The implications of his words were clearly understood by both Leah and the silver-haired woman.
At the same time, Jiang Lin issued a command to the Blood Demons he had summoned:
【Watch this place. If any Aberrants approach, kill them and devour their flesh to maintain your existence.】
Outside the window, streaks of crimson light darted across the sky above the purification zone like a silent meteor shower.
Jiang Lin, meanwhile, casually pulled out a low-level magic restoration potion and downed it in one go.
The silver-haired woman watched blankly, her lips trembling, but she couldn't find her voice.
Jiang Lin turned his head.
“Let’s go. Take me to the intelligence room.”
The silver-haired woman looked at Leah.
Leah said softly, “Give him whatever he needs. Cooperate fully.”
“Yes.”
The silver-haired woman nodded and began to lead the way.
Ed, however, felt a bit lost.
She felt as if she didn't quite belong here.
On one side was a mysterious youth from another world who was incomprehensibly powerful.
On the other was the Leader of Ember, whom she was seeing in person for the first time—a little girl who looked barely ten years old.
And she was merely an obscure peripheral member of the Ember organization, an ant struggling to survive in this chaotic world under Ember's rules and systems.
She didn't know whether to follow Jiang Lin or stay where she was.
She looked at the Leader in the wheelchair, then at Jiang Lin, who was walking away with the silver-haired woman.
Finally, she gritted her teeth and followed them.
The silver-haired woman led Jiang Lin through one bright corridor after another.
The walls on both sides of the corridors were translucent, allowing them to see the green vegetation of the purification zone swaying in the breeze outside.
Occasionally, “Emberflame” members in combat suits passed by. They would nod slightly to the silver-haired woman, but their gazes would involuntarily fall upon Jiang Lin.
...
The intelligence room was located on the third floor of the headquarters complex and was more advanced than Jiang Lin had imagined.
In the center of the room was a massive holographic projection table. A faint blue light rose from the surface, condensing into a three-dimensional world map in the air.
Mountains, rivers, ruins, polluted zones, Aberrant gathering sites... all the information was clearly marked with light points of different colors.
The silver-haired woman stood by the table, her fingers sliding through the projection as the map rotated and zoomed.
“This is all the intelligence we currently possess.”
Her voice had regained its composure.
“The continent we are on is called the East Continent, which belongs to the regions where life still exists.
“The total area is approximately ninety-seven million square kilometers, divided into four major regions.
“The ‘Ash Mountains’ in the east are under our control. The ‘Corrupted Plains’ in the west are the primary activity area for Aberrants. The ‘Crystallized Jungle’ in the south is controlled by the Crystal Core Chamber of Commerce, and the ‘Eternal Frost Ruins’ in the north are the territory of the Old World Remnants.”
She paused, her finger pointing at a large, dark red light point on another continent.
“The other continent, the West Continent, is entirely occupied by Aberrants.
“This place is known as the ‘Abyss Rift Valley.’
“It is the connection point between the evil god Mozos and the world core, and it is also the most heavily polluted place on the entire continent.
“Deep within the rift is where its main body resides.”
Jiang Lin stared at that dark red glow, lost in thought.
“Does it have any weaknesses?”
“None.”
The silver-haired woman shook her head.
“For three hundred years, we have tried everything: physical attacks, energy attacks, soul attacks, sealing arts, curses... nothing has been able to kill it.
“It can regenerate continuously. It is quite literally an immortal, indestructible evil god.”
Jiang Lin frowned.
She didn't continue, but the implication was clear.
After a moment of silence, Jiang Lin asked, “What about the Devouring Abyss Cult? What is their strength?”
The silver-haired woman pulled up another set of data.
“The headquarters of the Devouring Abyss Cult is located at the ‘Dark Moon Altar’ deep within the Corrupted Plains.
“The Pope, ‘Shadow Moon,’ is the only existence to have been granted the title of ‘Saint’ by the evil god. Their strength is at least at the 3rd-rank peak.
“Under them are thirteen ‘Abyss Lords,’ each of whom is a powerhouse of the 3rd-rank or higher.
“The number of ordinary cultists is beyond count, conservatively estimated to exceed one hundred thousand.”
“What about the Crystal Core Chamber of Commerce and the Old World Remnants?”
“The Crystal Core Chamber of Commerce is neutral and doesn't participate in any conflict, but their technology is very important to us.
“The Old World Remnants never interact with the outside world; we know almost nothing about them.
“We only know that their shelters are located deep within the Eternal Frost Ruins in the north, but the exact locations are unknown.”
Jiang Lin nodded slowly, committing the information to memory.
He closed his eyes, his consciousness sinking into his body.
