In the sovereign palace, Ajita delved into profound cultivation within the Mana Gathering Room. Golden light adorned his meridians as mana coursed through his being. Days passed, and with a renewed vigor, he emerged to find Reginald, the loyal butler, awaiting him.
Ajita's gaze met Reginald's as he stepped into the palace corridor, a silent exchange of acknowledgment bridging the gap between master and servant. The ambient glow of their surroundings cast a surreal ambiance, heightened by the profound cultivation Ajita had just undergone.
"Reginald," Ajita's voice resonated with an air of authority, "Did you complete the tasks I asked you to do?"
The loyal butler bowed slightly, his demeanor a blend of deference and competence. "I did as you said, my lord. All the materials you requested were collected and stored as space artifacts. Additionally, I liquidated valuables such as gems and jewels, using the proceeds to acquire more of the specified materials. Please take these space rings and inspect them," Reginald offered, presenting the gleaming artifacts to Ajita.
Accepting the rings, Ajita infused them with his spiritual power, his consciousness delving into their depths. He studied the contents with a discerning eye, a furrow forming on his brow. A glance at Reginald revealed a shared understanding of the situation.
"It's still not enough," Ajita murmured, shaking his head. "Earth, during that time, remained sealed. Even with the mana gathering array, we require a substantial quantity of mana stones. Only then can the array process them, converting the raw energy into pure mana that can be readily absorbed by the Earth and its living organisms."
Ajita's gaze lingered on the space rings; his mind absorbed in the gravity of their limitations. "The cultivation techniques you brought are only of the Zen tier," he began, his tone contemplative. "They prove effective only up to the Eternal level—two tiers short of the Supreme Kin. While they greatly aid human mortals, we'll produce ascended humans, potentially reaching Transcendent or Immortal levels. However, the leap to the supreme tier is a one-in-a-billion genius territory," Ajita sighed, shaking his head.
After a moment of reflection, he continued, "To truly elevate the human race, we need cultivation techniques of at least the Heavenly Tier. With such advanced methods, their cultivation speed will surge, laying a stronger foundation for survival and future progress."
Reginald, absorbing the weight of the revelation, responded, "How can we secure such high-tiered cultivation techniques? They're not only rare but often hoarded due to fear. The prospect of creating more high-level cultivators instills dread in those who possess such knowledge. Some techniques are considered unique and kept tightly guarded, even in death. Obtaining them is further complicated by constraints and the selfish motives of those who prioritize personal or racial advancement over the greater good."
Calming himself, Reginald pressed on, "Up until now, we've managed to acquire only a Radiant-tier cultivation technique, the very one you employ. It served you well, propelling you to the level of the Divine Lord. However, it has become obsolete, unable to aid your ascent to further heights." The reality of their predicament settled like a heavy shroud, casting a shadow over the potential of humanity's evolution.
Ajita stood in contemplation, the weight of their predicament pressing upon him. After a moment of thoughtful silence, he spoke, "We can seek aid from the elves. They possess a mysterious art, utilizing the roots of Yggdrasil to create corporeal vessels in the likeness of any race. A drop of blood near the heart forms a mana core, attracting and channeling mana through the roots of the divine tree. This process births a unique mana cultivation technique for that race."
Turning to Reginald, Ajita continued, "The Elves demand a price for this knowledge, one that may seem burdensome to others but holds no value to me."
Reginald, his eyes filled with questions, inquired, "What valuables do you possess, my lord, that are precious to others but useless to you?"
Ajita smiled, revealing the enigma of his existence. "Life force. As a Divine Lord, I hold millions of years of lifespan, a precious commodity to others. Yet, with my nebula core on the brink of eruption, this life force is of no use to me. I can transfer it to Yggdrasil in exchange for the cultivation technique."
Reginald nodded, absorbing the revelation. "You can do such a thing? I never knew elves collected life force! Why do they need it?"
"Their divine tree, Yggdrasil, is revered as a symbol of eternal lifespan and the source of life for the Elves. However, the tree itself doesn't possess eternal life. It will wither, and with it, all elves born from it will perish. Collecting life force serves as a means to sustain Yggdrasil," Ajita explained.
