Chapter 1077: Chapter 1064: Finally, I Can Put Down the Burden and Stop Working Chapter 1077: Chapter 1064: Finally, I Can Put Down the Burden and Stop Working Muria used source power to cheat and enhance his own strength, but he did not use source power to directly increase it. The reason his power could explosively grow was due to the Heart of Balrog he possessed.

However, the Heart of the Flame Demon was considered a foreign object in this world, deemed a “forbidden item.” Although its power was partially compatible with Muria’s Yama, normally, integration would still not be possible.

At this time, Muria used source power to overcome these barriers. The slight amount of source power he expended allowed the Heart of the Flame Demon not to be rejected by the world, and also eliminated the rejection between the Heart of the Flame Demon and his body.

This consumption was much less than if Muria had directly used source power to increase his strength, making it the wisest choice. Directly using source power to increase strength would be too naïve!

…

“This power crystal is of no use to me now.” Muria looked at the black and red crystal in his hand, given to him by the unremarkable old man hired by Ferdinand as a reward for his sincere study over this period.

In fact, Muria would receive one of these crystals every three months on average, very consistently. Before he started cheating with source power, he had a strong desire for these crystals.

But now, he hardly felt anything for these power crystals. They were still tempting, but the temptation had shifted from a lavish feast to a mere optional dessert after a meal.

“Oh well, a mosquito’s leg is still flesh.” Muria weighed the crystal in his hand then opened his mouth and swallowed it whole. He didn’t bother to absorb it slowly; it wasn’t necessary.

After swallowing the crystal this time, his body underwent no changes, as the growth it could have provided was negligible compared to his current power.

Outside Muria’s cottage, the Cloud Sea surged. The elderly man in hemp clothing quietly watched, but soon, his brows gradually furrowed because he didn’t feel the usual power fluctuations.

…

“Tell me, what exactly happened when you took Arnold out last time? Why did he come back so changed?”

The woman, whose body was made of clouds, approached the giant sitting cross-legged on the cliff, lost in thought, and challenged him.

“What are you talking about? What change?” The giant feigned ignorance in response to Yunnu’s accusation.

“Amman, stop hiding it. You don’t have the talent for this. It’s not just Arnold who has changed; there’s also a big problem with you.” Steam condensed beside the giant, and then an old man appeared, his hands behind his back, standing upright and looking down over the ever-shifting Cloud Sea with the air of a master. At this moment, he lost his previous mediocrity and displayed his sharpness.

“Me? What problem could I have?” The giant was confused.

“Don’t you feel it? Haven’t you been coming here to daydream too frequently?” Yunnu interjected.

“So, tell me, what did you encounter when you took Arnold out that day?” The old man’s sharp eyes fixed on the giant, for after that return, he felt that Arnold seemed completely different, as if he had been replaced.

“We didn’t encounter anything; I just took him to play in a nearby city for a bit,” the giant hesitated, then responded.

“The nearest city? I’ve already checked; it has become a dead city, without even a single corpse.” The Cloud Sea atop the cliff tumbled more violently, like the ocean before a storm.

“What exactly are you plotting? Or rather, what is the Arnold you brought back planning?”

“Ah!” Hearing the old man’s words, the giant turned to look at him, his expression somewhat stunned. He realized only then that the old man must have sensed Muria’s immense power and believed that the real Arnold had been replaced.

Thinking he had it all figured out yet suspecting the old man of misunderstanding, the giant was somewhat incredulous. “Your Excellency Beck, you are mistaken. I can assure you that Arnold is still the same one; no one could impersonate him.”

“How can you be so sure? It seems you know something we don’t.” Yunnu eyed the giant.

“Amman, if you don’t speak up, I will have to personally test Arnold myself,” the old man sighed softly and revealed his plan. Having had Ferdinand’s most outstanding son entrusted to him, he certainly could not let Ferdinand be disappointed.

“Don’t.” Remembering the overwhelming power Muria had displayed, the giant quickly spoke up.

“Well then, tell us what’s with that young fellow Arnold?” Yunnu urged impatiently.

