Chapter 260 : Infernal Malevolent Eye

Chapter 260: Infernal Malevolent Eye! Talent of a Renowned Chancellor! For the Dignity of Humanity!

At ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍this moment.

There ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍were roughly two or three hours left before the return to the Land of the Stars.

Although ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍there was not much time remaining...

Hang ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Yu had no intention of wasting it.

He ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍decided to use the Talent Materials obtained during this campaign as quickly as possible.

During ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍the Corpse Lich Territory campaign...

Numerous precious Talent cultivation materials had dropped from the enemy Lord and Hero Units.

Among them were one Blue-quality Talent Orb, ten Green-quality Fortune Orb Fragments, ten Blue-quality Aptitude Spirit Orb Fragments, and thirty-five Green-quality Aptitude Orb Fragments.

These were...

One of the most important spoils of war from this campaign.

The other gains—such as resources, blueprints, and territory—had already begun to be integrated and put to use.

Naturally...

These precious Talent Materials also had to fulfill their value.

Among these materials...

The most valuable was undoubtedly the Blue-quality Talent Spirit Orb, Infernal Eye.

This material could grant a territory unit a Blue-quality Aptitude Talent!

What did a Blue-quality Aptitude Talent represent?

Even existences on Wen Ping's or Zhou Cang's level currently possessed only one or two Blue Aptitudes.

And these were precisely the greatest foundations behind their immense strength.

For example...

Wen Ping possessed the Blue Aptitude called:

【Famous General Aptitude: Shield Famous General】.

This Aptitude used his core attribute values as a basis to grant Health +25%, Strength +30%, Agility +20%, Willpower +20%, Spirit +10%, while also increasing the effectiveness of all shield-related skills by 40%.

That was why he possessed the strength of a top-tier Commander.

That was why his defensive capabilities were so overwhelming.

As for Zhou Cang...

He possessed two Blue Talents.

One was the Abyss Constitution: Azure Demon Flame Bones.

The other was the Overlord Template.

The latter had been created by Hang Yu after upgrading the Advanced Commander Template using Aptitude Spirit Orb Fragments.

From this, it was obvious...

As long as one possessed a single Blue-quality Aptitude...

Becoming an elite, or even top-tier Commander was practically guaranteed.

If one possessed two Blue-quality Aptitudes simultaneously...

There was an extremely high probability of stepping into the Overlord rank.

And the Aptitude Spirit Orb: Infernal Eye in Hang Yu's possession...

Was a material capable of directly granting someone a Blue Talent.

Its value was therefore self-evident.

As long as Hang Yu wished...

He could casually use it on an ordinary citizen of the territory.

No matter how mediocre or ordinary that citizen had originally been...

With the blessing of this Aptitude...

Their future minimum achievement would be reaching the status of an Abyss Commander.

If that citizen already possessed a Blue Aptitude...

Then they might even grow into an Overlord.

So...

How should this Aptitude be used?

That truly was a difficult question.

Such a precious material immediately ruled out ordinary citizens and Players.

The former generally lacked cultivation value.

As for the latter...

There was no need to cultivate them, lest the balance between Players be disrupted.

Hang Yu's original list of candidates...

Included only the Four Heroes and the Eight Initial Azure Dragon Guards.

However...

After the Talent Stone, Eye of Malevolence, took effect throughout the territory...

He abandoned the idea of using this Talent on anyone else.

Everyone now possessed the Eye of Malevolence Talent.

And this Talent shared a superior-inferior relationship with Infernal Eye.

Part of their abilities overlapped.

As the Lord...

How could he possibly possess a lower-ranked version of the same Talent than his own subjects?

Hang Yu simply decided to claim the Talent for himself.

Although, with his current strength...

An ordinary Blue Aptitude could no longer produce a qualitative leap in power...

It certainly was not without value.

It would still provide a considerable enhancement.

Without further hesitation...

