Chapter 843

Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Penelope said seriously, “The Great Mother Goddess herself has said that if you are willing to join the Elven Divine Lineage, she will personally bestow upon you a powerful Elven Divine Authority after you ascend to godhood. What do you think about it?”

Ji Chen’s face showed some surprise. Would Eluvita actually be willing to spend such a price to recruit him?

Authority was not cheap, especially when it came directly from the illustrious Elven Mother Goddess. It certainly wouldn’t be some weak authority.

Ji Chen couldn’t help but ask in confusion, “Why does the Elven Mother Goddess hold me in such high regard?”

“I believe Lady Eluvita sees a new possibility in you,” Penelope said, pursing her lips.

“Many divine lineages have shown a tendency towards rigidity and stagnation, similar to what we’ve seen in the Ocean Divine Lineage. This trend is evident in most divine lineages, with some not having seen any new gods for tens of thousands of years, and some even millions of years.

With gods continually falling and no new ones being born, there’s a limit in successors, which is a terrifying prospect for a divine lineage.

We need a disruptor to break this trend.”

“Is that all?”

Penelope replied meaningfully, “Perhaps there are deeper reasons, but you’ll have to ask Lady Eluvita herself.”

After a pause, Ji Chen pondered and said, “Thank you for driving away the Ocean Divine Realm’s army… As for joining the Elven Divine Lineage, I can’t agree to it.”

Penelope was somewhat surprised by this response, but it seemed somewhat expected as well. She shook her head afterward.

“Indeed, Lady Eluvita had already said that you wouldn’t agree.”

Ji Chen was somewhat taken aback but continued, “Regardless, Lady Eluvita has helped me on several occasions, and I should repay that with goodwill and friendship. If the Elven Divine Lineage encounters any difficulties in the future, I will lend my support.”

Regardless of Eluvita’s intentions in helping him multiple times, the aid was tangible. She had helped him through several dangers and indirectly aided him in obtaining the Storm Authority, which was immensely beneficial.

Thus, making a commitment to lend assistance seemed appropriate.

Furthermore, the Elven Divine Lineage was one of the most powerful divine lineages. Perhaps there would be a need for them in the future.

Ji Chen was not like those characters in novels who sought to dominate the heavens with their strength alone.

Throughout their journey, the Ocean Crown received assistance from many natives, allies, and players. They hadn’t become a powerful territory solely through solitary efforts; Ji Chen himself had benefited from various forces.

From the Lienhardt Grand Duchy, the elves, dwarves, white-scaled merfolk…

Many forces had assisted them for various reasons, propelling the Ocean Crown and him to greater heights.

Upon receiving Ji Chen’s commitment, Penelope felt pleased. Eluvita had given her a directive, and being able to recruit Ji Chen into the Elven Divine Lineage would have been a great accomplishment. However, it wasn’t a big problem if she couldn’t.

As long as she got this commitment, it was enough for her to report back.

However, Penelope still had doubts and uncertainties in her heart. She spoke again.

“Since you are unwilling to join the Elven Divine Lineage, you will continue to follow the Ocean Divine Lineage. Eventually, you will have to face those Oceanic Gods. In that case, even if you ascend to godhood, you will still face endless harassment and hatred from them.

Unless you reach the level of a Higher God or someone like Lady Eluvita, single-handedly facing off against other divine beings in the competitive void will be difficult.”

Penelope didn’t say one more thing: even if it wasn’t solitary combat, being in a less powerful divine lineage would still pose challenges.

Only pure power and being in a sufficiently powerful divine lineage could sustain one’s existence.

Many mortals believed that the realm of the gods was a paradise where the air was sweet and flowed with milk and honey, full of endless beauty and purity.

However, all of this was covered by layers of illusion created by the believers.

Competition in the void was no less intense than in the main world; in fact, it was even more fierce.

