Chapter 282 ·A New Stage! Contracting Dian Wei and Zou Wan!

Not ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍long afterward.

Dian ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Wei was brought into the Core Hall.

After ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍undergoing renovations, the hall had become a magnificent palace. Not only was it incredibly spacious, but rows of jade pillars carved with dragons lined the interior. After passing through the layers of pillars, he saw a young-looking human seated upon a lofty and imposing throne.

“Greetings, ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍my Lord!”

The ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍bald, six-armed crystal giant knelt on one knee.

Compared ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍to the projection that had appeared in Old Wan, the being seated upon the throne at this moment was the true body.

Hang Yu did not conceal his aura.

Having activated all three Third-Order Lord Talents, he now possessed the status of an Abyss Monarch. Even Dian Wei could clearly feel just how insignificant and inferior he was in front of him.

He had already struggled immensely against a mere projection.

He could hardly imagine just how terrifying the Lord's true body really was.

The peerless general who had returned from the Abyss naturally and smoothly pledged his loyalty and officially joined the territory.

Jia Xu then reported the intelligence concerning Cao Cao.

“So it seems that, besides the Holy Emperor Guan, there's also an Abyssal Emperor of Wei. Both Guan Yu and Cao Cao should have evolved divine godhood!” Hang Yu remarked.

Jia Xu sighed with emotion.

“To ignite divine fire with a mortal body requires not only immense Destiny but also extremely arduous cultivation over an immeasurably long period. Cao Mengde truly possesses extraordinary fortune and providence.”

“Igniting divine fire and awakening divinity are merely the foundation of becoming a god. They are not equivalent to truly attaining the status of a genuine deity.”

Hang Yu paused before continuing.

“To ignite divine fire within the Abyss is an extremely dangerous act. It is like raising a torch in the middle of a perilous night. All it does is attract even more attention from the Abyssal Will.”

In truth.

Based on Hang Yu's understanding of the Abyss.

At least nine out of every ten Abyss Gods would eventually be corrupted by the Abyssal Will.

One could even say.

Their transformation into Evil Gods was inevitable.

The only uncertainty was when it would happen.

There were countless Abyssal planes.

Each was like a breeding ground for Evil Gods.

Once these breeding grounds successfully nurtured Abyssal Evil Gods, they would break through the boundaries of their own planes and even the Abyss itself, carrying out the Abyss' will by invading the Land of Stars, corrupting the homeland of the Starsea people, and bringing immense calamity and disaster.

For countless ages.

The mutual infiltration between the Abyss and the Land of Stars had never ceased.

It was a war that would never end.

Nor would it ever reveal its conclusion.

The Three Kingdoms Abyssal Plane possessed enormous Destiny.

As a result, it could nurture numerous Evil Gods.

Hang Yu had encountered Guan Yu's avatar at Wolong Mountain.

It had revealed that the Abyssal world already contained completely corrupted Evil Gods, including Zhang Jiao.

Even Guan Yu's own divine true self had already been heavily corrupted and was in grave danger.

When Starsea Lords expanded into the Abyss.

Being targeted by Evil God factions placed them in an extremely dangerous situation.

Whether it was Guan Yu, Cao Cao, or Zhang Jiao.

Hang Yu had no desire to deal with them so soon.

However.

As the territory continued to develop.

Contact with these factions would inevitably become unavoidable.

Fortunately.

Hang Yu's territory had been developing steadily.

Once it officially advanced to the Fourth Order.

Even facing subordinate forces of Evil Gods or relatively weak Evil God avatars would no longer be beyond its capabilities.

As for confronting a powerful Evil God avatar directly.

Or even a divine true body.

The chances were virtually zero.

Thanks to the intervention of the Starsea Consciousness.

Territorial expansion possessed a protective mechanism similar to game matchmaking.

Even within the Eternal Night Layer of the Abyss.

A Fourth-Order Lord's territory could never be matched against an utterly unbeatable opponent.

The information Dian Wei could provide was extremely limited.

