Chapter 465: Establishing Another God
Lance and the Hero Party were indeed young and powerful, but that didn’t mean every twenty-five-year-old was a fifth-level warrior or fifth-level mage. They were just exceptional representatives among their peers, while most struggled at second or third level.
The dungeon’s formations didn’t make cultivation easier for everyone—they only affected newborn children, making leveling up simpler for them. Even among children, there were differences. Only a small fraction could become fifth-level or legendary warriors, while most would plateau at third or fourth level.
This small group of children held the key to the world’s destruction.
“We might not need to completely clear the dungeon. Perhaps clearing four-fifths would be enough to produce ten-year-olds at the Spirit Transformation stage capable of destroying the world,” Jiang Li mused. “Imagine ten-year-olds tossing buildings like sandbags and unleashing skills whose effects they don’t even understand. That could easily bring about this world’s end.”
“These Outer Realm Demons keep coming up with new tricks,” Li Er sighed, shaking his head. “I could never do their job.” Instead of using their world-ending power directly, the demons grew increasingly cunning.
As they spoke, the group walked until they reached a massive hollow tree at the Elven Queen’s invitation. Inside the spacious trunk, the elves had carved a circular table from the tree’s heartwood. They seated themselves around it, placing Bai Hongtu’s projection at the head.
The hospitable elves served fruit platters to everyone—even Bai Hongtu’s projection received one. Jiang Li tapped the wooden table. “Here’s the question—what role do the gods play in all this? The dungeon strengthens the three races, while the gods grant skills. Do they know that the more dungeons conquered, the faster humanity destroys itself?”
Jiang Li produced the Hero’s Crown, turning to the new Demon King and his general. “Did the previous Demon King ever mention the purpose of the Hero’s set, especially this crown that can control heroes?”
The Wishful Gourd and Li Er thought for a moment before shaking their heads. “No.”
“The old Demon King’s diary mentioned the Executor of Honghu telling him that the seven deities shared his goals,” Jiang Li continued. “If he ascended to the Immortal Realm, the Ayla World would belong to the seven gods, so they wouldn’t interfere with his ascension plans.”
“Indeed, the seven gods granted skills to the three races, enabling them to fight in dungeons. The number of adventurers battling in dungeons increases yearly.”
As Lance, the female archer Lana, and the Elven Queen listened to this conversation between two humans and a gourd, it sounded increasingly like a fantastical tale. They casually discussed the consequences of fully clearing dungeons and how to destroy the world. Considering one was a demon general, another the new Demon King, and the third their unfathomably powerful leader, this wasn’t idle chatter but serious discussion about Ayla World’s potential doom.
Hearing them suggest the seven gods collaborated with the Demon King, Lance—as a devout believer—felt compelled to defend the gods’ righteousness. “The three races established the adventurer system to reduce casualties. If the gods wanted more deaths, why didn’t they stop the Adventurer’s Guild’s formation?”
Jiang Li asked the gourd and Li Er on Lance’s behalf: “Do you know anything about the Adventurer’s Guild?”
Both shook their heads. The Wishful Gourd had only spent three days in Ayla World, Li Er just one—both exclusively on the demon side without studying human affairs.
“The Adventurer’s Guild ranks members from beginner to fifth level,” Jiang Li explained, “but unlike warrior or mage rankings based solely on power, adventurer levels require experience. Completing missions and accumulating experience allows rank advancement.”
“For example, Lance’s Hero Party members are all fifth-level warriors, assassins, and priests, but their inexperience makes dungeon runs risky. Normally, they couldn’t complete missions to reach fifth-level adventurer status. Lance’s cautious leadership helped them accumulate enough successful missions to rank up. This system significantly reduced mortality rates.”
Li Er shrugged. “Maybe the gods realized sending people blindly into dungeons would deplete the population too quickly. They might prefer a steady stream of experience for the Demon King, hence allowing the adventurer system.”
The Wishful Gourd focused on Jiang Li’s perspective. “Human Sovereign, are you suggesting the gods might be benevolent?”
Jiang Li shook his head. “Not at all—I’m stating facts. Since the old Demon King’s diary didn’t mention the Hero’s Crown, it was likely forged by the gods to mentally control heroes. That’s hardly benevolent.”
“The gods’ contradictory actions mean we must find them to learn the truth. Do either of you know how?”
The Wishful Gourd looked sheepish. “We’re trying—starting by intimidating elves. If that fails, we’ll move to beastfolk, then humans.”
Jiang Li turned to Li Er. “Does this plan seem reliable to you?”
Li Er scratched his head. “Not really. We can skip humans—just target elves and beastfolk.”
Realizing he couldn’t rely on this pair, Jiang Li asked Lance and the Elven Queen: “Where do the gods reside?”
Their answers matched perfectly: “The gods are omnipresent.”
“…Omnipresent? Are they gods or the Heavenly Dao?” Jiang Li muttered. In his experience, only the Heavenly Dao could be everywhere at once.
Lance smiled wryly. “This truly exceeds our knowledge. The Scripture of Light states the seven gods are omnipresent.”
Jiang Li understood—gods always made things mysterious, claiming to reside in supreme holy realms or exist as countless avatars everywhere.
“Simple analysis: the gods are hiding, so we must find or force them out. From magical incantations, we know they value faith most. If we cut off their faith supply, they’ll have to emerge.”
Li Er asked, “How do we sever faith?”
“The easiest way to make people abandon the seven gods is to establish a new god.” Jiang Li pointed at himself. “For example—me.”
Bai Hongtu’s projection excitedly interjected: “How about ‘Darkness God’? Or ‘Great Ascension God’? ‘Cultivation God’? Naming gods requires majesty!”
Expressionless, Jiang Li deactivated the Communication Talisman. Useless things should be turned off to avoid annoyance.