Online Game: Starting with an SSS-Level Plundering Talent - Chapter 80

Chapter 80: Announcement and Ada’s Poisoning

Black Turtle ignored John, called Anna for help, and turned to leave.

With nothing else to do, John wandered over to the Tree of Life to observe its changes.

At this moment, the massive Tree of Life was sparsely dotted with pale yellow flowers, about a thousand in total.

According to Anna, each of these flowers would eventually grow into a elf.

When that time came, John would have a powerful new force under his command.

Buzz…

A gentle breeze stirred, and vibrant, multicolored lights flickered beneath the tree.

It was the Flower Fairy, Jean.

Surprisingly, the Tree of Life began absorbing this radiant energy, accelerating its growth.

The flowers adorning the treetop started blooming, releasing a delicate fragrance that complemented the multicolored lights.

John was astonished. The energy radiating from Jean was actually speeding up the Tree of Life’s process of nurturing elves.

The Tree of Life absorbed the multicolored energy, and the flowers that had blossomed already showed signs of forming fruit.

At this rate, it wouldn’t take a month before the elves were born.

“Big brother!” Jean woke up and, upon seeing John, hopped over to him with joy.

She was now wearing a light purple dress, looking like a spirit from the flowers, her eyes bright and teeth as white as snow, radiating charm.

She looked at John, her face full of joy. “Big brother, I signed an equal contract with the Tree of Life. Now I can communicate with it!”

“Is that possible?” John was surprised.

The Tree of Life was a special life form, and even though it had a soul contract with him, it couldn’t actively communicate.

Even the elves born from the Tree of Life couldn’t communicate with it.

John guessed that it might be because both Jean and the Tree of Life were unique plant-based life forms.

Jean nodded and continued, “Big brother, the Tree of Life told me something. It can sense the location of the Elven Spring, deep within the Eternal Forest.”

“What?” This was indeed unexpected good news for him.

The Elven Spring was also a sacred relic, and besides helping the Tree of Life nurture elves, it surely had other unimaginable effects.

But the Eternal Forest was mysterious and unknown.

In his previous life, even after breaking through to the ninth tier, John hadn’t dared venture into the depths of the Eternal Forest.

Retrieving the Elven Spring was impossible for now.

Moreover, rumors said that gods existed within the Eternal Forest. If those rumors were true, he would need to break through to at least the tenth tier before daring to enter the forest’s depths.

[Announcement: Player Toby has posted a world announcement]

Suddenly, an announcement popped up.

[Toby: @Godslayer, the Mike White Family cordially invites you to join us. We can support you in becoming a king, reigning above tens of thousands. Name your conditions, and as long as the Mike White Family can fulfill them, we will unconditionally support you. Reply if you see this message!]

The announcement once again stirred up a storm in the world chat.

Players could also post world announcements, but each announcement cost a whopping one hundred thousand gold coins!

Even for Toby, spending so many gold coins just to send an announcement was painful.

John frowned in confusion. Why would Toby publicly reach out to him in a private message? What kind of game was he playing?

The offer to become the ruler of a nation was certainly tempting.

But John remained unimpressed.

The world of Gods would be a future disaster for humanity. Without immense power, even if you were the ruler of a nation, you would be nothing but an ant in the eyes of the gods.

Moreover, John had a deep grudge against the Mike White Family, and Toby was known for his vengeful nature. There was no way this guy was acting out of goodwill—there had to be some hidden agenda.

Ignoring Toby’s announcement, John sent a private message to Ritchie.

Godslayer: “Check on the recent activities of the Mike White Family.”

Almost immediately, John received a reply.

Ritchie: “Boss, Toby recently organized a large group of players to attempt the City Building Order, but they failed in the end. I suspect he’s looking for your help.”

Attempting the City Building Order?

John felt that there was more to it than met the eye.

The first City Building Order had come from Gaia, a member of the Mike White Family.

If John hadn’t destroyed it, Gaia’s Imperial City would have been the first territory force in the world of Gods.

Given the Mike White Family’s alliance with the Dark Humans, obtaining a City Building Order by hunting a rare Tier 3 boss should have been easy.

There was definitely a scheme behind all this.

Godslayer: “Do we have anyone near Green Moon? Investigate if there’s any city being established near Green Moon.”

Green Moon was a Tier 3 city.

The last time Gaia tried to establish a city, the Dark Humans from Green Moon had helped.

If Toby planned to build a city, he would likely choose a location near Green Moon again.

Without the assistance of the Dark Humans, they wouldn’t be able to withstand the monster tide attacks.

The first three forces to establish a city would gain territory dungeons. The first place would unlock a skill stone dungeon, the second an equipment enhancement stone dungeon, and the third an equipment socket gem dungeon.

These three dungeons would level up with the city and provide significant benefits to players in the future.

John’s goal was to secure the first three cities—he couldn’t let any other forces, especially the Mike White Family, get ahead.

Ritchie: “Got it. I’ll inform you as soon as I have any news.”

Godslayer: “How is the Blues Family’s strength developing?”

John thought of Armstrong and his group.

The Blues Family was the second territorial force he had supported.

