Chapter 171: United Forces

Looking at Aida with confusion, Rod couldn’t think of how he could help their family—seemingly, he didn’t have the ability.
“You don’t need to doubt your abilities. The Dragon Clan has already made it clear they’re on your side. You’re also aware of your relationship with Lucy from the Black Phoenix Clan—her status there is beyond your imagination. As for your identity, you might not be aware of it yet, but I can tell you that if the Black Phoenix Clan knew who you are, along with your connection to Lucy, they would definitely offer you their greatest support. After all, helping you means helping themselves. You have the ability—that’s why I came to talk to you!
Three years ago, after learning your identity, I knew you would return to the Source of Darkness sooner or later. I came back to prepare. Now, our clan has no issues left. As long as you agree to cooperate, we can give you all the help we can. With the Dragon Clan, the Purple-Winged Thunder Eagles, and our own clan, you have enough strength to confront the war faction clans, the Mi Jiao Clan, and the Purple-Winged Thunder Eagles.
As for the Scorpion King Clan and the neutral clans, they probably won’t act rashly. If that’s the case, your chances of success are already over 60%! I doubt you’d give up this opportunity!” Aida said slowly, looking at Rod.
Her eyes seemed to see into people’s hearts, making Rod feel uneasy. He didn’t like overly intelligent people, especially women, particularly those who were so familiar with him.
At that moment, Rod felt uncomfortable, as if he were being seen through and controlled by others. “Do you think everything will go as you expect?”
“I can’t say for sure, but if we work together, it will greatly increase our chances of success! The Netherworld isn’t a place anyone can enter easily, especially for those in the war faction. They won’t let you get in that easily. Right now, they might not know your identity, but once they do, it will be even harder for you to enter—they’ll surely set up numerous obstacles.
You must be aware of the Secret Organization—it’s a group established by the war faction on the continent. It can be considered their vanguard in attacking the continent. You know very well what it means if they send you in!” Unfazed by the possibility of Rod refusing, Aida continued, her confidence in her eyes making Rod feel ashamed.

“What else do you know?” The more Rod spoke, the more alarmed he became. He felt that Aida was even more terrifying—knowing so much made Rod uneasy. He never expected that the Dark Force was an organization established by the war faction of the demons. No wonder it could cause such turmoil on the continent and inspire fear. Only within the Source of Darkness could such power exist to form such a terrifying and mysterious organization.

Learning this, Rod’s heart sank. So, those who wanted to kill him were the war faction of the demons, and the old man had also died at their hands? But why would they want to kill him? Or perhaps he had touched upon some of their interests?

“That’s all. If I say I know anything else, it’s only that I know your identity as a troll, your father’s identity, your goals, and the burden on your shoulders! But I can’t say those things now. You’ll know everything once you enter the Netherworld.” With a sigh, Aida seemed to have something unsayable and stopped talking.

“The troll race—is it considered the true royal family among the demons?” Rod murmured to himself. He already knew all this; Aida’s words were unnecessary.

The only thing Rod gained was information about his father: “Do you know who my father really is?”

“It seems the demons haven’t told you these things. They’re right not to—knowing too early might not be beneficial for you! Since you asked, I’ll just tell you what I know.

From what I understand, thirty years ago, there was a man in the Source of Darkness who appeared like a comet, shining through the darkness. In just two years, he became famous everywhere! You’re doing something similar now, but back then he was even more insane. Right from the start, he killed three of the war faction’s demon generals. In one month, he defeated six mid-tier divine warriors and two high-tier divine warriors.

That month was the craziest in a hundred years. The war faction lost several of their generals, which severely weakened them, and they began to hunt this man frantically. The other factions were also panicked, not knowing which organization or force this sudden appearance belonged to!

It wasn’t until three months later that his identity was revealed—he was a member of the troll race. The troll race had been hidden for a hundred years, and almost no one knew where they were. Some even thought they had perished. Who would have thought that one would appear at such a time, and at such a young age, with such terrifying strength?

“He sought out the war faction because by then they already planned to invade the continent. It was only then that everyone realized his purpose—he came to stop them from attacking the continent.” Looking at Rod, Aida’s eyes shone with admiration as she spoke.

