Chapter 956 – If You Believe In Me, Then You Will Have Eternal Life!
While Solomon and the others were looking at the Hell King's ship, the ship had already departed. And when they headed back out into the deck, they were already close to reaching the Aries Continent.
When Solomon and the others saw this, they couldn't help but look at each other. It seems like they had to re-evaluate Zhao Hai's strength.
They knew that Zhao Hai was strong, but they weren't able to see it firsthand. Zhao Hai being able to rush towards the Aries Continent in such a short time was a testament to his own strength.
Zhao Hai stopped right outside the Aries Continent, he didn't enter but instead looked at Solomon's group and said, "Patriarchs, where are we heading?"
Solomon looked at Zhao Hai and said, "Let's turn and head to the Libra Continent." After that, Zhao Hai turned the ship towards the Libra Continent and then went straight towards it.
The speed of the Hell King's ship had now reached its limit. However, the ship was still very calm, as though it was stationary and only had a few light breezes. This made Solomon and the others more and more impressed.
As the ship was traveling, Zhao Hai turned his head to the three Patriarchs and said, "Patriarchs, I'm not too familiar with the foreign races, can you help me understand?"
The three Patriarchs looked at each other. And then, Solomon and Yerd took a step back, leaving Leir in front. It was clear that they wanted Leir to do the explaining.
After Leir saw this situation, he couldn't help but smile awkwardly and said, "It looks like I will be the one explaining to Mister." Solomon nodded before he turned to Zhao Hai and said, "Mister, we want to rest first. Leir should be able to accommodate you. What do you think?"
Zhao Hai nodded before he turned to Bingya and said, "Bingya, I'll have to ask you to lead Patriarch Solomon and Queen Yerd to their rooms so that they can take a rest."
Bingya's group nodded before proceeding to lead Solomon and Yerd to their rooms. Yerd managed to notice that their rooms were one of the better rooms inside the ship. However, there seems to be more of these types of rooms present.
After waiting for Solomon and the others to head down the ship, Zhao Hai clapped his hands. Laura and the others immediately offered Zhao Hai some wine. This time, the wine was one of the better wines in Zhao Hai's hands. Zhao Hai offered Leir a glass before he held his own and said, "Patriarch Leir, among your group who sought me, only you saw me in a positive light. Let this Zhao Hai offer you a glass."
As soon as Leir heard Zhao Hai, his face couldn't help but show his embarrassment. He also thought that Solomon was quite excessive this time. However, he still held his glass up and replied, "Actually, Solomon and Yerd doesn't have any bad intentions. They're just used to acting like this because of their position. I hope that Mister won't be offended."
Zhao Hai pretended to be angry as he said, "If it wasn't for the fact that I wanted to deal with the nine Supreme Elders, then I wouldn't have stomached such attitude. Alright, there's no need to talk about this. With Patriarch Leir's temperament, I'm certain that we would have a good future together."
Leir smiled and replied, "Mister is really lifting me up. It's my pleasure to be Mister's friend. If you need the help of the Dwarven race in the future, then please don't hesitate to tell us."
Zhao Hai smiled faintly and said, "To be honest, I feel quite strange. Back in the Ark Continent, my relationship with the three races is quite good. Whether it be the Dwarves, Beastman, or Elves, all of them are my friends. However, it seems like the Beastmen and the Elves of the Divine Realm aren't looking at me favorably."
Leir couldn't help but bitterly smile. He was very clear about why Solomon didn't like Zhao Hai. In Solomon's eyes, Zhao Hai was a destroyer of the established order. He managed to throw off the balance of the Divine Realm, this caused Solomon to be afraid of him.
Zhao Hai was just too strong. With his own strength, he managed to almost destroy the entire Divine Race. The Divines were much stronger than the foreign races. And if Zhao Hai decides to turn on the foreign races, then the foreign races would have a hard time stopping him. It was also for this reason that Elf Yerd was reluctant to get in contact with Zhao Hai.