He personally absorbed the complete Talent Spirit Orb.

Hang Yu clearly felt a new power emerging from every inch of flesh and every cell within his body.

Not only did it further strengthen his physical body...

It also converged upon the center of his forehead...

Allowing the dormant Eye of Malevolence to evolve.

He opened his status panel.

The original Green Talent, Eye of Malevolence...

Had disappeared.

Because they shared a superior-subordinate relationship...

The higher-ranked Talent had completely overwritten the lower-ranked one.

At the same time...

It had absorbed all of the lower Talent's abilities.

As a result...

It had also undergone certain changes.

His Talent now read:

【Infernal Malevolent Eye】, Aptitude Talent, Blue Quality. For every level gained: Strength +10, Agility +10, Spirit +20, Willpower +30. Grants the skill: Malevolent Eye Awakening!

The Talent had evolved.

Its enhancement effects had increased tenfold.

Not only that...

The accompanying skill had also undergone tremendous changes!

【Infernal Malevolent Eye Awakening】, Blue Talent Skill. Upon activation: instantly restores 10,000 Mana. Afterwards consumes 1,000 Mana per second. Insight and Perception +1200. Spiritual Spell Attack +1200. All spell effects below Purple Quality +20%. Spiritual spell effects +50%. Allows the user to release psychic force for reconnaissance, illusion dispelling, object manipulation, as well as mind control and hypnosis.

Talent Skills attached to Talents...

Generally possessed value far exceeding ordinary ultimate secret arts of the same grade.

The value of Infernal Malevolent Eye...

Was probably already approaching that of a Purple Secret Art.

In terms of a single skill's value...

It even surpassed Martial Saint's Three Blades.

Second only to another Talent Skill...

King's Might.

Hang Yu activated the Malevolent Eye and tested it.

The radius of the Divine Sense produced by the Infernal Malevolent Eye had increased by more than double.

Its various abilities had also been comprehensively enhanced.

It could no longer be compared with the ordinary Malevolent Eye.

“It's much stronger than I imagined!”

This was effectively the first personal Talent Hang Yu had obtained besides his Lord Talent and Territory Talents.

Even for him...

It significantly increased his combat strength and possessed tremendous practical value.

At this moment...

Jia Xu, Wen Ping, Zhou Cang, and Zhang Zhongjing arrived in response to his summons.

Behind them stood ten powerful natives.

They were none other than the Ten Commandants of the Black Tiger Guard.

“Your subordinate (this humble official) greets Lord Hang Yu!”

All fourteen of them faced their Lord with utmost respect.

Every one of them sincerely revered the being standing before them.

Ever since they had chosen to follow Lord Hang Yu...

They had witnessed far too many unbelievable methods and miracles.

Although part of this naturally came from the powers unique to a Starsea Lord...

The four Heroes were not fools.

They clearly understood that...

Even among the countless Lords throughout the Land of the Stars...

The one they served was unquestionably an exceptionally terrifying existence.

To have the opportunity to follow him...

Was an incomparable blessing.

Hang Yu asked,

“The Day of the Stars' Return is almost upon us.”

“Have you all finished preparing to accompany me to Sacred Azure City?”

Jia Xu immediately replied,

“We were originally nothing more than insignificant insects trapped within the Abyss Dream.”

“To have the fortune of breaking free from those shackles and witnessing a broader world...”

“It is entirely thanks to Lord Hang Yu's grace.”

Wen Ping also said,

“We are willing to pay any price to win glory for Lord Hang Yu!”

The Four Heroes of the Human Territory...

Already understood what challenges awaited them during this return to the Land of the Stars.

This journey...

Was not merely sightseeing.

They would also compete against Starsea Lords from other races.

Through this...

They would establish the territory's reputation and secure greater resources and benefits.

Hang Yu nodded in satisfaction.

“You all know...”

“Humanity occupies an extremely low status within the Land of the Stars.”

