You want me to take out a loan to practice cultivation? I'll just pay off the debt physically.

Chapter 121 The Winter Army's Petition: We Must Cut Down the Winter Emperor (5k)

[The demonic hands descended from the sky, some landing on people, some on buildings, and some on the surrounding ground.]

The demonic hand appears to have no ability to corrode buildings or the ground.

[The demonic hand that strikes people seems to subtly alter their lives, transforming them into a different form.]

For professionals, as long as they possess battle aura or magical power, they can dissolve the energy of the demonic hand.

[It can even help others dissolve after sensing that they have been affected.]

Today, the Red Heart Society is a nation of soldiers, with all adults having become professionals.

Therefore, the Demonic Hand couldn't affect the Red Heart Society in any way. Even though its reach was wide and many Red Heart Society members were affected, most of them were able to deal with it on their own.

If the child is a minor, the Red Heart Society will organize personnel as soon as possible to help them dissolve the influence of the demonic hand's power within them.

Because the Kingdom of Farah adopted all the systems of the Red Heart Society, the power of the Demon Hand was quickly quelled.

But for other countries, this is a huge deal.

Most people at the bottom level are not professionals and possess no extraordinary powers.

After being struck by the Demon Hand or absorbing its dissipated energy, no superhuman being bothered with them.

[Some organizations and professionals, recognizing this as a golden opportunity to plunder wealth, have even offered exorcisms for the lower classes for tens or even hundreds of thousands of yuan.]

No money?

[If you're short on cash, take out a loan! Use our partner lending institutions and enjoy a 2% discount!]

[If you don't want to lend it, that's fine too. Then just wait to die!]

What does it matter to them whether strangers live or die?

Although we don't know what harm the Demon Hand's power might do to the human body, what good things could possibly emerge from the pillar of light in the abyss?

Of all the nations, only the White Eagle Emperor deployed his personal guard to help others within the empire expel the demonic energy.

Although he could have ignored it, he analyzed many possibilities from the Red Heart Society's policy of full awakening.

[One possibility is that you, through your talent for time travel or deduction, have foreseen a potential future calamity orchestrated by a demonic force.]

[Furthermore, this will awaken all members of the Red Heart Society to become professionals.]

[As long as there are enough first-class professionals or above within a country, this so-called "demonic hand calamity" will not occur.]

He didn't know what kind of disaster the demonic hand could cause, but he felt it was necessary to consider it.

In March of the 139th year of the Extraordinary Calendar, after a period of fermentation, the demonic energy accumulated on ordinary people at the bottom of society in various countries became increasingly concentrated.

Their bodies began to show signs of disease.

His face turned black, his hands turned blue, his gaze became vacant, and his eyes began to flash with a blood-red light.

Everything is heading in a bad direction.

[In particular, according to research by the White Eagle Empire's Air Protection Organization, it has been discovered that the energy of the Demonic Hand resonates with the constantly surging abyssal demonic energy, gradually eroding the bodies of living beings over time.]

However, all of this has nothing to do with the Red Heart Society.

[The Red Heart Society has many professionals, and each family has two or three. Therefore, even children who haven't awakened their powers can have their parents expel the demonic energy from their bodies.]

[For orphans who have lost their parents, the Red Heart Society will regularly organize visits to their homes for physical examinations and to exorcise demonic energy.]

In short, what would be a massive undertaking for other countries is merely a minor policy implementation and change for the Red Heart Society, having no real impact.

In April of the 139th year of the Extraordinary Calendar, a mutant with a black face and fangs appeared in the capital of the Frosty Winter Empire. These ordinary people, completely corrupted by the power of the Demonic Hand, had lost their minds and would bite anyone they saw. In a sense, they were no longer a species of humans.

Since mutants are all formed from ordinary people, they initially caused no significant impact in this era of superhumans.

[The Winter Emperor was initially quite concerned about this matter, until data from the Winter Empire's laboratories, which dissected the mutants, revealed that these mutants possessed extremely low attack and defense capabilities.]

Any professional could easily defeat him.

The only thing to be careful about is the toxins contained in the mutated humans' fingernails and teeth. These toxins, once inside a professional's body, will form a corrosive energy similar to the power of the Demon Hand.

Of course, this toxin is also very easy to deal with; it can be evaporated completely with just battle qi and magic power.

