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

Chapter 123 Lava Demon: I'm Deaf, Blind, and My Soul is Blocked (5k)

[Looking at the Winter Emperor's face, you've already made your decision.]

Since they insist on this, we have no choice but to lure them into the trap.

What do you think?

[He's supposed to be the emperor of a country, doesn't he have any political acumen?]

[They've already decided to seek refuge with the Red Heart Society, yet they're still talking so arrogantly, still trying to coerce and bribe them?]

[You think Chixin is too kind, and you'll be able to kill him, right?]

[Or does the Winter Empire believe that the recent influx of high-level foreign professionals into the war provinces warrants consideration of the Red Heart Society's implications?]

[Absolutely not needed!]

The main force of the Red Heart Society in fighting against the Abyss remains the Red Heart Battle Group, the Demon Sealing Battle Group, the Guardian Battle Group, and the Red Heart Army.

High-level professionals from outside the field can only offer limited assistance in this process.

If the existence of these high-level professionals disrupts the normal operation of the Red Heart Society, you will also eliminate them all without hesitation!

When a force fails to provide assistance, or even risks disrupting the internal stability of the Red Heart Society, then it becomes an enemy!

However, for the sake of the Winter Empire's millennia-old reserves, you decide to play along with the Winter Emperor in a charade.

In January of the 141st year of the Extraordinary Calendar, Crown Prince Frostwinter led a large contingent of the Frostwinter royal family to the War Province.

[Under your guidance, Lin Xue has planned out an area for the Winter Royal Family.]

The Crown Prince of Winter knew they were on the territory of the Red Heart Society, so he behaved amiably and even voluntarily provided one-third of the Winter Empire's millennium-long reserves.

To demonstrate their sincerity, the Winter Royal Family even brought out a hidden technology: legendary equipment crafting technology.

[It turns out that legendary quality equipment can also be crafted by hand.]

[Unexpected!]

[Amazing!]

[Although the materials used in this process are of ridiculously high quality.]

However, some of the viewpoints and theories within this technology are still quite insightful.

Out of curiosity about the legendary forging techniques, the former headmaster, along with the Crimson Heart Armor research team, came to observe.

In February of the 141st year of the Extraordinary Calendar, before the fall of the Winter Empire, the Winter Emperor led his guards to the war province via a teleportation array.

Under normal circumstances, according to diplomatic protocol, a person of equal status should come to greet them.

At the very least, he should be the number two person.

[But this time, the one who greeted the Winter Emperor was none other than Zhao Feng, the Deputy Minister of the Winter Empire's Ministry of Internal Affairs.]

The Winter Emperor was fully aware of the situation, but he felt even more contempt for your narrow-mindedness.

But in your opinion, you don't have time to play house with a dead person.

In March of the 141st year of the Extraordinary Calendar, after receiving the Winter Empire's millennium-old reserves, the Crimson Heart Society quickly and systematically distributed these resources throughout the entire army.

The members of the Red Heart Army and the Winter Army have been upgraded with new weapons, greatly increasing their combat strength.

In April of the 141st year of the Extraordinary Calendar, the Winter Royal Family and other prominent figures died mysteriously and suddenly.

The Red Heart Society announced that the outbreak of a massive demonic cave had brought a lord imbued with abyssal poison to the vicinity.

The highly corrosive venom also appears to carry a bloodline curse.

Therefore, the entire Winter Royal Family and all other members of the family perished, leaving no trace of their remains.

Following this incident, the Red Heart Society personally held a grand funeral for the Winter Royal Family to express their condolences for their misfortune.

[A media outlet in the United States published an article: The Fall of the Winter Royal Family: Tragedy or Conspiracy?]

There are differing opinions on this matter.

However, anyone with a modicum of common sense knows that this is absolutely a purge by the Red Heart Society.

[After all, they're not even bothering with an act anymore; they're just bringing up the massive riot in the Abyss. Who can't see through that?]

[Given the past life-or-death conflict between the Red Heart Society and the Winter Empire, a reckoning is only natural.]

Even if some nations or forces wanted to speak up for the Winter Empire, given the current strength of the Red Heart Society, they would only dare to discuss it in private.

In June of the 141st year of the Extraordinary Calendar, the Frost Winter Defense Line was attacked by the Abyss Army and the Demonic Tide.

But all of this was within the Red Heart Society's expectations.

Under Deng Qi's supervision, everything proceeded smoothly, and Deng Qi even felt that life was much better now than when the various countries formed an alliance.

In August of the 141st year of the Extraordinary Calendar, a large number of Red Heart Society guards and Red Heart Army members achieved significant cultivation results in the war-torn provinces.