“Especially in the eyes of the naturally powerful upper races with extraordinary aptitudes...”

“We humans are no different from rats and insects crawling through gutters.”

“Whether in Sacred Azure City where I reside, or anywhere else within the known Land of the Stars...”

“Across countless billions of years...”

“There have been almost no legendary Lords who rose to greatness with a human body.”

After a brief pause...

Hang Yu continued.

“Yet...”

“We were born as humans.”

“How can we remain forever beneath the myriad races?”

“My ambition does not end with purifying the Abyss of this world and eradicating every trace of corruption.”

“I also intend to use this world as my foundation...”

“To ascend to the very summit of all the races beneath the Stars!”

Everyone was deeply moved.

There were countless alien races throughout the Land of the Stars.

Many possessed mythical bloodlines.

The advantage enjoyed by such races over ordinary ones was simply overwhelming.

Yet...

Lord Hang Yu aspired to rise from mortal origins.

Not only would he save this world...

He would also represent his people in the Land of the Stars.

He would become a legendary figure traversing countless worlds.

He would forge dignity and glory for humanity!

What an incomparably magnificent aspiration!

Zhou Cang, Wen Ping, and Zhang Zhongjing were all filled with admiration.

Zhou Cang excitedly declared,

“Although this subordinate's strength is insignificant...”

“If I can contribute even the slightest amount to Lord Hang Yu's great cause...”

“Then even if I am crushed to pieces and die a hundred times...”

“I will never regret it!”

Even Jia Xu...

Who normally preferred taking the easy path and avoiding trouble...

Felt that...

Although this journey would be long and difficult...

It would also be an exceptionally interesting game.

He disliked trouble.

Yet he was also playful, curious, and possessed an intense thirst for knowledge.

He wished to live forever...

So he could witness more sights, experience more events...

And explore even greater knowledge.

If the Four Heroes felt this way...

Then the ten Black Tiger Commandants kneeling behind them were even more shaken.

Every one of them felt even deeper reverence toward Lord Hang Yu.

All of them were exhilarated to be following such an ambitious ruler.

There was little time remaining.

Hang Yu wasted no more words.

He immediately began another round of Talent cultivation for Jia Xu, Wen Ping, Zhou Cang, and Zhang Zhongjing.

During the Corpse Lich Territory campaign...

Jia Xu had contributed the greatest merit.

Thus...

Hang Yu used all ten Blue-quality Aptitude Spirit Orb Fragments on him...

As recognition for his tremendous achievements.

Speaking of which...

Jia Xu's Talents were astonishingly powerful.

He possessed four Aptitude Talents alone.

They were:

【Sage Strategist Aptitude】 (Purple),

【Talent of the Three Excellencies】 (Blue),

【Turning Misfortune into Fortune】 (Green),

【Insight into Human Nature】 (Green).

He possessed two Purple Talents.

One was the Fortune Talent...

Eternal Poison Strategist.

The other was the Aptitude Talent...

Sage Strategist Aptitude.

Because he was only at Tier 3...

He could not yet fully unleash the potential of his Purple Talents.

Otherwise...

Jia Xu's current limit would be far beyond merely an elite Abyss Overlord.

Whether considering his current strength...

Or his future potential...

Jia Xu was undoubtedly the most extraordinary individual within the territory.

With further comprehensive cultivation...

Advancing into an Abyss Monarch...

Would be all but guaranteed.

At this moment...

Hang Yu had no choice.

Blue Aptitude Spirit Orb Fragments...

Could only strengthen Blue Aptitudes.

And Jia Xu possessed only one Blue Aptitude.

Hang Yu invested all ten fragments into...

【Talent of the Three Excellencies】.

【Ding! Enhancement successful! Jia Xu's Aptitude Talent, Talent of the Three Excellencies, has evolved into Talent of a Renowned Chancellor!】

【Talent of a Renowned Chancellor】, Aptitude Talent (Blue). At the current rank, every level grants Health +120, Mana +150, all four primary attributes +30. Whenever granting attribute-enhancing effects to allied units, all enhancement effects are increased by 20%.

