Redemption of a Born Demon

Chapter 346 - 255: This Is Just the Beginning

This was the case for Dortlem. The title of S-Tournament champion had brought his life to its peak, giving him the capital to dominate the world.

Power was like a snowball rolling downhill. The so-called Matthew effect was the effect of the strong—the very essence of his Strongman Theater.

The strong grow stronger, and the weak grow weaker.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd and the flashing shutters of the media, Dortlem walked onto the stage and greeted everyone.

The press conference officially began. It had to be said that Dortlem possessed a charismatic personality and a talent for showmanship. His interaction with the audience was very smooth. Coupled with the psychological influence of his Strongman Theater on the crowd, he was able to firmly control the atmosphere.

After the conference started, Dortlem demonstrated the miraculous abilities of Ascension to the audience, including but not limited to performances of invulnerability. He even called a member of the audience onto the stage to personally guide them in the Martial Arts Dao, earning thunderous applause and heating up the venue.

"This Dortlem is quite a character. He reached the Saint Realm at only thirty-four, and his True Intent ability seems to have immense growth potential. He can’t be underestimated."

Among the audience, two individuals with Asian faces remained rational and calm. Both were intelligence agents from Donghua.

Dortlem was a key target of their attention.

Especially with the escalating tensions in the Mediterranean Region, Dortlem’s purpose in coming to Madrid was all the more worthy of investigation.

"Mr. Dortlem, we’ve recently heard that many Saint Realm experts have gathered in the Mediterranean Region. Your arrival in Madrid at this time suggests you might have a similar goal. Could you tell us what exactly is going to happen here? Will there be a great battle between Saint Realm experts?"

The press conference entered the Q&A session, and an audience member asked a question that everyone present was quite interested in.

"Heh heh, some of this information is confidential, so I can’t disclose it. But I can tell you all that there will certainly be a battle of Saints in the Mediterranean Region. However, there’s no need to panic. I will represent Europe and suppress any and all invading enemies."

Dortlem replied with a smile.

He was naturally aware of what was about to happen in the Mediterranean Region.

Saint Realm experts from various nations, and even some recluses from the Hidden World, would appear and gather in this area for a world-shaking war.

But this was also his opportunity.

’This time, I’ll make my name known beyond Europe. I’ll let the unending faith of the strong feed back into me, and I’ll become the true hegemon of this world.’

Hearing Dortlem’s words, the audience broke into hushed whispers.

"Will Donghua’s Great Demon King, Yi Beidou, also appear in the Mediterranean Region? If he does, how will you deal with him?"

An audience member stood up and asked a rather pointed question.

Yi Beidou, an expert who fought a nation single-handedly, now enjoyed a tremendous reputation worldwide. In the eyes of many, he was the symbol of a true powerhouse, perhaps even the strongest in the world.

"I would actually hope he comes. The only reason for all his past victories is that he has never met me."

Hearing that man’s name, Dortlem’s eyes narrowed slightly, a sharp glint flashing within them as he spoke in a calm voice.

’Yi Beidou is indeed one of my greatest targets. I’m well aware of his current influence in the world. If I can defeat him, I can take his place, spread my reputation beyond Europe to the entire world, and bring about a complete transformation of my Strongman Theater.’

’But to achieve that, I need a suitable stage.’

ROAR!

It wasn’t clear who started it, but the venue erupted in fervent applause.

Although Europe was now in gradual decline, it had once been glorious. How could the pride ingrained in the bones of its people be changed in such a short time?

Seeing an Asian man leading the current of the times was not something they wished to see.

However, amidst the applause, Dortlem’s expression suddenly froze. He snapped his gaze toward the entrance of the hall.

BOOM!!

The next moment, the hall’s heavy, solid wood doors exploded inward. Countless splinters rained down, and some audience members in the back rows near the doors were even sent flying with screams of pain.

The applause came to an abrupt halt. Everyone turned their heads, staring in shock toward the entrance.

Two figures, one tall and one short, were now standing where the doors had been.

"Who are these people?!"