Reginald's realization dawned, and he remarked, "Oh! I never imagined that the sacred divine tree and the Elves, renowned as a peaceful race, had such a dark side."
Ajita shook his head in denial and uttered, "They do this for their survival, their race's survival. Believe me, no one knows the value of their lives—their family, friends, and close ones. If I were in their place, I would do the same."
Reginald simply nodded, understanding the weight of the Elven sacrifice, and said nothing as they walked through the palace hallway.
While strolling, Ajita shared, "Astrionis will complete the construction in 7-8 months. We have to collect the resources as fast as possible. Even if I have three years of life, we must complete our plan in two years. As time passes, the core will become more unstable, and I won't be able to move freely, not to mention battle." He continued, "You continue gathering more resources. I will go and visit Elsinore, the Elven Realm."
Reginald saluted, "Yes, my lord," and left to fulfill his duties. Ajita returned to his room, retrieving a gemstone box from his treasury. Opening it, he took out what resembled a golden leaf, channeling his mana into it. As the mana was absorbed, the leaf began to glow, emitting a bright golden light. It floated in front of Ajita, shining brighter and brighter before dimming down. From the leaf, a projection emerged, resembling an elf.
The elf's image projected by the golden leaf featured an eternally young face and flawless skin, wrapped in ageless grace. Profound wisdom radiated from his eyes, a testament to the millennia lived. Cloaked in a white gown adorned with green and gold, the attire mirrored the harmony of nature. A bracelet of Yggdrasil's sacred wood pulsed with life and magic, symbolizing his connection to the divine tree. Significantly, the bracelet denoted royal bloodlines, marking him as an esteemed figure in the lineage of elves. The entire image emanated serenity, encapsulating the beauty of youth, the weight of ancient knowledge, and the enduring elegance of an elf of royal heritage who had gracefully traversed countless ages.
As the elf, Aricen, materialized before him, he expressed surprise at Ajita's presence. A joyous laughter escaped him as he spoke, "How are you, kid? It's been so long since I last saw you. Perhaps it has been more than 2,000 years since you visited Elsinore. I thought you might have forgotten about us."
Ajita offered an awkward smile and replied, "Aricen, you know about my circumstances. Every day, battling for survival, I never found the free time to visit you. But now, at the end of my life, I thought maybe I should visit my friends one last time."
Aricen's eyes betrayed concern as he asked, "What happened, kid? Tell me clearly. As a friend of our elf race, we will definitely help you!"
Ajita shook his head and said, "Believe me, there is no medicine that can repair the nebula core. Due to my unstable foundation, I was unable to ascend to the realm of the Divine Lord completely, and it shattered my nebula core, which is now leaking celestial power. I want to visit Elsinore not only to meet you but also to seek aid. I am willing to transfer my life force in return for a cultivation technique that may help me reach the final step and extend my life a few more years."
Aricen nodded and responded, "Well, it's true. Maybe you can ascend to the level of the Divine Lord with the help of the cultivation technique gained from Yggdrasil. But the chances of it happening are close to impossible. The bridge to cross between the realm of demigod and true God is itself a heaven-defying act, and after you fail once, the path becomes doubly difficult. It's a gamble for you to try advancing your level."
Ajita nodded, maintaining the facade of a desperate seeker of aid. Despite having already ascended to the realm of the Divine Lord, he concealed this truth, allowing a lie to foster sympathy among the elves. "I know, but rather than wait for death to come, I would try everything in my power to survive. I am willing to pay any price for my survival. I need a heavenly-tier cultivation technique; only such a high-tiered technique will alleviate the difficulty of my successful ascending. Will the elf realm help me in this circumstance?"
Aricen, taken aback by the seemingly dire situation, sighed and responded, "Heavenly-tiered! Do you have any idea that passing such high-tiered techniques is forbidden? Even if it wasn't forbidden, do you think anyone would pass it on to others? We can't help you in this matter, even if we deem you our ally. I am sorry."
Ajita anticipated the rejection but continued with his charade, feigning desperation. "Please don't reject my request. I know how high my demand is, but I am willing to do anything for it."He acted as though he were in a desperate situation, then suddenly lifted his head towards Aricen, revealing a pitiful expression. "I am willing to provide 50% of my life force to Yggdrasil."