The Shadow of Blood was currently attached to him. Countless tiny blood-colored tentacles extended into every inch of his flesh, slowly replicating his current form:
A 2nd-rank peak body, a soul fused with the Eternal Ice Soul, and a unique energy circuit where holy light magic essence and ice soul power intertwined.
This process took time.
But Jiang Lin could feel that once the replication was complete, the Shadow of Blood would possess combat power nearly identical to his own.
The physical attributes and spirit might be slightly inferior.
However, as an existence that had reached the peak of physical and spiritual power at rank-0 and only broke through after reaching the limit at 1st-rank, it had also achieved a perfect breakthrough.
As such, as long as its level broke through again, it would be equivalent to him having a higher-rank combatant.
Essentially, it would be himself having entered the 3rd-rank in advance.
Leah said the power limit of this world was locked, but Jiang Lin didn't know if it was because their power systems were insufficient to support them becoming stronger, or if all creatures except the evil god were simply unable to complete a breakthrough after reaching the 3rd-rank.
If it was the former, then as long as he had time, he could even cultivate the Shadow of Blood to the 9th-rank before going to trouble this 7th-rank evil god.
But if it was the latter, things might be a bit troublesome.
In that case, he might need to find another way to kill the opponent.
He opened his eyes, his thoughts shifting slightly.
His consciousness spread out along the spiritual links with the Blood Demons, like an invisible giant net covering the entire Ash Mountains.
A hundred Blood Demons were scattered throughout the headquarters. Their perceptions were shared with Jiang Lin, allowing him to “see” every corner.
In Basement Level 3, in front of the incinerator.
Several Cursed Blood Bone Dolls were squatting beside a mountain of Aberrant remains, their tiny skeletal fingers piercing into the flesh to suck greedily.
The remains shriveled and withered at a visible rate, eventually turning into grayish-white powder.
Meanwhile, the blood-colored runes on the surface of the Cursed Blood Bone Dolls became increasingly vivid, and their auras grew noticeably stronger.
Now, they no longer consumed Jiang Lin’s magic essence.
On the outskirts of the headquarters, several crimson claw-wings circled in the air, their dark red eyes scanning the purification zone below.
Occasionally, patrolling Emberflame members looked up. They could see the blood-colored creatures.
They nervously pointed their weapons at the Blood Demons, only to find the creatures completely ignored them.
Soon, their portable communication devices carried word from their superiors that they should pay no mind to these never-before-seen creatures.
After a moment of hesitation, they chose to ignore them and continued their patrol.
Further away, several Blood Demons had flown beyond the boundaries of the purification zone and into the polluted areas.
Aberrants began to appear here, though since it was relatively close to the Ember Headquarters, there were no particularly powerful ones.
A 2nd-rank elite Aberrant was wandering through the ruins. Its torso was embedded with over a dozen opening and closing eyeballs, and its long, thin limbs ended in sharp crystal claws.
Sensing the approach of the crimson claw-wings, it let out a threatening roar.
However, in the next instant, two crimson claw-wings pounced simultaneously. Their bone claws pierced its body, tearing it in half.
Flesh was devoured, and the core was ripped out.
The entire process took less than three breaths.
After devouring its flesh, they no longer required Jiang Lin’s magic essence to maintain their existence.
Jiang Lin withdrew his consciousness, the corners of his mouth curling slightly.
Excellent.
This way, as long as they could keep finding food, he could summon even more Blood Demons.
He returned his attention to the holographic projection table, his golden eyes staring at the map of the entire continent.
The dark red light points were densely packed, spreading like a plague across the Corrupted Plains, Crystallized Jungle, and Eternal Frost Ruins, even penetrating the edges of the Ash Mountains.
These were the gathering zones of the Aberrants, the minions of the evil god Mozos, the cancerous tissue of this world.
“I need a base.”
Jiang Lin spoke, his voice calm.
“Where is the nearest Aberrant gathering zone to the headquarters?”
The silver-haired woman was stunned for a moment. Then, her fingers slid across the projection table, the map rotated, and a location marked with a deep red skull was enlarged.
“Here. Approximately one hundred and twenty kilometers southeast of the headquarters. An abandoned town called ‘Rusty Town.’”
She pointed to the area on the map shrouded in dark red light.
“Before the Great Cataclysm, it was a medium-sized industrial town with a population of about three hundred thousand.
“Now it is a nest for Aberrants. According to our last reconnaissance, there are at least five thousand Aberrants entrenched there, including at least ten Aggregates of 4th-rank elite-tier or higher.”
“4th-rank Aggregates?” Jiang Lin asked in confusion.
“That is just our name for these Aggregates.
