Chapter 704: Dragon Island and Gloria (2)

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Serena hesitated for a moment.

“Are you looking to hire the dragons from Dragon Island?”

“That’s right.”

“Do you have a purpose for hiring us? Since you are already at the Epic Tier, so there shouldn’t be any foolish individuals daring to provoke you, right?”

“There are.”

“Who?”

“Demons.”

Serena paused for a moment, and Ji Chen continued, “To be frank, my territory is located in the center of the Western Mid-Ocean, which is the frontline of the demon army’s attack led by the Dreadlord Balzama.

Serena quickly realized. “I see, so you’re quite unlucky. Even if you can withstand it, your territory won’t, and it will probably be crushed like grass.” Ji Chen twitched his mouth. This dragon maiden was certainly straightforward. Looking at Ji Chen’s silent response, Serena seemed to realize that what she had just said wasn’t quite right. She coughed lightly and said, “I understand. Since there’s a business opportunity, there’s no reason for us not to take it.” “I wonder how many dragons you want to hire? We offer services ranging from three dragons, five dragons, seven dragons, to even a whole squadron of dragons, at reasonable prices, guaranteed to satisfy you…”

“I want to hire all the dragons from your Dragon Island.”

“…What!?” The legendary-tier dragon maiden widened her eyes, her expression changing. “Do you know how many dragons we have on Dragon Island?

“At present, there are a total of four hundred and fifty-eight registered. Judging from last year’s average hiring price, each dragon requires an average of eight hundred and eighty thousand gold coins, and this is only for medium to low-intensity combat.

Moreover, time is limited. If it’s a battle against demons, which pose a great threat to life, doubling or even tripling the price is normal!

Are you sure you have that many gold coins?”

Ji Chen didn’t say anything, but his indifferent expression indicated his confidence.

He did have quite a bit of gold coins, with millions in his backpack and several billion temporarily stored with Lienhardt, but it was obvious that it wouldn’t be enough to hire all the dragons from Dragon Island.

However, he had something that Dragon Island absolutely couldn’t refuse.

In Serena s puzzled gaze, Ji Chen took out a map and displayed it in front of her.

It had only been a second, but Serena still managed to take in the words on the

map.

—Gloria Map.

After a brief moment of thought, her face suddenly lit up, exclaiming,

“Gloria…”

Ji Chen quickly covered her mouth with his hand, looked around, and said, “If the secret gets out, it’s no longer a secret.”

Serena’s face flushed slightly, nodding quickly and whispering, “Lord Ji Chen, do you actually have the map of Gloria, the ancient elven capital? Is it real?” “Of course it’s real. Is this enough to pay for hiring?

“Of course it’s enough!”

The reputation of the ancient elven capital Gloria was very famous. The previous generation’s elven queen had even launched a grand search operation to find this city buried in the dust of history.

According to ancient records, Gloria contained immeasurable wealth, with various weapons alone enough to arm a million-strong army, not to mention the invaluable lost technologies.

And the key to opening this city was currently in Ji Chen’s hands.

Serena’s excitement showed on her face, “It’s definitely enough, and there’s still a lot left. But, Lord Ji Chen, aren’t you afraid that the elves will come after you for trouble if you use this as the hiring fee?

Ji Chen’s face darkened. “What are you thinking? How could I possibly give the entire city to you guys?”

The wealth contained in the entire Gloria was immeasurable, and hiring the entire Dragon Island to serve him for a hundred years would be a breeze.

The Gloria map provided such a significant fortune, yet he couldn’t bypass the Elven Empire to get it. In the past, he might have had the patience and confidence to slowly uncover it, piece by piece, and eventually gather the seven treasury key fragments to secure its most valuable treasure for himself.

But now Ji Chen didn’t have much time left. The demons might break through the barrier of rules tomorrow or the day after, launching a full-scale invasion, and extending their claws to the Crown of the Ocean.

Time was the most scarce resource now.

Ji Chen needed to quickly convert the capital in his hands into resources to enhance the power of the Crown of the Ocean, making more preparations for the impending invasion.

“I will discuss this matter with Queen Laphia and Lady Elin, and together with them, we will find Gloria using this map and exchange it for a batch of resources. Part of these resources will serve as your hiring fee.”

Serena nodded in realization. “That sounds reasonable. I think the elves shouldn’t refuse your proposal.”

Ji Chen said, “In that case, please return to Dragon Island as soon as possible, inform the Dragon Emperor about this matter, and dispatch the hired dragons to the Crown of the Ocean as soon as possible.”

“Of course, as long as there is enough reward, I believe my compatriots won’t refuse such a generous employer.”

Serena quickly set off on her return journey, and Ji Chen watched her board the carriage and gradually disappear at the end of the street, then turned and walked towards the Ancient Tree of Life.

Next, it was time to deal with the elves.

Back at the Ancient Tree of Life, Ji Chen and the others met Queen Laphia, who had changed out of her gorgeous court dress into portable palace attire, and Elin, who was still wearing her mage robe.

Ji Chen told them about the Gloria map.

The contemporary Elven Queen, whose strength was unfathomable, stood up from her chair in surprise, “Are you telling the truth? Do you have the map of Gloria?”

Even Elin couldn’t help but show a surprised look, leaning over with curiosity.

Ji Chen took out the map and spread it out on the table, saying in a casual tone, “I happened to obtain this map by chance. Now, with the mobilization agamst the demon invasion, I think we can use it to find this city and invest its resources into the war to increase our chances of success.”

Laphia and Elin didn’t inquire about how Ji Chen specifically obtained the map, nor did they ask why he hadn’t taken it out earlier.

They didn’t want to undermine the tacit understanding and relationship between the two parties.

Laphia nodded. “If we can obtain resources from Gloria, the Empire’s mobilization speed will increase significantly. It’s a pity that we haven’t gathered all the treasury key fragments…”

“I have three here.”

Seeing the three scattered metal fragments on the table, Laphia and Elin couldn’t help but glance at each other, their expressions changing.

Not only did he obtain the map, but he also already had three treasury key fragments?

Given more time, wouldn’t he be able to obtain all the key fragments except for the two in the hands of their elven clan?

Ji Chen said calmly, “Give me some more time, and I can find the one in the possession of the dwarves and the remaining lost treasury key fragment, and I will present them along with this map to you. But I have a condition.” Laphia and Elin exchanged a glance as if confirming something. Laphia said, “Sir Ji Chen, please go ahead.”

“I want a portion of the resources as compensation, including those in Gloria City and in the treasury.”

Having provided the map and the other treasury key fragments besides the two held by the elves, he naturally had this right.

It was more like a bargain for the elves. If it weren’t for the fact that there was no time left to search, he wouldn’t have taken such a big loss.

Although finding the treasury key would take some time, the resources in Gloria City would be enough for him to pay the hiring fee for the dragons of Dragon Island.

After just a brief consideration, Laphia agreed.

“I agree. Since you’ve brought the map and three treasury key fragments, you have the right to receive a portion of the resources and wealth.

Such an attitude was for the strong. If it were anyone else proposing such conditions, it would undoubtedly be like holding a tiger’s whisker.

Ji Chen wasn’t concerned that Laphia and Elin would desire or become hostile. Strength was a significant factor, and until they entertained different thoughts, they would need to think about the severe repercussions of upsetting him.

At least, the elven fleet didn’t need to worry about setting sail in the Western Mid-Ocean.

In terms of distributing benefits, they negotiated faster than imagined..