Chapter 556: The Brightest Star in the Night Sky, Summoning the Lord of the Underworld

In the dim Abyss Secret Realm, within the Demon Emperor's castle, the ancient undying Abyssal Fire burns eternally.

The Demon Emperor lazily leans on the throne, its gaze piercing the layers of darkness, seemingly able to glimpse the distant human world.

In its hand it holds a cup of liquid shimmering with faint light, the liquid exuding strong magical energy fluctuations.

It is the essence extracted from the body of an ancient Dragon King, containing boundless magical energy.

However, now it exists only as a drink for the Demon Emperor.

The Demon Emperor murmurs, his voice echoing through the vast palace: "Consciousness has dissipated, but the feedback information is sufficient."

"Again the stirrings of the spirit‑eating beast, Human Race, do you truly think you can still nurture another super demon?"

"Stop fantasizing; this era no longer permits the emergence of a super demon!"

Suddenly, a deafening Roar echoed from outside the palace.

The Roar was filled with anger and resentment, yet seemed bound by some force, unable to be fully released.

Deep within the palace, in an area protected by a special magical array, a Dragon Race sovereign is tightly shackled by iron chains.

Its dragon blood is the source of the Demon Emperor's drink.

The Demon Emperor drains the dragon blood from the cup, a faint satisfied smile appearing on his face. He extends a finger and lightly taps the void.

In an instant, an illusory Blade materializes on the Dragon King, its edge unmatched, easily slicing through the Dragon King's tough scales.

A spray of fresh Dragon King blood erupts, precisely landing back into the cup in the Demon Emperor's hand.

The Demon Emperor sips again, savoring the unique flavor, and murmurs once more: "Jiang Yi is about to be reborn; the Human Race will gain another Half-step Super God strongman. What a pity, the half-step remains only a half-step."

"Death seems to have brought him no release. Yet why does he choose to step into this chaotic world again?"

"The Soul Fusion Array—this must be a gift from that old fellow Antares to the Human Race. He still leans more toward the Human Race."

"As for Jiang Chen, I once ordered his pursuit, yet he still lives carefree; what an interesting little fellow."

"It seems I must wait until you enter that profound space before I can end you personally; that truly makes me look forward to it."

The Demon Emperor's voice reverberates through the empty palace, faint yet bearing an indescribable authority. This is his domain, but over the long ages he has only companionship in solitude.

His gaze can pierce endless darkness, spying every corner of the Abyss, even reaching the edge of the Otherworld Battlefield. Yet, even such a vast vision cannot fill the emptiness within him.

For Divine-level Strongmen like Hong Jishi and Li Xueru, the Demon Emperor only occasionally stirs, issuing a command as if to tease them. As for Jiang Chen, he is a being that has recently sparked a slight interest in him.

The imprisoned Dragon King lets out a desperate Roar, but its sound is drowned by the Abyssal Fire's Roar, unable to reach the outside. Its eyes brim with despair, knowing it is destined to become the Demon Emperor's blood food.

In the human world, the breeding‑gu plan proceeds methodically. Li Xueru busily sets up various arrays, preparing for the forthcoming grand scheme. The military and major families will mobilize hundreds of thousands of people as hosts for the spirit‑eating beasts.

The core of this plan is to let the spirit‑eating beasts grow within human bodies, absorbing various powers, ultimately converting into potent Soul Energy. When the Soul Fusion Array activates, all Soul Energy will be gathered, first nourishing Jiang Chen's soul.

However, even Jiang Chen cannot fully absorb this massive Soul Energy. According to Li Xueru's estimate, Jiang Chen can at most absorb twenty‑to‑thirty percent. The remaining Soul Energy will be divided among those Divine-level Strongmen to boost each of their Soul powers.

Soul is the foundation of Divine-level Strongmen; its strength often determines their cultivation realm. Yet even with those Divine-level Strongmen, the remaining Soul Energy cannot be fully absorbed. Thus some surplus power will remain, which will be given back as compensation to everyone involved in the plan.

This is Li Xueru's plan; although outsiders may view it as somewhat cold, in their world it is an unavoidable choice.

They yearn to advance further, and the emergence of the spirit‑eating beasts undeniably provides them a chance.

During the plan's execution, there may be sacrifices, lives may be lost, but this is the price required for a greater goal.

Li Xueru understands that all he can do is ensure the families of those sacrificed receive proper recompense and compensation.

Jiang Chen returned to Hong Shen Courtyard; it was empty, unusually silent.

It was the first time in his memory that Hong Shen Courtyard was devoid of any inhabitants.

Whenever he came here, he always saw Li Xueru leisurely seated in the courtyard, as if everything in the world were unrelated to him.

