Chapter 143: Reflections

At this moment, Lu Sheng had already taken flight from his original position, heading toward another location. Along the way, he slew ten more sixth-rank monsters, successfully unlocking the resurrection condition for blue-quality monsters. Lu Sheng glanced over but found no new tasks had appeared. As for whether higher-quality monsters could be turned back into cards upon suicide, he remained uncertain. That would require further experimentation once he had purple-quality monsters in hand.

For now, it was enough to know that the blue-quality monsters he possessed could be revived.

Thus, Lu Sheng and his subordinates swept through the area relentlessly. In just one afternoon, they had killed a full hundred sixth-rank monsters. Combined with those he previously held, he now possessed 350 sixth-rank monsters alone, along with five seventh-rank ones.

Originally, including the Ice Wolf Leader, he only had four seventh-rank monsters. However, during the afternoon sweep, he encountered yet another seventh-rank monster, bringing the total to five.

He also had hundreds of Law Stones, with over a hundred being attributeless. This supply was more than enough for his near-term cultivation. Yet, this still did not satisfy Lu Sheng.

He had not forgotten the rewards from the hunting leaderboard—things like the Enlightenment Platform and Energy Infusion, both exquisite tools. He spent 100 Source Points to test the basic level of each.

The basic Enlightenment Platform was like a Huangpu Corps; once seated, a cool clarity like ice flooded his mind, without any discomfort. Normally, it took an hour to absorb one Law Stone, but seated on this platform, under ten minutes sufficed to completely absorb one.

That was just the effect of the basic Enlightenment Platform.

The Energy Infusion was even more astonishing, though it was only the beginner level. A beam of light descended from the sky and struck him, instantly propelling his realm to the peak of the sixth rank, though half the energy was wasted, failing to be absorbed.

This was entirely due to his insufficient mastery of the Law’s power. He could not yet break through to the seventh rank; otherwise, Energy Infusion could have boosted him directly there.

Still, this was not bad. Once his Law cultivation was complete, he could break through to the seventh rank at any time.

So, he quietly cultivated, refraining from redeeming the basic Enlightenment Platform. Instead, he aimed to gather 500 Source Points to try the intermediate platform’s power, hoping for an instantaneous breakthrough to the second layer.

The prerequisite was enough Law Stones.

Thus, Lu Sheng put all his effort into slaying monsters. But by evening, he had only killed a bit over two hundred, which left him somewhat dissatisfied.

To find more monsters to hunt, he had to delve into the realm of intelligence gathering.

After some thought, he realized establishing an intelligence network by himself was too difficult. There were countless rules and restrictions that weren't simple to navigate.

Even if he threw resources at it, it wouldn't be easy to build an excellent intelligence organization.

Creating a top-tier intelligence network required professionals.

Lu Sheng recalled Doren, the one who had stopped him from killing Zhuo Feifan last time.

Back in Zone 21, Doren owned the Doren News Agency, which covered the entire area and was regarded as a leading intelligence organization.

Since Doren was acquainted with Zhuo Lei, and Zhuo Lei was now one of their own, perhaps he could use this opportunity to bring Doren over, turning him into an ally.

That would solve his intelligence problem, at least initially.

With resolve, Lu Sheng decided to act. As dusk fell and it grew unsuitable for hunting, he quickly returned to the camp.

He had yet to seek out Zhuo Lei, but Xiong Dabiao and Zhuo Lei came to find him first. They convened in the conference room.

“Speak. What’s the matter?” Lu Sheng asked, looking at the two silent men. “You didn’t call me over just to watch, did you?”

Xiong Dabiao replied, “It’s like this. After I explained our actual situation to several leaders in Zone 21, they intend to come over and pledge allegiance to us. What do you think, Brother Lu?”

Zhuo Lei followed, “I also have a few friends ready to bring their people to join us.”

Lu Sheng considered and asked, “What’s the reason?”

No one would follow them without cause; there had to be a reason for such allegiance.

“I’ll explain,” Xiong Dabiao stood and said, “Since those monsters descended in large numbers yesterday, those factions have taken heavy losses. The weaker ones were wiped out directly by the monsters.

“Those with some strength barely escaped with a few elites. Most of the weaker were surrounded and slaughtered by the monsters.

“Previously, a fairly respected figure in Zone 21 contacted all our leaders to discuss how to survive the current crisis.

“In the end, they found that our group was the strongest. I also spread word of your strength, Brother Lu...

“So they’re all convinced by your power and plan to come join us to form a new, massive force.”

Xiong Dabiao finished, looking at Lu Sheng expectantly.

To him, this was a golden opportunity—a chance to leap to the helm of a great power. Surely Lu Sheng wouldn’t refuse.

