The ritual's energy was completely exhausted.
Charles had gained nothing tangible from the ritual.
He had even expended a portion of his own power to strengthen the summoner.
Compared to the possibility of obtaining the coordinates of an entire plane, giving up short-term gains was nothing to Charles.
He had already moved beyond the stage of needing his first pot of gold. He could afford to look forward to greater returns.
Unlike demons, low- and mid-level demons—even Greater Demons—rarely made long-term investments.
Only Archdemons or Demon Lords would choose to make long-term investments.
The reason was simple: the Bottomless Abyss was far too dangerous.
No one could say how long a demon would live.
If they did not seize their gains and swallow them whole first, who knew when they might die?
Charles was much safer here. Besides, the woman's sacrifice consisted only of ordinary beasts. Even if she offered up her own soul as well, it would be of no use to Charles.
There was no telling how much soul power from fallen warriors was stored in the crystal balls in his possession.
So Charles could cast a long line.
What he had given was the power of his bloodline. That portion was permanently gone, but it was not a major problem. Once Charles absorbed soul power or magical power afterward, he could restore that loss.
As for the woman who had summoned Charles—
The power she had gained was indeed substantial.
She was not particularly strong to begin with, and after receiving the power Charles had sent over, she had no intention of resisting it.
Charles's corruptive power smoothly fused into the woman's body.
Her body was corrupted by Abyssal power. Her physical abilities began to strengthen, her strength grew greater, and her recovery speed increased.
At the