Chapter 14: The King's Power

"Ai-chan, how much Crystal are these three abilities worth?"

After reviewing the abilities she'd acquired from Michael, Phoenix immediately asked Ai-chan for their value.

Only through this could she determine their true worth.

[Seventh Heaven] could be exchanged for 1000 Crystal, [Angel's Horn] for 240 Crystal, and [Justice Sword] for 180 Crystal.

Almost as soon as Phoenix asked, Ai-chan responded.

"The Seventh Heaven is actually worth 1000 crystals? Not bad. It's definitely true that domain-type powers are valuable. But isn't the Justice Sword's price too low? Only 180 crystals?"

Looking at the Seventh Heaven's value, Phoenix was honestly tempted to exchange it immediately.

But she resisted the urge.

After all, once a power belonged to her, it would remain hers as long as she stayed in this world.

Whether she exchanged it now or when leaving, the price would be the same.

It made more sense to use it first, then decide at departure whether to permanently enhance herself with its blessings or convert it to crystals.

["For targeted skills or powers, their value is never high. In the vast world, you'll never face only those specific enemies."] Ai-chan provided an immediate explanation for Phoenix's observation.

Though Phoenix wanted to argue, she ultimately let it go.

Dragon-snake creatures weren't truly niche; many worlds harbored enemies with similar attributes. Moreover, these adversaries typically possessed considerable strength.

Phoenix understood the value of these powers. To be honest, the worth of Heretic Gods was truly remarkable.

It wasn't just the Crystal rewards from defeating them—each power obtained from them came with its own reward.

From the two Heretic Gods she had slain earlier, Michael had yielded 150 Crystals, while Beelzebub had provided 200 Crystals.

Including the Crystal rewards from their powers, each Heretic God was worth over a thousand Crystals.

It was worth noting that most main quests only offered two to three hundred Crystals, and commission quests provided even fewer, ranging from one to fifteen Crystals.

Thus, the total value of a single Heretic God was measured in thousands. Though... not all divine powers were equally valuable.

Some Heretic Gods might not even be worth 200 Crystals.

Still, it was an excellent opportunity. If given the chance, Phoenix wouldn't let any Heretic God slip through her grasp.

Main Quest (1) [Completed]

Phoenix tapped on the quest interface, glanced at the completed main quest, and immediately selected to claim the reward.

The reward for Main Quest (1) was 1000 Crystals, undoubtedly the highest reward for the first main quest.

Perhaps because this task was somewhat difficult?

Well, considering Phoenix's strength, the young girl didn't feel any difficulty whatsoever.

After claiming the reward, Phoenix looked at the Crystals balance, which was again approaching 9000. With a bit more effort, reaching 10,000 Crystals would be easily achieved.

[Main Quest (2): The King's Power]

[Quest Summary: As a ruler standing at the world's pinnacle, how could one not have their own territory and influence?]

[Quest Description: Every Campione in this world possesses a faction loyal to them. As a king... one shouldn't personally handle every matter.]

Moreover, possessing your own power base would enable you to locate the Heretic Gods more swiftly and effectively. As a king, how could you possibly exist without claiming your own territory?

Quest Objective: Obtain the loyalty of at least one renowned faction within this world and establish dominion over at least one nation.

[Quest Rewards: 500 Crystals, 1 free divine protection enhancement, 1 free divine ability optimization, 200 Ai-chan Exclusive Coins, 50 Purple-grade Mechanical Chips, 1,000,000 Gold Coins, Next Main Quest]...

"Power base and territory..."

Phoenix stared at the new main quest. Was this system truly molding her into a Campione?

The rewards were undeniably impressive.

While the other prizes were noteworthy, the real value lay in the free divine protection enhancement and ability optimization.

Having just checked, even for the mediocre ability [Angel's Horn], a divine protection enhancement required 800 Crystals, while optimization demanded 1500 Crystals.

A single [Angel's Horn] alone would cost 2300 Crystals.

The [Seventh Heaven] ability required even more - a staggering 6500 Crystals in total.

The two rewards from the main quest are equivalent to 6,500 crystals... No! There might be even more impressive rewards that require over 10,000 crystals.

These rewards are worth more than 10,000 crystals...

It's impossible not to be tempted.

After optimizing the blessings, these powers can be used regardless of which Valkyrie is active or when, making it a very good deal.

However, to obtain the loyalty of a world-renowned faction and a nation...

Upon careful consideration, it's not actually difficult.

Because of my current status as a Campione - the world's king and overlord - securing the allegiance of several factions and nations is effortless. No one would dare refuse a Campione.

But if it involves another Campione's territory, things become more complicated.

After all, that would essentially mean seizing someone else's domain and influence.

Phoenix's first thought naturally turned to Shenzhou.

After all, who is Phoenix?

The guardian of Shenzhou for ten thousand years. Becoming Shenzhou's ruler and king is only natural.

However, this world's Shenzhou already had a Campione.

And not just any Campione - a particularly powerful one.

That was... Luo Hao.

Also known as the Cui Lian Cult Leader.

She was the martial arts alliance leader of China's lands, the leader of the Holy Cult of the Five Mountains, the Martial King of Jiangnan, and the Ruler of the Martial Realm.

Born during the late Qianlong era, she was now hundreds of years old. Among the Campione, she belonged to the earliest generation, and she was the mortal enemy of the Eastern European Campione, Marquis Voban.

Though Cult Leader Luo Hao's reputation for ferocity was considerable in this world...

Phoenix didn't care - nor did she fear her.

Phoenix wasn't just a Campione. She was an Immortal, a Valkyrie, and a martial artist standing at the pinnacle of the martial arts realm.

Still... bullying one of her own people right from the start made Phoenix feel a bit guilty.

Out of six Campione, only one was from China. Should she really bully her own kind?

It felt... wrong.

Moreover, although Phoenix Immortal was the guardian of Shenzhou, this Shenzhou(China) was not the same as the one from before.

Furthermore, although Luo Hao was a Campione who had existed for over two hundred years, her appearance was that of a peerless beauty in their late teens.

How could such a beauty be used for fighting? Shouldn't they be cherished instead?

I'm going to leave this world sooner or later anyway. Why should I seize a beauty's territory and influence?

"Decision made. In the previous world, I destroyed Schicksal and made Lord Otto its chief bishop. In this world, I've obtained the authority of the archangel Michael, the Great Monarch of Light, along with his Seventh Heaven and the angelic cross sword.

Naturally, I can become the sovereign and overlord of Christianity!"

"So... my destination is... the Vatican in Rome, Italy."

As for Beelzebub? The truth is... there's no country that fully worships him now, and his influence is scattered.

(TL Note: 💀aint no way)