Spellcasting Gods

Interestingly, Karen, as the successor, showed no jealousy whatsoever; instead, she readily accepted her father's arrangement.

This handsome man, exuding a melancholy aura, even tried to strike up a conversation with Zhang Cheng at the banquet to bridge the gap between them. Moreover, his humorous and witty manner made people feel inexplicably relaxed, which was the complete opposite of his brother Anthony, who always considered himself superior.

Given the enormous gains he had made in the treasure room not long ago, Zhang Cheng did not appear cold or aloof.

As the two talked, the topics broadened, and eventually they even talked about a topic that men can never avoid—women.

“My dear friend, in my opinion, women in this world can be roughly divided into two categories. One type truly loves you, while the other is after your wealth, power, and status. I am willing to have fun with the latter, but if I were to marry a wife for life, the former would be better.”

Karen raised her wine glass, took a small sip of the dark red wine, and shared her views on women.

Zhang Cheng shook his head dismissively and retorted with a smile, "Love? Does such an emotion exist between men and women?"

No, in reality, so-called love doesn't exist; it's just a reproductive desire rooted deep in your genes.

From the earliest primitive societies of humankind, the standards by which women choose men have changed with the times.

But one thing has never changed: to provide myself and my future children with better living conditions.

In the early tribal era, women chose men based on their strength. Generally, only the men who hunted the most prey were eligible for favor, because it meant that their children would be stronger and could obtain more food, thus avoiding hunger.

With the advancement of productivity, humanity quickly entered the era of slavery and feudalism. At this time, mere physical strength was no longer the primary criterion for women choosing men; instead, lineage and class became the deciding factors. Only by marrying slave owners and nobles could women receive the best care, and only then would their children gain a superior social status and resources.

In today's capitalist era, money has gradually become the only standard for people to measure and control social resources, so it is not surprising that a large number of "gold diggers" have emerged. After all, wealth means a better life, education, healthcare, and even a necessary condition for entering high society.

Furthermore, when some men talk privately about women becoming increasingly materialistic, it's essentially nothing more than ugly jealousy at play.

This subconscious preference will always exist in any era and in any region.

The woman who claims to love you doesn't actually love you for who you are, but is attracted by your elite education, manners, and the refined qualities you've developed since childhood.

Imagine if you weren't born into a wealthy family, but into a primitive and backward African country, running barefoot in the streets every day, unable to afford a pair of shoes, not showering for days on end, reeking of body odor, and speaking rudely every time you open your mouth—would those high-and-mighty, privileged women still fall in love with you?

Do not!

They would never fall in love with you!

They might sympathize with you and offer you a little help, but they would never allow you into their lives.

Although it sounds harsh, this is the truth, the reality hidden beneath countless lies, self-deception, and false appearances…

After hearing these words that revealed absolute rationality and ruthlessness, Karen felt terrible. It was as if the beautiful women who used to flirt with her had suddenly turned into a group of monstrous women who would devour people without spitting out their bones.

Even more frightening is that he developed strong suspicions about his young, gentle, and beautiful fiancée.

Seeing the poor guy's suspicious look, Zhang Cheng slightly curled the corners of his mouth, a playful smile flashing across his face. Then he laughed and patted the other man's shoulder: "Hahahaha! Just kidding! Don't take it too seriously! Every man has a different opinion about women. There's no right or wrong. Just be happy."

“No! Perhaps you are right. Now I finally understand why you were able to become an alchemist master and a member of the highest council of North America before you were even thirty, while I am still hiding under the protection of my family.” Karen shook her head with a wry smile, raised her cup and drank it all in one gulp.

"Don't be discouraged. If you'd like, I can teach you a couple of powerful spells when I have some free time."

"Teach me? Really!" Karen's eyes revealed undisguised joy.

"Of course! Come to New York to see me anytime you have time. Oh, and remember to keep it a secret, don't tell a third person."

After saying that, Zhang Cheng blinked lightly, turned around and walked towards where Virgil was.

It goes without saying that he clearly enjoys the feeling of influencing, manipulating, and playing with other people's minds through suggestion.

