Chapter 277 - Death Faction

Han Wu became the valedictorian and earned high praise from the college’s leaders. As his lecturer, Saliya also received a reward from the college.

Han Wu’s main lecturer, Major God Xu Hai, was ecstatic and boasted proudly to his friends. The other Major Gods scoffed and rolled their eyes, but beneath their dismissive expressions lay deep envy. How had Xu Hai managed to claim a student like Han Wu? They all wished they had a student of his caliber.

With the test over, everyone was free to go, but Xu Hai summoned Han Wu to the office. Several other lecturers, including Saliya and Lina, were already there.

Xu Hai nodded approvingly. “Han Wu, I’ve seen your strength, and I am very pleased with how quickly you are improving.”

At his current level, even a typical third-year student would struggle to match Han Wu.

Han Wu replied humbly, “It’s all thanks to the lecturers and their guidance.”

Xu Hai’s smile grew wider. He thrived on such praise from his students.

Another Major God cleared his throat and said, “Old Xu, enough smiling. Get to the point.”

Xu Hai’s grin faded. “Han Wu, as the valedictorian of the first years, you will not only receive monthly resources but also a very special prize. This reward is exceptionally valuable, so you must keep it secret.”

Han Wu’s curiosity sparked immediately. What kind of prize could be so significant that even Major Gods treated it with such seriousness?

“Here, take a look.” Xu Hai produced an invitation and handed it to Han Wu. He opened it up to read it.

[Hell Invite: The Hell Civilization has built a brand-new arena and invites all Demon Lords to come forth and test their strength.]

Han Wu was confused and glanced at Xu Hai for clarification. This was just a regular invitation to try out a new arena in a foreign civilization. What made it so special?

𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Xu Hai explained, “This invitation is reserved exclusively for the Demon Lords of the Hell Civilization. No one else has the right to use it. While the Hell Civilization may not match the Divine Civilization’s strength, it remains a formidable power. I believe ascending into a God within the Hell arena will be advantageous for you.”

Now Han Wu understood its significance. Imperial College planned to use him to seize resources from the Hell Civilization. Every civilization had a strict limit on the number of Demigods, Gods, Major Gods, and God Kings it could produce and sustain. If Han Wu became a God within the Hell Civilization, it would mean one fewer God for their ranks.

This was akin to a brain drain. Losing too many powerful beings would cause the civilization’s overall strength and status to plummet. Every civilization worked hard to prevent this from happening. The Divine Civilization faced the same challenge. Even after becoming a God in another civilization, one could ascend into a God within the Divine Civilization again.

Someone who took resources from two different civilizations was incredibly powerful. Han Wu had become a Demigod in another civilization and acquired Famine, a vital power that helped him nurture his locusts. Now, he looked forward to discovering what kind of powers he would gain from the Hell Civilization.

Xu Hai continued to give him instructions. “The invitation lasts for three months. Before that time is up, you must comprehend your Divine Aspects and prepare to depart. Ideally, you should be on the threshold of becoming a God by then. Don’t squander this precious opportunity.”

“I understand. I won’t disappoint you,” Han Wu replied.

The other lecturers nodded and left to tend to their own affairs.

Han Wu was about to leave when Xu Hai called out, “Han Wu, I can sense the Mark of Death on you.”

“Master, during the last wargame, I earned the approval of the God King of Death and became his Holy Son.”

Xu Hai’s eyes brightened. “The Holy Son of Death? That’s impressive. Are you only beginning to comprehend the Death Aspect? I recommend you visit their base. With your status, you should receive proper training there.”

Han Wu had been searching for ways to grasp the Death Aspect, and Xu Hai’s words struck a chord. If he wanted to comprehend it, he needed to seek out the place where its power thrived.

“Thank you for your advice. I will act on it immediately.” Han Wu vanished without hesitation.

Xu Hai watched Han Wu teleport away and clicked his tongue with a hint of amusement. “He does remind me of myself back in the day.”

Han Wu had used the mark on his forehead to teleport directly to the God King of Death’s base. Before him rose a massive black gothic castle. People streamed in and out, all clearly belonging to the Death faction.

Han Wu watched them quietly. He noticed that even the weakest among them had reached the peak of Demigod power and were just a step away from becoming a God. By comparison, he was the weakest presence in this place.

As Han Wu observed, the Elder in charge of this section spotted him immediately. His strength radiated so intensely that no one could miss it.

The Elder appeared before him and said, “Sir, please show me the Mark of Death.”

The Elder noticed Han Wu’s youthful appearance and suspected that he was a spy from another faction. Despite the base being protected by strict laws, rival factions often attempted to sneak in spies. The Elder had to carefully inspect every suspect to prevent any leakage of information about the faction’s members or secrets.

Han Wu didn’t want any trouble, so he revealed the mark on his forehead.

The Elder froze in shock. He had spent centuries here, rising from a disciple to an Elder, and had never encountered anyone ranked higher than the Bishops. Yet now, standing before him, was a living Holy Son.

He quickly forced what resembled a smile onto his otherwise stiff expression. “Holy Son! Please forgive me for my rudeness.”

Han Wu waved a hand, showing that he took no offense.

The Elder then asked carefully, “May I know what business you have here?”

“I want to find a way to quickly comprehend the Death Aspect.”

The Elder’s eyes brightened with interest. The Death Aspect held great prestige here. Since the Holy Son was considered Death’s core disciple, it made sense that he would have the Divine Aspect.

“Holy Son, we do have a special training ground within the base designed to accelerate one’s understanding of the Death Aspect. Allow me to escort you there.”

The Elder led the way until they reached a dedicated counter. Speaking with a tone both careful and firm, he told the receptionist what he needed.

The receptionist was a young disciple who had worked at the base since graduating high school over ten years ago. This was her first time meeting a Holy Son. As she processed the paperwork, she stole several curious glances at Han Wu, noting how young he appeared. Finally, she handed him a card that would transport him to the special training ground.

Han Wu took the card and followed the Elder into a room. Using the card, he opened the door and stepped inside, only to find himself transported to a peculiar space.