Chapter 93: The Netherworld, Divine-Level Power?
Unfortunately, Felicia seemed to realize she had misspoken and immediately clammed up. No matter how Sterl tried to coax her, she refused to divulge any more information.
At that moment, a new prompt appeared before the top twenty players of the tournament:
[Accept Regional Main Quest: Explore the Netherworld?]
[Description: A once ravaged and desolate realm, devastated by ancient wars, has now resurfaced under the guidance of a deity. Adventurers will have the opportunity to enter this lost domain and recover its long-forgotten treasures.]
[Rewards: Depending on the treasures obtained, you will receive Dark Moon Alliance reputation and contribution points.]
Another main quest!
The players were thrilled. After all, this was a main quest with difficulty capped below level 100, meaning it carried the same risks as other tasks but promised higher rewards.
Only a fool would pass this up!
They naturally accepted without hesitation. Entering an otherworldly realm was bound to be extremely dangerous, but if one was unwilling to take even this level of risk and dared not to stake their life, how could they ever talk about becoming strong?
Sterl was just about to accept the mission when he noticed the fourth prince had stealthily approached him.
"Mr. David, I have something to discuss..." He had a look that suggested he was about to share some secret, yet Faye, without any hint from Felicia, just stood there with an adorably earnest expression on her face.
"Never mind, Miss Faye can listen in too." the Fourth Prince sighed.
Seeing the seriousness on his face, Sterl was taken aback.
The Fourth Prince began to explain, "Most of what I told the other world warriors about this quest is true. But there\'s one thing—the Dark Moon Alliance isn\'t doing this out of charity."
"The Alliance will implant a special restriction in the bodies of players entering the other world, preventing you from using any of your gains while there."
"This ensures that everything players bring back from the other world belongs to the Alliance and the respective countries."
"Our Divine Mountain Empire has been promised that all arcane skills obtained by players in the otherworld will belong to us, while other resources will go to the Alliance."
After hearing the Fourth Prince\'s explanation, Sterl frowned. "But the quest description doesn\'t mention that we have to turn over the resources we obtain."
At this moment, Faye inexplicably spoke in an indignant tone, "Because the one standing behind the Dark Moon Alliance is that Goddess!"
"The gods could override some of [Transcendence]\'s rules!"
"That old woman is just as greedy as ever."
Sterl raised an eyebrow, realizing it was clearly Felicia speaking now.
He had a suspicion that his earlier theory was now confirmed.
It\'s understandable that Felicia knew so much information, as it could be explained by the knowledge she had acquired as a member of the Water Blue Clan. However, the information involving deities... there was no way such knowledge could have been learned by a fragmented personality within the Water Blue Clan.
Could Felicia really be the remnant soul of some powerful entity?
Sterl\'s eyes lit up. He had a bold idea: when Felicia took over, she was considered part of Felicia.
This was evident to Sterl when he checked Felicia\'s panel using Star Insight.
"If I refine Faye as the primary or secondary star while Felicia is in control, wouldn\'t it be like getting two for the price of one?"
Sterl let his mind wander while casually asking a question.
"But why did you feel the need to tell me this? Wouldn\'t obtaining arcane skills be more important for the Divine Mountain Empire?"
"Because this matter can\'t be kept hidden. It\'s said that the goddess will use a special item to distribute divine power to each player."
"At that point, your panel will directly show that you\'re restricted."
"To be blunt, you might not even get the arcane skills. But someone of your talent, our empire can\'t afford to lose." To the Fourth Prince, other players might accept their fate, as entering the other world and gaining reputation and contribution points from the Dark Moon Alliance was already a huge reward.
But for someone like David, these rewards were probably insignificant.
Sterl\'s mind raced as he heard the Fourth Prince\'s words. The goddess\'s restriction would show up on his panel?
He suddenly had a daring thought. If he could add points, couldn\'t he potentially hijack the goddess\'s power? Sterl had long figured out that anything displayed on his panel could have points added to it, and it would always evolve in a way beneficial to him.