Penelope tried to see a hint of uncertainty and fear for the future in Ji Chen’s eyes, but from start to finish, this human, whom she once looked down upon and criticized, had a calm and composed expression on his handsome face.

It seemed there was no tension, no fear of these emotions.

His deep eyes, like obsidian, were captivating, dazzling like the stars in the night sky, exuding confidence from the depths of his soul, reassuring those who gazed into them.

With a firm tone, he looked directly into her eyes and said each word emphatically.

“I will rebuild the Oceanic Divine Lineage.”

A storm surged in Penelope’s heart as if hearing a joke but finding no humor, gazing into those eyes filled with determination and resilience.

Suddenly, a thought arose in her mind.

Could he possibly be serious?

Rebuilding the Oceanic Divine Lineage, how could that be possible?

To rebuild the Oceanic Divine Lineage would mean opposing all the Oceanic deities, who, even if not formidable, were still legitimate gods.

One against twelve?

Even Penelope, accustomed to arrogance, dared not entertain such thoughts.

At least the power of a main god of the Divine Lineage would be needed for any hope of achievement.

“…I hope you can do it, but when that time comes, I believe Lady Eluvita will not stand idly by. After all, an Oceanic Divine Lineage led by a wise leader is far better than the decaying one we have now.”

Ji Chen smiled. “Of course.”

Penelope shrugged. “Well, my purpose for coming this time has been achieved, but I’m worried that those embarrassing Oceanic Divine Lineage troops will come back after we leave.”

“No worries, with your previous words, they shouldn’t dare to return anytime soon.”

“In that case, I will go back to report to Lady Eluvita.”

Penelope quickly disappeared into the sky with the Divine Lineage troops, leaving endless speculation for those who witnessed it.

No one knew what Ji Chen and this elven goddess’s personal guard discussed in the Lord’s Castle for an hour, or what message the elven goddess conveyed.

But from that day on, no kingdom or power in the main world dared to offend the Crown of the Ocean again.

Considering Ji Chen was identified as a member of their Elven Divine Lineage by none other than the personal guard of the elven goddess herself, wouldn’t that serve as a guaranteed escape from consequences?

Which kingdom or power would dare to provoke the Elven Divine Lineage? Even the Elven Empire itself wouldn’t dare to anger him!

But then again, Ji Chen was already known as the one who could single-handedly slay three Epic Demon Lords and even kill five Dark Deity Avatars, placing him at the peak of the world’s power.

With no gods or troops from the divine realm descending, hardly anyone could rival him. Who would recklessly seek trouble with him?

When the Oceanic Divine Lineage troops returned to the Oceanic Divine Lineage in a sorry state and reported everything, the oceanic creatures wore black faces, but were also full of confusion.

Why would the Elven Divine Lineage and the Elven Goddess shelter this human?

Could it be, as rumored, that this human is the lover of that slut Eluvita?

But by driving away the troops they sent like this, it’s blatantly refusing to show them any respect. After all, they are a Divine Lineage with over a dozen deities!

But just as the Oceanic Divine Lineage troops showed cowardice in front of the Elven Divine Lineage troops, the Oceanic deities also didn’t dare to provoke the thriving Elven Divine Lineage, only silently holding their grudges.

They began contemplating how to deal with Ji Chen next.

“…It’s difficult to lay hands on that human with Eluvita and the Elven Divine Lineage’s protection. This is a problem.”

“That human’s territory is protected by a shield, making it impossible to breach for the time being. We can’t even launch a surprise attack with the Divine Lineage troops unless we find an opportunity when he’s outside.”

“But even that won’t work. If Eluvita and the Elven Divine Lineage find out, won’t they hold us accountable?”

“So what do we do, just stand by and watch him ascend to godhood? Our church simply can’t compete with that human’s Oceanic Church!”

“I have a solution… Don’t the Dark Deities hate him intensely? If we find an opportunity for them to kill that human, then Eluvita can’t say anything, right?”

“Good idea….”