Advancement

The carriage is decorated with Dark Gold Crow carvings.

Three horses covered in Black Mist were used to pull the cart.

Only one person in the Holy City owns such a carriage, and can leave the city without inspection.

"Mr. Black and White's true power in the Holy City is far greater than that of the Lord of the System plus the Chief of Staff of the Plague Knights."

He truly deserves to be recognized as a "prophet".

It is estimated that Mr. Black and White solves a quarter of the Thirteen Knights' annual workload through astrology.

Early warnings are extremely important.

On the carriage.

Demps and Han Dong sat facing each other.

He had obtained permission from Mr. Black and White to go outside the city together.

However, Demps will not accompany Han Dong to the Stuart Grand Manor; he will get off the bus midway.

This completely dispelled Han Dong's concerns.

After all, Han Dong didn't want anyone to know the secrets of the manor.

The trip out of the city is scheduled to last 108 hours. Once the time is up, we will meet at the drop-off point in Demps and return to the city together.

"Demps, where are you going?"

Demps lightly brushed a strand of hair that fell over her eyebrows with her little finger and said softly:

"Go to a place where you can train your fingers."

Since I had not been able to find a reasonable way to leave the city without any suspicion, I had not ventured out of the city alone for a long time.

"Thanks to you this time."

"Hmm... I'll be leaving the city quite frequently from now on, so let me know if you need anything."

As long as it doesn't involve the secrets of the manor, Han Dong can take Demps out of the city at any time without any problem... not to mention, the two of them have a mutually beneficial relationship.

The carriage's route was quite different from what it used to be.

At Demps's request, the carriage traversed the forest and arrived at the edge of a cliff hundreds of meters high.

On the edge of the cliff, where there should have been nothing, stood a strange and eerie "Black Stone House," its surface constructed of spiked black stones.

A large number of 'finger beads' are also hanging from the top of the black stone spikes.

Clearly, this "Black Stone House" was there to meet Demps.

Actively provide assistance.

This indirectly shows that Demps's status outside the city was in no way inferior to his status inside the city.

If we trace it back to its source, we might uncover a rather terrifying background.

"Then let's meet again in three days."

After waving goodbye, Demps immediately entered the Black Stone House, which stood on the edge of the cliff.

In an instant, the entire house began to shake, and then it completely detached from the cliff...

Upon closer inspection.

The base of this "Black Stone House" has two long legs that are as high as the cliff, and the surface of the legs is also covered with black, spiky "leg hairs," which carry the Black Stone House slowly away.

"Demps Martin... he has a very powerful background."

We didn't stay for very long.

The carriage turned and immediately headed towards the manor.

Gaa gaa gaa!

Two Crow Person Elder flew out of the castle to personally welcome Han Dong's arrival.

"Congratulations, sir, on acquiring this priceless treasure!"

"Congratulations on your increased strength, sir!"

These crow-people, who had reached the [Otherworldly Demon] level, possessed astonishing observational skills and could see the aura of treasure emanating from Han Dong... especially a dazzling light source, which made these crow-people, who had long lived in the dark environment outside the city, somewhat wary.

"I will be staying at the manor for four days, and I may need to ask you some questions about ' Crow Sorcery '."

The Crow Person Elder bowed slightly, "Caw~ We will fulfill any request, sir."

"Oh, right..."

Han Dong immediately took off his gloves.

It immediately transformed into the appearance of Duoze Crow.

However, compared to before, Duoze Crow's condition is somewhat strange.

In the world of "Ghost Stories", Duoze Crow has fused with Han Dong multiple times, during which time he was also nourished by the essence of the [Faceless Head], and fought against powerful ghost stories during the fusion process.

The Duoze Crow is currently in a state of 'meditation'.

"Oh! This little guy is about to advance... Please allow me to take the Duoze Crow back to the castle! After all, it represents our Crowman Tribe and will always be by your side, my lord. There can be no mistakes in the advancement process."

"Can I observe the advancement process?"

"Please follow me, sir."

Han Dong was also quite curious about the process of the Crow People's advancement.

Immediately follow the two elders to the castle.

The castle, which was once complexly designed with multiple sections, has been renovated by the Elders. Most of the walls on the first floor have been knocked down to create a spacious hall, decorated with branches and vines.

The Duoze Crow was placed in the center of a formation built primarily of skulls, black water, and tree branches in the hall.

Visibly, the meditating Duoze Crow is absorbing the energy of the array.

Soon after, fleshy wriggling began to appear on the neck... a second head was about to emerge.

The Crow Person Elder explained from the side, "We Crow Clan people tend to be [Wizards], and our advancement is mainly reflected in the 'brain domain'... Therefore, from the outside, it will mainly be reflected in the head."

The formation of two heads allows the Duoze Crow to store more dark energy, enhancing its thinking and making it easier to weave magic within its skull.

When we forge a deeper bond with you then, it will provide even greater power.

"Hmm... Duoze Crow is quite useful."

Does the formation of a second head also bring about Second Consciousness?

"No. Having an extra head is merely a manifestation of an expanded 'brain area'; there is still only one consciousness... We crow people are low-level life forms and cannot be compared to your head, sir."

"Ha ha."

With the formation of the second head of the Duoze Crow.

Its feathers have also become much fuller, black and glossy.

"Gah! You brought... you brought people, thank you!"

With the formation of the second head, the language ability of the Duoze Crow is basically complete, and it can speak a stuttering, rustic English.

However, judging from the eyes of the Duoze Crow, there still seemed to be a hint of cowardice; the increase in strength had not changed its Weak State nature.

"Since you've returned to the tribe, you're free to roam around the manor for the next few days."

"Good."

"Elders, if I have any needs, I will come to you. You don't need to worry about me too much... I went to the Underground Area earlier."

Han Dong immediately took a secret passage preserved inside the castle and, as if sliding down a slide, arrived directly at the Core Experimental Area.

In the past, Dr. Swollen would personally greet Han Dong whenever he came to the manor.

There has been no movement today.

"Oh... the lab setup is basically complete. However, the Doctor's aesthetic style is a bit 'dangerous'... By the way, where is the Doctor?"

Walking through the laboratory area, which was themed around 'brain and nerves', I couldn't find the doctor anywhere.

However...

A handicraft not far away caught Han Dong's attention.

The surface is connected to various conduits and metal wires, and gears and small hydraulic devices are embedded inside.

"This is... a brain?"