Chapter 494: Absolutely Not

After reaching an agreement with Professor Grans, the blood sacrifice of the 'Scarlet Dragon Armor' also entered its final stage.

When Li Mochen came into close contact with this armor, he clearly felt that the intensity of the mental impact had greatly diminished, and its 'pollution' to his mind had also weakened significantly.

After the battle with Williams, Li Mochen could touch the 'Scarlet Dragon Armor' for about 2.5 seconds, but after the blood sacrifice, it directly jumped to around four minutes.

For people at their level, four minutes is enough to do a lot. Li Mochen could now use this mythical equipment as one of his trump cards. However, it would be best to keep up the effort and continue to unlock its seals. With just one more demigod blood sacrifice, this 'Scarlet Dragon Armor' could be used normally for over thirty minutes.

Delphine Enderic also appeared beside him: "I feel you're bound to lose. This 'Arcane Crown' might as well be given to me in exchange for my intervention—I mean the kind that involves combat."

—After all, it was a legendary fifth-tier magic crown that could enhance her spell power and increase her mana reserves. Its effects were mediocre, but it was exactly what she needed most.

Delphine was indeed covetous of such equipment. Though she, as the Void Night Lord, had a fearsome reputation and a brilliant record, all the opponents she had defeated so far were banished into the Astral Plane or other harsher spaces. By relying on the Astral Plane and the power of these spaces themselves to wear down her opponents, she had killed nine legends and defeated four demigods to date, but she herself had gained not a single benefit or loot.

"Dell, this is a potion-type grand alchemist, you should understand that, right? As for the outcome of the bet, you don't need to worry. We've been cooperating for over a month now; you should be very clear about my style of conduct."

Li Mochen thought that in terms of utility, Alex Grans was undoubtedly superior to Delphine, who had already signed a servitude contract. The latter couldn't even be considered his true subordinate. He would be a fool to give this item to Dell.

As a civilian mage from an academic background, Alex Grans had managed to cultivate all the way to legendary fifth-tier over two hundred years with sufficient financial resources, and even built a six-story magic tower himself—truly a miracle.

According to Li Mochen's understanding, this Mr. Grans's teacher had helped him immensely. That teacher was a magic user who died during World War II and had protected his disciple until he advanced to legend.

After that, Alex Grans relied entirely on his achievements in alchemy to grow to his current level.

However, alchemy itself is extremely costly, just like alchemy pills. Ordinary people who want to achieve something in this field often end up bankrupt. Therefore, the vast majority of grand alchemists in America have been co-opted by various major families and conglomerates.

But Alex Grans not only had no debt but also had the surplus to support his own daily cultivation—that was very impressive. What's more, this person had always been under the protection of the New World Magic Association, enduring exploitation by several magic users, which made it even more remarkable. It showed that this man's potion success rate was extremely high, and his mastery of alchemy had reached a very high level.

Thus, Li Mochen was particularly eager to win over Professor Grans. He performed the blood sacrifice of the 'Scarlet Dragon Armor' in front of everyone precisely to show off to Mr. Grans and flex his muscles.

According to intelligence provided by his new intelligence chief, now was the best opportunity. After his teacher's death, Alex Grans had proudly rejected recruitment offers from several supreme families and conglomerates, determined to be a free mage.

But decades later, Mr. Grans had long regretted that decision. Although he could hide in the Divine Grace Tower under the protection of the New World Magic Association, the exploitation by the several magic users there and the Church of the Magic Goddess was even worse than that of the families and conglomerates that had tried to recruit him. Especially in recent years, as the influence of Grans's teacher gradually waned, the situation he faced had deteriorated to an unbearable level.

However, there were now few forces that could offer Grans enough freedom, defy the deterrence of several magic users, and provide security. This proud man disdained to kneel and seek help from those he had once rejected.

