Chapter 940: Key of the Nine‑Ring Gate

"Alright!"

Ai Luo Ti Xi Ya gladly accepted, saying happily, "We've been waiting for this day for many years. Thank you, Lei En!"

"Just a trivial favor," Lei En smiled, "Then let's set out now. Is there anything you need to prepare?"

The succubus shook her head impatiently.

Reslin's figure appeared on the bridge, opened a teleportation gate, and stepped through first. Ai Luo Ti Xi Ya followed Lei En inside, finding herself in a sealed underground chamber whose walls and ceiling were magically reinforced, forming a hall of several hundred square meters.

It was clearly the work of dwarf craftsmen.

Having watched the dwarves mine these past days, she knew this construction‑adept race, and surmised the hall lay within the mine's bounds, deep underground.

Then the succubus saw a rune array on the floor at the hall's center, surrounded by a squad of transcendent warriors in golden armor.

They were all Thundercast Celestial Soldiers under Lei En's command.

Reslin had already stepped onto the array, inspected the rune engravings, and conducted a magical test.

"This is an inter‑plane teleportation array, built just recently," Lei En explained, "It will take us to the Prime Material Plane."

Ai Luo Ti Xi Ya examined the array, "The Star Destroyer isn't coming with us?"

"Not for now. The Star Destroyer will stay in the Sighing Wasteland to guard the mine's safety," Lei En replied. Seeing Reslin finish his scan, he extended his hand, "Come up."

The succubus holy swordsman stood on the array, a little nervous.

At that moment, Lei En produced an exquisite magical necklace, "Wear this. It can conceal your aura and identity, reducing unnecessary trouble." The necklace bore a seven‑ring "Advanced Disguise Technique" and a five‑ring "Breath‑Holding Technique," crafted by Reslin.

"Thank you."

Ai Luo Ti Xi Ya took the necklace, placed it on her fair neck, and whispered her thanks.

Although Lei En didn't say so, she guessed the necklace was made by Lei En himself; his thoughtful care moved her deeply, though she didn't know how to repay him.

"No need to be formal," Lei En waved casually, "We begin."

Reslin activated the planar teleportation array.

One by one the runes lit up, massive arcane energy was guided to flow through the entire array, and light blossomed in the void. After a few minutes, a huge pressure suddenly descended, and the three standing on the array vanished.

Because few were being sent, Reslin chose direct teleportation instead of opening a planar gateway, saving the energy of the arcane crystal.

Before this, over a thousand Thundercast Celestial Soldiers had passed here back to the Prime Material Plane without a single mishap—extremely safe.

Ai Luo Ti Xi Ya endured the void's pressure as the space before her twisted to the extreme; vast, boundless spacetime energy formed a temporary safe corridor, like a bridge linking two distant worlds.

Beyond the corridor lay the Star Realm, a silvery sea of fleeting glints passing before her eyes like a dream.

Each instant spanned an extremely great distance.

The teleportation lasted for over ten seconds.

A flash of light, the void's crushing pressure vanished, her body lightened, and the feeling of solid ground returned. Ai Luo Ti Xi Ya knew the teleportation was over. She was still in a hall, standing inside another array, guarded likewise by Thundercast Celestial Soldiers.

Lei En and Reslin were beside her.

"We've arrived," Lei En said, noticing the succubus's puzzled eyes, "This is the Prime Material Plane, but in the Shadowy Region."

A teleportation array that links directly to the Abyssal Plane is extremely dangerous; whether for personal or public safety, the Abyssal array must be placed in the safest spot and ensured it cannot be exploited by Demons.

Thus Lei En placed it on the lower levels of the Obsidian Tower.

Reslin sent the three of them together to the top level, then teleported again, arriving at a highland fortress of Gotham City, after which he vanished.

A teleportation gate opened before them, and Lei En made a beckoning gesture, "Follow me."

Ai Luo Ti Xi Ya stepped in, rather apprehensive.

The surroundings shifted, from the underground hall to an open terrace. The New Continent was in early winter, yet the weather was bright and clear, the sky a washed‑out azure with excellent visibility, and a brand‑new bustling city unfolded before the succubus's eyes.

Skyscrapers rose, traffic flowed incessantly.

In each cloud‑piercing tower, countless people busied themselves on every floor; vehicles streamed along the streets, and pedestrians wove like fabric.

Ai Luo Ti Xi Ya had never seen so many mortals.

