Selecting a Consort

The Red Demon Tribe's location was more advantageous, and because Diego was skilled in the Earth Law, he had created a large number of exquisite buildings, both for personal needs and practice, all of which now benefited the Tianlan Tribe.

After a brief discussion, Linley made the decision—they would settle here from now on.

Inside the largest black castle.

"I didn't expect a pleasant surprise!"

A delighted expression appeared on Linley's face as he pinched a glass-like orb between his fingers, its interior filled with a golden, hazy mist—Soul Gold Granules.

In other words, a small unit of Soul Gold Beads, found inside Diego's Space Ring.

Linley pondered briefly and decided to have his Sanctuary True Body absorb and refine this soul energy.

"Soul... Life..."

Although Linley planned to focus first on mastering the Lightning Element Law, that didn't mean he shut himself off from insights into other rules. Occasionally, sparks of inspiration still flared up.

This was his first contact with such soul energy, and it left a deep impression on him. Deep within his Soul Ocean, a trace of dazzling, colorful ripples stirred, and suddenly, his comprehension of the Life Rule surged like a spring.

By the time Linley emerged from this subtle state, part of the damage from his soul laceration had healed, and his understanding of the Life Rule had advanced from the entry level to Saint Domain Peak, nearing the limit.

Linley examined his own changes and said with satisfaction in his heart, "Because my soul power has been replenished, my magnetic Spiritual Sense actively perceives and covers a range expanded to four hundred and seventy-five meters!"

Just then.

"Linley..."

Thomas's Spiritual Sense swept over.

Linley responded simply and waved his hand. The castle's great doors slowly swung open, and in walked over a hundred women, chattering and laughing like a flock of orioles.

Thomas grinned and said, "Heh heh, these are the best-quality women from the former Red Demon Tribe. We decided to let you pick a few you like first."

"You've been thoughtful."

Linley nodded with a smile, his gaze sweeping over the women. Cute, aloof, seductive—all types were present, like a concubine selection, his for the taking, even if he wanted them all.

One particularly striking woman stood in the front row. Her wavy hair was like golden sunlight, her face cold and exquisite, noble and elegant. A tiny beauty mark adorned the left corner of her lips, adding a touch of allure, and her furrowed brows carried a hint of anticipation.

Without a second thought, Linley beckoned with a hand, and the woman flew over into his embrace. He lowered his head and asked with a smile, "What's your name?"

This woman's looks, temperament, and figure all pleased him greatly—she was even more beautiful than the previous Four Maids.

The woman's face flushed, and she replied in a low voice, "Diana."

Joy swelled in her heart—she knew that with her beauty, her chances of being chosen were high.

Thomas sent a telepathic message: "Linley, this woman has a husband at Saint Domain Limit and a son below the Saint Domain. Want me to take care of them?"

Linley telepathically asked, "How did you select these women?"

Thomas replied telepathically, "How else? Just pick the pretty ones. Luckily, they're all at the Saint Domain, so they can't casually alter their appearances or bodies—saves us the trouble."

If they were God-level women, appearance would be secondary; the key would be the soul aura. It was like plastic surgery—experienced God-level powerhouses could still tell the difference.

For example, if a woman looked extremely beautiful and stunning, but her soul aura was ordinary with no appealing traits, then she was likely a common woman in disguise.

In Hell, the face reflecting the heart was the norm.

Linley understood. This woman was simply too beautiful!

Even though she had a husband at Saint Domain Limit, on the verge of becoming a god, he still couldn't keep ownership of her.

In Hell, beautiful women matched with the strong. If a man lacked power yet had a beautiful wife, it only invited disaster.

Linley telepathically asked, "Wasn't this woman taken by some other God-level before?"

Thomas explained telepathically, "Coincidentally, this woman's husband had an alchemical potion to disguise appearances. He recently ran out of the potion and lacked materials to brew more, so her true face was revealed."

"Milord."

Diana's clear, cold voice rang out. "I am willing to serve by your side, but I beg you to spare my husband and son."

She had come from a Material Plane, born into a wealthy noble family, and had experienced the wars and conquests between duchies, kingdoms, and empires. She knew the fate of the conquered—many men killed, women plundered—and was long accustomed to it. In Hell, such things were even more common.

Diana had given her husband time, but he had failed to live up to it, never becoming a god. This left her feeling extremely insecure, and she had long considered attaching herself to a God-level powerhouse. Linley's arrival was perfectly timed.

Telepathic communication was extremely fast, and Diana had no way of knowing the exchange between Linley and Thomas.

"Now that's a strange thing to say—am I forcing you?"

Linley said with a faint smile. The emotions contained in the magnetic fields of these women were clear to him at a glance. The vast majority held no hatred or fear, only longing—Diana included.

Yet she still pretended in front of him to be forced into sacrificing herself for her husband and son. In terms from his past life, one might call her a green tea bitch.

Linley said, "If you can't bear to part with your husband and son, you can go back now. No one will stop you. Don't put on airs in front of me."

Linley had a clear sense of his own strength and potential. Whether now or in the future, he would never lack women.

Never mind a Six-star Demon or Seven-star Demon—even as a Four-star Demon, he was already part of Hell's upper class. There were plenty of women eager to throw themselves at him.

If you don't want to be with me, there are plenty of women who do. Don't think too highly of yourself, pretending to be some pure, innocent lotus.

Linley had no intention of sleeping with a woman harboring resentment, having to guard against her in daily life. It simply wasn't worth it.

"I..."

Diana bit her silver teeth lightly, lacking the courage to argue. Her attitude was an admission of her stance.

Linley shook his head, pondered briefly, then spoke to Thomas: "Go bring her husband and son over."

Thomas nodded, glanced at the other women, and grinned lewdly. "There are still some good ones left in this batch. Don't you want to pick a few more?"

Linley smiled and said, "Forget it. When it comes to bedmates, quality matters more than quantity. I've already chosen the best one. You all can split the rest among yourselves."

Thomas grinned and said, "Just so happens there are a few I've got my eye on."

With that, he led the women out of the castle.

Among the group, many of the women who hadn't been chosen showed disappointment on their faces. Quite a few of them had come willingly.

Even some who had husbands were no exception, like Diana. Women who admired strength were everywhere.

After all, in Hell, women held a weak position. Having the chance to latch onto a Mid-level God was still a pretty good choice. Love that couldn't provide a sense of security couldn't withstand the test of time or circumstances.

Thomas found Donald, Dennis, Jess, Karl, George, and David, and laughed: "Linley said we can pick any of these women we want."