“I can’t tell; I’ve already promised. I cannot disclose this information to you; I must keep it secret.” Amman firmly shook his head, refusing.

“You, sigh.” The old man sighed. His body began to fade as he prepared to personally test Muria himself.

“If you had doubts, why didn’t you just ask me directly? Why pressure him?” Just then, a slightly immature but clear voice rang out. The old man and Yunnu turned around, only to see a figure suddenly appearing behind them, staring at them with a calm gaze.

“Indeed, you are different from before.” Observing Muria, who stood suspended in the air, the old man’s eyes grew sharper, like two cold stars.

“Last time I went out with Amman, we encountered a ghost creature at its Sixth Awakening. I was counting on Amman to repel it, but he was useless and got defeated by the ghost, so I had no choice but to take action myself.”

Muria described calmly, “He happened to witness the entire process, so after I killed that ghost, I asked him to keep it a secret for me.”

“Wait, you mean to say that the ghost Amman couldn’t beat was killed by you?” Yunnu was somewhat astonished. She was sure this was the most absurd thing she had ever heard since she was born.

“Exactly.”

“How is that possible?”

“There’s nothing impossible. Given the pressure this young man is exerting on me now, a Sixth Awakening ghost creature is probably something he could crush effortlessly.”

The old man looked solemn. Among the three, his strength was the greatest, but even he felt a pressure from Muria as if a thorn was at his back.

“What exactly is your strength level?”

“Not sure,” Muria answered very sincerely, “I also don’t know how strong I am now, but I am certain that I am stronger than all three of you combined.”

Hearing Muria’s response, even the thick-skinned Yunnu couldn’t help but feel dumbfounded, as if she were in a dream; otherwise, how could she believe such an absurd statement?

“Seventh Awakening?” Hearing Muria’s words, the old man frowned and asked.

“I don’t know,” Muria shook his head. He was also unsure about what level his strength had reached after integrating the Heart of the Flame Demon, because he had skipped many steps to reach there instantly.

“…” The old man remained silent to Muria’s response, taking it as an excuse. How could anyone not know how many times they had awakened?

“Can I see your true form?” Instead of asking further, the old man made another request.

To this request, Muria readily agreed. He too wanted to know at what level his power stood in this world now.

Scorching Flames emerged around Muria’s body, wrapping him completely. With one step, the originally short human figure vanished, and in its place stood a divine demon with horns reaching into the clouds, emanating a potent aura of destruction.

Broad Demonic Wings stretched out behind him, his thick tail swaying. Chains made purely of flames coiled around his left arm, and in his right hand, he held a Greatsword that continuously dripped lava.

The old man, Yunnu, and the giant were somewhat dumbfounded as they looked at the nearly hundred-meters-tall demon god before them. Actually, they weren’t stunned, but were rather enveloped by the aura emitting from Muria, a presence of a higher life form, which made them feel oppressed.

“It wasn’t this big last time I saw it,” the giant muttered, finding a reason for Muria’s change in size—it must have been because he devoured that powerful ghost.

“How can he be so strong?” Yunnu, having recovered, was even more baffled. She could accept Muria’s strength, but she couldn’t fathom why someone so young possessed such power.

“I see.” After the initial shock, the old man regained his composure. He was well-experienced, so he remained calm and collected at this moment.

“Since you have such power, there is no need for us to continue teaching you; it would just be a waste of time.”

…

In the Royal Court of the Gai Nation, in a small palace completely sealed off with molten bronze, a faint yet thrilling fluctuation suddenly appeared. This fluctuation rapidly spread from the palace to the entire Royal Palace, alarming countless beings within.

“Hmm?” Sitting on the Throne, Ferdinand, who was preparing for a war with his ministers and generals, immediately looked up, an involuntary smile appearing on his face upon sensing the fluctuation.

“Truly worthy of being my finest offspring, to have fulfilled my requirement in such a short time, and even brought those three back with him. It looks like I no longer need to keep up the pretense.”

With that thought, Ferdinand stood up from his Throne, no longer interested in continuing his discussions with his ministers and generals. He waved his Subjects away and hurriedly went to greet Arnold’s return.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read