You want me to take out a loan to practice cultivation? I'll just pay off the debt physically.

Chapter 157 A 98% win rate, it's a sure thing (5k)

[In February of the 154th year of the Extraordinary Calendar, the Red Heart Society continued its outward expansion.]

[However, this area is extremely barren; even the nearby abyssal hatching pools are not of a higher grade than those on the edge of the abyssal battlefield where the main continent is located.]

[After the Red Heart Society expanded 20,000 kilometers eastward, 18,000 kilometers westward, 25,000 kilometers northward, and 30,000 kilometers southward, they still encountered the Abyss Lords, who could be considered their rivals.]

[The four directions correspond to the private territories of four extremely powerful abyss lords: Shadow Demon, Cloud Demon, Wood Demon, and Lizard Demon.]

[How could an ordinary, powerful Abyss Lord be a match for the Crimson Heart Society?]

With the intervention of the Red Heart Battle Group, four incredibly powerful Abyss Lords were slain!

[This war against four incredibly powerful abyss lords, an operation that would be considered a large-scale war against the Lava Demons, almost entirely avoided the involvement of the Lava Demons themselves.]

The War of the Abyss Lords is about to begin!

Therefore, the Lava Demon's strength can increase as much as it can during this process.

If they can win the upcoming Abyss Lord War and obtain the rank of Supreme Lord, then the Crimson Heart Society should be able to establish a firm foothold in the Abyss.

Of course, there's another reason.

Lin Xue and Deng Qi spared no effort in helping the Lava Demon, which could be considered a way of repaying the Lava Demon's reliability in the previous timeline.

If the Lava Demon's mindset changes after becoming a Supreme Lord, perhaps they can help you avoid potential problems in advance.

[In June of the 155th year of the Extraordinary Calendar, even in the barren abyss region, the extraordinary mineral veins were remarkably abundant.]

The Blazing Gold Oilfield, once considered the lifeblood of extraordinary industry, has been abandoned and left unattended.

The magic crystal mine, once hailed as a source of extraordinary industrial power, has been seized by a horde of inferior demons who defecate and urinate on it, wantonly trampling upon it.

The adamantite veins, once considered a source of extraordinary resources, were used as chew toys by the troll horde, smeared with their saliva, and carelessly discarded.

In short, the expansion of the Red Heart Society continues smoothly as always.

This is like a World Cup player who's used to playing in top-tier matches suddenly finding themselves in a low-level game and smurfing – they're practically unstoppable.

[The strongest force in the surrounding area is actually only a level 98 Super Abyss Lord?]

Can you even imagine this?

[A formidable defensive city was built nearby, and Mu Shou Wanli was only a level 97 Wind Demon, exceeding everyone's expectations.]

[Abyss lords of this level are practically nothing more than high-level cannon fodder on the main continent's abyss battlefield, okay?]

Only level 99 Abyss Lords with overwhelming power can catch the eye of the Crimson Heart Society.

Without the overall coordination and various conspiracies of the Abyss's projected will, the Crimson Heart Society realized for the first time that the Abyss Battlefield wasn't as brutal as legend had it.

Living here must be quite wonderful!

In September of the 155th year of the Extraordinary Calendar, the four departments of the Red Heart Society—the Cultivation Technique Research Department, the Armor Research Department, the Demon Research Department, and the Battle Formation Research Department—custom-made a powerful super armor for the Lava Demon.

This armor is normally concealed throughout the body, providing a powerful source of power.

[Once in combat mode, it will activate instantly, enhancing both offensive and defensive capabilities.]

It also has certain advantages in terms of soul defense.

After several trials, feeling the immense power emanating from within his body, the lava demon, a thousand feet tall, leaped excitedly, its chants of "May you be victorious forever!" echoing around it.

In July of the 156th year of the Extraordinary Calendar, the Demon Research Department developed a new potion suitable for the cultivation and growth of its servant army.

The Lava Demon decided that this time it wanted to come up with a nicer name.

And so, amidst everyone's eager anticipation, the Lava Demon settled on the name "powerful potion."

A long silence fell over everyone.

【what? 】

Is this name really nice to hear?

Okay!

[The servant army is nominally still the direct army of the Lava Demons, so it's not a problem that they name the potions their troops often drink that way.]

In May of the 157th year of the Extraordinary Calendar, during their eastward expansion, the Crimson Heart Society encountered three extremely powerful Abyss Lords who formed an alliance to defend them.

