Chapter 103: The Slave Trade That Turns the Heavens Upside Down

"You have gained knowledge regarding Chaos!"

"You have gained a clue to the creation myth: the departure of the Ancient Ones!"

"You have gained a certain amount of culture points and research points!"

"..."

How should one put it? The goodwill conveyed by the Elves was somewhat useful to Li Ang. But it was limited to being just "somewhat" useful; it didn't reach the point of being of any great utility.

You could tell just by looking at the fact that no special technology had been triggered and nothing had appeared. In reality, according to Li Ang's own research, it wouldn't take long before he could basically finish researching everything the Elves had. He might even be able to improve upon it to a great extent, or rather, he already had.

... What a feeble bit of Elf support.

But regardless, it was still a kind gesture. It might be the best thing that had happened to Li Ang since he descended into this world. It proved that the world wasn't just filled with beasts, but also had some normal people with kind intentions.

Looking at the White Tower wizard before him, Li Ang stroked his chin, feeling that the more he looked, the more pleasing they seemed. That's right, the Elf race should be the kind of race seen in those novels and comics—friendly to others and possessing strong goodwill. How could they be a group of paranoid teams composed of mental patients and stubborn lunatics? And since they had expressed their goodwill—though it was unclear how much use this goodwill actually had—Li Ang personally preferred to return a favor for a favor. So, he decided to give these Elves who had come from afar some kind rewards. Or rather, a return for the exchange. After all, these Elves seemed to have had a long, dusty journey and didn't look like they had achieved any good results.

"I understand, White Tower wizard of the Elves. The data you gave me is very useful, especially the part regarding the creation myth, which has given me some new thoughts."

Looking at the White Tower wizard before him, Li Ang expressed his gratitude as a matter of etiquette.

But for some reason, the White Tower wizard opposite him raised an eyebrow in nervousness, looking at Li Ang, who seemed to be merely speaking polite pleasantries.

"What did you see? What did you understand? If it is convenient enough, could you describe it to me? We might have a need for such information; I ask for your indulgence."

"Ah... well. Actually, the building I am currently in is a relic from the Ancient Ones, you know."

Facing the somewhat nervous White Tower wizard, Li Ang raised his eyebrows in surprise, but still said naturally: "I believe the Ancient Ones might not have directly abandoned you and left, and I also feel that the matters regarding demons and other aspects were very likely accidents, though there is a certain possibility that the Ancient Ones arrived precisely because of these matters."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean exactly what I said. Because when I was excavating this relic of the Ancient Ones, I discovered that the structures left behind by the Ancient Ones are almost impossible to erode by time itself. Their buildings possess quite powerful anti-wear capabilities; the influence of time itself is meaningless to these structures."

"But strangely, in the series of underlying structures beneath the level I am currently in, there are traces of damage and distortion everywhere. I have tried hard to maintain and repair them, and the final result is just like this."

"So when you mentioned this myth, I had a conjecture. Perhaps they just wanted to help you, to prevent you from being struck by weapons from the sky, who knows?"

"Weapons from the sky?"

The White Tower wizard was stunned for a moment, looking at Li Ang with some surprise: "There is no possibility of any weapons being deployed in the sky. The Ancient Ones once said that it is the eternal void, where various weapons should not appear. It is also impossible for there to be weapons deployed in the sky."

"That is merely the one-sided word of the Ancient Ones; after all, they have already left. What crises exist in the deep space, and whether they decided to tell you, were all choices made by the Ancient Ones. You are merely the part that was chosen, not the Elves from back then."

Watching the White Tower wizard, who was trembling all over as if insulted by someone, Li Ang shrugged his shoulders.

"In the time I have used Magic to create scenes, I believe the existence of the Ancient Ones was benevolent toward you, because there are many things in this room intended for humanoid beings. But to a greater extent, they also seemed to be constantly concerned about and observing something. And the ceiling of the sky might also just be a part of their love for you; they didn't want you to face the threats from deep space, perhaps."

"Your conjecture insults the tens of thousands of years of Elf history, and it also insults our great sacrifice in resisting Chaos and sending all enemies into the Great Vortex! The Ancient Ones are sacred; they could not possibly be observing us. They are mentors and our enlighteners. If they had needed to, things would not have turned out like this!"

"I'm not too sure about that; after all, from my perspective, the current world planning is too suspicious."

Looking at the Elf who was trembling with anger, Li Ang said apologetically: "After all, look at the map; the surrounding environment of almost every great world is so rounded, looking as if it had been shelled. If you consider it from the perspective of shelling and defense, the Ancient Ones encountered an enemy attack and had to raise shields to protect you—would such a conjecture make you feel any better?"