He did not even know what method Cao Cao had used to interfere with this nightmare node.

Given his state and level of awareness at the time.

Even if he had sensed something.

He would have been incapable of comprehending the method involved.

What truly interested Hang Yu.

Was why Cao Cao had done it.

Even for an existence that had awakened divinity.

Interfering with another nightmare node without an avatar or projection serving as an anchor was by no means an easy feat.

It could even require paying a considerable price.

On the surface.

It appeared that Cao Cao had been trying to save his son, Cao Ang.

In reality.

That explanation did not hold up.

The Abyss was a world of chaos.

Under the distortion of the Abyssal Will, both time and space became highly warped.

Even the concepts of life and death were overturned.

Saving a specific individual within a particular node held no real meaning.

The most likely explanation.

Was that Cao Cao had somehow foreseen the uniqueness of this particular node.

Could it be that through some unknown means, Cao Cao had sensed in advance that this node would eventually be invaded by the Starsea forces?

Forget it.

No point dwelling on it.

Those who had awakened divinity.

Possessed abilities and methods beyond ordinary understanding.

Hang Yu knew very well that, with his current knowledge and capabilities, there was no point investigating their motives.

To contend head-on with Evil God-level existences.

He would need to at least reach Principal Long's level.

After Dian Wei pledged his loyalty.

He officially became a member of the territory.

Hang Yu could now view his status panel.

————

Name: Dian Wei.

Level: 30.

Race: Human (Demonized).

Tier: Third Order.

Base Attributes: ... (omitted)

Talents: Eternal Fierce General (Blue), Ultimate Abyss Berserker (Purple), Demon God Bloodline (Purple), Bloodthirsty Battle Maniac (Blue), Advanced Overlord (Blue)... Eye of Malevolence (Green), Self-Healing (White).

Skills: Demon God Transformation (Purple Cultivation Art), Thousand Skeletal Phantom Demon Halberd (Blue Cultivation Art)...

Essence: 1,100,000/1,200,000.

————

Hang Yu nodded in satisfaction after reading it.

Just as expected.

Dian Wei's attributes were truly outrageous.

He possessed a total of ten talents.

Five of them were Green quality or higher.

However.

Compared to Hang Yu's other key subordinates.

Dian Wei possessed only a single Destiny Talent: Eternal Fierce General.

The others, such as Ultimate Abyss Berserker, Demon God Bloodline, Bloodthirsty Battle Maniac, and Advanced Overlord, were all physique or aptitude talents.

Among them.

Ultimate Abyss Berserker and Demon God Bloodline were both Purple-quality talents.

Two Purple Talents!

Although Abyssal Physique Talents and personal aptitude talents were generally not as valuable as Destiny Talents of the same quality.

Someone possessing two Purple Talents simultaneously.

Along with several Blue aptitude talents.

Would at the very least possess the potential to grow into an Abyss Monarch.

Dian Wei's physique and aptitude talents had clearly undergone another round of enhancement.

After all.

The Divine Source Material consumed during the reversal ritual had not disappeared.

Those three portions of Divine Source Material had evidently strengthened his aptitude.

Making Dian Wei even more powerful.

Hang Yu therefore examined the two Purple Talents first.

————

【Abyssal Physique: Ultimate Abyss Berserker】Abyss Talent (Purple).

Damage Immunity +10,000, Mental Resistance +5,000, Vitality +300%, Defense +300%, All Attributes +100%, Attack Power +50%.

For every 1% of HP lost, gains an additional 1% Attack Power and 1% All Attributes for the next 60 minutes, stacking up to 300%.

May equip up to six weapons simultaneously.

However, all equipment other than weapons becomes unusable.

Cannot learn spell-type skills.

Cannot use recovery-type medicines.

————

This was a physique-type Abyss Talent similar to Zhou Cang's Azure Demonic Flame Bones.

Such talents were generally born from Abyssal influence.

Dian Wei had genuinely returned from the Abyss as a Fallen One.

His Abyssal Physique was even more twisted, extreme, and powerful.

