“Wow~~” Babata, the small tower-sized device perched on Luo Feng’s shoulder, widened its little eyes in astonishment. “This is the Virtual Universe Company for you—it’s a blatant slap in the face.”
Luo Feng shook his head with a bitter smile. “He’s not pressuring the Blood Demon King—he’s pressuring me.”
The email read:
Third Ring Mission: The Blood Demon King reigns supreme over the entire Dutuo Star Sector, commanding legions of hundreds of Celestial Immortals. Though the Blood Demon King himself has yet to cross the ultimate forbidden threshold, several of his lieutenants have committed unspeakable atrocities beyond all moral boundaries. Twenty-one such transgressors have now been positively identified.
Among them are two Immortal Deities and nineteen Star Sovereigns.
They are:
Aplurad: The Eternal Sovereign, bestowed the Chiti Star System as his dominion by the Blood Demon King. Within the Chiti Star System, he once annihilated all life across countless planets and dragged multitudes into his celestial realm…
Iso: Immortal Deity…
Edi: Star Sovereign…
…
Okfei: The Star Sovereign once amassed hundreds of billions of young maidens upon his celestial domain to enact the most extreme Blood Demon King rites, transforming them into a churning ocean of blood and gore. And furthermore…
**Mission Briefing:** The Virtual Universe Corporation has issued a direct mandate to the Blood Demon King, ordering the capture of these 21 targets. They have already been apprehended and confined on the Blood Demon Star. Luo Feng, you are to depart for Blood Demon Star at once and execute judgment upon them. The sentencing options are as follows: **”Death,” “Millennial Imprisonment,” “Century-Long Confinement,”** or **”Acquittal.”**
The fate of these 21 individuals lies entirely in your hands, Luo Feng. You may judge them as you see fit.
Their lives or deaths are completely under your control.
Upon arrival at the Blood Demon Star, Luo Feng must initiate the synchronized transmission of the Virtual Universe Network. This connection must remain uninterrupted until the final verdict is rendered.
…
In the study.
Luo Feng couldn’t help but smile bitterly. He had anticipated that the highest-point mission wouldn’t be straightforward. The first and second rings had presented no challenge whatsoever, not even the slightest hint of peril. But this third ring…
The Virtual Universe Corporation was truly formidable, directly commanding the Blood Demon King to seize those twenty-one individuals.
Though the Blood Demon King was part of the Hong Alliance, the Virtual Universe Company’s dominance was absolute. How could a mere figure like the Blood Demon King dare to defy? Naturally, he complied and seized the twenty-one individuals. Yet now, the duty of determining their fates fell to Luo Feng—and he had to journey personally to the Blood Demon Star!
Blood Demon King Star!
That was the Blood Demon King’s fortress!
To venture there would mean standing before the Blood Demon King himself, passing judgment on his minions right under his gaze. Was that not a brazen insult, a slap across his very face?
“If I judge them too harshly, I’ll incur the wrath of the Blood Demon King!” Luo Feng shook his head. “Ultimately, the severity of their punishment rests solely in my hands. Yet if I show leniency, I would be betraying my own conscience.”
“Truly forcing my hand.”
“Virtual Universe’s orders must have infuriated the Blood Demon King, yet he dares not defy them,” Luo Feng thought with a bitter smile. Judging by the Blood Demon King’s usual behavior, he was clearly no benevolent being. Why provoke an already formidable King-class Immortal?
…
On that mineral planet.
In midair, Luo Feng, Dylan, and the old winged man with white eyebrows were conversing in midair.
The old winged man with white eyebrows smiled. “Prince Luo Feng, have you reviewed the third ring mission yet?”
“Yeah,” Luo Feng nodded, a hint of helplessness in his expression.
“Hahaha…” The old winged man burst into hearty laughter at the sight. “Fear not. Though the Blood Demon Star serves as his stronghold, even with tenfold the audacity, unless he seeks his own demise, he would never dare harm you, Prince Luo Feng.”
“But what about the future?” Luo Feng shook his head.
“That depends on your choice,” the ancient winged being teased with a sly grin. “Should you temper your judgment with mercy, the Blood Demon Sovereign would surely remember this kindness. But enough of my rambling. Prince Luo Feng, if you would kindly accompany me to the Blood Demon Star.”