Aricen's eyes widened at the unexpected offer, realization dawning upon him. The significance of Ajita's proposition weighed heavily on the air. Ajita had played his cards well, leveraging the Elves' need for life force against their reluctance to share high-tiered cultivation techniques. The fate of worlds now rested on the outcome of this cosmic negotiation between beings with intertwined destinies.
While Aricen believed Ajita was only at the Supreme Kin level, lacking tens of millions of years of lifespan like Divine Lords, even Supreme Kins possessed a lifespan of 2–3 million years. The prospect of Ajita supplementing millions of years of life force with Yggdrasil made Aricen hesitate to outright reject him.
After a moment of contemplation, Aricen spoke, "Alright, I will accept your proposal. But don't celebrate just yet. I need to inform the Elders of the Elven Realm regarding this. I can only convey your request; whether they accept or not, I can't guarantee. But your sacrifice in order to survive will surely move the hearts of the elders."
Ajita concealed his inner sneer, fully aware of Aricen's thoughts. While Aricen assumed Ajita would sacrifice millions of years of lifespan to gain a Heavenly Tiered cultivation technique, Ajita planned to supply 10 million units of life force, an amount inconsequential to him as a Divine Lord. The body of a Divine Lord, having ascended to True God, did not age, and the MystiCrest formed after ascending and storing and channeling Divine energy. Thus, Divine Lords could fight at their deathbed without their bodies affecting them until their last breath.
Expressing gratitude, Ajita bowed before Aricen, who left, promising to reply in a few days.
After Aricen's departure, Ajita dropped his act and exited the room, entering the main hall. From the balcony, he gazed at the medicine garden, where billions of different species of herbs were meticulously planted. In the central garden, only a few thousand herbs stood, each rare and Elixir-grade, some millions of years old. Elixir-grade herbs were beneficial for cultivation even at Infinite Ascendancy, two levels above Divine Lord. Ajita had initially planned to use them to ascend further levels, but now they were of no use to him. Contemplating his next life and grander plans after transmigration, he concluded that he needed even higher-grade medicinal herbs, perhaps at the mythic grade. While mythic-grade herbs might not be useful for omniscient overlords, ascending to the level of an omniscient overlord remained unattainable without the assistance of mythic-grade herbs.
While Ajita pondered where to acquire the needed herbs, Reginald entered the hall and bowed to Ajita on his knees. Reginald, still on his knees, remarked, "Lord, you are here? I thought you went to the Elven Realm."
Ajita walked forward, lifting him up, and said, "You don't need to bow every time you see me. As for the elf realm, I may have to wait because they need time to make a decision. Taking permission from the elders will at least take a month. After getting permission, I will visit the Elven realm. What about the task I gave you?"
Reginald replied, "Lord, I have informed my men. The task will be completed. But at the rate we are collecting resources, our funds will be depleted in 10 to 15 days. How do we collect resources after that, my lord?"
Ajita nodded, realizing his wealth would not be enough to buy everything he needed. He said, "You know, when I was a kid, I used to play a game in which gold coins were necessary to buy resources, develop my base, upgrade my skills, and even fight the boss. But they used to be depleted soon, making me unable to play properly." Turning to Reginald, he asked, "Do you know what I used to do when my gold coins got depleted?"
Reginald shook his head and said, "I don't know, my lord. Please do tell."
Ajita laughed and said, "It's easy to guess. I used to beat the mobs and loot them."
Reginald, suddenly having an idea, widened his eyes and hastily asked, "Lord, are you suggesting that we should loot other planets?"
Ajita laughed again, patting Reginald's shoulder, and said, "The mobs in the games were the bad guys, not regular people. I was a nice kid, you know. How could I kill NPCs in the game? Also, the NPCs did not drop loot after killing them."
Reginald snorted, inwardly thinking, 'If they had dropped loot after their death, you would have surely killed them.'