Clearly, as this war among the Abyss Lords is about to erupt, some lords have already begun making plans in advance.

[After discovering the ever-expanding Crimson Heart Society, these three incredibly powerful Abyss Lords sent a message to the Lava Demon.]

【Lava Brothers!】

Why did you build such a large private property?

[That land is so barren, the concentration of demonic energy is pitifully low, what do you need a place like that for?]

Have you received some secret information?

Faced with the questions posed by these three incredibly powerful abyss lords, the Lava Demon didn't waste any words.

【Start the war immediately! 】

【beat!】

He didn't want to waste any time!

[Because Lin Xue told Him some time ago that the warriors of the Crimson Heart Battle Group had all practiced the Life-Exploding Secret Technique.]

[In a short time, the Red Hearts Legion may very well cease to exist.]

Therefore, He needs to elevate His strength to a powerful level while the Red Heart Battle Group is still able to exert its influence.

In November of the 157th year of the Extraordinary Calendar, the first member of the Crimson Heart Battleband sensed his impending death and, unwilling to die of old age, chose to perish on the battlefield.

In March of the 158th year of the Extraordinary Calendar, a large number of members of the Crimson Heart Battle Group began to leave one after another.

The gradual collapse of the Red Heart Battle Group brought the Red Heart Society's expansion to a stalemate.

[During this period, a considerable number of powerful lords have perished at the hands of the Crimson Heart Legion.]

However, many more, after receiving a tip-off, abandoned their private territories and fled in advance.

Participating in the Abyss Lord War does indeed require private territory, but the prerequisite for everything is survival!

If you can't even survive, what's the point?

Therefore, even more powerful Abyss Lords fled in advance.

In November of the 158th year of the Extraordinary Calendar, the old general died from exhaustion during battle.

[Before he died, he looked up and laughed wildly, saying that he was already satisfied with his life's achievements, with the Red Heart Society expanding to this strength.]

[In the same month, Sword Elder consumed his fifth Inspiration Fruit and began the final refinement and breakthrough.]

He was always slightly inferior to the level 6 Soul Domain Condensation Realm.

Even after consuming five Inspiration Fruits, he still failed to achieve a breakthrough.

The death of his old friend prompted him to make one last attempt.

If one truly cannot break through level 96, then passing away peacefully might not be a bad choice.

In March of the 159th year of the Extraordinary Calendar, the powerful abyss lords surrounding the Crimson Heart Society felt that the Lava Demon's strength was far too great.

[Considering the future war among the Abyss Lords, they contacted the Lava Demon, intending to nominate him as the leader of their alliance.]

However, they made a condition under these circumstances.

[The Lava Demon's Redheart Legion had previously nearly killed them, so they needed the Lava Demon to offer up a million humans as food to prove their sincerity.]

Upon receiving the message, the Lava Demon declared war without hesitation.

This kind of wording is blatant insult, okay?

[He himself is a member of the Red Heart Society, and now these beasts want him to send out a million Red Heart Society members as food for their flesh?]

If we don't fight this!

That would be betraying one's faith!

Of course, even if the lava demons don't attack them, these rejected, incredibly powerful abyss lords will unite and launch an attack on the Red Heart Society.

After all, the pressure the Red Heart Battle Group put on them when they were around was immense.

In May of the 159th year of the Extraordinary Calendar, the four powerful Abyss Lords of the Crimson Heart Society, after establishing a simple alliance, elected a Dark Demon as their leader.

[Afterwards, he began to mobilize his auxiliary troops and family members to launch a joint attack from all directions.]

Their motto is: "Shave off the heads of lava demons and use them as footballs!"

The billions of human sacrifices consumed by the Red Heart Society are also a product they have long awaited.

[If I devour them, my strength might even increase to a higher level!]

[However, after so many years of recuperation, the Red Heart Society has long since replenished its lost Demon-Sealing Battle Groups, and has even reached a higher level of standards.]

Although they are not as powerful as the Red Hearts Legion, their combined strength is more than enough to contend with these extremely powerful Abyss Lords.

Most importantly, time is on the side of the Red Heart Society.

In March of the 160th year of the Extraordinary Era, due to damage to his Inspiration Fruit, Elder Jian's life essence was riddled with holes, pushing his lifespan to its limit.