"That is even more impossible."

The Elf shook their head decisively and said quite bluntly:

"We have not found anything in the axis, and no commonalities have been found in the environments of all the realms. Those membranes and geographical isolation belts are likely natural phenomena; otherwise, it would be impossible to retrieve nothing at all."

"Could it be that you are all just too incompetent?"

"Elves are the most outstanding race; it is impossible for us to have problems."

"..."

But didn't you just say with confused logic that I insulted the Ancient Ones, and then turn around and say the Ancient Ones couldn't have done those things? Are Elves always this double-standard and self-contradictory?

Watching the White Tower wizard, who had started muttering to themselves while sitting in a chair like a broken robot, Li Ang frowned inexplicably. His favorability toward the Elf race began to slide in a subtle way. Because it felt like these people didn't really seem like they were here to provide support in any serious capacity.

Coming up to tell a story, going crazy after telling the story, and then falling silent after going crazy—if this was the best performance the Elf race could offer, then it was a bit subtle.

But no matter how they behaved, Li Ang did not intend to withdraw his goodwill.

Them going crazy is one thing, his goodwill is another; they are two different matters.

"In any case, we don't need to communicate where there is conflict; after all, we can both see some unnatural things, but please accept the goodwill from my side."

Looking at the Elf wizard, Li Ang snapped his fingers casually.

In the invisible, those fragments of wisdom and some marvelous knowledge regarding the Path that Li Ang had mastered were condensing in the void into four-colored scrolls, piled up on the table. A golden scroll then fell from mid-air, landing on top of the four scrolls.

That was Li Ang's own research and thoughts on the Subspace. The power contained within could not be called invincible, but it could, to a certain extent, counteract the pollution of Chaos.

"I personally have actually conducted a certain degree of research on the Subspace."

Li Ang said with a smile, pushing the scrolls on the tray toward the White Tower wizard, who had a strange expression.

"Since you have provided me with help, I can only return the favor and feed back what I know to you. Inside are some views and techniques of the Chaos gods regarding the Path, as well as some of my research results. Take them if you want. Also, if possible, I hope we can reach a trade cooperation."

"... Trade cooperation?"

"Yes, the Star-Bearer actually possesses many unique advantages that the outside world does not have. For example, we possess the best series of products in this world. Such as soap, yeast, some daily necessities, and luxury goods." Because using the productivity of the Ancient Ones' laboratory is absolute, producing ordinary items is one way, and producing luxury goods is the same.

The productivity technology of the Ancient Ones is basically equivalent to ultra-high-precision 3D printing technology, which can print unimaginably complex and exquisite items out of thin air, as well as fine handicrafts that are unlikely to be made by hand. Li Ang believed these things would definitely bring the Elves a big surprise.

Although he knew the Elves were arrogant, Li Ang had not intended to directly sign some so-called trade treaty with them from the start. He just intended to send a little for free first.

"We will send you a ship of luxury goods and daily necessities to take back, so you can see the quality of our products. If there is a need, you can contact the Star-Bearers at the Golden Land at any time. After all, I know you Elves value this aspect, so finding a relatively neutral place is also a good thing for you. In this way, both sides can accept it; what do you think of this?"

"..."

Actually, every sentence this man said stepped on the sensitive spots of the Elf race.

What the Elf race is most proud of is their exquisite jewelry and magical ornaments. These delicate little things can often only be carved by the Elf race and then branded with their own unique Brand.

But looking at the unimaginably exquisite utensils existing on the coffee table, as well as the dazzling array of daily necessities, the White Tower wizard could figure out with their butt just how angry the Elves in those workshops were, and how much they wanted to kill this competitor.

Moreover, the Elf race absolutely does not like to go to other places to take the initiative to communicate with certain lowly races. They often possess their own independent Elf colonies, and they also like to conduct trade within them. This gives the Elves a great sense of spiritual superiority, even making them feel that they are the true chosen ones, thus becoming arrogant in negotiations.

The existence of the Golden Land was also teasing the nerves of the Lothern Sea Gate Elves, making these trading Elves find it an eyesore no matter how they looked at it.

However, even to the White Tower wizard's own surprise, they did not feel any anger.

Or rather, after this period of chatting, they were already certain of what kind of person Li Ang was.

He was an arrogant bastard, a powerful Subspace wizard who unilaterally felt that what he thought was good for them was good for them, never paying attention to the thoughts behind certain minor details, and even less likely to feel that there was anything wrong with his own behavior.

This wizard's level was hard to estimate, and it was even very possible that he had already reached the level of a god. And at the same time, he was also a completely new race, a thorough, pure newcomer.

