Demon Spirit World.

"How is the demigod gym crafted by Chairman Zhou progressing?"

"The intensity is too high, and many crucial components are still slowly being adjusted. However, it’s just a matter of time."

"Approximately what strength does he have now?"

"Hard to say. Before he ascended to demigod, he could already exert over a hundred million tons of force. Based on his growth estimates, his maximum lift should approach a billion tons."

"Then we need to make it as soon as possible."

"Our set of exercise equipment has adjustable weight, with the strongest barbell going up to 75 billion tons—more than enough."

"As soon as possible..."

Demon Purgatory.

Mrs. Xiyang, the Light of Redemption, and several members of the Demon Worship Sect arrived at the Ten Thousand Demon Fortress.

In the Dragon Country, the Demon Worship Sect had almost been uprooted entirely, forcing these old members to flee.

Moreover, upon returning to Demon Purgatory, they might face trial.

After entering the Ten Thousand Demon Fortress, they were confined, permitted only to move within a particular manor.

Days later, a group of demons arrived at the estate.

The leading demon was a grandmaster-level Four-sided Duke. Unlike ordinary Four-sided Dukes, his aura was particularly powerful.

The thirteenth floor lord’s grandson, Bloody Governor, titled Four-way King.

Even someone as noble as Mrs. Xiyang had to bow and greet upon seeing him.

"Sit down. They say it’s an interrogation, but we are all demon nobility, so don’t take it seriously," said Four-way King, seated behind the interrogation table.

Opposite him stood many top members of the Demon Worship Sect.

Most were from the Dragon Country because the Light of Redemption and Mrs. Xiyang had long prepared to flee first.

Members from other regions overly trusted their strength and were destroyed as if swept away.

Only Mrs. Xiyang sat down slowly; the other demons and Demon Worship Sect members still stood.

They were not demon nobility.

The Four-way King wore blood-red armor, with a head like an inverted pyramid and four faces.

The other three faces were closed in meditation, while the front one smiled.

"There are some matters the gods are very concerned about. The destruction of the Black Palace location is understandable, as it served as the surface headquarters of the Demon Worship Sect. But the true headquarters on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean was also uprooted, and Zhou Leng personally destroyed the city. Can anyone tell me why? How did they even know the Fishman Sect was our real representative?"

Four-way King withdrew his smile and scanned everyone present.

Many lowered their heads, speechless in fear.

"What about you, Mrs. Xiyang?" asked Four-way King.

Mrs. Xiyang replied, "I was part of the Demon Worship Sect in the Dragon Country and not closely connected to the headquarters. If I must answer, I’d say the Fishman Sect was too flamboyant. They even attempted to legislate in the Eagle Alliance, trying to prohibit insults against the Fishman Sect..."

"Things like this happened often. The whole world knew they controlled the Demon Worship Sect. In contrast, our Dragon Country Demon Worship Sect remained well-hidden, uniting forces with the old royal family, the Dragon Country bloodline of the Fishman Sect, and other dissenting factions to dismantle from within using all sorts of means..."

"Unfortunately, the Dragon Country had good Qi Manipulation and abruptly awakened. Given a few more years, we could have peacefully controlled the Dragon Country, just like we controlled the Eagle Alliance."

Four-way King nodded, saying, "That’s close to the results of my investigation. Initially, I liked these little creatures with tentacles on their chins, but their race was indeed short-sighted. Destroying them was only natural. However, I heard you value Zhou Leng very highly?"

Four-way King’s gaze fixed on Mrs. Xiyang, emitting a slight pressure.

"Of course. The facts have proven my judgment correct beyond doubt," Mrs. Xiyang replied.

"There are complaints that you had a special relationship with him, and you betrayed Demon Purgatory’s interests for him," Four-way King said.

Mrs. Xiyang chuckled softly, saying, "Had Zhao Hao not been shortsighted, and the headquarters valued him earlier, I would have recruited him to serve Demon Purgatory. Unfortunately, by the time he defeated Zhao Hao and showcased his talents by trampling the Zhao Palace, it was too late."

"What do you think of Zhou Leng?"

"I’ve said before that he could be the next Zhao Dongjun among humans. If we don’t use every means to bring him into Demon Purgatory, he will eventually become a significant threat to us. This should be in your investigation reports."

"It’s a pity he destroyed the Demon Worship Sect," said Four-way King.

"The Demon Worship Sect was indeed powerful and talented, but how could they compare with Zhao Dongjun?"

"But Zhao Dongjun didn’t destroy the Demon Worship Sect."

"Zhao Dongjun had a major flaw: he was too lenient with internal enemies. Those who joined our Demon Worship Sect deceived him, making him believe they already considered themselves part of the Dragon Country. Yet over the years, the damage they inflicted on the Dragon Country surpassed that towards enemy nations like the Eagle Alliance. Zhou Leng doesn’t have this flaw," Mrs. Xiyang explained.

"Why wasn’t Zhou Leng eliminated sooner?"

"Four-way King, I heard you’re about to enter Blue Star, rebuild the Demon Worship Sect, and secretly ascend to demigod there. I have faith in your vision and capabilities. Let me ask you this: if you met Zhou Leng early on, would you really be willing to eliminate him ahead of time?"

Four-way King pondered for a few seconds and sighed, "Indeed, I would, like you, try every possible way to bring him into the Demon Worship Sect."

"So..." Mrs. Xiyang shrugged.

Four-way King said, "Madam, I am about to oversee the Demon Worship Sect on Blue Star. Do you have any advice for me?"

Mrs. Xiyang thought for a moment, and said, "If it weren’t for Zhou Leng, I might have plenty of advice to offer. But with him around, I have only one piece of advice—don’t go to Blue Star."

Four-way King smiled faintly, "Madam, you overestimate Zhou Leng. While I may not be as strong as him, I have the entire support of Demon Purgatory. Rebuilding the Demon Worship Sect is only a matter of time."

"Then I wish Four-way King great success," Mrs. Xiyang replied.

She said no more—after all, the grandson of a lord has his pride.

After bidding farewell to Mrs. Xiyang, Four-way King quietly gazed out the window.

"I eagerly await crossing paths with you, Martial Saint Zhou."

Ancient Desolate Road.

After that ancient voice announced the start of the climb, many demigods dashed toward the mountain.

Zhou Leng also stepped forward and discovered in just a few steps that he had lost his ability to fly, able only to run on the ground like an ordinary Martial Artist.

Other than that, nothing changed.

Suddenly, the sky lit up, countless meteors streaked across, leaving fiery trails, and descended toward the crowd.

Countless demigods panicked, scattering in all directions.

But some experienced giants shouted in Giant Language or Divine Text.

"Don’t be afraid. These are Star Ascendancy Stones, destined to land on us. Stand firm, conserve power, don’t move..."

Zhou Leng recalled his experience at Ascendancy Mountain, halted, and employed his Great Sun Divine Skill, channeling power through his body.

Meteorites filled the sky, accurately falling on each person.

Some who kept running were struck hard, smashing them and the stones into the meteorite craters. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Zhou Leng, however, as the meteor fell, used all his strength, opened his arms, and caught it firmly.

Boom!

The immense impact and flames exploded, but he held the meteor stably while his feet sank slightly into the ground.

He tested the weight, feeling it was manageable, around a billion tons.

So he retracted his Sun Divine Skill to reduce the consumption of cosmic energy.