Martial Ascent to Divinity

Molten Hammer pointed at both teams and shouted, "It's one of these two Human Race teams causing trouble. Everyone, be careful, they might be scheming against our dwarf friends too."

Zhou Leng and Zhang Xinglie were at a loss whether to laugh or cry, not expecting Molten Hammer to have such a fiery temperament.

After all, they lived in human society and wouldn't do something like this without solid evidence.

Many dwarves looked towards those two teams simultaneously.

The people in the two teams again showed a change in expression.

"It's not us, it's a misunderstanding," Zhao Le cried out in defense.

"It's not us, it must be a misunderstanding," Tu Rong also shouted.

"Bah!" The dwarves distanced themselves from the two teams.

The two teams originally hired many dwarves.

Nearby dwarves jeered and cursed, forcing most of the dwarves in their teams to leave, leaving each team with only two dwarves.

Just in the Early Stage of Body Refining.

The leaders of the two teams were Jax of the Trup Family and Lou Fei Qiong of the Zhao Clan's Lou Family. Both looked puzzled and helpless, urgently discussing.

Though dwarves had an alliance with the Human Race, there were always some frictions.

Some dwarves, wary of sparking a conflict between the two races, used Jax's team and Lou Fei Qiong's team as scapegoats.

"Once we enter the Old Grandfather's treasure, stay away from these two teams, even if they encounter trouble, don't assist them."

"Yes, help other humans if possible, but with these two teams, we'll stand aside."

"Remember these people."

"Also, remember these two friends of the Giant Furnace Generals, try to assist them once inside."

The humans found this scene odd, but the dwarves saw it as normal.

Although the Ancient King's treasure was to be contested, the final treasure would only end up in the hands of the tribes, and rarely would participants fight to the death.

Even if one obtained the most precious Eye of the Ancient God, it had to be returned to the Mountain Furnace Tribe in exchange for a noble title or other needs.

Only when battling against beastmen or enemy races would the dwarves fight with their lives.

The twenty Golden Hammer Warriors glanced at one another, feeling resigned inside.

These two humans were anything but friends of the Giant Furnace General.

In truth, the Giant Furnace General was so scared of Chen Shouhu that he sent people to protect them and even gifted a family crest hoping Chen Shouhu wouldn't go mad if they got into trouble.

However, such matters couldn't be made public, so they kept silent.

Moments later, Tu Rong and Zhao Le hurried over.

When they got close, they exchanged glances and saw disgust in each other's eyes.

Tu Rong approached Zhou Leng and said, "Zhou Leng, it really wasn't us, we…"

Zhao Le approached Zhang Xinglie and said, "Zhang Xinglie, don't misunderstand, we really didn't mean it, we're all on the same side…"

Before they could say much, Molten Hammer lifted his hammer and shouted, "Get lost, stop disturbing us. If you keep annoying us, we'll have a fight!"

Another four Steel Dwarves approached, raising their hammers.

Tu Rong and Zhao Le were pushed back several steps before slowly retreating.

Zhang Xinglie called out, "Zhao Le, if it wasn't you, then it must be the other side. We're all victims here."

Zhao Le gave Tu Rong a glare, and Tu Rong glared back at Zhao Le.

Zhang Xinglie shook his head and said, "Outsmarting oneself with cleverness."

Zhou Leng looked at the two teams and said, "Both teams are quite strong."

"Tu Rong's side has just under twenty people, half in the Late Stage of Body Refining. Zhao Le's side has fewer numbers, but aside from Zhao Le, they're all in the Body Refining Stage," Zhang Xinglie said.

"This commotion reduces the pressure on us."

Zhou Leng asked, "Molten Hammer, what if we encounter other dwarves competing for the same treasure inside the Ancient King's treasure?"

Molten Hammer said, "If the tribes don't get along, then we fight. If there's no feud, each side sends three to compete in strength. Isn't it the same for you humans? From skill contests to gambling or even life-or-death duels."

"Indeed, the Ancient King's treasure mostly focuses on internal dwarf competition, just like we humans compete for rankings, through individual cultivation unless it's in arena fights," Zhou Leng said.

Molten Hammer glanced around, lowering his voice, "Also, watch out for small groups of beastmen."

"How can beastmen enter the Ancient King's treasure?"

Molten Hammer chuckled and said, "We dwarves sometimes sneak… to seize the beastmen's demigod treasure, it's all quite normal. Anyway, everyone displays their own skills, whoever gets it keeps it. When you see beastmen, no need for talk, just attack."

"I haven't killed a beastman yet, would love to try." Zhang Xinglie cracked his neck, eagerly anticipating a big battle.

"Where do they enter from?" Zhou Leng looked around.

Molten Hammer said, "There are too many methods. When the Ancient King's treasure opens, the protective force weakens, there's always a way in. But it doesn't matter, both races understand, it's just another battlefield."

"I heard you killed a descendant of a Demigod Beast Race?" Malt Beer asked, eyes bleary with intoxication.

"I killed it with Molten Hammer," Zhou Leng said.

Molten Hammer laughed and cursed, "We barely teamed up, I just distracted it at the end."

Malt Beer grinned and said, "If you two manage to kill… two Demigod Beast Race descendants in the Ancient King's treasure, I'll get my dad to recommend you two as dwarf residents."

"Deal!" Zhou Leng said.

"Deal!"

Molten Hammer spoke in Mandarin, while Malt Beer and the others habitually spoke in Dwarven, and Zhou Leng translated for Zhang Xinglie.

"That gives us a better chance to become dwarf residents."

Both looked up at the Old Grandfather Mountain, eyes filled with anticipation.

