·

The Salvation Army issued an emergency summons.

In just five minutes, over three thousand people had volunteered for this arduous, near-suicidal mission.

Inside a command tent, the Plague Doctor looked at Liu Tingnan. "Roughly how many people do we need?"

Liu Tingnan glanced at the calculations on his tablet. "This mission is inside an Abyssal Fragment, so we have to screen out all the ordinary people. Even with armor, they have a high chance of being corrupted. We’ll keep seventy-two Ascenders, with seven teams of six people each. We’ll also select another seventy-two as a reserve force. The Star Association will send five Raven Legion combat squads. As long as a single team can reach the vicinity of the Royal Tower, the mission will be a success.

"We can’t send too many people, or we’ll draw an attack from Fallen Paradise and risk a total wipeout."

The difficulty of this mission was what one would call Hell Level.

First, there was the environment. After the Capital’s Abyssalization, it could be considered a true layer of the Abyss, constantly emanating corruption. An unprepared ordinary person would be corrupted within minutes of entering. Even Ascenders had to wear anti-corruption artifacts at all times, and there was still a risk.

Second were the Demon Fiends in the hellhole. The two million fallen and corrupted citizens of the Capital, along with various animals, would become the most dangerous obstacles on their path. If a team accidentally wandered into a den of Demon Fiends or was targeted by them, their fate would be grim.

Finally, there was the enemy hiding in the shadows. Fallen Paradise wouldn’t let them succeed easily. An ambush was a certainty, and this posed the greatest threat of the mission.

All these factors combined, causing the mission’s difficulty to skyrocket.

"Perhaps it doesn’t need to be so complicated," Xing Wu said grimly from the side. "I can try taking the locator in myself."

As the master of the "As I Will" Rule—a budget version of "Hermes"—Xing Wu could even venture into the Abyss, provided he was fully prepared.

"If you go, you’ll be walking right into a trap set by Fallen Paradise."

The Black-robed Man shook his head. "Fallen Paradise knows your Ability. It’s impossible they haven’t prepared for you. I’ll go."

Liu Tingnan nodded in agreement. "Xing Wu, you should stay. Your Ability is too unique; Fallen Paradise will have multiple countermeasures ready."

"But then we’ll have too few High Tier Powers," Xing Wu frowned. "If we only rely on combat squads of low-tier Ascenders, our losses will be catastrophic even if we succeed. It’s very likely no one will return."

"The Star Association will put out a call for Ascenders worldwide. A considerable number of them would be happy to participate in a mission of this Hell Level difficulty."

Liu Tingnan tapped a button on his tablet. A summons from the Star Association was instantly sent to the five hundred and seventy-one Ascenders registered on the "Recruitment List."

...

On a scenic university campus, a young woman with long green hair and an ancient tome slung over her shoulder was sitting on a bench, reading quietly. Suddenly, she stiffened and let out a soft sigh.

"And I have a class for my major this afternoon..."

An Any Door materialized before her. Strangely, not a single person on the bustling campus seemed to notice.

...

Deep within a mountain range, a torrent cascaded down a steep cliff. A burly, muscular figure sat cross-legged on a rock beneath it, enduring the crushing force of the water as he entered a state of deep Meditation.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes and murmured, "North Carolina, Fallen Paradise, an Abyssal Fragment... Excellent tempering."

Yao Hu slowly rose from beneath the waterfall. Above the misty surface of the water, an Any Door opened.

...

「Jinzhu.」

At the orphanage, the cheerful chatter of children filled the air with life and energy.

In the backyard, Lin Ya froze in the middle of airing out blankets. A few seconds later, Father Daun walked slowly out of the house and gave her a gentle nod.

"Go on," he said. "It is time for you to undergo some tempering."

"...Okay."

Lin Ya nervously clutched the hem of her clothes as she agreed. Taking a deep breath, she walked toward the open Any Door.

...

「Jinzhu.」

Li Xiye, who had been lounging on the sofa like a dead fish, suddenly shot upright, startling Zhou Chen beside her.

"What’s wrong?"

"I have to go out."

"Where are you going?"

"North Carolina." As soon as Li Xiye finished speaking, an Any Door materialized in the living room.

’You’re actually on the recruitment list...’ Zhou Chen was stunned.

The so-called "Recruitment List" was a policy introduced by the Star Association. Any Ascender seeking a thrill or a chance to temper themselves could sign up. When support was needed, those on the list would be given priority.

This was basically asking for trouble, actively seeking out danger. But plenty of Ascenders were exactly like this—they’d feel restless if they didn’t court death at least once a day.

Of course, most people simply wanted to temper themselves.

"Don’t you dare follow me. You’re only Tier Two. If you came along, I’d have to split my focus to protect you."