Even Hang Yu was astonished by the absurd enhancements provided by Dian Wei's physique.

What surprised him most.

Was that Dian Wei could equip up to six weapons at the same time.

Only one functioned as the primary weapon and received its full attribute bonuses.

The remaining five served as secondary weapons.

Their attribute bonuses functioned at only half effectiveness.

Even so.

It was still incredibly overpowered.

If Dian Wei equipped six weapons simultaneously.

He could carry six high-attack weapons and stack his damage to absurd levels.

Or equip weapons suited for every range and situation.

Making him an all-purpose force upon the battlefield.

Naturally.

Every Abyssal Physique carried certain drawbacks.

Although Dian Wei's physique pushed offense to the extreme.

Any armor or accessories he wore became completely ineffective.

He also could not use ordinary recovery medicines.

Nor learn spell-type skills.

With this physique.

Dian Wei was born to be a warrior.

This single physique talent alone.

Was enough to make him one of the strongest Overlord units imaginable.

Precisely because of that.

It became even harder to believe.

That he also possessed several powerful aptitude talents.

Including one of Purple quality.

————

【Demon God Bloodline】(Purple), Aptitude Talent.

All offensive martial techniques gain +100% effectiveness.

Every level gained within the current tier grants +40 base net All Attributes, +400 base HP, and +200 base Mana.

Whenever receiving damage of the same attribute within 60 minutes.

Continuously increases resistance to that attribute while absorbing part of the damage to enhance his own corresponding attribute.

Will remain immortal until both HP and Mana are simultaneously depleted.

This talent automatically grows stronger as the user's tier increases.

————

Ridiculous!

Utterly ridiculous!

This talent had clearly been enhanced by the three portions of Divine Source Material!

After absorbing the Divine Source Material.

Dian Wei now possessed a trace of the potential to become a Demon God.

This growth-type super aptitude made that abundantly clear.

First of all.

Dian Wei now possessed a characteristic.

One that almost no one else could ever obtain.

Immortality.

He would not die merely because his HP reached zero.

Once his HP was exhausted.

His Mana would automatically sustain his life.

Only when both his HP and Mana were depleted simultaneously could he truly be killed.

Such an absurdly difficult-to-kill trait.

Was generally found only among divine beings.

Dian Wei was currently Level 30.

Once he reached Level 31.

In other words, upon entering the Fourth Order.

This talent would become even more powerful.

With his current foundation.

He had already reached the pinnacle of Abyss Overlords.

After being strengthened by the ritual.

He had effectively stepped into the realm of Monarchs.

Hang Yu estimated that after Dian Wei fully advanced to the Fourth Order.

His strength would increase even further.

Even among Abyss Monarchs of the same level.

He would possess at least mid-tier combat strength and foundation.

This was truly remarkable.

Hang Yu knew.

A person's aptitude and talents could not be judged solely by quality.

Their actual effects.

As well as their rarity.

Had to be considered together.

Even talents of the same quality.

Could differ vastly because of rarity and practical effectiveness.

Some Green Talents.

Were even more valuable than Blue Talents.

Simply because they were rarer or more useful.

Without question.

Dian Wei not only possessed two Purple Talents.

But both ranked among the finest of talents of their respective kind.

His remaining two talents were also excellent.

Namely Bloodthirsty Battle Maniac and Advanced Overlord.

【Bloodthirsty Battle Maniac】(Blue), Aptitude Talent.

Cooldown of all skills up to Blue quality -50%.

Skill consumption -50%.

Every time an effective unit is slain.

Restores part of HP and Mana while increasing all four primary attributes.

The exact amount depends on the tier of the defeated unit.

【Advanced Overlord Template】(Blue), Aptitude Talent.

Within the current tier.

Base net All Attributes +50.

Base HP +500.

Base Mana +500.

Neither aptitude was lacking.

Bloodthirsty Battle Maniac greatly reduced skill cooldowns and consumption.

At the same time.

It possessed powerful life-stealing effects.

