Martial Ascent to Divinity-Chapter 498 - 481: False Alarm
Zhou Leng helplessly watched a group of alcohol-lovers.
Molten Hammer chuckled and said, "You’ve become famous. From now on, the whole Dwarf world will know you’re the one who ate the God of Wine Fruit."
The Giant Furnace carefully examined Zhou Leng’s body, saying, "The power of the God of Wine Fruit is exceptionally strong. Did you gain any special talents or divine techniques after eating it?"
"No," Zhou Leng replied cleanly and succinctly.
"What a pity..." 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎
Most of the Steel Dwarves sighed with regret.
Only Molten Hammer and Mountain and River Origin exchanged a glance; at times like this, Zhou Leng’s words held no credibility.
Zhou Leng slowly got dressed.
"Let’s go."
The Dwarf Grandmasters listlessly descended the mountain, each with a drooping head, occasionally glaring at Zhou Leng.
Molten Hammer stood in place, anxiously saying, "I can’t go down, the ground is covered in Divine Blood Lava, it’ll scald me to death."
Mountain and River Origin raised a hand and lifted Molten Hammer.
Molten Hammer opened his mouth, then resignedly accepted his fate.
Zhou Leng glanced at Mountain and River Origin, saying, "How about you? Has it been 12 hours already?"
"It has."
"Anyone else?"
"Deep Dark Fury, but no one else," Mountain and River Origin said.
"Deep Dark Fury is truly formidable," Zhou Leng said.
"Are you bragging?" Molten Hammer gave Zhou Leng a sidelong glance.
The Giant Furnace casually said, "Mountain and River Origin gained a Lava Body. Look carefully at his skin beneath."
Zhou Leng looked closely, and sure enough, there were patches of red light flowing inside, resembling flowing lava.
"Congratulations, congratulations," Zhou Leng said, genuinely pleased.
Mountain and River Origin chuckled, saying nothing.
Gradually, the Grandmasters distanced themselves, leaving the three behind.
Molten Hammer then quietly asked, "To be truthful, what new talent did you gain from eating the God of Wine Fruit? It shouldn’t be lesser than the Lava Body, right?"
"No," Zhou Leng said.
Molten Hammer curled his lips, saying, "Mountain and River Origin, this kid is always like this, so unprincipled."
"He might have his reasons, it’s nothing if he doesn’t say," Mountain and River Origin said.
Molten Hammer suddenly chuckled, saying, "When we get down the mountain, I’ll take you to see Black Helm, see if he still brags later."
"What happened?"
Molten Hammer laughed and recounted the story of Black Helm bragging outside the crystal wall and then getting scared.
The three descended the mountain and regrouped with the other Trial Takers.
Numerous Trial Takers looked at Zhou Leng as if seeing a ghost, especially the Demons who were planning to assassinate him.
What about the Ten-horned Reckless Blood?
Some Trial Takers couldn’t hold back and came over, intending to ask questions.
"Scram!" The Giant Furnace shouted, scaring away many Trial Takers.
Aiden and Zhao He looked at Zhou Leng, incredulous.
Deep Dark Fury nodded slightly, as he always thought Guan Canglong was so strong, he wouldn’t die here.
Afterward, the Giant Furnace, representing the Steel Dwarf World, announced the rankings of the Divine Blood Lava and distributed the prizes.
The Divine Blood Lava itself was a reward, and the final prizes were all related to it.
The first prize pill was worth millions, not low but not high either.
Others received normal rewards, but Zhou Leng, being part of the Dwarfs, had his reward elevated by a tier.
After a bit of consulting, the examiners brought out a "Lava Jade Belt" to reward Zhou Leng.
It was a black leather belt, with the size of a plate on the front, inlaid with large and small blood-colored gems.
The Giant Furnace enviously said, "Inside the Divine Blood Lava, ’Divine Blood Jade’ is occasionally produced. It’s scarce and not sold to outsiders, only rewarded to Dwarves for specific meritorious deeds. I, back in the day, only lasted 9 hours, couldn’t reach 12, unless I ascend to Ancient King, I’ll never get a Lava Jade Belt."
