Chapter 824: General Zhou
The next day.
Ling Zhan and a group of top powerhouses from various nations, under the reception of the official personnel of Ether City, stepped onto the spatial teleportation array heading to Ether City.
Ether City was the capital of the southern region of the Ten Thousand Demons Continent.
It was also the most bustling and lively place.
Many influential figures who had never appeared on the internet or in media were present here.
Previously, the highest level transferees publicly acknowledged by various nations were only around level 150-160.
In reality, it was because many peak powerhouses had chosen to stay here and fight against the Abyss of Ten Thousand Demons.
Of course…
There was another highly special reason.
Ascending to the Upper Realm.
Transferees who reached level 190 no longer had suitable dungeons or secret realms for their level.
At least, not in the lower realm.
So, they could only hunt the monsters of the Abyss of Ten Thousand Demons here to level up.
Without dungeons, the only option was to kill monsters in the wild.
Among all the wild monsters, those from the Abyss of Ten Thousand Demons provided the highest experience.
Upon reaching level 200, transferees could return to the Sacred Continent, arrive beneath the roots of the World Tree, and trigger the Heavenly Void Trial.
The so-called [Heavenly Void Trial] was the transferee advancement at level 200.
Completing the [Heavenly Void Trial] would change a transferee's class into [Heavenly Void · XX].
For example, if someone was a Fourth-Tier Sword God, after completing the trial, their class would be displayed as [Heavenly Void · Swordsman].
At the same time, the World Tree would send them to the Upper Realm.
Of course…
It was said that once every century, the Upper Realm would send an envoy to select a few extremely talented young geniuses and take them to the Upper Realm.
Those chosen could truly be considered "children of fortune."
While other top powerhouses struggled through arduous leveling, these elite talents would ascend instantly, gaining access to a broader world and enjoying the best transferee resources.
Although no transferee in the lower realm knew what the Upper Realm was truly like,
Everyone imagined it as an unimaginably grand and magnificent world.
Just like in cultivation novels, where protagonists ascend to the celestial realm, they would undoubtedly receive greater opportunities and developments.
Apart from leveling up to reach the Upper Realm,
Many peak powerhouses also came here to [craft sacred weapons].
Monsters from the Abyss of Ten Thousand Demons were high-level and powerful, which meant their drop rates for valuable materials were exceptionally high.
In the outside world, killing a strong wild monster usually only dropped C-rank materials or lower.
Killing a wild boss would drop B-rank or higher materials.
However, on the Ten Thousand Demons Continent, killing an elite-tier monster guaranteed an A-rank material drop.
With a fair chance of dropping S-rank materials.
If one could kill a higher-tier leader-class monster, it was guaranteed to drop SS-rank materials, with a chance of dropping SSS-rank materials.
The most critical component in crafting sacred weapons was SSS-rank materials.
That was why so many high-level transferees came here to farm materials and craft their ideal sacred weapons.
Buzz!!
Under the effect of the spatial teleportation array,
It took less than a minute for Ling Zhan and the other top powerhouses to successfully arrive in Ether City.
As soon as they stepped out of the teleportation array,
The official personnel led them to the Sacred Council of Ether City.
There, they would meet with the high-ranking officials of various nations.
At this level, these individuals naturally had to be received with utmost respect.
Although Ling Zhan was only level 160, his previously displayed combat prowess had already classified him as a level 180 powerhouse.
Naturally, the Dragon Kingdom valued him immensely.
He was personally received by a general named 'Zhou Xingluo.'
This General Zhou was no ordinary figure— he was a peak level 190 Archmage.
The magic element he wielded was time.
It had long been said that space-time-related professions were incredibly rare.
Reaching level 190 in such a profession meant his strength was beyond formidable, making it no surprise that Zhou Xingluo was one of the Ten Great Generals of the Dragon Kingdom.
They answered only to the Dragon Lord, and aside from the Dragon Lord, they held the highest authority.
Previously, General Li, whom Ling Zhan had encountered on the Fusang battlefield, was actually among the weaker of the Dragon Kingdom's generals. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been stationed at the Fusang Kingdom's Takamagahara battlefield to oversee the situation.
The Ten Great Generals were all peak level 190 powerhouses.
Each of them alone had the power to battle the Rotten Witch Cassie.
They were also the foundation that allowed the Dragon Kingdom to stand tall among nations.
Otherwise, why did the Free Federation, Fusang Kingdom, Holy Light Empire, and others fear the Dragon Kingdom so much?
This General Zhou was an elderly man with graying hair. He appeared to be in his fifties or sixties, but everyone knew that the Dragon Kingdom's Ten Great Generals had only changed three times in history.
Meaning, this General Zhou was far older than he looked.
His energy was vigorous, and his magical aura was entirely restrained— proof that his mastery over magic had reached its peak.
He looked like an ordinary old man.
But no one dared to underestimate him.
When General Zhou saw Ling Zhan, he revealed a deeply satisfied smile.
Hmm…
As an elder powerhouse of the Dragon Kingdom, seeing new talents emerge naturally made him happy.
More importantly…
He had long heard of this young man's deeds and had thoroughly investigated him.
The conclusion was that Ling Zhan had the potential to become the next pillar of the Dragon Kingdom.
"Greetings, General Zhou."
Ling Zhan respectfully greeted the renowned elder, observing proper etiquette as a junior.
He could sense that this old man's strength was even slightly above that of the Mermaid Emperor!
Meng Shuang, Chang Yue, Yun Man, Xiao An, and Xiao Huo all obediently followed behind their master, Ling Zhan.
General Zhou smiled and nodded in response.
Then, he pulled Ling Zhan aside for some casual conversation.
After some small talk, the general finally revealed the first task Ling Zhan would undertake upon arriving at the Ten Thousand Demons Continent.
Becoming an instructor.
Specifically, serving as an instructor for Ether City's Demon-Slaying Legion.
The Demon-Slaying Legion was composed of elite powerhouses from various nations, ranging from level 150 to 180.
The members were either seasoned warriors who had survived countless battles or young prodigies under eighteen years old who had already reached level 170.
Ling Zhan never expected that his first task upon entering the Ten Thousand Demons Battlefield wouldn't be leading a team to hunt monsters— but becoming an instructor instead.
"Ling Zhan, we've actually been quietly monitoring everything about you."
"Your battle with the Mermaid Emperor especially shocked us old folks."
"We believe that you are fully qualified to serve as an instructor for these elites."
"In fact, after this, you might even be nominated as the overall commander of the Demon-Slaying Legion."
Ling Zhan: "…"