NOVEL ONLINE FREE CHAPTER 258
Chapter 258: The Land God Association's Fall
The house Quan Chao had arranged for Lu Ming was situated in the affluent district of Archean City. The surroundings were serene, security was tight, and the population density was low, creating a peaceful atmosphere.
As Lu Ming entered the house, Quan Chao approached him, a look of embarrassment etched on his face. Upon seeing Lu Ming, he immediately knelt before him.
Lu Ming quickly helped him up, a puzzled frown creasing his brow. "What are you doing?"
Quan Chao's eyes reddened.
"I've failed you, my lord," he confessed, his voice thick with shame.
As Quan Chao explained the situation, Lu Ming learned the source of his guilt.
The Land God Association had been taken over.
Hao Huang and the Queen of Blades had been in Archean City for over a week. Although they appeared idle, they had been gathering information about the city's power structure.
While Roda held the title of City Lord, the Land God Association was the true ruling force in Archean City.
And now, with the arrival of the Giant Clan army, the Land God Association couldn't escape their grasp.
"The Land God Association was taken by a commander of the Giant Clan army," Quan Chao explained, his voice heavy with regret. "I haven't fought him, but he effortlessly seized control from me."
He sighed, his shoulders slumping in defeat.
The Giant Clan commander was a Level Eight Spirit Realm expert, his strength rivaling Li De's.
The Land God Association, established by Quan Chao, had been built on the foundation of Spirit Realm power. Now, faced with a stronger force, it crumbled swiftly.
With the backing of the Giant Clan army, the commander's authority was absolute.
Quan Chao hadn't even dared to utter a word of protest, returning to Lu Ming's side with a heavy heart.
Lu Ming, upon hearing the news, patted Quan Chao's shoulder reassuringly. "As long as you're safe, that's what matters. As for the Land God Association, if it's lost, so be it."
The Land God Association had served its purpose, but that was before the arrival of the Giant and Insect Clans. With their overwhelming power, they wouldn't tolerate an Eternal Clan member like Roda as City Lord or a mere gang controlling the city.
Resistance would be futile.
Lu Ming himself had no intention of fighting back. It would be foolish to oppose the Giant and Insect Clans for the sake of Archean City.
"Stay here for now," Lu Ming told Quan Chao. "Once I finish my secluded cultivation, you can leave Archean City with us and head to the Eternal Clan."
Lu Ming felt a sense of responsibility towards Quan Chao. The man had helped him in many ways, and Lu Ming wanted to ensure his safety amidst the impending chaos.
As for their future relationship... that was a bridge to be crossed later.
Quan Chao was overwhelmed with gratitude and was about to kneel again when Lu Ming gently pulled him up.
"Have you prepared enough food and Flamestones?" Lu Ming inquired, his tone businesslike.
Quan Chao nodded, a hint of pride in his voice. "Everything is ready, Mr. Lu. I've prepared three times the amount you requested."
Lu Ming nodded in satisfaction. "That should be enough."
The Hundred Thousand Mountains were vast and seemingly endless. According to the explorers in Archean City, they could be roughly divided into three levels: the periphery, the inner circle, and the core.
The periphery was home to Spirit Realm exotic beasts at most.
In the inner circle, Origin Realm beasts roamed.
And the core region, the most dangerous of all, was the domain of Ancient Realm exotic beasts. It was a place few dared to tread, even He Qing, the quasi-Divine Realm expert, would detour around it on his way to the Eternal Clan.
It wasn't that they couldn't defeat the Ancient Realm beasts, but there was simply no need to risk such a confrontation.
And today, the rarely visited core region welcomed unexpected guests.
Two figures stood at its edge.
"This is it," Esek, the undead, said with a smile. "This place is located on the fringes of the core region, a secret base left behind by the ancestral god before his ascension."
He paused, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "And inside, we have a gift for you, from the Undead Clan."
As Esek spoke respectfully, a genderless voice emanated from beside him.
"First of all, I appreciate your gift... but there's a problem," the Mother Tree's voice, emanating from the sapling atop the humanoid creature, was laced with a hint of suspicion.
"Why are you offering me a gift?"
"In theory, we should be enemies, right?"
"Moreover, I've made an agreement with the Giant Clan and the Insect Clan. I won't cooperate with other races..."
Esek merely smiled faintly.
"I have no intention of making you change your mind, Mother Tree."
His voice deepened, taking on a more serious tone.
"I simply believe you have immense potential, and I want to offer you an opportunity..."
A faint golden light shimmered in Esek's eyes.
A tremendous, awe-inspiring power, far surpassing anything the Mother Tree had ever encountered, surged through Esek's body.
The Mother Tree trembled, a mix of panic and enlightenment flooding its consciousness.
"You are..." the sapling stammered, its voice a mere whisper.
"Zero," the voice replied, deep and resonant. "You may call me Zero. Or, you can address me by my title... Corpse God."
Esek's body straightened, his presence no longer that of a mere subordinate. Though he exerted no overt pressure, the Mother Tree's perception of him had shifted dramatically.
He was now a being of immense power and mystery.
Turning to face the Mother Tree's avatar, the man known as Esek, who was in fact the Corpse God, smiled and patted its shoulder.
"It's just a simple trick," he explained, "projecting my will into the minds of my subordinates. And don't worry, this projection carries no power. The 'me' standing before you is merely at the Origin Realm."
"Besides," he added with a sly grin, "even if I were to lose this avatar, it wouldn't matter much to you, would it?"
The Mother Tree was momentarily taken aback, but Zero's words calmed its fears.
He's right, it thought. What's there to fear when my avatar is expendable, even in the presence of a so-called deity?
Still, it maintained a respectful demeanor.
"So, Lord Corpse God, what exactly is this opportunity you wish to offer me?"
Zero's voice echoed once more. "It's inside."
He gestured towards the mountain, and the landscape before them shimmered, revealing a hidden cave entrance.
"Follow me," he commanded, beckoning the Mother Tree forward.
End of Chapter 258