Chapter 804

So that's how it is…

After listening to Li Ang's explanation, the Scorpio Director nodded knowingly, his dog head bobbing.

Not only does it require vast amounts of blood to weaken oneself, but one must also offer an anomaly of equal or greater power than the Snow Maiden to force the exchange—seen this way, the Snake-Skin Scroll's ability is merely decent, its tactical value far outweighing its practical use.

Hmm… I didn't pay much attention before, but now that I look closely, the Devil-Skin Scroll given to the Snow Maiden radiates a wild, eerie, and dangerous aura—it's clearly another extremely powerful anomaly.

Judging by its material and aura intensity, it likely seals the soul of a Great Devil, whose Li Ang value in life probably exceeded 50 points; using this to trade for the Snow Maiden is almost a loss.

"You've got quite a few good items on you—even managed to spare a powerful anomaly just for trading. I doubt there's a Level Three Cleaner more 'luxurious' than you."

After sincerely exclaiming this, the Scorpio Director fixed his gaze on the 【Devil's Register】 in the Snow Maiden's hand and asked with interest:

"What's the ability of this anomaly? If you pour enough power into it, can you release the Great Devil's soul inside to attack your enemies?"

"No…"

Hearing the Scorpio Director's question, Li Ang's expression instantly twisted in embarrassment.

You really are… why do you always bring up the most awkward thing?

"It's fine—if you'd rather not say, don't."

Noticing Li Ang's slightly strained expression, the Scorpio Director grinned broadly, his dog mouth curling:

"For Cleaners, anomaly intelligence is a matter of life and death. Given this item's high Li Ang value, it might well be your trump card. I asked too bluntly—your reluctance to speak is perfectly understandable."

"…"

"Actually, there's nothing that can't be said…"

Recalling the batch of "powerful anomalies" he'd crafted under the earnest guidance of the Third Director, Li Ang awkwardly scratched the back of his head, then instinctively turned his head away, his gaze drifting as he answered:

"This thing… uh… once you write your name on it, the sealed Great Devil's soul awakens and personally translates your name into Devil Script."

"…"

Translating names… what an odd ability.

The Scorpio Director snorted disbelievingly, then couldn't help pressing:

"And then? What else can this 【Devil's Register】 do?"

"Nothing else…"

"…"

"Nothing?!"

"Yeah… that's the only ability this thing has."

"…"

So, it seals the soul of a Great Devil—and yet it's only good for translating names? What kind of stupid anomaly is this? No wonder it was used for trading… wait—used for trading?

Realizing what this item was actually meant for, the Scorpio Director sucked in a sharp breath.

His most frequently used 【Injury-Doll】 had a high rank, but its Li Ang value was only around thirty-some points—so… if I were to face this kid, he could use this ultimate trash to directly swap away my most trusted anomaly? Damn it! That's so cheap!

Imagining himself suddenly losing his 【Injury-Doll】 mid-battle, forcibly replaced with a super-trash item that does nothing but translate names…

Then being forced to stand there dumbfounded, watching his own 【Injury-Doll】 slam into his face, the Scorpio Director's scalp prickled slightly—and his estimation of Li Ang's combat power shot up dramatically.

With proper prior intelligence, just this one cheating ability alone would reduce the solo victory odds of my division's Level Two and Three Cleaners to zero—even Level One Cleaners might get taken down!

"Then this thing… uh… is actually quite suitable…"

Having crossed countless barriers between worlds and instantly understood what "dishonorable tactics" meant, the Scorpio Director's dog mouth twitched twice, then he deliberately changed the subject:

"By the way, I've faintly sensed your presence—I'm currently submerged in the sea. Tell her to search one layer deeper; she should be able to… No good!!!"

Mid-sentence, the Scorpio Director suddenly seemed to sense something, his dog face snapping upward in shock.

Li Ang followed his gaze upward and saw the River of Nightmares surging violently, crushing the crimson barrier the Director had erected until it sank downward.

Countless nightmares poured endlessly from the River of Nightmares, frenziedly slamming into the red-haired Director's defenses, instantly shredded into fragments, staining the entire night sky of the Wang Gong crimson.

Yet the nightmares' frantic assaults were not meaningless—amid their relentless, fearless charges, the solid crimson silk net rapidly deformed and sank inward.

The River of Nightmares, held back for so long by the red-haired Director's single strength, finally tore through its last defense and poured down entirely upon the Wang Gong, while a figure clad in a gray robe and crowned with the Wang Mian descended with it.

"Don't you dare pass!"

At the sound of a familiar shout, the crimson silk net, having slain countless nightmares, snapped back violently, tearing the Nightmare King apart in an instant, severing even the Wang Mian on his head into pieces.

But even though the Nightmare King was instantly cut to pieces, countless nightmares flowing through the River of Nightmares continuously released puffs of gray mist, each time reforming the body whole again.

And as the crimson silk net recoiled, the million nightmares previously held at bay seized the moment the red-haired Director was occupied, flooding into reality and diving en masse toward the sleeping souls within the Wang Gong!

…

It's too late to stop them…

Watching the battle above, Li Ang drew a deep breath, then clenched his fists tightly.

With the River of Nightmares now seeping into reality, the Director could no longer catch the Nightmare King—and if she ceased blocking, hundreds of thousands of nightmares would pour down, posing a threat even greater than the Nightmare King himself.

Under these circumstances, what the Director would choose was already obvious.

As expected, after confirming the Nightmare King could no longer be stopped, the red-haired Director released her suppression of the River of Nightmares, allowing the gray fog giant to slowly leak into reality, while turning her full strength to exterminating the remaining nightmares; her red hair began to tremble, signaling the call to action.

According to the Director's plan, the Scorpio Director would now take over, buying time to delay the Nightmare King's full arrival into reality, while she reduced the nightmare numbers to a safe level, then returned for a righteous two-on-one.

Originally, this plan made sense—but the Water Bearer Director's 【Insect-Pricking Wood】 shattered the Scorpio Director's prepared 【Dream-Eating Armor】, then six Nightmare Messengers joined forces and trapped the Scorpio Director himself.

Although I "bribed" the Snow Maiden and could directly extract the Scorpio Director, locating him within six rotating Nightmare Realms would still take some time—and during that interval, the Wang Gong and the entire kingdom would be defenseless; with the Nightmare King's power, he'd likely… wait?

Watching the gray fog giant inching toward reality, held back only by countless crimson hairs, Li Ang met its hollow eye sockets—and a strange thought suddenly struck him, sending a chill down his spine.

Its first target… isn't me, is it?

(End of Chapter)