Journey To The True Martial World

To define a deity, one can compare them to Heavenly Laws. Deities are the heavenly laws made manifest. They are war, s.e.x, debauchery, fire, lightning, the sky. Within those domains, Deities are the peak existence. 

Jiutian Xuannu. Goddess of war, s.e.x, longevity, and martial magic. Her four domains made her the perfect match for the Jigoku Family. As such, she happily strolled into the City of Orario, leading her familiar to the Guild.  She treated every second like war. The slightest hesitation meant death unless that hesitation was part of the plan to win the war.

The Jigoku Clan attracted many gazes but not in their usual way as this time, they didn't display their refined beauty. Each of them had dawned a black cloak. In the short time, it had taken them to reach the city, Seichi had decided to lay low until they had established a foundation within the city. 

The main building of the Guild is called the Pantheon. It is a wide space with counters for adventurers to talk with their advisors and also has an exchange area. There are also small meeting boxes where adventurers can talk one on one with their advisor without anyone else hearing them. Aside from that, there is a library area.

Approaching a counter, Jiutian introduced herself and asked to register her adventures. Naturally, the advisors gave her respect and anxiously ushered her away with her family. Taken to a large room, enough to accommodate the entire Familia, the advisor, Selene, introduced herself.

Going through a series of questions that took nearly ten minutes, Selene began to ask for everyone's rank. Each other them looked ad Jiutian and she facepalmed herself as she giggled.

"Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. This is my first and I was so excited I forgot to make it official." Jiutian rambled. She then moved behind Rock and pulled up his shirt. Without any killing Intent, Rock didn't move a muscle. Jiutian swiped her thumb across her finger, allowing the crimson glob to drop on his back.

In an instant light shinned and a cool, almost near the point of burning, sensation filled his body. "All stats SSS. Level 1" Jiutian sang. "Rock Jigoku."

The advisor was gobsmacked for two reasons. The first being that the goddess wasn't the least bit ceremonial when bestowing her blessing. Secondly, she had met many adventures with SSS level stats, but for rock to have all his stats caped was mind-boggling.

"Sakura Jigoku, Level 1"

"Naruto Jigoku, Level 1"

"Fu Jigoku, Level 1"

"Shuren, Level 1"

"Natsu Hyuga, Level 1"

Jiutian went on and everyone was reported as level 1. Though the advisor found it odd that only Rock's stats were announced, she kept her thoughts to herself. Even Seichi was reported as level 1.

As the Jiutian Familia left the guild, Jiutian sensed multiple pairs of eyes on her. She suddenly began to laugh hysterically as she shouted, "I'm back, bitches!"

Shivers rolled down the spine of many spectators and only a few of them dawned smiles. Not smiles of happiness but more battle-crazed than anything.

"Hey!" Seichi's voice rumbled, "What do you think you're doing?"

"Huhu, just saying 'hello'. Let's find someplace quiet." Said Jiutian.

Sometime later, the Familia was sitting in a quiet pub called Hostess of Fertility.

"Allow me to find us a place to lay our head. You lot should gear up and head to the dungeon immediately." Jiutian was a serious as she had ever been.

"Who was watching us?" Seichi finally asked.

"Huh?" 

"Why so shocked? We all felt it.  Seiichi was most likely the first." Naruto spoke nonchalantly.

"Mmm." Rock hummed in agreement, "He's the most splendid Ninja of our generation."

Jiutian was genuinely surprised by everyone's reactions. "Let's just say I wasn't the best Goddess. I terrorized the heavens. Stole boyfriends and husbands. And to some, I was the perfect whetstone for their blade. For now, we should be cautious of anyone from the Freya Familia, Current or former."

"Why former?" Hinata asked.

"Because that woman has a dangerously obsessive and once a target is gained possessive personality. She doesn't know the meaning of letting go." Jiutian explained with deep eyes that seemed to be looking back into the past. "She can fool the universe but not me. Her smile is just a mask."

"You all heard the lady. Freya Familia is out of bounds." Seiichi spoke out and the family agreed without any resistance.

