Chapter 898: Gathering Together

This place is not the underworld; it’s still challenging to gather ten kings who have all reached the peak of their power.

Lu Yu knew there were still three months left, and he would see what different changes would happen in these three months.

Lu Yu left the small villa, deep in thought all the way, and finally arrived at Liu Xing’s shop.

He had not paid attention to Fanggang’s affairs for a long time, so he didn’t know much about the strength of the people there.

Liu Xing was handling some business when he saw Lu Yu approaching, and immediately dismissed everyone else.

“There’s no need to leave. Please continue with your work,” Lu Yu said, waving his hand to indicate that everyone should stay.

“Please wait a moment, Mr. Lu. I’ll be right with you soon. Let’s talk after I finish what I’m doing.”

After Liu Xing stood up and bowed to Lu Yu, he immediately sat down and began working.

Lu Yu had never thought that Liu Xing would be so busy. Ever since they exchanged greetings, Liu Xing hadn’t looked up to notice anyone else.

Various documents and materials flew past Liu Xing’s eyes like snowflakes, and then were passed on to others.

Lu Yu watched Liu Xing work busily for two hours before finally relaxing and having a chance to drink some water.

At this moment, he suddenly remembered that Lu Yu was still by his side.

Liu Xing immediately stood up apologetically and said to Lu Yu, “Mr. Lu, I’m really sorry for forgetting about you. This water has already gotten cold—let me go get you a cup of hot water.”

Lu Yu waved his hand, indicating that it wasn’t necessary. He looked at Liu Xing and said, “I never imagined you would be so busy. Has it been like this all these years?”

Liu Xing, upon hearing Lu Yu’s words, felt somewhat embarrassed and replied, “It’s okay, really. At first, when the city only had its core area, things were a bit easier. But once construction began on the first district, everything became much busier. When the city was fully completed, that was the busiest time of all. However, things have calmed down a bit now, not as hectic as before.”

Lu Yu looked at Liu Xing seriously and said solemnly, “Thank you. Without you, Fanggang might not have reached its current scale today.”

Liu Xing stood up immediately,激动ly saying, “Mr. Lu, you cannot say that. If it weren’t for your protection, my family and I wouldn’t have lived to see today. It is under your shelter that we have been able to live such stable lives. Every day I see countless soldiers fighting and killing; every day I receive hundreds of news reports about deaths and war intelligence. I know exactly what the outside world is like, even without leaving here. This is a chaotic era, and there is no place that is truly peaceful. Except for this city, which thrives under your protection—we never have to worry about the destruction of the city, our safety, or even our basic needs. Having lived in peace for decades already fulfills me completely. From the day you allowed my family to live in the core district, I swore that as long as this city still exists, I would work for you until my dying day. Therefore, you truly don’t need to thank me. If anyone should give thanks, it should be me thanking you. It is you who have given me this opportunity to survive stably even in such turbulent times.”

Liu Xing spoke with increasing excitement, and finally his eyes turned red.

Lu Yu quickly signaled to Liu Xing to calm down.

Liu Xing said, “Mr. Lu, there’s no need to be polite with me. From the day you allowed my family to live in the core area, I would be willing to work myself to death if needed. If you have any tasks, please just give me your orders directly.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t hold back,” Lu Yu smiled. “The stronger the defense here becomes, the safer you and your family will be. So, it seems you and I will have to keep working hard together.”

“Mr. Lu, you just focus on your cultivation. As for the development of this city, leave it entirely to me,” Liu Xing said with a smile.

Liu Xing was indeed clueless when it came to combat.

When it came to talking about doing business, he was still very proud.

Lu Yu said, “Right now, I happen to have a task for you to handle first. Immediately send someone to spread the news that the minimum requirement to pass through the stone tablet is the King level—those who have formed a King Crystal and become Kings are eligible. However, this is merely the minimum threshold. If they want to attempt to survive, they’d better send Kings who have reached the peak level.”

Upon hearing this, Liu Xing was astonished and asked, “Mr. Lu, are you telling the truth?”

“Nature is real. As for its origin, I received it from the Snowland King, and I believe her.”

“I understand.”

Liu Xing immediately found several people and assigned the task to them.

Liu Xing asked somewhat puzzled, “Mr. Lu, why are you giving away such information for free?”

“This time, what we are facing is not humanity, but countless divine servants. The more powerful individuals we have on our side, the greater the pressure on the opposing side. Therefore, this situation works in our favor.”

Liu Xing scratched his head and laughed: “Indeed, when it comes to matters related to risking one’s life, I really don’t understand. Whatever Mr. Lu instructed, I’ll just follow and do as told.”

Several people quickly left to spread the news to major cities as Lu Yu had instructed.

Lu Yu continued, “I haven’t been in Fanggang during this period. Who is currently the strongest in this city, aside from me and Xueji?”

Liu Xing knew this must be related to the stone tablet. After a moment’s thought, he said, “Then it must be Miss Huowu. Don’t you remember in the ruins of the royal city, you used your power to help Miss Huowu ascend directly from an ordinary king to the peak of king-level combat strength? Since then, Miss Huowu has been continuously consolidating her power, so now she should be able to fully demonstrate true king-level combat strength.”

Lu Yu thought for a moment, his finger gently spinning, and thought of that ring.

