"Welcome, Ancient God!"
The leader of the black-clothed figures, along with the apostles of the Ancient God, knelt before the Ancient God, completely ignoring Zhang Chen and Keke beside him.
In their eyes, with the Ancient God's return, no threat was a threat anymore.
"Rise, my loyal followers. I shall bestow blessings upon you and grant you immense power!"
The Ancient God's voice was ethereal yet earth-shattering, each word seeming to strike directly at the heart.
"Praise the great Ancient God, we are your humblest servants!"
The leader of the black-clothed figures said, his voice filled with excitement.
"Then... let us begin with you!"
The Ancient God raised a finger, its long nail tapping the leader's forehead.
A surge of immense power flowed into the leader's body. Following this, his physique began to expand. His skull churned as if boiling, and his muscles bulged, tearing through his clothes.
Before long, a grotesque monster over three meters tall, exuding dark energy, stood before them.
"A... monster!"
Seeing this, the other apostles of the Ancient God began to flee.
They had initially expected that receiving the Ancient God's blessing would enhance their magical strength while preserving their current physical form.
They never imagined that this enhancement would come at the cost of transforming into a monstrous aberration.
Witnessing this, everyone regretted their actions. They finally understood why the Ancient God was known as the God of Darkness; it was due to its inherently destructive nature.
It acted purely on whim, without any principles.
It showed no mercy even to its loyal servants.
It seemed as though words like mercy, forgiveness, and kindness were absent from the Ancient God's vocabulary.
"Hahaha, I do enjoy watching you little insects scurry away!"
The Ancient God vanished from its spot in a flicker.
When it reappeared, it was dozens of meters away, its foot crushing a fleeing follower into a bloody pulp.
Another stomp crushed the head of a survivor.
These panicked believers were like playthings for the Ancient God, which amused itself thoroughly.
In just a few minutes, all the surrounding followers were annihilated by its hand.
On the scene remained only the black-clothed leader, writhing in agony as a transformed monster, and Zhang Chen and Keke.
"Oh? Why aren't you two running upon seeing me? I am the God of Darkness. I show no mercy even to my own followers, so don't expect me to spare you!"
The Ancient God said, looking at Zhang Chen with keen interest.
As its gaze fell upon Keke, a flicker of intense jealousy crossed its eyes.
*Whoosh!*
Before Zhang Chen could reply, the Ancient God instantly appeared before Keke, its massive fist smashing towards her beautiful face.
*Bang!*
Keke blocked with both hands, but the immense force still sent her flying a great distance.
However, she could fly, and she skillfully dissipated all the force in mid-air, remaining unharmed.
"Sneaking attack, shameless! Even the Great Demon King wouldn't do something so despicable."
Keke cursed angrily.
"Eh? You're not dead? Interesting. I thought I'd have smashed you flat."
"You seem to be... not of this world. I don't recall creating a species like you."
The Ancient God tilted its head, looking at Keke with a strange expression.
"This world was created by you?"
Zhang Chen inquired.
"Precisely. This is my playground. I visit periodically. As for summoning or resurrection, those are merely amusements I add to this world."
"Ultimately, someone must tell future generations what happened during the catastrophe that nearly wiped out humanity."
"And then, to watch them unite, brimming with resolve, only to be easily destroyed by me—that is truly entertaining."
"Even more amusing is that even after I slaughter them like this, some still choose to believe in me and go to great lengths to revive me."
"Hahaha, I don't need to be revived because I've never truly died."
"How could a god be defeated by its own creation? From the moment I designed them, I did not imbue them with such power."
"Of course, beings from other worlds, though not created by me, are ultimately lesser life forms."
As the Ancient God spoke, its gaze fell upon Keke.
"You're saying you can create life?"
Zhang Chen captured the keywords from the Ancient God's words.
"Of course, I am a god!"
"Not just life, but natural laws, universal principles, temporal histories—everything can be created."
"You, like them, are merely a grain of dust in our sandbox game. Even if I didn't kill them, everything would turn to dust with the passage of time."
"It's better to amuse myself before they die. Isn't that the meaning of their creation?!"
The Ancient God gently rubbed its right thumb and index finger together, causing countless fine grains of sand to trickle through its grasp.
"You create life... for the purpose of amusement and killing?"
Zhang Chen raised an eyebrow, his expression one of utter speechlessness.
"You don't understand. When you possess the power to create life, you will understand what I mean."
"After all, we are not on the same plane. How can mere mortals comprehend the world of gods?"
The Ancient God sighed deeply, projecting an aura of being untouchable from its lofty position.
"The people of this world can also create life, elemental life, but they don't use elemental life for amusement."
Zhang Chen opened his right hand. A small sprite with fluttering golden wings was brought into existence.
This was the first elemental life he had constructed after three full days of contemplation.
Though it was small, only palm-sized.
Yet, its form resembled a human. It was a beautiful female elf, her bare, pure white feet stepping onto Zhang Chen's palm.
Her skin, like congealed fat, emitted rings of light.
With golden hair and large black eyes, she curiously observed this world.
"Ha, can elemental life even be considered life?"
"The meaning of life lies in reproduction and survival. Elemental life possesses no such capabilities."
"At best, it's an aggregation of energy, or rather, a tool."
The Ancient God said with utter disdain.
"Say what you will, but I don't think you're superior, at least... not above me."
Zhang Chen tossed the sprite into the air. It immediately floated in mid-air, looking at its creator from afar.
"Is that so? To speak to me with such courage after witnessing my abilities... you are not the first."
"Similarly, you will be like them, buried in the river of time, dying at my hands."
"It's been a pleasure chatting with a little fellow like you. Now, it's time for business!"
As the Ancient God spoke, it suddenly swung a fist, heavily smashing towards Zhang Chen.