Chapter 1177: Meeting Alishar!

Chapter 1177: Meeting with Elisaar!

"Most likely, that's exactly it."

Zhou Zhou's face broke into a smile.

One couldn't help but admit it.

Though the cultivation of the Supreme Holy Body demanded immense expenditure, its effects were nothing short of extraordinary.

Having just begun his training, he had already been granted two mythic-tier, unique lord talents—precisely the ones he desperately needed.

In reality, even with the aid of Budhi's Supreme Presence, he might not have found such perfectly suited, personally essential lord talents.

As a master of frugal cultivation, the effects of this "Lord of Immortality" talent were utterly aligned with his very essence.

But this was not what excited Him most.

What truly thrilled Him was the imminent distribution of the rewards for the Sovereign of Sovereigns today.

"Based on past experience, the rewards should officially be released at six o'clock."

Zhou Zhou murmured to himself.

Then he glanced at the time.

It was only just past five—still an hour away from six.

As Zhou Zhou prepared to head toward the Crimson Nidus, Zero's voice suddenly rang out.

[Your Majesty.]

[Elisar and the remnants of her elven forces have entered the borders of the Sun Empire and have requested an audience with Your Majesty.]

Zhou Zhou's brow twitched.

Could it be that they've come now?

"How many remnants of the Elven Empire did Elisa bring? How many gods and true gods among them?"

Zhou Zhou asked curiously.

[Less than ten thousand.]

[And besides Elisa, the Upper God, there are no other gods or true gods.]

[They are currently stationed on an uninhabited plain outside the capital.]

Zeroth Route.

Zhou Zhou chewed his lower lip.

What a tragic Elisa.

This fellow, even today, had once been a top imperial faction leader capable of engaging in a divine realm succession battle against the Chimeric God Realm.

Who could have imagined that, just days later, not only had the campaign to seize the divine realm failed, but even their own lordly power had crumbled to such a state?

With such strength, establishing a kingdom would be a struggle.

Victors become kings, the vanquished become plunder.

"Let only Elisaar come forward."

Zhou Zhou said it without hesitation.

[Yes, Your Majesty.]

Zero.

The next instant,

Elisaar's figure suddenly appeared before Zhou Zhou.

It was Zero who had used spatial teleportation to instantly bring Elisaar there.

Elisar was suddenly transported into the grand hall of the divine palace and froze in surprise—then saw Zhou Zhou seated upon the imperial throne.

"Elisar bows before... before the Supreme Sovereign, Your Grace," she said, her heart a tangled knot of emotions. Yet in the end, she lowered her once-arrogant head and bowed respectfully to Zhou.

But in the very next instant,

Zhou raised a hand, and with that, lifted her head back up.

"We have known each other for some time—no need for formalities," Zhou smiled.

Elisar's heart ached, without knowing why, this simple phrase seemed to unleash within her all the suppressed emotions—wounded pride, bitter resentment, fear, panic—as if they surged forth in a single wave, threatening to spill over into tears.

"Thank you, Supreme Sovereign," she said, forcing down the storm within, and bowed slightly.

Deeply grateful to this Emperor of the Common People.

Grateful that this Emperor of the Common People preserved a sliver of His former dignity, even now when He is fallen and destitute.

"I already know your situation."

"Then speak plainly—what is it you came to me for?"

Zhou Zhou spoke directly.

Elisarale stretched her lips, momentarily unable to utter a word.

In his heart, He had originally intended to ask the Emperor of the Common People for aid, to borrow a force from Him, so that He might lead an army in a counteroffensive against the Ogrin Empire.

But at this very moment, He could not bring himself to voice that very thought.

And even if He did lead an army in a counteroffensive against the Ogrin Empire—what then?

After this disastrous attempt to seize the throne of the empire, the Mother of the Elves—Xijets—was grievously wounded and taken by the Ashen Empire of the Elves.

Octaviel, having endured this battle, vanished into his homeland and declared forever severed ties with the Elven Divine Realm.

A foreign true god originally intended to serve as a divine veneration within the Elven Empire, upon witnessing the collapse of his primordial Elven Empire, immediately rejected any role as a divine veneration for that fallen realm.

