Chapter 977: Ignoring Judgment!
Each kingdom's legions had long compiled detailed intel on every Demon Sovereign's skills, allowing members to access it at any time.
The more you understand the enemy's abilities, the higher your odds of victory.
All the Professionals who'd fought Demon Sovereigns before had exchanged their lives for that knowledge.
For the powerful Judgment Demon Sovereign, of course he received special attention.
His various previously used skills were recorded and studied.
So…
When the members of the Demon-Slaying and Amethyst Legions saw the crimson loading bar above Judgment Demon Sovereign's head, they instantly knew he was activating the skill known as 'Judgment Descends.'
Judgment Descends.
Once the bar completes, a Judgment Domain forms over the battlefield.
Within the domain, Judgment Demon Sovereign gets five chances to pass judgment.
And since it's called judgment…
It's based on the character's "Malice Value."
That's what makes 'Judgment Descends' so terrifying.
The "Malice Value" mechanic exists in many games, and in this fusion of game and reality, it's real.
Malice is generated by doing bad things.
Stealing, killing players in the wild, arson, looting—any act classified as evil raises it.
What kind of Professional grows up without doing anything bad?
Even lying can add 1 point.
Max malice is 1000 points.
Doing good reduces it. Doing evil raises it.
Originally…
This mechanic didn't seem very useful.
Some suggested using it to identify criminals—but player info is private, and even high-level Professionals can't see lower-level stats.
So tracking criminals via malice is nonsense.
Most Professionals hide their malice levels too.
Otherwise, people would immediately treat them with caution.
Also…
There are cases where killing or stealing doesn't raise malice.
Like self-defense, duels, official competitions, retaliation, etc.
It all depends on the Heavenly Dao.
That is, the world's Order judgment system.
Equivalent to a game's system.
If the Order says you broke the rules, then you did.
But this Order is far more reliable than any man-made game system.
Because this one wasn't made by humans.
Back to the point…
Just how terrifying is this 'Judgment Descends' skill?
In the domain, anyone with over 100 malice instantly dies.
Over 50 malice? All stats drop by 50%, including HP.
Over 30 malice? All stats drop by 30%.
10 or lower? You gain a 20% boost to all stats.
And also…
Anyone with more than 30 malice can be judged directly by Judgment Demon Sovereign.
The result? Instant death or at least halving of combat power and serious injury.
This skill strikes terror in all Professionals—because nearly everyone has more than 30 malice.
Very few stay under 30.
As they say…
Who hasn't done a few bad things growing up?
Any wrongdoing adds to malice.
Normal Professionals sit between 30-100.
Over 100 means they likely have blood on their hands.
Over 300? International criminal.
Over 500? World enemy—like the Demon Arrival Organization's High Priest.
At 1000…
No one's ever reached it.
Because at that level, privacy settings mean nothing—everyone sees a severe warning.
With most Professionals sitting at 30-100 malice…
This skill is insanely powerful.
"Judgment Demon Sovereign is even harder to deal with than Ten Thousand Blades!"
"Once that skill activates, even Commander Ling Zhan will be hurt, right?"
"We have to interrupt the cast!"
"You can't—unless your silence skill outranks his, it won't work!"
"Why do you all assume Commander Ling Zhan's malice is over 30?"
At that moment, someone questioned the assumption.
With that question…
Everyone instantly went quiet.
They looked at each other, eyes full of realization.
That's right!
Would Commander Ling Zhan really have over 30 malice?
Some began recalling all their time around him.
Reflecting on his character.
The more they thought, the more shocked they were.
Ling Zhan might really…
Have under 30 malice!
In their eyes, Commander Ling Zhan had always been extremely disciplined—never skipping morning training.
And…
They just now realized they had never seen him angry.
Every time they saw him, he was calm and composed—like he wouldn't flinch if the sky collapsed.
A man so disciplined, composed, and unselfish… how could he have high malice?
At the very least…
None of them could picture him doing something shady.
They couldn't even imagine it.
"Wait, doesn't that mean 'Judgment Descends' won't harm him—instead it'll give him a 20% boost?"
"Technically, yes. For someone with low malice, this domain is actually a buff."
"Haha! Let the Judgment Demon Sovereign cast it! He'll be left speechless!"
The legion members burst out laughing.
Meanwhile, on the battlefield…
Just as the legion had said…
When Ling Zhan saw the Judgment Demon Sovereign start his cast, he didn't even care—instead, he turned and charged toward Ten Thousand Blades, whose HP had dropped to 45%!
This scene left Judgment Demon Sovereign furious!
That bastard!
He was ignoring him!
As if his 'Judgment Descends' meant nothing!