Translator: La0o9

Seeing the arcing lightning approaching him from the Earth sword, the kings complexion changed.

This sword didnt seem to be very powerful, but it gave him a shivering notion of danger.

The king abruptly opened his mouth and spat out a black mass of air at the sword.

Gu Qing Shan was the one who attacked first, but the kings attack arrived several times quicker than his.

This was pure suppression of strength.

In that split second, Gu Qing Shans sword continued downwards without hesitation.

Boss had already gotten into an appropriate range to perform his technique and uttered the words: Divine Spirit Barrier!

The book in his hand gave off a series of trembling noises.

Right in front of Gu Qing Shan, a monster with many horns was summoned by Boss.

The monster opened its mouth wide and sucked the black air away.

With a sharp screech, the monster vanished without a trace.

Since he had the help of Boss summoned monster, Gu Qing Shan didnt need to dodge.

He only needed to.

Keep moving forward.

And slash!

Lightning Thaumaturgy [Dreamjolt]!

Struck by this attack, the king was immobilized.

Gu Qing Shan swung a second time, hacking off the kings arms and legs.

Boss abruptly shouted: Back!

Gu Qing Shan tilted his body and vanished.

At the very next split second, another king appeared from the void of space and pressed his hand at Gu Qing Shans original location.

A black crack appeared in his hand, expanded to the void of space, and swallowed everything.

It could be easily seen that if this attack had struck Gu Qing Shan, his body would have been severely dismembered.

Fortunately, Gu Qing Shan avoided it.

The second king didnt give chase and instead fused with the first king.

The kings severed arms and legs returned to normal.

As Gu Qing Shan watched this, he was surprised but didnt waste any time.

He appeared next to Zhang Ying Hao and destroyed the Dimensional Locks that restrained them.

Laura vanished right away.

Ye Fei Li and Zhang Ying Hao swiftly followed as they reached their hands into the void.

Standing across from them, the king appeared quite excited.

Although you arent strong, you have quite a few decent unique abilities

The king smirked and purposely sighed: How unfortunate, that first attack would have been your only chance, why didnt you kill me right away?

Most likely, youve already understood the rules of death in this world. Whenever someone dies, that monster would immediately notice. Youre afraid that it would destroy this place in its rage, arent you?

Boss replied: It wasnt only that. I already saw you perform the Divine Skill: [Soul Substitution]. [Soul Substitution] is an ability that allows another soul to temporarily reside within your body through certain severe conditions. This way, only that soul would die when you receive fatal damage, while you remained completely fine

Gu Qing Shan was startled.

The king nodded without much thought: Correct. I know that youre only declaring that for your friends to hear, but that is also meaningless

Why? Boss questioned.

Because I have already gathered the souls of many and made them reside in my body. At this moment, I have a total of 999 lives

The king observed them, wanting to look at their expression of despair.

But he was disappointed.

Neither of them displayed anything with their expressions.

The king continued: Just look, youre too scared to even kill me, and you cant even if you wanted to. However, I can kill you anytime I wish without any restraints

Quite impressive indeed Gu Qing Shan praised.

The king crossed his arms: The only reason I havent utilized my full power is because I dont want to cause too much commotion and lead those guys here

Being so careful must mean that you also have ulterior motives Gu Qing Shan commented.

Of course, I want you people to swear your allegiance to me

The king continued: Remember, think carefully before you answer me, otherwise, the next time I act will be to kill you before throwing your souls to that monster

Gu Qing Shan and Boss exchanged glances.

Gu Qing Shan put his sword away and lightly cleared his throat: Youre the king. There should be countless people willing to work for you. Why personally come to have us swear allegiance to you?

The king replied: Its fine even if I tell you. Because the people born in this world all have the God of Lifes sigil within their souls, the only people who do not are those from the royal family due to their status

Soul sigils from the God of Life?

Indeed, while the God of Life was still alive, this was a method for them to protect their followers

However, our Deity had passed away, and since that monster had fought against the God of Life for so many years, it has gotten sensitive enough to the point that it could sense these sigils

And what does that have to do with us? Gu Qing Shan asked.

The king lowered his voice and spoke urgently: You still dont understand? Only you can escape its monitoring, you are the only people in this world capable of such a feat! And I need people like you to work for me

Gu Qing Shan nodded.

So thats what this was all about.

He slowly muttered: No wonder you sent Xuan Ya to receive us earlier

This statement seemed a bit abrupt.

Xuan Ya understood what it meant and started to tremble.

The kings amiable appearance no longer remained, he scowled and stared closely at Gu Qing Shans blank eyes.

