Chapter 139: The Darkness Is Over

Overnight, all the forces of Grusburg, Killing Island, and the New Species Restricted Zone withdrew from the Ebo Wasteland. They left so abruptly that many people had no idea what had happened.

Soon afterward, word spread of the schemes Ye Ran, Bei Yuming, and Luo Ning had played against one another. For a time, rumors filled the air: Ye Ran had beaten Bei Yuming with his fists, kicked Luo Ning aside, killed two birds with one stone by driving off both men, seized the iron mine without shedding a drop of blood... The stories made Ye Ran sound almost divine.

From his bloody battle with the half-orcs and his slaying of the Hand of Terror, to the struggle over the Blood Clan's secret treasure and his outmaneuvering of Luo Ning and Bei Yuming, Ye Ran's reputation had risen to its peak. In the hearts of the people of the Ebo Wasteland, he had become an invincible rising star.

“Building a temple is no easy matter. We started with nothing—no money, no resources. Furia is still young and inexperienced, and even if we built the most magnificent temple in the world, no one would choose her as their deity. So, ever since Evil Power awakened, I have constantly challenged the renowned experts of the Wasteland.”

Inside the shed by the iron mine, Ye Ran sat opposite Meng Qi.

Remembering those days in Stormflow City and all the hardships they had endured, both men were filled with emotion.

“Everything we did afterward—fighting for the Blood Clan's secret treasure, winning over the dwarves and elves, driving away the mercenary groups, and setting traps for Luo Ning and Bei Yuming—was never for the sake of justice. It was all for today, for the sake of building a temple of our own.”

Looking at the dwarves and laborers working diligently outside the shed, Ye Ran seemed to glimpse his former self among them. He could not help sighing.

Meng Qi laughed. “Brother Ye, I only realized today that you are far more formidable than you let on. Strictly speaking, luck played the greater part in the final confrontation, but I sincerely admire you for fighting Bei Yuming and Luo Ning to such an extent.”

Only now did he understand all of Ye Ran's intentions. To call them far-sighted and carefully planned, step by step, would not be an exaggeration.

Ye Ran shook his head. “In terms of strength, I am far inferior to them. If we have dealings with them again, we must remain on our guard.”

“But no matter what, our run of bad luck is finally over.”

Ye Ran glanced at the horizon and smiled. “Only today do I feel that I have finally emerged from the darkness and welcomed the dawn.”

From his struggles in the slums of Stormflow City to Mudbrick Street, through all the rises and falls and the countless trials, Ye Ran had finally reached this point. His heart was filled with indescribable exhilaration.

Meng Qi smiled as well. “When we left Stormflow City, I said that the world was vast enough for us to find a place to stand. Now we can finally hold our heads high. Come, Brother Ye—let us drink.”

The two men raised their cups boldly and drained them in a single swallow.

Ye Ran said, “Little Meng, everything is ready, but I still have no idea how to handle many of the minor details—the location of the temple, the ceremonies, and the future management of the iron mine, for instance.”

He gave a wry smile. “All these matters have been thrown at me at once. I feel like a blind man stumbling in the dark.”

Meng Qi laughed. “There is no need to worry. Brother Bannal and I will naturally help you consider these matters. The temple should of course be built at the center of the Ebo Wasteland, in Hairong District, the only place here with even a hint of prosperity. I have looked over our accounts, and buying several dozen acres of land there will be no problem. As for the ceremonies, everything is written in the books—we simply need to follow the proper steps. And with Alyssa and me overseeing the iron mine, its management will not be an issue either. Brother Ye, there is something else that concerns me.”

“All the great temples stand firm because powerful deities and experts guard them. Building a temple is easy enough. I am only afraid that once it is built, it will become nothing more than an empty display.”

Meng Qi's tone was meaningful.

With only Ye Ran guarding the temple, he would always be standing alone against the storm.

Ye Ran smiled. “I have thought about that. We already have one expert willing to stand guard, and we are currently negotiating with several others.”

“Oh? You mean...”

Among the experts Ye Ran had mentioned, one was naturally Blood Lion Liu Duma of Frostfall City. The Blood Lion had always acted alone, yet he would never refuse a request from Lois. Merely lending his name to the temple was a trivial matter.

Since Blood Lion Liu Duma was willing to lower himself to the position, Little Lion Dog Zhar did not put on airs either. He was on good terms with Jerlandon and Mierzi, and allowing his name to be listed with the temple was hardly worth a second thought.

Apart from the two experts of Frostfall City, Delis was also willing to lend her name to the temple. For her, it was a mutually beneficial arrangement, and the plan for cooperation between the tavern and the temple had already taken shape.

Thus, before the temple was even built, it already had two great experts standing guard over it. Ye Ran's confidence soared.

“The temple will be called the Temple of Blessings. Unlike the Sixth Temple of the Gods, the Thunder Temple, or the Temple of Martial Valor, it would not be wrong to say that it currently has a name but no substance. I have no intention of recruiting Chosen Ones on a grand scale. Instead, I want to build it into a place more like a monastery.”

At noon, only a few patrons remained in the Midnight Tavern. Ye Ran always chose this hour to come there.

Sitting opposite him was a young man with a head of golden hair.

He was Hidden Dragon, the strongest expert in Stormflow City—and the last person Ye Ran intended to win over.

Hidden Dragon waved a hand. “So you want me to lend my name to a place like a monastery? Ye Ran, are you serious?”

His mood was somewhat sour because of Ivy, but he was still courteous toward Ye Ran.

“I am still a Chosen One of the Sixth Temple of the Gods. If I lend my name to your temple, those idiots who would gladly kneel and lick Athena's boots will curse me to death. You know how terrifying a goddess can be.”

The Goddess of Wisdom, Athena, unquestionably had the greatest number of followers. The Sixth Temple of the Gods was full of fools willing to die for her.

Ye Ran could not help laughing. “The Sixth Temple of the Gods is crowded with experts. Your strength, senior, is neither particularly high nor particularly low, but your temperament is too flamboyant. That place does not suit you.”

“In a place like the Sixth Temple of the Gods, a man like you can only be the tail of a phoenix. But how could a dragon ever be content to serve as a phoenix's tail?”

How could a dragon ever be content to serve as a phoenix's tail?

The words ignited the blood in Hidden Dragon's veins and illuminated the ambitions in his heart. He set down his cup and studied Ye Ran with interest.

“Ye Ran, a dragon naturally refuses to remain beneath others and become a phoenix's tail. But would not being the head of a dragon be just as dull?”

Ye Ran shook his head. “The Ebo Wasteland may be small, but it has everything. It possesses abundant iron ore and crystal deposits, and both now belong to us. The dwarves here can forge exquisite weapons, while the elves possess immeasurable wealth—and all of them are my friends. There are many forces in the Ebo Wasteland, but how many can truly compare with us?”

He spoke with great confidence. The Ebo Wasteland was still chaotic, but its chaos had begun to take on an orderly shape. For him, this was the best possible opportunity.

“With Blood Lion senior guarding the temple, the Twelve Demons assisting us, and immense financial resources supporting us, I will build the Temple of Blessings even if every deity in existence opposes me. And at the Assembly of the Gods, there will certainly be a place for Furia as well. Senior, whether you soar as a dragon into the heavens is now entirely up to you.”

The Assembly of the Gods?

Hidden Dragon stared at him in astonishment.

Was this young man truly serious?