Poor Karen had no idea that her values ​​had already developed a tiny crack in just a few words, and that this crack would soon grow larger and larger until it finally collapsed.

At that time, chaos and pain will plague him until he falls completely into the abyss of darkness.

Often, breaking down a person's psychological defenses doesn't require specifically targeting their weakest point; rather, it's more effective to gradually influence their values ​​through subtle, gradual changes.

Chapter 0575 Private Investigator

The Marcus family's celebration lasted all day, and by the time Zhang Cheng returned to his Long Island villa in New York, it was already the afternoon of the next day.

When he pushed open the door and walked into the living room intending to give his girlfriend a little surprise, he was surprised to find Elizabeth sitting with a middle-aged man who looked to be in his early forties and was somewhat unkempt.

On the table between the two of them were more than twenty color photos.

"Ah! Darling! When did you get back?" Elizabeth immediately dropped the photo in her hand upon seeing her boyfriend, opened her arms, and gave him a warm hug and kiss.

"Just got back! Who is this gentleman? Aren't you going to introduce him to me?" Zhang Cheng glanced at the man with a hint of curiosity.

"Hello, sir, my name is Terry, and I am a private investigator." The middle-aged man stood up and introduced himself.

"Private investigator?" Zhang Cheng's eyes revealed a hint of doubt.

In the United States, private investigators are essentially a type of civilian investigative agency. People typically hire them either to find things, people, or to gather dirt on enemies or competitors—it's never anything good.

“That’s right! I’m hiring Terry to help me find my biological parents.” Elizabeth didn’t try to hide anything and stated her purpose frankly.

Clearly, like most orphans, she longed to find her parents and understand why she was abandoned, even though this somewhat naive idea always ended in tragedy.

Zhang Cheng couldn't understand the meaning behind this behavior at all, and his eyes showed a look of doubt: "Why?"

Elizabeth replied with a wry smile, "I don't know why either. Maybe I just want an answer, or maybe I want to figure out who I really am, and whether I have any other brothers or sisters. What, do you object?"

"No! As long as you're happy." Zhang Cheng shrugged indifferently.

Just as he was about to turn and leave, he suddenly remembered something and immediately stopped to ask the somewhat disheveled middle-aged man standing to the side, "Detective, does your scope of business include investigating shipwrecks?"

"A shipwreck?! What kind of shipwreck?" Terry's face showed interest.

“A 16th-century Spanish treasure ship, now lying silent at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, is called the Flame Queen. I also have a ship's logbook here, supposedly written by the captain of another ship that was on the same ship.” As he spoke, Zhang Cheng pulled the tattered notebook filled with Spanish writing from his pocket.

“Spanish treasure ships? My God! This is really exciting!” Terry muttered to himself as he quickly flipped through the notes.

He was clearly fluent in Spanish, reading without any difficulty. After a full seven or eight minutes, he looked up and said, "Although I'm not a navigational expert, with this logbook as a reference, I believe finding a general area shouldn't be difficult. The question now is, how much are you willing to pay to hire me, and how much are you willing to pay to shut me up?"

"How many do you want?" Zhang Cheng asked with a half-smile.

"Five hundred thousand! Give me five hundred thousand US dollars! I guarantee you a search area with a radius of no more than one hundred nautical miles in a week, and I guarantee that I will never reveal any information about the shipwreck to anyone." Terry went straight for the exorbitant demand.

Although he would much rather have a share of the priceless shipwreck treasure, he considered that salvaging a shipwreck in the vast Atlantic Ocean was no easy task, especially if it sank too deep, as current technology simply couldn't salvage it. Therefore, it was more practical to get his hands on the dollars first.

"Heh, five hundred thousand? You really dare to ask for that much. But it doesn't matter, as long as you can give me accurate information, I don't mind satisfying your little greed. But remember, if I find out you're fooling me, the consequences won't be as simple as just getting back the five hundred thousand; I'll take your life and your soul," Zhang Cheng threatened meaningfully.

There was no doubt that he knew the other party's hidden desires, but he was not prepared to bargain.

Because to him now, US dollars are just meaningless pieces of paper, or a series of numbers in a bank account.

