"What do you mean, half of our artifacts and a quarter of our wealth? Dark Lord, we may be weak compared to you, but we are no fools," voiced one of the elders, expressing their skepticism towards Michael's proposition.
Remaining composed, Michael calmly advanced towards them, his hand tucked behind his back. The elders couldn't help but feel a sense of unease, their tension escalating in the presence of the Dark Lord's disconcerting smile.
In response to the elder's question, Michael paused and then spoke, his words laced with calculated deceit. "The last words of your Serpent King were he wanted all of you to wait for the right moment to avenge him. His exact words were, tell those idiots to use their brains and wait for the right moment to strike, like I would have done, say these words to my elders and receive your rewards. If they don't believe you, you can always kill them all and clean out my treasury, there won't be anyone to stop you. So it's up to my elders to preserve my legacy by honoring my words and avenging me," Michael boldly lied, reaching the steps leading to the Serpent King's throne.
With an air of nonchalance, Michael leisurely sat on the stairs, his gaze fixed upon the contemplating elders. They were left pondering the validity of the Dark Lord's claim regarding their deceased king's final wishes.
"Now, consider this carefully. You can either uphold your king's legacy and grant me the rewards he agreed upon, or you can choose not to believe me, leading me to clean out your treasury without any opposition. It's clear to all that you are powerless against me," Michael calmly declared, directing his attention to the elder who had previously proclaimed their intelligence.
"You claim to be no fools, so I urge you to make the wise choice. Keep half of the artifacts and the remaining wealth to seek revenge against Salesi and Evan, who work for her, and avenge your fallen king," he concluded, leaving the elders to contemplate the difficult decision before them.
The elders huddled together, their voices hushed as they engaged in a heated discussion regarding the matter at hand. Some expressed reluctance to believe that their mighty Serpent King had truly met his demise, doubting the authenticity of the words attributed to him by the Dark Lord.
"I find it hard to believe that our revered Serpent King is no more," murmured one elder, his brows furrowed with skepticism. "Are we to trust the words of this Dark Lord?"
"Even if the Dark Lord's words are false, we have no means to oppose him. It may be in our best interest to accept his terms, for losing only half of our artifacts and a quarter of our wealth is a lesser sacrifice compared to losing everything," an elder reasoned, revealing a sense of pragmatism.
Another elder chimed in, his voice tinged with wisdom. "We must consider the broader picture. Salesi and Evan, who serve her, pose a threat to our realm. Honoring the Serpent King's alleged last words by preserving half of our artifacts and retaining a portion of our wealth may indeed provide us with the means to seek revenge against them."
In the midst of their deliberation, emotions ranging from skepticism to resignation and a desire for self-preservation were evident on the faces of the elders. They weighed the risks and benefits, acknowledging the overwhelming power of the Dark Lord and the futility of resistance.
Ultimately, a collective decision began to take shape as they reluctantly accepted the reality of their situation and the necessity of making a deal with the Dark Lord. With heavy hearts and a hint of resignation, the elders prepared to honor their fallen king's supposed last words and fulfill the Dark Lord's demands, albeit with a sense of caution and a lingering doubt in their minds.
The elders reached a consensus, their voices uniting as they presented their conditions to the Dark Lord. The air was heavy with a mixture of apprehension and determination.
"We agree to your terms, Dark Lord," one of the elders spoke with a resolute tone. "But in return, you must promise to aid us in seeking revenge against Salesi and Evan when the time comes."
A smug smile played across Michael's lips as he heard their request. His plan was unfolding just as he had envisioned, manipulating the elders to serve his ultimate agenda.
"I agree," Michael responded, his voice laced with feigned sincerity. "Rest assured, when the time comes, I will help you exact your vengeance."
The elders, feeling a glimmer of hope in their hearts, thanked the Dark Lord for his willingness to support their cause.
"Very well," one of the elders said, bowing respectfully. "Please wait here while we gather the artifacts and wealth you require."
Michael's eyes gleamed with a hint of caution as he issued a warning to the departing elders. "Remember, if you attempt to deceive me or withhold what is rightfully owed, the consequences will be dire. I trust you understand the gravity of your words."
