Chapter 179: Resolute Determination

“There’s no problem with that. Our Dark Moon City can recommend five candidates, and the other three towns each have five spots—twenty people in total! We can definitely recommend you, but whether you can secure one of the final spots depends on your own abilities,” said Aida, nodding in agreement.
“But these people are all very strong—none of them weak. Everyone is jealous. With your current strength, it’ll be hard!” Eirwen rolled her eyes, seizing the opportunity to dampen Rod’s already high spirits.
“Very strong?” Rod asked, frowning under their intense gazes.
“Very strong!” Lilith replied decisively, crushing Rod’s last hopes.
“How strong?”
“Even those old monsters show up. It’s something members at the divine level really desire. Think about it yourself!” Lilith’s answer was indeed firm, as she looked at Rod with a smirk, seemingly enjoying the situation.
“Hmm, very strong. Every year, there are super-strong individuals emerging. Members from our three demon clans also participate! Your strength is barely at the bottom!” Aida sighed helplessly.
After this conversation, Rod almost felt like banging his head against something. He was already considered a member of the divine level. Outside the continent, he might not be among the top stronglings, but he could at least compete with those so-called top ten divine-level fighters. Why was he at the bottom here? It was hurtful to think about.
“So harsh?” Unwilling to give up, he asked again, with a glimmer of hope in his eyes.
“We have to be harsh!” Lilith continued her relentless criticism.
“Damn it!” Rod cursed fiercely, feeling the pressure mount.
“Hehe, kid, it’s good you got this chance. If I had the chance, I’d join too. Too bad I don’t!” Sognar added.
“You want to go?” Rod stared at Sognar, suspicious. This guy was already at the later stage of the divine level—was he still interested? It seemed things were really troublesome now.
“I definitely must. You don’t know the benefits. If you got the chance to visit the Netherworld, you’d understand. Not to mention me, even Lilith is dying to go. If our clan only had one spot and it weren’t hers, I bet she’d be crying and begging to go back!” Sognar said earnestly, ignoring Lilith, who was now furiously angry.

“Really?” Rod asked with a grim expression, looking at Lilith.
“It’s the truth. What do you think? Otherwise, why would those old guys show up? You know Lord Gary, right? He went in once, and after that, he reached that level, breaking free from the shackles of the divine realm. He wasn’t the only one—just imagine how many people are eager for that spot. It’s open once a year, and no more than thirteen people can enter each time. In the end, fewer than three actually make it into the Netherworld! And only one person benefits from it—that person will surely make a huge breakthrough. What do you think?” With a sigh, Lilith spoke helplessly, unable to hide her disappointment.
“Are there more hurdles?” Hearing that fewer than three people could enter and only one would benefit, Rod was even more shocked and puzzled.
“Yeah. We don’t know exactly what the hurdles are. Those who come out keep it strictly secret—no one knows!” Lilith nodded seriously, her face filled with longing.
“Damn, how strong will those people be?” Rod turned to Aida and continued asking.
“Ten advanced divine-level fighters are bound to be there. There might be two or three at the beginner divine level, and the rest are mid-level experts. You can imagine—even if Brother Sognar went, he’d have no chance!” Aida replied bluntly, using Sognar as an example.
At that, Rod became listless, like a deflated balloon. It was indeed extremely powerful and brutal. It seemed he would end up at the bottom. If mid-level divine warriors were still somewhat matchable, then advanced divine warriors were far beyond his reach! No wonder Aida said those old monsters would show up—they were truly monstrous. But what puzzled him was whether the demon race really had so many skilled fighters, not to mention those who had participated before.
Rod didn’t know. Even those who had tried before would keep trying as long as they didn’t benefit. After all, the demon race couldn’t produce ten advanced divine-level fighters every year. Otherwise, the Source of Darkness would already be in their hands.
“Three months. It depends on you. Aida can only get you a spot—whether you succeed depends on your own luck. If it doesn’t work this year, you’ll have to wait until next year! But by then, the situation might not be the same as now. Think carefully about it!” Seeing Rod’s expression, everyone grew somber, and the atmosphere became tense.

“I understand!” With his head lowered, he replied in a deep voice. Rod turned and walked outside. At this moment, the burden on his shoulders felt incredibly heavy. Reaching the intermediate stage of the divine realm in just three months was undoubtedly a huge challenge, almost impossible to accomplish. He needed to calm down and stabilize his mindset. Just as Lilith said, missing this opportunity would mean waiting until next year. But would the demon race give him another year? Could the situation outside the continent wait another year? Would the Purple-Winged Thunder Eagles and the Mi Jiao clan give him another year? It was clearly impossible.