Ritchie: “Boss, their progress is a bit slow. They’ve been leveling up these past few days, gaining around 10 levels on average. It’ll take at least another half month before they can break through to Tier 3.”

John was frustrated; half a month was too long for him. With the Dark Humans’ involvement, unexpected incidents could easily occur.

Godslayer said, “Do your best to strengthen yourselves. When I return, we’ll establish a second city.”

John instructed Ritchie and then closed the private chat.

Players were not the main force in defending against the monster tide; his trump cards were the Black Turtle and other mythical beasts.

Recently, these beasts had been training in the Vein of the Earth, significantly enhancing their strength. As long as they didn’t disturb the monsters deep within the Eternal Forest, there would be no problem fending off the monster tide.

“Jean, bring Ada here. I have something to discuss with her.” John decided against using the Love Flower Powder on Ada. It would be best if she cooperated; if she continued to be arrogant and harbored delusions of restoring her kingdom, he would have no choice but to expel her and Judy from the Death Land.

“Okay,” Jean responded and ran off to find Ada, who was training the elves.

John walked to his treehouse.

It was built by the elves for him, and he would occasionally come here to rest.

Soon, Ada pushed the door open and entered.

She was still clad in leather armor, looking as valiant as ever.

“Godslayer, what do you want?” She glanced at John, haughty as usual, and casually found a place to sit down.

John couldn’t be bothered with pleasantries and got straight to the point. “I won’t beat around the bush. The Gates Empire has already fallen. You must obey my orders now!”

“Outrageous!” Ada slapped the table and stood up, glaring at John with the full dignity of a princess. “You and everything here belong to me. If you follow my orders obediently, I might make you a general. But if you defy me, you will become my slave.”

John frowned, his expression darkening. He couldn’t understand where Ada got her confidence from.

Even if the Gates Empire still existed, he wouldn’t have given this princess any special regard.

Not wanting to waste time, John looked at her and said calmly, “You have two choices: obey my orders, or you and Judy leave the Death Land.”

“You’re kicking me out?” Ada gritted her teeth. This was John’s territory, and it seemed she had no other option.

“Fine!” she agreed, but then added, “If I leave, give me back the Vein of the Earth.”

As a princess accustomed to luxury and pride, Ada couldn’t possibly bow down to John.

Moreover, with the Vein of the Earth, she could cultivate a group of strong warriors and still have a chance to restore her kingdom.

John shook his head and said, “That’s impossible. You can’t take the Vein of the Earth. It’s the payment for saving you and Judy.”

If he hadn’t taken control of the Vein of the Earth, Ada and Judy would have remained in slumber for who knows how long.

More importantly, the Vein of the Earth had already fused with the Death Land and the Tree of Life; she couldn’t take it away even if she wanted to.

Ada took a deep breath and glared at John, her voice icy as she said, “In that case, this place will need a new master. Judy!”

She shouted, intending for Judy to kill John and take over his territory.

Boom!

Suddenly, there was a loud explosion outside, followed by the sounds of intense fighting and Judy’s furious roar, “You bastard! You poisoned me!”

The Black Turtle had already made its move.

“What have you done to Judy?” Ada’s expression shifted, and she started to rush outside.

At that moment, her legs gave out beneath her, and it felt as if all her strength had been drained away. She collapsed to the ground, her cheeks flushed, her face contorted in pain.

“You’re poisoned too?” John was surprised. Her condition was eerily similar to when Anna had been poisoned with the Love Flower Powder.

But he hadn’t ordered the Black Turtle to use poison, and Ada hadn’t come into contact with anyone else. How had she been affected?

“What… what did you do to me?” Ada stared at John, her eyes filled with terror.

A strange emotion began to well up within her, and she found herself inexplicably drawn to John.

Love Flower Powder!

She suddenly remembered a particular poison, and her current state matched the descriptions of the Love Flower Powder from ancient texts.

“You scoundrel!” Ada was filled with shame and anger, wishing she could kill John, but she knew she was no match for him. Besides, she could barely muster any strength.

She struggled to her feet, leaning on the furniture for support, and made her way toward the door, trying to escape.

John didn’t stop her, caught in his own dilemma about whether or not to help her.

If poisoned by Love Flower Powder, the only cure was through a union of opposites; otherwise, death was inevitable.

Ada managed to reach the door but failed to push it open despite several attempts.

She slumped against the door, her body burning with an unbearable heat, her hands itching to tear off her clothes.

She looked at John, unable to resist swallowing hard, and felt a wild urge to throw herself at him.

She bit down hard on her tongue, barely regaining a sliver of sanity, struggling to suppress the overwhelming urge within her. Trembling, she said, “Godslayer, if… if you save me, all our grievances will be wiped clean.”

John shook his head. “Become my woman, and I’ll protect you.”

“Never!” Ada gritted her teeth, refusing, “This is just a transaction between us. I’d rather die than agree to your terms.”

John was unfazed and replied, “Suit yourself. But think it over. If you die, you’ll never restore your kingdom. If you become my woman and prove yourself capable, I’ll entrust you with a force to command.”