Boom!
A deafening roar sounded, and a hundred-meter-high sand pillar shot into the sky, causing the desert created by Naseem to shake violently.
At the same time, a pleasant notification sound rang in Tatsuma's ear.
[Congratulations on successfully defeating Edelweiss, you have obtained the gold trait: Sword God.]
[Sword God (Gold): Achieving divinity through the sword, sword talent +3000%, greatly increases physical stats and mental will when holding a sword, with a small chance of triggering the state of 'One With the Sword'.]
A gold sword trait, as expected.
After glancing at the effect of Sword God, Tatsuma raised his hand and snapped his fingers.
A magic array formed, and Edelweiss's figure quietly appeared.
Having taken a direct hit from Tatsuma, her condition was naturally not good. Her arms were covered in bloodstains, her aura was weak like a candle in the wind, but her eyes were still bright.
"Cough... I lost..."
"Yes, you lost."
Tatsuma used Senjutsu and the vast natural energy that had blocked Edelweiss's slash not long ago gathered and flowed into her body. Her shattered internal organs were restored, broken bones seamlessly reattached, and a vast life force continuously surged.
After a moment, the injuries on Edelweiss's body were completely healed, and she was restored to her original state.
"Such powerful Senjutsu, completely different from what I've seen before."
Edelweiss, fully healed, reached out and clenched her hands a couple of times before exclaiming.
"Naturally. Ordinary people's Senjutsu cannot compare to mine."
Tatsuma chuckled lightly, then took out two mutated Evil Pieces from his storage space.
"Edelweiss, it's time to fulfill the bet. According to our previous agreement, you now need to dedicate everything to me and join my Peerage."
Since she chose to bet against Tatsuma, Edelweiss was naturally prepared to lose. Receiving the Evil Pieces from Tatsuma, she integrated the two mutated Knight pieces into her body.
As Tatsuma expected, Edelweiss's potential was extremely vast. One mutated Knight piece was not enough. It wasn't until the second mutated Knight piece integrated into her body that Edelweiss completed the transformation.
For the growth of his Peerage members, Tatsuma would freely grant traits to unlock all their traits. Although she was a newcomer who had just joined, Edelweiss would be no exception.
Opening the trait inventory, Tatsuma carefully selected a purple trait.
[Trait granted successfully, click to view target's panel.]
Along with the notification sound, Edelweiss's aura began to soar in a straight line.
"My power... it's expanding!" Edelweiss's eyes widened slightly.
She was not unfamiliar with the ability to tap into potential.
Having traveled the world and seen various creatures and abilities, she was not unfamiliar with this.
To gain greater power, she had also tried it a few times, but the results were mostly average.
Such a significant awakening with results like Tatsuma's was the first time in history.
"Calm your mind and control your power."
After reminding her, Tatsuma checked Edelweiss's panel.
[Edelweiss]
[Race: Devil]
[Strength: Level 6]
[Traits: Teleportation (Purple), Knight (Red), Master Swordsman (Red), Sword Lover (Red), Desperado (Gold), Sword God (Gold), Scarred Order (Gold), Law of the Sword (Gold)]
[Teleportation (Purple): Consumes a certain amount of energy to quickly change coordinates for instant movement.]
[Knight (Red): Gathers the power of the mutated Knight piece, can convert one's race to Devil, and greatly increases physical stats and movement speed.]
[Master Swordsman (Red): Moderately increases sword swing speed and attack power, swordsmanship talent +1000%.]
[Sword Lover (Red): Greatly increases focus when holding a sword, swordsmanship talent +1500%.]
[Scarred Order (Gold): Injecting a certain amount of energy can summon the Device Testament, and gain the additional ability Scarred Order.]
[Law of the Sword (Gold): As a human, gain the blessing of the Law of the Sword, Training effect +1500%, swordsmanship talent +2000%, greatly increases attack power.]
Excluding the newly acquired Teleportation and Knight, Edelweiss's original traits were two red and four gold, and most were related to swordsmanship.