Liu Xing continued, “Not long after, the Violent King returned to his throne. Not too long ago, he engaged in a fierce battle with a city lord outside the city and in the dungeon, ultimately leaving his opponent severely crippled.”

“Indeed impressive!” Lu Yu inhaled sharply through his teeth.

This fierce tiger is too terrifying.

Before becoming king, one could decapitate a king; but upon ascending the throne, the dungeon lord was nearly crippled.

That’s a powerhouse on the verge of reaching the peak of King-level strength.

Then there’s Regent Wang, whose star soul and spirit I’ve heard are nearly perfectly integrated, though there’s still a slight gap.

“For ten people, counting me, Snow King, Fire Dance, and the Kings of Explosion and Regeneration, that’s already five. What about the remaining ones?”

Luo Haotian has had contact with the False King and engaged in several battles using vast wealth. Eventually, through special techniques and the fusion of star soul’s spiritual power, he can simulate the威严 of a King. If we say he hasn’t yet become a King himself, then perhaps he currently possesses the strength of a King-class warrior. However, there is still a gap between him and a true King.

“Then there are people like Yang Lie, Huo Wu, and Zi Yu. Their strength has already reached one hundred million Zun, and after activating their special skills, their power can surge up to one billion Zun!”

Lu Yu was greatly shocked and said, “Such high combat power, more than four times mine! How did they cultivate like this!”

Lu Yu’s scalp tingled with unease.

He thought his power had already increased fast enough.

However, it seems that the strength of Yang Lie and others has increased at a faster pace.

“Mr. Lu, running around east and west all day, how can they compare with you?” Liu Xing smiled and said, “Currently, most of the funds in Fangang are supporting the cultivation of warriors within the city, especially the tremendous consumption by these thirty-five uncrowned kings. Even they themselves admit that without your financial support, reaching a strength level of ten million zuns would have already broken records. Achieving a hundred million zuns is a level of power that has never appeared in any era before.”

Lu Yu hesitated for a moment and said, “Although their strength is formidable, it’s slightly weaker. If heading to the Divine Star, they could at best fight a king to a draw. Besides that, are there any warriors with more unique abilities? Ideally, ones who are somewhat stronger than ordinary kings.”

“This—” Liu Xing thought for a moment and said hesitantly, “Actually, there truly isn’t such a thing. After becoming a king, further cultivation becomes extremely difficult. Kings like the Regeneration King have all cultivated along the same path once before, so walking it again feels particularly easy.”

Lu Yu frowned tightly and said, “Snow姬 and I must go. Huowu shouldn’t be refused either. As for the King of Regeneration and the King of Fury, whether they go or not still requires seeking their consent. As for the remaining five individuals, we still have three months; we’ll need some time to search for them carefully.”

Ten people——

This number is really just one out of more than three hundred thousand people for Fanggang nowadays.

However, after Lu Yu received the news from Xue Ji, the gathering of these ten people became a number that caused considerable headache.

For example, right now.

The current forces and combat strength of Fang Gang could probably make a name for themselves even within Huaxia.

But when it comes to truly putting in the effort, there are very few people who can meet the requirements.

“Who said it takes time to find someone?” A voice laughed heartily outside the store. “Lu Yu, have you really forgotten all of us?”

The voice sounded somewhat aged, yet it was indeed full of vigor.

When Lu Yu heard this sound, he immediately looked outside the store.

“Lord Mingzun, Senior Zhuanmo, why have the two of you returned?” Lu Yu immediately stood up and bowed in respect.

These two individuals played a crucial role in his growth, and he has always regarded them with the respect due to elders.

The Supreme Lord of Darkness and the Demon-Slaying Elder remained completely unchanged, still radiating vitality and with ruddy complexions.

At this moment, Lu Yu saw the two people returning. When he sensed their strength, he couldn’t help but feel astonished.

“Lu Yu, do you still need to seek my consent?” A voice outside the shop said unhappily, “Back then I told you clearly, as long as you don’t betray me, we will always be allies. Are you treating me as an outsider now? Since one more person is needed, I’m definitely going.”

“Have you forgotten our agreement as well? You used the Star-Calling Technique and my freedom to obtain my promise. This time, even if you don’t include me, I will still go.”

A man and a tiger walked in together from outside.

Lu Yu was surprised and said, “You’ve come too?”

The Dark Lord laughed loudly and said, “Now that things have come to this, concerning the safety of this entire city, do you think we wouldn’t come? Ten people—why are you worried? Don’t let others look down upon you, the great inheritor of slaughter.”

“Not only have we arrived, but even Ling Wang and Xiao Xiao have returned.” Sheng Wang and Bao Wang stepped aside from the position in front of the store door.

Outside, the four people were walking in.

A tall, muscular man led the group with a powerful, commanding stride. When he saw Lu Yu, he smiled and nodded in greeting.

This tall man was indeed the Spirit King, accompanied by his lover, Xiaoxiao, and another person whom Lu Yu had never seen before.

King Ling said, “This era is truly remarkable. Many kings can’t even withstand the arrival of darkness. Now, you all have actually advanced to the second wave of the Apocalypse Tide. This friend of mine and I are also very curious to see exactly what’s on this Divine Star. If Brother Lu doesn’t mind, count us in.”

“I’ve only heard of the Divine Star, but have never seen it myself. This time, I’d really like to witness it,” said the person beside the Spirit King with a smile. “If Mr. Lu doesn’t mind, perhaps you could bring me along.”