Chương 157: Don't Panic, I Have the Advantage
Kingdom, Council Hall
King Wardel convened a grand banquet, summoning all the nobles of the capital. The atmosphere, initially dreary, transformed as toasts and laughter filled the air.
Yet, beneath the surface, the kingdom's weakness was palpable. There were no legends to be found, and even the king stood at a mere middle gold level. While the nobles possessed considerable wealth, none boasted strength above gold.
Such weak kingdoms were common in this world, largely due to the pervasive darkness that stifled ambition for unification. The foundation of any kingdom lies in its population, and ordinary citizens were bound by rules that left them vulnerable to even the slightest punishment.
Before the chaotic rules governing this world were addressed, it would remain in turmoil. For Bai Yi, this situation presented both advantages and drawbacks. On one hand, he could manipulate a kingdom at will, using its resources to further his plans. On the other, gathering the necessary materials from such a weak realm was a daunting task, hence the need for this banquet.
As the festivities progressed, Wardel raised his glass, and an uneasy silence fell over the nobles. They turned their gazes toward the king, anticipating his words. Many speculated that he had summoned them to discuss a potential partner for the prince, a notion he had hinted at during a parliamentary session a month prior.
Wardel's smile, though strained, remained. "I have called you all here to introduce someone."
Confusion rippled through the gathering. Who could warrant such a formal introduction? But Wardel had no time to indulge their curiosity; he needed to unite the nobles without drawing attention to the source of his unease.
With a hint of reluctance fading from his eyes, he called out, "Mr. Gula, please enter. Everyone is here."
Light footsteps echoed as Bai Yi stepped into the hall, twirling a black scalpel that gleamed ominously in the light. The nobles felt a chill sweep over them, their instincts screaming of danger.
The atmosphere shifted as Bai Yi entered, his scarlet pupils gleaming with a predatory smile. Any thoughts of questioning or escape vanished, replaced by a palpable tension. They instinctively looked to their king, anger brewing in their eyes.
Bai Yi addressed the crowd with unsettling calm. "Good evening, everyone. I am Gula, captain of the Dawn Squad. I am here because I require your assistance."
As he spoke, sheets of white paper drifted magically toward the nobles. "I need these materials—more is better. Please gather them within three days."
The face of an elderly noble darkened as he examined the contents of the paper. "Mr. Gula, do you understand the consequences of such demands?"
The materials listed were exorbitantly expensive. Even this top noble could not provide a third of them independently. A murmur of discontent rippled through the room, and the nobles exchanged glances filled with defiance.
Suddenly, a heavy aura emanated from Bai Yi, causing the very palace to tremble under the pressure of their collective power. Yet the king remained silent, his aura unchanged, fully aware of the threat posed by Bai Yi.
With a disarming smile, Bai Yi replied, "Consequences? I'm afraid you'll find out soon enough. Should you choose to defy me, death awaits."
Snapping his fingers, he caused the elderly noble to convulse violently, pain etched on his face as the gold-eating bugs within him were forcibly expelled. Blood poured from his mouth as his strength waned.
The other nobles shifted in alarm, some rushing toward Bai Yi, weapons drawn. But as they approached, their determination faltered; their bodies betrayed them as the aura of power wavered.
Bai Yi's expression remained unyielding. "To facilitate your cooperation, you've all ingested a special wine poison, crafted from over 300 toxins. It has been refined to taste like the finest vintage."
He watched as fear crept into their eyes, adding, "Do not worry—your lives are not in immediate danger. I've placed millions of tiny bugs within you, carefully balanced to prevent the poison from becoming lethal."
As he approached the faltering noble, Bai Yi produced a vial of clear liquid, administering it to stabilize him. The noble's expression returned to a semblance of calm, though the tension in the hall was palpable.
"I recently devised this little device. If you attempt to detoxify, the bugs will feast on your organs. Should they perish, the poison will detonate. Within three seconds, even a gold-ranked individual would be finished," he explained, his tone chillingly matter-of-fact.
"Now, this antidote is your reward. Are we clear?"
Fear transformed into desperation in the eyes of the nobles, some trembling uncontrollably. They had never felt so powerless, not even in the face of the rules.
Bai Yi's smile returned. "It seems we have an understanding. Three days—no, two days. If the materials aren't gathered by then, your existence will be forfeit."
As he turned to leave, he added, "And please keep this matter confidential. There are 63 people here; if the 64th learns of this..."
Chaos erupted behind him as he exited the hall, filled with shouts, questions, and accusations. Yet Bai Yi remained unfazed. The Lady of Night had shaped this world, and though her influence was being challenged, he needed to secure the resources to turn the tide.
With only nine skill points left, he reflected on his progress. Having maxed out the skill Frenzy, he found a new level of understanding that surpassed his previous limitations.
He pondered the potential of combining Frenzy and Evil Thoughts, envisioning a transformation that straddled chaos and malevolence. But for now, he sought only manageable power, knowing that the advantage lay with him.
Dark Night Town
Pu Sheng, cloaked in a faceless mask, gazed into a dilapidated cell, feeling a mix of dread and obligation. He had not wished to encounter Bai Yi, but the world created by the Lady of Night demanded it.
Months ago, he had used the abyss to escape ancient gods, inadvertently attracting a catastrophic disaster. While he had shifted blame onto Bai Yi, suspicion lingered.
To appease the abyss, he needed to claim this world, and now he faced both opportunities and challenges. The Lady of Night still exerted her influence, utilizing the fear of her creatures to forge evil.
Yet a significant threat loomed—an extremely powerful entity had ignored her rules and seized a crucial material: the Heart of Divine Evil. This acquisition presented Pu Sheng with a chance to control a divine monster, greatly enhancing his power.
However, he anticipated Charles's arrival, who had a keen interest in divine artifacts. To his surprise, another adversary lurked nearby, complicating his plans.
As Pu Sheng prepared to leave the prison, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed. Another faceless figure approached, silent and watchful, obeying the strict communication rules enforced by the Lady of Night.
With a glance back, Pu Sheng exited the prison, his mind racing. With Bai Yi now in this world, he needed to adjust his strategy. The creation of the evil god must be expedited; he might have to abandon this world and flee with the god if necessary.
Confident as the first of the three to enter this realm, he pushed forward into an underground base.
Inside the expansive laboratory, a dark shield isolated them from the rules of Night Town. This sanctuary was designed for the creation of evil spirits, free from interference.
Having spent over twenty days among the researchers of Night Rose, Pu Sheng had gained significant insights into their operations.
With the Heart of the Evil God missing and no backup flesh from the ancient gods, they faced a bottleneck in their research.
"Divine evil can be created from more than just ancient gods," he proposed. "I possess a piece of flesh from the Lord of the Abyss. Perhaps we can experiment."
The room fell silent, and then a flurry of discussion ignited. The Plane Gods were powerful, though rarely invoked for such purposes. Most obeyed the tenets of their realms, avoiding unnecessary conflicts.
Yet, Pu Sheng's suggestion sparked intrigue. Using the flesh of a Plane God to forge divine evil could yield unprecedented results.
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