel good? Hahaha! Rachel, I feel fucking amazing!"

He stretched his arms, then casually rotated his shoulders, enjoying the sensation of his muscles moving. "My entire body feels ridiculously perfect now. Seriously, I don’t even know how to describe it!"

Garion looked down at his hands, his eyes shining with excitement. "It’s like every single cell has become something completely different."

Rachel smiled warmly, clearly happy to see her husband so energetic again.

However, after examining him for another moment, she tilted her head curiously. "Still, darling, you look exactly the same as before."

Garion blinked. "Huh?"

Rachel gently touched his cheek. "I remember our previous ascensions changed our appearances quite noticeably."

She smiled thoughtfully. "But this time, despite becoming a god, your appearance hasn’t changed at all."

Garion looked down at himself before casually shrugging. "Hmm... You’re right. I don’t know why, though."

He suddenly raised his chin with a shameless grin. "But who gives a fuck? I’m still handsome as hell!"

Rachel burst into soft laughter, shaking her head helplessly. "Hehehe... Of course you are, darling."

Garion proudly nodded. "Exactly! And now I’m a handsome god. That’s a pretty damn good upgrade!"

Atlas, who had been examining the system panel nearby, finally lost his patience.

[OH, FOR FUCK’S SAKE! CAN YOU TWO STOP FLIRTING FOR FIVE MINUTES?!]

Garion immediately turned toward him. "What now, Atlas?"

Atlas pointed toward one of the spatial doors.

[You’ve just completed God Ascension! Don’t you think we should actually test your new strength instead of discussing how handsome you are?!]

Garion paused before his eyes immediately lit up. "Ohhh! Right! I almost forgot about that!"

Atlas rolled his eyes.

[Of course you did. Anyway, let’s head to the [Divine Combat Arena] and see what your new body can actually do.]

Garion cracked his knuckles, his familiar wild grin returning. "Hehehe! Now that’s what I’m talking about!"

He turned toward the spatial gate and laughed. "Alright, Atlas! Let’s go test what kind of fucking monster I’ve become!"