MMORPG: War God, You are Invincible Again

"City Lord Ryan," Lu Hong spoke without changing expression, "I'll pretend I didn't hear that. As you can see from my current strength, even if I wanted to help, it wouldn't be much use. I will be leaving the Gold Realm shortly and hope all goes well for you."

Ryan had no real expectation that Lu Hong, in the late stage of the Third Transition, could offer much help; as long as he wasn't sent by Lai Feng to investigate them, that was enough.

After dispelling the isolating barrier, Ryan said, "Divine Envoy, I apologize for the inadequate hospitality. If there's another chance, I will make sure to host you properly."

"Is that so? Very well, I look forward to our next meeting," Lu Hong waved his hand, bidding farewell to Ryan, and flew directly toward the portal.

Yet Lai Feng was already waiting at the doorway.

Seeing Lu Hong flying towards him, Lai Feng greeted him with a jovial smile, "Young friend, what are your thoughts on my Gold Realm?"

"Pleased to meet you, Lai Feng Heavenly God," Lu Hong first gave a salute, then responded, "It's flourishing and everything is in perfect order."

"Is that so...," Lai Feng's eyes narrowed slightly, "you didn't discover anything else?"

Lai Feng Heavenly God jests. I have only been in the Gold Realm for a short while, took a casual stroll, and didn't discover anything."

"Is that so?" Lai Feng smiled without a word, and after a moment, he opened a magic projection. Inside, Ryan was clearly having a secret meeting with a group of demigods.

Certainly, there was a traitor among these demigods, who had turned a secret meeting into a live broadcast for Lai Feng.

The sound seemed deliberately shielded from Lai Feng; Lu Hong did not hear any specific details.

"Ryan treated you to a meal, didn't he? How was the cuisine in my Gold Realm?"

"Yes." Currently, Lu Hong felt somewhat overwhelmed. If only he had known, he would have avoided entering the Gold Realm altogether, to keep from getting wrapped up in this unwarranted disaster.

Lai Feng seemed to discern Lu Hong's mood and chuckled, "Young friend, don't worry. This is a domestic matter for the Gold Realm and won't involve outsiders. The reason I invited you to visit the Gold Realm was to acquaint you with Ryan, nothing more than to leave a good turn behind."

"Acquaint me kindly with Ryan?" Lu Hong was a bit dazed, unable to guess what Lai Feng was truly thinking, "If he's planning a rebellion to kill you, how could you possibly let him go?"

"Of course, I wouldn't," Lai Feng replied, "but if he does succeed, he might remember the kindness you showed by not informing me of his plans."

Hearing this, Lu Hong said, "Lai Feng Heavenly God, do you think you could lose?"

"I don't think I'll lose. Their methods are too foolish. They want to ascend to the God Realm simultaneously, trying to compensate for their lack of quality with quantity. But they have never touched the God Realm; how could they understand the difference between the mortal and the earth, the earth and the heavens? By the way, young friend, do you know this difference?"

Lu Hong nodded, "I understand slightly."

"Ha ha, in that case, you're no ordinary person. It seems I haven't misjudged you," Lai Feng patted Lu Hong's shoulder and then took out a transparent jade stone, "This is the heart of the Earth Element I have condensed over many years; consider it a gift from me."

Facing such a precious treasure refined by a Heavenly God, Lu Hong dared not accept, "It's too valuable. I can't accept such responsibility."

"I'll say it again: leave a good turn," Lai Feng insisted, stuffing the divine artifact into Lu Hong's embrace.

Then he sighed, "The gold race is a creation of mine. Their desire to develop and grow stronger is natural, inherent to every species. I can understand. The only reason I suppress them is because of the might of the Shadow Demons. But now that you have driven the Shadow Demons away from this ancient pathway, the Star Sea will surely embark on an expedition. If the Gold Realm could catch a ride with them, they might grow into one of the most powerful factions in All Heavens and Myriads of Worlds, and I, as their elder, could gain some fame."

"Then you could take them with you. Why must it be a fight to the death?"

Lai Feng shook his head, "All these years have passed, do you think their hatred for me will dissipate because of this? In the end, they will join forces against me. They can only be at ease by killing me; hence I'm giving them this opportunity. If they manage to seize it and kill me, it will prove they have the strength to vie for power among All Heavens. If they are killed by me, then it shows that my golden race's prodigies do not deserve to enter All Heavens and Myriads of Worlds, nor stand side by side with the major factions."

