The energy here was so concentrated it reminded Thea of that hidden space in Nanda Parbat. But that place only had mental power, while here the entire space was filled with divine power.
Thea couldn't help thinking that if Earth's magic users could come here, they'd have broken through to Archmage long ago.
Just as Metron was about to say some welcoming words, a low engine whine rang out.
"This is who Highfather wanted? Looks pretty ordinary to me..." Wearing a red top and black pants, a silver-white helmet, his chin covered in stubble, the man rode what Thea thought might be a flying motorcycle, looking at her with slight arrogance.
Thea glanced at his bizarre outfit, silently lamenting his failed fashion sense, and pretended not to know he was talking about her, continuing to observe her surroundings.
She did remember this distinctive outfit. This guy was no ordinary person—Orion, Darkseid's second son and Highfather's adopted son. If Diana was a second-generation Old God, this guy was a second-generation New God!
Following the principle that new employees should keep a low profile, Thea naturally wouldn't clash with him. Even if she wanted to demonstrate her value, it should be in front of the boss, not wasting words with this irrelevant person.
Her nonviolent non-cooperation attitude left Orion at a loss for what to say next.
Metron found Thea increasingly agreeable—low-key, sensible, and trouble-free. With both brains and awareness, if her personal strength wasn't too poor, her future achievements were predictable.
Leading Thea to meet Highfather was his task. If they fought halfway there, it would be hard to explain to anyone. The new employee didn't want trouble, and Metron, who frequently mediated between Highfather and Darkseid, had no such concerns. His seniority was so great he didn't fear any second-generation god.
"Silence, Orion! You're questioning Highfather's orders!" The God of Knowledge was quite vicious, immediately slapping him with a serious accusation.
Orion naturally wouldn't fall into his verbal trap, stammering to defend himself. "I was just passing by to take a look..."
To prove he was indeed passing by, Orion waved at them and puttered off on his flying electric motorcycle in another direction.
Wasn't that wasteland over there? Not even a ghost in sight—what was he going there for?
Thea immediately noticed the continent floating in the air, presumably where the New Gods currently lived, while the ground had been abandoned. As for Orion on his electric motorcycle, the direction he headed was completely empty space.
Watching him ride laps around the wasteland rather than admit what he wanted told her everything—stubborn, prideful, never wrong in his own mind.
Thea took one look and moved on. His strength was decent, stronger than her level before absorbing Black Adam, but he was no match for her current self.
"The Old Gods resided in the Second World. The universe you were in before, where humans and gods mixed, we call the Third World. And the land before your eyes is the Fourth World. This was once called Genesis, the initial birthplace formed from gathered dust."
Metron led Thea flying toward the floating continent, introducing as they flew.
"Light met water and boiled, and from that light surged life. Darkness came with light, jealousy and arrogance hidden in their hearts. Darkness cursed them, wanting them to return to dust."
"The bright grew brighter, while the dark fell completely into shadow. The New Gods fought internally. This battle lasted countless years. The old world was shattered, desolate and broken, uninhabitable. We migrated to the Golden Isles of shimmering, hopeful dust. This is our destination—New Genesis."
Metron landed on the floating island with Thea, speaking with some pride.
"Highfather will discuss specifics with you, but Goddess of Trade and Wealth, do you have more formal clothing?" Only after speaking did Metron look at Thea's outfit. Her attire seemed fine elsewhere, but here in this somewhat ancient place, her knee-length British-style trench coat with fringed ankle boots seemed somewhat discordant.
Thea was indifferent about dress, but just looking at Orion's red top, black pants, and silver helmet showed that Highfather's aesthetic wasn't much better. Still, Metron wasn't wrong—her current outfit was indeed jarring in this environment.
The Trade and Wealth position came with a set of clothing. With a thought, Thea changed into the goddess's exclusive outfit.
A long robe studded with gems, a cape strung with gold coins, a golden belt, and a pair of pearl-encrusted golden boots. Combined with her golden hair, she looked even more resplendent. There was also a golden crown, but since she was meeting Highfather, she didn't take it out.
"So extravagant..." Metron felt a slight headache, though he couldn't really say anything. Her divine position had these characteristics—if Thea dressed like a peasant woman, that would be stranger.
Passersby all stared at Thea's splendid attire, with children pointing and whispering in the distance.
Thea sensed briefly—not bad, trade existed here. Using divine power to conjure their currency, she tossed it toward the distant children.
Money could reach even gods—this saying was absolutely true. Among intelligent beings, those who couldn't be corrupted by money existed, but were extremely rare.
The children and even adults before her weren't deities. Perhaps that's why they called themselves the God Race. In Thea's view, their combat power didn't even reach demigod level, not even as formidable as Earth's Green Arrow or Nightwing. Their only distinction was their long, near-eternal lifespans.
This place was like a fantasy game's elf race—each frighteningly old. As Thea walked past hastily, she had no time to ask about their childhood growth cycles.
The money she scattered seemed to consume considerable divine power, but as a deity herself, no one could rival her in the wealth domain.
These coins were actually fake. If the recipients felt gratitude, after three days that gratitude would turn the coins real. If they showed no appreciation, the divine power that became money would naturally dissipate and return to Thea.
Either way, she wouldn't lose. She paid divine power and received their goodwill—this was also a form of trade for Thea. Once within the trade framework, no one could make her lose.
Metron, who knew all things, could naturally see through her little trick, but it had nothing to do with him, so he pretended not to notice.
Thea kept scattering gold coins, creating a spectacular welcome. Who could imagine she was here for the first time today, and these residents didn't know her two minutes ago?
Facts proved that people here, regardless of age or gender, living in a nearly closed environment, had truly simple natures. Almost everyone who received her money showed joy and gratitude.