Hell.
Purple Thorn Continent.
Half a year later.
The Golden Airship suddenly shuddered.
It abruptly slowed, causing the Saint Domain experts crowded aboard to stagger.
"We're here."
Commander's booming voice rang out.
The Golden Airship's walls gradually became transparent, finally revealing a huge opening.
A dark purple glow shot in through it.
Along with it came Hell's nauseating sulfurous stench and scorching heat.
Lei Wen followed the crowd out.
Before them stretched a barren expanse of dark gray land.
Desolate.
Jagged mountains rose and fell in the distance like enormous beasts lying in wait.
The black rocks gleamed with a cold, hard sheen beneath the blood-red sun.
At the foot of the mountains stood a massive fortress.
Though it was called a settlement, it was more like a small military fortress.
The city wall rose hundreds of meters high, built entirely from pitch-black Black Stone. Its surface was covered in runes for reinforcing magic formations.
"That's the Black Stone Settlement."
Lei Wen narrowed his eyes, scanning the guards patrolling atop the city wall.
Every one of them was a Lower God.
Even the burly man standing at the gate radiated the aura of a Lower God.
In this place, Lower Gods were merely gatekeepers.
At that moment.
Lei Wen clearly heard the Saint Domain experts behind him swallowing.
Despair spread through the crowd.
In the material plane, they had been gods revered by countless people.
Here, they were worse than dogs.
"Everyone, wait here."
"The transport handover is complete."
After saying that.
Commander walked toward the Lower God guarding the gate.
The two stood together, muttering about something.
A moment later.
Commander pointed at Lei Wen's group, then gestured with one hand.
He seemed to be discussing some sort of transaction.
Before long, the deal was concluded.
The burly man