Another Evolution, Hell Vanguard!

Shen Xing searched through the post and, sure enough, found a description of the [Lesser Demon Essence Blood].

It said that although the essence blood contained a mixture of powers, and there was a certain chance of failure when fusing with it,

Dretches were only the lowest-ranked demons in the Abyss, so the chance of success was not particularly low.

Moreover, the stronger a troop type's physique, the higher its chance of success.

For some low-level troop types, it was a viable shortcut to breaking through their limits.

The original poster also mentioned that there was no need to worry about side effects after fusion.

Even if they encountered higher-ranked demons later, the worst that would happen was that they would be unable to use their full combat strength.

They could even kill those higher-ranked demons to replace their troops' bloodlines with superior ones, so they would no longer be suppressed afterward.

"I see. Their bloodlines can be replaced with higher-ranked ones too."

Shen Xing came to a realization. "Then there's nothing to worry about."

Even if Hellscream encountered a more powerful demon later and was temporarily suppressed,

wouldn't he still have Gorehowl and Da Hou?

His territory had more than one great warrior.

With that in mind, Shen Xing immediately called Hellscream over from nearby.

Chapter 39: Another Evolution, Hell Vanguard!

"My lord, please give me your orders!"

Hellscream strode over and spoke respectfully.

Shen Xing took out the [Lesser Demon Essence Blood] and explained the side effects and risks of fusion to him, letting him decide for himself.

"There's no need to think about it, my lord!"

Hellscream replied without hesitation, "Orcs have never feared pain. To protect your glory, my lord, and lead the orcs to victory, I am willing to endure anything!"

Seeing the determination in his eyes, Shen Xing nodded solemnly. "Very good. You're a brave warrior."

"Start the fusion now. If anything feels wrong, stop immediately."

"Yes!"

Hellscream held out his large hand, then removed the stopper and poured the drop of murky blood into his broad palm.

The blood slowly disappeared, as though it had fused into his body.

At first, Hellscream did not seem to feel anything unusual.

But a few seconds later, his whole body suddenly shuddered, and pain instantly replaced his resolute expression.

His skin turned bright red in a matter of seconds. Veins bulged and writhed all over his body, as if countless worms were constantly crawling through them.

He looked as though he had been seared through by magma, waves of destruction radiating from him.

"Grr... Grr..."

Painful growls escaped Hellscream's mouth as he curled up on the ground as if in a spasm, all ten fingers digging deep into his flesh.

Squelch!

With a sound of tearing flesh, two gashes abruptly opened in his back, and a pair of pitch-black bat wings began to grow.

This made Hellscream suffer even more. His eyes began to roll back, as though he were about to pass out completely.

Shen Xing frowned slightly, somewhat worried that Hellscream would not be able to endure it.

Several orcs nearby also noticed the commotion and turned to look.

Watching Hellscream suffer such extreme pain yet still refuse to admit defeat, all the orcs could not help feeling a measure of respect.

Even Gorehowl, who had always wanted to surpass him, could not help tightening his grip on his axe, his expression grave.

"Grr... My lord once said that mighty warriors are forged in blood and fire!"

Forcing himself to endure the pain, Hellscream slowly straightened up from the ground. "We are orcs. We never submit!"

Through his extraordinary willpower, the aura of destruction seemed to be forcibly suppressed, and his agitated blood quickly calmed.

His red-hot body gradually cooled, releasing waves of steam.

[Congratulations! Your territory's troop, "Hellscream," has successfully fused with "Lesser Demon Essence Blood" and completed a bloodline evolution.]

[Class: Orc Fighter has changed to Hell Vanguard. All attributes +30%!]

[Bloodline skills acquired: Flame of Hell (passive), Fel Fire Body Burning (active)]

When the notifications ended, Hellscream, his transformation complete, slowly walked over.

His figure had grown more slender, his limbs were strong and powerful, and rings of dark blue patterns had appeared across his upper body.

The pair of black wings on his back flapped gently, and steam rose from his body, making him look like a demon general who had just emerged from the depths of hell.

"My lord, I did not disappoint you." Hellscream knelt on one knee, his voice steady and strong.

Appreciation appeared in Shen Xing's eyes. "Well done."

"Although the bloodline you fused with belongs to a Dretch, remember this."

"Strength does not come from external power, but from your heart and will. True power comes from ourselves."

