Locke had never tested it. Without experimentation, how could he possibly know whether a dual-element soul mutant—after refining a third godhead with their Saint-level original body—could truly fuse three kinds of divine power?
That claim had merely been bait.
A deliberate stimulus, meant to tighten Oakes' sense of loss and deepen his dependence.
With Locke's current mastery of the soul, he could easily enslave Oakes outright.
But doing so would cripple Oakes' future potential.
Worse still, Locke despised such crude control.
Thus, those he wished to cultivate were bound only by oath.
An oath sworn before the Overgod was far more binding than any soul-control technique.
Even a Sovereign—after swearing to the Overgod of Destruction—could not violate it.
Why waste such a perfect tool?
"Oakes," Locke had once said,
"cultivation after godhood differs fundamentally from before."
"Before becoming a god, one comprehends a single Profound Mystery to ascend."
"After becoming a god, one continues comprehending Profound Mysteries."
"But here, two paths diverge."
"For those of ordinary potential, they follow the conventional route—fully comprehend two Profound Mysteries to become a God."
"Fully comprehend all the Profound Mysteries of a Law to become a Highgod."
"But you…"
"You are someone I value."
"And your path will be different."
He then revealed the secret of Profound Mystery fusion.
"Just as divine power fusion increases strength tenfold with each additional fusion—so too does Law fusion."
"If you fail to fuse Profound Mysteries, then even if both your divine clones become Highgods, you will be nothing more than an ordinary Four-Star Fiend."
That statement struck Oakes harder than any blow.
His pride as a soul mutant vanished instantly.
Yes—soul mutation was merely an advantage.
If squandered, he would peak at Four-Star Fiend.
Was that strong?
Once, he would have said yes.
Now?
It sounded pitiful.
Because Lord Locke had called it his lower bound.
"Oakes."
"Yes, Lord Locke."
Locke's gaze turned cold.
"My true identity cannot yet be revealed."
"If within one million years you reach Six-Star Fiend strength, I may allow the Blackstone Tribe to become one of my hidden forces."
"If you reach Seven-Star Fiend level, you may act openly in my name."
"If you reach Shura-level strength, you may stand at my side."
"But if, under my guidance, you fail to reach even Five-Star Fiend level—"
"I will kill you."
"Do you understand?"
"I understand."
Oakes lowered his head deeply.
"If after one million years I am only an ordinary Five-Star Fiend, I will end myself before you."
Locke nodded.
He was not bluffing.
If Oakes failed to grow, the secret of soul mutation would die with him.
One Thousand Years Later
Time flowed unnoticed.
The next challenger was the Lord of Shadowmoon Prefecture—Aelia.
A Dark-element expert whose true form was a divine beast: the Shadow Leopard.
Renowned for extreme speed and his innate divine ability—Shadow Strike.
On the dueling platform, Aelia appeared as a pale nobleman in fitted black attire, radiating eerie elegance.
He bowed slightly.
"Lord Locke."
In his hand appeared a Fiend badge.
Five yellow stars.
A Five-Star Fiend.
"I have joined the Fiend Castle," Aelia said smoothly.
"With Lord Locke occupied, I requested Lord Kurus of Yemu Prefecture to evaluate my advancement. I passed and became a Five-Star Fiend."
"Now, I wish to use this battle as my Six-Star Fiend promotion assessment."
"Would Lord Locke permit it?"
The arena erupted.
Everyone understood instantly.
Only higher-ranked Fiends could preside over promotion assessments.
Kurus, as a Six-Star Fiend, could certify Aelia only up to Five-Star.
If Locke accepted—
He could not use Shura-level power.
He would be restricted to Seven-Star Fiend strength.
Which meant—
Aelia had just secured survival odds.
A masterful calculation.
All eyes turned to Locke.
Would he agree?
"I have no objection."
Locke smiled faintly.
In truth, he had intended to suppress himself to Seven-Star level anyway.
But Aelia's move sparked inspiration.
Why bind himself artificially?
Better to let them walk willingly into submission.
From now on—
Prefecture Lords unwilling to join the Fiend Castle would be killed outright.
Those wishing to live would join.
Their thousand-year "challenges" would become assessments.
Expansion and power consolidation—both achieved simultaneously.
Would these Lords truly perform Fiend missions?
Locke did not care.
He never intended to manage the Fiend Castle indefinitely.
When it spread across all of Hell—
The Main Gods would descend.
Faith was power.
And none of Hell's Main Gods would allow outsiders to monopolize it.
Unless the Destruction Sovereign had already reached Paragon—
Even he would be tempted.
Enemy strength meant his weakness.
Aelia exhaled slowly.
Only when standing before Locke did one truly understand his pressure.
But now—
His life was safeguarded by rules.
He would test how much force Locke truly required.
"Lord Locke—I'm coming!"
His figure blurred.
Vanished.
The next instant—
Aelia emerged from Locke's shadow, dagger thrust toward Locke's abdomen.
Shadow Strike.
Within shadows, he could move instantly.
For millions of years, that move had ensured his invincibility.
"Shhk—!"
But before the dagger touched flesh—
Locke's body dissolved into water.
The blade pierced only liquid.
Aelia passed through.
Ten meters behind—
He found himself encased in a sphere of blue water.
Law power pressed from all directions.
He could not move.
"Water Prison."
A technique merging the Essence of Water, Circular softness Profound Mystery, a wave profound Mystery.
Even Seven-Star Fiends would struggle.
But this was an assessment.
With a soft pop, the water sphere dispersed.
Locke spoke calmly:
"Impressive."
"Your speed exceeds typical Six-Star Fiends—approaching Seven-Star."
"Five-Star Fiends would die instantly."
"Even Six-Star Fiends would fall if careless."
"But your offensive power is lacking."
"If your opponent possesses strong defenses, you will be forced into prolonged combat."
The arena was silent.
Aelia now understood.
Even suppressed—
The gap between them was immeasurable.
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