Molten Hammer said, "This is a treasure. The Divine Blood Jade inside will continuously send warmth into the body. It absorbs external energy to replenish itself. Even if drained of power, leaving it in the Divine Blood Lava for a few days will refill it. I, for one, will never qualify to obtain one."
Zhou Leng fastened it around his abdomen, feeling the warm currents entering his body, slowly nourishing every part.
Similar to the heat from the Earth’s Divine Blood, but more gentle and delicate.
Finally, the Giant Furnace announced that the trial for the Divine Blood Lava had officially ended.
Everyone dispersed, preparing to leave or eat and drink in celebration.
Zhou Leng and Mountain and River Origin both took first place, so some Dwarves and Giants came to enter the fortress and celebrate with drinks.
Outside the fortress, at the Demons’ encampment.
Many Demons stood before Deep Dark Fury.
The Demons reported to Deep Dark Fury about the assassination attempt on Zhou Leng by the Ten-horned Reckless Blood.
"So, you suspect the Ten-horned Reckless Blood died at the hands of Zhou Leng?" Deep Dark Fury asked.
"Yes."
"Then tell me, how does a mere Bone Forger Innate like Zhou Leng kill a Great Innate demigod descendant Demon Dragon in Divine Blood Lava? Furthermore, how would the battle process escape detection by the Dwarf Demon Spirit Artifact?"
One Demon said, "Since there was no battle between the two, it’s likely that the Ten-horned Reckless Blood took Zhou Leng deep inside, and Zhou Leng with some special power was unafraid of Divine Blood Lava, but the Ten-horned Reckless Blood couldn’t withstand it and died inside."
Deep Dark Fury asked, "Even if that’s the case, did Zhou Leng kill the Ten-horned Reckless Blood, or did the Divine Blood Lava?"
The Demons were dumbfounded, unable to respond.
Deep Dark Fury slowly spoke: "How could the son of our Demon Dragon clan’s Great Innate Great Demon be killed by Zhou Leng? It must be that the Deca-horn Serpent’s blood was too confident, sneaking into the depths of the Divine Blood Lava, and in the end, exhausted its Dragon Power and died inside. This is the only reason for its death, do you understand?"
"Yes."
The demons suddenly understood, for the reputation of the Demon Dragon clan, the Deca-horn Serpent absolutely could not die at the hands of Zhou Leng, not even indirectly.
"Your Highness, I believe now is a good time to assassinate Zhou Leng. He can actually endure 12 hours in the Divine Blood Lava just like you. If we don’t eliminate him, he will surely become a serious threat to our Demon Purgatory."
Deep Dark Fury lazily replied: "I have no interest; I still have to prepare for the Great Battlefield. Rumor has it, this time there might be a Star Dragon trial. If you want to assassinate, go ahead, I won’t stop you."
After speaking, Deep Dark Fury spread its wings and flew high.
The demons looked at each other and sighed.
"The Deca-horn is dead, what do we do about His Majesty the Celestial Calamity God?"
"His Majesty the Celestial Calamity God will understand us. He is only interested in the treasures of the Great Battlefield; the life or death of a Demon Dragon isn’t worth his anger."
"What exactly does His Majesty the Celestial Calamity God want?"
"Not sure, but it’s definitely important. I hear he’s very sad every time he mentions it."
"What? But he is an avatar of a Divine Spirit, how could he be sad?"
"Who knows, maybe that item concerns his close friends, or even a lover."
"That’s possible."
"However, we must truly be wary of this Zhou Leng. His power might be stronger than current intelligence suggests. Who would have thought he could endure 12 hours in the Divine Blood Lava," said a Desecration Demon Scripture.
"We must report to His Majesty the Great Demon!"
The next day, Zhou Leng and his companions walked out of the fortress.
