Chapter 878

"Quit the small talk and let's focus on helping Herbert. Who knows, maybe we'll hit it big one day," James urged.

Cameron chimed in, "Hey, didn't Herbert mention bringing someone to meet us? Any idea who that might be?"

James snapped back, "How would I know? There are a ton of self-righteous folks out there, but who can top Benjamin? The guy even took down Divine Gate. Who else can measure up to that?"

Cameron nodded, "You're right. But Valoria, being a small border nation, doesn't stand a chance against Stormaria's military might. Are we just gonna hang around here forever?"

Before they could continue, a clear female voice broke in, "You guys don't have to stick around here forever." It was Aurora!

Cameron, surprised, asked cautiously, "Who's that?" He turned around to see five people jumping in through the window, looking hostile. Among them was Aurora, whom Cameron recognized from his time at Wisdom University. He sneered, "Well, well, if it isn't our campus beauty, Aurora."

Aurora smirked, "Impressed you remember me, but I can't say the same. So, which one of you is James and which one is Cameron?"

Cameron chuckled arrogantly, eyeing Aurora with a hint of malice. "Not bad, hitting the Third-Stage Terrestrial Realm in just two years since we last crossed paths!"

Despite his cool exterior, Cameron's heart raced. Both he and James were only at the Eighth-Stage Azure Realm, no match for Aurora.

Sensing trouble, James scanned the room for an exit. But as he turned, he spotted their rival, Benjamin, and five youths blocking their way out.

Benjamin grinned, "James! Long time no see."

James awkwardly replied, "Thanks for sparing us at Celestial Ridge."

Getting straight to the point, Benjamin declared coldly, "I can't stand traitors and collaborators. You two fit the bill perfectly. Since you're in my grasp, don't expect mercy. As the Stormaria General, I sentence you both to death. But I'll give you one last shot."

Knowing Benjamin's offer wouldn't be good news, Cameron asked numbly, "What choice?"

"It's not about chance, it's about choosing your fate," Benjamin explained calmly. "You can either take matters into your own hands or let us do it for you."

Benjamin was a figure that struck fear into Cameron's heart, and his display of power only added to Cameron's frustration. But getting angry wouldn't help. The options were clear - suicide or facing Benjamin's wrath.

Feeling trapped by Benjamin's tactics, Cameron couldn't understand how they were caught in this situation. With no way out, James and Cameron felt helpless. Resisting would only lead to suffering and death. Suicide seemed like the quicker way out.

Thinking practically, James spoke up, "Alright, I'll take the suicide route."

As he pulled a gun from his pocket and aimed it at his temple, James suddenly turned the gun towards Benjamin. A gunshot echoed through the room!

A sniper bullet hit James' gun, sending it clattering to the floor.

Looking towards the source, James saw Roddy with a sniper rifle, targeting him.

It was clear that James and Cameron were truly stuck now.

Originally planning to create a diversion by attacking Benjamin and escaping through a window, James found all exits blocked. He was running out of options.

With a resigned sigh, James muttered, "Didn't think it would end like this." He tried to channel energy to strike himself, but a mysterious barrier prevented him from doing so.

Benjamin's eyes widened in surprise as he noticed a yellow protective energy shield on James' forehead and palms.

"What's happening?!"

Everyone was shocked when suddenly, the roof shattered, and a woman in golden attire descended gracefully from above.

"Apologies for the delay. I hope you haven't been waiting too long," the woman's voice was clear and melodious, dressed in what looked like an ancient golden silk gown. Her beauty was captivating, emitting a golden aura. Despite her stunning appearance, a hint of dark allure tainted her smile.

Benjamin could clearly see the golden energy surrounding the woman, a telltale sign of her expertise in the Divine Realm, likely at the First-Stage level.

Could she be the legendary Goddess?

Absolutely!

Who else in the world wielded the power of the First-Stage Divine Realm like her?

Benjamin's thoughts turned to Somnia, who also possessed Divine Realm abilities. However, Somnia rarely showcased her power, leaving Benjamin unsure of its extent. It appeared that Somnia, despite being capable of challenging a Divine Realm expert, had drained her energy assisting Benjamin in the past.

The members of the Dragon Corps gazed at the woman in golden attire who had appeared mysteriously, sharing puzzled looks. A golden energy? Could she truly be the renowned Divine Realm expert?

Among them, Benjamin remained the most composed, well aware of the Goddess's existence for a long time. Showing little surprise, he calmly remarked, "Goddess, you've finally graced us with your presence."

The woman in golden attire flashed a flirtatious smile, her captivating figure shimmering slightly as she addressed Benjamin, "If you recognize me as the Goddess, why are you still standing? Shouldn't you be kneeling before me? What's the holdup?"

Benjamin shook his head subtly and responded, "You may be a Goddess, but not a god. I see no reason to kneel. Even if you were a god, I believe respect should be earned, not demanded."

"Oh?" the Goddess countered.

Benjamin continued, "Goddess, I'm aware of your unmatched abilities. Even without aligning with the God, you're practically unbeatable. So, what else drives you in this world?"

The Goddess smiled beguilingly, "Seek? Absolutely. We've been confined in the Crystalveil Range for five thousand years. Do you know who's responsible for that? Can you imagine how we've survived all these millennia? My primary goal now is to avenge the Skywarden's descendants! Benjamin, your reputation precedes you, and I acknowledge your strength. But challenging me with your current skills seems futile. I'd rather not end you now. However, if you opt to oppose me, I won't hold back!"

"Sorry," Benjamin shot back, "In a sense, all of us in Stormaria could be seen as descendants of the Skywarden. With so many descendants, how do you plan to wipe us all out?"

"You've got a way with words," the Goddess noted. "Benjamin, I admire your spirit. But admiration doesn't mean I'll go easy on you. You show promise, the only one I've encountered with the potential to reach the Divine Realm since my release. However, your cultivation technique is outdated. If you're willing to kneel and serve me, I'll lead you on the path to godhood. But if you refuse to show respect, don't blame me for being ruthless."

"A slave? Hahaha!" Benjamin burst into laughter, as if he'd heard the funniest joke in the world. "You can suggest anything, but being a slave is where I draw the line!"

"Oh?" the Goddess gave Benjamin a sly look, her hair bristling as she bellowed, "Do you mortals not know how to pay homage to a goddess?"

James and Cameron had long realized the Goddess's power far exceeded that of Benjamin and his comrades. More importantly, she appeared to be Benjamin's adversary. The enemy of an enemy is a friend. Having betrayed their homeland to survive and serve Herbert, James and Cameron had no qualms about becoming the Goddess's servants. Fearful souls always find a way to justify submission. Feeling trapped in the moment, James and Cameron relinquished their pride, kneeling before the Goddess, bowing in reverence, addressing her as their mistress, and paying homage, "Goddess, we offer our worship!" Unsure of how slaves should honor their master, they mimicked the gestures of bowing to a teacher, proclaiming themselves as slaves, and kneeling before the Goddess.