[Rank 4 Sacred Object: Underworld Seal. After equipping to the Core, converts core race into soul form upon their death (This effect applies only to core races of Heroic rank or lower).]
Despite its many restrictions, the Underworld Seal remained valuable to Han Wu. His Defiance Aspect demanded a steady intake of souls to advance. The more souls it absorbed, the faster it grew. Yet Han Wu had already spent a substantial amount of Divine Points merging his units and Sacred Objects. His resources dwindled further after buying two Rank 4 Sacred Objects and a Rank 2 Sacred Object. He did not have enough to purchase the Underworld Seal right now.
He was going to the Ancient Battleground soon, so had to get the Underworld Seal at all costs. He mulled over his options and finally resolved to borrow the money. But whom could he turn to?
Qin Shuang was busy training and unlikely to answer his messages. Sun Qingnian lived with a wealthy woman due to poverty and had no funds to spare. Tian Wen was an awkward choice. After all, he had just invited Tian Wen over, so asking to borrow money now would seem inappropriate. It would make him look like a swidler.
Ultimately, Han Wu decided to reach out to his senior, Xiang Meng, who prized loyalty and camaraderie. He was confident Xiang Meng would lend him the money if asked. Without delay, Han Wu placed a video call.
Xiang Meng answered quickly. Han Wu could see he was in an arena. Below him, a massive army of mammoths clashed against an army of Bugbears. The battle raged with brutal intensity.
“Han Wu? What’s going on?” Xiang Meng asked.
“Senior Xiang Meng, I’ve ascended into a Demigod and wanted to borrow some Divine Points to buy Sacred Objects,” he replied.
“Congrats! How much do you need? Send me your account.”
“I need 200 million.”
“Consider it done. Check your account,” Xiang Meng replied casually as he commanded his Fulgur Mammoth Lord to charge into the Bugbear army, crushing them into a bloody mess. Witnessing this, the enemy immediately surrendered.
Han Wu checked his account and thanked him. “Thank you, Senior Xiang Meng. I’ll repay you once I return.”
After hanging up, Han Wu quickly used the funds to purchase the Underworld Seal. Then, he absorbed fragments of a divine realm left behind by a Demigod. His Core eagerly absorbed the fragments, shooting up to level 20, which was the level cap for Demigods. During this process, his divine realm expanded rapidly, and excitement welled up within him as he observed the transformation.
It felt good to stockpile rare resources. Fortunately, he had acquired these from the Demigods who had previously sought the Origin of Mutation. Without those spoils, his Core would not have leveled up so swiftly.
Han Wu’s divine realm grew steadily until it reached the Demigods’ size limit of 10,000 square kilometers. With this increase, he was confident he could cultivate more units of his core race. He already looked forward to the day he would use Sacrifice to recoup the money spent today.
Next, he equipped the Sacred Objects he had acquired onto his Core. Each one unleashed its unique effects, triggering a massive transformation among the units within his divine realm.
All of Han Wu’s locusts were affected, their bodies beginning to transform. Some gained both thunder and fire attributes and even acquired related skills. A few gained the Clone skill, while others underwent subtler changes that would only become apparent upon death.
Han Wu could feel his core race growing stronger again, which filled him with joy. The sensation resembled a father watching his son return home at last with a spouse. With renewed confidence, Han Wu was ready to enter the Ancient Battleground.
The night passed, and Han Wu arrived at the meeting point. To his surprise, Tian Wen was already there, waiting. Han Wu glanced at the scattered cigarette butts and realized Tian Wen had been waiting for a long time.
“Mr. Tian? When did you get here?” he asked.
Tian Wen finished another cigarette. “I arrived last night. I was too excited to sleep, so I just waited here for you.”
Han Wu almost laughed. He never imagined Tian Wen, a seasoned Demigod, could be as eager as a kindergartener on a field trip. “Then let’s not waste any more time. Let’s depart.”
Han Wu pulled out the ticket and let a single drop of blood fall onto it. Tian Wen followed, his hands trembling as he added his own blood. The ticket absorbed their blood, glowing red. Now only they could use it. Han Wu then shook the ticket and spent 100 Divine Points. Flames burst forth, consuming the ticket and forming a gate.
They stepped through together and found themselves in a place lined with neatly arranged tents on both sides. They had successfully arrived at the Foreign Ancient Battleground.
Tian Wen chuckled and cried out with delight, “The Ancient Battleground! This is the real Ancient Battleground. The air here feels so fresh!”
He was so thrilled that he forgot to keep his composure in front of his student. Han Wu nearly died of embarrassment and briefly considered telling others he didn’t know who Tian Wen was.
Realizing his slip, Tian Wen quickly composed himself. “Han Wu, did you see that? I was cheering for you.”
Cheering for me? Do you take me for an idiot? Han Wu wanted to dig a hole to hide.
As they spoke, a guide arrived promptly to welcome them. After verifying and registering their information, the guide led them to one of the tents. “This will be your temporary residence. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask. We are happy to assist you.”
Han Wu eyed the dilapidated tent and suspected the guide was joking. The tent barely qualified as shelter!
He was about to demand a better one when Tian Wen stopped him. “Wait. Let’s not be hasty. Let’s check inside first.”
Han Wu sighed but agreed. Inside, they found the space far larger than it appeared from outside. Not only was there room to rest, but also a vast arena about one 1 square kilometer in size.
Han Wu nodded in approval and decided to use the tent for now. Tian Wen had no complaints. He would have been content sleeping outdoors, so having a tent to block the elements and a bed to sleep on felt like a luxury.