The Earth Spirit Clan Leader courteously ushered Thorne to their sacred site of worship. Though their god had long perished, it remained the clan's holiest place, reserved for the elite. Now, they respectfully invited a mere stream of water inside—a comical sight indeed.
Thorne surveyed the area. The statue of the Earth Spirit God depicted a one-eyed giant wielding a massive axe, its single eye radiating yellow light.
But now, the statue stood lifeless, a clear sign of the god's demise.
"Forgive my boldness, Lord Lake God—are you from the outside world?" the Clan Leader asked cautiously, aware this being could decide the fate of over ten thousand clansmen.
"Indeed, I come from outside. I've tested it—no other creature can enter or exit but me," Thorne replied.
The Clan Leader showed no disappointment—after a millennium, hope of escape had long faded.
"Then, Lord Lake God, are you truly a god?" he asked, eyes gleaming with hope.
Thorne understood his intent. With their old god dead, in this godless realm, a new god—one who could freely traverse this world—could secure their survival, even lead them to dominance.
This aligned with Thorne's own plans. He intended to use the Earth Spirit Clan to explore this vast, mysterious underground realm.
He didn't believe the Light Temple or elves were wholly ignorant of it—they likely had ways to monitor or access it.
"Indeed, you could call me a god," Thorne affirmed.
With his system, he wasn't far from one.
The Clan Leader's face lit with joy. He tugged at a stunned clansman nearby, knelt, and bowed to the stream, kowtowing.
Thorne, unsure if underground faith would alert the Light Temple, stopped him.
"Wait—don't praise yet. I understand your hopes. I can protect you, but you must follow my rules."
"Anything to ensure our clan's survival, Lord Lake God—we'll do it," the Clan Leader vowed.
Thorne approved of this stance. Framing it around survival hinted at a decent nature, despite the subtle leverage.
"First: praise me only in your hearts—no rituals or statues."
"Yes, we'll remember."
"Second: I'll boost your strength, but you must fight for me in this underground world."
"Yes, we'll remember."
"Third: keep my existence secret from outsiders, or I'll abandon you instantly."
"Yes, we'll fully obey, Lord Lake God."
These rules kept Thorne hidden.
"Today, inform your clan of these rules. Tomorrow, gather everyone," Thorne instructed, then withdrew his perception.
Back on the surface, Thorne told the Ghost Thorn Tree to halt its deep rooting. The underground world's size and entry points were unknown—it had found three or four potential sites.
But Thorne doubted digging anywhere reached it—otherwise, it wouldn't be secret, nor absent from devoured memories.
Perhaps his lake was an entry, or his arrival disrupted the worlds' rules, creating this breach beneath him.
Regardless, caution was key—especially after the tree's earlier loss. Though minor, the eerie erosion left a shadow.
Unable to dig deep, the tree rooted outward, avoiding the lake's direction, stretching across land.
Thorne refined spiritual water for a day and night. The next day, he increased the underground flow, forming a small lake in the Earth Spirit Clan's grounds.
All clansmen crowded around it. The Giant-Toothed Fish from yesterday, their best food, was offered to Thorne.
"I, the Lake God, am your new god from today. Your Clan Leader has shared my rules. As you revere me, I'll grant what you crave—food, territory, strength," Thorne's voice resonated in their souls.
Bound by his rules, none knelt, praising silently in their hearts.
"Today, I bless you with power," Thorne declared.
"Use skill: Blessing."
White light bathed the Earth Spirit Clan, soothing their hunger, pain, and the endless darkness of their world.
A force sprouted within, spreading fast. Yellow light glowed from their bodies—the clan's unique earth defense, marking Mortal Tier Level 1.
In this uncultivable underworld, only the gifted naturally reached this tier at adulthood, rarely progressing further.
Under Thorne's Blessing, all gained power—weak compared to his surface beasts, but a start.
Strength meant survival.
"Praise the great Lake God. With my life, I'll be his shield," each clansman vowed inwardly.