Upon hearing the affirmative answer, Adkins couldn't help but breathe a bit heavier, his mind instantly filling with all manner of visions: "If I obtain a Sovereign artifact in the Tomb of the Gods, or even a legendary Sovereign spark, and become a supreme Sovereign—then I, Adkins…"
Just imagining it made Adkins's blood boil.
Beirut suddenly frowned and said, "No, we can't open it tomorrow."
"Why not again?" Adkins said urgently.
Beirut explained, "Adkins, I just remembered—Lord Bluefire is currently rebuilding his homeland. His Earth God clone is fully devoted to reconstructing the continent, and his Fire God clone is guarding the surroundings. He can't spare himself right now. Looking at the speed of his construction, I estimate he'll need a few more days. How about this—let's wait ten days and enter together."
Anxiety surged in Adkins's heart, and he thought to himself, "What I want is for Bluefire to be unable to enter. If Bluefire goes in, how am I supposed to compete with him?"
Adkins was very well aware of Lord Bluefire's strength.
"Lord Beirut," Adkins said earnestly—he now addressed Beirut as 'Lord' in his words, which showed just how seriously he regarded the treasures of the Tomb of the Gods. "I was thinking, why must we let that Lord Bluefire enter the Tomb of the Gods? How about just the two of us—what do you think?"
Adkins had stated his goal.
If it were just him and Beirut, when the time came, he would be the only one entering the Tomb of the Gods. That way, who could compete with him?
"Oh?" Beirut looked at Adkins with sudden understanding, a hint of a smile at the corner of his lips. "So that's what you were thinking, Adkins."
Adkins gazed at Beirut.
"Adkins, you're thinking a bit too generously, aren't you?" Beirut sneered. "I let you go in alone, and perhaps you'll obtain a great treasure. But what about me? Not a single benefit. And I'd be risking Lord Bluefire's enmity. Between Bluefire and you, Adkins—do you think I, Beirut, am so blind I can't tell who to choose?"
Adkins offered an ingratiating smile and quickly said, "Lord Beirut, that's not quite right. Yes, Bluefire is stronger than me—he'd at least get a Sovereign artifact if he entered. But think about it, Lord Beirut: with Bluefire's temperament, if he obtained another Sovereign artifact, would he ever submit to you? I don't think you have the means to deal with a Bluefire who possesses a Sovereign artifact, Lord Beirut."
Beirut simply smiled.
Adkins continued persuading, "I'm different, though, Lord Beirut. Whatever requirements you have, just say the word!"
"Oh?" Beirut's eyes lit up.
"The Tomb of the Gods does indeed contain Sovereign artifacts," Beirut said. Adkins's eyes immediately brightened. Beirut continued, "Adkins, I want you to swear by the name of the Highgod of Fate: the first Sovereign artifact you obtain must be given to me."
Adkins was slightly taken aback. "How many Sovereign artifacts are in there?"
"More than one," Beirut said.
"Fine. Whether I get one or two, the first Sovereign artifact will absolutely go to Lord Beirut," Adkins said through gritted teeth.
"Don't rush. Words are meaningless now. Wait a moment, and swear to the Highgod of Fate," Beirut said with a faint smile.
Swearing to the Highgod of Fate was absolutely irrevocable. The Highgod of Fate was, in truth, also the 'Laws of Fate'—a boundless rule that governed the workings of heaven and earth. If you broke this oath, the Laws of Fate would naturally bring you to ruin.
"That's the first matter. There's a second," Beirut added.
"This Beirut is truly greedy," Adkins cursed inwardly, but he had no other option. He could only force a smile onto his face. "Lord Beirut, please go on."
Beirut said with a faint smile, "The second matter is this: after you leave the Tomb of the Gods, you will serve at my beck and call for one million years."
Adkins's eyes went wide.
Serve at his beck and call? Even when he, Adkins, had been in the Gobada Plane Prison, he had never served anyone.
"What's the matter? You won't agree? That's fine—then the matter of the Tomb of the Gods is off the table," Beirut said, turning as if to leave. Adkins gritted his teeth. "I agree. After I leave the Tomb of the Gods, I, Adkins, will serve Lord Beirut at your beck and call for one million years."
Beirut nodded with a smile.
"Lord Beirut, you should now agree to let me enter the Tomb of the Gods alone," Adkins said, a trace of irritation in his heart.
"Don't be impatient—there's a third requirement," Beirut said, still all smiles.
Even the most even-tempered person would grow angry hearing this. And Adkins was far from even-tempered by nature. He couldn't help but say, "Lord Beirut, just how many requirements do you have?"
"This is the last one," Beirut said with a faint smile. "If you won't agree, then the whole business of the Tomb of the Gods is finished."
Adkins forced down his anger and said in a low voice, "Speak!"
"My third requirement is simple. I don't want any trouble in the future, so—please go and kill Lord Bluefire." Beirut wore the same smiling expression as before. "Sigh, I don't want Bluefire coming after me later, so… I'll have to trouble you."
Adkins's eyes went wide.
Kill Lord Bluefire?
"If I, Adkins, had the ability to kill Lord Bluefire, why would I need to be here talking to you?!" Adkins erupted in fury.
"Oh, well then there's nothing I can do," Beirut said, his expression turning cold. "In that case, Adkins—please see yourself out."
Adkins understood in an instant. His face went pale with rage, and he jabbed a furious finger at Beirut. "Beirut, you—you've been toying with me!!!"
The three requirements Beirut had stated were simply impossible to fulfill. The first two had been outrageous enough, but the third was completely unachievable.
"Haha…"
Beirut laughed, looking at Adkins with amusement. "Adkins, you only figured it out now? Haha—I was indeed toying with you. Originally, I planned to wait another thousand years and then just bring Bluefire into the Tomb of the Gods myself. I didn't expect you to come so quickly. Well then—all the better, getting to see you in such a fluster even sooner, haha…"
Adkins's expression shifted. "You never intended to let me enter the Tomb of the Gods?"
"Correct," Beirut sneered. "I never had any intention of letting you in. I was only planning to bring Bluefire."