Chapter 784: Chapter 490: Do You Want to Become a God?_2

As Lis entered the palace, the heavy doors slowly closed behind him, but the sunlight spilling from above kept the interior from being dim.

Upon stepping into the gray stone palace, one could feel an ancient and profound strength permeating the air.

On the left and right walls of the palace, intricate and exquisite patterns were carved, telling the myths and legends of the Elf Clan. These patterns seemed to sway gently in the faint light as if alive, guiding one’s gaze into every corner of the palace and transporting them through time to the Clan’s glorious history.

In the palace, numerous Divine Statues stood silently amidst the falling sunlight; although their features were hazy, their postures–majestic, compassionate, or heroic–made each statue appear lifelike, as if they might awaken from slumber at any moment.

Above these Divine Statues shone a sacred radiance, the Divine Power of the Elf Gods and the protection and blessings they bestowed.

Under the illumination of this light, every inch of space within the palace seemed especially holy and solemn.

In the very center of the palace, before the Divine Statues of the Elf Gods, stood an altar carved from white jade, towering and stately, almost like the heart of the palace itself.

The altar was covered with the ancient script of the Elf Clan–twisting and mysterious, bearing the Clan’s wisdom and secrets. These characters seemed to possess a Magic Power that drew the gaze, compelling one to unravel their mysteries.

A faint scent wafted through the palace, refreshing the spirit as if all troubles had dissipated in that moment. Combined with the sacred feeling brought about by the Power of Faith, it inspired an innate reverence for the Elf Gods and a sense of their holiness and majesty.

In this palace, time seemed to slow, becoming heavy, while thoughts turned pure and tranquil.

Lis’s steps also slowed, as he made his way towards the center of the palace.

He could see a figure standing atop the central altar in the palace.

It was Elf Great Sage Adela, clad in a long white robe!

At that moment, she stood with hands joined in prayer before the Divine Statues of the Elf Gods.

As Lis approached, she lowered her hands and turned to look at him with a smile, speaking softly,

“Welcome to Elf Land, Sage Lis!”

“It’s a pleasure to see you again, Your Excellency the Great Sage,” Lis said to Adela, with a tone of respect.

Adela descended slowly from the altar, and in this temple, Lis felt that the Great Sage seemed to possess an almost divine charm.

“How do you find this place?” she asked Lis in a melodic and pleasant voice that echoed through the temple.

“Holy, awe-inspiring–are these the very Elf Gods before us?” Lis nodded slightly and asked, looking at the numerous tall statues before him.

“That’s right,” Adela said, approaching Lis, her voice low,

“This temple was built by the elves in honor of Lord Correlon after he ascended to the Divine Throne.”

“It is also the first temple of the Elf Clan, the Great Temple of Tirion!

“After that, many elves under the guidance of Lord Correlon also achieved godhood, and more Divine Statues began appearing here.”

Although Adela’s tone was calm, Lis could sense the underlying reverence and pride.

“Can you notice anything different here?” Adela asked Lis with a smile,

“Different? Do you mean these Divine Statues before us?” Lis was somewhat perplexed.

For some reason, Lis felt that although the Elf Great Sage revered these gods, her faith didn’t convey the same conviction as that of a Fanatic.

It was more like a pure faith governed by reason.

Lis looked at the many Divine Statues before him. He hadn’t scrutinized them carefully earlier, to avoid potentially offending any taboo, and had simply glanced over them before looking away.

Now, under Adela’s guidance, he quickly noticed something amiss.

Behind the altar, most of the Divine Statues shone with sacred radiance, the embodiment of the gods’ Divine Power.

However, there were also several statues devoid of this sacred light, their luster lost and resembling weathered old men, their surfaces marred by the traces of time.

As if devoid of vitality, they had become mere objects.

Why was this?

Lis focused on those few statues and realized something swiftly.

“Those statues–do they signify that the gods they represent have perished?”

Lis spoke softly to Adela.

“Hmm,”

Adela nodded slightly and sighed,

“It’s said that as long as their faith continues and their believers remain, the gods have the potential to be resurrected. However, these divine beings have been gone for countless years and may never wake up again.”

“Is that so…”

Lis also felt quite moved in his heart.

Although becoming divine beings endows them with eternal life, it doesn’t mean they can’t die.

In the Gaia World, across countless years, the number of gods that have vanished is unknown. The decline of the Divine Country and the damaged Divine Artifacts indicate that even powerful gods can face the arrival of death.

If even those with immense Divine Power may fall, what of the relatively weaker gods?

Before him still lay countless mountains waiting to be climbed. Where had he even reached now?

He must never become arrogant or complacent!

The fallen gods of the Elf Clan served as an alarm to Lis!

Even after the events at the Elf Royal Court, and standing at the pinnacle of the Golden Rank, he was still far from being a divine being!

One step at a time!

Lis shook his head, and then wondered why Adela was telling him these things.

Shouldn’t this be one of the most important secrets of the Elf Clan?

Even as a World Tree Favored, there was no need to share such things with him, was there?

Noticing the doubtful look in Lis’s eyes, Adela slowly said,

“Through the long years since the World Tree came into being, we have witnessed many major events in the Gaia World.”

“The disappearance of the original divine beings, the rise of the faith gods, the invasion of the Abyss Demons, and the panic of the twilight of the gods, among others.”

“While many records have been lost, we are very much aware that the arrival of each new era is accompanied by endless slaughter and danger.”

“You must already know, the Gaia World is welcoming the waves of a new era.”

Adela looked at Lis and said word by word,

“And this time, the waves of the new era may be more intense and perilous than anything we’ve experienced before, so much so that even the gods can’t see clearly what the future holds… ”

Lis didn’t say much but listened quietly to Adela’s words.

No one knew better than he did how many dangers and difficulties lay ahead in the future!

“Even with the guardianship of the gods, the Elf Clan cannot simply pass through this crisis unharmed.”

“The destruction of the Elf Royal Court and the corruption of the World Tree give me a feeling that we may face even more ferocious dangers and disasters than before.”

“We offer our prayers and faith to the gods, pleading for their protection.”

“At the same time, we must also strive to make changes, to guard our homeland…”

“So, your intention is?”

Lis looked at Adela with a hint of surprise.

Worthy of the title Elf Great Sage, aren’t you?

Though Adela had become aware of the impending dangers with the hints given by Lis earlier, as a wise woman, she did not place all her hopes on the divine.

This was very different from those believers who only knew to pray to the gods.

She clearly understood that gods too had their limitations and that no race in the Gaia World could survive solely with the protection of the divine.

What was more crucial was to possess the power to protect oneself!

“Of course, it’s to gain greater strength, to have the power to protect the entire Elf Clan!”

A hint of determination shone through Adela’s demeanor.

“For this reason, I must seize any possible opportunity!”

Adela looked at Lis and said softly,

“So, Lis…”

“Do you aspire to ascend to the Divine Throne and become a god?”