"This move was a success. Now it's up to you, Muya."
Seeing that Muya truly bore no resentment, Pax relaxed inwardly.
Their cooperation would stretch across endless years. If distrust festered now, the consequences would echo for eternity.
As Hell's most cunning Sovereign, Pax understood clearly:
Thunder Punishment Castle was never meant to truly halt Fiend Castle's expansion.
It was bait.
An open scheme.
He knew he was not the only Sovereign watching.
Until Locke's backing was fully exposed, the others would remain silent observers.
So, Pax played the first card.
If Thunder Punishment Castle could merely hold a few prefectures on Bloodpeak—
Even without expanding—
Other Sovereigns would immediately replicate the model.
Slaughter Castle.
Battle Castle.
Judgment Castle.
Hell would fracture.
Fiend Castle's dominance would shatter.
And that—
The Sovereign behind Fiend Castle could never tolerate.
Thus—
Locke would be forced to Bloodpeak.
And if Muya defeated him fairly—
The spiritual pillar of Fiend Castle would collapse.
Then negotiations would begin.
Muya's lightning divine clone would enter Fiend Castle as its new banner.
And Pax and Muya would share in the faith.
Faith wars had already begun in the material planes.
Armies of different Sovereigns were colliding.
Pax foresaw something larger:
Not merely material plane conflict—
But eventual war spilling into Divine and Supreme Planes.
A Sovereign War.
And in such a war—
Even Rule Sovereigns would bleed.
Even Rule Sovereigns would die.
He needed strength.
Desperately.
His gaze drifted toward the Chaos Sea.
If the worst came—
He might need to choose allegiance again.
It would not be the first time in his life.
The Challenge Issued
In Haiyun Prefecture—
Locke finally received the message.
"Thunder Punishment Castle Lord Yamu challenges you to battle in three hundred years at Tianshan Prefecture."
Ryan delivered the report.
"For three hundred years, they will not obstruct Fiend Castle expansion."
"After the duel—regardless of victory or defeat—Thunder Punishment Castle will merge into Fiend Castle."
"But if he wins…"
"He takes the title 'Legendary Shura.'"
Locke smiled faintly.
So that was their move.
Insert themselves into Fiend Castle's core by seizing its symbol.
But what they did not understand—
Was that Locke did not need faith.
He only needed Fiend Castle to be universally acknowledged.
If this duel ensured uninterrupted expansion—
Then battle it would be.
"Reply for me," Locke said calmly.
"Tell them I welcome all challengers."
"If someone defeats me, the title 'Legendary Shura' is theirs."
Ryan's blood boiled.
This was Lord Locke.
Hell Ignited
News spread like wildfire.
Three hundred years.
Tianshan Prefecture.
Shura-level duel.
Across Hell, divine-level experts began racing toward Bloodpeak.
Comets streaked across skies.
Spatial rifts opened.
Even Sovereigns stirred.
If their own subordinate seized the title—
What benefits might follow?
Faith.
Prestige.
Dominance.
Some Sovereigns quietly bestowed:
Sovereign ArtifactsSovereign's Power
Equipment could compensate for shortcomings.
Victory was what mattered.
Soon—
Other experts backed by Sovereigns declared participation.
The duel between Locke and Yamu evolved into:
A Title Contention War.
Locke did not hesitate.
"All who wish to challenge may come."
"But only Seven-Star Fiends may participate."
"And I recognize only Fiend Castle's Seven-Star badge."
To prevent early exposure of true power—
Locke established a certification method:
Tear open a spatial rift of at least fifty meters with bare hands.
Anyone who achieved this within Fiend Castle could immediately receive a Seven-Star badge.
Qualification secured.
"Legendary Shura."
Not merely a rank—
But a symbol.
The first Shura of Fiend Castle.
Its strongest blade.
Thus, Locke set the rules:
Every contender must fight every other contender.A single loss eliminates you.Only the undefeated may claim the title.
Even those who failed could earn renown.
And for beings at that level—
Reputation was priceless.
Tianshan Prefecture entered its most chaotic era in history.
Powerhouses arrived continuously.
Spatial pressure fluctuated daily.
Thunder gathered on horizons.
And in Haiyun—
Locke entered seclusion once more.
Though soul mutation had elevated him dramatically—
His hard power remained just short.
Four fused Water Profound Mysteries.
The fifth—
Only a hair away.
If he was unlucky—
Ten thousand years might pass before full fusion.
If luck was on his side—
Tomorrow could suffice.
While the Water divine clone continued fusion—
The Fate divine clone advanced steadily, enveloped in destiny's current.
His Saint-level original body began something new:
Cross-law fusion experiments.
The first attempt:
Water's Water Body Mystery—
And Fate.
If successful—
A new path beyond conventional fusion might emerge.
Three hundred years.
Hell gathered its strongest.
Sovereigns waited behind curtains.
The title would be decided.
But beneath it—
A far greater game was unfolding.
And Locke—
Had already prepared more than anyone realized.
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