“Alright.”
His heart weighed down, yet Luo Feng gave a solemn nod. Retrieving his starship, the Yimo Star, he stepped aboard the obsidian vessel dispatched by the Virtual Universe Company alongside Dylan—their course set for the crimson orb of Blood Demon Star.
…
Blood Demon Star was the true core planet of the entire Dutuo Star Region.
Chosen from the Blood Demon King Trials spanning ten thousand star systems, elite warriors were all dispatched to the Blood Demon Star. Countless warriors of the Blood Demon King converged upon this realm. Even Star Sovereigns and Celestial Immortals frequently graced this planet with their presence. And towering above them all, the Blood Demon King himself held court here, transforming it into a true lair of nightmares.
“Too much! The Virtual Universe Company has gone too far!!!”
The roar reverberated through the Demon King’s Crimson Palace, sending tremors of terror through every servant within its cursed halls.
Inside the grand hall.
The deity clad in crimson battle armor and helmet stood there, roaring in fury. Eighteen Immortal Deities stood respectfully by his side.
“He seeks to discipline my underlings, yet compels me to personally apprehend Aplurad and the other twenty-one!” The Blood Demon King’s eyes blazed with infernal fury. “He demands that I punish my own followers, yet forces me to hunt them down myself. And now—just moments ago—he dispatched his minions to disrupt the Blood Demon King’s Trial within one of my star systems! Truly, he holds no shred of respect for my authority!”
Here is the translation in a high fantasy style:
“By the infernal fury of the Blood Demon King! How dare these insolent mortals challenge our dominion yet again? Summon my most vicious minions! Let them tremble before our might yet quake at our wrath! None shall defy the Dark Throne and live to tell the tale!”
(Note: This translation amplifies the dramatic fantasy tone with phrases like “infernal fury” and “minions,” while maintaining the original’s intensity. The title “Blood Demon King” preserves the essence of the Chinese 魔王, and the exclamatory structure enhances the ruler’s fury. The strategic repetition of “yet” mirrors the original’s rhetorical power.)
The eighteen Immortal Deities appeared indignant on the surface, but inwardly they were all thinking…
Disrespecting the Blood Demon King?
Joke’s on who.
How could the Virtual Universe Company possibly fear the Blood Demon King? To such a colossal entity, the Blood Demon King was merely a lump of dough—shaped round or flattened at their whim!
“Too much! Too much!!!” The Blood Demon King bellowed in fury, his rage boiling beyond control.
“I have always declared—I bestowed upon you all the dominion over star systems, and though you may rule them as you see fit, you must never cross the forbidden boundary,” the Blood Demon King turned his gaze toward the eighteen Celestial Immortals at his side. “Now behold Aplurad and Iso—witness the fate that befalls them. Let this be a lesson etched into your very souls.”
“We understand,” the eighteen Immortal Deities replied respectfully.
“My Lord,” spoke one of the stout Immortal Deities with reverence. “The decree from the Virtual Universe Company declared that Luo Feng of the Primal Secret Realm would preside over their trial. The ultimate fate of Aplurad and the other twenty-one lies solely in Luo Feng’s hands. A mere Domain Lord—surely, if Your Lordship exerts but a fraction of your majesty, he would not dare defy you. He would undoubtedly show leniency, perhaps even pronounce them innocent.”
“Hmm.”
The Blood Demon King let out a low growl. “That stands to reason. I hardly believe that young Luo Feng would dare act rashly before me! In any case, Aplurad and Iso have sworn their allegiance to me. I must do everything in my power to safeguard their lives.”
Such solitary powerhouses often showed greater favor to their subordinates.
When someone pledges loyalty to you, you bear the responsibility of a leader. If Aplurad and Iso had pledged their loyalty, and he couldn’t even protect their lives, although his subordinates wouldn’t dare speak out, their blind loyalty would surely wane, weakening internal cohesion.
…
Six days later.
A dark spacecraft emerged within the star system orbiting the Blood Demon Star.
“Prince Luo Feng, look—there’s the Blood Demon Star,” the white-browed old winged man gestured into the distance.