Still Blue?

As expected...

Purple Talents were not so easily created.

Although Hang Yu had spent ten Blue Spirit Orbs...

He failed to upgrade the Aptitude to Purple.

However...

Its strength had increased tremendously.

At Jia Xu's current level...

Compared to before...

His maximum Health increased by 600.

His maximum Mana increased by 1,500.

Each of his four primary attributes increased by 300.

Even for Hang Yu...

Such an increase would noticeably improve his strength.

Not to mention Jia Xu.

He already possessed elite...

Or even top-tier...

Overlord-level combat strength.

Now...

Even if he fought the Demonic Dian Wei of Old Wan City...

Or Xie Ming, the Corpse Lich Lord...

In a direct one-on-one confrontation...

He would probably have roughly a thirty-percent chance of victory.

His strength had increased explosively.

As for why...

The Blue Aptitude remained Blue...

Despite being strengthened...

There was nothing strange about that.

Take an example.

Black Tiger Commandant Deng Hong's Aptitude...

Commander Template...

Was Green.

Wen Ping's Aptitude...

Advanced Commander Template...

Was also Green.

Yet...

The latter clearly stood at a higher level...

Providing much greater attribute bonuses.

Next...

Hang Yu strengthened the Aptitudes of Zhou Cang, Wen Ping, and Zhang Zhongjing.

【Ding! Enhancement successful! Wen Ping's Aptitude Talent, Advanced Commander Template (Green), has evolved into Overlord Template (Blue)!】

【Ding! Enhancement successful! Zhang Zhongjing's Aptitude Talent, Talent of a Commandery Governor (Green), has evolved into Talent of the Three Excellencies (Blue)!】

【Ding! Enhancement successful! Zhou Cang's Fortune Talent, Soul of Loyalty and Valor (Green), has evolved into Loyal and Valiant Battle Soul (Blue)!】

This entire round of strengthening...

Consumed twenty-two Aptitude Spirit Orb Fragments...

And ten Fortune Spirit Orb Fragments.

Both Wen Ping and Zhang Zhongjing obtained a Blue Aptitude.

Among them...

After acquiring the Overlord Template...

Combined with his existing Blue Talent...

Wen Ping's overall strength had unquestionably crossed into the Overlord threshold.

As for Zhang Zhongjing...

His Talents were not particularly suited for combat.

Even so...

After gaining the attribute bonuses from Talent of the Three Excellencies...

Along with the numerous spells he had recently learned...

His current combat strength had reached the level of a first-rate Commander.

As for Zhou Cang's cultivation...

Because he possessed relatively few Aptitudes...

Hang Yu directly upgraded his Fortune instead.

As a result...

His Fortune Talent...

Soul of Loyalty and Valor...

Became...

Loyal and Valiant Battle Soul.

Its effects were remarkably straightforward.

【Soul of Loyalty and Valor】, Fortune Talent (Green): Attack Power +20%.

【Loyal and Valiant Battle Soul】, Fortune Talent (Blue): Attack Power +40%.

Zhou Cang already possessed overwhelming offensive power.

After receiving the enhancement from a Blue Fortune...

His offensive capabilities became utterly explosive.

Because his Fortune had improved...

The Fortune Skill derived from it naturally became significantly stronger as well.

Although Zhou Cang's command abilities were inferior to Wen Ping's...

He could greatly increase the offensive power of small military units.

As a result...

The damage output of the entire squad would explode.

This was something Wen Ping's Famous General Aptitude simply could not accomplish.

It could be said...

Before the Fortune upgrade...

Relying on Azure Demon Flame Bones...

The Overlord Template...

The Blazing Flame Overlord Blade cultivation method...

Along with his other equipment and skills...