Therefore, to better consolidate this achievement, you selected elite troops from the Guardian Corps and formed the Demon Sealing Second Corps.

[Next, you select talented individuals from the growing militia to expand the Red Heart Army.]

[Amidst this methodical expansion, you led the Crimson Heart Legion to the Abyss battlefield, braving the pressure of numerous Abyss Lords, and managed to push the battle line forward by eighty kilometers.]

[In the same month, the Crimson Heart Armor research team brought good news.]

The basic version of the Crimson Armor, established a long time ago, has seen a major breakthrough.

[Once the thirteen questionable technical aspects can be resolved, each member of the Red Heart Legion can soon be equipped with a standard version of the Red Heart Armor.]

Everything seems to be moving in a positive direction.

[In June of the 141st year of the Transcendent Calendar, as expected, an accident occurred.]

Outside the war-torn province, two level 98 super abyss lords have appeared.

To deal with these two super abyss lords, you fully activated your battle aura domain and led the Crimson Heart Battle Legion to meet them in battle.

However, upon arriving at the scene, you discover that there are seven level-nine professionals in the war province.

[So, you silently withdrew your battle aura domain.]

After all, they outnumber us, so it's not like we can't fight them.

[But just as the Crimsonhearts were locked in a fierce battle against two opponents, a level 98 Abyss Titan roared to the heavens outside the Winter's Edge.]

When you finally see what this abyssal titan looks like, you're stunned.

It's not that the opponent is too strong; if you squeeze in a little, someone can hold them off.

[Moreover, the appearance of this Abyss Titan bears a striking resemblance to the Abyss Titan leader on the Abyss battlefield.]

[On their left eye was a large, dark gold moon pattern.]

[So you're thinking, the reason the Abyss Titan leader was spewing profanities on the battlefield and ignoring the Abyss Projection's will is because his son is missing?]

[Did the Abyss Titans come looking for their leader's son?]

Is there some kind of unseen blood connection between the two?

However, no matter what, you cannot kill this level 98 Abyss Titan Lord.

[We can hold them off without killing them, right?]

[Therefore, you dispatched Elder Jun and Elder Jian, along with two of their friends, and with the combined support of the entire Demon Sealing Group, they marched aggressively towards the Southern Border to defend it.]

In December of the 141st year of the Extraordinary Calendar, facing continuous attacks from the Lava Demons, the White Eagle Empire had no choice but to seek help from the Crimson Heart Society.

You're eyeing your somewhat comical old friend, the Lava Demon, and you just want to have a good chat with him.

Of course, the White Eagle Empire will not skimp on the fees it is obligated to pay.

[After all, a level 98 Abyss Lord is capable of destroying a nation anywhere else.]

[Therefore, the White Eagle Emperor dispatched his battle groups, using an extremely precious soul crystal essence to distract the Lava Demons, forcing them to circle around and end up on the Red Heart Society's eastern battlefield.]

The moment you see the Lava Demon, your battle aura instantly expands beneath your feet.

Within this area, the Crimson Heart Battle Group's strength has soared, and even some ninth-tier professionals who have a good impression of you have felt miraculous changes in their bodies.

This is a powerful realm, no less powerful than the realm of the soul!

Just as you were about to command the Crimson Hearts Legion to attack the Lava Demon, its enormous eyes met yours across the distance.

Those large eyes, constantly dripping with lava, blinked back and forth, seemingly wondering how you, an ant, dared to look directly at Him.

[Under normal circumstances, even if a low-level life form is terrified into paralysis upon seeing a lava demon, it would still dare not meet its murderous gaze.]

Given the vast difference in the level of life, all living beings would instinctively feel fear.

Although you stand at the very center, surrounded by stars, those large ants that pose a slight threat to Him stand before you, seemingly obeying your commands.

[No matter how you look at it, you're just an ant that He could kill with a single breath!]

Why is there a hint of excited anticipation in your eyes when you look at Him?

Is it hoping to be swallowed whole?

If there weren't two other Abyss Lords of equal strength around, He would definitely assume that they had consumed too many Abyss Strange Fruits, were hallucinating, and had become mentally impaired.

However, two equally powerful Abyss Lords were constantly attacking each other beside him.

The wise elders of the tribe once taught us that anything unusual must be sinister!

As a lava demon anomaly skilled in soul attacks and highly sensitive to the emotions of all beings, it possesses its own judgment system.

[And so, to everyone's astonishment, the Lava Demon abruptly suppressed its craving for the Soul Crystal Essence, turned around, and ran away in a flash.]

