A Journey to the West-Style Demon King
It's a very interesting world where the collection of Power of Faith is done in a specific way, and pig farms use modular farming methods.
If we say that the template for faith when Su Luo first descended to the Mortal Realm was a "classic theocratic Western fantasy world".
So this Xiao Xiao Luo was assigned to the "World of Eastern Incense Inheritance," which has local pantheons and various cultivation sects, as well as counterfeit "Heavenly Court" and "Netherworld"—tools for harvesting faith.
The Career Panel has also undergone many changes, with many functions being different.
Xiao Xiao Luo opened the panel and found that she had many professions to choose from: monk, Daoist, Qi cultivator, sword immortal, talisman master... all kinds of strange and wonderful professions, even more than in Eldran. This Mortal Realm is more prosperous, at least there are more varieties.
Of course, this world is also dominated by Mana Side. Mana is a highly universal system, so it can naturally manifest in other forms. It's just that the mainstream cultivation methods seem to lean more towards Western fantasy.
"Just pick one randomly, I'll take another look at the editor."
Xiao Xiao Luo chose [Qi Cultivator] as her profession, and then the growth stat on the panel became [max], with almost all growth stats maxed out. There was also a modifier at the bottom of the panel.
The mod's functions are similar to those of Ming Yuanwu, but it's nowhere near as powerful.
For example, features like [One-Click Kill] and [Information Prompt] are unusable because Su Luo's influence hasn't reached here yet. [Eldran] is usable because the Laboratory is in the planet's orbit.
"Let me see. The way Qi cultivators level up is through breathing exercises to gather Qi and circulate it through the meridians. At higher levels, they can collect the Goblin to nurture Immortal Spirit Qi... It's much better than the way heroes do it. It's not just about fulfilling the will of the Gods; it has a certain degree of autonomy."
Xiao Xiao Luo muttered something to himself and clicked on the [Automatic Upgrade] function.
Subsequently, the surrounding energy began to be absorbed, and the level and values on the panel began to slowly increase.
However, Xiao Xiao Luo discovered that his true form had not become stronger. The energy had merely flowed through his body without leaving any trace. Once the Career Panel was removed, his true form was exposed and remained weak.
"Fine, all the increases in strength in the Mortal Realm are Essence illusions created by the Career Panel, just like playing a real game... Aren't the Gods crazy? The stronger ones should provide more Power of Faith, okay?"
Xiao Xiao Luo scratched his head, paused the upgrade, and got back to work.
"The purpose of the Three Thousand Clone Plan is actually to seize control of every Mortal Realm, providing support in multiple dimensions such as technology, ideology, social structure, and the strength of all living beings, while ensuring the survival of the Mortal Realm beings."
In other words, Xiao Xiao Luo came to help alleviate poverty.
Su Luo desired this vast Three Thousand Mortal Realms.
We desire one prosperous and powerful Mortal Realm another. Although we don't have enough time, we must first protect the survival of all living beings.
So in a sense, the Xiao Xiao Luo are here to be heroes.
The Demon Kings they sought to conquer were so powerful that no individual could withstand them. They were this ancient land, this system of Life and Death from which no one could escape, and Gods who ruled the world through feudalism and theocracy.
Xiao Xiao Luo walks through this dark world. Everywhere is darkness, everywhere is chaos, everywhere is death.
It is considering whether to directly unify the Heavenly Court Netherworld and the Underworld to ensure Order in the entire world.
The Heavenly Court and the Netherworld are the core of this world's belief system. Controlling them means controlling most of the flow of faith in this world, as well as controlling most of the power.
The problem is that Heavenly Court and the Netherworld are also part of the Career Panel, tools used by the Gods to shepherd all living beings. Unifying them means confronting those high-ranking clergy in the system, which could cause quite a stir.
On their way to the Heavenly Court, Xiao Xiao Luo encountered a woman in a black robe wearing a torch crown, acting suspiciously.
In the dim light, their eyes met, and the two non-human things stood at attention.
"Mom, the Demon King's location is just ahead."
Ming Yuanwu, dressed neatly, was floating forward in mid-air using a forbidden wind Forbidden Spell, while talking to the Heavenly Soul in his mind.
"Alright, let's check the situation on the monster side first. Humans are in complete chaos, but the monsters haven't launched a full-scale invasion yet. Something's not right," Heavenly Soul replied.
Ming Yuanwu's expression froze.
Yes, something's not right. Logically, when darkness falls and humanity collapses, monsters should take advantage of the situation and turn the Mortal Realm into their hunting grounds. But the monsters didn't do that.
After a while, he said, "Let's take it one step at a time. I don't think this world is very suitable for us. We'll see if we can find another Mortal Realm later."
During their conversation, the human and the filthy creature arrived in front of a gigantic palace.
The palace was built on the summit of an extinct volcano. It was pitch black and had a ferocious shape, like a giant beast lying on the ground. The palace was surrounded by a barren wasteland, where not a blade of grass grew and the air was filled with the smell of sulfur and blood.
"This Demon King is so arrogant! He even built a palace for himself, as if he's afraid no one will come to deal with him?" Ming Yuanwu complained.
"If Mortal Realm could defeat you, why would we need a soul from another world as a hero?"
Ming Yuanwu nodded slightly and stepped towards the somewhat grotesque and luxurious palace.
The entrance gate was made of human skulls, exuding a fishy, deathly odor, which was quite strange. The handles were made of soft tissue woven from tongues, which felt slippery to the touch, indicating excellent preservation techniques.
Ming Yuanwu set fire to the main gate and strode inside. A series of thousands of fireballs illuminated the hall, revealing the scene inside.
The walls were stained with blood, exuding a chilling aura. Two rows of stark white bones stood as guardians, skulls embedded in door knockers, spines forming railings. The stench of decay and blood assaulted the senses. The ground was still covered with layers of human bones, which creaked underfoot.
Skulls piled up like mountains, bones formed a forest, human hair was matted into felt, and human flesh rotted into mud and dust. Human tendons were wrapped around trees, dry and gleaming like silver. It was truly a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood, and indeed, it was stinking and disgusting. People took the flesh and cut it up, then cooked it fresh.
The central seat was studded with snarling skulls, and beneath it lay undried animal and human hides, still stained with blood and emitting a pungent stench. Scattered on the steps were remnants of gnawed remains and torn clothing.
Ming Yuanwu stood there with a complicated expression, feeling somewhat nauseous.
Seeing the corpses scattered everywhere, I inexplicably felt... that its prestige was a bit low.
Ming Yuanwu believed that Demon King who brought fear to all living beings should not be a demon who craved to eat people.
He should be like the powerful villains in fantasy works, with his own story and persistent pursuits, perhaps even more charismatic than the heroes.
He should have his own philosophy, his own suffering, and his own ideals, instead of being just a monster who likes to eat people.
The towering, humanoid Demon King, his body entirely crimson, sat on the main throne, his head bowed.
His body was covered with dark red scales, he had curved ram horns on his head, a pair of tattered fleshy wings on his back, long fingernails like five curved daggers, and ugly hooves that left deep indentations on the ground.
What an ugly, slutty Fury.