“What is that weapon, by the way?” Wang Hao did not immediately agree to the Central Divine Emperor’s request.
Instead, he tried to probe details of his request. “It’s hard to explain…” The Central Divine Emperor replied hesitantly. “What, you can’t tell anyone what this weapon was?” Wang Hao quickly shot back.
“You really are so sincere…..”
“Every generation of the Central Divine Emperor swore an oath when they became the Emperor that they will not tell what this powerful weapon is to anyone.” The Central Divine Emperor replied hastily.
“I get it.” Wang Hao’s eyes glinted as he gave an interested look at the Central Divine Emperor.
“Your ancestors… the reason they sealed the lava beings was because they were interested in this weapon!”
Wang Hao cupped his chin as he spat out more of his deductions. “The Central Divine Empire, it must have been established in order to procure the weapon by the Lava Beings. And the Central Divine Emperor, they must have been the agents tasked to procure this weapon!”
The Central Divine Emperor’s gaze at Wang Hao was filled with more interest after hearing his deduction.
The Central Divine Emperor then gave Wang Hao a smile that was also not a smile. “Sir Wang Hao, your conjecture was mostly right.
But only most of it. Our ancestors were really interested in procuring that weapon. They thought that if they killed all the lava beings, they can get the weapon. But they realized that the weapon’s lifeline was tied with the entirety of the lava beings. If all of them dies, the weapon will disappear. Snatching the weapon was also no good, since this weapon can only be used by someone it considers worthy.”
“So your ancestors decided to seal the lava beings in a hidden plane, and they will send a Central Divine Emperor that they can trust in that hidden plane.” Wang Hao chose to continue the Central Divine Emperor’s speech. “That way, if someone procures the weapon, that someone will be a person dedicated to the well-being of this planet.”
Whether the Central Divine Emperor was affected by what Wang Hao said, he did not show any indication of it. He just continued smiling at Wang Hao. “So Sir Wang Hao, do you agree with my request?” Unknowingly, Wang Hao started to feel an unseen pressure bearing down on him. Wang Hao shrugged this pressure off with his ability, but this pressure made it clear that the Central Divine Emperor would not be taking a no.
“Before I give my answer, let me ask you one more question.” Wang Hao placed his hands on his pockets as he asked the Central Divine Emperor, “Why me?”
The Central Divine Emperor approached Wang Hao and clapped his shoulders. His gaze bore deep into Wang Hao’s eyes as he said,
“After I came out of the Central Divine Plane, one of the best augur in the Immortal Continent came and told me that if I go back to the Central Divine Plane with you, I will have a high chance of obtaining the weapon.”
Wang Hao placed his right palm on his forehead as he let out an exasperated sigh. “That augur, he must be the Grand Elder of the Immortal God Sect right? That man really is creepy.”
“Yes, he is the one.” The Central Divine Emperor stifled a sigh, remembering his encounter with the Grand Elder. “He looked so burned out earlier that I was not sure if he was fine. The Grand Elder grabbed me once he saw me, saying to me that bringing Sir Wang Hao with me will increase my chance of getting the weapon. So yes, he really looks creepy.”
“….”
Upon hearing everything that the Central Divine Emperor said, Wang Hao knew that the Central Divine Emperor refrained from telling some things to him. After all, even if the Central Divine Emperor needed Wang Hao’s help, he could not just tell everything to him at once.
Wang Hao’s eyes glinted ominously as he replied, “Fine, I shall go with you.” Whether the Central Divine Emperor noticed the ominous glint, he did not indicate it.
The Central Divine Emperor looked extremely relieved and happy as he shook his hands with Wang Hao. “Since you are teaming with me now Sir Wang Hao, I shall tell you my name.”
The Central Divine Emperor’s robes swished as he assumed a regal pose. His voice sounded sonorous as he said, “This honorable one’s name is Tian Yi!”
“That is one domineering name…..” Wang Hao muttered as he realized that even if Tian Yi looked docile, he was also a proud person. Well, Tian Yi is the Emperor after all. Being proud was already ingrained in his blood. As for why Tian Yi chose to hide his proud attitude, Wang Hao was not interested in finding out.
Tian Yi gave an expectant look to Wang Hao, making Wang Hao realize Tian Yi’s intentions now. “You want us to enter the Central Divine Plane right now?” Wang Hao muttered exasperatedly as he noticed Tian Yi’s look. Wang Hao stared at Tian Yi for more than a minute before letting out a sigh.
“Well why not? If we obtain this weapon now, we could have a higher chance of defeating those invaders from the Beast God Planet.” “How about me?” After seeing that Wang Hao decided to join Tian Yi, Wu Meng pointed to herself as she asked them what she should do.
