"It's been almost ten years. Has Luo Ya still not finished cultivating?" In the third-floor living room, the blonde girl stood by the balcony and glanced back at Luo Ya, who was still cultivating.
Milia had successfully fused two profound mysteries and become a Wind-element Midgod. Even Morti, the Silver-Horned Snow Lion Beast, had refined the Midgod divine spark Luo Ya had given him and advanced to become a Water-element Midgod.
"Though I'm looking forward to the Fiend Assessment, there's no need to rush. After all, the Laws of Wind have more profound mysteries than other laws. I've only fused two so far, so I'm only somewhat stronger than an ordinary Midgod."
"Once I fuse three, I'll be able to hold my own against the weakest Highgods." Milia's next goal was to fuse the simplest profound mystery of the Laws of Wind, Wind Element.
Growing stronger was a wonderful feeling.
Nearly ten years passed in silence. Luo Ya was completely immersed in strengthening his entire body, using his soul power to guide the process.
Every day, his physical strength increased imperceptibly.
Throughout this period, Luo Ya never let his mind rest. As he gradually guided and controlled the process, he slowly discovered the best way to strengthen himself.
After repeated experimentation, he devised a method of strengthening suited to both the black energy and himself.
"I'm almost there."
The black-haired young man abruptly opened his eyes and stood up.
At first glance, nothing about Luo Ya's skin seemed different. But his bones, flesh, organs, and everything within him had undergone a complete transformation!
He had a feeling that his body had reached the level of a Sovereign Artifact. It was practically indestructible!
"My body seems incredibly strong now, too..." Luo Ya extended his right hand. With a thought—
"Whoosh!" He held his hand like a blade and casually slashed it forward!
"Crack!" Space split open with ease, forming a massive rift.
"After this strengthening, my physical strength has also reached a terrifying level. Even with less mastery of profound mysteries, my attacks are still incredibly powerful." He mainly cultivated the Laws of Darkness, which didn't amplify his physical strength by much.
Even so, a casual palm strike or punch from him could now shatter the space of Hell!
Hell was no frail Material Plane. Under normal circumstances, it took a full-strength strike from a Seven-Star Fiend to create a spatial rift.
The fact that he could display such astonishing strength without using Willpower showed just how overwhelming his close-quarters combat had become!
Sometimes, a strong enough foundation meant that even without a deep understanding of profound mysteries, one could still reign supreme.
"With a body like this, there probably aren't many people in Hell who could withstand a serious punch from me, even without Willpower."
Smiling, Luo Ya left his room and stepped out onto the balcony beyond the living room.
"Are you done cultivating?" Milia immediately noticed the change in Luo Ya when he approached. It was a transformation she couldn't quite put into words.
If she had to describe it, even standing there with an entirely harmless expression, Luo Ya now seemed like a ferocious beast poised to strike!
His whole presence was overwhelmingly domineering!
In truth, it was only because Luo Ya had just finished strengthening his body, and a little of his aura still lingered.
"Milia, let's have a meal at a restaurant today to celebrate my progress. Afterward, we can go register at the Fiend Castle." Naturally, Luo Ya was in a good mood after strengthening his body to this extent.
"Sure!" Milia had also been yearning for the excitement and adventure of life as a Fiend.
The chefs in Hell really were skilled. The food was unbelievably delicious!
By the time they left the restaurant, evening had arrived. But the Fiend Castle still had staff on duty at night, so they registered without a problem.
The Fiend Assessment required a certain number of participants before they held a group assessment. Only half a month had passed since the previous one, so they would have to wait a little longer for the next.
The three returned to their lodgings to wait. About half a month later, Fiend Castle staff came to inform them that they were to take the Fiend Assessment the next day.
Early the next morning, Luo Ya and the others set off for the city gate.
When they reached the gate, they saw a large Metal Lifeform hovering outside the city. It bore the emblem of the Fiend Castle.
The three immediately flew toward it. An old man in a green robe was waiting at the entrance to the Metal Lifeform.
"Your identities have been verified. Please come in." The old man in green glanced at the Fiend Medals in their hands and spoke in a formal tone.
Inside the Metal Lifeform was a wide corridor that led in two directions, front and back. Someone stood in the corridor. When he saw Luo Ya and the others, he said, "Those taking the Fiend Assessment, head to the rear cabin."
As soon as they entered the rear cabin,
they saw that several hundred people had already arrived, with many more continuing to stream in.
"Hmm, some people with Fiend Medals have come, too. And quite a few of them." Milia looked out the transparent window, somewhat surprised.
"It looks like we've happened upon a large-scale assessment mission this time." Luo Ya knew more about the Fiend Assessment and quickly figured out what was going on.
"A large-scale assessment mission?" Milia asked, puzzled. Were Fiend Assessment missions divided into "large-scale" and "small-scale" ones?
"A 'large-scale' assessment mission means that we're not the only ones taking part as prospective Fiends. Quite a few veteran Fiends are here as well." Luo Ya didn't bother to keep his voice down, so the Midgods sitting nearby heard him. They all turned to look.
"Brother, are you saying that high-ranking Fiends will be taking part in this assessment, too?" A tall, young man from the Dragon Race immediately asked, his voice tense.
"That's right. From what I've heard, a Five-Star Fiend might even show up on a large-scale assessment mission like this." Luo Ya glanced at the young man from the Dragon Race, but didn't pay him much mind.
In Hell, the Dragon Race, Tiger-man Race, and Lion-man Race were all very common.
"A Five-Star Fiend?!" The other examinees who had been listening in were all stunned!
"Brother, you're not joking, are you? A promotion mission for a Five-Star Fiend is a Six-Star mission!" Normally, only Six-Star Fiends or higher could take on a Six-Star mission. There was one exception, though: promotion missions for Five-Star Fiends!
"I only said it was possible..." Luo Ya gave the young man from the Dragon Race an indifferent glance, then closed his eyes to doze. He didn't say another word.
"Don't worry, Trey. Those tricky mission targets are for the high-ranking Fiends to handle. We just have to deal with our own opponents." The young man from the Dragon Race's companion seemed unconcerned.
As the saying went, "Foot soldiers fight foot soldiers, and generals fight generals." Even if the mission included a powerhouse on the level of a Six-Star Fiend, the high-ranking Fiends would handle him.
"Have you ever considered what would happen to us if those high-ranking Fiends failed to stop the most troublesome mission target?" The Dragon-man youth's companion was shaken by the question, which made a fair point.
"Well... I'm sure that won't happen." The more he spoke, the less confident his companion sounded.
If the Fiends above couldn't hold the line, wouldn't the rest of them get caught in the crossfire?
While they worried, the Metal Lifeform had already set off!
"Those two are kind of interesting." Though Luo Ya had his eyes closed, he had heard their conversation and gave a slight shake of his head.
"Whoosh!"
A massive purple-black blur tore through the sky and vanished above the gates of House City. Soon, all that remained was a tiny dot on the distant horizon—and then, in the blink of an eye, it was gone.
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