After a much-needed meal, the goddess went on her way while Seiichi led his Clan to the dungeon. 

"I want to see how we compare. Collected every drop and we'll push to our limit before we return." Said Seiichi.

"Hai!"

At the same time, the sky darkened and Jiutian Xuannu made her way down a grand staircase into a ballroom filled with food and other deities that took residence within the cities.  She could hear their whispers of fear, awe, l.u.s.t, and outright shock. 

For the most part, no one had expected Jiutian to descend to the mortal yet here she was in front of them. 

Jiutian then smiled when a l.u.s.tful aura washed over her. Then a burst of killing intent.

"Thanatos, Ares," Jiutian spoke and her voice was like a sweet song that could stir emotions of even the strongest God. 

The two Gods stared each other down for a second longer before they turned their attention back to Jiutian. 

"I heard you were back," said Thanatos.

"I felt your presence. After all, soulmates share such a connection." Ares added and Thanatos frowned.

"Huhu, Ares, How's what's her name doing? You know, the married one. Aphrodite, wasn't it?" 

Ares' face paled. "It wasn't like--"

"Enough... I have no interest in it. No interest in... you." Jiutian shooed Ares off as Thanatos laughed. Jiutian then held her arm out and Thanatos moved to take it.

"I thought you had no interest in this mortal world." Said Thanatos.

"I thought so too." Jiutian sighed. " I also thought you were moving on. I've had many partners and I hate to watch you twiddle your thumbs as I lived my life."

"I have moved on. But you're beauty has this effect on me, Jiutian." Thanatos replied, "So what do you need. I know you didn't come here for these people."

"I need you. I have a Familia now. And we need a place. Something large, open area, off the beaten path." Jiutian explained.

"Hmmm. I might have something. But it'll need a little work."

"Anything helps..." Jiutian's voice trailed off as she saw a red-haired woman wearing an eye patch. Jiutian didn't know all of the Jigoku's secrets. But she knew they were fighters and appeared to be self-sufficient. So, even though she sent them to find weapons, she knew it wouldn't be enough for them.

"Hephaestus." Said Jiutian as she appeared before the woman with Thanatos still on her arm.

"Jiutian Xuannu... Welcome to the City.  Itching for a fight already?"

"Please, she wouldn't start a fight without me." A silver-haired woman interjected.

"Freya likes to talk big because her familia's strong, but we all know the truth." A tall, thin woman spoke up.

"Loki? You're here too?" Jiutian asked.

"It's almost the old rumble party. We're just missing Poseidon, Hades, Amaterasu, and...Thor." Loki's face became sad and her eyes foggy causing the ladies to groan. They weren't friends but after the among of fights they had, a connection was almost inevitably formed.

"Still hung up on that guy?" Jiutian asked with a disgusted expression.

"Yes, she is." Freya rolled her eyes. 

"Okay then," Said Jiutian before facing Hephaestus once more. "I need a list of all the ore you've encountered with their locations. I'll also like to hire one of your children. Preferably a high-ranking one. I'll pay of course."

Hephaestus shrugged. "Why not? Hopefully, your children die trying to collect material and you'll return to whatever hole you crawled out of."

Freya and Loki sounded their agreement.

"No one dies without my permission." Thanatos finally spoke, "I have a feeling my Jiutian will be around for a long long time."

"Alliances should be made lightly, Thanatos." Loki threatened him.

"Bring it on, flat-c.h.e.s.ted bitch. I've never been scared of you." Thanatos growled and the temperature in the room dropped tens of degrees as the spectating deity backed away towards the walls of the Ball Room.

Jiutian laughed as craked her bones. She reached for her headdress and the deities around her similar reached for random items on their person.

'No, this isn't why I came. My aspirations are greater than my pride. Jiutian...Relax.' Jiutian thought then placed her delicate hand on Thantos's arm. Shen then pulled him away to leave the Ball Room.

"Hephaestus!" She sang as she walked up the stairs, "I'll see you tomorrow!"