Powerful individuals are worthy of respect and admiration everywhere, and this was no exception. Although Aida had not witnessed it firsthand, what she had heard was enough to ignite her enthusiasm. In that era, such a man was undoubtedly a hero in the eyes of countless women!

“Did he come because of the war faction? Is he alone enough? Don’t the trolls seem to be the royal family of your war faction among the demons? Can’t they just give orders directly? What impact can one person have?”

“The trolls have been gone for a hundred years. The war faction’s influence is deeply rooted, and the demons have long surpassed the trolls’ control. How could the war faction accept being under their rule? After learning about this man’s identity, they pursued him frantically, only shifting from open attacks to covert ones. After all, the trolls still held considerable prestige, and they didn’t want to provoke a full-scale conflict that might give them an excuse.

It was then that this organization first appeared before the world. Though no one said it outright, everyone knew it was the war faction’s organization. Their pursuit was fierce and violent; even some of the war faction’s elders got involved. Several times, that man nearly lost his life. Without the covert help of our opposition and neutral factions, no one knows what would have happened. In the end, in a fit of anger, he fought three of the war faction’s elders—three powerful captains at the late divine stage. This attracted widespread attention, and to everyone’s surprise, he boldly killed all three and fled, causing the war faction huge losses and turning them into the laughingstock of the world.

It is said that with the help of the dragon race, he left the Source of Darkness and fled to the outer continents. We don’t know his exact purpose, but we do know he left the Source of Darkness. After that battle, the war faction was severely weakened and temporarily abandoned their plan to invade the continent—for a full thirty years. Otherwise, they would have invaded long ago, not waited until now!” With a soft sigh, Aida seemed to be recalling the rise and disappearance of a man, her heart filled with deep emotion.

“I’ve told you everything now. Any questions?” After a moment, she turned to Rod and asked softly.

Who would have thought that Rod was filled with turmoil at that moment? He never expected his father to have such a glorious past—truly a person worthy of respect.
“I can only speak on your behalf; I can’t guarantee the specifics!” Rod replied after a moment of thought.
“That’s good. Just those words are enough.”
After hesitating as if remembering something, Aida continued, “By the way, if I’m not mistaken, you plan to go to the Netherworld next, right?”
“Mm! Why?” Rod asked, unsure why Aida was asking him that.
“You won’t be able to enter. The Netherworld is located within the Holy Land; ordinary people can’t get in. It’s only open once a year, and the next opening is in half a year. Each time, only a few fixed spots are available—three for the pro-war faction, two each for the opposition and neutral factions. The four great families can also send one person each to study there, thanks to a promise made by the trolls a thousand years ago. The Netherworld isn’t as simple as you think. Even with your current abilities, it would be very difficult to enter—you need to improve. If you can get in, I believe you’ll gain a great deal! It’s a place everyone dreams of!” Aida said, frowning slightly with concern, thinking of the fierce competition every year for those spots.
“Half a year later?” Rod gave a faint smile. Now he understood why Lilith and the others suggested setting off in half a year. Why push him to reach the intermediate divine level during that time? Perhaps it was just the minimum requirement!
What secrets lay hidden in the Netherworld? What could make people pursue it so obsessively? Could he find what he needed there? Rod wondered silently.
“It’s getting late. I’ll go first. It’s not good to be seen. Let’s contact each other when we have time. I’ll be on your side and won’t cause you any harm!” Looking outside, where darkness covered everything, Aida had no intention of staying any longer. After giving a final word, she prepared to leave.
“So, do we consider ourselves allies now?” Rod asked, smiling at Aida.
“Sort of!” Her charming smile made Rod feel a bit dizzy. Aida then seemed to speak to herself, “Three years ago, we shared life and death. Three years later, we join forces again. Is it fate?”
“Indeed! This time, we’ll fight side by side!” Rod said, smiling at Aida.

In that moment, the two seemed to return to the days with the Storm Mercenaries three years ago, once again experiencing that deep bond that arises from sharing life and death together.