Out of the City

Outside the City Lord's residence, the bulletin board was surrounded by a sea of people. The place was bustling and noisy, with countless god-level powerhouses surging over like a tide.

"The Blood Peak Army's registration period this time is one hundred years. Anyone interested, come quickly!"

"No one knows when the next special recruitment will be. Don't miss this golden opportunity!"

It seemed to be people from the Blood Peak Army shouting loudly, deeply stirring those who had been hesitant.

"I'm signing up!"

"Count me in!"

In the eyes of many god-level powerhouses, the words Blood Peak Army were synonymous with authority, status, and a secure job!

Especially with this opportunity to expand the army while lowering the requirements, the Mid-level Gods who had refined godheads were generally eager to join, surrounding the registration site so tightly that not even water could pass through.

Jess kept exclaiming in amazement. "This is really exaggerated. I doubt we'll be able to squeeze in."

As he looked around for Thomas, Donald, Dennis, Corey, and the others, the enormous crowd looked the same no matter where he looked.

Linley frowned, his expression solemn.

What he had seen and heard had allowed him to realize something deep down: "The struggle for faith between the Overgods has begun to escalate!"

Thomas finally squeezed out of the crowd and happened to spot Jess not far ahead. He greeted him, "Jess, you're here too."

As he spoke, he spotted Linley on the other side and laughed. "Linley's here too. It's incredibly lively around here."

Jess asked, "I heard that Mid-level Gods who have refined godheads can also join the Blood Peak Army. Is that true?"

With so many people talking at once, he was worried he had misunderstood. Thomas had arrived earlier, so he surely knew more.

Thomas nodded and sighed. "That's right. To be honest, even I'm a little tempted by those benefits."

Linley and Jess immediately asked him for the details.

Thomas smiled. "The announcement promised that a Four-star Demon who joins the Blood Peak Army will receive a house in the city! Five-star Demons and Six-star Demons who join can receive guidance from a Seven-star Demon! A Seven-star Demon who joins can receive guidance from an Asura-level powerhouse, as well as a drop of Sovereign's Might! And if they perform outstandingly in the wars on the Material Plane, they may even be chosen by an Overgod to become a Main God Envoy!"

Jess opened his mouth in astonishment and swallowed before saying, "That really is generous. But those benefits are all prepared for true powerhouses."

The two of them looked at Linley in unison. He should be about to become a Highgod, right?

He had possessed the strength of a Six-star Demon while he was still a Mid-level God. It went without saying that after becoming a Highgod, he would at worst be a Seven-star Demon, and might even approach the level of an Asura!

Linley said calmly, "Why are you looking at me? These matters have nothing to do with us. Don't think too much about them for now. Staying in the city and focusing on cultivation is the proper path."

These words were not only a reminder to them but also a warning to himself. He was not even a Seven-star Demon yet, so he should not get involved in the Faith War. The stronger he appeared, the greater the chance that he would attract the attention of other Overgod factions.

Linley transmitted his voice and instructed, "Jess, pay more attention to the situation over at the Tianlan Tribe with Corey and the others. If it involves the Overgod's army, remember to report to me promptly."

Jess transmitted his voice in response. "All right."

With the matter here settled, Linley left the noisy area around the City Lord's residence alone. After thinking briefly, he headed straight out of the city. However, his Life God Avatar and Death God Avatar remained in the residence. There was no need to bring them along this time.

Linley's thoughts became active. Time waits for no one. I have to take a slight risk and accelerate my cultivation. Relying on the amplification of Magnetic Field Power, as long as I possess strength comparable to a Paragon Highgod, I'll be able to run rampant across all Material Planes without Overgods.

I can completely choose to join one of the Overgod factions. As long as I exchange it for a promise—that if an Overgod falls during the Faith War, they will support me within their capabilities in refining the Sovereign Spark!

Linley knew that this was an overly idealistic plan, but he had no choice. If he did not take a chance during the chaotic period of the Faith War to fight for that minuscule possibility, his already tiny chance of becoming an Overgod in the future would become despairingly smaller.

Even if he endured until the era when the Four Divine Beasts fell, he still would not be able to refine those four Sovereign Sparks of the Earth, Fire, Water, and Wind attributes.

"Good. No one is following me."

Linley blended into the crowds on the streets and walked along inconspicuously, secretly remaining vigilant. He simply released his Magnetic Field Power to sense his surroundings and make sure no one was watching his every move. Fortunately, he had only been overthinking things.

At present, the attention of the various factions in the city was focused entirely on the City Lord's residence.

Linley used divine power to alter his appearance and adjust his build. A thick ring of beard grew along both sides of his cheeks and across his chin, while he changed into short black hair that stood up like steel needles. As long as the person was not familiar with Linley's soul aura, they absolutely would not recognize his true identity from this appearance.

Linley naturally walked out of Red Stone City like this, then leaped into the air and flew into the distance.

Flying alone through Hell was a bold and dangerous act. Ten miles outside Red Stone City, within the mountain forest—

"Haha! A Mid-level God actually dares to travel alone? He's practically delivering himself to us!"

Dozens of god-level powerhouses flew out from the vast mountain forest. The leader was a dwarf Mid-level God holding a black spiked war hammer. He grinned, revealing a savage smile.

"Has anyone ever told you that you're really ugly?"

Linley smiled as well and mocked him without mercy.

The dwarf flew into a rage and roared, "Everyone, attack! Kill him!"

Streams of divine power flashed brilliantly, most of them physical attacks.

Linley moved even faster. With an indifferent expression, he snapped his fingers. He paid no attention to the attacks of these weaklings; they could not even break through his Magnetic Field Defense.

"Crack!"

A dazzling, scorching bolt of lightning descended like a sword from the heavens, instantly cleaving the dwarf bandit leader into ashes. His savage smile vanished forever.

"Not good, he's an expert! Run!"

With their leader struck dead by lightning, the bandits beneath him turned pale with fright and scattered in all directions in a panic.

Linley coldly spat out a single word: "Collapse!"

"Boom!"

Balls of lightning exploded across the sky. Currents of electricity containing overbearing destructive power sprayed out like ten thousand swords returning to their source. In the blink of an eye, they swallowed all the bandits and reduced them to ashes!

With a thought, Linley beckoned and casually collected the godheads, Space Rings, and other spoils. He continued flying along the route he had seen on the map that was closest to the Star Mist Sea.

He had a Metal Life, but he had no intention of riding it. Nor was he truly planning to go to the Star Mist Sea. He simply needed a direction.

He had left the city this time to unleash his full strength and temper the final Mystery of the Lightning Element Law. The more battles he encountered, the better. In a sense, he was also fishing.

Red Stone Mountain Range, Tianlan Tribe.

Over the years, its scale had expanded several times. With Corey, a Highgod Demon, stationed there, along with the powerful deterrence of several other Highgods, ordinary bandit groups did not dare come and provoke them recklessly.

"Whoosh..."

The wind whistled in the distance as a Metal Life appeared. After arriving above the tribe, it began slowing down and descending. An opening in its belly sank inward and opened, revealing several figures looking down at the vast stretch of buildings constructed along the mountain.