Zhao Hai looked at Leir's expression and smiled, "Actually, I couldn't stay in the Divine Realm for a long time. I don't belong to this place and I have more matters to attend to. The reason I dealt with the Divines was because I wanted the Ark Continent to have vengeance. To be honest, my enmity towards the Divines have gone too thin. If I wasn't worried about the nine Supreme Elders eliminating the foreign races, then I might have left the Divine Realm a long time ago."
Leir looked puzzled at Zhao Hai, "Why would Mister say that? The Divines have been greatly damaged. Even if the nine Supreme Elders retreats, they shouldn't be able to deal with us right?"
Zhao Hai smiled bitterly and said, "No, it's the opposite. If the Supreme Elders manages to retreat, then your days would be bad."
Leir was still puzzled, but before he manages to ask, Zhao Hai continued, "The reason why you can block the Divines was because the Divine Race aren't a united group. Instead, they divided themselves into ten different groups, each had their own Elders and plans for going forward. Because of this, they didn't do their best during their attacks towards the foreign races. And when a group of them attack you, their Supreme Elders were less than what you have. But this time, the nine Supreme Elders are concentrated in the Leo Continent. This means that a single Divine Race group now has more Supreme Elders than you. As the war progresses, the foreign races would slowly be defeated."
Upon hearing Zhao Hai, Leir couldn't help but stare blankly. He wiped a cold sweat, they haven't thought about this point. After being reminded by Zhao Hai, Leir felt that things are far from being great as they imagined.
Zhao Hai looked at Leir and continued, "To be honest, dealing with the nine Supreme Elders wouldn't provide any benefits for me. Back in the Taurus Continent, the Supreme Elders wanted to threaten me using the Thunder Clan and the others. And at that time, they realized that if they return to the Leo Continent, then they would have a chance to save the Divine Race. Because of this, they went to attack you so that you would make your troops retreat. In this case, I am not in the equation anymore. They don't care about me. I don't have to deal with them and I can just leave. But do you know why I didn't leave? No matter what, your races provided me with help in dealing with the Divine Race. You also sent Divine Artifacts to your people back in the Ark Continent, providing them with great kindness. My relationship with the three races in the Ark Continent is very good. I'm a Crown Prince of the Beastman, and a Foreign Elder to the Elves and the Dwarves. Because of this, I decided to help you one time in dealing with the Divine Race."
Leir listened quietly to Zhao Hai's words and found out that Zhao Hai wasn't wrong. From looking at Zhao Hai's appearance, he seems to be a kind of person who didn't want to rule the Divine Realm. Otherwise, he wouldn't destroy the Divine Race. Zhao Hai could just leave, he didn't need to care about the muddied waters of the Divine Realm anymore.
Zhao Hai looked at Leir and smiled, "Patriarch Leir, you're a Patriarch, so you should be familiar with this word."
Leir became confused at Zhao Hai's query. So upon hearing Zhao Hai, Leir tilted his head and asked, "What word?"
Zhao Hai smiled faintly and answered, "Ascension!"
As soon as Leir heard this, he couldn't help but gawk. Then he said, "Ascension? Does Mister want to ascend?" As a Patriarch, he wasn't a stranger to ascension. However, he didn't expect Zhao Hai to have thoughts about it.
Zhao Hai looked at Leir and said, "Do you think the Divine Realm can hold me?"
Leir stared, then he smiled bitterly and said, "Right, even the nine Supreme Elders couldn't stop you. With your current strength, there's no way for the Divine Realm to accommodate you. The next step for you would be to ascend."
Zhao Hai smiled and said, "Right, I will ascend after taking care of things in the Divine Realm. Because of this, I won't be here in the future. Later on, the foreign races wouldn't have anything to do with me."
Leir smiled bitterly, he felt unworthy because of Solomon. Solomon was worried that Zhao Hai would replace the position that the Divine Race held. It seems like Zhao Hai wants to ascend, he simply didn't have anything left to do in the Divine Realm.
Upon thinking up to here, Leir couldn't help but sigh. Then he drank from his wine glass before looking at Zhao Hai and asking, "Mister, did you subdue the Demon Race?"