Perfectly complementing Dian Wei's physique.

Turning him into a battlefield butcher who became stronger the longer he fought.

As for the Advanced Overlord Template.

It was one grade above the Overlord Templates possessed by Zhou Cang and Wen Pin.

Because it increased base net attributes.

Those gains were further amplified by his physique.

Giving him an incredibly profound foundation.

From the perspective of attribute growth alone.

Dian Wei currently even surpassed Hang Yu himself.

If Hang Yu did not possess the enormous percentage boosts provided by Lord Talents such as Heart of the Pioneer.

His HP.

Mana.

And four primary attributes.

Would certainly all fall behind Dian Wei's.

That alone demonstrated just how terrifying he was.

Of course.

Dian Wei was not without weaknesses.

His Destiny Talent.

Was comparatively ordinary.

Although it was Blue quality.

It was a rather common one.

————

【Eternal Fierce General】(Blue), Destiny Talent.

Attack Power +20%.

Damage Immunity +20%.

Skill Cooldown -10%.

The talent itself was certainly not weak.

Its Blue quality guaranteed that.

However.

This type of talent was by no means rare.

It was easy to see.

In terms of physique and aptitude.

Dian Wei was unquestionably the strongest member of the territory.

However.

The quality of his Destiny Talent still lagged behind Jia Xu and Zhang Zhongjing.

It was even inferior to Wen Pin's.

Or even Zhou Cang's.

Still.

That hardly mattered.

Hang Yu had never recruited Dian Wei expecting to gain a commander capable of leading vast armies.

As an overwhelming combat powerhouse.

A supreme trump card.

Dian Wei was absolutely perfect.

“I am now going to bestow upon you the Starsea Mark.”

Hang Yu said to Dian Wei.

“You are, after all, someone who has returned from the Abyss. Some deeply rooted corruption still remains within you. Only by fully assimilating into the Land of Stars can every future danger be eliminated forever.”

Dian Wei immediately clasped all six fists together.

“My life belongs entirely to the Lord. Even if I must be crushed to dust and condemned for eternity, I shall never hesitate!”

“Good!”

To prevent unnecessary complications.

Hang Yu immediately conducted the marking ceremony.

The instant it was completed.

Dian Wei immediately sensed the formation of the mark.

The moment the Starsea Mark formed within him.

He officially became one of the Starsea people.

The final remnants of the Abyss and its lingering echoes within his body completely vanished beneath the power of the Land of Stars.

At the same time.

He received a notification from the Starsea Will.

【Ding! You have unlocked the Destiny Skill: Light of the Berserker!】

【Light of the Berserker】(Blue), Destiny Skill.

Consumes 2,000 Mana.

Up to 800 allied combat units within a radius of 1,000 meters gain Attack Power +40%, Skill Cooldown -20%, Skill Cost -20%.

Duration: 1 hour.

Cooldown: 2 hours.

Just as expected.

Dian Wei awakened a Destiny Skill.

And as anticipated.

He truly was not a commander-type talent.

Although his Destiny Skill was Blue quality.

It could affect at most only 800 units.

Not to mention compared with someone like Wen Pin.

Even compared to Zhou Cang.

There was still a noticeable gap.

However.

Although the number of troops Dian Wei could enhance was small.

Its amplification effects were even more extreme than Zhou Cang's.

Making it ideal for strengthening elite soldiers.

The effects of Destiny Skills could not stack indefinitely.

First-Order units could stack at most two Destiny Skills.

Second-Order units could stack four.

Third-Order units six.

Fourth-Order units eight.

And so forth.

As the territory's military continued expanding.

Even if Wen Pin could command tens of thousands at once.

He would still be unable to cover the entire army.

More famous generals would therefore become necessary.

As for Dian Wei and Zhou Cang.

Neither possessed the aptitude of great commanders.

The number of troops they could directly command was limited.

But they could elevate select elite forces.

Making those troops even deadlier.

A great army.

Needed famous generals to serve as supreme commanders.

It also needed mighty generals.