The intelligence agents from Donghua were also gaping in astonishment.

And while the reporters from various media outlets were just as surprised, their professionalism had them quickly turning their cameras and snapping photos.

"We were listening outside for a while. He only noticed us when we were right at the door. Seems he isn’t all that skilled, but he’s got a silver tongue."

The tall figure said faintly.

"He’s just a young man, after all. He only recently achieved Ascension and doesn’t know his place yet. When I think back to when I first Ascended, I wasn’t much better. A pity... he won’t get another chance."

The medium-statured figure remarked with a sigh.

"Who are you?"

On stage, Dortlem’s smile vanished. His face grew grim, a fierce light flashing in his eyes as his hair began to stand on end.

BOOM!!

The several thousand people present were enveloped by his Strongman Theater, connecting with one another and becoming a source of power for him. It pushed his True Intent’s magnetic field to its peak, which then pressed down on the two intruders like a tidal wave.

"Since you’ve asked, I might as well tell you. You can call me ’Foolish Heaven’."

The medium-statured man said with a smile.

"White Elephant Lord."

A faint smile also touched the corners of the tall man’s mouth.

"A couple of nobodies. Never heard of you. If you dare to crash my conference, then you can just die."

Dortlem said with a cold sneer.

The wills of several thousand people gathered under his control. This was his home turf.

ROAR!!

The countless wills condensed, forming a massive, illusory beast in mid-air—something between a lion and a tiger—which let out a deafening roar.

Strongman Theater: the weak shall retreat.

This was a power that combined the strength of the thousands present.

"Borrowing the power of the masses? You’re still a little green to be using such a technique."

"The masses are foolish, chasing illusions."

"Resentment blooms in their hearts, stirring up waves of their own accord."

"Shedding form and abandoning wisdom is the only path to liberation."

Foolish Heaven pressed his palms together before his chest, muttering an incantation. A dazzling brilliance bloomed from his body, radiating throughout the entire hall.

Bathed in that light and the low chanting, the eyes of everyone present gradually turned dull, as if they were rapidly losing their minds.

Even Dortlem was unavoidably affected.

His thoughts became sluggish, and the light in his eyes began to fade.

But he was a Saint Expert, after all, and he quickly recovered from the momentary trance.

’Such powerful influence!’

However, while he could recover, the audience had fallen into a foolish, stupefied state. Their faith in him as a "strong man" stagnated, preventing his "strong man effect" from drawing upon their power. Its intensity plummeted.

’This is bad!’

BOOM!!

A massive figure crossed dozens of meters in an instant, appearing right in front of Dortlem.

A palm like that of a giant elephant blasted toward him. A terrifying, incandescent light bloomed, forming ring after ring of halo-like ripples in the air—a truly shocking sight.

Four rings of light. Four compressions of the Life Magnetic Field.

Secret Technique: Fourfold Treasure Wheel!!

BOOM!!

Dortlem blocked with both hands, but under the seemingly irresistible, terrifying force, his body was blasted backward. He slammed heavily into the wall, and the entire hall seemed to shake from the impact.

"Just as I thought, you’re all talk. You’re a far cry from that guy named Yi Beidou."

Before Dortlem could regulate the chaotic Qi, blood, and magnetic field that had been thrown into turmoil by the single blow, the terrifying shadow descended upon him again. The White Elephant Lord’s voice echoed in his ear.

The White Elephant Lord had once coordinated with the avatars of two Ancient Ones to launch an attack on Yi Beidou, but they had ultimately failed.

「Not long after.」

High-ranking officials from various nations received a video from their intelligence agencies, leaving them utterly shaken.

In the video, a young, blond-haired man lay on the ground, his chest a bloody, mangled mess. The two figures, one tall and one short, stood beside him, their gazes seemingly piercing through the screen to land on the viewer.

"There are some things you should not covet or touch. This is just the beginning. If you still don’t know when to back down, then you all had best be prepared."

Foolish Heaven’s voice emanated from the video.

Instantly, an uproar swept through the nations!