Zhao Hai nodded and said, "Correct. The Demons, the people in the Ark Continent, as well as the Goblins have now become my people. They're currently in a very safe place. Maybe I could even take them with me when I ascend." When Leir heard this, he stared for a moment before he said, "Bring them when you ascend? How is that possible?"
Zhao Hai smiled faintly and said, "What if I had better things like the Hell King's ship?" Leir's eyes lit up, then he said, "Is Mister telling the truth?"
Zhao Hai just smiled and said, "If you believe my words, then it's true. If you don't then it's false. And if you believe in me, then you will have eternal life! Hahahaha." After that, Zhao Hai drank his wine before turning to look at the distant horizon.
Leir stood up, his eyes seem to be filled with passion as he said, "Mister, can you take us along?"
Zhao Hai chuckled a bit before answering, "This isn't something that you can decide in a short time. In your case, ruminate on this idea for some time. However, I hope you don't tell Patriarch Solomon and Queen Yerd about this."
Chapter 957 – Violent Debate
When Leir heard this, he couldn't help but feel regretful. He also knew that things like these weren't something that he could decide alone.
At this time, five people came out. Solomon had a smile on his face as he looked at Zhao Hai and said, "Mister, let this Solomon congratulate you. I didn't think that Mister would want to ascend, I'm really envious."
As soon as Leir heard Solomon, he couldn't help but get startled. Then he turned to look at Zhao Hai. He thought that Zhao Hai's ascension was only something that the two of them knew. Now it seems like this wasn't the case.
Zhao Hai gave Leir a smile, making the latter relax. Then Zhao Hai turned his head to Solomon and said, "The Patriarch's congratulations are a bit early. I'm not even sure if I can ascend."
Solomon smiled and said, "Not early, not early. The Divine Realm cannot hold someone like Mister for too long. Mister should inform us when you ascend, we need to attend the ceremony. If this Solomon can see someone ascend, then I wouldn't have lived this life in vain."
Zhao Hai smiled faintly and said, "Of course. If I am about to ascend, then I will inform the Patriarch. Rest assured."
When Leir heard the conversation between Zhao Hai and Solomon, he couldn't help but think. Then he turned to look at Bingya who stood behind Solomon and Yerd. He now understood that Solomon had called Bingya over to his room and asked about Zhao Hai's situation. It should have been Bingya who told Solomon about Zhao Hai's ascension. Because of this, Solomon's attitude towards Zhao Hai had changed.
However, by listening to Solomon's words, it seems like Bingya didn't tell him that Zhao Hai can take people along with him when he ascends. This might be because Bingya and the others were unaware of this fact.
If Bingya didn't know, then there was nothing strange about the current situation. But if they knew but didn't say it, then that could only mean one thing, they had already become Zhao Hai's people.
At the thought of this, Leir couldn't help but take another sip of his wine. After placing his wine glass down, he felt shock. He understood that Bingya's group had already sided with Zhao Hai.
When Leir placed his glass down, he understood the truth. Zhao Hai only gave him a glass to drink, yet Leir already felt close to him. He even felt dissatisfied towards Solomon and Yerd. Bingya and the others had been with Zhao Hai for so long, so how could they not be swayed by Zhao Hai's influence? Additionally, with the bait of being taken along when Zhao Hai ascends, it was natural for Bingya and the others to submit to Zhao Hai.
After figuring this out, Leir couldn't help but take another glance at Zhao Hai; who was currently talking with Solomon. Leir suddenly found Zhao Hai to be terrifying. He seemed to have calculated every step of the way. And even if one knew his purpose, there was still no way to stop him. Zhao Hai would use a person's interest in order to pull them into his circle. As long as he wants something, then he would make sure that everyone would have a share. In this case, even if one knew his plans, they would still find themselves helping him.
Was he an ally, or an enemy? What was he? As he thought about the state of the nine Supreme Elders, Leir couldn't help but shudder. As the Dwarf Patriarch, he had a certain understanding about the Supreme Elders. Upon seeing the appearance of the nine Supreme Elders, Leir was shocked. If Elder Star and the others didn't use their ultimate weapons, then Leir wouldn't have believed that they were the Divine Race's Supreme Elders. And to think that this suffering was caused by Zhao Hai alone.