Li Xiye walked to the Any Door and paused at its threshold. She turned, winked at him, and gave him a suggestive smile. "I should be Tier Four by the time I get back. Make sure you’re washed up and waiting for me."

Then, with a suave turn, she stepped through the Any Door, and it vanished.

’What does she mean, "washed up and waiting" for her...?’ Zhou Chen’s lips twitched. He started to say something but thought better of it. ’Good thing Erin isn’t here, or she’d be corrupting an innocent mind.’

—Erin had recently gone to the local Jinzhu branch of the Life Church to study. She wanted to become a Healer who could mend the wounded and sick.

...

On a barren wasteland, a blood-soaked Marvin struggled to his feet. He squeezed out his last bit of Essence to cast a "Great Healing Technique" of the Life Church on himself, and his torn muscles healed in an instant.

"Mr. Marvin, you have been temporarily recruited by the Star Association. Please proceed to the Salvation Army encampment to receive your mission assignment," a calm voice said in his ear.

"A temporary recruitment? Seriously? I just performed a great service. Can’t you even let me catch my breath?"

Marvin sighed and looked toward the sky where the "Merchant" had vanished. "Is the Godslaying Weapon reliable? Can it really kill the Merchant?"

There was no reply.

·

At the Salvation Army encampment, one hundred and forty-four of their Ascenders stood in formation, ready for battle. Their eyes were resolute, radiating a battle-hardened, formidable aura.

"Reporting! Volunteer force, one hundred forty-four expected, one hundred forty-four present! Awaiting orders!" a soldier reported.

The Plague Doctor nodded, his gaze sweeping over the one hundred and forty-four Salvation Army Warriors.

"Comrades, we are close to liberating all of North Carolina. But now, a problem that threatens the safety of our entire nation lies before us: The Capital, Uppers, has fallen into the Abyss. The difficulty of destroying the Overthrowing Matrix’s Core has skyrocketed. If we allow this disaster to spread, North Carolina will be annihilated. We must prevent that from happening.

"Our mission is to enter the Abyssalized Capital, reach the perimeter of the Old Royal Tower, deploy a positioning device, and guide the Crowned King to destroy the Old Royal Tower and perform the Purification of the Abyss.

"This mission is guaranteed to be dangerous. Every one of you might not make it back. If anyone is afraid, you may withdraw now. No one will blame you."

Not one of them wavered. The expression on every Warrior’s face was as hard as iron, radiating that same battle-hardened, formidable aura.

"Good. Then write your final letters."

Paper and pens were distributed to each Warrior. Some wrote furiously, while others simply shook their heads and handed in a blank sheet.

"Siegfried" had also answered the call and joined the volunteer force. He waved away the paper and pen offered by the staff. After they left, he leaned in and spoke quietly to the Plague Doctor, "Plague Doctor, you shouldn’t be going."

The Plague Doctor was a future leader of the Salvation Army. Having obtained the Tier Four Rule, Judgment, his advancement to Tier Four was practically guaranteed. If he were to die on this mission, it would be a devastating blow to the Salvation Army.

The Plague Doctor simply replied, "I’m not special. Why shouldn’t I go? In terms of talent, methods, and leadership, Muse is stronger than me. Oh, Muse is the commander of the Ascender forces. He’s younger than I am, more daring, and he’s the one who brought that group of international mercenaries to heel. Then there’s Guy, Buck... They are all promising prospects. Their future accomplishments will certainly surpass mine.

"Why should I worry about the Salvation Army having no one to lead it after I’m gone? That would be far too arrogant of me.

"This is the moment our country needs me. How could I possibly back down?

"You, on the other hand, Siegfried... you didn’t have to join this."

Zhou Chen smiled. "Someone has to step up. Why not me?"

At that, the Plague Doctor also broke into a cheerful laugh.

·

Any Doors opened, and the Salvation Army’s combat squads were the first to arrive near the Capital. The Star Association’s squads would arrive later to avoid being wiped out by Fallen Paradise should they all enter at once.

Zhou Chen and the Plague Doctor were assigned to the same team. The other four members were Ah Man, Ted, Brady, and Jonas.

The latter two were "temporary workers" who had been brainwashed by Zhou Chen. One had the Instant Movement Ability, and the other could control earth.

Aside from Zhou Chen, everyone on their team was Tier Three. The Plague Doctor had even mastered a Rule, making their squad arguably the strongest in the vanguard.

Before them lay the Gloomy Demon City, exuding a black, calamitous aura. The group could feel the Darkness and malice contained within even before setting foot inside. The hair on their arms stood on end as the wails and cries of countless humans echoed in their ears, bringing not only terror but also mental interference.

’In a way, this is like descending into Hell...’

Zhou Chen took a deep breath and stepped into the abyssal den of Demon Fiends, a place filled with ghostly wails and demonic howls.