Before fleeing, he didn't forget to urge his entourage and family members to leave with him.

【Walk! 】

A loud and complex demonic voice echoed rapidly around them, the powerful sonic waves rippling through the surrounding air.

Even the sudden retreat of the lava demon startled the two abyss lords nearby, who quickly shook their souls to examine their surroundings.

After observing carefully for a moment, I realized I hadn't gained anything.

For a moment, the two demon lords were somewhat bewildered. The humans opposite them were as weak as ever!

So, why are you running?

[But at that moment, the Crimson Heart Legion unleashed a frenzied attack.]

[With your full power unleashed and the blessing of human will, the enhancement brought by the battle aura domain instantly gave the Red Heart Battle Group, which was forced to defend, the power to crush the two super abyss lords.]

Meanwhile, on the other side...

The lava demons traveled thousands of kilometers before finally stopping to rest and regroup.

[Afterwards, He used His Soul Eye to look at the battlefield on the Eastern Frontier defense line.]

[Then He saw a scene He had never witnessed before: a group of united ants, large ants and small ants, actually beating up a lord of equal strength?]

This unbelievable thing really happened right before my eyes.

The lava demon took a deep breath, abruptly rose to its feet, and, in front of its kin and allied army, began to dance the lava demon race's gratitude dance across this vast land.

[Thank you, wise man!]

Be grateful to yourself!

[If it weren't for my impulsive decision and extremely strong sense of crisis, I would have been the one brutally beaten, or even crushed in the future.]

At that very moment, a series of soul messages emanated from the abyss portal closest to Him.

[This is the will of the Abyss urging Him to lead His army to invade this world and conquer a vast territory for the great Abyss!]

Even when faced with the projected will of the abyss, He pretended not to recognize Him.

I suffered a shock; I became deaf, blind, and my soul was blocked. I can't hear anything, I know nothing.

However, He saw it, the Loyal Hearts.

From now on, it's best for me to avoid the Red Heart Society in this world.

On the other side of this world, there also seems to be an abundance of blood-based food and delicious souls.

Go there yourself!

In January of the 142nd year of the Extraordinary Calendar, a Shadow Demon led a large number of its minions to invade the western border.

[And level 98 super lords possess extremely strong vitality.]

Unless the opponent uses a soul attack on you, causing a public uproar, it's extremely difficult to kill them using only your battle aura.

Unfortunately, the Shadow Demon is a master at manipulating souls.

So, you took the Crimson Hearts Legion to the Western Frontier during your spare time. In that short period, the Shadow Demon spotted you among the 20,000 members of the Crimson Hearts Legion.

[Shortly afterward, a violent energy belonging to human will erupted in the western border.]

[Shadow Demon, suddenly gone!]

From the Shadow Demon's loot, you discovered a transcendent drug called the Inspiration Fruit.

However, looking at the strange substances swirling on the Inspiration Fruit like varicose veins, you can't help but feel a little helpless.

Is this thing really edible?

What benefits does eating provide?

The following day, when the old soldier learned that you possessed an Inspiration Fruit, he immediately began bombarding you with communications.

【nice one!】

This is really good stuff!

"Quickly, have someone bring this over to me!"

Give me some time, and I'll show you what I'm like at level 95.

[From the old soldier's words, you learned that the Inspiration Fruit is an extraordinary treasure that enhances a ninth-tier professional's dual understanding of domain and soul.]

However, this rare and precious treasure also has its drawbacks: it will deplete one's soul's maximum potential and life force.

But in this day and age, even those who have reached the ninth level of cultivation don't know how long they can live.

So, what's the difference between rare and precious materials that consume future potential to enhance existing strength, and those with no side effects?

If he can reach level 95, his overall strength will see another boost.

In February of the 142nd year of the Extraordinary Calendar, two super abyss lords arrived together from the north of the White Eagle Empire.

[Instantly, alarms blared throughout the White Eagle Empire.]

Even if the White Eagle Emperor pleads for help, you are powerless to assist him.

After all, there aren't many naive characters like the Shadow Demon who immediately resort to soul-based methods and target you directly.

After a moment of silence, the White Eagle Emperor asked, "How did you manage to mobilize the people's will?"

Why does the will of humanity within you automatically protect you?

As the emperor of the White Eagle Empire, does he also possess human qualities?

Does inspiring human will to protect us require us to personally go to the battlefield and stand before the super abyss lord to suffer soul attacks?

You remained silent in the face of the White Eagle Emperor's barrage of questions.

Sometimes, silence is the answer.