“Umm… I think you better stay out of this.” Wang Hao muttered slightly as Tian Yi approached Wu Meng.
“Don’t worry, a batch of trustworthy retainers will be coming in here to accompany you. You can stay with them until I and Sir Wang Hao comes out of the Central Divine Plane.”
Wu Meng winced slightly, as she realized that these ‘trustworthy retainers’ of Tian Yi will obviously be there to guard her. “Ok…” But Wu Meng knew that she had to gain Wang Hao’s trust now that she needs his help. That means that she had to endure the security if that is what it takes to had her request fulfilled.
“For my home…” Wu Meng thought with determination as she stared at Wang Hao and Tian Yi, who both jumped at the hole of the volcano.
“Stay within 5 meters of me so that you can join me in entering the Central Divine Plane.” This was what Tian Yi said to Wang Hao as they both approached the mouth of the volcano.
“So that token of yours only works at you and within 5 meters of you. How neat.” Wang Hao muttered. “That’s right.” Tian Yi replied cheerfully. “This way, nobody unworthy can just enter the Central Divine Plane.”
“Wait, but how about the exit from the Central Divine Plane? It seems like you only put a barrier to prevent others from going in, but not out.” Wang Hao inquired, remembering the lava beings that came out earlier.
Tian Yi gave Wang Hao a smirk as he said, “Well, anyone who exits the Central Divine Plane will be attacked by the formations around the volcano, except if that person was holding the Emperor Token or was near it.” Tian Yi then stared at Wang Hao deeply as he reminded him.
“That means you have to stay close to me if you want to leave this place alive.” With his experiences, Wang Hao knew a threat when it was given to him.
Tian Yi was basically saying that Wang Hao should not do anything that will displease Tian Yi, or else Wang Hao will have problems exiting later. Tian Yi did not care if Wang Hao understood what he said as they jumped to the gaping mouth of the volcano.
“Here we go!”
At the instant that Wang Hao and Tian Yi entered the mouth of the volcano, a powerful constricting power appeared, which seemed to want to crush Wang Hao and Tian Yi.
“Hong!” A barrier then appeared around Tian Yi, which blocked the constricting power. “Tsk, so that token really works huh.” Wang Hao muttered to himself as he and Tian Yi proceeded to descend.
“Boom!” With his attunement to space, Wang Hao felt massive shift in space around him. This only indicates that he was now in a new place. “It looks cool…. ” Wang Hao was not one to give a praise, but even he can say that the Central Divine Place was anything but cool.
Everything in the Central Divine Plane just looks…. hot, steamy and red. Plumes of lava were flowing like rivers, crossing through the lands of the Central Divine Plane, which were dyed red with all the red sand inside it.
The air felt dry and arid, with countless red particulates mixed in it. The mountains that surround the area looked lofty, as their blood-colored peaks looked certainly ominous. The sky that Wang Hao could see was red, with the clouds having varying red hues. There was no indication if any living being can exist here, as it felt like this place was just an extremely hot lava desert.
Tian Yi ignored Wang Hao’s weak pun as he guided him forward.
“Once we entered the mouth of the volcano, we were supposed to appear in a random spot on the Central Divine Plane. That was done to prevent ambushes. Hmm…” Tian Yi then looked around him, trying to determine their location. “From what I know, we are now on the outskirts of the Central Divine Plane.”
“Let me guess, this place is the barbaric place, and the real civilization of the lava beings is located at the ‘center’ of the Central Divine Plane.” Wang Hao said as he followed Tian Yi. “And the weapon is also located there right?”
“Hmph, those lava beings are just cocky that nobody yet from the line of our Central Divine Emperors procured the weapon!” Tian Yi said as he sent his glare forward. “Because of that, they have no problems flaunting their weapon! If I try to approach their capital, their strongest fighter will swoop in on me, not even allowing me to get near!”
It was obvious from the way that Tian Yi talked that he already bore a lot of enmity with the lava beings.
“……”
Along the way, Wang Hao did not say anything else as he chose to stay quiet. Upon seeing this, Tian Yi thought that Wang Hao was just giving him space. But the truth was, Wang Hao was currently talking to one excited person. “This is gold!” Old Man exclaimed as he saw the place where Wang Hao was in.
“These lava beings… I am sure of it! They are clearly a Hidden Race!”
“Oh, a Hidden Race?” Even Wang Hao was stirred by what he heard. Wang Hao then asked Old Man what Hidden Race these lava beings are.
“Hmph, they are an ancient Hidden Race, so you I forgive you for not knowing them.” Old Man said as he cupped his chin proudly. He then gave Wang Hao a feverish look as he said, “These Lava Beings came from the Muspelheim Galaxy, one of the nine galaxies supported by Yggdrasil. These Lava Beings are called the Eldjotnar!”