These things can neither bring him power, nor grant him the knowledge he desires...

A few minutes later, Terry left the villa with a signed check for 500,000.

This poor man had no idea who he was dealing with, let alone the terrible price he would pay for breaking his oath. All he could think about was how to take advantage of this opportunity to make a fortune.

Standing on the second-floor balcony, watching the private investigator's car disappear into the distance, Elizabeth suddenly wrapped her arms around Zhang Cheng's waist from behind, smiling seductively, "Darling, I learned some methods for absorbing magic at the auction. Why don't we try it now?"

“As you wish, my lady.” The latter, adopting the etiquette of the ancient Middle Ages, turned around and gently kissed the girl’s hand.

Just like any other day, the two, their passion ignited, quickly returned to the soft bed in the room and began an in-depth discussion about the topic of "magic absorption".

……

Meanwhile, in a desolate castle far away in hell, another adulterous couple was also busy preparing to build a teleportation array to summon mortals.

Since Hell is not like the human world, which has strict surveillance and management, generally speaking, as long as the target responds to the summons, they can be teleported there immediately, and there is no such thing as being discovered and then banished.

"Are you sure that young wizard will answer our call?" Nisa asked her scheming lover without turning her head.

“Of course! Perhaps other wizards wouldn’t heed the call from hell, but he certainly will. You have no idea just how arrogant and conceited this guy is.” Borun gave his assurance without hesitation.

He couldn't wait to summon his allies to join forces and kill the female demon lord in front of him so that he could take her place.

Although this land is extremely desolate, it is still a territory that can be used to build a logistics base that can continuously replenish its strength.

Moreover, the demon lords wage war against each other as frequently as eating and drinking.

He believed that he could seize this opportunity to conquer all the surrounding lords in one fell swoop and become the supreme master of this borderland.

"Alright, I'll believe you this once."

Nissa seemed to sense Borun's burgeoning ambition, a hint of apprehension flashing in her eyes. Without making a sound, she gestured to a small demon not far away.

After receiving the order, the latter quickly left the castle and flew towards another demon lord's fortress hundreds of kilometers away...

Chapter 0576 Hell Summoning

From day to night, and from night to day...

Although hell doesn't have the clear distinction between day and night like the human world, and a blood-red sun always hangs in the sky, the demons have their own way of calculating time.

Three full days later, a complex magic circle capable of containing and summoning mortals was finally completed.

To build this thing, Nissa used up almost all the important resources available in her territory, all so that the other party would grovel at her feet and become a loyal servant. Then, she would organize a church in the human world, spread the faith of demons, and harvest the souls of mortals.

As for dealing with Boruen, that was just a side pleasure.

As a female demon, she differs from her violent male counterparts, preferring manipulative tactics, especially lust.

Meanwhile, Borun was also secretly using threats, bribery, and enticement to subdue several of the slightly stronger lesser demons in the castle, preparing to ascend to the position of lord and begin his ambitious conquest plan.

The two demonic lovers exchanged a deep look, and Nisa immediately stepped forward, raising her hands and loudly chanting an awkward incantation.

Before long, the exquisite runes on the rocky ground lit up, emitting a blood-red light.

A minute later, she slit her wrist, letting the acidic blood flow into the center of the wound with a hissing sound.

The moment the groove symbolizing the connection point was filled with blood!

The entire magic circle trembled violently!

next second...

boom!

The scorching hellfire shot up more than two meters high, tearing apart the gap between spaces, and then a young man, shirtless and wearing only a pair of boxer shorts, walked out from inside.

He was none other than Zhang Cheng, who had just finished a vigorous activity with Elizabeth.

It must be said that the sudden summons from hell left him stunned for several minutes, and he even suspected several times that it was a conspiracy by the great demon lords, but in the end he still risked responding.

no way!

His curiosity was always so strong that he could never resist the temptation to gain new knowledge and power.

“Aha! You’ve finally come! Young wizard! Tell me, what gave you the courage to answer the call from hell?” Nisa licked her alluring red lips.

Judging from the constantly swaying tail extending from the middle of her pert buttocks, one could tell that she was extremely excited and agitated, and her inner desires had reached their peak.