A slightly chilly wind carried the sound of waves; looking far, she could see an endless sea, and on the western horizon a massive statue of a dignified goddess raised a torch while cradling a tome, the torch emitting an uncanny magical glow.

A God of Magic statue!

Ai Luo Ti Xi Ya had heard Lei En speak of it, but seeing it with her own eyes finally made her realize how magnificent the statue truly was.

She gazed greedily at the city, eyes glazed, then suddenly closed them.

Winter sunlight warmed her skin, the sea breeze, car horns, and voices filled her ears; she inhaled deeply, the clean fresh air untouched by any corrupt energy, and all of this intoxicated Ai Luo Ti Xi Ya, a tear slipping from the corner of her closed eye.

Lei En did not disturb her, standing nearby and waiting quietly.

A long while passed.

Ai Luo Ti Xi Ya's emotions finally steadied; she gently wiped her eyes, turned to Lei En, and, a little embarrassed, said, "I'm sorry for making you look foolish."

"I understand."

Lei En had no intention of mocking; on the contrary, he admired how quickly the succubus could regain composure.

"If you hadn't told me yourself, it'd be hard to imagine Gotham City was only a few years old." Ai Luo Ti Xi Ya admired the city's scenery, as if she could never get enough, exclaiming, "I've never seen a city like this; even the divine realm couldn't compare."

"You can stay in Gotham for a while, giving you enough time to learn the city," Lei En said.

The succubus hesitated, "Is that alright?"

Lei En read her thoughts and said seriously, "If you intend to travel to the imperial capital Nuosiruier to worship the Temple of Justice, I advise you not to rush—stay in Gotham for a while first. Gotham is my city; I can guarantee your safety, but once you reach the Empire, even as Consul I cannot control everything."

Ai Luo Ti Xi Ya caught Lei En's implied meaning.

She was a Demon; in the Prime Material Plane such corrupt energy beings are never tolerated by mortals, and discovery of her identity would bring great trouble.

"Alright, I'll follow you," the succubus nodded.

Lei En opened a teleportation gate, destination unknown, and a stunning noblewoman in an elaborate long dress stepped out. She possessed sea‑foam‑colored long hair, sapphire eyes like gems, supple luminous skin, a graceful figure, and dignified bearing.

Ai Luo Ti Xi Ya was well aware of her own beauty, yet upon first seeing this lady, the absolute confidence she held was unexpectedly shaken.

"Madam."

Fa Lan Jia Si Ka bowed respectfully to Lei En, then noticed the succubus, and her gaze shifted subtly.

The two women locked eyes for less than half a second before looking away.

But in that brief instant, Lei En seemed to see invisible sparks bouncing back and forth between them several times.

His Soul Eye clearly sensed a trace of hostility arising between them.

Lei En suddenly felt some regret, thinking he shouldn't have brought Ai Luotixiya to Gotham City, but the words were already spoken and he couldn't change his mind, so he said, "Fa Lan Jia Si Ka, this is my friend Ai Luotixiya. She'll be staying in Gotham City for a few days; please treat her well and don't neglect her."

Then he introduced, "Ai Luoya, Fa Lan Jia Si Ka is my chief maid."

Fa Lan Jia Si Ka first greeted with an elegant bow, "Pleased to meet you, madam."

"Hello."

Ai Luotixiya had learned the Imperial language from a Holy Swordsman teacher, but after the teacher's death she rarely used it. Though she had been practicing with Lei En these past days, she was still not fluent. In her heightened emotions, facing the aristocratic poise of Fa Lan Jia Si Ka, she suddenly didn't know how to respond and could only dryly say "hello," not even knowing how to address her.

Fa Lan Jia Si Ka lifted her chin slightly, "Madam, please follow me."

Ai Luotixiya glanced at Lei En.

"Go ahead."

Lei En gave a smile to reassure the succubus; Fa Lan Jia Si Ka might only compete in her mind, but she would never dare defy her own will and block Ai Luotixiya.

Next, he would arrange for Ai Luotixiya to tour Gotham City and experience the customs of the Prime Material Plane.

A Holy Lance Knight would accompany her throughout.

Of course, Ai Luotixiya must be disguised when she goes out to mask the 'seduction' effect, otherwise traffic jams would erupt wherever she went.

Lei En thought for a moment and ordered a Thundercast Celestial Soldier to summon Li Fulin.

