Ya Yulhwan, the former chief strategist of the Demonic, was in deep contemplation. The ritual required a dragon vein, but all the suitable locations were already occupied by powerful factions. Having secured control over most of the external task forces, forcibly seizing a dragon vein wouldn't be difficult. However…
'The larger the dragon vein, the greater the effect of the ritual. But the stronger the faction occupying a good location, the more powerful their forces will be.'
Losses during the seizure were inevitable. He could minimize casualties by targeting a weaker faction and accepting a less potent ritual, or he could go all-in for a larger dragon vein and maximize the ritual's effects, but at a greater cost. Securing a dragon vein wasn't the end of the story. With limited resources and time, he needed to choose carefully.
'…Wait, do I even need to find a new dragon vein?'
Suddenly, a specific location flashed through his mind. A place unoccupied by any faction, requiring no expenditure of forces, and boasting a scale second to none in the world lay abandoned.
"The Dragon Heart."
Beijing, where the now-ruined Imperial Palace stood. It wasn't far from his current location, saving him valuable time.
'And since it's now a cursed land, there's less risk of exposure.'
Though its core had been forcibly ripped out, rendering it completely dysfunctional, it was once the continent's most powerful holy ground. Now, a bottomless pit draining the world's energy, it was desolate, lifeless. Yet, its symbolic significance remained.
'I have no intention of communicating or making deals with any otherworldly gods. I don't need a functioning dragon vein.'
His goal was to fully absorb the Dragon God's energy residing within the Dragon Children. As long as the altar met the requirements, performing the ritual at the now-inverted Dragon Heart wouldn't be an issue.
'No, it might even be better. To seize the Dragon Children at the heart of the world, rendered powerless by the theft of the Dragon Heart…'
What better karmic alignment could there be for a ritual! The Dragon Children were born to restore the Dragon Heart. Performing the ritual there would undoubtedly amplify its effects.
This was an opportunity.
He had been cautiously accumulating power under the shadow of the Heavenly Demon, but that method took far too long. If he could achieve his goal in one fell swoop…
"Hahaha, it seems luck favors me in my old age. When the Heavenly Demon died, I thought my efforts were in vain."
Ya Yulhwan burst into hearty laughter, his eyes crinkling into crescents. Within those dark eyes, nestled between deep wrinkles, vertical, reptilian pupils glowed with an eerie yellow light.
----------
Individual Research Lab, Blossom Palace, Demonic Cult.
"Military Strategist, are you gathering the Dragon Children in one place?"
Hans tilted his head, stroking his beard as he withdrew his hand from the head of a blackened corpse. Dozens of similar corpses lay scattered across the floor, all darkened and lifeless. They were the Demonic Cult warriors who had clashed with Harley far from Xinjiang, finally returning home through the Avatar Cloud. Though not in the way they had intended.
"Tsk, such foolish ambition. Surrendering would have been easier for everyone."
He could easily guess Ya Yulhwan's intentions. For a practitioner of demonic arts, the Dragon Children were equivalent to legendary elixirs. He must have been biding his time under the Heavenly Demon, and now, presented with the opportunity to monopolize them, he'd lost his mind.
'Still, it's strange. Even if he completes the ritual, it's meaningless if he can't deal with me, the one who killed the Heavenly Demon. Does he have that much confidence?'
Hans reviewed the information he had on Ya Yulhwan but found nothing particularly remarkable. He was known as a brilliant strategist and a highly accomplished sorcerer, having achieved significant victories during the war against the yokai.
"Hmm, did he think he could oust me after taking the Dragon Children? Or is it simply loyalty to the deceased Cult Leader, preventing him from following me?"
Hans frowned in contemplation. He already had a mountain of tasks, and this added complication was irritating.
'I need to retrieve Zhuge Huimei, Zhu Gangin, and the other Dragon Children before he begins the ritual. The transporters seem to be the only ones who know the location. These corpses knew little… Of course, even if they knew, he would have already changed the location.'
With limited access to information in Ganghwange, this was a significant problem. Even with his abilities, a few avatars couldn't cover everything.
'If Olivia and the banshees were here, I wouldn't have this problem. If I could even utilize the information networks of the local factions…'
Hans paused mid-thought. Thinking about the other factions made him realize something.
'Why am I worrying about this alone? The Dragon Children and the Dragon Heart are matters of Ganghwange. The locals should be more proactive!'
He knew the Golden Island was working hard, but their covert actions were insufficient.
'I'll involve all the other factions. The more participants, the easier it will be.'
He understood why they had struggled alone until now. With the Imperial family dismantled by the Demonic Cult's long-laid scheme, caution was warranted.
'But the situation is different now.'
He had already consumed the Demonic Cult, the very target of their vigilance.
Of course, not all the scattered remnants were dealt with, but their capabilities without support from their headquarters were limited. Hiding as they were, they would have little room to maneuver.
"Kuku— Right, let's get started."
Compared to Auterica, his involvement in Ganghwange had been brief. His information network was underdeveloped, his foundation still in its early stages, and his knowledge of this world incomplete.
'First, the Golden Island.'
However, he possessed a power that surpassed all of that. The power to move this world.
