In fact, if he really wanted to be serious about it, turning the core of the Demon King Territory into his own image had already put him on a path of enormous risk.

Even though he hadn't done it on purpose.

Just as Luo Yan was stealthily delighting in the faith points, a row of dark green pop-up windows suddenly materialized in front of him.

[Mission: Maintain a net growth in faith points greater than ten thousand within three days.]

[Reward: 1000 beta test slots.]

True to Youyou's speculation, the number of players was directly correlated with the influence of his lead faith in this world.

As long as his faith continued to expand, players would keep increasing until a certain threshold was met.

"To think I still have to wait three days." Luo Yan smacked his lips restlessly, put away the mirror in his hand, and said with a smile.

Seeing Luo Yan acting smug when he had just gotten an advantage, Youyou couldn't help but quietly comment.

"Lord Demon King, you should be content, this time you just have to wait."

Upon hearing this, Luo Yan immediately felt dissatisfied.

"The way you say that, it sounds as if the faith power I earned just fell from the sky."

Youyou was about to say "Isn't that the case?" but, seeing Luo Yan's smug expression, she ultimately kept her mouth shut.

Seeing that the faith power had indeed grown significantly, Youyou decided to let Lord Demon King bask in his pride this time.

Putting Youyou aside, Luo Yan walked in front of the goblins, his smile bright as he spoke.

"We've won this war! The guards inside the castle all fled with their tails between their legs. Who's with me to plant the flag atop their castle?"

Upon hearing these words, the goblins began clamoring excitedly, showing none of the fear they had when they first arrived that day.

"Me!"

"Me, me, me!"

"Lord Demon King, look at me!!!"

"There's no need for so many people, I'll pick about fifty of you, the rest stay put and wait for our return."

Watching the goblins crowd around him, Luo Yan casually selected fifty of them, then led them down the hillside from the side toward the ruins nestled in the valley.

He had just summoned undead birds to scout the area, and the entire Black Wind Castle stood devoid of any living presence, leaving only rubble and dead bodies.

If things went as planned, this publicly watched duel could potentially be recorded in the annals of Hell.

Just as nitroglycerin explosives ended the era of black gunpowder for star forts, excessive firepower would wholly reshape the conduct of warfare, whether by evolving stronger defensive magic or by converting siege warfare from atop walls to below in trenches.

Such changes, of course, wouldn't happen overnight.

But, like many new things at their inception, a germ of them would always first appear somewhere...

After about half an hour's walk, Luo Yan, followed by a mob of goblin minions, easily crossed over the fallen castle walls and entered the semi-open main hall.

Just to be safe, he waved his magic wand, summoning several zombies from the ground to lead the way with torches.

He, on the other hand, followed behind the light, hiding his heels in the shadows.

The entire castle had collapsed; there were no stairs to reach the highest point, only a slope that seemed manageable to climb.

Seeing the goblins eager to show off, Luo Yan could tell they were itching to make a name for themselves, so he graciously left the task to them.

Watching the group of goblins carrying the flag and rushing upwards, Luo Yan was just about to search the castle for any valuable war trophies.

However, just then, his gaze fell on a rotten coffin board on the side of the hall, causing his eyebrows to furrow slightly.

A coffin?

Who would place a coffin in the living room?

At that very moment, the chanting of a spell echoed from the darkness, prompting Luo Yan to reflexively raise his magic wand and stab forward.

"Atmospheric Barrier!!"

When unsure of the magic the opponent was using, aeromancy spells were most suited for initiating a defensive move.

An almost tangible wall of air instantly formed in front of him.

Almost simultaneously, a crimson blade hurtled towards him, colliding solidly with the wall of air!

"Blood Magic?"

His expression became slightly grave.

Unlike other types of magic, this was nearly exclusive to vampires! While some Undead Mages could also use it, they were far from being as adept as vampires.

Faintly, Luo Yan heard the sound of the barrier shattering.

Blood Magic inherently had a surprisingly effective impact against standard elemental spells, and that fellow's magic power was, unsurprisingly, stronger than his!

However, Luo Yan didn't panic; instead, he coolly continued chanting a spell, igniting the carbon-monoxide-filled air wall.

This was a trick he had learned from Miranda.

With a loud "boom," the carbon monoxide mixed with oxygen in the confined space instantly combusted, shattering the sharp Blood Blade!

Using the momentum of the explosion to leap backwards, Luo Yan immediately continued chanting, summoning sharp bone spears behind him to shoot towards the direction from which the Blood Blade had come.

"Whoosh, whoosh—!"

The whistling sound of breaking air echoed in the hall, as each bone spear struck the suddenly arising blood-red wall like cannon rounds!

Hearing the noise inside the hall, the goblins were terrified, revealing their true nature by scrambling for cover.

But that was for the best.

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