“Big brother…” Lucy wanted to speak to Rod, but in the end, she closed her mouth, not knowing what to say.

“Let him think it through. Once he figures it out, it’ll be fine!” Lilith said soothingly, holding Lucy back. Looking at Rod’s slightly hunched figure, she thought to herself—such a young man should be full of energy and vitality, yet he seemed aged. It filled her heart with sorrow and pain.

“The burden on his shoulders is too heavy, and he carries too much in his heart. You can’t imagine it. No one can help him but himself. All we can do is support him from behind. He won’t share his suffering with us, nor can he express it. That kind of suffering is the real pain—one we can’t even try to understand. I hope he can hold on!” Lilith sighed as Rod gradually disappeared from sight. The unexpressed suffering was the deepest pain, and the unseen burdens were the heaviest.

Nodding, Lucy showed she understood, though tears welled up in her eyes. Rod’s suffering pained her deeply, yet she couldn’t share any of it!

“Big brother, don’t worry. Give Lucy some time. When the time comes, I’ll lend you a hand. We’ll bear the burden together. We’ll share both the hardships and joys. You’re not alone!” Lucy thought to herself, her gaze suddenly becoming resolute.

Turning around, she showed a determined expression. “Sister Lilith, Brother Sognar, and Princess Ada and Eirwen, I’m heading back to my clan tomorrow. I leave Rod’s matter in your hands. If anything happens, come to my Black Phoenix clan—we will never refuse!” Taking a deep breath, Lucy bowed deeply to them, her expression utterly sincere.

Yet no one saw the single tear that silently slipped from her eye and rolled down her cheek as she lowered her head—she hid it well.

“Are you leaving so soon? Won’t you stay a bit longer?” Lilith asked, looking at Lucy with confusion. Had something happened?

“Mm, I have to go. There are things to do. Tell my brother that Lucy will return to see him soon. I won’t say goodbye to him. Tell him to wait for me—I will definitely come back, and we’ll face hardships together!” Lucy said in a low voice, forcing a smile.

These words weighed heavily on everyone’s hearts, giving them a vague sense that something bad might happen, though they couldn’t figure out what.

“I will definitely convey your feelings to Rod. Having a friend like you is that kid’s fortune. Rest well when you get back. Don’t worry too much. We’re here—nothing will happen to Rod.” Lilith patted Lucy’s head, pondered for a moment, opened her mouth, but in the end said only that much. She didn’t know what else to say.

“I, Sognar, am just a rough man. As for that kid Rod, I’ll watch him. If I have to kill him, I’ll do it while stepping over my own corpse!” Though Sognar’s words were simple, they were deeply moving. Lucy bowed to him again in gratitude.

“Don’t worry. Brother Rod is waiting for you to return. Remember to take care of yourself!” Aida and Eileen also gave their instructions.

Parting always makes one feel especially heavy-hearted, especially such sudden goodbyes!

Lucy left anyway, without seeing Rod one last time. After giving some instructions, she left quietly, leaving no trace. She didn’t really want to see Rod, fearing she wouldn’t be able to leave heartlessly if she did.

She had to go back. She couldn’t watch Brother Rod bear all this alone. She wanted to share the burden with him and become someone who could stand on her own, rather than just a lady who spoiled herself in his arms.

Her last look before leaving, filled with sorrowful reluctance, touched everyone’s hearts—except Rod, who wasn’t there.

With a final glance toward Rod, carrying her hopes and promises, Lucy set off on her journey back to the Black Phoenix clan. Accompanied by two skilled members of the clan, she disappeared from everyone’s sight.

At that moment, Rod, who was frantically practicing his sword moves in the backyard, suddenly felt a pain in his heart. He looked down at the Dark Dragon in his hand, his eyes flickering, as if deep in thought.

After a while, he suddenly raised his head, his eyes now filled with madness: “Three thousand drops of blood—very well. I’ll fulfill your wish. What does it matter if my body is covered in blood and my feet tread on bones? Just don’t disappoint me!” With that, a bloodthirsty smirk appeared on Rod’s face.

Looking up, he turned and returned to the room. Since he had made up his mind, Rod wasn’t planning to give up, just as resolute as he had been from the very beginning.