Whether in history or in his own memories, he seemed to have never seen a fellow with such potential.

Looking at Li Ang, who appeared composed before him, the White Tower Elf sighed.

"I cannot make the decision on such matters. To communicate and trade with factions, especially factions like yours, one must hold talks with the leaders of the Sea Gate Elf merchant guild. Or, communicate directly from the position of the Phoenix King."

"Oh, I see. Then may I ask where exactly the Sea Gate Elves are? Have they been here since you arrived?"

"Please wait a moment... We can adopt another method."

"……Huh?"

Watching the White Tower wizard who did not seem to be joking, Li Ang widened his eyes in astonishment.

Before Li Ang, the body and robes of the White Tower Elf wizard gradually twisted and dissolved. Under his horrified gaze, the mage, who had originally been somewhat frail and weak-willed, gradually changed like modeling clay.

The surrounding bones and flesh twisted continuously, the matter beneath the skin squirmed and rolled, and even the magic robe on his body began to shed bloody tears, starting to change constantly within this space where illusion and reality were intermingled. This was pure technique, having nothing to do with Subspace or Magic.

Precisely because of this, Li Ang was so shocked looking at the squirming human slime before him.

And very quickly, the squirming figure gradually ceased its transformation. He changed into a male Elf with a plain expression, nothing special about him, wearing a long robe.

"Hello, I am the Phoenix King, Silent One Orivien." The cold male Elf wearing a laurel wreath looked at Li Ang before him as if appraising him, and slowly extended his palm. "I am very interested in your Elf trade plan; can we talk?"

"……?????"

"There is no need to be confused. I am an Assassin Master; assassins naturally have their own methods. Otherwise, it would have been impossible for me to become the Phoenix King of the Elves."

No, that is absolutely not an assassin's method, right? Did you just completely replace your personality and body? Did you replace that guy entirely like a parasitic monster?? Watching the expressionless Phoenix King Orivien, Li Ang was greatly shocked. He felt that this Phoenix King might not be a Human, and perhaps not even much like an Elf. Is this something a biological being can even do? Can an Elf completely transform from genes to techniques to spellcasting methods into a White Tower mage? Li Ang could even swear that just a moment ago, what he felt was the soul of a somewhat panicked mage, but now, the Silent One Orivien before him was just an ordinary Elf.

It was once rumored that if the Silent One Orivien wanted to, he could assassinate gods. Li Ang had also heard the legends among the High Elves and had always thought it was a joke. But now, he was starting to have doubts.

"Just as you can manipulate all psionic energy and Magic, turning Subspace into reality, I naturally have my own methods to transform into any Elf. This is merely an insignificant part of the Way of the Assassin. The Way of the Assassin is vast and profound; it is quite reasonable for such things to exist."

Orivien furrowed his brows, explained softly for a few moments, and then stiffly steered the topic aside.

"Let us talk about our trade issues. Are you interested in taking on a batch of slaves? Because I feel that what we Elves need and what we throw away, along with what you need, actually happen to be complementary."

"……Huh?"

"Is that not so? Although this place of yours has huge potential and has a talent like you presiding over it, what you need most right now should be some population. You need them to do things for you."

Looking at the dumbfounded Li Ang, the Phoenix King in his long robes tasted his fine wine and said softly to the person before him:

"Do not waste time, wizard. Let us discuss how to convert Elves into this brand-new race of yours. I can see that your population relies entirely on your own enlightenment; whether it is Humans or Elves, or anything else, there is essentially no difference. What must I do to send Elves to you to become Star-Bearers?"

"Wait a second, the slave trade you mentioned refers to your own people? You want to take Elves as slaves, then trade them to my side, and then I deliver some things to you??"

"Yes, that is exactly it. May I ask if there is a problem?"

The common ruler of the Elves, theoretically the master of all Elves, the highly revered Phoenix King, said with a natural expression:

"Elves should have learned about new-generation things long ago. Furthermore, your mark did not cause the Elves to completely lose their sanity, did it? Although I recommend you do so. But you have your mercy, and I understand.

However, what I want to say is that I truly wish to send all of this trash population to your side. The profit earned from this transaction for our side is simply too great. I will not do things that a superior race would do to cheat an inferior race; you name a number, how many do you need to accept Elf slaves?"

"……"

Who exactly is the Phoenix King here? Is it really okay for you, the Phoenix King, to sell Elves like this? Watching the Phoenix King sitting on the chair eating and drinking, and listening to the heavy-hitting words he had just spoken, Li Ang sank deeply into a misalignment of self-perception.

Wait, there is still fifteen thousand more!! (End of chapter)