"Interesting," Qinuo said in a low voice.
He put down his pen, his fingertip unconsciously tapping lightly on the erroneous model.
"A very interesting error, Yao."
A flicker of understanding passed through Yao's eyes; she didn't press further, merely waiting quietly.
She knew that when her master wore such an expression, it often meant he was deep in thought.
"The homework… leave it with me for now."
Qinuo's voice returned to its usual calm, but beneath that calm was a surging undercurrent.
"Your 'error' has given me a bit of inspiration.
While it might be useless, it could also be a seed."
Qinuo looked at Yao, a faint curve on his lips, far more genuine than when he was grading homework just now.
"It seems your homework was… submitted at just the right time. Perhaps we should go to the lowest level of the library and rummage through those useless old stacks of paper.
About the magic of errors, and some rules beyond them that they might point to?"
Yao stood up, her white robe falling gracefully. A knowing smile also appeared on her face.
"As you command, Master.
But the homework still needs grading."
"It will be, but before that, you need to accompany me to find some warriors."
The figures of master and disciple silently vanished from the warm study filled with books, leaving only the fireplace's Firelight stubbornly flickering amidst the destructive Shadow outside the window.
—
Flicker Domain!
"Chthon."
Qinuo came here again; although only a few years had passed, it felt like a very long time.
"Demon King."
Chthon slowly emerged from the darkness, a hint of shock in his eyes.
"You are almost at the Multiverse level."
Qinuo sensed Chthon's aura, which was normal. Wanda had reached the single Universe level by absorbing the power of another version of herself. As the wielder of Chaos Magic, there was no reason for Chthon not to have grown stronger.
"…What do you want from me?"
Chthon asked directly.
"I've come to ask you to participate in a war."
Qinuo looked directly into Chthon's chaotic eyes.
"As a price, I can help you develop followers, spread your Black Magic knowledge, and let your name and power resound through every corner of the Multiverse.
I will help you break through your current bottleneck and become a true Multiverse-level existence, or even reach a higher realm."
"All Multiverse-level existences must participate in the war."
Qinuo's words were decisive, carrying an undeniable coerciveness.
"And in my opinion, only existences that have reached the Multiverse level can provide truly effective help in that war.
For every additional Multiverse-level being, we gain another shred of hope to sway the tide of battle and tear through the Shadow."
Qinuo's subtext was stark and cold: Chthon, you are not yet qualified to be forcibly conscripted because you are not Multiverse-level.
But you have that potential, and I can be the catalyst to ignite it.
This war is your ticket to greater power.
Chthon fell silent.
Develop followers!
Spread Black Magic!
This was the most fundamental source of his power!
Faith was an anchor, knowledge was a seed; being able to sow it across the vast soil of the Multiverse meant his power would experience an unprecedented explosive growth!
Breaking through the shackles of the single Universe level, stepping into the Multiverse-level hall, and even touching the faint possibility beyond that? The price Qinuo offered precisely struck his deepest desires.
"The price…"
Chthon's voice finally sounded again, the ancient indolence replaced by a cold and greedy playfulness.
Chaos energy condensed and twisted around him, manifesting into countless blurry faces screaming and wailing—these were the illusory figures of followers, the embodiment of Black Magic power.
"What an alluring poison.
Demon King, do you know what you are promising? Releasing my knowledge is releasing chaos itself.
The madness of followers, the corrosion of Black Magic—these will all become part of the war, and might even devour some Worlds earlier than the Shadow outside the window."
"I know."
Qinuo's voice showed no wavering, even carrying a hint of almost cruel rationality.
"But war itself is the greatest chaos and corrosion. It is devouring everything, including order and the very foundation upon which life exists.
When the entire Multiverse faces destruction, localized chaos and corrosion are acceptable prices, even necessary weapons.
I need your power, Chthon, not as a sealed specimen, but as the sharpest weapon on the battlefield.
As for later…"
A cold curve appeared on Qinuo's lips.
"If we win, we will naturally have the time and power to 'clean up.' If we lose, nothing matters."
"Now tell me your answer."
He responded to Chthon's doubts with the most realistic logic.
In the face of survival, morality and side effects were secondary.
Power was the only hard currency.
Chthon's face, formed of Chaos energy, seemed to twist, as if he were smiling.
It was a smile of appreciation for Qinuo's ruthlessness and pragmatism, and extreme excitement for the impending feast of chaos.
"Demon King, you are becoming more and more to my liking.
A Multiverse-spanning war, an opportunity for my power to expand, a stage to spread chaos and darkness to an unprecedented extent.
I have no reason to refuse. Let me be the sharpest weapon, even if I am destroyed after use, it doesn't matter."
This was not self-abandonment, but an ultimate craving for the pinnacle of power that surpassed all scruples.
To glimpse the "Light at the very top," he was willing to become the most dangerous weapon, even if he was ultimately shattered.
This pure, inhuman madness was exactly what Qinuo needed at this moment.
Qinuo also smiled.
He liked straightforward people.
"Let's go. Leave this place and come with me to Earth."
Qinuo gently waved his fingertip, and a black rift suddenly appeared.
As they passed through the passage, the sight before them somewhat surprised Chthon.
This was a magnificent sanctuary, its walls carved with ancient runes and patterns, exuding a mysterious aura.
And in the center of the sanctuary, countless mages were busily manipulating the magic formations in their hands, which glowed with dazzling light.
Chthon saw several familiar figures.
Nightmare, Satannish, and Vishanti, these once-renowned dimensional demon gods, were now bound tightly like prisoners by golden runic chains.
Faint light emanated from their bodies, clearly indicating their powers were suppressed by these chains.
"Master, there's still a spot here."
Yao's voice reached Chthon's ears. He turned to see Yao's hand glowing with an orange magic circle, clearly prepared for him.
Qinuo then said, "Chthon has voluntarily joined the war; no persuasion is needed."
Chthon let out a sound from his throat, tinged with a hint of playfulness.
"So, they were unwilling to join this war."
The first two thought they could avoid this war because they hadn't reached the Multiverse-level threshold. As for Vishanti…"
Qinuo's gaze fell on the three separated ancient existences.
"The Trinity indeed possesses Multiverse-level power.
Unfortunately, they chose to split themselves, attempting to evade mandatory conscription. So, I had no choice but to 'invite' them over for a good talk."
"A talk?"
Chthon chuckled deeply.
"What a gentle word, Demon King."
"Efficiency above all, Chthon."
Qinuo's expression remained unchanged.
"And compared to Dormammu, Shuma-Gorath, and Mephisto, I'm already very gentle."
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