172: The power of [Soul Lash]

Ming Shuo sensed the surroundings, finding nothing unusual.

But then he heard Lin Chuan say, "I haven't done anything. If you are truly loyal, then everything is fine. If it's false... it doesn't matter either."

With that, Lin Chuan waited quietly.

Ming Shuo only felt a thought appear in his mind, urging him not to resist, not to refuse, but simply to accept it wholeheartedly.

But, wholeheartedly loyal? Even if the other party asked him to immediately commit suicide, he shouldn't hesitate?

This kind of loyalty, damn it, was truly impossible to achieve.

Two minutes later.

"Time's up. Unfortunately, it seems you are not truly loyal."

Lin Chuan hadn't expected the soul seed to mature immediately anyway.

"What did you do to me?"

"Don't rush, it hasn't started yet."

[Soul Distortion]

Ming Shuo watched helplessly as the Gray Snake burrowed into his head.

[Soul Scourge]

"Ugh... Ah..."

Ming Shuo felt as if someone was taking a thorny whip and randomly stirring it around inside his head... stirring constantly... for a full three minutes.

"How about it? Are you loyal now?"

"Loyal, not loyal, Master, I don't know... Ah..."

"Holy crap, don't let him go crazy!"

Lin Chuan quickly made the Gray Snake retreat. [Soul Distortion] had made Ming Shuo unable to even tell what he was saying.

Fortunately, the Gray Snake reported that the soul seed had matured.

"Awesome. Only one skill use was needed." Lin Chuan was overjoyed.

In reality, he had greatly underestimated the power of the Soul Scourge; compared to the original Soul Spike, it was immeasurably stronger.

Was three minutes the skill's limit? No, three minutes was the limit for an average human or Yao Beast. Most, without means of resistance, probably couldn't last three minutes.

Ming Shuo, being a King-rank Nether Spirit, had barely lasted three minutes.

Actually, the soul seed had matured after just over two minutes, but Lin Chuan hadn't noticed and was planning to hit him with another Soul Scourge...

"Get up."

Lin Chuan said indifferently.

Nether One had already released Ming Shuo, leaving him to twitch on the ground.

"Yes, Master!"

"How does the Soul Scourge feel?"

Lin Chuan asked with a half-smile, interviewing the party involved about his feelings.

"Worse than death."

Ming Shuo answered honestly.

"Mm, that's great."

The more perverse the skill, the more satisfied Lin Chuan was.

"Now, tell me, what is the situation with the crown and the Nether God Temple?"

"Yes, Master. I do not know much information about the Nether God Temple. The function of the crown, besides commanding the Nether Spirits in this area, can also amplify one's own power to a certain extent. The magnitude of the increase is related to the area of expansion, and it can even change the terrain and landscape of the area."

"As for the restrictions, first, one must be a King-rank Nether Spirit, otherwise wearing it will lead to immediate death..."

"Damn it, I knew you had ill intentions." Lin Chuan cursed.

"Master, please forgive me!"

"Continue."

"Yes. Furthermore, this area belongs to the periphery of the Netherworld, considered an Elementary area. Theoretically, Elementary areas are governed by Intermediate areas. However, usually no orders are issued."

"However, once the owner of the crown falls, the Intermediate area will send a King-rank entity to take over. The subordinate Elementary areas also provide amplification to the Temple Nether King of the Intermediate area."

"Were you also sent here?"

Lin Chuan asked curiously.

"Uh, yes. It is said that the King-rank casualty rate in this area is quite high..."

"If King-ranks like you fall, doesn't the higher authority care?"

"As long as the crown is not lost, they won't investigate deeply. In reality, the wars between Nether Kings within the Netherworld are much crueler than you imagine; King-ranks fall every day. It's just that the death of a King in an Elementary area might attract King-ranks from different Intermediate areas to compete for it."

The Netherworld is definitely not monolithic; otherwise, humans and the Yao Race wouldn't stand a chance.

"Can this thing be voluntarily relinquished after wearing it?"

"No. It will only change ownership upon death." Ming Shuo replied with a wry smile.

"Alright."

Lin Chuan could only temporarily abandon his plans for 'fishing'.

"Do you understand the surrounding territories? What are their strengths?"

"I don't know much. I have been in slumber..." Ming Shuo replied awkwardly.

Lin Chuan: ... Damn it, he's actually a shut-in Nether King. Doesn't he have any ambition?

"For the next few days, you, Nether One, and Underworld Two will be responsible for investigating the strength of the surrounding areas."

"As you command."

"Also, stop letting low-level Nether Beasts charge the Secret Realm entrance. Have them devour each other to accelerate the emergence of Monarch Rank entities!"

"I understand."

After speaking, the three King-rank Nether Spirits withdrew.

"Ugh... I'm tired."

Lin Chuan stretched. This broken throne was uncomfortable.

The matters concerning this area were finally concluded.

He had originally only brought Nether One and Underworld Two here to advance their ranks, but he hadn't expected such a pleasant surprise.

Although, the 'shock' component was greater.

This world was becoming increasingly complicated.

Originally, Lin Chuan just wanted to secure a subsidized university spot that included food and accommodation...

"Underworld Eleven, Underworld Twelve, summon all your pets. Don't let them starve to death."

Only then did Lin Chuan remember that this group of King-rank progeny hadn't eaten anything.

Underworld Eleven and the others hadn't even thought of this.

In a moment, more than twenty King Rank Demon Beast progeny all appeared in the great hall.

Every one of them looked listless and their aura was weak. However, this wasn't due to starvation, but rather the loss of life force.

[Soul Parasitism]!

More than twenty soul seeds were immediately deployed; they had no ability to resist.

Currently, the Gray Snake had no restrictions on soul seeds below the King-rank. As for King-rank and above, it seemed he could only handle three.

However, King-ranks had too many methods. Unless they were subdued first, trying to rely on a soul seed surprise attack was pure fantasy.

Fortunately, Lin Chuan didn't need a surprise attack. He usually subdued people with 'virtue' first, and then the opponent would obediently follow orders.

For example, Ming Shuo could testify that he was the one who actively wanted to become a subordinate first...

"Lift the enslavement contracts now! It's only been three or four days, and you've almost sucked them dry! Damn it."

Lin Chuan cursed, even though he had specifically instructed them to control it.

Underworld Eleven scratched his head awkwardly and did not refute. Even though he had tried his best to suppress it, the difference in strength was too great, and these Yao Beasts were too weak.

But how could a subordinate refute the boss's lecture? It was best just to take the blame...

Lin Chuan walked over and inspected them one by one. Some Commander Rank ones were nearly dead, and he even had to give them a few energy fruit to sustain their lives.

These could all fetch a good price!

A moment later, White Moon teleported the Secret Realm ring over.

"Go inside, all of you."

Then, Lin Chuan's Clone directly opened the entrance to the Sea Dragon Secret Realm, letting the Yao King progeny go inside to stay.

Following that, he put away all the Xuanming Guards inside the hall.

The twelve Xuanming Guards squads were left outside to hunt Monarch-level Nether Beasts, collect soul orb, and train their combat experience.

Whoever first touched the threshold of the King-rank would advance first.

If it weren't for Old Hei still needing to hibernate, Lin Chuan would have prepared to let it stay here and fight as well, since there was currently no King-rank threat here.