In an era where extraordinary abilities are not readily apparent, these mutants would indeed be an extremely terrifying problem, and could even evolve into a horrific catastrophe that destroys human civilization.

However, in this day and age, even a small squad could probably handle thousands or tens of thousands of mutants.

When other countries learned of this preliminary data analysis report from the Winter Empire's laboratory, they became even less concerned about the demonic power within their bodies.

[It can even create a more direct means of threat.]

【look! 】

This is the consequence of not taking out a loan and not seeking professional help to neutralize the power of the evil hand.

[Some countries, in order to protect the interests of professionals and to turn this into a sustainable business, have simply enacted relevant exorcism regulations.]

[In May of the 139th year of the Extraordinary Calendar, as the combat members of the Crimson Heart Society deepened their cultivation of the Crimson Heart Refining Technique, the speed at which their professional levels increased also accelerated.]

[Especially the members of the two super battle groups, the Crimson Heart Battle Group and the Demon Sealing Battle Group, who were stationed at the forefront of the Abyss Battlefield, witnessed the birth of a large number of high-level Abyss Lords.]

[Furthermore, since they often spend time with you, they have a general understanding that the danger posed by the Abyss will increase, reaching an extremely terrifying level in two or three years.]

At that time, a brutal war will continue to break out.

For their own sake, for the Red Heart Society, and even more so to protect the only sun from harm, they burned away most of their lifespan.

The natural lifespan of a fourth-tier professional is two hundred years.

Those who advance to the fifth level of their profession have a lifespan of 280 years.

Compared to my own vast natural lifespan, the crises I will face in the future seem terrifying.

Therefore, converting lifespan into one's own power is currently the optimal solution.

Most importantly, by burning their lifespan to increase the efficiency of refining divinely bestowed crystals, their higher level and improved life rank allow them to obtain a longer natural lifespan.

Then, continue burning, continue to increase, continue to extend lifespan.

[Think about it carefully, this is a perfect positive cycle!]

Some extreme members of the warbands have even burned through their lifespans, leaving them with only ten years left.

This extreme approach resulted in a terrifying refining enhancement.

Within a few months, their professional levels rose one after another.

In other words, if the Qin family patriarch were still alive and were to openly assassinate you now, the current Crimson Heart Battle Group would absolutely be able to kill him outright.

At the same time, the large-scale rise of the militia allowed the Red Heart Society to achieve an unprecedented level of control over its various factions.

[A single government order issued from headquarters will be responded to across the country in a very short time.]

Currently, the three super-large fortresses in the Abyss Battlefield have been completed, and a defensive line stretching 500 kilometers, centered on these three super-large fortresses, is nearing completion.

Even if this defensive line stretches for 500 kilometers, it still won't meet your needs.

[Before the level 98 Abyss Demon Lord descends, you must lead the Crimson Heart Society to carve out a large territory in the Abyss Battlefield, reducing the number of demonic tides the Crimson Heart Society will have to withstand in the future as much as possible.]

[Furthermore, with the implementation of the "everyone is a soldier" strategy, the demand for various extraordinary products within the Red Heart Society has reached an unprecedented level.]

Even the basic monthly benefits that the Red Heart Society provides to each militia group exceed the total annual military expenditure of some kingdoms.

[With massive military spending, the militia is also growing rapidly at an alarming pace.]

In a sense, the Red Heart Society militia is now larger than the regular armies of many countries around the world.

Fortunately, with the current surge of demonic energy, the quantity and quality of extraordinary materials dropped by various evolved, upgraded, and ascended abyssal monsters have significantly increased.

The market demand driven by the massive supply of extraordinary materials has led to the rapid construction of super factories across various provinces by the Red Heart Society.

[Today, the Red Heart Society's extraordinary industrial output has surpassed that of the United States, the world's most productive nation, making it number one in the world.]

[Thus, there are still frequent shortages of various extraordinary basic resources and slightly rarer advanced products.]

In other words, the Red Heart Society intervenes in the market, and the Red Heart Chamber of Commerce precisely regulates the price and demand in the extraordinary market; otherwise, the prices of these extraordinary products would have risen to who knows how high.

After learning of the Red Heart Society's enormous market demand, the White Eagle Emperor proactively approached them, stating that the White Eagle Empire could provide the Red Heart Society with a certain quantity of extraordinary products.

