The spring goddess Ostara from Germanic mythology, why she would favor the shadow, might be due to sensing the same divine nature, but Ostara clearly knew more than others.
Odin and the Yoruba gods' plan was not impossible; the shadow, nurtured by the consciousness of the American land, was qualified to become king of the gods, a fact the gods could not refute.
However, Loki's strangeness could not be explained solely by Baldur's enmity towards him. Lin Xiang slowly raised her head, her expression peculiar, and asked a question that had been overlooked, "Who has the spellbook brought by the outsider?"
The three goddesses' expressions changed drastically. Ao Shun immediately understood Lin Xiang's meaning, "You think Loki got that book!"
"I'm not sure."
Lin Xiang was surprised that no one had thought of the book. "But Loki's abnormality clearly has a backing. Perhaps this book contains a secret that allows him to retreat unharmed."
Yemoga turned and left, and shortly after, the Queen of Sheba was also brought into the illusion of the underwater temple.
The queen seemed to be suffering some torment. She knelt on the ground, covering her ears, as if enduring some piercing sound.
Lin Xiang and the Yoruba gods, without sparing their divine power, extended a helping hand to the distressed queen.
Ao Shun, who shared the authority of love with the Queen of Sheba, communicated with the dormant divinity within the queen. Yemoga and Lin Xiang, using the queen's divine power, awakened the underground water, and Aye broke open the prison that confined the queen. The four goddesses bestowed new power upon the queen, and the authorities of rivers and fertility manifested within her.
After communicating with the Queen of Sheba, Ao Shun's expression remained grim. According to the queen, this peculiar spellbook displayed different content based on the reader's inner desires. Lin Xiang's suspicion was likely confirmed.
"Setting aside how Loki obtained the hidden book, why was he not affected by the corruption?"
Ao Shun was greatly perplexed. "Knowing those spells also causes corruption. The reason we didn't share this information with all the gods is that even hearing it would corrupt gods with insufficient willpower! Sheba became like this just by knowing some spells! Her experience says it all!"
Aye suddenly became agitated, "Did he find a way to completely eliminate the corruption?"
"No," Lin Xiang said calmly. "If he truly had a way to eliminate the corruption, why wouldn't he use it to win you over?"
The excitement on the three goddesses' faces instantly vanished. If Loki used the method to eliminate corruption as a bargaining chip, the Yoruba gods would have sided with him without hesitation, and the birth of the shadow would have been unnecessary.
"Perhaps this is related to his appearance as a new god."
Just as the Yoruba gods were at a loss, Lin Xiang offered a new perspective. "Why would Loki abandon everything as an old god and appear before us as Mr. World?"
"Loki's influence in Norse mythology is second only to Odin. Why would he abandon it so thoroughly, even giving up the faith directed at him?"
A gleam flashed in Lin Xiang's eyes. "We need to find out why he abandoned his identity as Loki. Perhaps there are clues within!"
The gods were focused on the benefits of faith, but Lin Xiang could step outside the box and view faith from an observer's perspective. If Loki had indeed read the book and removed the corruption, then it could only be related to faith. Lin Xiang subconsciously believed there was some connection to the disappearance of Loki's followers.
The goddesses acted swiftly. Since Loki could come to the American continent, there must be his followers on this land!
The Yoruba gods took on this task, while Lin Xiang returned to the Queen of Heaven's temple.
As one of the earliest deities from the East to arrive on this land, Mazu could not be unaware of these matters.
Facing Lin Xiang's questioning, Mazu was very candid, "I know."
"This is also why I don't want to participate in the war between the new gods and the old gods. As long as they don't endanger my followers, I won't care when the apocalypse arrives."
Looking at the seemingly confident Mazu, Lin Xiang was puzzled. "If the true form of that outsider descends, all living beings will be reaped by him, and our followers will also be affected."
"Isn't there still you?" Mazu suddenly smiled. "You can also travel between worlds, and you are not much weaker than him. Although I cannot deduce how powerful your strength is, I believe you can protect your followers from him."
"Your existence is my greatest reliance," Mazu's answer was unexpected, yet logical.
Lin Xiang was amused. When she learned that an outsider god had visited this world, she knew her origins could not be hidden from Mazu.
"Besides, this world is not as weak as you imagine."
Mazu narrowed her eyes and poured more tea for Lin Xiang. "Even if that outsider truly descends, it is still unknown who will win. If it truly comes to a point where we can do nothing, we still have the option of returning to our homeland with the souls of our followers."
"I have someone backing me!"
The usually gentle Mazu suddenly exuded an imposing aura, causing Lin Xiang, who was drinking tea, to almost spit it out.
"The Heavenly Dao is already powerless to suppress the ancient gods. When that day comes, the Heavenly Dao will compromise."
Mazu blew away the foam from her teacup. "Those great gods are waiting for this opportunity to have the Heavenly Dao release their restraints and set them free. Haven't you noticed that few of the old gods want to participate in their games?"
Lin Xiang suddenly understood. The Norse pantheon was destined to perish in Ragnarok. Odin setting up the stage was a last resort, as their faith in Norse lands had been replaced by Christianity. As long as the shadow became the new king of the gods, Odin could recreate past glory in America.
The Yoruba gods responded enthusiastically because they were on the front lines of confronting the outsider, forced to become the main force. Their supreme god Olóòrun created the Orishas to escape all worldly affairs, becoming an impersonal background like Jesus. Naturally, the great gods would pick on the easy targets.
"Let them cause trouble; it won't involve us."
Mazu put down her teacup, the cup making a crisp sound as it met the saucer.
"In the end, when you descended into this world, weren't you also bound by the Heavenly Dao? The Heavenly Dao, or rather the world consciousness, will be more anxious than us. It will reach an agreement with those great gods who want to break free from faith. The key to resolving this crisis is not with us, but with the price the Heavenly Dao is willing to pay."
No wonder the Eastern gods were not in a hurry. If the sky falls, the tallest will bear it. As long as the Heavenly Dao was willing to take a step back, this crisis would at most affect America.
This might also explain why Loki was able to remove the corruption. He was likely a front man for some great gods, pushed out to compete with Odin.
Thinking of this, Lin Xiang asked the question.
"Faith connects both sides. Your guess is indeed correct."
Mazu did not hide anything. "This corruption should have been transferred to the believers through faith. The faith of those believers could not connect to Loki, and after being absorbed by unsuspecting gods, the corruption naturally transferred to them."