Chapter 412: Members of the Demon‑Worship Association, Internal Purge

Grinding instances alone, efficiency increased markedly.

Not only did experience double, the speed of clearing instances also noticeably accelerated.

When adventuring together with Lin Cai'er before, there was chatter and laughter; although the pace wasn't slow, the efficiency wasn't the highest.

Now alone, Jiang Chen has become a ruthless monster‑like damage machine.

Sweeping everything in his path, the Undead Legion meets ruthless slaughter wherever it goes.

Experience skyrockets, efficiency is astonishing.

Each time an instance is cleared, experience rises about 8 %, averaging one run per hour.

At this rate, a half‑day's effort can level up once.

But Jiang Chen knows this pace only applies before Level 50.

Once Level 50 is reached, without a experience‑rich Large-scale Dungeon like "Beast‑God Plateau," the leveling speed will drop sharply.

Then a single instance might only grant 2 % or 3 % experience.

To level up, one must clear dozens of instances, grinding to the point of dizziness.

At this moment, Jiang Chen feels a bit envious of his sister Jiang Ruo.

Jiang Ruo's talent can boost leveling speed, and the higher her level, the more the talent improves, making the speed ever faster.

Jiang Chen estimates that by the time he reaches level Third Transfer, Jiang Ruo may already have attained Divine Level.

He has no doubt Jiang Ruo can become a god.

She herself knows she absolutely has the strength.

Otherwise, with such high standards and sharp eyes, she wouldn't have devoted herself so fully to cultivating Jiang Ruo.

While Jiang Chen toils at grinding instances, a fierce battle erupts within the Shenlong Empire.

Li Xueru and Hong Jishi, who have prepared for years, finally set their plans in motion.

If they don't act, that's one thing; once they act, it's like a thunderclap.

The first to act are the military.

Li Xueru, bearing the Shenlong Tower core, together with Hong Jishi

arrive at Nine Fortress.

This is the Shenlong Empire's frontmost defense line, also garrisoning its most elite troops.

Here, no one's level is below Level 60.

Even a Level 60 top‑tier professional is merely a foot‑soldier here.

A Level 70 top‑tier professional can only serve as a Team Leader.

When they arrive, within Nine Fortress a pitch‑black tower slowly rises, confronting the Shenlong Tower.

The Demon‑Slaying Tower and the Shenlong Tower, both among the Shenlong Empire's Divine Towers, are Mythic Weapons, evenly matched.

Within the military, factions exist; Li Xueru and Hong Jishi represent one faction, while another group represents another.

The sides usually don't get along, yet when war breaks out they cooperate earnestly, a rather odd relationship.

The faction led by Li Xueru and Hong Jishi mostly gathers in Fortress No. 8, while Nine Fortress is dominated by the other faction.

Hong Jishi's voice echoes through the entire fortress: "Anyone whose name I recite, step forward."

Names are called one by one; those whose names are spoken tremble and turn ashen.

Hong Jishi holds a list of over a dozen individuals, all holding high positions within the military.

"Silence! Hong Jishi, what are you doing again!" a roar erupts from the fortress, drowning out Hong Jishi's voice.

Three figures, exuding a terrifying aura, rise into the air, glaring angrily at Hong Jishi and Li Xueru.

Each bears a purple Military Badge on their shoulder, each a Divine General.

One is a Four-Star, the other two are Three-Star.

They're still a step below Hong Jishi and Li Xueru.

Hong Jishi was previously a Five-Star Divine General, but after assisting Jiang Chen in planting a soul seal in the Hall of Heroic Souls, he became a Four-Star Divine General.

After slaying the Dragon Race's Dragon King the previous day, he reverted to a Five-Star Divine General.

However, the ranks among Divine Generals are equivalent, and the three Divine Generals in Nine Fortress can stand on equal footing with Hong Jishi.

Wang Lin, a Three-Star Divine General, a Level 92 Divine Knight.

Wei Cang, a Three-Star Divine General, a Level 92 Divine Warrior.

Xia Shize, a Four-Star Divine General, a Level 93 Divine Mage.

One of the three, Wang Lin, was once reprimanded by Li Xueru at Shenlong University.

Li Xueru narrowed his eyes slightly, casting a malicious gaze at Wang Lin.

That expression made Wang Lin feel a chill.

But recalling that the Demon‑Slaying Tower stands behind him, he isn't afraid of Li Xueru's Shenlong Tower, and he boldly meets Li Xueru's eyes.