A failed divine struggle for supremacy saw all his allies crumble.

Half of the original Elven Empire's warriors perished.

The great First Elven Empire, forged in ambition, was extinguished in an instant.

Now, is it truly worth clinging to resistance?

Does he still possess the right to bear the name of the Primordial Elven Empire and continue fighting?

The more Elisaar thought, the paler her face grew, her body trembling with each passing thought.

Perhaps, during the hurried flight upon arrival, she had not paused to reflect.

Now, resting in stillness, every thought surged into her mind, plunging Elisaar into an instant of overwhelming guilt and despair.

Zhou Zhou saw His expression slightly furrowed.

This Elishar... how did she suddenly exude a sense of utter despair, of complete and final hopelessness?

At that moment,

Elishar's aura returned to normal, and then He gently withdrew a spatial ring from within His arms, holding it in both hands with reverence. "Your Majesty, the Sovereign of the People."

"Elishar knows you have a connection with my hero—Blood Rocket Spirit, Nataya."

"But this war was too perilous. I failed to protect Nataya, and instead, it was Nataya who sacrificed herself to save me, falling into the hands of the True God of the Brontosaurus Kingdom..."

As he spoke, Elishar's eyes glistened with a sudden flash of red.

He could never forget the scene—Nataya rushing forward to shield him, absorbing the blood-savage attack from the Brontosaurus True God, and vanishing into oblivion.

"This spatial ring contains Nataya's remains and belongings. I have come specifically to return her remains and possessions to Your Majesty."

Upon saying this—

He said nothing.

Zhou Zhou waited a moment, seeing that He truly had no more words to offer, and his brow lifted slightly.

Had He not intended to ask for aid?

He had clearly sensed that the other had meant to speak of it—yet suddenly changed his mind and remained silent.

He paused for a beat or two, then raised his right hand, and there, in front of him, the spatial ring in Elisa's hand flew into his own grasp.

Zhou Zhou gently traced the surface of the ring in his hand, and a soft sigh escaped him.

"Na Tya told me long ago that it was you who gave Him life, and that He would fight to the death for you."

"He has now fallen in battle, yet I am certain He would not regret what He did for you."

He spoke quietly.

"Na Tya was a true hero. And I? I am an incompetent and failed emperor."

"I do not deserve this hero, Nataya."

Elisara spoke softly, her gaze lowered.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhou, though harboring dissent in his heart, felt a profound stillness within—no words came to him now.

"I will bring Nataya back to life."

After a long silence, he spoke.

"Is that true?"

A flicker of light finally appeared in Elisara's dimmed eyes.

"Of course."

"The sovereign makes no empty promises."

Zhou Zhou nodded.

"Natyra truly is fortunate to have met a sovereign as noble as you."

Elisar stared at Zhou Zhou, stunned.

"To have a friend as loyal and steadfast as Natyra—then, I too feel blessed."

Zhou smiled faintly.

Elisar stood frozen for a moment, then laughed softly:

"Then, my matter is concluded. I shall now bid you farewell, Your Majesty."

Zhou watched her for a while, then slowly nodded.

"Go in peace."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

And with that, Elisar departed.

After Elisa's silhouette had completely vanished, Zhou Zhou suddenly spoke: "Wu Tu."

"Your Majesty."

Wu Tu's virtual projection appeared swiftly before Zhou Zhou.

"Present, Your Majesty. What is your command?"

"Keep watch on Elisa. As soon as you receive any message from her, inform me immediately."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Wu Tu bowed respectfully.

Zhou Zhou nodded, then waved his hand to dismiss the projection.

He then sat upon the imperial throne, lost in thought.

Elisa's final departure had left a strange unease within him...

Yet He did not dwell on it further.

Their acquaintance had never been deep—perhaps only the fleeting bond formed during team missions. And even then, the other party still hadn’t fulfilled the task reward owed to him for helping him improve his ranking. Now that the event had ended, that reward had effectively become null and void.

Given that, there was no reason for him to care excessively.

He shook his head, dismissing the thought.

But just then—

His personal terminal flashed once more, sending over another virtual video call.