“Because the upper limit for all creatures in this world, except for that evil god, is restricted to the 3rd-rank.
“So these Aberrants obtain the power to crush other creatures by merging into a stronger monster.
“Since their power reaches the 4th-rank, we call them 4th-rank Aggregates.
“But in reality, they are still composed of countless 3rd-rank lives.”
“I see.”
Jiang Lin nodded, his expression becoming somewhat solemn.
It seemed things were indeed a bit difficult to handle.
“Lead the way.”
“You’re going in person?” the silver-haired woman couldn't help but ask.
“There are five thousand Aberrants there, and 4th-rank Aggregates...”
“Of course.”
Jiang Lin didn't look back.
“I can handle that many Aberrants by myself.
“However, my summons need food, and I also need to practice controlling them in large-scale combat. I’ll start with a town to get some practice.”
Hearing Jiang Lin’s words, the silver-haired woman opened her mouth but ultimately remained silent.
This blond youth from another world looked so young, yet he possessed such power.
Having seen the terrifying creatures he summoned, she naturally didn't think he was boasting.
Since he said so, he truly had that kind of strength.
Solving an Aberrant gathering zone single-handedly...
That kind of plot only appeared in storybooks and novels...
Beside them, Ed was even more silent.
She was the only one present who had seen Jiang Lin take action.
That strength to slay a large Aberrant in an instant.
Since she didn't have a specific energy detector, she wasn't sure what rank the Aberrant Jiang Lin had killed with one strike was.
But it was definitely not weak.
It might have even reached the 4th-rank.
This youth definitely had the potential to tear through an Aberrant gathering site all by himself.
“By the way, are the people from your world all as strong as you?”
She asked the question that had been buried in her heart for a long time.
Jiang Lin glanced back at her.
“Of course not.”
“Then what level are you in your world?”
Jiang Lin rested his chin in his hand, thought for a moment, and answered modestly:
“I’m invincible within the same rank, and I’ve never met an opponent among my peers. In many cities, people see me as their spiritual leader.
“My master is likely one of the strongest people on the planet, yet because of my shocking talent, he treated me like his own son after just one meeting.”
A moment later, Jiang Lin looked back at the two women standing beside him.
“Why have you stopped talking?
“Are you giving me the silent treatment too?”
After a long silence, Ed asked, “What is your world like?”
Jiang Lin thought for a bit before answering:
“It’s probably like what your world was like before the Great Cataclysm.
“However, our power limit is a bit higher—the strongest can reach the 9th-rank—but our technology isn't as advanced as yours.”
Upon hearing this, looks of longing appeared on the faces of Ed and the silver-haired woman.
After a moment, Ed pulled out the memory crystal she cherished from her robe.
“This is the last of my sister’s laughter. If we don't end up destroying the evil god, can you help me take it to that place where there isn't so much crying?”
Looking at the crystal lying in Ed’s hand, Jiang Lin was stunned for a moment.
Then, he refused her.
“Don’t say such things. We will win.
“Once the evil god is gone, you can participate in the reconstruction of this world.
“Take your sister’s laughter and see for yourself when this world returns to being a place of joy.”
While the two were talking, the silver-haired woman stood by without saying a word.
A flicker of hesitation and a desire to speak crossed her face, but in the end, she chose not to open her mouth.
Afterward, Jiang Lin walked out of the intelligence room.
He stopped in front of the floor-to-ceiling window at the end of the corridor.
Outside, the green vegetation of the purification zone stretched out under a gray-blue sky, and the silhouettes of the undulating mountains in the distance were faintly visible.
Sunlight spilled through the translucent dome, casting warm light and shadows on the floor.
But his attention was not on this.
He closed his eyes, his consciousness sinking into his body.
One hundred and twenty Blood Demons were scattered throughout the headquarters. Their perceptions were continuously relayed back to his consciousness through the spiritual links.
In front of the incinerator on Basement Level 3, more than half of the mountain of Aberrant remains had been devoured.
Most of these Blood Demons had received a good amount of flesh.
At least for the next day or two, they wouldn't need to consume his magic essence to sustain themselves.
At the same time, the magic essence in his body was almost fully recovered.
Jiang Lin opened his eyes, a faint blood-colored light flashing in his golden pupils.
He raised his right hand, palm down.
Blood surged forth once more.
This time, it was not a trickling stream, but a surging torrent like a burst dam!
Thick blood energy erupted from Jiang Lin’s palm, quickly condensing and taking shape in the air. In just three breaths, the corridor was packed with dense, blood-colored figures.
Crimson claw-wings, Cursed Blood Bone Dolls, and... a type of Blood Demon that had never appeared before.
...
Rate on N.U.
