Chapter 242: Upper Follower

“Number 900534, initiating Void Displacement, successfully breaking through the World Goddess’s Barrier, confirming landing location.”

“Location area…”

“Endless Sea archipelago.”

“Begin!”

Accompanied by a mechanical voice, a thick cylinder tore through the void and plunged into an island.

The cylinder pierced straight into the center of the island, shattering the hard rock. The front end rotated rapidly, advancing into the depths.

Not long after.

“Crack, crack…”

The cylinder, deep within the island, emitted a faint cracking sound. The surface peeled open layer by layer like fish scales.

Behind the surface,

were holes the size of fists.

Inside the holes, octopuses were curled up. They were all activated and began crawling outwards.

These octopuses curled their tentacles, easily crushing the surrounding rocks. Like drills exploring caves, they lunged forward.

In less than a day, the octopuses had carved tunnels throughout the lower part of the island.

“Recording!”

A man with a metallic sheen appeared above the island, uttering a monotonous voice:

“Otherworld Era 993, Upper Follower ‘Li’ successfully entered this world, beginning construction of a base.”

“Information from the probe…”

“The current power ceiling of this world is at the early Second Order. My power is suppressed to a certain extent.”

“The number of local powerhouses is very small. The only thing to worry about are the followers sent by other deities.”

“Beep beep…” A sphere floating in mid-air rapidly approached, emitting urgent sounds:

“The main base construction is complete. Please, ‘Upper Follower’, arrange the next tasks: extract Source Essence, breed mine thieves, expand the base…”

“Allocate a portion of the miners to extract Source Essence. Use the collected Source Essence to breed the base’s mechanical guards…” ‘Li’ spoke sternly:

“Continue exploring the surrounding environment to ensure the base’s smooth operation is the top priority. Other matters are not urgent.”

“Yes.” The sphere flashed green light in response, then red light flared, and the voice became urgent:

“Warning!”

“Warning!”

“An unknown entity has intruded into the base. A blind spot has appeared in Sector Three. A large number of squid miners are unresponsive.”

“Hmm?” ‘Li’ turned and said:

“Display the holographic image!”

“Yes!”

The sphere responded.

A large holographic image immediately appeared in the void, encompassing the entire island, both inside and out.

Countless red dots moved within the island.

As the image turned to Sector Three, the details gradually became clear. Squid miners lay on the ground, drained of energy.

There were no strange figures nearby. Air detection did not reveal any neurotoxins.

“Water!”

‘Li’ quickly noticed something was wrong:

“Focus the surveillance on the water flow in Sector Three.”

“Yes.”

The sphere vibrated, and the holographic image changed. The slow-moving water flow within the mine was quickly magnified.

And after magnification, the water flow was like a living thing, wriggling inside the squid miners.

Seemingly slow,

it was actually dissolving the squid miners’ internal structures at an alarming rate, destroying their power sources.

“Whoosh!”

Without needing to be told,

the sphere locked onto the moving water, tracing its path back to its source.

“What is that?”

‘Li’s eyes darted.

At the source of the water, hundreds of meters below the island’s surface, a giant, strange squid was lying on a rock.

The squid had dozens of thick tentacles. Besides sharp serrations, the tentacles were covered in bizarre eyeballs.

A special power shrouded the squid’s main body, making it look like a lifeless boulder on the surveillance. If the base’s power hadn’t been entirely focused on tracking it, it would still be hidden.

“No!”

‘Li’s eyes suddenly narrowed:

“Quick…”

Before he could finish speaking, the giant squid suddenly contracted its body. Then, blinding electrical light burst from it.

The electrical light followed the water flow deep into the base, instantly engulfing the entire base, covering all the squid miners.

Without anyone knowing, the water controlled by the squid had already spread throughout the base.

“Boom!”

The entire island shook violently.

Lightning tore through the earth and shot into the sky. The shattered corpses of the squid miners flew out from within.

“Abyssal Squid!”

‘Li’ broke through the rock and flew into the air. His face was hidden as he looked down at the squid, his voice cold:

“A follower of an Abyssal Evil God!”

“Hmm…” The Abyssal Squid’s tentacles were dozens of meters long. Its huge head bobbed in the water:

“Do Evil Gods have connections with each other?”

After muttering to itself, the eyes on the Abyssal Squid simultaneously glowed with a faint light.

Aura of Fear!

A mental energy wave, powerful enough to destroy a peak First Order creature, swept over ‘Li’, but it was like a breeze, having no effect.

“Useless!”

‘Li’s voice was cold:

“I am a mechanical lifeform. My life core is stored with the Creator. I am immune to 99.9% of mental attacks.”

As he spoke.

his body appeared next to the Abyssal Squid.

‘Li’s body was similar to a human’s, except that his skin had a sheen like polished steel.

It was as if his entire body was cast from refined steel.

In reality,

his body was made of void crystals, extremely hard and capable of improving through the consumption of other metals.