Alright, Lu Hong understood Lai Feng's intentions, but still didn't intend to linger any longer. He spoke, "I'll remember this favor. If the gold race indeed reaches All Heavens and Myriads of Worlds one day, my Star Sea world will not trouble them."

"Good, with your word, I am content," Lai Feng led Lu Hong to the doorway, "Old man will see you out."

With that, he teleported Lu Hong away from this world.

Back on the ancient pathways of All Heavens, Lu Hong still couldn't figure out why Lai Feng thought so highly of him, even though he himself had high hopes.

Could it be because of Gui He?

Upon reflection, it actually seemed quite possible.

Lu Hong continued deeper upon the ancient road, entering more worlds along the way. Without exception, all had been destroyed by the Shadow Demons, each sight more tragic than the next—not a single living creature survived.

As Lu Hong stepped out of one devastated world, two women suddenly appeared before him, each brandishing a long saber, pointed at him.

The older sister demanded in a cold voice, "Hand it over!"

Lu Hong was startled, "Huh? What are you talking about?"

"The core of the San Guang World, give it to us!" the sister continued, "That item isn't meant for you. Even if you took it, you couldn't keep it."

"Look, I don't have the San Guang core you're talking about. You've got the wrong guy."

Seeing Lu Hong's sincere demeanor, the younger sister turned to her elder, "Sis, he really doesn't seem to have it."

The older sister slapped her sister on the back of the head, "You just believe whatever he says? Are you an idiot?"

"But I really didn't take it, I'm telling the truth."

The older sister scrutinized Lu Hong, then said, "Open your Space Ring, let us have a look."

"Fine." Lu Hong didn't refuse; there wasn't much inside anyway. The treasures he had obtained, like the armor and crowns, had been buried by him and taken by others. Now, the ring mostly just contained some spare clothes and food.

Of course, there were also a lot of Gold Coins.

As various items spilled out from the Space Ring, the younger sister said with disdain, "Seriously, as a Scavenger of the ancient roads, these are the only trinkets you've picked up?"

"Are Gold Coins not valuable?"

"Gold Coins? Can you eat gold?"

To her retort, Lu Hong chuckled, "If Gold Coins aren't the solid currency, then what is?"

The older sister interjected, "You as a Scavenger, haven't you traveled too little? Don't you even know the common currency across All Heavens and Myriads of Worlds now? It's Yuan Currency, do you understand?"

Saying this, the older sister pulled out a small coin that radiated a faint divine aura. It had a trace of divinity, though no Divine Power—its divinity only served to prevent counterfeiting.

"Take a good look, this one Yuan Currency coin can be exchanged for twice, even three times the Gold Coins you carry, understand? You country bumpkin!"

Lu Hong glanced at the talking sister, then said, "Now that you two haven't found what you're looking for on me, may I leave?"

"No." The sister shook her head, "My Divination Disc shows that you do possess an item from a world; you must have hidden it. Without producing it, we will not let you leave today!"

Hearing the sister's unreasonably obstinate words, Lu Hong grew a little displeased and said, "What if the world's item I pull out isn't what you're looking for?"

"Then you don't deserve to possess it either."

The younger sister's words completely infuriated Lu Hong, who retorted with a laugh, "Oh? And you qualify to possess it?"

"Of course, do you even know who we are?"

"Oh? I haven't had the pleasure of..."

"Hmph! Listen well, my sister's name is Zi Xin, and I am Zi Rui. We are the chosen ones of the Purple Extreme World; you've heard of it, yes?"

Lu Hong shook his head, "No."

"You country bumpkin." Zi Rui said, "Our Purple Extreme World is among the top hundred in All Heavens and Myriads of Worlds, teeming with countless strong ones, nearly a thousand Heavenly Gods, sweeping across the cosmos, and deterring all sides!"

"So," Lu Hong paused, "can you defeat the Shadow Demons of the Heng Domain?"

"I—You—" Zi Rui was genuinely stuck by Lu Hong's question.

At that moment, sister Zi Xin spoke up, "We do not fear them, but we also do not wish to start a war with them."