The Golden Island didn't immediately agree to the plan. However, after verifying the information Horus presented with a grave expression, they grasped the severity of the situation and accepted it as the best course of action. Given the gravity of the situation, they were willing to accept a certain degree of risk. The results were immediately apparent at Yungjung Mountain, where Hugo resided.
"Greetings. This humble Taoist is Cheonggwan from Mosan Sect. I have urgent news and apologize for this intrusion."
Dressed in his usual worn Taoist robes, Cheonggwan offered a polite greeting. Taken aback by the sudden visit, the Zhuge Clan had little choice but to invite him in. Initially, they intended to turn him away amidst the ongoing chaos, but his words made that impossible.
"It concerns Lady Zhuge and the Demonic Cult that abducted her. It is a matter of great importance, so I ask you lend me your ears for a moment."
Though both were considered pillars of the sorcery, the Zhuge Clan was a prominent and active clan, unlike the reclusive Mosan sect. Like other major clans, the Zhuge Clan, though slightly inferior, didn't lack much in martial arts. The Mosan Sect, focusing solely on sorcery, grew by taking requests for sorcery help rather than expanding their territory.
The outward difference in power was undeniable, but in the realm of sorcery, Mount Mosan held a slightly higher reputation, making the Zhuge Clan wary.
Thus, Cheonggwan's words, delivered as a representative of Mosan Sect, delivered a significant shock.
"…So, you're saying our Huimei… is one of the so-called Dragon Children, born as a sacrifice to rebuild the Dragon Heart?"
Among the core members of the clan, Zhuge Howon, the clan leader, asked in a grave voice. The expressions of everyone present were grim.
It was understandable. Who would be happy to learn that their family member was destined from birth to be sacrificed for the world? There was also the matter of pride. Even if their specialties differed, learning this information from perceived rivals in the same field was a bitter pill to swallow.
However, accustomed to prioritizing reason over emotion, they calmed themselves and began a discussion. After analyzing the gathered information and related materials, they concluded that Cheonggwan's words were highly likely to be true. Above all, the decisive factor was the fact that the Shaolin Temple's heir, who experienced similar symptoms as Zhuge Huimei, was also abducted by the Demonic Cult on the same day.
"The Demonic Cult uses the kidnapped to enhance their power. We have confirmed that the Heavenly Demon's recent surge in power is due to sacrificing several Dragon Children…"
Cheonggwan continued. The faces of the Zhuge Clan members hardened.
This wasn't just about the safety of their family member, Zhuge Huimei. They knew of the Heavenly Demon's might. He had severed the arm of a Shaolin elder in the heart of the temple, saturated with Buddhist techniques that suppressed demonic energy, and then held his own against two newly arrived Transcendent Realm masters.
For him to perform a ritual to further enhance his power, using as sacrifices those essential to restoring order to this chaotic world…
"…Sigh, this is beyond our ability to handle alone."
Rebuilding the Dragon Heart was a problem for another time. Even if it meant demanding their sacrifice later, they had to stop the Demonic Cult's plans at all costs.
"That is why I came. With the Zhuge Clan's help, disseminating this information to other major factions won't be difficult."
While martial arts dominated the world, other factions recognized the utility of sorcery. They simply faced limitations in learning and mastering them. The Zhuge Clan, with their extensive network and infrastructure, could rapidly spread information throughout the continent.
"…Alright. Let's begin immediately. We're already swamped with work, but this takes precedence."
"Our Taoists scattered across the continent can assist with the ritual. They can act as relays, minimizing the energy drain caused by distance."
"Excellent. Then I shall entrust this to you."
Long-distance communication required significant effort and wasn't frequently used. Mosan Sect's assistance would greatly expedite matters.
Thus, through the cooperation of the two pillars of the mystical arts, news began spreading to factions across the continent. News of the Demonic Cult's plot and the threat of their leader, the Heavenly Demon. And news of the possibility of ending the current chaos.
'Good, everything is proceeding smoothly.'
Since the Heavenly Demon's death was still unknown outside the Demonic Cult, it was the perfect pretext to raise alarm and unite everyone against a common enemy. The Heavenly Demon's display of power at the Shaolin Temple was widely known.
'Once the entire continent's attention is focused, they won't be able to hide quietly anymore. They'll eventually be discovered.'
Of course, with such widespread dissemination of information, some would harbor ulterior motives. Even now, some would be plotting to exploit the Dragon Children for their own gain. This could potentially trigger further tragedies, but…
'It doesn't matter.'
Hans disregarded such trivial concerns. He wasn't abandoning the Dragon Children. It simply didn't matter anymore. Because he had just found the solution.
"Rise."
Hans's low voice resonated softly.
Twitch—
The figure on the bed stirred at his command. Initially sporadic twitches escalated into violent convulsions. Then, all movement ceased.
Rustle—
In the next instant, the figure stood before Hans, kneeling respectfully. Its eyes gleamed, pure black without any white.
"…Glory to the Master of Death. Command me."
The Heavenly Demon, consumed by the very karma he wielded, now reborn as a new undead. A blade honed to target his destined adversary, the Master of the Heaven's Turn Society.
Provisionally named, 'Karma Jiangshi'.