[I'm getting very old!]

[A deathly aura pervades!]

At this moment, Sword Elder deeply felt that his time was drawing near. Even after consuming five Inspiration Fruits and wasting so many rare and precious materials, he still hadn't comprehended a level 6 Soul Domain.

Is my ultimate limit at level 95?

He did not despair in the face of death.

What truly drove him to despair was the predicament he couldn't overcome, even as he approached the limits of his life.

Perhaps it was fate, or perhaps the winds of change brought a twist of fortune; good and bad are intertwined.

In his final moments, as he closed his eyes to face death, he felt the profound sense of death emanating from the depths of his soul.

It was this subtle meaning that stirred the deep-seated truth within him that had long remained dormant.

[The next moment, a Level 6 Soul Domain solidified!]

[Following this, during the process of condensing his soul domain, Sword Elder used the true meaning of the soul of death to create a unique sword technique of his own.]

After regaining consciousness, his eyes were heavy.

After breaking through to level 96, he suddenly understood his old friend's past lament.

After reaching level 6 in the Soul Domain, the domain has virtually no weaknesses.

The path to Level 7 Soul Domain is laid bare before you!

[Built with lives!]

[Use time to stall!]

[If there are soul treasures or rare materials with soul attributes, that would be even better.]

But all of this requires a significant amount of time to sustain.

The old general sighed as he looked at the swordsman, but didn't voice this, fearing it might discourage the swordsman's resolve.

[That same month, Sword Master declared that his days were numbered, and given that he was merely a lowly level 96 professional, he would not be going to the front lines to participate in the battle.]

Compared to combat, he was more interested in the Red Heart Society's expanding martial arts research department and battle formation research department.

[Considering Elder Jian's immense contributions, Lin Xue created a special title for him within the Red Heart Society—Honorary Head.]

She had been considering this matter for a long time.

Her relationship with Deng Qi can be considered a rather special case.

What they all have in common is the position they once held.

She wasn't sure if her thinking was correct, but it was something worth pondering.

Even if there's only a one in ten thousand chance, it's worth a try; there's no harm in trying.

Therefore, the honorary title of "Head of Honor" came into being.

Sword Elder did not refuse this offer.

After all, this is a recognition of my achievements over the years by the Chixin Society, so why should I refuse?

In May of the 160th year of the Extraordinary Calendar, Lin Xue held a memorial service at the Red Heart Society.

[After that, she began to evaluate the Red Heart Battle Group and all its members who had died in the past, one by one.]

As long as the achievements are significant, an honorary title can be bestowed upon them.

Wang Meng, Zhao Feng, Xiahou Chuan, Guan Wu, and many others who made significant contributions were awarded this title.

In September of the 160th year of the Extraordinary Calendar, Sword Elder demonstrated his sword techniques in the Cultivation Techniques Research Department and pointed out flaws in some new cultivation techniques.

During this time, he gradually accepted his own death.

So he wanted to read as many books as possible before he died, to refine his murderous heart.

But he doesn't want to read some boring books.

After going through it all, he still found the various martial arts techniques stored within the Red Heart Society to be the most interesting.

Under these circumstances, his understanding of the technique deepened even further.

When Lin Xue received the relevant information from the Cultivation Techniques Research Department and suggested that Elder Jian be appointed as the head of the department, her eyes flickered.

[Sword Elder possesses such talent in the field of martial arts research?]

This is unexpected!

In December of the 160th year of the Extraordinary Calendar, under the guidance of Elder Jian, the Red Heart Society's Martial Arts Research Department produced a martial arts technique capable of changing the course of history.

This is a terrifying technique that allows one to generate malevolent energy through combat, and then use this energy to refine their soul, increase its strength, and comprehensively enhance their combat power.

[Upon reaching the pinnacle of cultivation, one can even condense a demonic core within their body, constantly refining the strength of their soul.]

According to the calculations of Crimson Heart II, this technique is of great help to professionals, whether in refining divinely bestowed crystals or honing battle qi or magical power.

Ultimately, at the request of the entire Red Heart Technique Research Department, Elder Jian gave this technique a name.

[Method for Condensing Malevolent Energy!]

[Refine your soul through battle.]

In peacetime, this skill might not be as effective.

[But since its founding, the Red Heart Society has been engaged in battle almost constantly.]