Zhou Cang possessed the strength of roughly a fourth- or fifth-rate Overlord Boss.

Now...

His combat power had instantly reached the level of a third-rate Overlord.

Although third-rate sounded unimpressive...

Against the current Calamity Army...

He was an absolute Super Boss.

His overall strength had already surpassed Skeleton Gan Ning.

“Thank you, Lord Hang Yu!”

Jia Xu, Zhou Cang, Wen Ping, and Zhang Zhongjing all expressed their gratitude once again.

Hang Yu still possessed some Talent Materials.

However...

He felt this was sufficient.

Three Overlord-level subordinates.

As for Zhang Zhongjing...

Although his combat strength was slightly weaker...

He was not a combatant to begin with.

He was merely an Alchemist who also served as a military physician.

For a support specialist...

Possessing this level of combat strength was already extraordinary.

“Excellent.”

“Very impressive.”

“With a lineup like this...”

“Bringing them to Sacred Azure City will probably give Mentor Xuan Qingfeng quite a shock.”

In truth...

Not just Human Lord Mentor Xuan Qingfeng...

Even Principal Long...

The Legendary Lord of the Lord Academy...

Would probably stare in stunned disbelief.

Throughout the entire process of improving the Aptitudes and Fortunes of the Four Heroes...

The Ten Black Tiger Commandants had remained present...

Witnessing everything from beginning to end.

“This...”

The shock was simply too overwhelming.

Their minds nearly stopped functioning.

Lord Hang Yu could already increase his subordinates' cultivation...

And help them cultivate...

That alone was unimaginably powerful...

Generous...

And heaven-defying.

Yet...

They never could have imagined...

That he could even alter a person's Aptitude...

And Fortune!

How was this any different...

From forcibly changing someone's destiny against the heavens?

“How terrifying!”

“What in the world...”

“Is there anything Lord Hang Yu cannot accomplish?”

“With my own Aptitude...”

“My life's upper limit should only be an Abyss Commander.”

“But if I perform enough meritorious deeds and earn Lord Hang Yu's recognition...”

“Perhaps I too might receive such a blessing that changes my destiny...”

“...”

The Black Tiger Commandants were not fools.

Since Lord Hang Yu had openly displayed such a heaven-defying method...

It meant...

That this blessing was not beyond their reach.

As long as they remained absolutely loyal.

As long as they devoted themselves completely to the territory's development and expansion...

Every person here possessed the opportunity to change their destiny.

Once this process was complete...

The spoils from the Corpse Lich Territory campaign had finally been fully processed.

Although...

It would still take some time before the newly acquired territory, buildings, skills, and facilities were completely integrated...

That was merely a matter of time.

Hang Yu led his fourteen subordinates...

To the Starsea Teleportation Station.

“Lord Hang Yu has arrived!”

“Hurry and pay your respects to Lord Feather God!”

“Greetings, Lord Hang Yu! We're all ready!”

“...”

Hang Yu swept his gaze across the crowd.

Ye Limeng.

Black Pupils Sharp Bro.

Little Bell.

Lone Boat.

Crazy Blade Old Wang.

Raise My Cup to the Moon.

Arthur King.

And many others.

There were exactly eighty-five Players.

Every single one had reached at least Tier 3.

“Excellent.”

Hang Yu nodded with satisfaction.

“Your strength has improved quite rapidly lately.”

Receiving Lord Hang Yu's praise and acknowledgment...

The leaders of the Calamity Army were immediately invigorated.

“The Calamity Army stands ready at all times to fight for the territory! It is our honor to serve Lord Hang Yu!”

Little Bell loudly declared her loyalty.

Ye Limeng asked,

“Lord Hang Yu...”

“When are we departing?”

Everyone else...

Also wore expressions filled with anticipation.

Hang Yu calmly replied,

“The time has come.”

At that very moment...

A notification appeared.

