The astonishing malice and appetite in the gaze left them feeling no affection, only endless fear and trembling. A single misstep could lead them to fall into the stomach of their chief god.

Only the [Abyssal Horror] Dagon, who was already anchored to the Immortal Stairway, remained unaffected by the whispers, and he took out a copy of the "Spiral City Manual" and began to chant:

"In the name of the spiraling depths beneath the sea and its inhabitants, we praise the Slumbering God.

In the name of the [Mark of Kish] and all who submit to this mark, in the name of the Gate of the Deep Sea and all who use this gate..."

Immediately, an illusory figure, laden with tentacles, began to form slowly on the opposite side of the ring-shaped altar, reflecting the true appearance of the Old God.

A pillar of illusory light, unclear whether it was a tentacle or an anchor chain yet evidently covered with marks of decay, extended from the altar, plunging into the collective unconscious sea.

A pungent stench filled the entire sea area, making the surroundings hazy and distorted, increasingly resembling that dream city, Luanyun City.

The Deep Dive Church had placed personnel to preside over the ritual in the Five Bay States.

The Black Mass for linking the Faith Anchor Chain of the Old Gods was held every seven days, three times in total, summoning three anchor chains. Today was precisely the third time.

Though Iron Anchor Bay had the smallest territory and population among the five nations, it was the core of the Bayfolk's collective unconscious; "Valhalla Hall of Heroes" was located here, thus [Abyssal Horror] Dagon personally took charge.

Dagon stood at the bow of the ship, watching three thick anchor chains rise from the Bayfolk's collective unconscious sea, all stretched taut to form a triangle that extended downward into the depths of the sea.

It was as if dragging some massive creature from the seabed behind the ship.

In a trance, he seemed to already see the glorious future where he ruled over the Five Bay States after the plan succeeded.

"From now on, the Bayfolk can live as happily as the Deep Sea Clan, joyfully living until forty years of age, being gradually devoured by me and the Slumbering God.

In the first half of their life, as long as they beg for food on their knees, they can eat to their fill. What's so bad about that?

How am I, [Abyssal Horror] Dagon, lesser than that creator?

Therefore, I am the prophesied child in the Bayfolk's revival prophecy!" 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Byron was speechless upon hearing his words:

"Goodness, even trying to deceive us swindlers?

If this feeding schedule could truly be implemented, my rule over the Bayfolk Nations would indeed face severe challenges.

But do you really think this set of tricks could work in the Five Bay States?

The current productivity isn't even sufficient!

All the production and living materials rely on divine gifts. Can you provide that?

Perhaps a small nation with a sparse population only needs to tightly guard a single industrial chain to maintain a high welfare society for decades.

The original population scale on your few islands was merely that of a small city-state, living well on fishing, whaling, and gathering industries.

But to replace it with the Five Bay States with a total population exceeding thirteen million, even slaughtering you and turning you into oil wouldn't be enough to sustain them.

If the population grows further, even after industrialization, the profits from mastering the entire industrial chain may not be enough to share.

Who doesn't know how to boast?

But wealth won't fall from the sky; to live a happy life, ultimately, one must stand on one's own feet and create wealth."

And since he had already come here, no matter how Dagon wished to rule over the Five Bay States, it would no longer be possible.

Soon, from the direction of the Kingdom of Hightins, Freya, the [Goddess of Love and Beauty], who had completed her ritual, returned, saluted the Father God, and then landed behind him.

She stole a glance at her father's waist.

After waiting for a while, Tyr, the God of War, who was with Thor, the God of Thunder, and Eton, the God of Youth, carrying out missions in the Kalmar Union of Three Nations, shot down from the sky.

But just as he landed on the deck, he hurriedly exclaimed:

"Archbishop, it's terrible, the Kalmar Union's reformist faction launched a military coup, purging the church faction within the country, supported by the [King of the Mad Hunt].

On the way back, I saw from afar that Thor and Eton were both...both killed by the [King of the Mad Hunt]!"

Taken aback by the dire news, Dagon's heart skipped a beat, and he incredulously questioned Tyr, who was briskly walking towards him:

"What did you say?!"

At that moment, another voice came from afar:

"Archbishop, it's terrible, Tyr and Thor just got killed by the reformist faction and the [King of the Mad Hunt]!

If I hadn't run fast, I wouldn't be alive either."

Before the shout had finished, a figure landed on the deck.

It was Eton, the God of Youth, who Tyr had earlier claimed was dead.

He exchanged a glance with the first-arrived Tyr, both exclaiming in disbelief:

"Weren't you already dead?"

Initially, the three mythical creatures were vying and jealous over Freya, almost tearing each other apart. Eton's first instinct was:

"I saw with my own eyes that Tyr was killed, [King of the Mad Hunt] is a Fifth Order [Night Demon Monarch], you must be the enemy impostor!"

The first Tyr retorted sharply:

"If I'm an impostor, how could I have left you this flaw? I think you are the impostor, trying to fish in troubled waters, but you accidentally got caught by me first."

The two were unwilling to back down, drawing their weapons to face off.

Before they could start fighting, a third panicked voice rang in their ears:

"Archbishop, it's terrible, I saw with my own eyes that Tyr and Eton were... wait, are you human or undead?"

The last to supposedly have died, Thor, the God of Thunder, also landed on the deck, and upon seeing his two companions, instinctively shut his mouth again.