Fierce generals.

And valiant generals.

To lead the vanguard.

Hang Yu said,

“Dian Wei, from today onward, you shall temporarily serve as Captain of the Azure Dragon Guard.”

“Yes, my Lord!”

At present.

Among the territory's three major generals—Dian Wei, Wen Pin, and Zhou Cang.

The only one capable of independently commanding an entire front was Wen Pin.

His Destiny Skills.

His command ability.

And his formidable defensive capabilities.

Allowed him to guard an entire map alone.

Creating an unbreakable defensive line whenever enemies invaded.

Thus.

Hang Yu appointed Wen Pin as General of the Black Tiger Guard, one of the territory's Three Guards.

As for Dian Wei and Zhou Cang.

Both served as Captains of the Azure Dragon Guard.

Hang Yu envisioned the two fierce generals as commanders of special operations forces.

Responsible for specialized missions.

Or assisting large-scale military campaigns.

Among them.

Zhou Cang could complement Wen Pin.

So he also served as Deputy General of the Black Tiger Guard.

As well as Commander of the Iron Eagle Guard.

As for Dian Wei.

He was unsuited to commanding massive armies.

He himself was a humanoid weapon.

For a very long time to come.

He would remain the strongest individual in the territory aside from Hang Yu himself.

Placing him in command of the Azure Dragon Guard's most elite personal guard unit.

And making him the Lord's Captain of the Guard.

Was the most appropriate arrangement.

“Congratulations, my Lord!”

Jia Xu smiled.

“General Dian's courage is unmatched beneath the heavens. Even before the Abyssal Era, he was known as the 'Ancient E Lai.' Yet I believe the General surpasses E Lai by thousands upon thousands of times. He shall surely become one of the territory's great pillars!”

“And congratulations to General Dian as well!”

Jia Xu looked toward Dian Wei.

“You have not only been completely reborn, but by following our Lord, your future possibilities are truly limitless!”

He was delighted.

The territory finally had someone stronger than himself.

From now on.

Whenever the territory encountered difficult problems.

The Lord would no longer think of sending him first.

Instead.

That simple-minded Dian Wei would be the one charging into danger.

Jia Xu declared that all he wanted.

Was to live comfortably as a lazy slacker.

The territory's facilities had become increasingly complete.

There was now more delicious food.

Fine wine.

And all sorts of interesting entertainments.

Wasn't lying back and enjoying life wonderful?

Why risk his life?

This campaign had earned him another generous reward.

He planned to purchase a mansion in the main city.

Then hire eighty or a hundred servants.

From now on.

Anything troublesome.

Could be left to Dian Wei.

Hang Yu said,

“Wenhe, take E Lai and familiarize him with the territory's basic situation.”

“Understood!”

Jia Xu departed with Dian Wei.

Seated upon the throne in the Core Hall.

Hang Yu fell into contemplation.

The territory's development had become increasingly promising.

Jia Xu oversaw civil affairs.

Dian Wei stood at the forefront of military might.

Both were top-tier talents.

They deserved careful cultivation.

The territory's expansion could not stop.

Now that Old Wan had officially been conquered.

He had obtained the key to open the next Abyssal Nightmare.

This key could remain in his possession for no more than seven days.

If it was not used before then.

It would activate on its own.

Randomly opening a region.

In other words.

Within seven days.

Hang Yu had to decide which region to unlock next.

It would be best to purchase several Revelation Stones.

However.

He was already a Third-Order Lord.

Only Third-Order Revelation Stones could now provide revelation information.

Such stones were relatively rare.

Moreover.

The territory now bordered far too many Dream Realms.

He would first try purchasing them.

Unlocking even a single piece of information was worthwhile.

Then.

Based on the revealed maps and their locations.

He could determine the best direction in which to open the next map.

Besides that.

There were still two more important matters.

The first.

Was that the official stage of the Starsea Lord Tournament would begin.

It would arrive in roughly three or four days.

This competition was extremely important.

Beyond the tournament rewards themselves.

