Chapter 805: Herli, Theod, and Thotmudo (2)

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Very well, Lady Herli, it’s time to talk about your visit to the Crown of the Ocean.”

Herli waved her hand. “Just call me Herli… Actually, this visit is also on behalf of Laphia. She asked me to convey some words to you.”

Ji Chen raised an eyebrow, feigning interest, “Oh? Words from Laphia?”

“Yes, indeed. She said you are now qualified to delve into the deepest secrets of this world. Lord Ji Chen, do you know what the Secret Society is?”

Ji Chen furrowed his brow slightly, shaking his head gently.

With a mysterious expression, Herli continued, “The Secret Society is the most mysterious organization in this world. Millennia ago, for some reason, the Elf Queen and the Dragon Emperor of Dragon Island established the Secret Society, secretly inviting the most elite warriors to join forces against disasters threatening the world.

And now, including the Elf Queen Laphia, the Emperor of Markus Empire, the leader of the Cyclops, the current Dragon Emperor of Dragon Island… they are all members of the Secret Society, each one a powerhouse above the epic tier. In this society, one can obtain resources that are difficult to acquire from the outside world… Laphia sent me to invite you to join the Secret Society.”

Ji Chen paused, asking, “Is it because 1 defeated two demon lords?”

Herli snapped her fingers. “Exactly! Slaying two epic-tier demons is a remarkable feat, so the members of the Secret Society all praise you. How about it?”

“…Sounds like some sort of organization manipulating the world.”

“You’re mistaken in saying that.” Herli chuckled, “The members are all leaders of various orderly forces, so in a way, they do have the power to manipulate the world.”

“Anyway, there are many benefits to joining, and you might even find resources to ascend above the epic tier.”

“…I’m already above the epic tier.”

“With so many above epic-tier mentors guiding you… huh?!” Herli suddenly stood up, knocking over her chair, her eyes filled with shock, “Could it be that you really…”

Ji Chen leaned back in his chair, calmly stating, “Really what?”

Herli looked around, then lowered her voice, “I came here and found that the residents emit the power of belief, and the power of belief can only be generated by touching the existence of that boundary. You, as a being above the epic tier, are already on the path to becoming a deity.”

Herli stared at Ji Chen’s face intently, but couldn’t find any flaw in his unchanged expression. She could only huff and pick up her chair, sitting back down.

Muttering to herself, she said, “More cunning than a fox.”

But the more she thought about it, the more convinced she became that Ji Chen had already embarked on the journey to become a deity. As a mere epic-tier being, she couldn’t even read half of Ji Chen’s intentions.

Whether it’s perception or authority, when casted upon him, it was like a stone dropped into the vast ocean as if he were the boundless sea that mere mortals couldn’t fathom.

In this way, Ji Chen must possess at least one authority, otherwise he wouldn’t be able to embark on the path to godhood.

At this moment, Ji Chen suddenly chuckled.

“‘You possess the ‘foresight’ authority, don’t you?’”

Herli froze, her secret, known only to Laphia, now exposed so directly.

“How did you know!?”

“You don’t need to know. As for that so-called Secret Society you mentioned, I’m not interested in joining.”

Herli was disappointed. “And why is that?”

“No reason, I just don’t want to.” Ji Chen tapped the table with his finger, “But since you mentioned it, members of the Secret Society, besides being above the epic tier, should each possess at least one authority.

The more authorities one possesses, the stronger their power. And authorities can be inherited. Among the authorities controlled by the Elf Queen, there should be ‘Fertility.’”

Fertility was one of the lower-tier authorities, ranking seventy-eighth.

In ancient records, the first generation Empress of the Elf Empire once demonstrated the ‘Fertility’ authority, birthing vast swathes of plants and forests in the desolate lands, creating a thriving land for the elven refugees after the Divine War.

While the combat effectiveness of the ‘Fertility1 authority was not strong, its practicality was extremely high.

