The People's God: Sacrificing Trillions to Ascend

Tian Wen coughed awkwardly, saying, “Tony, please be serious. This is my student.”

Tony rose to his feet and scratched his bald head. “Tian Wen’s student? Then allow me to preface our first encounter with our shop’s motto. We do not defraud, discriminate against our customers, or offer student discounts.”

Han Wu was stunned.

What kind of motto is that? I need a student discount! It’s not easy for a student like me to earn money. I barely managed to earn 1 billion Divine Points after a grueling five-hour match!

Tian Wen hurriedly interjected, “Pay him no mind, Han Wu. Tony has a harsh way of speaking, but beneath his rough exterior lies a gentle disposition. Moreover, the equipment he forges is of exceptional quality.”

“Old Tian, that’s the first positive thing you’ve said about me in years,” Tony remarked in mock surprise.

Tian Wen began to nurture the thought of leaving and abandoning his ten-year friendship with Tony. He furiously suppressed the thought of hitting the weaponsmith. In truth, if he actually had that ability, he’d have done so long ago.

Tian Wen sighed in helplessness and stated, “Let me show you some of his creations,” proceeding to show his student various equipment in Tony’s gallery. There were hundreds of God weapons in the gallery, each branded with Tony’s seal—he had personally forged each weapon from scratch.

Tian Wen, being mindful of their budget, carefully selected thirty different God weapons and proceeded to give a detailed explanation for each. His professionalism, extensive knowledge and level of expertise startled Han Wu for a moment. Is he really a teacher? Maybe teaching is a side job, and he’s actually a salesman for Tony.

After detailing each of the thirty selections, Tian Wen asked, “So, Han Wu, do you fancy any of them?”

Han Wu pondered for a while and picked out three God weapons that suited him the best.

[Gu Jar: 2 Star God Weapon. Effect 1: Refine Gu. Can store 100,000 insect-type units into the Gu Jar to refine a Gu. The insects will kill each other until only one survives. The sole survivor has a certain chance to ascend a rank. Highest rank produced: Heroic. Effect 2: Divine Skill: Bug Caller. Attracts insect-type units. Range dependent on Divine Points invested.]

[Myriad Race Decree: 3 Star God Weapon. Effect 1: Intimidation. Passive. Intimidates units below Heroic rank. Effect 2: Prestige. Collects Faith Points from different races. Intimidation grows stronger with each different race’s Faith Points collected. Effect 3: Divine Skill: Control. Forcefully controls a life form’s action. Strength dependent on strength of Intimidation and Divine Points invested.]

[Undead Banner: 2 Star God Weapon. Effect 1: Divine Skill: Undead Strengthening. Strength dependent on Divine Points invested. Effect 2: Divine Skill: Undead Command. Strength dependent on Divine Points invested.]

While the three God weapons offered a significant boost to the strength of his units, Han Wu, mindful of the potential Imperial College entrance exams, ultimately selected the genocidal 2 Star God Weapon, Gu Jar, which would specifically aid his core race.

The weapon was priced at four Divine Essence, about 600 million Divine Points. Although this was a relatively high cost for a Divine Being like himself, he deemed it a worthwhile investment that would yield returns over time.

Tian Wen smiled and nodded with approval, recognizing that although the God weapon wasn’t offensively powerful, it was optimally suited to Han Wu.

Tony, clearly pleased with Han Wu’s choice, exclaimed, “Marvelous! The cost for that will be four Divine Essence, or 580 million Divine Points. How do you intend to settle the payment?”

Tian Wen discreetly drew Tony aside and initiated a prolonged negotiation session, and at one point, they nearly came to blows.

Tony, after much persuasion, finally conceded and added an extra item for a very low cost. For 600 million Divine Points, Han Wu would receive not only the Gu Jar but also a 0 Star God weapon, the Inspect Eye.

The Inspect Eye had just one purpose: to analyze the data of any life form below the Divine Being rank. It was a popular God weapon, usually sold for 50 million Divine Points.

In total, Tony granted Han Wu a 5% discount, illustrating the value of Tian Wen’s friendship in this transaction.

As Han Wu was on the verge of exiting with his two new God weapons, Tony called out, “Hold on, esteemed guest. Please do not leave just yet.”

Han Wu was bewildered. Tony, who hadn’t talked to him much before, now addressed him as an ’esteemed guest’ after he made a purchase. This guy changes his attitude so quickly.

“Esteemed guest, I’ve forged a special God weapon based on an incomplete blueprint discovered from a long-lost civilization. I think it suits you a lot.”

Tony produced the God weapon, a plain golden sphere. Tian Wen, intrigued, employed his Demigod authority to examine it. Upon discovering the sphere-like weapon’s complete lack of functionality, he was both surprised and infuriated.

