Blackcloud City, one of the ten great cities within Ziyang Prefecture.
Its current city lord, Blackcloud Fiend, was a relatively new Seven-Star Fiend who had risen to fame in Infernal Realm only within the past tens of thousands of years.
Blackcloud City had not originally borne this name. It was Renamed only after Blackcloud Fiend killed the previous city lord, the Extreme Intent Fiend, and took his place.
Sadius and his group finally arrived outside the massive walls of Blackcloud City.
To enter the city, each person had to pay one blackstone.
Of course, Zijing Army soldiers, Prefecture troops, and registered Fiends were exempt.
After paying the fee, Sadius and his group entered the city.
The difference between a Infernal Realm city and the tribes scattered outside was like night and day.
Inside the city, Gods of all levels bustled about—Lowergods, Midgods, and even quite a few Highgods could be seen walking openly on the streets.
The city itself was extremely prosperous, even more grand and orderly than the human capitals in the material planes.
After all, Infernal Realm's cities were built by Gods, which made construction far faster and sturdier than anything mortals could create.
Blackcloud City was only a thousand miles in radius, which was tiny compared to the over ten billion miles that made up all of Ziyang Prefecture.
This was because those who lived in the city were mostly powerful and wealthy Gods, capable of affording the expensive living costs.
Ordinary Gods simply couldn't afford to reside there.
Under Longdot's lead, the group walked toward a plaza where three massive fortresses stood side by side.
In Infernal Realm, every major city had these three fortresses.
From left to right, they were:
Black Sand Fortress, Fiend Fortress, and Zijing Fortress.
Black Sand Fortress functioned like Infernal Realm's black market organization—selling all manner of strange and often dangerous treasures.
Zijing Fortress was the official marketplace of the Amethyst Continent,
operating under the name of the Sovereign, so all prices were fair and transparent.
Most Gods came to Zijing Fortress for buying and selling.
Meanwhile, Fiend Fortress was where one took or issued Fiend missions—a place typically entered only by registered Fiends or those undergoing the Fiend assessment.
"Longdot, your performance during this trip has been good. This Midgod spark is yours. After you finish your business in Blackcloud City, return to the tribe. Emilin and I won't be going back."
"Thank you, Lord Sadius!"
Longdot accepted the Midgod spark, filled with gratitude.
Sadius had deliberately rewarded Longdot because he worried these Lowergods might encounter danger on their way back without him.
With a Midgod spark, Longdot could at least protect the group.
If they were careful, they should be able to return safely to the Thunderwing Tribe.
Longdot also knew Sadius and Emilin were planning to participate in the Fiend assessment.
Naturally, they wouldn't accompany them back to the tribe.
Previously, the Thunderwing Tribe's old chief was just an ordinary Midgod, so every trip to Blackcloud City was made cautiously,
which meant Longdot already knew somewhat safer routes—though it would take longer.
After parting ways with Longdot and the Lowergods, Sadius and Emilin walked toward Zijing Fortress.
They didn't have much blackstone on them—certainly not enough to register for the Fiend assessment.
So, they first needed to sell their Divine Sparks and artifacts to gather enough currency.
The first floor of Zijing Fortress was specifically for buying and selling Lowgod sparks and artifacts.
Sadius and Emilin quickly found their way there.
The main hall of the first floor was a kilometer long and wide,
lined with countless counters, each responsible for purchasing different types of treasures.
The two approached a counter specializing in Divine Sparks and artifacts.
After confirming the purchase prices, Sadius and Emilin began emptying their spatial rings.
Dozens of Lowgod sparks, more than ten Midgod sparks, hundreds of Lowgod artifacts, and over thirty Midgod artifacts were piled up.
Most of these items had been taken after the battle between Thunderwing Tribe and Heiyu Tribe, plus what they had looted from the bandits encountered on the journey.
Indeed, on the way to Blackcloud City, Sadius had already encountered four groups of bandits, all of whom he and Emilin had effortlessly annihilated.
Those bandits had only assumed there were two Midgods, never realizing Sadius, even as a Midgod, was far stronger than many Highgods.
In the end, they all became "contributions" to his wealth.
The mountain of items they laid out barely fazed the clerk, who was clearly used to this.
After carefully appraising everything, the clerk announced the total.
"Sirs, these Divine Sparks and artifacts together can be exchanged for 140,700 blackstones."
Sadius had no objections to the price.
Soon, the clerk handed him: one large blackstone tablet, four medium blackstone bars, and seven small blackstone bars.
Sadius then split half the blackstones with Emilin.
Even though Emilin hadn't contributed as much as he did, Sadius was never stingy with allies.
At that moment, Sadius noticed stone sculptures displayed inside the counter.
"Excuse me, do you also purchase stone sculptures here?"
"Yes, but only Grandmaster-level works. And even then, the price depends on the material quality."
The clerk handed Sadius a price sheet.
For example:
Even the simplest Blackjade stone sculpture fetched two blackstones.
Meaning five sculptures would equal the value of a Lowgod artifact!
Looking further down the list, he saw materials he didn't even recognize.
For example, a Sunflame Stone sculpture crafted by a Divine Craftsman could sell for five million blackstones.
Two of those could buy a Highgod spark!
"So, there's an even higher rank than Grandmaster—Divine Craftsman…"
Sadius sighed.
Unfortunately, the stone sculptures he carried in his spatial ring were just pieces he had carved on ordinary Yulan Continent stone, so they weren't worth anything here.
The Fiend assessment registration fee was just 10,000 blackstones,
so Sadius decided not to dwell on it and to first see what the Fiend Fortress had available.
While browsing, Emilin spotted soul gold beads displayed on a counter.
"Ten soul gold beads cost… a hundred thousand blackstones?"
He was stunned.
The fortune they had just made was only enough for one single soul gold bead.
"Enough. Don't get greedy. Once we get Highgod artifacts and sparks, buying soul gold beads will be easy."
After a brief tour of the fortress, they found nothing particularly useful for themselves.
So, the two left Zijing Fortress and walked toward the Fiend Fortress next door.
When they arrived at the Fiend Fortress, they indicated they were here to register for the Fiend assessment, and were led inside.
Compared to Zijing Fortress, Fiend Fortress was far less crowded.
But the atmosphere was very different—even the weakest there was a Midgod, clearly marking this as a place for true elites.
A female Midgod clerk noticed the two looking around.
She approached and asked:
"Are you two here to sign up for the Fiend assessment?"
"Yes. What's the process?"
"Please follow me. You're quite lucky—there's actually a Fiend assessment mission happening today, and there are still plenty of spots available."
The female Midgod led them to the registration area.
Each of them paid 10,000 blackstones.
Afterward, she began explaining the details.
Normally, to become even a One-Star Fiend, you had to wait for the fortress to compile candidates and missions.
But Sadius and Emilin were indeed fortunate—they didn't need to wait and could directly join today's mission.
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