Aiden had already left, but Zhao He deliberately waited. When he saw Zhou Leng come out, he went over to chat casually.
Zhao He was still unwilling to give up and tried to recruit Zhou Leng.
Zhou Leng courteously replied that he would think it over but didn’t make a definitive statement.
Zhao He, after multiple fruitless attempts, helplessly left with his followers.
When they reached a distance, one follower said: "Second Brother, he really doesn’t know what’s good for him, I can’t watch this any longer."
Zhao He snorted coldly and said: "You don’t understand the value of lasting 12 hours in the Divine Blood Lava."
"Perhaps he has some special talent or ability, just lucky."
Zhao He said: "Let’s put it this way, an Innate Bone Forger, with True Qi protecting the body, can endure 12 hours in the Divine Blood Lava, a 100% chance to become a Grandmaster, and almost a 20% chance to advance to Martial Saint. This probability looks small, but in reality, it is incredibly significant."
His subordinate asked: "Where does he get such strong True Qi? It can’t be that he endured it with just his body?"
"Enduring the Divine Blood Lava with the body? The probability of advancing to Martial Saint doubles," Zhao He said.
"So, Zhou Leng indeed has the potential for Martial Saint? Reaching the level of Chen Shouhu, Wang Boxiong, and others, considered a genius in the realm?"
Zhao He slowly said: "Beyond, infinitely close to the level of the Blood of Tyranny."
Everyone’s expressions turned solemn, that is the level close to a genius of the Ten Realms.
Zhao He said: "I’ll talk to Father when I return this time, hoping he can personally extend an invitation to Zhou Leng."
"If the Patriarch personally extends an invitation, Zhou Leng will surely be grateful and join our Zhao Clan!"
"Hopefully." Zhao He frowned, recalling information that showed Zhou Leng’s uncle is Ma Xingkong.
Although he didn’t pay much attention back then, nor did the Zhao family, many great clans still hold a grudge against Ma Xingkong.
"However..."
Zhao He said: "The pressing matter now is to enter the Great Battlefield to obtain the White Lake Lotus Fruit, no, the White Lake Mother Fruit. The medicinal effect of the White Lake Mother Fruit in the Great Battlefield is unimaginable."
Some subordinates wished Zhao He success.
Others showed dark eyes and a look of reluctance.
Zhou Leng and Molten Hammer bid farewell to Mountain and River Origin and others, left the Volcanic Blood Mountain, and headed to the Ancient King Array.
Rucheng.
Wang Boxiong answered the phone.
"Director Wang, we just intercepted a group of Demon Worshipers abducting people and rescued some innocent citizens. Among them is someone on your attention list, named Meng Guifang."
Wang Boxiong didn’t remember who she was at first, but after a few seconds, he recalled.
"How is she?"
"Just a little frightened, physically well."
"I’ll handle it from here."
Afterward, Wang Boxiong called the administration office.
"Please inform Xu Qingjin of the Divine Literature Academy that her mother was abducted by the Demon Worship Sect, but has been rescued, give her a few days off."
"That was Cold Lady?"
"Yes, it’s Cold Lady," Wang Boxiong chuckled.
That night.
Feng Wenhao learned about Xu Qingjin’s situation and urgently contacted Zhou Leng, but Zhou Leng did not respond.
He then contacted Hu Yi.
"Did you hear about Xu Qingjin’s mother’s situation?"
"What happened?"
"Her mother was also taken by the Demon Worship Sect, but fortunately, saved by the Martial Guard."
"Does the Martial Guard have any news about my mom?" Hu Yi urgently asked.
"I’ll ask the instructor for you then. Has Zhou Leng said anything to you?"
"Zhou Leng has been keeping an eye out, even looking for an inside contact within the Demon Worship Sect, but still can’t find any trace of my mom."
Feng Wenhao said: "Don’t worry, Zhou Leng will definitely keep helping you search, your mom was especially good to him back in the day, so much so that I was jealous."
