Ordinarily, a One-Star Fiend assessment took some time to arrange.
The Fiend Fortress would first select an appropriate mission from the countless tasks posted by others.
The content of these missions was never fixed—it varied based on what was available.
Once enough candidates had gathered for a mission, the assessment would officially begin.
For low-tier One-Star missions, it didn't really matter if a few extra candidates joined at the last moment.
So Sadius and Emilin had perfect timing, managing to catch today's Fiend assessment.
"Today at noon, gather in front of Blackcloud City's main gate. The designated examiners will be waiting there for you."
The staff handed assessment sigils to both of them.
They glanced at the time. Noon wasn't far off, but they still had enough time to make it.
After leaving the Fiend Fortress, the two went straight toward the city gate.
The guards stationed there stopped them, but after seeing the Fiend assessment sigils, they were allowed through without issue.
Outside the city walls, a massive metallic lifeform was already waiting.
Standing beside it was a Highgod, who immediately noticed the sigils in Sadius and Emilin's hands.
"Fiend assessment candidates, over here! Time's almost up—we depart on schedule!"
The two flew over without delay.
The Highgod examiner checked their sigils, then gestured for them to board the metallic lifeform.
Inside, they saw it was filled entirely with Midgods.
Judging from the setup, it seemed only this compartment housed Midgod participants.
The Highgod candidates were clearly gathered in a different section.
This alone told Sadius that this assessment wouldn't be simple.
When the clock struck noon, a supervising Highgod Fiend from the Fiend Fortress entered the metallic lifeform and sealed the door.
"Everyone, let me explain the task for this assessment."
"Two million miles from Blackcloud City lies a mountain range. A group of Fiend bandits have entrenched themselves there. They've repeatedly ambushed and slaughtered passing Highgods. Your mission is to kill the Midgod Fiends within their ranks and bring back their Fiend Badges as proof. I'll be waiting here in the metallic lifeform for your return."
The announcement stunned many.
"Fiends… acting as bandits?"
A group of candidates couldn't believe what they were hearing.
After all, in Infernal Realm, becoming a Fiend was a symbol of strength and status.
Why would anyone with such prestige stoop to becoming a mere robber?
The supervising Highgod Fiend continued calmly:
"This Fiend assessment is different from usual—it's more difficult. The insignia you bring back will determine your rank. If you kill a Two-Star Fiend bandit, you pass as a Two-Star Fiend. If you kill a Three-Star, you'll be certified as Three-Star, and so on."
The crowd grew restless.
Everyone knew most Midgod Fiends were One- or Two-Star rank, while Three-Star Fiends were rare even among Midgods, true elites.
And Four-Star Fiends? Almost always Highgods.
So, did this mean… they could directly achieve Three-Star Fiend status in a single mission?
"My lord, does this mean there will also be Highgod Fiend bandits present?" someone asked nervously.
"Yes," the supervisor nodded, "but you don't have to worry. The Highgod bandits will be handled by Highgod Fiend candidates. Your focus is on the Midgod Fiends."
Sadius frowned slightly.
What kind of situation could drive so many Fiends to abandon their status and turn to banditry?
Something about today's mission felt off.
Twenty days later, the metallic lifeform finally came to a halt.
"Alright, everyone, assemble!"
The resting Midgods were awoken by the supervising Highgod Fiend.
"We've arrived at the destination—the Extreme Dao Mountain Range.
Everyone, disembark."
One by one, the Midgod candidates flew out.
Only then did they finally see the Highgod Fiend candidates who had traveled alongside them.
There were six Highgods, each wearing a Fiend Badge.
Normally, you couldn't tell a Fiend's rank just by looking at their insignia.
But among the Midgods, some recognized one or two of the Highgods immediately.
"That's a Five-Star Fiend! I saw him during my last assessment!"
"What?! If this mission needs a Five-Star Fiend… then even the weakest enemies, we'll face must at least be Five-Star-level Highgods!"
Someone else added with a grim face:
"And if all six Highgods here are Five-Star Fiends, could it mean the enemy might include a Six-Star Fiend?!"
The crowd felt an oppressive weight settle over them.
A Six-Star Fiend was an absolute monster—their combat methods and hidden trump cards were overwhelmingly deadly.
If a Six-Star Fiend unleashed a devastating technique, entire groups of Midgod candidates could be wiped out in an instant.
The supervising Highgod clapped once to get everyone's attention.
"Enough chatter. Here's how the operation works: You'll pretend to be a traveling merchant caravan. That's the only way to lure the bandits into attacking. Then, you strike."
The six Highgod Fiend candidates nodded.
They each withdrew metallic lifeforms from their spatial rings.
All six lifeforms were identical in model and appearance—designed to mimic merchant convoy ships perfectly.
"Each metallic lifeform will carry a batch of Midgods," the Highgods ordered.
Groups were quickly divided, and everyone boarded.
Soon, six merchant-like metallic lifeforms flew toward the Extreme Dao Mountain Range.
This mountain range was located between Blackcloud City and the Amethyst Mountains, a major trade route.
Countless caravans passed through it daily.
Tens of thousands of years ago, a powerful bandit group suddenly appeared here, targeting only caravans.
Even convoys escorted by Highgod Fiends had been ambushed successfully.
Therefore, merchants had posted Fiend Fortress missions, pleading for someone to eliminate this scourge.
Upon investigation, it was discovered that the bandit group was composed of many Midgod Fiends and even several powerful Highgod Fiends.
It wasn't surprising, really.
Outside the cities of Infernal Realm, there was no law, no order.
Only the Sovereign's armies and Prefecture troops could impose control—otherwise, slaughter was free game.
The six metallic lifeforms flew brazenly over the Extreme Dao Mountain Range.
It didn't take long before a powerful divine sense locked onto them.
"Attention, caravan Gods! Hand over all your belongings, and we'll spare your lives!"
Almost instantly, four Highgod bandits emerged from the mountains, followed by over a hundred Midgods.
Within the convoy, Sadius' voice quietly reached Emilin:
"Emilin, I've scanned their ranks. Not every Midgod has a Fiend Badge. But the number of Midgod bandits is still twice as many as our candidates. Be careful."
Sadius' soul strength far surpassed normal Midgods, and his unique soul nature allowed him to probe almost silently, undetected by most.
Only the most elite Highgods could possibly sense his probing.
Emilin nodded in understanding.
"All candidates, prepare for battle!"
The Highgod Fiend candidates transmitted their commands telepathically.
In the next instant, the six Highgod Fiends burst out of the convoy, taking to the skies.
Moments later, the metallic lifeforms disgorged the Midgod candidates.
"Kill!"
One of the Highgod bandit leaders sneered:
"So, you're not merchants after all.
The Fiend Fortress finally sent candidates after all these years!
Hahaha! Brothers, kill them all!"
In an instant, countless divine auras flared, and a blindingly chaotic slaughter erupted across the sky.
--
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