The elders, now filled with a mixture of fear and determination, assured Michael of their sincerity. With a final nod, they disappeared from his sight, leaving him to await their return.
As Michael stood in the grand throne hall, a sense of satisfaction washed over him. His plan was progressing flawlessly, and he relished the control he had exerted over the elders. With patience and cunning, he knew he could exploit this alliance to further his own ambitions.
As Michael sat leisurely on the steps, swinging his legs back and forth, the sound of approaching footsteps caught his attention. The elders returned, led by Elder Mercia, who approached Michael with a sense of trepidation. In her outstretched hand, she held a silver space ring.
"Dark Lord, here is the ring containing what you have requested," Elder Mercia said, her voice laced with a mixture of awe and apprehension.
Michael accepted the silver ring, his fingers delicately encircling it. With a simple touch, the ring responded, revealing its hidden contents. A smile spread across Michael's face as he accessed the space ring's contents, his eyes lighting up with delight.
Within the ring, he discovered a vast collection of almost a billion gold coins, gleaming brightly in the mental image. Alongside the coins were an array of thirty powerful artifacts, their energy radiating palpably within the confines of the space ring.
"Thank you, Elder Mercia," Michael said, his voice oozing with a veneer of gratitude. "You have fulfilled your end of the bargain."
Elder Mercia nodded her expression a mix of relief and uncertainty. "We have kept our word, Dark Lord. May we trust that you will honor our agreement?"
Michael's smile widened, a gleam of mischief glinting in his eyes. "Fear not, Elder Mercia. I always keep my promises,"
With that, Michael's figure began to fade, slowly vanishing into thin air. They watched in awe and disbelief as the Dark Lord disappeared, their minds filled with a mix of uncertainty and resignation. They had made their pact with the devil, but now they were left to face the consequences of their choices.
Elder Mercia exhaled deeply, her voice barely a whisper. "May the gods be with us, for we have made a deal with the devil,"
In the depths of the ocean, far removed from the bustling city of Sea Serpent Hall, Michael materialized amidst the encompassing darkness. The water around him seemed lifeless, devoid of any signs of marine existence. Undeterred by the immense pressure of the deep sea, he settled himself on the ocean floor.
With a simple gesture, Michael accessed the space ring once again. A faint, golden glow emanated from within as he retrieved an artifact—a glistening, intricately crafted crystal. He held it in his hand, its true nature and purpose unknown to him. However, such details mattered little to Michael. What truly captivated his attention was the pulsating energy it radiated.
In a deliberate and measured manner, Michael began to connect with the energy contained within the golden crystal. Like a conduit, he absorbed the energy, allowing it to flow through him. The power surged within his being, its essence transforming into experience points.
[Absorbing energy…]
[Converting the energy into experience points…]
[Experience points converted 400,000]
[Experience points converted 500,000]
As the energy dissipated into Michael's being, he felt the familiar sensation of growth and progression. Experience points accumulated, fueling his ascent to even greater heights. The absorbed energy became a stepping stone on his path toward the Celestial stage. In this dark and lifeless abyss of the ocean floor, Michael continued to absorb the energy, converting it into the currency of his advancement.
With each artifact that passed through his hands, Michael converted its power into valuable experience points. The tranquil depths of the ocean provided him with the solitude he needed to focus on absorbing the artifacts. As the energy of the artifacts flowed into him, Michael felt his cultivation stage advancing, pushing him closer to the next levels of his Half Celestial power.
Surrounded by the serene and shadowy expanse of the ocean, Michael embraced the transformative energy of the artifacts.
[Congratulations to host 'Michael' for leveling up. The current stage is Half Celestial stage level 5]
[Absorbing energy…]
[Converting the energy into experience points…]
[Experience points converted 500,000]
[Experience points converted 800,000]
…
With the absorption of the last artifact, Michael's cultivation journey reached a halt. He had ascended to the seventh level of the Half Celestial stage. Only four more levels remained between him and the Celestial stage, where the true power of a godly being awaited him.
[Congratulations to host 'Michael' for leveling up. The current stage is Half Celestial stage level 7]
This achievement brought him one step closer to his ultimate goal. Once he attained the Celestial stage, the System would come online, triggering the tribulation that would propel him towards the next level of godhood- DemiGod.
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