"Xu Zhou wishes to become your Arena Friend."

"You can invite them to compete again."

’Oh, so you can add friends.’

’This Battle Arena really is a Miracle.’

’A magnificent Miracle connecting countless regions and spaces for battle. Is this the masterpiece of a so-called Level 9 Architect?’

...

Leaving the arena, he was now on a 400-win streak.

Perhaps from defeating so many powerful opponents, his multiplier had reached a staggering 52.

This meant 52 times the base points.

The sky outside was gray and gloomy.

But he hadn’t taken more than a few steps.

WHOOSH!

A figure appeared beside him.

"Lu Cang."

It was Kumironi.

"Where did you go? You didn’t come back all night."

Kumironi glanced at the nearby Gate of Battle, then back at Lu Cang.

"You... you’ve been fighting in here all day?"

Lu Cang nodded, then shook his head, an apologetic smile on his face. "Erm... the situation is a bit Special."

Kumironi’s Perception swept over Lu Cang’s body.

"In any case, it’s good that you’re alright."

’Looks like Kumironi was really worried about me.’

"Sorry for making Sister Kumironi worry."

Kumironi said, annoyed, "Of course! Disappearing without a word like that would make anyone worry!"

"Not to mention, you’re a Death Priest now."

Lu Cang noticed the change in Kumironi’s mood. "A Death Priest? What’s wrong?"

Kumironi lowered her head. "Mmm..."

"The investigation yesterday uncovered a link between the Promotion Hall and the Death Church. They’ve been secretly promoting Reincarnators from the Death Church."

"We also discovered they were promoting children ahead of schedule without authorization."

"We’re tracking down these illegally promoted individuals now."

"And, we found a hidden room... with lots of cages. There were signs of humans having lived in them until recently."

"I’m afraid they were living people imprisoned by the Death Church..."

"These people have already been moved."

"I’m worried they’re preparing for some evil Ritual that requires living sacrifices."

"Chi Cheng is also helping me investigate this matter."

’Looks like this is really serious.’

Discovering one small Secret had led them to unravel a vast web of darkness...

"So, your disappearance at such a critical time really worried me."

Lu Cang did feel a pang of guilt. "I’m sorry, Kumironi..."

Having found Lu Cang, Kumironi finally breathed a sigh of relief.

On the way back, Lu Cang told Kumironi what had happened in the Battle Arena.

There wasn’t really anything he needed to hide from Kumironi.

"Void Creatures?"

"Mmm... Little Lu Cang is really amazing, to actually be able to defeat them."

"So you were investigating the Root Source? You’re becoming more and more like Iz. He used to get so absorbed in his work that he’d forget to eat or sleep, and no one could ever find him."

After learning that Lu Cang had gone to investigate the Root Source, Kumironi was even more relieved.

Actually, Kumironi had also been a little worried.

’At Little Lu Cang’s age, doesn’t he want to play with kids his own age...?’

’Even though Lu Cang always acts so mature, obedient, and sensible, a child’s desire to play should be strong.’

’Could he have been suppressing himself all this time?’

’Now it seems that researching Magic really is his hobby. He isn’t just putting up a front to keep people from worrying. That’s good...’

The sun was sinking, and the sky was still streaked with fiery Light.

’So it’s almost nighttime already.’

’I actually spent the entire day discussing things with him...’

This was his fifth day in the City in the Circle, which meant his Magic Wand should be ready the day after tomorrow.

The War God Cup matches begin in three days...

’Perfect timing.’

’My strongest opponent will probably be that girl, Lu Luwei?’

5,000 wins, 0 losses.

’If she also fought against the Alien Races, that’s a truly terrifying win rate...’

’Invincible and undefeated, just like me?’

’How interesting.’ 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

He chatted quite a bit with Kumironi on the way back. When she heard he had deciphered a Ritual that could gather a tide of Demons, she was very surprised.

Kumironi looked at the Ritual diagram Lu Cang showed her, as well as its description.

A flash of emerald light passed through her eyes.

"It’s real. It matches the description."

"By Sacrificing souls, it draws a tide of Demons toward the Ritual site."

"This is the first time I’ve ever seen a Ritual like this."

In the end, Kumironi only warned Lu Cang not to let the book or the Ritual get out.

If he were to use this Ritual, he must use it for a just cause.

Other than that, she said no more.

Kumironi knew that with Lu Cang’s intelligence, he didn’t need too many reminders.

Returning to the hotel, he felt extremely exhausted.

He had overexerted his Spirit. Between acting as a Decryption Scholar to decipher puzzles, engaging in high-frequency battles, and discussing the Root Source with Xu Zhou for nearly thirty hours, he was drained.

He hadn’t slept for over forty hours...

The moment Lu Cang hit the bed, its sleep-inducing properties sent him directly into a deep slumber.

...

「Void—Dayless Wasteland」

Swallowing Night: "Xu Zhou, you lost too?"

Xu Zhou: "Mmm, I lost."

Swallowing Night: "Haha, what did I tell you? You definitely couldn’t beat that Human Race kid."

Xu Zhou: "I am truly not his equal. Losing was only to be expected."

Swallowing Night: "Why have you become so humble?"

Xu Zhou: "No, I’ve just come to realize my own shortcomings..."

Swallowing Night scratched his head, feeling like the fight with Lu Cang had completely demoralized his brother.

"Tell me... this guy named Lu Cang, what level of strength do you think he’s at?"

Xu Zhou thought for a moment before answering cautiously, "In all my experience... no one can compare to him."

"Stronger than those so-called ’Invincibles of the Ten Thousand Realms’?"

Xu Zhou shook his head. "I don’t know. Perhaps."