Ajita noticed his expression but just chuckled and said, "Just like in the game, now that we are close to depleting our funds, we should find the mobs and kill them to loot their belongings. Our universe has many mobs, like space pirates, bandits, and raiders. We just have to loot them and collect their resources. The space pirates are strong, but don't we have a divine lord? It's as easy as squashing an insect for me to defeat them. Although they may have at least a few demigods in their ranks, with me taking action, there is nothing to worry about. Hehe, they never would have thought that a Divine Lord would come to kill them, as other Divine Lords feel it beneath them to take action against such low-level pirates."
Reginald's shock was palpable as he asked, "Demigods! How can space pirates have demigods in their ranks? Aren't they just a group of bandits? Why do they have demigods as bandits?"
Ajita chuckled, offering a knowing smile. "They may be just a group of bandits, but they have the support of powerful organizations and sects. What's wrong with having demigods in their group? If not for a shortage of divine lords, they may have also included them in the space pirate group."
Reginald, visibly terrified by the revelation, attempted to compose himself. Ajita, sensing his unease, urged, "Stop thinking about it. Just go and gather our men. Tell them to search for them. They usually gather at Rogue Star, Orion's Den, and Black-Market Bay. Tell our men to find the richest space raiders among them and their current locations. We will attack those who are out in space. Tell our men to find them as fast as possible."
Reginald raised a valid question: "My lord, wouldn't it be easy for us to attack at their gathering place? We would finish our job fast, as they will all be gathered in one place."
Ajita shook his head, dismissing the suggestion. "The pirates are no fools. They gather at those places because they have means of protection and exit routes. Attacking at the gathering place will alert them. First of all, we don't want them to know about us. We will remain low-key and try to plunder as much as possible. As I have said, they have powerful backing, and those supporting them will come after us. We are not in a position to fight them. Secondly, the space pirates do not carry all of their treasures with them while traveling and gathering. We have to attack them swiftly and capture them to gain information about the location of their treasure. So, stop suggesting such foolish plans and do as I say." Ajita then chuckled and added, "Go get ready. As soon as we get their location, we will move out immediately."
Ajita immersed himself in his cultivation, unsure of how long he might have to wait. With the urgency of his impending visit to the Elven Realm weighing on his mind, he focused his energies, determined to make the most of every moment. He knew his men would soon deliver the information they needed; after all, his meticulous planning included the placement of spies within nearly every organization and sect for the past millennium, including among the space pirates.
Three days passed in a blur of meditation and concentration until Ajita's communicator interrupted his ethereal state, signaling an end to his solitude. Emerging from his trance-like state, Ajita received the message from Reginald, confirming the successful acquisition of vital intelligence, including the location of the space pirates. With a sense of purpose, Ajita left his cultivation chamber and entered the main hall, where Reginald stood alongside the assembled palace army, ready for action.
Without the need for a grand speech, Ajita addressed his soldiers with a simple nod, allowing Reginald to handle the final preparations. He trusted his second-in-command implicitly, knowing that Reginald's leadership and guidance would ensure their success. As the soldiers stood at attention, Ajita spoke calmly but firmly, "Reginald has briefed you on our mission. There is no need to fear space pirates. I will lead the capture, while you will handle the cleanup and erase all traces of the battle. Additionally, the location of their treasuries will be provided to you. Divide into two groups: one to follow us for cleanup, and the second to also cleanup the pirates' treasures."
Reginald looked at his soldiers and said "After completion of this mission if you spot any space pirate 'Wanted' posters with our faces on them, well, that's just job well done and we may hold our own space awards ceremony!"
A momentary lapse in the soldiers' composure was quickly stifled as they suppressed a collective laugh in the presence of their lord. Sensing their discomfort, both Ajita and Reginald shared a lighthearted moment, easing the tension in the room. It was evident that the soldiers harbored a deep respect for Ajita, stemming from his reputation as a brilliant strategist and visionary leader, despite their limited interactions with him.
As the soldiers dispersed to carry out their assigned tasks, Ajita reflected on the loyalty and dedication of his creations. They may have been androids, born from advanced human technology, but their unwavering commitment to their creator's cause was undeniable. With their preparations complete and their resolve unwavering, Ajita led his army forward, ready to confront the challenges that awaited them in the depths of space.