What- are you trying to say? the king questioned.

Gu Qing Shan continued without hesitation: At the time, the monster and the four Gods were trying to come up with a way to declare Boss as a malicious traitor while also killing us, and also to cover everything up

That is the moment when they would be the most high-strung

Because of that, as soon as Xuan Ya appeared, regardless of what she was doing in the secret passage, the monster would immediately send people to get rid of her

While you would have sacrificed a subordinate in order to save us. This would both cause us to feel apologetic and that you were someone wed be willing to associate ourselves with

You most likely believed that we would have gone past Xuan Yas corpse and quickly entered the door on the other side of the secret passage

I assume that there was some sort of single-use teleportation device behind that door, where we would have been transported directly to a place you prepared and meet you face-to-face

At that time, you would mourn Xuan Yas sacrifice while we feel apologetic, then we would volunteer to work under you and help you achieve a few things to make up for your loss

Gu Qing Shan sighed, then said: Pitiful Xuan Ya, she thought that her teleportation Divine Skill could have contributed greatly, but in fact, her only value was to be killed and express to us just how much you tried to help

Silence filled the room.

Xuan Yas soul covered her mouth with her hands as her tears silently flowed.

The king stared at Gu Qing Shan in wonder, perhaps evaluating him once again.

In truth, everything went as the king had predicted up to the point where Gu Qing Shans group saw Xuan Yas body in the secret passage.

Gu Qing Shans choices and ability to read the situation went far beyond the kings assumptions.

It was from that moment that everything changed.

After musing for a while, the king spoke:

Excuse me, you what was your name?

Gu Qing Shan

The kind displayed an interested expression and told him: Youre a smart person, I like people like you

My apologies, but I dont like you Gu Qing Shan replied.

The king waved his hand without care and said: Your strength is severely lacking, but your unique abilities are all the best Ive ever seen, and now that Ive seen your wits, I can truly feel myself benefiting from this

What exactly do you want us to do? Gu Qing Shan curiously asked.

At that place that the God of Life left behind, one person cannot make it, but if I brought others, they would be sensed by the monster through their sigils-

The king abruptly stopped.

He pulled out a scroll from his chest and spoke: Sign this covenant and pledge your allegiance to me, then well mention the specifics

But we never said we wanted to swear allegiance to you Boss replied.

The king chuckled.

Do not force my hands the kings tone slowly turned grim: I can guarantee this, after your deaths, I will beg that monster to allow me to torture you all before your souls are consumed

If you insist on being a bunch of fools who dont fear death, then die

If you know fear, then accept this guardian covenant. I can guarantee that you will receive the best treatment, as I do with all my subordinates

Gu Qing Shan cleared his throat and questioned: By best treatment, you mean like Xuan Ya did?

The kings expression thoroughly became grim.

State your choice he grumbled in a rage.

Gu Qing Shan turned to Boss.

Are you afraid? he asked.

Quite afraid

Then we

Hm, lets surrender

Gu Qing Shan turned to the king again and sighed helplessly: Weve decided to surrender

The kings lips curved to reveal a half-mocking, half-triumphant smirk.

But the two people in front of him had already disappeared.

The king sensed his surroundings.

-and discovered nothing.

With only that?

He raised his hand and grinned.

But before he could unleash any technique, a soul-stealing howl resounded:

Aeaaaaaa hah

Immediately, a bullet appeared in between the kings eyebrows and went through without any issues.

The technique was halted.

Blood splattered

The king fell down.

But another king rose up and declared:

What a foolish act. Even if you had killed me, that monster would only rush here due to the Law of Death

Not even the Deities were its match

Furthermore, I have over 900 souls to substitute myself, regardless of what you do, you wont be able to kill me

His aura greatly shot up and caused the room to creak almost to the point of collapse.

Regardless of where they were hiding, they would only be crushed by this overwhelming power.

The king declared in a grim voice:

It seems I have suppressed my powers too much and given you an unrealistic hope

Very well, I shall have you all take on my fu

Someone suddenly touched him.

The king felt his entire body tensing up, unable to move, unable to say what he intended to.

From the void of space, a hook-like weapon appeared, lightly touching his body before heavily pulling it backwards.

Hundreds of transparent figures were pulled away.

At the same time, the king abruptly felt pain in his chest.

He looked down.

A long scepter had pierced through his body.

For some reason, he could feel all of his souls trembling from fear.

This scepter what is this thing!!!?

Gu Qing Shan silently reappeared.

Putting his hand against the horned skull on top of the scepter, he casually said: When it comes to death, I actually have quite the authority as well