After a few minutes in the study, the Holy Blood Angel arrived, and upon seeing Lei En alone in the room, a hint of melancholy flashed in her eyes.

"Don't stare at me like that," Lei En said helplessly, suddenly feeling that having too many women was a hassle, and explained, "I've been handling some official business lately; I can't get away."

"What official business?"

Li Fulin hummed and sat down opposite him.

"I went to the Abyss," Lei En briefly described the desolate situation; Li Fulin's expression softened a bit, and seeing her sultry eyes, he, having held back for half a month, patted his thigh and said, "Come sit."

A flash of Holy Blood Angelic light, and the blood elf settled across Lei En's lap, her armor unfurling around her.

Intense panting filled the study.

After a long while, the struggle subsided; Li Fulin, satisfied, readied her armor and sat opposite Lei En again, though the flush on her face remained.

Lei En cleared his throat and said, "I summoned you because I have an official matter to entrust to you…"

Li Fulin listened attentively.

Lei En outlined his plan; the blood elf was first astonished that a succubus could become a Holy Swordsman, and upon hearing what Lei En wanted her to do, she instantly felt indignant, "You actually want me to accompany a Demon roaming Gotham City? She must be very beautiful, right?"

"Uh, she's okay," Lei En replied evasively.

"Hum!"

Li Fulin stared at Lei En, slightly disdainful, "I didn't expect your taste to be so bizarre, daring to have designs on a Demon."

"Don't speak recklessly," Lei En retorted weakly, "My goal is to cultivate Ai Luotixiya into an Abyssal Lord, letting her command an Abyssal Plane, perhaps more than one. Don't you think she's suitable?"

"She's very suitable, and I can also get a taste of a succubus, right?" Li Fulin bluntly exposed Lei En's intention.

"Cough… Li Fulin, think of it positively."

Lei En changed the subject, "If you can sway Ai Luotixiya's faith, reveal to her the existence of the Lord of Radiance, Saint Giles, and then have me persuade her to convert, she will become the second Holy Blood Angel, which is crucial to the Lord of Radiance."

Li Fulin fell silent.

Since she embraced the Lord of Radiance, she has been thinking of spreading Saint Giles's doctrine and gaining more followers, not limited to Holy Lance Knights.

The Lord of Radiance's most powerful Holy Blood Angel remains only herself at present.

The others in the Holy Spear Knight Corps are still far from the Saint Rank.

"I understand."

Li Fulin nodded in agreement without much thought; as long as it benefits the Saint Giles Church, she's willing to do it, which is more important than fighting over Lei En's women.

After all, Lei En has so many women; she can't control them.

As long as he can satisfy her, that's enough.

"I'll go see that succubus in a moment; I know exactly what to do," Li Fulin, decisive as always, said, preparing to stand and leave the study, then suddenly leaned forward, reached out, and forcefully declared, "I'll drain you dry today as compensation for me."

Sss—

Lei En inhaled a cold breath.

After more than two hours, Li Fulin left, looking revitalized.

When the blood elf's figure vanished outside the door, Lei En sprang up, full of vigor, a relaxed smile on his face, and teleported back to the Obsidian Tower.

Reslin was already waiting here.

He was preparing to upgrade the Key of Doors to the Ninth Ring, and Reslin was doing the same; this matter had been delayed for almost half a month.

"Let Reslin go first to scout the path," Lei En stepped aside.

Reslin opened his device interface, the Key of Doors progress bar at 99%, and immediately poured in power to fill the last slot.

At once, the progress bar reached its end and the icon began flashing.

Above the star‑studded sky reflected by the Lake of Stars, the star representing the Key of Doors emitted an uncanny radiance; the Element runes blurred, resembling a semi‑transparent worm writhing, and the entire soul space trembled. The myriad stars in the sky swayed, and the other Elements seemed to want to keep their distance.

A garbled, incomprehensible whisper entered Reslin's mind, making his head ache as if it would split.

The whisper contained an unattainable terror.

This upgrade lasted longer than before, over three minutes, and Reslin's soul underwent deeper alteration; all Arcane in the Lake of Stars shifted, especially spells tied to space‑time, which grew brighter.

When the Key of Doors stabilized, a massive surge of knowledge rose from the Elements.

Reslin let out a low hum.

In an instant, he had mastered the information and effects of the Ninth‑Ring Key of Doors!

(End of Chapter)