The only time he couldn\'t add points was when the quality was insufficient.
But a restriction made from divine power lacking quality? That would be absurd.
Suddenly, in Sterl\'s eyes, it seemed that this main quest had gained another advantage: the ability to acquire god-level power for free, albeit just a tiny fraction.
But divine power was divine power!
He even felt a bit eager to have the goddess place a restriction on him.
"I understand. But I am still interested in the other world."
"I\'ll accept the quest."
As Sterl accepted the quest on his panel, he looked at the Fourth Prince and said, "And thank you for the heads-up from the empire."
"May our friendship endure."
Seeing Sterl\'s response, the Fourth Prince visibly relaxed.
"Then, Mr. David, please try to gather as many advanced arcane skills as possible during the quest. Our empire really needs them."
"The Dark Moon Alliance has promised that if the total contribution of players selected by the Divine Mountain Empire reaches a certain level, they will provide an A-grade arcane skill."
"But we want a bit more assurance."
"If you succeed, I can persuade my father to open the empire\'s true treasury and let you pick any resource you want."
The Fourth Prince said.
Sterl nodded nonchalantly as a new task popped up in front of him.
[Collect Arcane Skills]
[Description: The Divine Mountain Empire has tasked you with obtaining an A-grade or higher arcane skill after entering the Netherworld.]
[Reward: Choose any two items from the Empire\'s treasury.]
The Empire\'s treasury... it sounded like it was filled with treasures.
"After you leave the consciousness space, we\'ll arrange for someone to take you to the entrance of the other world. It\'s located in a border city of the Pompeii Empire. It would be too troublesome for you to go there on your own."
"Thank you for the assistance."
Sterl nodded slightly. For the time being, he had no desire to interact with the sycophantic NPCs and players who only knew how to flatter.
He closed his eyes and began to practice his arcane skills. Given his current status, no one dared to disturb him.
Soon enough...
"Um..." Sterl felt a gentle tap on his shoulder, followed by Faye\'s soft voice in his ear.
"The prince said we can leave now."
The Fourth Prince stood nearby as well. "Mr. David, you may now exit the consciousness space."
Simultaneously, the princes activated golden-glowing talismans in their hands.
Sterl felt a flash of light before his eyes. When the white glow dissipated and his vision returned to normal, he found himself sitting on the altar in the temple.
"Mr. David, welcome back." The temple priest, busy with a book in his hands, greeted him casually.
The priest was unaware of everything that had transpired in the consciousness space, especially the royal scandal. In fact, all players present, except for Sterl, had signed a confidentiality agreement.
At this moment, the priest\'s attitude towards "David" was nothing special, just friendly as a colleague.
Sterl felt slightly more comfortable.
The incessant flattery had been a bit overwhelming for him.
Half an hour later, at Advanced Base No. 113...
In Teresa\'s luxurious villa, Sterl sat on the sofa, enjoying himself.
Teresa and Daphne were positioned on either side of him, their mouths working on his lower body.
It seemed the two had taken some time to practice their skills during Sterl\'s absence.
They skillfully used their tongues to caress every part of Sterl\'s genitals.
Moreover, Teresa and Daphne had a clear division of labor. While serving Sterl, Teresa also had a stack of documents to report.
"Master, our organization is gradually getting on track. Thanks to the contribution points and reputation from the Divine Mountain Empire, the players have taken on many new tasks. However, due to the short time frame, most haven\'t completed them yet."
"According to the organization\'s rules, one-tenth of the task rewards will be contributed to you."
"Good job. You all are very considerate." Sterl was entirely caught up in the sensations below, barely paying attention to the report. Organizational development...
Task rewards...
They were trivial to him.
The mention of one-tenth of the rewards made him chuckle.
Just moments ago, he had been complaining with Faye about the greed of the Dark Moon Alliance.
And now, here he was, taking a tenth of his subordinates\' resources.