Seventeen Forms of Divine Martial Arts ━ Crushing Fist!

“Boom!”

The already battered island was torn apart by the punch. The surrounding sea surged with waves.

***

The Abyssal Squid, facing the full force of the fist, quickly dove downwards. The tentacles in its path were snapped one after another.

‘So strong!’

Karl’s eyelids twitched:

‘This guy’s physical strength is probably no weaker than my own at the fifth level of the Holy Demon Transformation. As expected of an Upper Follower.’

Deities have their own believers, followers（messengers）, god-children（demigods）. Among them, followers are divided into upper, middle, and lower ranks.

The strength of Upper Followers is mostly at the peak of the Second Order or even the Third Order.

Similar to Karl.

But…

‘This world has the power of laws limiting it. Even if your main body is strong, the power you can exert is limited.’

Ten Thousand Buddha Hands ━ Subduing Dragon Seal!

Dozens of tentacles burst out of the water, forming a complex hand seal, and struck fiercely at ‘Li’.

Seventeen Forms of Divine Martial Arts ━ Titanium Extreme!

“Bang!”

Two equally powerful beings collided on the water’s surface. The waves surged, and the surrounding islands shook.

“Upper Follower!” ‘Li’ retreated, frowning:

“So what if you’re an Upper Follower? Abyssal magic doesn’t work on me, and my physical strength is ultimately superior.”

“I’ll kill you!”

“That will also please the Creator!”

“Splash…”

The water below surged. The Abyssal Squid controlled the seawater, rising into the air and staring at ‘Li’.

Indeed.

In terms of physical strength, he was somewhat inferior.

Even the Ten Thousand Buddha Hands, although more refined and versatile, were not as ferocious and direct as the Divine Martial Arts.

Plus, mental techniques were ineffective…

“Too bad!”

“I am also a wizard!”

The tentacles moved, the water surged, and countless lightning bolts fell from the sky, striking at the opponent.

“Die!”

Lightning,

restrains the opponent!

Wizards are seekers on the path of truth. Perhaps they are not the strongest, but they are the most exploratory.

During that brief exchange, Karl had secretly cast various detection spells and secret techniques of all elements.

He had already found the opponent’s weakness.

“Boom!”

“Crackle…”

Soon.

Source Essence +14

The squid Karl had transformed into rose and fell with the seawater. The injuries on his body were quickly healed by the water.

His consciousness turned to the status panel.

Name: Karl

Constitution: 31

Mental Power: 23

Source Essence: 25

Level: Second Order Holy Knight, Second Circle Wizard

Abyssal Bloodline Fusion Rate: 58%

When he killed the Fire Demon Wells, the energy core of the god-child that fused with his heart provided over twenty points of Source Essence.

This allowed Karl’s Constitution to climb to 31.

Now.

After killing two Evil God followers, the Source Essence had reached 25 points again, which could increase a single attribute by 2.5.

Where to add?

Karl pondered.

If he were in the Magic Forest, he would undoubtedly add it to Mental Power, as the power of wizardry is stronger.

But here.

His strength was limited to the early Second Order. Most powerful wizardry could not be used, but his physical strength could be maximized through the Ten Thousand Buddha Hands.

Therefore…

Add to Constitution!

With a thought, the status panel changed again.

Name: Karl

Constitution: 33.5

Mental Power: 23

Source Essence: 25

Level: Second Order Holy Knight, Second Circle Wizard

Abyssal Bloodline Fusion Rate: 58%

A constant stream of energy poured into his body, causing Karl to groan. At the same time, the Holy Demon Transformation rapidly activated.

The Holy Demon Transformation was a technique where the stronger the cultivator’s constitution, the easier it was to cultivate. He believed that once his Constitution exceeded forty, he would be able to cultivate the sixth level.

That is.

Silver Body!

At that time, his physical strength would also skyrocket. He would be able to withstand a Third Circle wizard at close range with his physical strength alone.

“Opportunity!”

Karl’s mind raced:

“Now, the Moon Goddess’s Barrier hasn’t completely collapsed. The gods can’t enter, they can only send their followers to harvest faith and collect Source Essence.”

“I can take this opportunity to kill them to obtain Source Essence and directly increase my strength.”

He had only encountered two waves and had already harvested 25 points of Source Essence.

If he continued…

He might be able to become a Third Order Forbidden Knight, or even a demigod. Then, what would he have to fear from the Green Family’s wizards?

Hmm…

Unless the Green Family sent a Fourth Circle wizard to the Magic Forest.

“Haha!”

Karl returned to his original form and couldn’t help but laugh into the sky:

“It’s truly a case of ‘when the mountains and rivers end, and there seems to be no path, another village appears with willows and flowers’. This is a great opportunity for me.”

“It’s just…”

“It’s not difficult to deal with Lower and Middle Followers, but hunting Upper Followers is still somewhat risky. If I unfortunately encounter a god-child, I’ll probably have to run for my life.”