Zhou Leng pondered in his heart. According to the content on the Golden Page, acquiring the Giant Body of Wonders sooner or later is fine, but the best time is during the Body Refining Stage.

The Body Refining Stage is the period when the human body undergoes the most dramatic changes, and combining it with the Giant Body of Wonders can increase the effects of both forces by at least ten percent, with the maximum possibly doubling.

Zhou Leng quietly asked Molten Hammer, "When will you guys participate in the Giant Trial of the Giant Race that has 'Ancestral Protection'?"

Zhang Xinglie immediately listened closely.

Molten Hammer widened his eyes and whispered, "How do you know the secrets of our two races? Ah… I understand, you want to become a Dwarf resident for the Giant's Ancestral Protection?"

"Yes," Zhou Leng replied.

Molten Hammer looked Zhou Leng up and down, and continued in a hushed voice, "Luckily, I witnessed you killing the descendant of a Demigod Beast Race, otherwise I would have arrested you as a spy. Hmm... Let me think of a way."

Molten Hammer thought for a moment, walked over to the Golden Hammer Warrior Captain, whispered a few words, and handed over a few pieces of Orange Gold.

Soon, the Golden Hammer Warrior Captain reluctantly took out a piece of beast skin and handed it to Molten Hammer.

Molten Hammer immediately grinned, threw his arm around the Captain's shoulder, bragging and making numerous promises.

After a while, Molten Hammer trotted back, spreading open the beast skin.

On the square foot of brown-gray beast skin, there were blood-colored stripes and spots that resembled a Magic Array.

"This is Witchcraft Skin made by our Dwarf Wizards, called 'Beast Blood Absorption.' After killing a Demigod Beast Race, place it on the wound. It'll absorb the beast's blood and then refine into 'Demigod Blood Essence.'"

"Put your own blood on this top left corner. After refining the Demigod Blood Essence, preferably more than three, then give it to our tribe. At that time, you will obtain the heroic status of 'Beastslayer.'"

"Thus, along with becoming a Dwarf resident, and if you earn some merits, and maneuver Orange Gold well, you'll have a shot at gaining the qualification for the 'Giant Trial.'"

"However, I can only say there's a chance because this qualification is very precious. Even our Ancient King Tribe fights for it, and only a few Martial Clans among your Human Race can attain it."

"After all, the relationship between the Giant Race and humans is lukewarm, and the two sides still haven't established diplomatic relations."

"What about Zhang Xinglie..." Zhou Leng asked.

Molten Hammer spread his hands and said, "There's no way. Witchcraft Skin is too precious. Even my family doesn't have it. I had to use Chen Shouhu's name and persistently bargain to get it. This thing equals Chen Shouhu robbing the Giant Furnace, and there's absolutely no way to get a second one."

Zhang Xinglie laughed, "No worries, I haven't majored in Dwarf language. Even if you gave me related items, I wouldn't use them. We'll think of another plan."

Molten Hammer said, "Yes, when Zhou Leng gains status in the Dwarf world, he'll definitely find another way. No rush."

"Okay." Zhou Leng put away the Witchcraft Skin.

Getting closer to the Giant Body of Wonders.

Rumble...

Old Grandfather Mountain gently shook.

Many exclaimed softly.

The whole mountain emitted a faint white light, like flowing light mist.

"It's about to start, let's hurry! Once inside the white light, hold hands, or we'll get separated. It's big inside!"

Zhou Leng, Zhang Xinglie, and Molten Hammer along with seven others ran together, entered the white light, holding hands.

After a few steps, with a flash of light, they disappeared at the mountain's foot.

There was a flash of darkness and brightness, followed by soft cries of "ayyo" in their ears.

The seven fell to the ground simultaneously, climbing up and looking around.

Here was a large cavern, with interconnected tunnels, no less than twelve.

The tunnels were lined with glowing vines, making the underground dimly lit.

"Come, let's look at the map together," Molten Hammer glanced at Black Barrel.

Black Barrel took out the map and handed it to Molten Hammer.

Molten Hammer spread it out in public, searching carefully.

Zhou Leng also took out his map, placed it together, and compared.

"You're getting more like a spy, having even this kind of map." Molten Hammer murmured.

The two maps were very different, and soon, the team pinpointed their location.

Not long after, footsteps and chatter were heard from one tunnel, and a team of over twenty Dwarves walked out.

"You pick first," Molten Hammer yelled.

The Steel Dwarf team waved a greeting and randomly chose a tunnel to enter.

They marked a symbol at the tunnel entrance.

"Aren't they using maps?" Zhou Leng asked.

"In the Ancient King's Treasure, it mainly depends on luck—maps just give peace of mind. Especially Old Grandfather's Treasure, his wisdom… cunningly strategic, and skilled in Divine Text, full of traps. Whether you bring a map or not makes little difference."

"This Ancient King's Treasure, partly modified on ancient ruins, even messier."

"Zhou Leng, which path should we take?"

Zhou Leng compared the two maps, pointing to a place at the end of the map.

"The Divine Text symbol here generally means 'important area' — I'd suggest this route." Zhou Leng said in Mandarin and translated into Dwarf language.

Malt Beer drunkenly said, "Are you sure? Old Grandfather's proficiency in Divine Text is unrivaled. Back then, even Demigod Demon Spirit Masters came to consult. Our Dwarf Race still cannot fully decipher them."

Zhou Leng replied, "My Divine Text skills are okay; some I indeed don't know, but not mistaken about this."

"Then that's good."

"Humans sure have clever minds." Ban Chui scratched his head.

"Let's take this path. However, there are many traps along this route, so be careful. Old Grandfather raised many Earth Elements here, not only restoring treasures but also obstructing us."

Zhou Leng said, "Let's carefully plan the route."