"No wonder she achieved such great accomplishments in the field of swordsmanship, truly enviable talent." Tatsuma couldn't help but exclaim.
However, after hearing his words, Edelweiss, who had just controlled the power within her body, was stunned for a moment, and had a subtle expression.
"You are too humble."
She admitted that her talent was amazing. However, before reaching her current level, she had put in countless efforts and sweat.
Counting it, it had taken at least nearly twenty years during this period, and she had fought against countless powerful enemies. The hardships involved were unknown to others.
And Tatsuma...
From initially showing his potential to now standing at the peak of the world, effortlessly blocking her strongest attack with one hand, the entire process didn't even take half a year.
When such a monster praises her talent, it feels like he's being sarcastic.
However, Tatsuma's tone and demeanor seemed to be sincere praise from the heart, which was a bit strange.
"Tatsuma, are you going to the MAR meeting?" Ravel walked over.
Not far away, Naseem's body was tense, his face filled with nervousness.
In the previous battle, he knew very well that Edelweiss hadn't used her full strength. But after Edelweiss activated Full Throttle and unleashed that sword that reversed cause and effect, Naseem realized how much the other party had held back in the battle.
And even such a powerful Edelweiss was instantly defeated by Tatsuma. The gap in strength between the two was simply too large, so large that Naseem felt despair.
All the little thoughts that emerged after surrendering vanished, and Naseem didn't even dare to think about running away now, preparing to completely dedicate the rest of his time to working.
Working is the way to the top!
"Hmm?"
Tatsuma glanced at Naseem in confusion.
Just a moment ago, he felt a sense of faith from the other party. For some reason, the other party had inexplicably become his believer.
"Never mind, it's all minor things."
After muttering to himself, Tatsuma didn't pay too much attention and instead replied to Ravel's invitation.
"Let's stay for a while, just in time to check on the recent situation."
"Great."
Ravel's lips curved upwards, and a happy smile appeared on her face.
"Follow me, the teleportation array is not far."
Underworld, Lucifer Palace.
A young man wearing winged sandals and holding a staff walked into the conference room.
Inside the conference room, Sirzechs and Azazel had already taken their seats.
"Long time no see, Hermes. You're still the same, no changes."
"Haha, Sirzechs, you look a lot more haggard though." Hermes raised his hand to greet them.
This wasn't his first time meeting Sirzechs. Due to some coincidences, the two had met several times in the Human World.
Hermes enjoyed feasting and playing.
Sirzechs usually had a good temper.
After meeting a few times, their relationship couldn't be said to be very good, but it wasn't bad either.
Sirzechs asked, "Hermes, you sent a visiting invitation yesterday saying you had important matters to discuss, can you reveal the content now?"
"Of course."
Hermes's expression became serious.
Under the gaze of Sirzechs and Azazel, he took out a letter. The letter emanated a faint divine power aura, with a lightning stamp in the center.
"Sirzechs, I have come on behalf of Zeus to deliver a challenge to the Red Dragon Emperor."
"Challenge?!" Sirzechs exclaimed.
"You're not joking, are you?" Azazel couldn't sit still and questioned with a frown.
"For such an important matter, of course I wouldn't joke." Hermes shrugged and threw the letter in his hand onto the conference table.
"Is it because of Hades?" Sirzechs reacted a beat slower.
Hermes nodded. "Yes, although the others and I don't really like that guy, he is still a member of the Greek Gods. No matter what, there are some things Zeus has to do."
Hermes stated Zeus's attitude.
It wasn't about hatred, nor was it deliberate retaliation. This challenge letter from Zeus represented the dignity of the Greek Gods. Being in his position, he must fulfill his duty.
Hades was at fault first in this matter, so Tatsuma retaliating against Hades was understandable. But after beating him half to death, he swaggered in and emptied Hades's treasury. This was like slapping the Greek Gods' face.
As the King of Gods, no matter the reason for this matter, Zeus had to step forward and do something.
And this challenge letter was the method Zeus came up with. Since Tatsuma liked to solve problems with strength, then they would fight head-on.