Three days later, the White Eagle Emperor publicly announced comprehensive reforms across all levels of society, including government reforms, military reforms, and financial reforms.

Those who observe closely will discover that the White Eagle Empire's recent reform strategies almost all bear the hallmarks of the Red Heart Society.

[Except for the fundamental system of advocating for the underprivileged, which was not learned, and the disregard for the relative equality of human rights before the law, almost everything else was learned.]

The reforms in the White Eagle Empire were met with unanimous opposition from the White Eagle royal family!

This kind of change is harming their interests!

Is the future of the White Eagle Empire destined to follow the example of the Red Heart Society, allowing the lowest of the low to climb over their heads?

[Will it even happen in the future that commoners sue members of the royal family?]

Faced with questioning from his royal elders, the White Eagle Emperor remained silent, only presenting the "Sincere Heart Understands" technique and related analysis reports.

Finally, the White Eagle Emperor slowly rose to his feet.

Dear fellow clansmen, if I had a choice, I would not want to pursue reform.

You believe that the reforms infringe upon your interests, significantly reduce your income, and make it impossible for you to maintain a luxurious lifestyle in the future.

But think about it carefully, who will suffer the greatest loss under such changes?

But the current situation has reached a point where change is imperative!

For the sake of the empire, I will absolutely have to go to the battlefield myself in the future!

[As expected!]

[This refers to the degree to which the people of the empire worship me, revere me, are loyal to me, and cooperate with my decrees. This represents the level of protection I will receive if my life is endangered in the future.]

In other words, this reform is essentially about saving the empire and my own life!

Let me be clear from the start!

Anyone who tries to stop me from doing this will be killed!

After saying this, the White Eagle Emperor turned to leave, but as he was about to exit the Hall of State Affairs, he paused.

If any of you clansmen find my sword unsatisfactory, feel free to give it a try!

In March of the 142nd year of the Extraordinary Calendar, the Third Prince and Sixth Princess of the White Eagle Empire, under the instigation of certain elders, resisted the White Eagle Emperor's reform measures in various ways and even secretly obstructed them on multiple occasions.

Under the White Eagle Emperor's thunderous wrath, the Third Prince and the Sixth Princess were stripped of everything, reduced to commoners, and exiled to the border.

Meanwhile, the entire Imperial Guard was mobilized, dragging certain highly respected elders of the White Eagle royal family from his coffin and executing them in public without any dignity.

Overnight, the White Eagle royal family was drenched in blood.

Following this incident, the White Eagle Emperor's reforms proceeded even more smoothly.

In May of the 142nd year of the Extraordinary Era, with the help of the Inspiration Fruit, Elder Jun reached level 95.

Meanwhile, news of the old soldier's consumption of the Inspiration Fruit spread like wildfire.

In response to the inquiry from the Nine-Turn Profession, Lin Xue stated that if there were any more Inspiration Fruits later, she would place them in the Red Heart Society's exchange hall, where they could be directly exchanged using contribution points.

The news caused an uproar among all the ninth-tier professionals in the vicinity.

[Upon reaching the ninth level, each advancement requires a deeper understanding of the soul and its underlying principles.]

Of course, each level up not only provides a double boost to one's physical body and soul, but also causes a slight transformation in one's fighting spirit or magical power, and a certain increase in lifespan.

[Even the range, amplification, and suppression effects of their released soul domains, and the source power generated upon encountering them, will be greatly enhanced.]

Under these circumstances, which level-nine cultivator wouldn't yearn for further advancement in their profession?

[In July of the 142nd year of the Extraordinary Calendar, another piece of good news arrived: the Crimson Heart Battle Formation version 3.0 was successfully researched.]

[This battle formation has been expanded from a maximum capacity of 20,000 men to a maximum capacity of 30,000 men.]

[Meanwhile, the five cardinal directions—east, west, south, north, and center—symbolize the five divine beasts: Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, White Tiger, Black Tortoise, and Qilin, providing comprehensive offensive and defensive capabilities, and even significantly enhancing speed and recovery.]

[Soon, you selected 10,000 of the most elite troops from the Demon Sealing Group to join the Crimson Heart Battle Group.]

The 30,000-strong Loyal Heart Battle Group has seen a significant increase in combat power.

[That same month, bad news reached your ears.]

[This explosive news has completely ruined the good news that your battle groups have greatly increased in strength.]

[In the abyss battlefield, the abyss titan leader, who had been roaring and hurling insults at the sky, seemed to have received some kind of message. He stopped cursing the abyss and began moving towards the abyss defense line.]

(End of this chapter)