When he thought about this, Leir quickly decided to not be Zhao Hai's enemy. Leir couldn't help but look at Solomon's relaxed expression as he chatted with Zhao Hai. Leir sighed in his heart, he knew that Zhao Hai wouldn't befriend Solomon and Yerd. At the same time, Zhao Hai was also giving Leir a test. If Leir could keep Zhao Hai's secret, then Zhao Hai might treat him as a friend. If Leir couldn't, then he won't be getting on Zhao Hai's good side.
Leir let out a long breath. He held his wine glass towards Zhao Hai and laughed, "Mister, you're liquor is really great. I don't know if MIster would agree to giving me some. If I cannot drink this liquor later on, then I'm afraid I would have trouble sleeping."
Although this seems to be a simple request for liquor and nothing else, there was a hint of friendliness in those words. If he didn't regard Zhao Hai as a friend, then how could he ask for Zhao Hai's wine? Who would want to drink a stranger's liquor?
Leir talked to Zhao Hai in this manner because he believed that Zhao Hai could understand. Zhao Hai was a smart man.
And just as Leir thought, Zhao Hai's smile became wider. He turned to Leir and laughed, "If the Patriarch likes my wine, then I will definitely give you some. This is not a big deal."
Solomon and Yerd didn't suspect anything. They were aware that Dwarves were famed for their love of liquor. Additionally, Leir had always been acting positively towards Zhao Hai, so asking for liquor was not strange.
At this time, a continent appeared on the horizon. The Continent gave one a heavy earthly feeling.
Leir stood up and pointed to the Continent and then said, "Mister, that is the Libra Continent where the Dwarves live. It is the place with the richest deposit of minerals in the Divine Realm. The reason why the nine Supreme Elders attacked us was because almost all of the weapons used by the Beastmen and the Elves were made by us. As long as they deal with us, then they would find it easier to deal with the other two races."
Solomon and Yerd didn't find fault in Leir's words. This was because Leir was right. The three foreign races were interdependent on each other. The Elves mainly supplied food, the Dwarves supply the weapons, and the Beastmen provide mounts and armor. This way, the three races were closely related.
However, the Dwarves were a bit more important. This was because both the Dwarves and the Beastmen were already mostly self sufficient on food. As for armors, God-rank experts rarely find any uses for them. On the other hand, weapons were indispensible for any expert. Good weapons would allow someone to fight stronger enemies.
Because of this, the Divines always attacked the Dwarves first. But since the other two races were quite close, they were able to support the Dwarves. This allowed the Dwarves to stay safe for a long time.
Zhao Hai nodded, "Dwarven weapons are indeed very good. Back in the Ark Continent, I had a lot of interactions with the Dwarves. At that time, the three foreign races were being ostracized by the Radiant Church. There basically isn't any easy way to come in contact with them. In the end, I was able to make good business. I would trade for the Beastman Race's milk wine with Dwarven Weapons. I also use Elven artware to trade for goods with the Humans. Then I use what I earn to buy living commodities for the Beastmen and the Dwarves. Hehe."
Upon hearing this, Leir and the other gawked. They didn't have much information about Zhao Hai's life back in the Ark Continent. Now that Zhao Hai revealed his experiences, they couldn't help but feel that Zhao Hai was a merchant.
The trio looked at Zhao Hai with confused expressions. Zhao Hai smiled faintly and said, "The Patriarchs aren't thinking incorrectly, I am indeed a Human Merchant, a very good one. Not only did I do business with the Humans, I also traded with the Beastmen, the Dwarves, the Elves, the Fishmen, basically almost everyone in the Ark Continent. Of course there are exceptions, I didn't trade with the Radiant Church. Since I am a Dark Mage, they would burn immediately want to burn me on sight. I also didn't trade with the Dragons since they are the dogs of the Divine Race. And finally, I didn't trade with the magic beasts, they really didn't have anything that I want."
Leir and the others just smiled, they were now more curious about Zhao Hai's life back in the Ark Continent. How could a Merchant have such a status? How did he manage to acquire his current strength?