Delphine also keenly sensed the implication of Li Mochen's words and was exasperated: "Mr. Wiltenstein, has the death of that dragon lich couple and the wind serpent Rataxia given you an illusion? If demigods were so easy to kill, fewer than ten demigods would have fallen since World War II—I'm referring to the Bright World alone. Even counting those you've killed, there are only eleven."

In her view, the wind serpent Rataxia, the dragon lich Babos, and 'Saint' Magdalene had all died at Li Mochen's hands because their injuries were severe to a certain extent, and their danger-sensing abilities had greatly declined.

A healthy demigod, on the other hand, not only avoids danger but also possesses combat power incomparable to these three demigods. Moreover, the dragon lich couple of the Dragon Lich Cult always acted together. Two demigods supporting each other—their combat power is far more than a simple 1+1.

Moreover, with the death of the dragon lich Barbas, the Dragon Cult would certainly be alerted. This was a force that still possessed six demigods and three demigod-level combatants in America. Once they received the warning, they would surely arrive in the shortest possible time to aid their companions.

So even she could only buy Li Mochen about an hour at most. She could at most seal nine demigods in the Astral Plane for about ten minutes.

Of course, the Dragon Cult couldn't possibly spare that many combatants. They had numerous enemies and needed to guard many important locations. Under these circumstances, they could at most gather four demigods, and the time would not exceed a day, so Delfinia's estimate was one hour.

"Before I killed the Wind Serpent Latacia, you thought the same, didn't you? And whether I can kill them is my own business."

Li Mochen said nonchalantly, "Same rules as before. This time I hope it's a hire—"

"No time! I've been busy these past few days."

Delfinia refused him before he could finish. The remuneration Li Mochen offered was indeed quite satisfactory, but thinking that her efforts would be used by Li Mochen to recruit others made her feel disheartened.

Actually, she should have agreed to participate directly in the battle earlier. That way, she would have been entitled to claim a piece of loot.

The 'Twilight Holy Armor' was definitely worth over 1.5 billion, the 'Supreme Law Crown' at least around 700 million, and Hazel had also obtained a legendary fourth-grade chainmail from 'Holy Master' Magdalen, as well as a legendary fifth-grade 'Dragon Spine Staff' worth 700 million. The key was that such holy relics were rare and hard to come by.

"Is that so? I was planning to offer you five billion gold shields this time, but since you're unwilling, I'll have to make a mandatory request according to our contract."

Li Mochen spread his hands, and then he saw Delfinia's pretty face begin to twist.

The latter looked at him with a grave expression: "I've thought it over. If you offer six billion, I might reluctantly find some time to help you."

She thought that taking the money for nothing and watching this guy fail would be a very enjoyable experience.

"Deal!"

Li Mochen put away the 'Crimson Dragon Armor' and the small altar into his void ring: "Not considering direct participation? This time I can offer nine billion and give you the right to share in the spoils, twenty percent—"

"Absolutely not!"

Hearing Delfinia's stern refusal, Li Mochen did not insist further. He stood there waiting. About twelve minutes later, an owl suddenly leaped out of the void and delivered a letter to his hand.

Then a wolf emerged from the shadows ahead, placed another letter at his feet, and likewise returned to the shadows.

Delfinia recognized them; they were magical messengers of demigod-level powerhouses. Due to their masters, their forms were well-known.

Li Mochen was clearly playing the game of alliances again. According to him, he was emulating a certain great figure from the East: in war, one must unite all forces that can be united, and try to form an advantage on the local battlefield.

He had done the same before moving against Barbas. But at that time, perhaps for secrecy, Li Mochen had only invited five people, and only two had agreed to participate. Now, he had let go of his顾忌 and no longer worried about their actions being detected by the Dragon Cult.

But Li Mochen was clearly going to be disappointed. This could be seen from his expression, which remained gloomy and expressionless. Those demigods, even if they had grudges with the Dragon Cult, would not be as naive as Andre Lee Wiltonstein.

Three minutes after Delfinia had this thought, Li Mochen's magical satellite phone rang. After a brief conversation, a smile spread across Li Mochen's lips.