He once envied Li Xueru's way of life, believing he lived carefree.

Jiang Chen sat at his spot and poured himself a cup of tea.

The tea warmed gradually in his hand, emitting a faint fresh fragrance.

He took a light sip of hot tea, and his whole being relaxed.

Finally, he reached the Level 60 bottleneck; this return, he prepares to awaken a new skill.

Since his Job Change, in less than two years his cultivation speed has astonished everyone.

Aside from Jiang Ruo, almost no one can compare with him.

Jiang Chen held a flashing Intermediate Skill Scroll, watching its golden light, and silently said to himself, "Master, I'm about to begin."

Those words seemed both encouragement to himself and a farewell to the past.

In the past, every Awakening Skill was accompanied by Li Xueru and Hong Jishi.

But this time, he must face it alone, seeking the skill's origin by himself.

The Intermediate Skill Scroll exploded with a Boom, golden light scattering like fireworks.

Jiang Chen stood within the golden radiance, closed his eyes, and earnestly felt the skill's source.

The light surged into his body, guiding him to pursue the skill's origin.

He seemed to be amidst a sea of stars, the already awakened skills sparkling like countless stars, while the yet‑unawakened skills hid in darkness, awaiting illumination.

Jiang Chen followed the light's guidance, step by step toward the skill's source. He saw the skills he had already mastered, shining like lanterns in the night sky, illuminating his path forward.

At the same time, he also saw the skills yet unlit, like hidden treasures awaiting his discovery and awakening.

At this moment, a point of light that had been dim is quietly trembling.

Jiang Chen inhaled deeply, silently pondering, "Is it because my own cultivation is still insufficient?"

He felt this soon‑to‑awaken skill was distinct, its point of light noticeably larger than the others.

"This skill must be immensely powerful!"

"A single flashing Intermediate Skill Scroll seems insufficient to activate it."

Such a thought rose in Jiang Chen's mind.

Relying on his intuition, Jiang Chen unhesitatingly activated two more flashing Intermediate Skill Scrolls.

For others, one would suffice, but for him, three is the beginning.

If he didn't have enough Skill Scroll reserves in his hand, such consumption would be downright extravagant.

As more star brilliance surged into his body, they each joined the ranks of activating the Skill.

Jiang Chen was deeply attracted by the mysterious power contained in the Skill Scroll; it is this power that allows ordinary people to become professionals.

The star brilliance within his body kept accumulating, eventually coalescing into a massive energy.

This energy, like a torrent, rushed entirely toward the light point representing the Skill.

The light point, initially dim and dark, gradually began to emit a faint glow, and finally its brilliance swelled, turning into the brightest star in the night sky.

Jiang Chen witnessed the whole process with his own eyes, his heart filled with wonder and joy.

The moment the Skill's light point was fully activated, he seemed to form a marvelous connection with it.

Compared with other Skills, this newly awakened Skill seemed more intuitive, as if it resonated on a deep level with his soul.

As the Skill activated, that star‑like light point burst forth dazzling radiance, illuminating Jiang Chen's entire body.

The radiance merged into every inch of his flesh, making him feel an unprecedented power.

Obtained Skill: Summon Netherworld Lord

Summon Netherworld Lord: Use the power of the Netherworld to summon a mighty Netherworld Lord, whose form is forged from the souls of countless Netherworld creatures, possessing boundless power.

This is a Skill without level restriction; once mastered, one can directly summon a powerful Netherworld Lord.

The power of Summon Netherworld Lord stems from the convergence of countless undead of the Netherworld. The strength of the Netherworld Lord depends on the number of undead the summoner employs.

The weakest Netherworld Lord might be formed from the souls of merely ten thousand Netherworld creatures; however, the strongest Netherworld Lord has no limit, its power wholly dependent on the summoner's ability and will.

Jiang Chen, currently Level 60, already commands 40 Undead Legions, each containing the souls of 1,230 undead creatures, totaling an astonishing 49,200.

He is full of anticipation for the Netherworld Lord he is about to summon. With so many souls converging, what terrifying power will that Netherworld Lord possess? Moreover, he is very curious whether this Netherworld Lord can enjoy the 70× Amplify brought by a fully enhanced talent.

All of this must be verified through testing. Yet Jiang Chen firmly believes his Skill will only grow stronger, never weakening.

He restrained his inner excitement and re‑activated the fourth flashing Intermediate Skill Scroll. The star brilliance exploded instantly, enveloping Jiang Chen. He sat amid the star brilliance, a dense Netherworld aura swirling around him, his whole demeanor solemn and majestic, as if the true Grim Reaper had descended upon the world.