In Great Xia, Qin Shilei never demanded kowtows from his subordinates.
However, when he visited vassal states in the past, their evolved individuals had dutifully performed the kowtow ritual.
Was Harry a truly unyielding man, or did he only bow because he felt secure?
Qin Shilei did not reprimand him on this matter. He walked past Harry and naturally took his seat in the main position at the center of the hall.
Harry's expression flickered slightly but quickly returned to a smile as he looked at Qin Shilei, "May I ask why Your Highness Prince Qin An has come to our Will Empire?"
Qin Shilei got straight to the point, "I heard that the tribute you were to give me is being used to cover the expenses of the Divine Hall. Is this true?"
Harry looked troubled, "Reporting to Your Highness, it is not that I am withholding tribute. It is simply that the expenses of the Divine Hall are too great, and our Will Empire's treasury is empty. We truly cannot afford to contribute more crystal cores. We humbly request Your Highness's forgiveness."
Qin Shilei sneered, "Who you choose to worship is none of my concern. However, you are withholding what rightfully belongs to the Prince Qin An's Mansion in the name of a deity. You have made a grave miscalculation."
"This..." Harry appeared conflicted. "I genuinely cannot produce so many crystal cores at the moment. Could Your Highness grant us some leniency?"
"Or, could Your Highness withdraw your subordinates stationed nearby, and then perhaps reduce our tribute somewhat?"
"Hmph!"
Qin Shilei snorted, "It seems Odin has given you considerable confidence. Summon him now, and let me have a word with him."
"This....." Harry hesitated for a moment.
He now regretted listening to certain people's advice and attempting to save the tribute of crystal cores.
Now, Prince Qin An himself had come to demand an accounting.
Due to the celestial barrier, Odin's avatar only possessed Platinum realm cultivation. It was uncertain if it could defeat Qin Shilei, who was at Diamond nine-star.
If Prince Qin An clashed with Odin's avatar, wouldn't he be dealt with carelessly?
"Hmm?"
Seeing Harry's continued silence, Qin Shilei's expression darkened.
Harry, with no other choice, took a small statue of Odin from his ring.
After a period of prayer, an avatar of Odin, clad in golden armor, appeared before them.
As soon as Odin materialized, he noticed Qin Shilei's presence. He turned and scrutinized Qin Shilei, offering no response to Harry's greeting.
Qin Shilei also used his Insightful Purple Eyes to carefully observe Odin's avatar.
It was at the peak of Platinum realm cultivation, wielded a sword, and possessed a series of formidable sword techniques.
"Impressive!"
Odin suddenly smiled, "You must be Prince Qin An, Qin Shilei, correct? Would you be willing to become a general under my command?"
"Not interested!"
Qin Shilei stated flatly, "I had him summon you merely to inform you that you have overstepped your bounds. I request that you immediately withdraw from the sphere of influence of Great Xia."
"Indeed!"
A fierce light flashed in Odin's eyes, which then softened into a semblance of amiability. "How about we make a deal? We will conquer the Blue Star together. Afterwards, the power will be yours, and the faith will be mine. We will each get what we need."
"Not interested!"
Qin Shilei appeared utterly uninterested. "My territory has no need for deities. As for other places, I cannot concern myself with them. Therefore, please leave."
Odin said with amusement, "They willingly worship me. As long as they harbor faith in their hearts, I can appear here at any time. To make me leave, you would have to kill them all. Do you possess such courage?"
Upon hearing this, Harry's face turned ashen, like that of a pig's liver.
"Your Exalted One, we worship you because we hope for your protection. Please, do not gamble with our lives."
Odin cast a chilling glance at Harry, causing the latter to shudder and dare not speak again.
"Hmph!"
Qin Shilei sneered, "This is the deity you worship. In his eyes, you are as insignificant as ants, dispensable at any moment."
Harry now bitterly regretted his actions.
It was merely a matter of crystal cores; why had he been so short-sighted?
If he had obediently paid the tribute back then, he would have enjoyed the enviable dual protection of Prince Qin An's Mansion and the divine reverence of Odin.
Yet, due to his momentary greed, he now found himself in an impossible predicament.
Qin Shilei ignored the grim-faced Harry and turned to address Odin again, "As a revered deity, do you truly intend to act shamelessly with me, Your Highness?"
Odin remained silent, merely observing Qin Shilei with a playful expression. His unspoken message was clear: I am acting shamelessly, and what can you do about it?
"Very well!"
Qin Shilei's expression turned icy. "Since you wish to play, I will play with you. I will see who else on the Blue Star dares to worship you! Harry, here is your chance to live: immediately smash all statues of Odin within Will territory! If I discover anyone in the Will Empire still worshipping Odin in one day's time, I shall show no mercy!"
Harry's face drained of all color.
"Audacious!" Odin roared with fury. "Do you know the consequences of such an offense against divine might?"
Qin Shilei completely disregarded Odin's fiery gaze. "Not only within the sphere of influence of Great Xia, but I will lead my armies across the entire Blue Star and smash all divine halls that enshrine your statues. Let's see how you intend to gather more followers!"
Odin's eyes became so dark they seemed about to drip water. He had been a god for tens of thousands of years, always a being to whom mortals bowed in reverence. Today, he was so affronted by a mere mortal. The rage within him was building to an explosive point.
"Two years. Just two years, and I can descend upon the Blue Star in my true form."
"Humble mortal, do you realize the fate that awaits you for offending me so?"
"Although you are at the peak of Diamond now, without reaching the Master realm, you are ultimately an ant. Crushing you is no more difficult than crushing an ant."
"And for a Diamond peak to advance to Master is ten million times more difficult than your progression from Ironclad to Diamond. In two years, or even two hundred years, you will never reach the Master realm."
"At that time, you will understand how fortunate and unattainable death truly is."
"Hmph!"
Qin Shilei snorted, "My future is none of your concern. Now, please return to your divine kingdom!"
As his words fell, a cold light flashed! A sharp sword gleam, like a fleeting meteor, cut through the air. Odin, with a look of stunned disbelief, was cleaved in two and then vanished into the air like bubbles. He could never have imagined that his opponent would act so decisively, killing his avatar before it could even unleash its myriad abilities.
"Gulp!"
Harry swallowed with difficulty. He truly deserved to be called the foremost person on the Blue Star, to have so unhesitatingly severed the avatar of a deity with a single sword stroke.
"Will you follow the god you serve to your demise, or will you choose to remain a vassal state of Great Xia?" Qin Shilei asked calmly.
"I choose to remain a vassal state of Great Xia!" Harry replied without hesitation, for fear that a moment's delay would result in him being similarly cleaved by a sword.
"Then, tell me now, how did Odin spread his faith here?" Qin Shilei asked calmly.