Titan King: Ascension of the Giant Chapter 1539 The Treasure That Awakened Ambition

"Just for self-preservation?"

"Exactly."

"I'm not convinced." The dragon-robed elder showed clear doubt. Among their level, the tactic of "fattening pigs for the slaughter" wasn't considered dishonorable at all.

"In an area lacking land and riches so severely, a young giant octopus suddenly reaches the Invincible Arch Lord level in just one hundred years. If this oddity popped up in your territory, wouldn't you grow wary? Wouldn't you feel uneasy?"

The black-robed man stayed composed, merely sharing his observations. "A century? More accurately, I've only been aware of him for ninety years."

Only at that moment did the dragon-robed elder comprehend the full prickliness of the matter. Certainly, a huge force supported that octopus. As soon as the beast encountered real danger, its backers effortlessly sent two demigod experts to defend it.

"Hmph... So you didn't visit to enjoy a chess game with this old fellow. You're here for protection?"

The black-robed man gave a nod before shaking his head, as he set down another piece. "No matter if their push back onto the mainland triumphs or flops, they'll hunt me down. To them, I represent the ongoing danger to that sea monster."

The elder grew quiet. For years, they had been allies and partners, sharing dangers during their arduous, gore-filled rise to power.

"What's your plan?" the elder inquired, narrowing his gaze. He now completely understood how dire things were. He posed the question since his companion's position would determine it all; their actions hinged solely on his outlook.

"I've said it already—I just want to protect myself." The black-robed man let out a sigh. "We've journeyed across the worlds side by side. We understand the world's true immensity. First-stage demigods aren't as unbeatable or unreachable as common folk imagine. They number two, and so do we. Plus, I didn't strike first. We ought to hash out a deal peacefully, without violence."

His tone rang with utter tranquility, yet the elder spotted the deep frustration concealed in his ally's gaze. No demigod wished to see an Arch Lord emerge in their domain—particularly one offering no devotion or offerings. Yet here, with the issue erupting so close by, his friend lacked the power to clash or scold them. He was forced to endure the harsh reality mutely.

"From the immense intensity of that short skirmish, one of them surely isn't just a basic first-stage demigod," the elder assessed, fully aware of his friend's view now. "To risk attacking the mainland, they hold total faith in their support. They'll bargain from overwhelming power."

"That's unavoidable, which is exactly why I sought you out," the black-robed man confessed. "I'll officially relinquish that sea region and cut ties with the leviathan. Our interests don't clash. Throughout, the sole victims of disaster have been those in the Divine Sigil House on the mainland. And for our sea clans, seeing land-dwellers spill blood benefits us, doesn't it?"

The dragon-robed elder blinked once, then gradually formed a grin. "You cunning fox. Hitting two targets with a single move once more."

"Wrong," the black-robed man replied fluidly. "It's one lure to catch two prizes."

The Titanion Realm, hidden far in the northern ice peaks.

The broodmother Laito dug a passage far under the frozen peaks, guiding the Elven King Rommath straight to a spatial anchor marking the world's positions.

A vast Wormholes Realm powered this anchor point. Inside this particular Wormholes Realm, insectoids were absent; rather, it acted as a gigantic storage for piled-up supplies. It formed one of the key supports yanking the two realms into union by force.

Should anyone reap the Wormholes Realm and cut off this anchor's power source, the delicate equilibrium holding the worlds' fusion would break apart at once. The realms, not yet completely joined, would smash together ferociously.

Apocalyptic conflict would then become unavoidable.

This marked the broodmother Laito's actual scheme—a terrifying plot from which the Elven King Rommath stayed completely unaware.

"Master, this Wormholes Realm counts as a top treasure! Such a marvel can swiftly multiply the Swarm!"

Rommath held some knowledge of Wormholes Realms, yet he truly didn't know they could be gathered and owned. Without the broodmother Laito revealing it, he'd never have accepted it.

Intelligence of the utmost quality lay before him. Reporting this find to the Stoneheart Horde would earn him merits beyond measure. Rommath remained utterly unaware that Giant King Orion, who had once controlled an Insect King, was already privy to every mystery of the Wormholes Realms. Should Rommath have decided to reveal it, the Horde would have lavished him with rewards, securing his devotion through generous compensation.

"Hope, let's step into the Wormholes Realm and witness it firsthand!"

Broodmother Laito gave a nod and enthusiastically guided the path ahead. Laito knew full well that certain snares demanded careful timing; the target needed to be drawn in gradually, one step at a time.

Moments afterward, inside the Wormholes Realm.

"This... this is... nothing but resources?"

Upon entering the dimensional pocket, Rommath found himself at a loss for words. Every inch of the vast area brimmed with rare energy crystals. In the Elven King's astonished eyes gleamed an infinite ocean of profound, mystical blue radiance. His soul trembled deeply.

"It's a treasure hoard! The accumulated riches of the alien Swarm!"

Rommath quickly grasped the immense value of the bounty uncovered by his broodmother.

Give it up? Turn it over to... the Horde?

Never... Never... Never! All of this is mine alone. It's meant only for me. This is the Hope to ignite the Blood Elf Race's grand revival!

A storm of intense feelings—bliss, inner conflict, and raw avarice—swirled in Rommath's gaze. Ultimately, his decision solidified. He resolved to hide this secret and claim the entire treasure trove for himself.

The Blood Elf Race had just been integrated into the Stoneheart Horde, leaving Rommath with scant real allegiance or attachment to them. Fueled by the smoldering flames of his hidden aspirations, he persuaded himself this course was justified.

"Hope, hear me out," Rommath instructed, bending low and staring fixedly at the broodmother, which was already devouring the energy crystals voraciously. "You have to keep in mind, not a single word of our discovery here can escape to anyone."

Burp! "No worries, Master! All of this is for Master, and for Hope!" The broodmother displayed a cloyingly adorable, pure look before diving its head back into the mound of crystals.

For a broodmother, the vital essence for advancement was precisely this kind of pristine, refined energy. It served as the indispensable fuel for the Swarm's transformation.

"Good Hope. Take your time eating. Food here is boundless; you could never consume it all!" Rommath caressed the broodmother's chubby, meaty form, his features beaming with a broad, rapturous grin.

Hope spoke truly. All these riches were his possession. And Hope itself? To Rommath, what quantity could a mere small creature devour?

With his companion reassured, Rommath rose and swept his eyes over the immense chamber, completely filled with shimmering energy crystals. Frenzy and fixation flickered wildly in his stare.

At that pivotal instant, visions of ethnic rebirth, dominance over the continent, forging an empire, and rising to ultimate divinity—innumerable suppressed cravings—swelled endlessly amid the profound blue luminescence.