[A super market of one billion professionals—who wouldn't be envious?]

Furthermore, the White Eagle Empire doesn't have that much consumption internally.

[In that case, wouldn't it be better to sell it and exchange it for resources or other technologies that the White Eagle Empire needs?]

[Upholding the principle of friendly relations between the two sides, you set a tariff rate of 80% for the White Eagle Empire.]

Despite the White Eagle Emperor's opposition to such high tariffs, he was forced to agree due to the mountains of low-grade extraordinary materials stockpiled domestically that would become garbage if not used, and the volatile economic environment.

[To sell as quickly as possible, they sold at a low price. Even with an 80% tariff, the final selling price was still slightly lower than that of the Red Heart Merchant Guild.] [Moreover, once they could penetrate the Red Heart Merchant Guild's market, with the rise of numerous super factories and related industrial chains within the country, the White Eagle Empire's continuously declining economy would inevitably rebound.]

Furthermore, he can understand your tariff strategy.

This is blatant exploitation!

[Put yourself in their shoes; if you were in the Red Heart Society's position, you probably would have done the same thing.]

With the friendly support of their neighbors, and the rapid increase in transaction volume, the Red Heart Society also secured a very considerable amount of revenue.

In June of the 139th year of the Extraordinary Calendar, the Winter Army collectively petitioned the government, hoping that you would allow them to infiltrate the Winter Empire.

They are acutely aware of the current dire state of the Winter Empire.

The upper echelons completely disregard the lives of those below, and the number of mutated humans caused by the demonic energy is increasing daily.

The Winter Empire also adopted an extremely brutal approach: if mutants appeared, they were killed!

If the team can't handle it, then deploy the entire battle group!

If the warband can't handle it, then deploy the army!

Despite the Winter Empire's army suffering repeated defeats in the face of the invading abyssal tide, [they were still being forced into retreat].

However, they are quite adept at attacking their own people.

The Winter Army was extremely dissatisfied with the actions of the Winter Empire's high command, so they wanted to conquer more territory for the Red Heart Society.

Their compatriots deserve a happy life.

[Our own compatriots should return to the embrace of the Red Heart Society.]

In this turbulent era, only sincerity can bring everyone the warmest and happiest life.

Most importantly, by joining the Red Heart Society, ordinary people can also become professionals.

In this way, even when faced with the corrupting power of the demonic hand, one can save their own life.

In July of the 139th year of the Extraordinary Calendar, after numerous petitions from the Winter Army, including a petition signed in blood by a million people, you agreed to the Winter Army's plan to launch a southern expedition against the Winter Empire.

[To support the Winter Army, you even dispatched Deng Qi with ten escort regiments to follow closely behind.]

[When Emperor Leng Dong was enraged by this sudden attack, especially after learning that it was one of his own defectors to the Red Heart Society who had petitioned him, he smashed everything in his study.]

【Rebellious ministers and traitors! 】

[A person of low social standing is a person of low social standing!]

Throughout history, who has ever instigated a foreigner to attack their own motherland?

This is absolutely blatant treason!

However, the Winter Emperor is well aware of the current state of the Winter Empire.

Suppressing the outbreaks in the major demonic lairs across the country and resisting wave after wave of terrifying demonic tides from the Abyss Battlefield has exhausted the empire's resources.

If the Red Heart Society were to attack at this time, it would inevitably shake the foundations of the nation.

[Furthermore, due to a series of interconnected effects, the Winter Empire might very well follow the same path of destruction as the Peacock Empire and the Sunset Empire.]

[A million-strong Winter Army and ten Guardian Regiments—that's not so scary.]

What's terrifying is the Red Heart Army standing behind the Winter Army!

He believed that once war broke out, the Red Heart Army would definitely seize the opportunity to attack.

Therefore, if this matter is not handled properly, the Winter Empire is destined for destruction.

Since the Winter Army claims to be standing up for the lowly commoners, why not just dump those insignificant commoners on them?

In August of the 139th year of the Extraordinary Calendar, as the million-strong Winter Army prepared to attack the city, the gates of the Winter Empire's fortress slowly opened.

[Then a large group of slow-moving, dazed Winterborn, their eyes glazed over, already swayed by the power of the demonic hand, emerged from the fortress gates and, driven by the Winterborn army behind them, slowly marched towards the location of the Winterborn army.]