Yet Lu Sheng only nodded calmly, saying nothing further and instead looked expectantly at Zhuo Lei.

This puzzled Xiong Dabiao.

Lu Sheng asked, “Zhuo Lei, who exactly are these friends? Tell me.”

Zhuo Lei said, “The boss of Doren News Agency, and...”

“Stop. Just that one is enough. As for the rest, if you want to recruit them, fine. But have them all come at once. I don’t have time to entertain batches arriving sporadically,” Lu Sheng interrupted before Zhuo Lei could finish.

Who else it was no longer mattered—he didn’t know them anyway. As long as Doren was involved, it was sufficient.

If Lu Sheng had to build a power from scratch, he would consider it a waste of time. But these factions were already established; his task was simply to merge them.

This method wasn’t ideal. If one sought to build a true power, problems would surely arise.

But Lu Sheng did not intend to build a great power. He only needed the intelligence.

In the short term, a forceful fusion backed by overwhelming power would not cause issues.

As long as his strength remained dominant, no dissent would arise beneath him.

Xiong Dabiao and Zhuo Lei exchanged glances, both noting the concern in each other’s eyes.

Xiong Dabiao braced himself and said, “Isn’t this a bit inappropriate...?”

Lu Sheng sneered, “There’s nothing inappropriate. If they don’t want to come together, they don’t have to.”

He had no time for theatrics and planned to use forceful suppression if necessary.

With overwhelming power, Lu Sheng was confident these people would make the right choice.

“This force will be established, and you two will be deputy leaders. I have no other demands except obedience. Now that I’ve made my decision, I will at least not neglect you as before.

“To bolster your confidence, I’ll reveal some of my strength.”

Saying this, Lu Sheng summoned his five seventh-rank subordinates, releasing their exclusive, awe-inspiring aura.

Xiong Dabiao and Zhuo Lei’s legs weakened at the sight.

Five seventh-rank monsters?

“Do you still doubt me now?”

They shook their heads vigorously. “No question. Whatever the leader says, goes.”

Immediately, they began addressing Lu Sheng as "leader."

Lu Sheng nodded. “Good.”

As Lu Sheng prepared to leave, Xiong Dabiao asked, “What should we call this force?”

Lu Sheng paused, considering. A new power needed a name; it couldn’t just be the Heroes’ Stronghold anymore.

He thought about his situation and said, “Let’s call it the World-Destroying Alliance.”

With that, Lu Sheng departed to attend to his own matters, leaving Xiong Dabiao and the others to handle the rest.

Once Lu Sheng was gone, Xiong Dabiao and Zhuo Lei could no longer contain their excitement.

“Did we really see that right?”

“Could we have been mistaken?”

“We’re not blind.”

“Five seventh-rank monsters! And in such a short time—five seventh-rank monsters!”

They were certain Lu Sheng hadn’t had all five yesterday; otherwise, he would have shown them already.

They understood the weight of Lu Sheng naming them deputy leaders—it elevated them to the clouds.

But first, they had to gather all these people.

Uniting such a large group was a headache. The leaders of these great powers were all proud and unruly. Even if they now wanted to join, they wouldn’t humble themselves easily.

Still, Xiong Dabiao and Zhuo Lei had no worries. They trusted Lu Sheng had a solution, or he wouldn’t have let them form this team.

Their mission was to use any means necessary to gather these people.

Zhuo Lei asked curiously, “Dabiao, what do you think the leader means by naming our power the World-Destroying Alliance?”

He narrowed his eyes, a faint spark of excitement shining within.

Xiong Dabiao smiled, “What does it mean? I don’t know. Maybe he just thinks it sounds fierce.”

Zhuo Lei shook his head and dismissed it. Even if Lu Sheng had such ambitions, with their current strength it was nothing but arrogance.

Five seventh-rank monsters or not, they were mere drops in the ocean in this monster world. Thinking they could stir up a storm was absurd.

Shaking off the complicated thoughts, Xiong Dabiao and Zhuo Lei began their work, sending messages one by one to rally people under various pretexts.

Under the night sky, on a rooftop, an old Taoist lay on his side, curiously watching Lu Sheng’s departing figure.

“I wonder just how powerful that guy is... truly intriguing.”

Though he had not participated in the events of the night, he had sensed the general situation.

He had even fully detected the auras of those five fifth-rank monsters.

...

Meanwhile, Lu Sheng returned to his room and summoned Li Kuang and Lei Yan before him.

He handed each one thousand fifth-rank Spirit Fruits and released two million bloodthirsty mosquitoes.

To him, the points were nothing but numbers.

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