Formless Ascension: My Affinity Is Limitless

In fact, not just him alone. There was also Zara, the second highest-leveled ascender on the planet. Then there was Diya, a Level 26 ascender, the sixth most powerful currently. Even Dennis, the weakest of Uhtred’s crew, was still a Level 20, powerful enough to stand firmly in this meeting.

Was it because of this? Was Uhtred already using those Inert Crystals to cultivate his force, making them gain levels so fast?

”Before you begin to let your thoughts run wild, such a thing hasn’t been fully developed yet. However, it is already in the works, and would likely reach full completion in a few weeks’ time. Of this, I’m ninety percent confident,” Jolene said.

”So you must definitely have a way to bypass the essence input issue,” Shogun, the leader of the Inagawa-kai was surprisingly the one to speak. ”An ascender having to feed essence into the crystal beforehand defeats the whole purpose, no?”

”Of course, we have solved this issue,” Jolene nodded. ”Inert Crystals start to fill up naturally with the essence from the dungeon if not mined for a few days. We have found a way to route that natural essence to the surface through specialized arrays to feed Inert Crystal farms.”

That seemed to ease everyone even more. The usage seemed very viable if put that way. However, there was still a glaring issue.

”You still have not explained how this makes us rich, Miss Jolene,” Glorious Eagle Vance spoke. ”All you’ve described only applies to you and everyone who illegally holds a regional dungeon.”

”I would refrain from using unsightly words like ’illegal’, General Vance,” Uhtred spoke up before Jolene could speak. He leveled a gaze at the man, who met his stare with a clench of his jaw. ”Let the lady explain. I trust you will find what she has to say... interesting.”

”Thank you, Uhtred,” Jolene nodded, then continued right after. ”Yes, General Vance, all that I’ve explained benefits only those of us who own regional dungeons... But it doesn’t have to be so.”

The General frowned.

Jolene began to pace, staring at each member of every faction present pointedly.

”This resource. We’re willing to share it with every party here... nearly free-of-charge.”

This time, not just the General alone, but several factions frowned simultaneously. It was too good to be true. Why would Jolene and Uhtred willingly choose to be generous? They literally had absolute control over the resource already.

They were also powerful enough to hold on to it. If they wanted, no one here would have access to these Inert Crystals at all.

Not to mention the future plans of grand arrays, crystal farms and whatnot, they could simply choose not to sell them outside of their territories outright and the rest of the world would only be able to watch.

Of course, some more powerful and well-connected factions might eventually get some of it through black market trade, but it would be in small quantities.

Why were they doing the literal equivalent of shooting themselves in the foot?

”I’m guessing there’s a catch. And it’s not going to be a small one,” someone murmured, and Jolene heard it.

”Yes. Like with everything, nothing comes freely. This benefit ties into another issue to be discussed in this Summit,” Jolene said. ”The issue of the global conflict going on presently.”

”For you to enjoy the benefit I just spoke of, you will have to agree to a ceasefire against any party present here,” she said. ”You will acknowledge their sovereignty, independence, and freedom...”

The World Government didn’t look happy at that statement at all. But most of the factions present seemed very much okay with it, particularly the mid-tier factions. Such a deal would be a God-send for them.

Even if no one else agreed but them, it automatically meant they were under the protection of Uhtred’s and Jolene Okafor’s territories! And that was only if the other factions didn’t agree. If they did, the situation would be even better.

And from the looks on the faces of the big players. They didn’t look opposed at the very least. But there was still hesitation in their expressions. They could see Jolene had not finished.

”And?” King Alexei spoke for the first time, his arms folded across his chest. ”What is the last thing?”

Everyone looked at Jolene immediately, their pleasant expressions vanishing as they realized they wouldn’t like what she said next.

”Oh. Nothing much. You all just have to accept Uhtred as the Lord of the planet.”

”Huh?!”

”What a joke!”

”Lord?! Did I hear you correctly?!”

Voices of shock and disbelief broke out immediately. Even the mid-tier factions were taken by surprise. This seemed like something that came entirely out of nowhere.

The World Government capitalized on the confusion immediately.

”Miss Jolene, you can see that everyone here agrees your statement is utterly ridiculous,” Glorious Eagle Vance rose up from his seat. ”Are you asking everyone here to accept Uhtred as some kind of... King?! To have one man lord over us like we’re back in the Middle Ages?!”

Jolene immediately tried to pacify the rising voices, but the General kept pressing his advantage, each word riling up more and more people. Even those who wanted to give the benefit of the doubt to hear the reasoning behind Jolene’s words were starting to get agitated by the General.

Surprisingly, though, Uhtred was entirely silent, only observing with a flat, unconcerned look on his face. King Alexei was staring at him the whole time in silence. So was the Castiglione family, particularly Isolde Castiglione. Even the Vanezzis and the Inagawa-kai were also silent.

The Shadow Brokerage hadn’t made a sound the whole time, so one couldn’t tell if they were surprised or not.

King Alexei stood up suddenly, his movement silencing everyone in an instant.

”Say, Uhtred. I want to hear this directly from you. You are a man that has my respect, which is why I want to hear from you directly...”

He paused.

”...What do you mean by this ’Global Lord’ thing?”