Chapter 780 - 530: Gu’s Advancement Opportunity and the Quasi-Divine Artifact "Demon Serpent’s Eye
Chapter 780: Chapter 530: Gu’s Advancement Opportunity and the Quasi-Divine Artifact "Demon Serpent’s Eye
"If I fail, I will return to dust. The annals of the Hill Giant Race will simply record the name of another failure."
"But if I succeed..."
His gaze grew distant, as if piercing through the dome of the stone tower to look upon the endless, starry sky.
"I, too, will soon leave this world. I will go Beyond the Heavens to participate in the war for the fate of our world."
The war Beyond the Heavens!
Raylo was shaken once again.
This wasn’t the first time he had heard of it.
’It seems that once your power reaches a certain level, you must go to a specific place and fulfill a certain duty.’
"Therefore, I am settling my affairs."
The Great Elder’s voice pulled Raylo back from his thoughts.
"I intend to divide the Hill Giant Race into two parts."
His gaze turned to Kado, who had been standing respectfully to the side.
"One half, led by Kado, will go to your Black Stone Territory."
"I ask you, Count Raylo, to provide my people with a sanctuary where they can live and thrive."
"In exchange, they will become the sharpest war axe in your hand and the sturdiest shield, vanquishing all your foes."
Every word from the Great Elder struck Raylo’s heart like a hammer blow.
Raylo didn’t hesitate for a second.
"I accept!"
"I will provide the Hill Giant Race with the most suitable sanctuary."
His voice was firm and resolute.
’This wasn’t a request at all. It was an incredible gift!’
Within the current makeup of the Black Stone Territory’s army, the one hundred and fourteen Hill Giants were already the absolute core of its fighting force—the backbone on the battlefield.
’And now, the Great Elder was giving him half of the entire race!’
’What kind of terrifying power would that be?’
’Five hundred?’
’Eight hundred?’
’With the addition of this force, the might of Black Stone Territory would instantly swell to an unprecedented level!’
’Looking across the entire Human World, no other territory would be able to match the combat strength of Black Stone Territory!’
’One could even say that Black Stone Territory alone would possess the power to rival an entire Kingdom.’
"Good."
The Great Elder nodded, gratified.
He seemed to have expected Raylo’s agreement all along.
"Then it’s settled. Kado will handle everything after I am gone."
He paused, as if he remembered something.
"Oh, right. There’s one more thing."
His gaze fell upon Kado once more, this time filled with anticipation and satisfaction.
"The Hill Giant Race has, since ancient times, passed down a fated opportunity... one great enough to allow a member of our race to ascend to the Catastrophe Level."
"I will leave this opportunity to Kado."
’Raylo understood.’
The Great Elder continued.
"As for the spoils from slaying Hydra this time, aside from the energy that will help me achieve my breakthrough, I will leave a portion behind."
"I will leave behind a portion sufficient to grant another of our younger generation the qualifications to attempt to reach the Catastrophe Level."
’A Great Elder on the verge of breaking through to the World Destruction Level.’
’An heir, Kado, with the potential to reach the Catastrophe Level.’
’And another future Catastrophe-level powerhouse being groomed for ascension.’
’The hidden depths of the Hill Giant Race were far greater than he had ever imagined!’
’Even after giving half their people away, their remaining strength would be more than enough for them to maintain their standing in the world.’
’The Great Elder’s choice to split his race in two was likely a strategic move to mitigate risk.’
’It seemed that even if the Great Elder broke through to the World Destruction Level, he still wasn’t confident of total victory against the enemies from the Dragon Realm.’
The Great Elder looked at Raylo, having seemingly settled the entire future of his race.
A look of profound relief washed over his wrinkled face, as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
Everything that needed to be said had been said. He slowly rose from his stone seat, and the entire stone tower seemed to shudder slightly with the movement.
"Count Raylo, the fate of my people has now been entrusted to you."
His voice regained its placid, tranquil calm.
"In return, I shall also bestow upon you... a personal gift."
’A personal gift.’
The Great Elder, Gu, slowly extended a hand, its skin as wrinkled and gnarled as ancient tree bark.
An object rested silently in his palm.
It was an eyeball.
An eyeball, roughly the size of a human head, that was a dull, dark gold all over.
Its surface was smooth, covered with a layer of fine, keratinous patterns, and it emanated a cold, sinister aura.
Most unsettling of all was the vertical, serpentine slit in the center of the eye, a fissure of black and red.
Merely looking at it made Raylo’s mind grow hazy, as if his very soul was being pulled into that fissure.
’The eye of the Nine-headed Demon Serpent Hydra!’
Raylo’s heart leaped in his chest.
"I have already treated this eye."
The voice of the Great Elder, Gu, pulled Raylo back from that bizarre, pulling sensation.
"The Demon Serpent’s residual will has been completely purged. You can use it directly."
He paused before continuing his explanation.
"We of the Hill Giant Race are not skilled in such delicate manipulations of energy. For it to remain with my people would be a waste."
"Its true power is to magnify one’s spiritual and soul-based will."
"Depending on the amount of Spiritual Power you infuse into it, it can amplify your spiritual will several times over, creating a pure Spiritual Shock or a soul attack."
BOOM!
’A soul attack!’
Raylo’s breath caught in his throat.
’This Demon Serpent’s Eye before him could actually magnify one’s spiritual will severalfold!’
’What did that even mean?’
’It meant that a Tier Three Spiritual Mage, who could normally only manage to unsettle an enemy’s mind, might be able to instantly destroy the soul of a Tier Four Powerhouse with its aid!’