Damn, I Have to Marry the Strongest Antagonist at the Start?

364  Chapter360-The Three Celestial Gods

The three celestial gods remained silent for a moment before one finally spoke:

"Well, well. Who would have thought we'd run into you here, Owen!"

Owen?!

He's Owen?!

Candice's mind buzzed in shock, while the smile on Flora's face froze instantly.

The Lord of the Celestial God Palace also stared at Owen, astonished, as if seeing him for the first time. She scrutinized him from head to toe.

Owen's name was known throughout every corner of the Pure Land. She had heard it so often that her ears practically had calluses.

After all, the elders and reclusive sages of the Celestial God Palace had brought him up repeatedly in her presence.

They had hoped she would marry Owen, the greatest prodigy of all time.

Such a union would produce offspring with unparalleled bloodlines, elevating the Celestial God Palace to a position of absolute dominance over the factions of the Pure Land.

Yet, as the proud master of the palace, she had initially dismissed Owen, refusing even to learn about him.

However, over time, the constant mentions of Owen within and beyond the Celestial God Palace had sparked her curiosity.

But she never imagined their meeting would unfold like this!

In her mind, she had envisioned defeating Owen and making him her subordinate—a trophy to serve at her beck and call. Instead, here she was, captured by him!

Flora, too, was stunned. As the goddess of the Howling Highlands, she had always considered herself unmatched, believing no one in the world could be worthy of her.

That is, until she learned of Owen. She had thought perhaps he was a gift from the heavens, for only a man who could make the Forbidden Zone bow to him would be qualified to marry her.

Yet their first meeting was playing out in such a dramatic, unexpected way.

"Well now," Flora said with a faint smile, her tone laced with intrigue as she looked at Owen. "Since we've met, it seems we're fated. Perhaps there's something between us after all."

"Owen? Are you really that Owen?" the Lord of the Celestial God Palace asked again, still incredulous.

Owen glanced at her without answering. Instead, his gaze turned to the three celestial gods standing behind Candice. From them, he could clearly sense the presence of Loki, the God of Schemes.

"Owen, you dare show yourself in the Pure Land? Such audacity!"

"Lord Loki will never let you go!"

The three robed celestial gods stared at Owen with cold intent, poised to strike at any moment.

Unperturbed, Owen smirked and replied calmly,

"I go wherever I please. And who is he to bark like a dog in my presence?"

The blatant insult sent the three celestial gods into a fury. Their robes billowed with surging magic, and an overwhelming force filled the air, bearing down on Owen.

"How dare you! Lord Loki is not to be insulted!"

"Even if Loki himself were here, I wouldn't fear him. And you think you can take me on?"

With that, the Godslayer Staff appeared in his hand. Its mere presence dispelled the oppressive energy of the celestial gods completely.

Feeling the familiar surge of power from the staff, Owen's eyes softened with a hint of nostalgia.

"Old friend, let's have a good fight again."

The Godslayer Staff trembled, emanating radiant light. As more of its seals were lifted, it had grown increasingly sentient.

After years without a true battle, it seemed eager to unleash its might once more.

Meanwhile, at the edge of the icy pool at the bottom of Skyline Gorge, Leslie and her companions stood gazing toward the distant ancient forest.

They could all feel the shockingly powerful energy fluctuations emanating from within.

"Three celestial gods!" Madelyn's eyes flashed with concern.

She had sensed not only the celestial gods but also Owen's aura locked in their midst.

"Will Owen be alright?" she asked anxiously, turning to Leslie.

"He'll be fine," Leslie replied calmly.

However, Ysera, who had also sensed the terrifying presence of the three celestial gods, narrowed her eyes. She knew these were the gods her father had sent.

Their strength was unparalleled, and even a single celestial god would be difficult to contend with.

More concerning, from Madelyn's words, it was clear that these people had a close connection to Owen.

Her spiritual senses extended toward the youthful figure surrounded by celestial gods. When she realized who it was, her heart skipped a beat.

Owen!

It was him!

As a major figure in the Pure Land, she had heard Owen's name countless times and had even studied his appearance, power, and achievements. She recognized him immediately.

But what was he doing in the Pure Land? Shouldn't he be in the Azure Kingdom? And now he was surrounded by the celestial gods her father had sent!

If that was Owen… Ysera suddenly turned her gaze to Leslie and Madelyn, piecing it together.

"Leslie, you're the Empress of the Azure Kingdom!"

She stared at Leslie in shock, realizing that her domineering savior was none other than the Azure Kingdom's ruler. Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"From now on, call me 'Master.' No exceptions," Leslie said coolly.

Ysera let out a disdainful laugh, emboldened by a sudden surge of confidence.

"Leslie, Owen doesn't stand a chance against those celestial gods. If you let me go, I'll negotiate with them to release him. We'll call it even. How about that?"

"I know how important Owen is to you. You wouldn't want anything to happen to him, right?"

But before she could finish her self-assured speech, Leslie's aura turned chillingly cold.

A suffocating pressure descended on Ysera, making her soul tremble.

"First of all, Owen will be fine. Those celestial gods are dreaming if they think they can take him down." Leslie's voice was icy.

"Second, I already told you—call me Master!"

Without hesitation, Leslie slapped Ysera across the face.

The sharp crack echoed through the gorge. Five red finger marks bloomed on Ysera's cheek, swelling instantly.

Pain flared hotly as Ysera stood frozen, stunned by the humiliation.

As the Queen of Emerald Dreamscape, she had never been treated like this. Yet she knew Leslie wasn't bluffing—defying her would only invite more punishment.

Reluctantly, with reddened eyes and simmering anger, she glared at Leslie without daring to speak further. She realized there was no point in arguing until her strength returned. But once it did, she vowed to repay this humiliation tenfold.

Watching Ysera's quiet submission, Madelyn couldn't help but feel a wave of astonishment.

Could it be that Leslie had truly subdued Ysera, turning her into a servant?

If so, it would shake the entire Pure Land to its core. Even the God of Schemes would surely be furious!

At that moment, Leslie suddenly stopped in her tracks, her sharp eyes fixed ahead.

Not far from her, three more celestial gods appeared. Their attire made it clear—they were from the Celestial God Palace.

As Leslie observed them, Ysera also recognized the newcomers. She whispered,

"They're elites from the Celestial God Palace. It seems they've locked onto your presence."

Leslie glanced at Ysera. "Are you sure they aren't here for you?"

Ysera snorted. "If they are, leave me here. I don't need anyone's help!"

"Really?" Leslie smirked. "So you're saying you'd prefer to fall into their hands than mine?"

Ysera opened her mouth to agree, but Leslie's piercing gaze silenced her. Swallowing hard, she dared not respond.

While she hesitated, the three celestial gods blocking Leslie's path turned their eyes to Ysera.

The leader, clad in silver-white armor, stepped forward and said solemnly,

"Lord of Ysera, you will come with us."