【Ding! The Day of the Stars' Return has begun. Remaining duration: 29 hours 44 minutes 59 seconds!】

Hang Yu took out the Participation Token.

With his current Starsea Authority...

He ordinarily could not bring one hundred people back with him simultaneously.

Furthermore...

Subordinates such as the Ten Black Tiger Commandants...

Although they were citizens of the territory...

Had never received a Starsea Brand.

Normally...

Hang Yu likewise lacked the authority to bring them back.

However...

This situation was different.

Using the Participation Token in his hand...

He temporarily unlocked special teleportation authority.

He could freely select ninety-nine citizens...

To accompany him back to the Land of the Stars.

The next moment...

The Starsea Teleportation Station activated.

Amid the envious gazes of the remaining Players...

Lord Hang Yu and his followers disappeared within the radiant light.

...

The Land of the Stars.

Reception Hall No. 12 on Sacred Azure Trial Island.

A group of Lord Mentors from Sacred Azure Academy...

Had arrived under orders from the great Legendary Lord, Principal Long.

Their mission was to welcome the graduates participating in this year's Lord Tournament.

“The Rising Stars Tournament is about to begin again!”

“This year's competition is truly exciting!”

“I hope the graduates representing our academy can win the championship!”

“The championship?”

“I'm afraid that's extremely difficult.”

“Although our academy has produced many outstanding graduates over the past several years...”

“There are actually very few rising Lords who truly represent the academy.”

“Exactly!”

“I've already heard...”

“The newcomers participating this time are anything but ordinary!”

“...”

The Sacred Azure Rising Stars Tournament...

Was one of Sacred Azure City's most important Lord competitions.

For that very reason...

Every major Lord Family and Lord faction attached enormous importance to it.

Among Sacred Azure Academy's graduates...

There was certainly no shortage of exceptionally talented Lords.

However...

Most of them belonged to various families.

Naturally...

They represented their own factions in the tournament.

Very few actually represented the academy.

Among the many mentors...

There was one individual...

Who was simultaneously the least conspicuous...

And the most conspicuous.

He was inconspicuous because...

He was a Starsea Human.

Humans attracted little attention wherever they went.

Yet he was conspicuous because...

As a Human...

He stood among all the welcoming mentors.

Clearly...

He too was waiting for his own student.

“Who is that?”

“Why is there a Human here?”

Several mentors unfamiliar with Xuan Qingfeng were rather puzzled.

“He's the Human mentor, Xuan Qingfeng!”

“Xuan Qingfeng?”

“So it's him!”

“He once nearly advanced to become a Tier 5 Great Lord within the Abyss World despite being Human!”

“He was once considered the lower-race Lord with the greatest potential in nearly a century!”

“What a pity...”

“He ultimately failed.”

“Heh.”

“A mere Human.”

“Far too weak.”

“Humans should never have dreamed of becoming Lords.”

“Why is Xuan Qingfeng here?”

“Could it be...”

“He actually has a student participating?”

“No way?”

“I heard all of Xuan Qingfeng's students belong to lower races.”

“And most of them are Humans!”

“What qualifications does a Human Lord have to participate in a tournament like this?”

“Why would our academy recommend cannon fodder like that?”

“They probably won't even pass the qualification round!”

“Exactly!”

“What a waste of a participant slot!”

“...”

Every mentor looked toward Xuan Qingfeng...

With undisguised contempt and disdain.

The Rising Stars Lord Tournament...

Was not a competition that just anyone could enter.

Never before had a Human Lord shone brilliantly in such an event.

Even qualifying for the main tournament...

Was extraordinarily unlikely.

Every participation slot...

Was extremely precious.

Countless promising young Lords...

Never even obtained such an opportunity.

In the eyes of these mentors...

Allowing a Human Lord to participate in such a competition...

Was nothing but a complete waste of resources.

Worse...

They might embarrass themselves spectacularly...

Damaging the reputation of Sacred Azure Academy...

As well as Principal Long himself.

——

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