Luo Feng looked ahead. In the distant starry sky, a planet entirely bathed in crimson light floated. Even from afar, its mere sight sent chills down one’s spine.
Whoosh!
The spacecraft swiftly closed in on the Blood Demon King Star. As the distance shrank, colossal mountain-like formations emerged across the planetary surface. Externally, the celestial body betrayed no traces of technological sophistication. These monumental edifices were all constructed to mimic natural mountain ranges, yet their interiors remained utterly cavernous.
“Whoosh!” The ship pierced through the atmosphere, heading straight toward the grandest palace on the entire planet.
“Prince Luo Feng, that is the Blood Demon Palace,” the ancient winged elder gestured once more. The grandest palace loomed amidst a constellation of lesser structures. Though deemed “small,” each of these satellite palaces spanned several kilometers in diameter, forming a majestic ring around the central citadel.
In front of the grand palace stood a plaza spanning dozens of kilometers. Thousands of powerful beings stood in perfect formation. The weakest among them were Star Sovereigns. At the forefront stood a deity clad in crimson battle armor, whose oppressive and bloodthirsty aura could be felt even through the spaceship.
Whoosh!
The spaceship slowly descended, landing on the plaza. The hatch opened.
The old winged man, Luo Feng, Dylan, and two others disembarked.
“Hail, Lord Blood Demon,” the ancient winged elder inclined his head with a measured bow before presenting, “Behold the scion of our Primal Secret Realm—Crown Prince Luo Feng.”
(Note: I’ve rendered “魔王” as “Lord Blood Demon” to maintain the dark fantasy aesthetic while avoiding direct use of “Devil King” which might carry unintended connotations. The structure follows formal fantasy courtly introductions, with “prodigy” elevated to “scion” to imply noble lineage. The archaic “Hail” and measured cadence enhance the ceremonial tone.)
Luo Feng gave a slight bow as well, paying his respects to the elder while discreetly studying the Blood Demon King. Though the Blood Demon King had restrained his aura to avoid overwhelming Luo Feng, the faint traces of power radiating from his crimson battle armor still carried the weight of an endless ocean of blood.
His face was hidden behind a helmet visor, making it difficult to see his features.
“So you’re Luo Feng?” The Blood Demon King roared with laughter. “Trueyan has indeed taken in an outstanding disciple. I heard you recently interfered with the Blood Demon Trial in the Weli Star System under my command?”
Luo Feng was momentarily taken aback but quickly replied, “Yes…”
“Haha, no need to explain.”
The Blood Demon Sovereign waved his hand dismissively. “A mere Blood Demon Trial is insignificant. Over countless eons, innumerable trials have been conducted across the myriad star systems of my Dutuo Star Domain. Missing one—or even ten—matters not in the slightest.”
His stature and vision set him apart. To the Blood Demon Sovereign, such trials were trivial affairs. Yet for his underlings, the Blood Demon Trials were matters of grave importance—how could they dare treat them with anything less than absolute diligence?
“This Blood Demon King appears rather magnanimous,” mused Luo Feng inwardly. “Yet he was compelled to apprehend twenty-one of his finest lieutenants, among them two Celestial Immortals. Any self-respecting man would be incensed. It’s possible he genuinely disregards a handful of trials, but my interference struck at his very honor. I suspect his proclaimed indifference is but a facade.”
With this thought in mind, Luo Feng outwardly showed profound gratitude. “Thank you, Blood Demon King, for your understanding.”
“Of course, of course. You serve the Virtual Universe Company’s will. Yet even as you fulfill your obligations, the power of choice remains yours,” the Blood Demon King chuckled darkly. “Do we have an accord?”
The old winged man interjected, “Prince Luo Feng indeed holds great authority. Whether those 21 individuals receive the death penalty, imprisonment, or are declared not guilty—all depends on Prince Luo Feng’s decision.”
“This old fellow—”
Luo Feng was instantly furious.
“Prince Luo Feng indeed wields immense power, hahahaha…” The Blood Demon King roared with laughter, his crimson gaze fixed intently upon Luo Feng.
Over a hundred Immortal Deities under his command who had arrived also turned to look at Luo Feng. Thousands of Star Sovereigns followed suit, all eyes fixed on him.
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