“Tony, how dare you? All this time, I thought we were friends! Do you truly believe I’m that stupid and powerless that I won’t use violence?” Tian Wen roared, considering Tony’s actions as a blatant act of disrespect towards him, by attempting to deceive his student. He found the situation deeply humiliating and could not let it pass.

Tony shook his head and said, “Listen. This item is quite unique. Allow me to provide an explanation.”

Tian Wen’s anger dissipated almost instantly, and he agreed with a simple “Fine.” Han Wu was taken aback by his teacher’s sudden calmness.

“This is the Ravenous Wolf, a God weapon that possesses the unique ability to strengthen itself by absorbing other God weapons.” Han Wu, immediately captivated by this feature, asked, “Master Tony, could you elaborate further?” Seeing Han Wu’s curiosity, Tony slowly began to explain the weapon’s capabilities.

The Ravenous Wolf originated from a lost civilization where pillaging was commonplace. They were a kingdom of bandits that looted God weapons from various sources. However, God weapons were bound to their owners, rendering them unusable by others unless the original owners were deceased.

The civilization’s ruler, disheartened by the vast collection of unusable God weapons, tasked their most skilled craftsmen and blacksmiths with finding a solution. After a millennium of intensive and dedicated research, they succeeded in creating the God weapon, Ravenous Wolf.

This God weapon, capable of consuming other God weapons to enhance its power and replicate their effects and Divine Skills, became a source of intense resentment among neighboring civilizations. This animosity ultimately culminated in the civilization’s annihilation during a coordinated assault.

Tony, concluding his narrative as if he had personally witnessed the events, paused abruptly and addressed Han Wu, “Esteemed guest, as a valued VIP of our establishment, you have the exclusive opportunity to purchase this incredible God weapon for a mere 1 billion Divine Points. Do not hesitate to seize this exceptional offer!”

The price of one billion Divine Points struck Tian Wen as remarkably low. He found it perplexing that a God weapon responsible for the downfall of an entire civilization would be offered at such a meager sum. He found this extremely suspicious.

Noticing Tian Wen’s skepticism, Tony quickly explained, “The reason for the reduced price is that I only possess incomplete blueprints for this weapon. The Ravenous Wolf has a minor defect. It maintains its ability to consume God weapons for growth, but at a significantly reduced rate—ten times slower than intended. Furthermore, it cannot replicate the Divine Skills of the consumed weapons, though it might retain their passive abilities.”

Tian Wen scoffed, “So, it’s practically worthless, isn’t it?” He considered the weapon to be significantly inferior to its original counterpart and wouldn’t take it even for free. No rational individual would pay such a high price for a low-quality, mass-produced item.

Tony, visibly irritated, retorted, “Tian Wen, you are free to insult me, but you will not insult my creations.”

“And why should I not? It’s completely useless!”

Just as they were about to engage in a quarrel, Han Wu interjected, “I’ll buy it for 400 million Divine Points.”

Tian Wen urgently drew Han Wu aside, advising, “Han Wu, please don’t buy that junk for my sake.” However, Han Wu possessed a genuine interest in acquiring the weapon due to its unique ability to consume other God weapons.

He recognized that the original version of the weapon was indeed powerful, as it could absorb and replicate the Divine Skills of the God weapons it consumed. However, that did not mean the Ravenous Wolf was completely useless. Its ability to consume other God weapons was a significant advantage in itself. Han Wu considered using it to capture a powerful God weapon from an opponent and then destroy it with the Ravenous Wolf, effectively weakening them.

More importantly, Han Wu sensed a similarity between the Ravenous Wolf’s operation and his Refinery. He planned to thoroughly conduct a detailed examination once he had purchased it.

Han Wu replied, “Mr. Tian, you’ve misunderstood. I genuinely admire Master Tony’s craftsmanship. The fact that he could forge the Ravenous Wolf from an incomplete blueprint is amazing! I’d like to buy it to support his passion, but I’m short on funds and only have 400 million Divine Points. Would Master Tony consider selling it for that price?”

Tony, with a mixture of suspicion and gratitude, scratched his bald head and asked, “Do you really like it?”

“I do.”

Seeing the sincerity in Han Wu’s eyes, Tony relented. “Alright, fine. I will accept 400 million Divine Points. It is not often that I encounter someone who appreciates my creations. The Ravenous Wolf is now yours!”

Han Wu completed the payment and received the God weapon, Ravenous Wolf, in exchange. Tian Wen then accompanied Han Wu, ensuring his safe return home.

Han Wu was eager to initiate the ceremony to establish himself as the rightful master of his new God weapons.