The Winter Army, faced with this situation, desperately wanted to rush forward and provide aid.

However, as an army, their first principle is to obey orders.

With Deng Qi's permission, the soldiers of the Winter Army began to channel their battle qi and magical power to heal their former comrades.

[Thus, millions of Winterfolk on the verge of mutation were restored to human form after being treated by the Winter Army and the Guardian Legion.]

Upon learning that it was the Red Heart Society that had rescued them, and realizing that it was the very people they had once considered traitors who had healed them, they stood frozen in place, their worldviews utterly challenged.

[Especially when they learned that it was the million-strong Winter Army that had forced the Winter Empire's high command to release them, they felt even more guilty.]

They misunderstood each other!

[How can this be considered a traitor?]

[It's clear that they've found their place in life abroad, but haven't forgotten their family and friends who suffered back home, so they came to help.]

[The very people in their own country, the self-proclaimed Emperor Frost, who considers himself to have accomplished great feats and rendered outstanding service, are actually less concerned about them than the Red Heart Society?]

For a moment, they were filled with mixed emotions.

[When the Winter Empire saw that the Winter Army had indeed not attacked, and had even begun constructing camps and tents outside, clearly preparing for a long-term garrison for medical treatment, they were slightly taken aback.]

[An official from the Winter Empire stated that this is a conspiracy by the Red Heart Society!]

They're trying to manipulate public opinion and win people over through this method!

[If the future changes, it could lead to disaster!]

Therefore, it is better to let those lowly people be corrupted and infected by the power of the demonic hand than to let them go any further.

The Winter Emperor glanced at the other person; according to royal intelligence, he knew the family ran an exorcism business.

But they were just a group of ordinary people; he didn't care at all.

[If not for being forced by circumstances, he would not have wanted to open the border to allow his own people to enter the territory of the Red Heart Society.]

[Could a major disaster be brewing in the future?]

If he doesn't do this, and the Winter Army launches an attack, disaster will befall them right now!

Therefore, for the sake of the empire's continuation and internal stability, he directly ordered that anyone infected with the demonic hand's aura to the moderate level or higher could freely cross the border according to their own wishes.

[Isn't your Red Heart Society supposed to be using the guise of care to help people?]

I'd like to see how much help you can actually provide.

[And when you received the Winter Emperor's decision, you immediately laughed.]

What a kind person!

[Knowing that the Red Heart Society's Winter Army is small in number, this is to send you reinforcements.]

[So you directly ordered Deng Qi to take over completely!]

[For these Winter People receiving treatment, register them at the level of their soul aura; there is no need to force them to stay or leave.]

Those who wish to remain with the Red Heart Society will be provided with a designated residential area by the society.

If they are unwilling, we will not force them to stay.

However, if the other party chooses to return to the Winter Empire, they will have to pay a high price for exorcism treatment the next time they come.

In October of the 139th year of the Extraordinary Calendar, more than a dozen small countries near the Peacock Empire and the Sunset Empire were unable to withstand the terrifying onslaught of the Abyss Demon Tide, resulting in the destruction of their nations and the loss of their people.

When the area of ​​these territories devoured by the projected will of the abyss reached a certain scale, an endless sense of suffering began to resonate in the hearts of all the living.

This is the despair of a world being swallowed up, and also a plea from the world to the surviving professionals.

[Through a subtle understanding of human intentions, you have deciphered the message conveyed by the will of the world.]

Children, reclaim the land swallowed by the abyss!

The land that has been reclaimed will be blessed by the power of the world.

Whoever, or which organization, reclaims it will be able to choose a global power's blessing effect to extend to this region.

[For example, increasing the speed at which professionals in this area refine divinely bestowed crystals, increasing the efficiency with which professionals in this area hone their battle aura or magical power, and enhancing the recovery abilities of professionals in this area.]

[Dozens of world-enhancing effects to choose from.]

The dazzling array of worldly blessings you receive is making you incredibly envious.

Just as you led the Crimson Heart Legion to the Eastern Territory, preparing to lead three million Crimson Heart soldiers eastward, the Abyss Gate before you seemed to sense something and began to tremble violently.

The next moment, a strange phenomenon occurred.

(End of this chapter)