There was nothing like a prophecy.

The only thing that was left behind was a promise, one that had been fulfilled.

All over Skull City, one cocoon after another started to dissolve, revealing one person after another. In the span of five minutes, over 90% of the cocoons dissolved, and in their place, beings with pitch-black hair and an aura of evil intent remained.

Every last one of them, even the babies, has this presence.

When Kent entered the city about a week ago, everyone he met had a calm, warm presence. However, looking at them now, one can tell they are far from the benevolent beings he came to meet.

A week ago, they were Velkharians; today, they have become beings born from the very essence of evil. Their race changed from Velkhar to Thal’Khang, the first of their kind.

Standing atop a mountain formed from the jawbone of the large skull, Kent gazed down coldly at the people now on their knees, praising him.

Standing beside him, Princess Pandora held a calm smile.

She said nothing, just stood beside him until Kent suddenly smiled.

"It feels all too familiar yet foreign," he muttered, sweeping his gaze across the city. "These people had, for billions of years, kept me in their hearts despite knowing I was nothing but pure evil. Makes me wonder just what they saw in me."

Princess Pandora smiled. "It seems you have forgotten the state you were in when you got here the last time. I quite remember you were this close to death when the High Priestess at that time gave her all to pull you back.

You survived, and to repay them, you gave them a promise. Today, you had to fulfill that promise. You made them the best version of themselves. The question, however, is whether you have the heart to abandon them, knowing they would always pray to you."

Kent sighed again and turned to look at the dragon standing on his shoulder. "What do you think, Ryoa? Should we abandon them?"

The bone dragon let out a low hum, causing black flames to come out of his eye sockets and maw.

"Lord Evil had promised to free them from the shackles binding their destinies. Lord Evil did, and so logic dictates we should let them rot. However, logic also dictates that having a reliable team on our side would come in handy, so I believe Lord Evil should give them a chance to redeem themselves."

"You really think they deserve a second chance, buddy?"

"I do. I can see that about 70% of them have the potential to be Supreme warriors. Ten percent are at the Celestial stage, and the rest are duds. Of course, with the Book of Evil in your possession now, there is no telling how many would survive the trial, but if Lord Evil can have his own legion, it would be great."

Kent sighed yet again and replied:

"But I already have the Night Riders."

"That is true, but Lord Evil seems to forget something. In the past, the Book of Evil wasn’t with us, so we had to make do with them. Now, we have it, and so we can create our own legion, one that wouldn’t pale to the riders.

You asked me why I chose you back then. The answer is simple: I see greatness in you, and so I believe that by taking the step to defy logic, we would survive this time and open the Legacy.

Although I don’t know when, I can feel them coming. Soon, the battle we all feared will be upon us, and so Lord Evil must think about the future and plan accordingly."

Kent nodded and pointed his finger up.

From the clouds, a large wooden gate descended and landed at the center of the city. Then, tapping into his power over them, he let his voice carry his words to every ear.

"Hear my decree. All who aspire to follow the Evil King into battle must prove themselves capable of wielding the power of evil. Behind this door are the gates of inheritance I have created.

Venture into it, challenge a gate, and earn the mark of evil. Everyone has one chance to challenge a gate. Failure means you would forever remain useless. But those who pass and earn my mark would have the opportunity to comprehend my Dao."

"Nicely done, Lord Evil."

Kent nodded and was about to address Princess Pandora when a message appeared before him.

There are already some messages he must review, but after his transformation, the Tower seems to have entered another upgrade mode, so he couldn’t review them.

Hearing the familiar ring made him narrow his eyes.

However, he chose to read.

---

[You have received two new quests]

[First Quest: Kill the Crimson Blood Demon General]

[Rank: SS]

[Description: The Crimson Blood Demon General holds the key to your destination. Only by killing him can you get to where you want to go. He must be killed by you alone...]

[Threat Profile:]

Title: Crimson Blood Demon General

Rank: Peak Demigod

Combat Power: True God

Soul Power: God King

Mental Power: God King

Body Strength: God King (Golden Emperor Body Art)

Sword Rank: Immortal

[Rewards:] 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

↠ Realm Ascension Pill (Dao Approved - Released)

↠ Nine Calamity Evil Eye Art

↠ Soul Bone Tempering Art

---

Kent may have changed from a monster to an absolute monster since, at the moment, he is the incarnation of the Ruthless Bandit. However, looking at the message inside the quest, he couldn’t help but wonder just why the hell he was given such a quest.

His mind spun, and for a minute, he couldn’t help but suck in a deep breath.

"Crimson Blood Demon General."

Princess Pandora’s eyes widened for a moment. "Uhm, where did you hear that name from?" she asked, causing Kent to turn and look at her.

"Do you know who that person is?"

"Of course I do. Though I wonder where you know him from and even dare mention his name when you plan on going to his domain soon."

"Oh, so he is inside the Tormented Chaos Abyss."

"Indeed. He is one of the Four Overlords of the Tormented layer. From what I know, he is the strongest of them and also the most dangerous being you would ever meet when down in the Tormented Layer."

"I see."

Kent turned his focus to the second quest.

---

[Quest Name: Legion of Evil (Chain Quest)]

[Rank: SS]

[Description: Venture into the Tormented layer of the Tormented Chaos Abyss and recruit those worthy to wield your banner into battle. The quest will update with further details when you set foot inside the abyss.]

[Rewards:]

↠ The Grim Contract (300 copies - 10 received)

---

A pale smile formed on Kent’s face. The second quest is vague, but as someone who had already completed a chain quest before, he knew it would be anything but simple.

In fact, he has reasons to believe this quest will be more difficult than the first one.

However, since it had been a long time since he received a quest, he believed this would be the best chance to test his abilities. The one standing now is no ordinary Heavenly Ascension stage cultivator.

In fact, he is far more deadly than even a True Immortal. However, because his cultivation base is limiting him, he cannot do more.

That, however, is about to change.

Kent reached into his soul universe and pulled out a purple pill.

*GASP*

The moment Princess Pandora and Ryoa saw it, they both gasped.