Li Xueru smiled, meaning: "Kid, you've got some nerve."

Hong Jishi's voice is cold: "Everyone on the list belongs to the Demon‑Worship Association."

"You're full of it!" Xia Shize roared, "On what basis do you say that? What evidence do you have?"

Several of the names Hong Jishi recited are his own men.

If those people are members of the Demon‑Worship Association, doesn't that suggest he may also be closely linked to it?

Hong Jishi glanced disdainfully, "Xia Shize, you've probably been here too long; your brain's gone stiff, you no longer know what I'm doing."

Hong Jishi gave him a disdainful glance, "Xia Shize, you may have stayed here too long, your brain has become stiff, you already don't know what I'm doing."

Only then did he recall Hong Jishi's other identity.

He only then remembered Hong Jishi's other identity.

Wang Lin and Wei Cang at this moment thought of something, and their complexion changed.

Hong Jishi usually doesn't involve himself in any military affairs, just like a hands‑off manager.

But everyone of their rank knows that Hong Jishi actually controls a rather secretive military unit.

This military unit is hidden in

the shadows, infiltrating the entire military, the Empire, and even the civilian world.

The unit handles intelligence gathering, meaning Hong Jishi holds the most abundant information nationwide.

The original purpose of establishing this unit was to deal with the Baimo Society.

Since the Baimo Society is covert, this unit is even more covert.

The roster of the entire unit is known only to Hong Jishi.

Since Hong Jishi says there is a problem with the people on the list, it's almost certain there is a problem.

Xia Shize, though already mostly convinced, still retorts, "Do you have evidence?"

Hong Jishi sneers, "My word is evidence. Now I intend to kill; will you block me or let it happen?"

Hong Jishi's murderous intent surges, and the massive aura of a Divine-level Strongman of rank 95 fully erupts.

Beyond Divine Level, each level difference means a huge gap in power.

Under Hong Jishi's overwhelming aura, the three of them felt immense pressure, and their faces turned grim.

Only then did they realize that Hong Jishi is far from being merely a name.

A Divine-level Strongman of rank 95 is truly formidable.

They realized that even together, the three of them might not be a match for Hong Jishi.

Boom!

The Fortress shook violently.

An aura comparable to Hong Jishi's rose from the Fortress.

"Hong Shen, why the anger!"

A hoarse old voice sounded slowly.

An elderly man with white hair rose slowly, came before Xia Shize, and blocked Hong Jishi's aura.

Hong Jishi laughed heartily, "Old fellow, you really are here. I hadn't quite believed the earlier intelligence."

The elder is named Ye Hao, also a Divine-level Strongman of rank 95, a Five-Star Divine General.

But his seniority is one generation higher than Hong

Jishi's father's generation, a figure from that era.

Ye Hao sighed, "I, old man, have never left these years."

Hong Jishi's eyes flare with battle intent, "So, you intend to stop me?"

Ye Hao shook his head, "Since Hong Shen has already investigated thoroughly, it can't be wrong. Even if a killing mistake occurs, Hong Shen will answer for it."

Hong Jishi declared loudly, "You still understand the rules; evidence will come later. I, Hong Jishi, will not kill the wrong person."

Ye Hao extended his hand, "Then, Hong Shen, please proceed."

Hong Jishi's form flashed to the sky above the Fortress; this time, whether Xia Shize, Wei Cang, or Wang Lin, none stopped Hong Jishi.

With Ye Hao overseeing the situation here, it was not their turn to speak.

Hong Jishi's aura, like a Barrier, enveloped Nine Fortress, and a voice rang out.

"Transmit Divine General Order!"

"Human Race Warrior, draw Weapon."

"Capture all those this Divine General has named; if any resist, execute on the spot!"

As the voice fell, all soldiers in the Fortress simultaneously drew their Weapons.

Before Hong Jishi could recite the list again, those just named were already fighting desperately to escape.

But they could not flee; the Teleportation Array, Teleport Stone, and all teleportable items all failed at that moment.

When Hong Jishi and Li Xueru arrived, Shenlong Tower had already locked the space.

Someone tried to escape, and the soldiers had already acted.

Resisters, executed on the spot.

One by one, names were spoken from Hong Jishi's mouth; murderous intent boiled in the Fortress, the sounds of fighting rose, and the scent of blood spread.

Fighting to the death in rebellion, the result is only death.

With Hong Jishi present, none can escape.