Herli soon left, wearing a worried expression.

Ah, she didn’t even know how to explain to Laphia when she returned. She came here with such confidence to invite Ji Chen to join the society, but she ended up leaving in embarrassment, having to foot the bill for her own boat fare back.

It was truly a disgrace to the elves’ reputation.

Back to several hours ago.

As Herli entered the Lord’s castle…

In a workshop in the underground world…

Esteemed guest, this is Lord Thotmudo’s private workshop.” The lizardman soldier spoke respectfully. “The Lord asked us to bring you here. If you need anything, you can find the patrol team, they can assist you at any time. I won’t disturb you any longer.”

Watching the lizardman soldier leave, Theod turned around and looked at the enormous workshop in front of him, standing at thirty-three meters tall with a dozen chimneys protruding from its roof, muttering to himself.

“Thotmudo’s workshop is unexpectedly large. He’s living the life.”

He still remembered how Thotmudo used to mutter about setting up a private workshop to tinker with his tools. Then, unexpectedly, after leaving for thousands of years, Black Iron Fortress was breached, and the dwarves became exiles on the continent.

Looking at the workshop’s gate, Theod hesitated, feeling somewhat reluctant to knock.

“Grandpa, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?” Little Gavin looked at him with round eyes.

“Grandpa’s fine, I’m just preparing to meet a good friend, but I’ve forgotten to bring a gift.” Theod replied gently.

“Oh, 1 forgot too.” Little Gavin shook his head. “Then I’ll have to apologize to your good friend for later.”

“Apologize… yes, indeed, an apology is necessary.” Theod seemed lost in thought, murmuring.

At this moment, the workshop door suddenly creaked open, and a somewhat disheveled-looking man emerged from the opening.

Sael looked somewhat puzzled as he gazed at Theod and Little Gavin. How did two dwarves suddenly appear here?

They were one young dwarf, one old dwarf who looked like a master.

Could they be here for a visit?

“You fool, why are you still lingering at the door? Do you want me to come out and personally escort you away?”

Theod looked excited towards the familiar irritable voice came from inside the workshop.

Sael looked at him strangely and turned to shout inside, “Master, there are two dwarves here, it seems they’ve come to visit you.”

“What kind of dwarves? I’m the only dwarf in the Ocean Crown…”

Thotmudo grumbled as he walked out, but when he saw the figure, he froze, his face filled with disbelief.

“T… Theod!?”

Theod felt somewhat unable to meet his gaze, about to respond.

“You old bastard, you’re still alive? Damn it, the Dwarf God must be blind!”

Theod’s emotions, which he had just been brewing, suddenly disappeared, and he retorted, “You bastard didn’t die, how could I die!”

Little Gavin watched as his grandfather and his grandfather s good friend began cursing at each other.

Ten minutes later.

“Huff, huff, that’s enough, you bastard, your cursing skills have diminished a lot.” Thotmudo gasped for breath and cursed.

“You’re not much better, repeating the same insults over and over again, no impact at all.” Theod retorted defiantly.

Thotmudo fell silent for a moment and said, “Let’s continue inside the workshop.”

Theod glanced around and saw a large group of humans, lizardmen, and even Kobold gathering around, staring at them in amazement.

“That’s right, more and more people are gathering around like this.”

Thotmudo waved it off nonchalantly, adopting a fierce demeanor as he cursed at the onlookers, “Don’t you people have anything better to do? Or do you want me to give you more work to do?”

Upon hearing this, the onlookers scattered and disappearing without a trace.

Theod exclaimed in surprise, “Looks like you’re doing pretty well here.”

“Not bad, that kid Ji Chen trusts me enough to let me manage the underground factory.” Thotmudo said somewhat proudly, “I still have some prestige left.” Theod rolled his eyes at his cocky demeanor, noting that this bastard was just the same as before.

“Alright, let’s go inside first and talk about what happened back then….”