[After the Abyss's projected will descended and the Abyss began its invasion, the battles among the Red Heart Society members became even more frequent.]

Therefore, this is yet another groundbreaking achievement in martial arts techniques!

[However, compared to the excitement of the Red Heart Society's higher-ups and the Sword Elder's感慨 (gǎnkǎi, deep feelings), the researchers who developed this technique were somewhat unenthusiastic.]

[Because they suddenly realized that if they had revealed this technique to the world sooner, the Red Heart Society would certainly have possessed even greater combat power.]

"So, you, the founder of the Red Heart Society, are exempt from dying?"

[In March of the 161st year of the Extraordinary Calendar, inspired by Sword Elder's killing move, the Crimson Heart Battle Formation Research Department enhanced the Western White Tiger phantom within the Four Symbols Phantom of the Battle Formation.]

The white tiger phantom that materializes within the new battle formation emits a sword cry with each attack, causing sword energy to surge around it.

Even the White Tiger's roar, claw strikes, and other attacks can generate sword intent damage in the unseen realm.

In a sense, the white tiger phantom of the new battle formation could actually be called the sword tiger phantom.

However, because it doesn't match the other three mythical beast phantoms, people still refer to it as the White Tiger phantom.

[However, according to calculations by Red Heart II, the destructive power of the new battle formation has increased by more than a quarter.]

[In response, version 4.1 of the Crimson Heart Battle Formation has been released!]

First came the Cultivation Techniques Research Department, then the Battle Formation Research Department.

Sword Master's erudition in these two fields astonished everyone.

Lin Xue immediately summoned Elder Jian, asking if he could continue his efforts and help the Cultivation Techniques Research Department and the Battle Formation Research Department achieve even better results.

The old swordsman shook his head slightly, indicating that his lifespan was nearing its end and he was powerless to continue.

In August of the 161st year of the Extraordinary Calendar, Sword Elder, wielding his longsword, arrived at the front lines and led three Demon-Sealing Battle Groups, risking their lives to slay an incredibly powerful Abyss Lord.

After this battle, Sword Elder turned back to look at the headquarters of the Crimson Heart Society, smiled, and passed away peacefully.

In January of the 162nd year of the Extraordinary Calendar, the Crimson Heart Battle Formation Research Institute drew inspiration from the combined attack techniques of the Sword Elder's swordplay, creating a new technique related to combined attack resonance.

They transferred the combined attack resonance technique to the core of Crimson Heart Battle Formation 4.1, laying a solid foundation for the fusion of Crimson Heart Battle Formation.

From this point onward, two powerful battle groups using the same Red Heart Battle Formation core can fuse their power and unleash it through the mutual guidance of their battle formation cores.

There may be some losses during this process.

[Compared to a single-player battle within a battle group, the intervention of the combined attack resonance technique significantly increases the explosive power of the Crimson Heart Battle Formation.]

The Crimson Heart Battle Formation Research Institute has named this new battle formation Crimson Heart Battle Formation version 4.2.

In April of the 162nd year of the Extraordinary Calendar, the War of the Abyss Lords officially began.

Encouraged by everyone's gaze, the Lava Demon resolutely signed up for this life-or-death competition.

[To date, the number of minions under the Lava Demon's command has exceeded one hundred million.]

This is the most elite unit—the kind that obeys commands, is orderly, loyal, and won't easily rebel just because another lord provides some supplies.

According to Deng Qi's estimation, based on this army of one hundred million servants, as long as the Lava Demons can win all the battles in the Abyss War, they will inevitably possess an extremely large army once they enter the truly fierce lord-level battlefield.

[One billion is just the minimum!]

At that time, the abyssal will that the Lava Demon possesses will surely surpass that of other lords.

[Possessing overwhelming power over other super-powerful abyss lords, having won at the starting line, the lava demons can maintain their formidable advantage as long as they're not foolish.]

Therefore, this war, instigated by the will of the abyss to select the supreme lords, is a matter of certain death for other powerful abyssal lords, and a matter of nine out of ten chances of survival for the supreme prodigies of various races!

However, against the Lava Demon, the win rate is basically 50/50.

After listening to Deng Qi's analysis, the Lava Demon was filled with boundless pride!

Including my vassal army, I have a 50% chance of securing the position of Supreme Lord.

If we include the entire Red Heart Society's power, wouldn't I have 98%?

It's perfectly stable!

(End of this chapter)