After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Commerce got straight to the point and raised the matter of meeting the Wealth God King, Zhao Zihong.

The Banquet God King shot him a long look. “Boss Li, if you're looking for the master to help you recover that shipment, I'd advise you not to. The master doesn't involve himself in small matters like that.”

Han Wu listened carefully. Wang Fugui was himself a God King, yet he referred to the Wealth God King as master without the slightest hesitation or pride. That made Han Wu even more curious about Zhao Zihong.

“Boss Wang, you misunderstand. I can sort out that shipment on my own. I came today on behalf of young Han Wu. I'm sure you've already heard the big news going around the Divine Civilization recently. The Butcher announced his ascension to a God King and plans to declare war on the Wisdom God King. Young Han Wu here is the Wisdom God King's student.”

The Banquet God King was already aware of this news. The Butcher had a deep passion for invasion. For him to go through such lengths for his coming ascension meant the Divine Jurisdiction he was about to obtain was bound to be a powerful one.

Moreover, he had shown up with practically the entire War Family celebrating him. It was entirely possible that a force comparable to the War faction itself could emerge with his ascension.

The Banquet God King also knew a little of the Wisdom God King, Xu Hai. The potential of the Wisdom Jurisdiction was no weaker than the Wealth Jurisdiction. The trouble was that Xu Hai had ascended too recently to have come anywhere close to tapping its potential. It would be a genuine shame for him to die in a divine war.

“I understand the situation. I can pass word to the master, but whether he agrees to see you is not something I can decide,” Wang Fugui said after a moment of thought.

Commerce nodded eagerly with thanks. With his circumstances, he technically had no standing to be speaking with the Banquet God King at all. The fact that the Banquet God King was willing to give him an audience was already generous, let alone help him.

The Banquet God King found a quiet corner and relayed the request. It didn’t take long for him to receive a response.

“Young Han Wu, you're in luck. The master has agreed to see you,” said Wang Fugui.

Commerce's eyes lit up. “Boss Wang, might I also have the honour of meeting the Wealth God King?”

Banquet God King simply smiled and said nothing. The implicit meaning was clear.

Though disappointed, Commerce accepted it. Given how far he had fallen, he really was in no state to be meeting the Wealth God King. The gap between them was simply too great. A hair from the Wealth God King could probably crush Commerce.

Commerce watched enviously as Han Wu followed the Banquet God King into an elevator. The elevator passed by what felt like countless corridors before arriving at a magnificent estate. Blue sky, white clouds, the picture of natural beauty, and every person passing through the estate radiated the strength of a World life form.

Even Han Wu, with all his confidence and might, could quietly sense that he was nothing more than a plebeian here. The Banquet God King led the way, with Han Wu following closely behind. Along the way, he saw things that left him speechless. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

There was a machine more sophisticated than the Machine God, cleaning a swimming pool; a dozen or so stunning goddesses with exceptional figures dancing, each radiating the aura of a God King; a nine-headed golden dragon with the presence of at least one at the Mesocosm—a level capable of killing him with a sneeze—pulling a carriage[1].

Sight after astonishing sight revealed just how small the Imperial College was compared to the true sight of the Divine Civilization. A God King, it seemed, was only where the Divine Civilization truly began.

The Banquet God King said nothing, setting aside his casual mannerisms and moving like a butler as he guided Han Wu to a great hall.

Inside were over a hundred people, each radiating the strength of a World life form. As one, they turned their eyes on Han Wu as he entered. Nerves fluttered in Han Wu’s stomach.

“Master, I’ve brought Han Wu,” announced the Banquet God King.

The Wealth God King’s voice drifted over from where he was lounging on an ornate throne at the front of the hall. “Thank you for your trouble, Fugui.”

The tone seemed off. The Wealth God King spoke to the Banquet God King as if addressing a loyal dog, yet the latter showed no complaint. Contrary to Han Wu’s expectations, his expression actually turned ecstatic, as though being addressed by name was the highest compliment he could receive.

“Serving the master is the honour of Fugui's life!” the Banquet God King said exuberantly.

“You may leave,” the Wealth God King candidly dismissed.

The Banquet God King stepped back and left quickly. Han Wu stood in place, unsure of what to do. The eyes of every person in the hall remained fixed on him as though looking at a fresh commodity.

“Han Wu. Tell me your purpose,” commanded the Wealth God King, Zhao Zihong.

Han Wu didn’t believe for a second that Zhao Zihong didn’t know why he was here, but since he asked, Han Wu would answer.

Taking a slow breath to compose himself, Han Wu said, “I want to invite the Wealth God King to support the Wisdom God King in building a faction, and to help the Wisdom God King secure victory in the upcoming divine war against the Butcher.”

The hall erupted with laughter. The sound of over a hundred people laughing almost blasted the roof away. Irritation sparked within Han Wu. Was his request that funny?

After the laughter died down, the Wealth God King said amusedly, “Young child, there’s perhaps some information you don’t seem to be aware of. Let me be direct. I have a 20% stake in the War faction. Do you really think I’d agree to help you fight against myself?”

Those words hit Han Wu like a gong. He had never considered that the Wealth God King had already invested in the War faction. If so, the other factions had likely done the same. This spelled disaster for the Wisdom faction.

“Poor child. If there is nothing else, you may go. Leave your teacher and go to the Death faction. I believe Death will keep you safe,” the Wealth God King advised.

This was a clear refusal to support Wisdom God King, but Han Wu refused to leave with nothing to show for it.

Raising his head to look the Wealth God King in the eye, Han Wu said, “Wealth God King, no one can question your eye for investment. If I may be so bold, I have a request.”

“Oh? What request?" The Wealth God King eyed Han Wu with some genuine interest.

“Invest in the Wisdom faction and help it win the divine war,” Han Wu repeated.

The crowd murmured with contempt. The matter had just been refused, yet Han Wu was raising it again. What was the meaning of this? Was he questioning the Wealth God King's judgment?

The Wealth God King's tone sharpened. “Then tell me. Why should I invest in the Wisdom faction? What return could it give me?”

“Because I am in it.”

The hall erupted with laughter again. This time, at Han Wu's arrogance. Yet it was precisely this boldness that stirred something in the Wealth God King. There was a time when he had been fearless, too. Back then, no one had looked after him, and it had taken years of failure to build the empire he had now.

“Very well. I'll give you a chance,” Zhao Zihong suddenly said.

The laughter disappeared with everyone’s surprise.

“Do you dare to sign a wager with me? If you win, I will invest the same amount of resources in the Wisdom faction that I have in the War faction. But if you lose, you hand over your Divine Jurisdiction to me. Do you dare, young one?” the Wealth God King goaded.

Han Wu knew this was his last chance. If he didn't take it, the doors of the Wealth faction would be permanently closed to him. “Why wouldn't I?”

1. one subcosm is 1000 microcosms, and a mesocosm is 1000 subcosms ☜