Chapter 1920: Chapter 178: Return of the Dragon King!
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Frontier battlefield, Dongqian Defense Region.
Compared to the Immortal No. 3 Frontier War Zone, the Dongqian Defense Zone is clearly not of the same caliber.
The boundary gap defended by Dongqian is very small, with structural strength only enough for Transcendent Void Realm to shuttle within. If a stronger individual exceeds the limit and attempts to traverse, it could potentially cause a space collapse, leading to catastrophic space storms.
Just like Dongqian compared to the Immortal Dynasty, the Dongqian Defense Zone among many frontier defense zones is considered remote. Not only is the gap small, it is also in a remote location, even the attack intensity from the frontier demonic army is weak, "only" requiring the pressure of repelling three Demonic King Fortresses.
Nevertheless, since Da Qian’s founding, this defense zone has experienced countless crises, with countless human race elites sacrificing on the battlefield.
It wasn’t until Emperor Longchang began vigorously promoting the military and Prominent Family system, injecting a large proportion of national tax revenue into military construction, greatly enhancing Da Qian’s military strength, did the situation gradually improve.
This is also Emperor Longchang’s long-standing accomplishment he takes pride in.
Precisely because of this, when Wang Shouzhe "privately criticized and attacked" the military and Prominent Family system, it hit the Great Emperor’s "sensitive spot," enraging Emperor Longchang, wanting to lash out at Wang Shouzhe, to tell him "You know nothing, yet dare to criticize national policies?"
Don’t underestimate the "mere" three Demonic King Fortresses.
In fact, each Demonic King Fortress governs a vast demonic clan territory, commanding numerous demonic soldiers, representing a large military power governing a region.
Da Qian’s ability to withstand the combined offensive of three Demonic King Fortresses is already quite remarkable.
The [Dragon Elephant Demon Lord Fortress], is one of the Demonic King Fortresses entangled with Da Qian for a long time. Under its command are more than a dozen demonic clan lords, each possessing an independent territory, exercising absolute authority within their dominion.
[Unicorn Ridge].
Unicorn Ridge is the territory under the jurisdiction of the Unicorn Overlord.
This is a severely weathered and eroded barren land, with poor soil, backward technology, and always shrouded under the clouds of war, where low-level demons struggle to survive.
On this land, thousands of lower-level demons are gathered. They are the wealth of the Unicorn Overlord, engaged in farming, breeding, and mining smelting.
"Pa! You useless bunch, hurry up and dig. If you don’t dig out a hundred demon crystals today, all food is confiscated!"
In a demon crystal mining area, a small boss of the demonic clan is waving a bone whip, urging the demonic clan miners to excavate demon crystals.
This demon crystal mine has few reserves, and is very barren, with not many demon crystals excavated in a day, and most being of very low quality.
But what does it matter? Low-level demons are nothing more than consumables.
Among the demonic clans, the hierarchy between demons is severe and distinct.
Lower-level demons have no rights whatsoever, no dominion, no ownership rights, not even autonomous mating rights. Most lower-level demons are merely wealth-generating tool demons, or cannon fodder on the battlefield, fully controlled by their lords.
From the moment they emerge from the demon nest, most are destined to a life of misery.
Only a very few demons can, amidst the hardship of daily life, be extremely fortunate to awaken a higher-grade demonic bloodline. From the moment of awakening, they are selected from among the lower-level demons and trained to become bosses.
And this fortunate few who barely escape being lower-level often intensify their exploitation of others of their kind, for they need even more to curry favor with upper-level demons compared to those born with noble bloodline.
"Plop~!"
A robust lower-level demon swung a mining pick and unearthed a large chunk of ore.
As the ore rolled over, a hint of dark brilliance flashed by.
It was overjoyed, picked up the ore to examine, and saw that the back of the ore was half embedded with a fist-sized black demon crystal, exuding a pure and dense demonic qi.
"This is, a middle grade demon crystal ore!"
The lower-level demon joyfully "walla walla" shouted, immediately drawing the attention of the boss.
The boss raised its hand, struck a whip, and tore the skin of the lower-level demon, silencing it before picking up the ore for inspection, nodding with satisfaction, "Very good, should be able to split into three middle-grade demon crystals."
The other lower-level demons sighed in relief.
Today, they wouldn’t go hungry.
Plus, as per usual practice, finding a middle grade demon crystal grants extra food rewards.
"Walla walla!" The lower-level demon protested loudly, "Eight pieces, can break into eight pieces."
"Snap snap snap!"
What greeted it was a series of bone whip lashes from the boss.
As it whipped, the boss cursed, "A worthless low-level like you counts? I said three pieces, so three pieces it is."
The lower-level demon was beaten, curled up on the ground, not daring to resist, only protecting its vital parts while being whipped. But still dissatisfied, loudly arguing, "I learned demon crystal cutting and arithmetic with Old Hillfoot, can break at least eight."
Naturally, the boss whipped harder.
"You trash, trying to rebel? Dare to talk back to me?!"
"Though I’m a lower-level demon, I’m also the Unicorn Overlord’s personal wealth. If you kill me for embezzling middle grade demon crystals, you’ll have a bad end," the lower-level demon fiercely roared.