Choosing a Consort

The Red Demon Tribe had a more advantageous location. Because Diego excelled in the Earth Law, he had created countless exquisite architectural complexes, whether for personal needs or cultivation. These now came cheaply to the Tianlan Tribe.

After a brief discussion, Linley made the final decision: they would live here from now on.

Inside the largest black castle.

"I didn't expect an unexpected haul!"

Linley's face lit up with delight as he held between his fingers something resembling a glass ball, filled with a golden, hazy mist—the Soul Gold Granules.

They were simply smaller units of the Soul Gold Bead, found inside Diego's Space Ring.

After a moment's thought, Linley decided to have his Saint Domain True Body absorb and refine this soul energy.

"Soul... life..."

Although Linley planned to focus on the Lightning Element Law first, that did not mean he had shut himself off from comprehending other laws. Sparks of inspiration still occasionally appeared.

This was Linley's first contact with this kind of soul energy, and it affected him deeply. At the depths of his Soul Ocean, waves of gorgeous, multicolored ripples began to spread, and suddenly, his comprehension of the Life Law surged forth like a spring.

When Linley awoke from that wondrous state, his soul-rending injuries had recovered somewhat, and his comprehension of the Life Law had advanced from the entry level to the Saint Domain Peak, nearing the limit.

Linley examined the changes within himself and said with satisfaction, "Now that my soul force has been replenished, my magnetic-field Spiritual Sense has expanded its range to four hundred and seventy-five meters!"

At that moment.

"Linley..."

Thomas's Spiritual Sense swept over.

Linley responded briefly and waved his hand. The castle gates slowly opened, and more than a hundred women entered, all graceful and alluring.

Thomas said with a cheeky grin, "Hehe, these are some of the finest women from the Red Demon Tribe. We decided to let you choose a few you like first."

"You're thoughtful."

Linley nodded with a smile. His gaze swept over the women. There were all kinds: cute, aloof, seductive. It was just like choosing a consort, and he could take as many as he wished. Even if he wanted them all, it would be fine.

One particularly striking beauty stood near the front. Her long, wavy hair shone like golden sunlight, and her features were cold and beautiful, noble and elegant. A tiny beauty mark adorned the left side of her mouth, adding a hint of allure to her appearance. Her brows were slightly furrowed, and faint anticipation gleamed in her eyes.

Without hesitation, Linley beckoned. The beauty immediately flew over, and he pulled her into his arms. Looking down, he asked with a smile, "What's your name?"

He liked this woman's appearance, bearing, and figure very much. She was even more beautiful than the four maids from before.

The beauty's face flushed as she answered softly, "Diana."

She was delighted. She had known that with her beauty, she had a very good chance of being chosen.

Thomas transmitted, "Linley, this woman has a husband at the Saint Domain Limit and a son below the Saint Domain level. Should I go deal with them?"

Linley asked through voice transmission, "How did you choose these women?"

Thomas replied, "What else could we do? We simply picked the beautiful ones. Fortunately, they're all in the Saint Domain and can't casually alter their appearances or physiques, which saved us some trouble."

If they had been God-level women, appearance would have been secondary. The key was their soul aura. It was like whether someone had undergone plastic surgery—an experienced God-level expert could still detect it.

For example, if someone looked extraordinarily beautiful and stunning, yet had an ordinary soul aura without the slightest appealing quality, then nine times out of ten, she was merely an ordinary woman wearing a disguise.

In Hell, one's appearance naturally reflected one's heart.

Linley understood. This woman was simply too beautiful!

Even though she had a husband at the Saint Domain Limit who could become a God at any moment, he still could not protect his claim over her.

In Hell, beautiful women were paired with the strong. If one lacked sufficient strength yet had a beautiful wife, one would only invite trouble.

Linley transmitted, "Had this woman not already been claimed by another God-level expert?"

Thomas explained through voice transmission, "It was a coincidence. Her husband had a potion made through Alchemy that could disguise their appearances. Recently, they used up the potion, and he lacked the materials to make more, so her true appearance was revealed."

"My lord."

Diana's clear, melodious voice rang out. "I'm willing to serve at your side. I only ask that you spare my husband and son."

She had come from the Material Plane and been born into a wealthy noble family. She had experienced the wars between duchies, kingdoms, and empires and knew what happened to the defeated side: large numbers of men were killed, while the women were plundered. She had long since grown accustomed to it. In Hell, such things were only more common.

Diana had given her husband time, but he had simply failed her. He had been unable to become a God for so long that she felt extremely insecure. She had long considered throwing in her lot with a God-level powerhouse, and Linley's appearance had come at exactly the right time.

Communication through Spiritual Sense was incredibly fast, so Diana had no way of knowing what Linley and Thomas had discussed.

"Listen to you. Did I force you into this?"

Linley smiled faintly. The emotions contained in the magnetic fields radiating from these women were completely clear to him. The vast majority felt no hatred or fear, only desire—and Diana was no exception.

Yet she insisted on pretending before him that she had been forced into this and was sacrificing herself for her husband and son. In the terminology of his previous life, she was a hypocrite pretending to be innocent and helpless.

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

Linley had a clear understanding of his current strength and future potential. He would never lack women, either now or in the future.

Setting aside Six-star Demons and Seven-star Demons, even a Four-star Demon belonged to the upper class of Hell. There would be countless women eager to throw themselves into his arms.

If you don't want to be with me, plenty of women do. Don't think too highly of yourself. What are you pretending to be—a pure, innocent lotus?

Linley did not want to sleep beside a woman harboring resentment, let alone remain on guard against her in daily life. It simply was not worth it.

"I..."

Diana bit down on her silver teeth, lacking the courage to argue. Her attitude could be regarded as tacitly acknowledging her position.

Linley shook his head. After a moment's thought, he said to Thomas, "Go bring her husband and son here."

Thomas nodded, then looked at the other women and grinned lasciviously. "There are still a few good ones left. Aren't you going to choose a few more?"

Linley smiled. "Forget it. For the people beside my pillow, quality matters more than quantity. I've already chosen the best one. The rest are yours to choose from."

Thomas grinned broadly. "There are a few I happen to fancy."

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

Among the group, many of the women who had not been chosen wore disappointed expressions. Quite a few of them had volunteered.

Even some who had husbands were no exception. Diana was a perfect example. Women who admired the strong were everywhere.

After all, women held a weaker position in Hell. Having the chance to attach themselves to a Mid-level God powerhouse was still a very good choice. Love that could not provide a sense of security could not withstand the tests of time and circumstance.

Thomas found Donald, Dennis, Jess, Carl, George, and David and said with a smile, "Linley said you guys can choose any of these women you want."