As they were thinking, the ship had entered the Libra Continent. Zhao Hai calmly looked around the place. However, it seems like there were no fighting going on. Zhao Hai couldn't help but turn to Leir and asked, "Where are the nine Supreme Elders? Aren't they here?"
Leir smiled bitterly and answered, "They're here. But us Dwarves live just like our people back in the Ark Continent, in caves. After the nine Supreme Elders came here, they already destroyed several of our settlements. Because they were caves, we couldn't see any signs here in the surface."
After that, Solomon interjected, "They never did this before. The Divine Supreme Elders are very arrogant. In the past, they greatly disdained going underground. However, they broke the norm this time. They engaged in guerilla warfare with us inside the caves. Because of this, most of the fights happen underground."
Zhao Hai nodded, "They have no other way. This time, they only came with nine People. They don't want to waste too much energy, so the best way they can go forward is to just kill people."
The group nodded. The means of combat used by the nine Supreme Elders had greatly changed. It seems like they really suffered a huge loss under Zhao Hai.
At this time, a mountain in the distance suddenly exploded. Then several humanoid forms came out.
Zhao Hai saw this and immediately said, "It's the Supreme Elders. Patriarchs, I will have to evict you from the ship. I won't have time to take care of you when the fight starts."
After saying that, Zhao Hai waved his hand. Solomon's group immediately got ejected from the ship, as did Bingya's group and the thirty thousand guards. Nobody knew how they managed to get out of the ship.
While they were dumbfounded, Zhao Hai already threw himself towards the battlefield.
Naturally, the two sides who were fighting had noticed Zhao Hai. When they saw Zhao Hai, the three foreign race Supreme Elders couldn't help but smile. They were being besieged by Elder Star and the others. Now that Zhao Hai was here, he might be able to save them.
At the same time, when Elder Star and the others saw Zhao Hai, their expressions also turned happy.Then their faces turned serious before reforming in preparation for fighting Zhao Hai.
However, the three foreign race Supreme Elders actually separated from the fight. They turned away from Elder Star and the others but they didn't go near Zhao Hai.
Upon seeing this situation, Zhao Hai couldn't help but criticize them. The three Supreme Elders were too stupid. In face of an enemy, they actually acted like this. Were they making it clear that they weren't in the same side as him? This point could be used against them.
And just as Zhao Hai thought, when Elder Star saw the reaction of the foreign Supreme Elders, his eyes flashed. Then he turned calm but he had a hint of joy in his expression.
Zhao Hai slowed his ship down as he stopped about a hundred meters away from Elder Star's group. Meanwhile, the three Supreme Elders placed themselves on the left side of the Divines. This caused the parties to form a triangle.
Elder Star looked at Zhao Hai with eyes full of hatred as he said, "Zhao Hai, I didn't think that you would actually appear here. For a black-hearted person like you, you actually came to help the foreign races. I couldn’t help but be surprised. You just watched as the entire Thunder Clan got exterminated. So why did you come here to help the foreign races?"
Elder Star's words were nothing less than poisonous. This was simply telling the foreign races that Zhao Hai was a cruel person. He just stayed still as the Thunder Clan was exterminated by Elder Star's group, he didn't offer any help. Now that Zhao Hai came here to assist, he surely has some sinister plot going on.
Zhao Hai looked at Elder Star and smiled, "You know that I can't beat you, so why would I run into your trap back then? Do you think I'm stupid? But now, the situation is different. Along with the three Foreign Supreme Elders, I have confidence in keeping you here. In a few days, you would be the remaining Divines in the Divine Realm. After that, the Divine Realm would belong to the foreign races."
A sharp tongue, this was a true sharp tongue. Elder Star used words in order to put a wedge on Zhao Hai's relationship with the foreign races. At the same time, Zhao Hai also used words in order to convince the foreign races to deal with Elder Star's group. Only then could the foreign races gain complete freedom in the Divine Realm.
Elder Star's mouth turned into a sneer as he said, "Is it? If you deal with us, then wouldn't the Divine Realm belong to you!?"
Elder Star wasn't easy to deal with. He launched another verbal blow.