Chapter 149: The Arrival of the Naga and Rumors of Kidnapping

Ascension to Godhood?

Rod knew.

As the human with the fastest accumulation of mana and spiritual energy on the continent, even after using the spell known as Immortality, the highest rank achieved was only Ninth Tier.

For a thousand years, no breakthrough had occurred.

Even the longest-lived intelligent race, the Elves, were the same.

It seemed as if Ninth Tier was the limit set by this world, and everyone was confined to it by spiritual energy.

In contrast, the Aether and Psionics within the Extra-Dimensional Space granted cosmic beings infinite possibilities.

Almost every year, newspapers reported new types of cosmic beings discovered by mages, some of whose traits even surpassed Ninth Tier.

This was also the reason why, despite the frequent disasters caused by the Extra-Dimensional Space and cosmic beings, mages could not give up.

And Ascension to Godhood was a new concept proposed by human mages.

They believed that if an intelligent race on the continent could surpass Ninth Tier and successfully ascend to godhood, it would break the limit of spiritual energy, not only achieving personal ascension but also providing an opportunity for the continent itself to advance a tier.

But Peter knew little about it.

In fact, he also considered it the ramblings of a drunkard, even though the speaker was a half-centaur Prophet Master.

"In the end, what does this have to do with us?"

Peter downed the Giant's Ale in one gulp.

"You, might as well focus on the urgent matters at hand. Look, the street is getting lively."

Rod looked out the window.

Indeed, he saw the town residents heading in one direction on the street, in small groups, their smiling faces filled with curiosity and excitement, undoubtedly rushing to see the spectacle.

Have the people from Coral Bay arrived?

A bit early, isn't it?

The letter in the hands of the old gentleman Humbert indicated an arrival no earlier than dusk; generally speaking, it would certainly arrive at night.

It was only around three or four in the afternoon.

The Banshee Chris passed through the wall and gazed down from high above.

"Ah! It's Serpents!"

Serpents?

Rod pushed open the window and immediately heard passersby discussing the term 'Naga'.

It seems it is the Naga.

The Land Naga arrived before the people from Coral Bay.

Chris is an ignorant banshee, and thus mistook them for Serpents.

The human and the goblin lost their desire to drink.

The people in the Violet Tavern also heard the commotion and left one by one, joining the crowd to see the spectacle at the entrance of Shi Ying Town.

By the time they arrived, the Central Avenue was packed on both sides, with constables struggling to maintain order on the sidelines.

The residents of Shi Ying Town were naturally full of curiosity and loved gossip.

Many could be seen having just put down their work; some were farmers still carrying hoes, others were merchants who had just been handling goods, and there were teachers leading small groups of children who had just been studying in the schoolhouse.

Some agile and mischievous fellows had already climbed onto the rooftops, occupying the best spots.

Meanwhile, the Five-Man Committee, led by the old gentleman Humbert, was conversing with the Naga at the intersection.

The Naga appeared with a demeanor that was both majestic and cold, their bodies shimmering with an strange luster in the sunlight, their snake tails swaying gently.

Rod could see that the leading priestess among them was a Four-Armed Naga.

The others were ordinary two-armed ones.

Naga with multiple arms are a symbol of Wang Zu nobility; it seems the leader of this group of rebels is a member of the Wang Zu.

"They say the Naga are beautiful, but I don't see it; they look all mixed up."

The goblin Peter complained.

"Hmm."

In fact, this group of Naga numbered less than a hundred, the vast majority being female, and their faces were indeed quite good by human aesthetic standards.

Although not as good as the Naga Princess Eve Rod had encountered before.

But judging by goblin aesthetics... it might not be great.

After all, they are one of the few intelligent races on the continent that refuse to intermarry with other species, and their unique racial aesthetics are an important reason.

"Speaking of which, the Brar Clan from Mirror Desert is very dissatisfied with Aethelron's willingness to harbor the rebels."

Peter pulled a candy out of the magic doll's belly. "I guess the Kingdom of Aethelron is intentionally provoking them, since the Brar Clan previously broke their word and swindled Aethelron out of a sum of money."

"No, do all Naga like to go back on their word like this?"

"They are born with sick minds. Naga populations with priests are a bit better; the power of the Halo can make them more peaceful. If there are none... heh, do you believe that among these creatures, someone would definitely go mad and swallow a nearby child on the spot?"

"... I happen to know a Land Naga who is not a priest. Although she also broke her word, her temperament is not much different from an ordinary person."

Naga Princess Eve was an arrogant and conceited fellow, who loved to show off when things went her way.

But when the time was right, she would beg for mercy.

"Perhaps she has some talent. Naga with talent can indeed control themselves better."

As he spoke.

Rod noticed the Banshee Chris beside him, her eyes glowing.

With that expression, this guy was definitely up to no good.

"What are you doing?"

"This goblin Mr. is saying that the Naga's brains are not very good?"

"Tuck away your little schemes. Don't cause me trouble, got it?"

"Perhaps you don't know, my lord, that Banshees are born with the ability to appraise armor and weapons. That priest's armor and staff contain orichalcum and mithril."

Orichalcum and mithril?

Rod had heard a little of them.

Legend had it the former was a product of a great civilization buried beneath the sea — not only extraordinary in hardness, but also imbued with magical properties.

The latter, mithril, was an exceedingly rare metal that gleamed with silver light; at comparable hardness, it weighed less than half of steel, and possessed a strong affinity with magic.

Rod's spell-pouch already held a piece of mithril.

It was a fine trophy he had claimed when he slew a half-werewolf during the Ruins Brotherhood's collusion with the Yige Sect in their attack.

"Not even star-iron… not even adamantine would do!"

Halfway through, Rod corrected himself.

If it was star-iron, then it wasn't entirely out of reach.

Next.

The Naga had to pass through the forest to enter the Desert of Death.

Although they would pass through the sparser area near Two-Finger Mountain, as the Forest Warden, he still needed to observe from the side.

Just before parting.

The goblin Pete seemed to remember something.

"I recall you have a treant friend?"

"That's right."

"That wandering bard of the Chivalrous Alliance also told me that the Ruins Brotherhood recently recruited a plague mage at the Twilight Hills — a habitual kidnapper of treants, who lures them out by destroying trees and then captures them with traps."

Destroying the forest…

Rod recalled the unnatural withering in the woods not long ago.

Anger flared in his heart.

Want to abduct Vivian? I'll destroy you!

Although the Naga had arrived a bit early, the passage leading them in had long been set.

The witch Witch Di Mi Ya led the way the whole trip; there was little talk, and no fighting broke out.

The band of rebels was led into the Desert of Death without a hitch.

At first they were shocked and awed by the massive sand tornadoes.

But clearly, the black-and-green-haired priest held great authority and forcibly kept them in line.

(End of Chapter)