Hellscream's whole body trembled at those words. The blue pattern between his brows flickered with a faint light, and an air of wisdom emanated from him.

Gorehowl also murmured to himself, astonishment appearing in his eyes as the red pattern between his brows lit up.

Shen Xing was a little surprised. He had casually said a couple of things to maintain his imposing image as a lord.

Could these two orcs have been inspired again and entered a state of enlightenment?

Mm, as expected of the two supreme geniuses under my command. Their comprehension really is remarkable.

Satisfied, Shen Xing pulled up Hellscream's status panel and examined his new skills.

[Flame of Hell (passive): All attacks inflict the "Hell Burning" effect, dealing continuous damage to enemies and reducing their armor by 3%. Stacks up to 5 times.

Duration: 12 seconds]

(Note: "Even a stick can become a hellish fire poker in my hands!")

[Fel Fire Body Burning (active): Activates the hellfire within the user, preventing a single target from using skills for the next 8 seconds and continuously dealing damage by burning their body with Infernal Flame.

This skill cannot be dispelled by ordinary skills, but there is a chance it can be resisted.

Cooldown: 10 minutes.]

(Note: "The flames of hell shall burn your bodies to ashes!")

It reduces armor and can keep burning enemies?

These two skills are ridiculously powerful.

Especially the second active skill, [Fel Fire Body Burning]. It can actually prevent an enemy from using skills for a full eight seconds!

And it can't be dispelled by ordinary skills, which makes it the equivalent of an advanced silence.

That's enough time for Hellscream to use a full round of skills, while the other troops can attack several times over.

Excellent. This blood fusion gave him a huge boost. I'm tingling all over with excitement, Shen Xing thought in delight.

Just then, the two arrow towers at the village entrance suddenly attacked on their own, and arrows whistled through the air.

"Enemy attack! Prepare for battle!"

Gorehowl abruptly emerged from his state of enlightenment and shouted.

The entire territory went on combat alert in an instant.

More than a dozen orcs picked up their stone axes and ran to the village entrance.

Six skeleton archers drew their bows, Dark Arrows rapidly taking shape.

Shen Xing wheeled himself forward as well and raised his right hand, a ball of eerie green fire steadily forming in the air.

Yet as everyone waited in battle formation, no monsters emerged from the fog. They saw only a cluster of yellow light drawing closer.

A group of Light Spirits, their bodies made entirely of elements, stepped out of the fog and slowly approached, surrounding a woman in a white dress.

At the front of the group were two particularly burly Light Spirit giants, each conjuring a light shield with his right hand to block the incoming arrows.

"Why is it you?"

Shen Xing was momentarily stunned, then turned off the arrow towers' automatic attacks.

"Of course it's me."

Xia Wanyin's eyes were vacant, and she wore a smile as if it were only natural. "Didn't I promise yesterday to take you exploring for nearby resource points?"

Shen Xing remembered it too, but he hadn't expected her to come straight to his territory.

Good thing. She almost got a taste of hellfire on her backside.

"Spark, so this is your territory. Can I go in and have a look around?" Xia Wanyin asked expectantly.

What's there to look around for? You're blind. You can't see anything, Shen Xing thought.

But then he remembered that he still needed her help to find resource points, so he nodded. "All right. Stay where you are, and I'll come get you."

With that, he wheeled himself along a particular route and came to Xia Wanyin's side.

Then he had her hold on to his wheelchair and led her into the territory.

After the girl in the white dress entered the village, she closed her eyes, seemingly sensing her surroundings.

"Huh? Such a rich aura of life!"

Xia Wanyin seemed to sense something and said in surprise, "Spark, do you have some treasure in your territory? It makes me feel so comfortable."

Shen Xing knew she was talking about the Moonwell and casually answered her.

"Wow! It's actually a mysterious building like that!"

Xia Wanyin said excitedly, "I heard those buildings are extremely rare. Not many extraordinary-tier lords even have one!"

"Spark, Spark, do you have another Moonwell? I can pay a high price for it!"

Shen Xing shook his head. "No, I don't. I bought that one from the Player Association myself."

"Oh, well..."

Xia Wanyin was a little disappointed, but she quickly perked up. "Oh, right, Spark, let's add each other on Green Bubble. It'll make it easier to stay in touch."

Shen Xing found the request a little strange.

But then he thought about how close their territories were and the alliance they had formed. They might have dealings with each other often in the future.