Diego

"Follow me..."

Linley led these Saint domains away, merging them with the Tianlan Tribe's rear ranks, scattering and integrating them in. Since these people had no connection to the two slain God-level powerhouses, they could be smoothly absorbed and become part of the tribe's assets.

"Lucky break, killed two Demigods first..."

Linley recounted the results of his scouting.

Thomas asked with a smile, "Linley, do you have any thoughts on these two Demigod Divine Sparks this time?"

Linley answered without hesitation, "I plan to store them for now, save up a batch of Blood Crystals, and sell them at Red Stone City in exchange for cultivation resources."

Admittedly, finding two Saint domains to refine the sparks would let the Tianlan Tribe gain two Demigods in a short time, but Linley had no need for help from a pair of water Demigods barely stronger than cannon fodder.

Just like Thomas, Donald, and Dennis—they hadn't bought Divine Sparks or God Artifacts at Red Stone City before either, instead saving up for cultivation resources. After all, a single Demigod Divine Spark cost a hundred Ink Stones, a Low-level God Artifact cost ten Ink Stones, and a Mid-level Godhead went for tens of thousands of Ink Stones, while a High-level Godhead was tens of millions.

A Soul Gold Bead sold for a hundred thousand Ink Stones, worth more than a Mid-level Godhead, but the smaller Soul Gold Granules cost only ten thousand Ink Stones each.

The stronger the soul, the faster the cultivation efficiency.

For Thomas and the others, breaking through to Highgod early was far more worthwhile than adding hundreds of Demigods. Power trumped authority—otherwise, painstakingly raising dozens or hundreds of God-level fighters only to end up as a wedding dress for other tribes would be a colossal joke.

Even without counting Linley's combat strength, once Thomas and the other two broke through to Highgod, the tribe's power would undergo a qualitative leap.

"Well... I..."

Donald hesitated, looking at Linley with an embarrassed expression.

Linley saw this, smiled, and teased, "Donald, just say it straight—are you after a Divine Spark?"

Donald nodded and sighed, "My son has trained for five thousand years and is still at Saint Domain Peak. He begged me to get him a Divine Spark. As a father, it's hard to refuse."

Linley understood. Everyone knew the significance and potential of becoming a god independently—once you refined a Divine Spark, you were doomed to never become a true powerhouse. But for those without talent, it was the only option.

Born in Hell, training for five thousand years to reach Saint Domain Peak—such talent would struggle to even become a Saint in a Material Plane. Recognizing one's limits early and refining a Divine Spark to become a god was the right path.

"That little matter? No problem."

Linley chuckled lightly, generously asking, "Which element do you want?"

Donald smiled. "Wind, same as his cultivation attribute. That way, he can refine it faster."

Linley nodded, flipped his hand, and tossed him the Divine Spark as if it were an ordinary trinket.

"Thanks, Linley."

Donald sighed in relief, then flew personally to the safest spot at the rear of the ranks, handing the Divine Spark to his son for blood refinement.

Dennis asked uncertainly, "Linley, do we wait for Donald's son to finish refining the Divine Spark, or do we attack now?"

Linley answered decisively, "Attack now. The sooner, the better. Don't give them time to notice anything unusual and prepare to fight. Catching them off guard is the best way to maximize gains."

Refining a Divine Spark wasn't instantaneous, and that time could bring unexpected variables. For the sake of one extra Demigod combatant, Linley felt it was completely unnecessary.

Thomas seconded, "Agreed!"

Once Donald returned, they quickly assigned battle tasks, and the Tianlan Tribe's God-level powerhouses charged aggressively into the Red Demon Tribe's territory.

"Foreign God-level powerhouses!"

"Looks like they're here for trouble—quick, report to the chief!"

The Red Demon Tribe's residents felt waves of oppressive auras bearing down on them, their heads spinning under immense pressure. Many who weren't even Saint domains collapsed unconscious.

The Saint domains' faces twisted in terror and helplessness, cold sweat beading on their foreheads. Before divine might, they lacked even the courage to resist—unless the tribe's God-level fighters pushed back against this force, organizing a joint counterattack to fulfill their meager role as qualified cannon fodder.

"Tch, this Diego's architectural taste isn't bad."

Linley flew in the air, overlooking the canyon split open like a sword scar, and praised with a smile.

The Red Demon Tribe's buildings were generally three stories high, with a fairly grand and attractive exterior. Based on strength and status, the black castles where several God-level powerhouses lived stood out like small hills.

"Swish! Swish! Swish!"

Soon, three Mid-level Gods and two Demigods flew out from the castle.

The leading man had dark skin, his golden hair slicked back and gleaming with oil.

Diego's gaze swept over coldly as he demanded, "Thomas, Donald, Dennis—you've got some nerve. What do you want coming to my Red Demon Tribe?"

As he spoke, he warily sized up Linley. This unfamiliar black-haired Mid-level God stood ahead of Thomas and the others, making his role obvious—he was surely the new chief.

Donald called out, "Diego, it's been a few years. No need for pleasantries—my tribe and Dennis's have already merged into the Tianlan Tribe. If you're smart, you'll surrender too."

Dennis nodded and urged, "This is Linley, the new chief we all recognize and support. He's strong enough to have the makings of a Seven-star Demon. Joining the Tianlan Tribe is the wise choice."

Diego sneered repeatedly. "What a joke! I could say I have the makings of an Overgod!"

"Hahaha!"

"A Seven-star Demon? I wouldn't even dare dream of it!"

The two Mid-level Gods beside Diego laughed scornfully, while the three Demigods looked tense.

Linley sent a telepathic message to Thomas and the others: "The other two Demigods are probably patrolling elsewhere. I think these three Mid-level Gods aren't worth recruiting—let's just kill them."

In his magnetic field sensing, Diego and the other water-element Mid-level God's killing intent surged like a flood, mixed with some jealousy. Clearly, they weren't as foolish or arrogant as they appeared.

"Alright."

"Whatever you say, Linley."

"No problem. Let's go together."

Thomas and the others sent their voices via telepathy.

"Kill—!"

Diego suddenly let out a loud shout and struck first. A vast expanse of yellow sand rose up, turning into his advantageous battlefield. His figure flickered like a ghost, moving with a speed comparable to a Mid-level God skilled in the Wind Law.

Swish!

A glint of cold light flashed. Diego gripped his dagger, but his target wasn't Linley or the other Mid-level Gods—it was Jess.

Diego planned inwardly: "I'll kill one Low-level God first and reduce their numbers!"

"Whoosh!"

In the blink of an eye, Linley's figure blocked the path of Diego's dagger. He raised his longsword, wreathed in blazing thunder, and brought it down in a heavy, head-on chop!

"So fast! Could this be a fused Mystery?"

Diego was shocked, but he had no time to evade the edge of the blade. Gritting his teeth, he raised his dagger to meet the blow head-on!