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nIt had taken an entire month for Damien to wipe out the 5 bases he saw on the plaque, though most of that time was spent traveling.

nAnd honestly, the ones he met were nothing worth mentioning. He only got two pieces of useful information.

nThe first was that these 6 that he had killed were near the bottom rung of soldiers within the enemies.

nThe division was relatively simple. There were the regular soldiers, which were usually the abominations that Damien had seen earlier. He found out that there were even abominations stronger than the canon fodder he saw, but they simply weren’t necessary for this region.

nNext came the Captains, who would usually take command over the abominations. After them, there were the generals who commanded the captains, the commanders who ordered the generals, and finally, there were 4 kings that had absolute control over all the rest.

nThe number of captains that even the 6 Damien had run into knew was in the hundreds, as for generals, there were still tens of them. There were exactly 10 commanders who directly reported to the 4 kings. It was rumored that there was an even higher rank, but none of these normal soldiers would know any tangible information about it.

nThe only reason they even knew this much of the structure was because these Nox beings, who called themselves Demons actually had a relatively streamlined structure, as well as a main base where most of the important personnel stayed.

nOne of the captains had worked as a runner for a general before he was given his current station, which was the only reason Damien was able to get the information he currently had. The rest were useless, and the two he fought at the end were unlike the others. They would rather die than give up information.

nIt was from the same captain that Damien learned the second piece of information. This one far more crucial.

n4 generals, 50 captains, and thousands of mindless abominations were currently charging a single city. .

nSaid captain was also supposed to join the charge, but he had been unfortunate enough to meet Damien before he could actually make his way over.

nDamien didn’t know why such a force was necessary to take over a single city filled with mortals, but he felt there had to be a good reason.

nAnd most likely, that reason was the geniuses who entered the secret realm with him.

nHe already knew that the demons wanted blood to soak the land. Although he had originally thought it was only human blood they wanted, he realized that the blood of those who came from the outside world was probably much more valuable.

nThe differences between the beasts from the outside world and those born within this realm, Damien hadn’t figured this out yet. But he never expected to find all the answers from simple foot soldiers. No, he would naturally kill his way up the hierarchy until he knew everything that he needed to know.

n‘Demon Generals are supposedly around the mid-levels of 3rd class while the commanders are at the peak of this realm. But the strength of the kings was obviously unknown to those weaklings.’

nDamien didn’t know what the strength of the kings would be. The restrictions on this realm obviously made it so only 3rd class beings could enter, which was why the Beast Kings sent their geniuses in instead of going themselves, but judging from the strength differences between each level of the demon army, Damien could only assume that the Kings were at 4th class.

n‘I don’t have the capabilities to deal with a 4th class being yet. Even the weakest of them received baptism from the universe, which makes them untouchable to the lower ranks.’

nHowever, he had a trump card that might be able to overcome that boundary. The problem was that the Void Essence he could control wasn’t at the level where it could do so.

n‘If I can tap into the same power I had while building the Sanctuary, killing the Kings should be possible if I use concealment. As for a head-on battle, that isn’t within my capabilities.’

nIt was the first time Damien had ever considered assassination as a tactic, but it was only out of necessity. Plus, he didn’t even know if his conjectures were right.

n‘But, planning for the worst-case scenario is best. I can’t be lax in the face of 4th class beings.’

nDamien’s thoughts raced as he rushed towards the city named Astoria. He only knew its general location, but with his awareness and the fact that it would be surrounded by an army soon, he didn’t think it’d be too hard to find.

n‘Well, considering that the people defending the city also received strengthening from that magma, I doubt they’d need too much help dealing with the army. Especially if there’s a good number of them. But, that doesn’t mean I can let them steal my kills, can I?’

nDamien grinned. The dull golden star on his forehead shone as if it was craving to see the blood of demons.

n***

n“Fire Phoenix Faction members, gather!”

nA piercing cry rang through the city of Astoria, even overshadowing the ominously ringing bell that signaled the incoming danger.

nImmediately, 25 people shot into the sky and rushed towards the direction of the cry.

nIt didn’t take long for the group to gather. Standing in front of them was a fiery red woman looking into the distance with a hawk-like gaze.

nFeeling the 25 presences behind her, she slowly turned around.

n“Heed my command. There are thousands of enemies marching towards our city as we speak. With their current speed, they should arrive in 2 days.”

nThe 25 geniuses felt their gazes become serious. Thousands of enemies, and only 25 of them. This wasn’t a battle that seemed easy to win.

nBut Feng Qing’er didn’t allow them to breed fear for too long. In a battle like this one, morale was crucial.

n“Do not worry. For the most part, their troops seem to be 2nd class beings. It shouldn’t be too hard for us to deal with them. But there are still many lower 3rd class beings littered within their ranks.”

n“Although this battle seems to be one we are fated to lose, I believe otherwise! We are the peak geniuses within the entirety of the 3000 Beast Mountain Range! How big is our mountain range? How many younger generation members live within it? Yet, all of us placed within the top 1000 of that gargantuan number.”

nFlames were slowly lit in the dim eyes of those 25 geniuses.

n“If you cower now, how can you call yourself a genius? Plus, did you forget? We need to kill in order to pass on to the next trial. If we do not pass on, it means death. So, kill to your heart’s content! Set your emotions ablaze and fight!”

n“Yes, ma’am!”

nA unified cry rang out from those 25. Remembering their goal in this secret realm, their morale was immediately revitalized. Feng Qing’er’s words obviously had some effect, but the prospect of the Primordial Undying Fruits had even more. In the face of such a treasure, fear became an unknown concept.

nAfter seeing to it that her subordinates were given the proper positions for the coming battle, Feng Qing’er focused her gaze into the distance once again.

n‘Those 4 in the palanquins seem to be the hardest to deal with. From their auras alone, I should be able to take them. However, I don’t know if they’re hiding their strength.’

nFeng Qing’er was only wary of those 4, as well as the beasts they were riding. As for the rest, most of them could be wiped out with a single flick of her wrist if she so wished.

n‘Luckily for us, we don’t need to divert too much focus to defending the city. As long as the barrier stays active, we can wholeheartedly focus on battle.’

nSending her awareness into the star on her forehead, Feng Qing’er smiled. After this battle, a purple star was guaranteed. And if she was lucky, she wouldn’t be too far from a black star as well.

nShe had supreme confidence in her abilities. Even if it was her against the entire army, she’d still have confidence. That was simply the type of person she was.

nHer pride might be great enough to pierce the heavens, but she had always had the ability to back it up. When had she, Feng Qing’er, ever been forced to suffer a loss?

nWhen she thought this far, she suddenly remembered a certain human that she had recently met, but she quickly shook her head.

n“That doesn’t count. That bastard only knows how to flee. Hmph, let’s see how he runs next time I see him.”

n“Oh? Thinking so hard about a man is a rare sight from the little Miss isn’t it?” A playful voice rang out from behind her.

nWithout even turning around, she responded. “And why would I need to spend time thinking about a man? Rather, isn’t it you who has been showing an unnatural amount of interest?”

nLooking at the girl behind her, Feng Qing’er smirked slightly. “I almost feel bad for him. To enter your radar has never been a good thing.”

nThe girl’s beautiful black eyes twinkled at her words. “Who knows? Maybe I truly am interested in him. I wonder what kind of fun things he can show me.”

nWith a slight smile on her face, she turned around and left. Feng Qing’er could only watch the receding back with a helpless expression on her face.

n‘Ah, why did it have to be me that got stuck with her?’

nShaking her head at her predicament, she also left the area. Now, it was time to prepare for battle.

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