"Two or three days in hiding will suffice," Duge said. "Once I acquire what I desire, I will find a new place to settle them."

Long Yichen hesitated for a moment but couldn't help saying, "Senior, it will take years to cultivate these children..."

"Village Master Long, they are of known background and ostracized by the world; there is no better foundation than them," Duge glanced at him sideways, cutting him off. "Whether in martial arts or cultivation, one must start building the foundation from a young age. Even if you were to offer me a ready-made group, I wouldn't want it!"

"But their talents vary greatly, and some of them are handicapped," Long Yichen said.

"It's precisely because they have experienced the most severe suffering in the mortal world that they will put forth more effort in both cultivation and martial arts than ordinary people. I believe these children will achieve boundless success," Duge said dismissively. "Village Master Long, you just need to follow my orders; don't concern yourself with anything else."

Sigh!

Watching the stubborn Duge, Long Yichen sighed silently and ceased to argue.

He saw through it; the issue of talent was an excuse. Duge simply didn't have the heart to kill these children.

It was ironic that the princes of the court would use these children to make Evil Devices for the sake of succession, while an Alien Demon from the outside world chose to rescue them with a moment of compassion.

To oppose Prince Duan for their sakes?

The irony was not lost on him...

At this moment, Long Yichen couldn't quite distinguish who was righteous and who was villainous anymore.

...

At this time.

Duge was looking at his personal panel; after leaving Sword Thirteen and the others, the panel flickered and a new skill appeared.

Bloody Hand, Buddhist Heart: Punishing the wicked grants you the Power of Merit; killing the innocent subtracts the Power of Merit and adds the Power of Evil Karma;

What the hell?

Is this a skill that can be farmed through brutality?

What use is the Power of Merit if "brutality" is a keyword in his profile, destined for countless killings---can he really achieve immortality, enlightenment, or holiness in this world?

And as for the Power of Evil Karma?

With his nature, how could he possibly kill the innocent?

And besides!

If a prince willing to kill for his throne creates the Soul Suppressing Vase, an Evil Device, could he truly be a good emperor if he ascended the throne?

Innocent people?

A touch of irony flashed in Duge's eyes. He looked up at the sky and mused that perhaps this was really a world where the wicked ruled.

However.

Merit is always a good thing in any tale, and this newly emerged skill, although lacking in attack and defense, seems quite suitable for him.

A Big Demon endowed with the Power of Merit?

When those from the righteous sects come to pursue him and see his aura of Merit, it will probably shatter their worldviews!

...

The hour had slipped by, and it was early morning. As the pre-dawn light began to show in the east and the sky was about to brighten, Long Yichen couldn't help asking, "Senior, are we really not going to seek refuge with Prince Su? Once daylight comes and the rich and noble don't return home, someone will surely come to Dragon Willow Villa for information. So many died, it's a staggering case, it may even draw Qi Refiners to investigate, and your identity..."

"I'm actually waiting for them," Duge smiled and looked at Long Yichen. "Village Master Long, siding with Prince Su might topple Prince Duan, but after that? Are you sure Prince Su will still need you? With so many influential figures dead at Dragon Willow Villa, do you think Prince Su would offer you up to quell the anger of their families, and also to win hearts in one move?"

"..."

Long Yichen's expression changed dramatically.

"Village Master Long, you must think three steps ahead in your actions. Short-sightedness will leave you dead without knowing how," Duge shook his head with a smile. "Remember, in this world, you can only ever count on yourself."

Gulp!

Long Yichen swallowed hard: "That's true, but we..."

"What about us?" Duge interrupted him again, "Village Master Long, Qi Refiners aren't as frightening as you think. With the Soul Suppressing Vase, I'm confident in taking down one or two by myself. If we capture them, our power grows even further. There's a saying: 'Whether king or beggar, isn't it all about one's lineage?' Think about my identity, perhaps we can claim a spot in this world too!"

Chaos Demon!

Long Yichen looked at the smiling Duge in surprise, realizing his plan. In a moment, his heart pounded and his breathing stopped.

...

Indeed.

After Long Yichen mentioned the Dragon Vein Protection held by the emperor, which endows the right to confer titles upon Mountain Gods and the lands, Duge changed his previous plan and considered seizing the throne for himself.

With the identity of an Alien Warrior and the physique of a child, entering a Cultivation Sect was as difficult as ascending to the heavens. Instead of painstakingly figuring out how to conceal his identity to enter the Immortal Sect, it would be better to set his sights on competing for this world and become a self-made emperor.

He had read the history books; this world goes through dynastic changes. If fortune favored him and he acquired Dragon Vein Protection...

Which Cultivator would dare to oppose him?

Wouldn't they fear the backlash?

As for whether a self-made emperor would be recognized by the Heavenly Court, that remained to be seen, but first things first.

Having devastated Dragon Willow Villa, it meant he could no longer continue lurking in the shadows. His keyword "brutality" was inherently at odds with the way of lurking.

An emperor protected by the Dragon Vein can't cultivate Immortal Techniques, but surely his Divine Power isn't considered an Immortal Technique?

Of course.

Duge didn't plan to give up on Immortal Techniques. Not being able to enter an Immortal Sect didn't mean he couldn't practice cultivation---the scattered Qi Refiners serving princes were teachers in themselves. What if his Alien Warrior identity could harmonize both Immortal Techniques and Dragon Vein power?

Duge believed that with his ability, as long as he captured the Qi Refiners, prying cultivation techniques from them shouldn't be a problem.

To seek refuge with Prince Su and entrust his destiny to another? Impossible!