Titan King: Ascension of the Giant Chapter 1429 Wheeling and Dealing

Even though the Abyssal Vortex represented a mere manifestation of might instead of an actual Divine Kingdom, its eroding presence offended the Dead Sea deeply.

Within the following instant, the whole sea appeared to churn violently. An endless, overwhelming force rushed at the vortex from all sides, aiming to crush the invader and engulf the emptiness completely.

Exactly as I suspected. My hold on the fourth stage of Demigod strength remains far too fragile. I cannot endure the burden of an unclaimed Divine Kingdom.

Much less consume it.

Acknowledging the pointlessness of the confrontation, Orion inwardly exhaled and dispersed the Abyssal Vortex.

"Go."

Orion's command thundered across the depths, boosted by the waning spell. "You ought to value the safeguard your forebears provided you."

"Starting today, Atlantis will dwell in harmony with you. We won't push our influence past Current's Bend."

While uttering these words, Orion pulled back his godly energy, the lethal aura that had permeated the waters withdrawing swiftly.

He probably could have slain Morveth, Ishraena, and Amon on the spot. Yet such an act would have depleted this extension of his awareness, leading to its collapse. That outcome would strip Kraken of his key asset, exposing him to swift demise at the hands of the lingering Sea Folk troops.

Moreover, nothing assured that these three had arrived in their physical forms. Wasting so much vitality on eliminating simple projections would prove pointless.

A ceasefire stood as the sole practical choice.

Meanwhile, as Orion accepted the situation with reluctance, Morveth, Ishraena, and Amon trembled in fear.

Amon felt especially rattled. Convinced that the Dead Sea granted total safety, he had ventured forth in his actual body. Death had nearly claimed him.

The pulling gravity that had recently gripped him served as clear evidence their foe surpassed a first-stage Demigod.

"We agree to your conditions," Morveth declared at last. He had stayed quiet up to this point, yet as the chief, his wariness shaped the exchange. "Henceforth, the Cetus Giants and Atlantis will share peaceful existence."

"Peace comes at a steep price," Orion replied, his voice growing heavier with mock wisdom as his aura started to diminish. "I trust you'll all honor it."

Morveth, Ishraena, and Amon shared looks. With no further exchange, they pivoted and directed their troops. The vast surround of Atlantis shattered, and the Sea Folk forces melted into the boundless ocean below.

"Orion, curse it! Why hold back from wiping them out?"

"Do you grasp what we let slip? The entire sea!" Kraken's mental voice buzzed with excitement. "I swear this ocean has grown beyond its former size. The flow of the waves... it tells no falsehoods."

The foes had departed, leaving Kraken thrilled. Atlantis stood safe.

"The matter isn't so straightforward as you imagine," Orion's words resounded in Kraken's thoughts, carrying a clear tone of fatigue.

"Suppose we eliminated those three—could you vow they were genuinely gone? Or merely duplicates?"

Orion had projected dominance moments earlier, but invoking the Abyssal Vortex had sapped nearly all his divine essence.

"Additionally, the Dead Sea's principles fiercely reject outsiders. Battling within these currents handicaps us severely. We'd falter in a prolonged conflict."

"Let it rest. We've secured our objective. Now concentrate on readying for the assault on the upcoming realm."

Titanion Realm, Stoneheart City

In the past few weeks, Stoneheart City's populace and wealth had surged dramatically, like some mystical catalyst at work.

Across the inner and outer areas, empty buildings that once lingered unoccupied were grabbed up in a flash. Property values soared, surging by a factor of a hundred.

The bulk of Stoneheart City's longtime residents couldn't fathom the details of this economic wonder. They simply recognized that fortunes were rising for all, and existence brimmed with fresh opportunities.

In the midst of this surge, the Silent Goblet in the outer district emerged as the chief haven for the crowds.

The establishment stayed open nonstop. Its entrance welcomed guests around the clock.

On the ground level, a visitor might purchase the lowest-priced brew and savor it from evening

through morning, captivated by the seductive performances and melodies from enchanting women of over ten varied species.

Naturally, the real influencers—those wielding influence and might—gathered only on the upper levels.

Catering to its patrons' demands, the Silent Goblet had steadily transformed. It transcended a mere drinking spot; it now served as a center for issuing and claiming tasks. In a cozy nook beside the primary chamber, a special counter had been set up, staffed by a keen-sighted succubus attendant.

A transformed version of the Silent Goblet was emerging.

Upstairs on the second level, within a secluded chamber at the easternmost edge of the looping hallway, three figures huddled at a table, toasting with their cups.

"Mr. Greymount! Let's go, another round!"

The fellow clutching Tristan's arm was Nico, overseer of the Colosseum. He resembled a heap of fat, slick with grease and perspiration. Tristan couldn't quite comprehend how someone so hefty had advanced his power to the pinnacle of Alpha rank.

Matching this giant drink for drink would surely kill Tristan. "Nico, I... I can't," Tristan muttered. His cheeks burned crimson, and red threads laced the whites of his eyes. To any observer, he seemed fresh from combat, not a negotiation.

"Grant me a couple of days to unpack. Then we'll booze it up right. Until we're out cold."

Tristan understood the social code. Around the table, forging bonds meant downing the drinks. It required embracing the discomfort.

And he yearned to build ties with Nico and Kadir above all.

Kadir especially. This individual was fated to serve as Vice Guild Master of the Stoneheart Horde's Cross-Realm Trade Guild. He acted as Tristan's second, his ally.

Though Orion had selected Tristan personally, Lilith, always practical, had shifted Kadir—from his role as Colosseum's deputy—to watch over him. Each man boasted keen business insight, and Lilith counted on their joint expertise to propel the trade guild to new heights.

"You fatso, that's plenty for now," Kadir cut in calmly. "Mr. Greymount has only just reached Stoneheart City. A pile of tasks awaits him."

Kadir played the mediator. He had set up this boozy gathering right after his assignment, including Nico to ease connections. Though Nico and Tristan handled most of the chatter (and imbibing), Kadir watched closely, assessing his fresh superior.

"Still thirsty... alas. Alright. With Tristan's responsibilities, we'll end here."

Nico drew closer, his cheerful face sharpening into earnestness. "Mr. Greymount, straight talk: We've got plenty of deals ahead."

"Fighters, gear, shields, relics, creatures of magic... whatever the Colosseum requires, you scout it out."

"Cost isn't the issue," Nico emphasized, pounding the surface. "We crave connections. We demand steady flows."

This explained Kadir's inclusion of Nico. The link between the Colosseum and Cross-Realm Trade Guild was evident. It offered the trio shared interests, avoiding any stiffness in the encounter. "Count on it," Tristan assured, pressing fingers to his chest—a sign of honesty and pledge. "Aiding you aids me. I grasp the essence of shared gains fully."

"Hahaha! Excellent! That's the spirit I admire!"