Its fruit contained the divinity of Immortality, not only serving as an excellent supplement to enhance strength but also symbolizing the Divine Authority of the Earth.
Such a gift signified Mother Earth Gaea's recognition of the Olympian gods and the transfer of her Divine Authority.
As a result, Hera's powers of marriage and fertility were able to stabilize.
However, blinded by jealousy, the Queen of Heaven obsessively pursued her husband's illegitimate children and lovers after assuming the throne, gradually losing her reverence and care for life.
Therefore, she had never been fully acknowledged by the Divine Tree, nor had she inherited the complete Divine Authority of the Earth.
Now, by conquering this Sacred Garden and controlling the Golden Apple Tree, the Giant Spirit Clan, naturally close to the Earth, could rapidly enhance their strength by consuming the Golden Apples and herbs within the garden, which contained Earth Divinity, obtaining the traits of immortality, and even Immortality, thereby possessing the capital to contend with the Olympian gods.
"So that's how it is..."
After hearing the secret recounted by King Alcyoneus of the Giant Spirits, Atlas had an epiphany.
Immediately, this Atlas Titan waved his hand grandly and spoke outright.
"If that's the case, then let's quickly distribute these treasures."
Upon hearing this, King Alcyoneus's face darkened.
Divine Authority of the Earth, he had not absorbed much yet, and now he had to precious resource with his kin? Was his role as a leader just busywork?
And since when was it up to an outsider to decide how to distribute his possessions?
"Hera has escaped, and the news of the Sacred Garden's fall can hardly be kept secret for long. We cannot delay here too long."
As King Alcyoneus was feeling displeased within, a deep, powerful voice sounded, and a prisoner, his hands shackled and broken, his hair dry as dead grass but his eyes as dazzling as the stars, walked into the secret place with dozens of Giant Spirits.
"Prometheus, you're finally back!"
Atlas laughed heartily as he rushed towards the newcomer, giving this brother a firm hug.
Both were sons of Iapetus, the Titan God of souls and prophecy, and had always shared a good relationship. Even though they had different stances during the Titanomachy, both had suffered under Zeus's harsh treatment after the war, sharing a common enemy and again standing shoulder to shoulder.
At this moment, King Alcyoneus heard the news brought by Prometheus and, surprised, spoke rather discontentedly.
"You brought so many people, and yet you couldn't even capture a severely injured goddess?"
"Is that just any ordinary goddess? That's Hera, the Queen of Heaven, positioned just below the Divine King among the Olympian Twelve Gods!"
Atlas turned his head and snorted coldly, defending his brother while not forgetting to belittle King Alcyoneus, who stayed in the Sacred Garden eating alone.
"If you were so confident, why didn't you lead people to pursue her yourself?"
"If I have to do everything, what are you here for?"
King Alcyoneus's eyes widened with rage, and he clenched his fists tightly.
"Don't forget, if it weren't for me rescuing you, you would have no right to stand here and talk to me!"
"We brothers are deeply grateful for your rescue and are willing to follow your orders to reclaim the Titans' authority together."
Seeing the two Titans at the verge of a fight, Prometheus quickly stepped forward to mediate and voluntarily took on the responsibility.
"I failed to bring Hera here, please punish me."
Watching Prometheus bow to him and the robust Atlas Titan at his side, King Alcyoneus tempered his anger and waved his hand dismissively.
"Never mind, after all, that is the Queen of Olympus, aided by the oldest daughter of the Demon Ancestor Typhon—Ladon, the hundred-headed dragon. You've just been released, both your Divinity and Divine Power are greatly diminished, it's understandable that you couldn't stop them."
"Thank you for your leniency and understanding."
Prometheus showed a grateful expression then spoke sternly.
"Although we failed to bring Hera back, we have driven her into the Sea of Chaos, and have left sentinels nearby. She shouldn't be able to escape from our palm for a while, nor contact the other Chief Gods. We better seize this opportunity to absorb the Earth Divinity in the Sacred Garden, enhance the strength of the Giant Spirits, and when we have the capital to contest with the Olympians, not just an injured Hera, even if the Olympian gods arrive collectively, they may not be able to defeat us."
"And as long as we win that final battle and reclaim the authority once held by the Titans, not just the Sacred Garden, the entire World will be at your feet!"
Hearing this sage's reminder, King Alcyoneus suddenly felt somewhat tempted.
Indeed, to achieve the highest Divine Authority, one should not be fixated on enjoying these minor delights alone.
Thereupon, King Alcyoneus, feigning generosity, grandly waved his hand and announced loudly to his followers.
"Brothers, come, let's level this mountain, take everything, and thoroughly enjoy the spoils you deserve!"
Upon hearing their leader's command, the Giant Spirits' eyes sparkled, and they eagerly pounced towards the herbs and Golden Apple Tree in the Sacred Garden, which reeked heavily of Divinity.
Instantly, countless herbs were uprooted with their soil and stuffed into the mouths of the Giant Spirits; numerous Golden Apples were pulled from the trees, their sweet juice transforming into rich Earth Divinity within the bodies of the Giant Spirits; various springs were drunk dry, even the moss and stones moist with water were devoured clean by the Giant Spirits...