It also offered tremendous amounts of Merit and Prestige.

Both of which Hang Yu currently needed.

After all.

With sufficient Starsea Merit.

Hang Yu could obtain far more assistance from the Starsea Will.

Not only to accelerate the territory's development.

But also to overcome critical crises.

And with enough Starsea Prestige.

Hang Yu could firmly establish himself within the Land of Stars.

Securing greater benefits and status.

Both for himself.

And for humanity within Sacred Azure City.

The second matter.

Was that the territory still possessed numerous infrastructure projects awaiting completion.

Such as the Starsea Arena.

Its supporting facilities.

And the construction of cities and towns throughout the territory.

The work involved.

Was extraordinarily complicated.

It could never be completed overnight.

Each project would have to be broken down into multiple stages.

Completed one step at a time.

For now.

Hang Yu's priority.

Was constructing the Starsea Arena and putting it into operation.

“Master, Human Lord Beichen Guang has sent a message. The Builder Skill Books you requested have been found.”

Xiao Ba suddenly reminded him.

“Not bad efficiency.”

Hang Yu immediately opened the Trading Hall and contacted Beichen Guang.

After some negotiation.

The two ultimately completed the trade.

Exchanging pills worth 120,000 Magic Crystals.

The territory's expenditures had been enormous recently.

However.

Hang Yu had not sold any pills.

That was because.

The territory's income had likewise been exceptionally high.

The massive profits generated by the Scourge Legion's tenfold drop rate.

Had been enough to cover all expenditures requiring Magic Crystals.

Furthermore.

The Scourge Legion's numbers had been expanding rapidly.

There were more and more Second-Order and Third-Order players.

Most of the territory's Attribute Pills.

Were now consumed internally.

Even so.

Production continued increasing steadily.

Its stockpile of pills also continued growing.

Whenever necessary.

Hang Yu could easily sell part of them in exchange for Magic Crystals.

Or for desired items.

As for Beichen Guang.

He clearly was not lacking Magic Crystals.

So he naturally preferred trading for Attribute Pills instead.

Not long afterward.

Having received the Lord's summons.

Zou Wan arrived within the Core Hall.

“This servant greets Master!”

During the Old Wan Campaign.

Aside from obtaining Dian Wei, the peerless general.

Zou Wan had also proven to be a pleasant surprise.

Hang Yu asked,

“Have you adapted well?”

Filled with gratitude.

Zou Wan replied,

“The territory created by Master is like a divine kingdom within this Abyss. This servant loves life here and hopes to contribute to the territory as soon as possible.”

Hang Yu nodded slightly.

He immediately handed her the three Builder Skill Books.

Then personally helped Zou Wan master Advanced Builder.

Afterward.

He also bestowed the Starsea Mark upon Zou Wan.

Officially making her one of the territory's important members.

【Ding! You have unlocked the Destiny Skills: Heart of a Beauty, Light of the Earth Duke!】

【Light of the Earth Duke】(Green), Destiny Skill.

Consumes 2,000 Mana.

Within a radius of 1,000 meters.

All Talismans and Formations gain +50% effectiveness.

Duration: 1 hour.

Cooldown: 2 hours.

【Heart of a Beauty】(Blue), Destiny Skill.

Consumes 4,000 Mana.

Instantly restores the Lord's HP and Mana to full.

Resets the cooldown of all skills.

Cooldown: 3 hours.

Just as expected.

After receiving the Starsea Mark.

Zou Wan awakened two Destiny Skills.

Among them.

The effect of Light of the Earth Duke was to enhance Formations and Talismans.

It could potentially produce remarkable results during city defense.

Or in certain specialized situations.

Its only drawback.

Was its somewhat limited range and duration.

As for Heart of a Beauty.

Its application was rather restricted.

This skill effectively granted the Lord a second life.

However.

Its limitation.

Was that it could only affect the Lord.

There would probably not be many opportunities for it to shine in the future.

Of course.

As one of Hang Yu's hidden trump cards.

It still possessed tremendous value.

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