Chapter 312 - High-Ranking Battle in Hell, A Gathering of Powers!

It was truly impossible to refuse these people.

Lin Tian could only delay for a while, letting them have their way with him.

This time, they were like ravenous wolves, desperate to devour him whole.

Before they had been proactive.

Now, proactive didn't even begin to describe it. It was madness—shameless, without regard for their image—like those old women scrambling for bargains.

Lin Tian even felt humiliated and mistreated.

After several hours of delay, he finally set out for the Succubus House again.

When he opened the door and saw Celeste looking flustered, her face flushed and her ears red, Lin Tian couldn't help but remark, "Huh? Your Highness, aren't you about to go on a matchmaking meeting? How do you still have the leisure to watch such things?"

Though he had indulged earlier, it wasn't the same kind of indulgence.

Hearing this, Celeste looked puzzled. "Matchmaking meeting? What is that?"

"Never mind. When are we leaving?"

Lin Tian sighed, realizing she didn't understand the term—it was, after all, a concept from another world.

Celeste didn't press further and simply said, "My father said it'll be tonight. It's about time for us to head down. But Goblin Majesty, you must consider this carefully. I can't guarantee your complete safety."

She had confidence in her own strength, but accidents were always unpredictable.

Lin Tian nodded. "Let's go. I've already thought it through."

With that, Celeste slowly extended her hand. Her once slender, jade-like fingers began to change, becoming thick, powerful, and sharp, with nails that could easily slice through steel.

She tore the air before them with raw force, ripping open the Gate of Hell.

After the tear, her hands slowly returned to normal.

Lin Tian couldn't help but ask, "Is that demon form your true body, or is it this form?"

Celeste shook her head. "I can't tell either. When I channel my demonic power, I become like that. When I don't, I stay like this."

She was stunning—like a dark angel, radiant in her own right.

As expected of Lucifer's child.

Practically the offspring of an angel.

Lin Tian didn't press further, instead stepping through the abyssal darkness of the Gate of Hell alongside Celeste.

"Ughhh…"

Suddenly, an eerie wail echoed in his ears, startling Lin Tian awake.

When he opened his eyes again, he found himself in a dense forest. Around him were trees, black as ink, devoid of any green.

The sky loomed dim and oppressive, like the end of days, with a pillar of lava shooting skyward at the center.

At the base of that fiery column stood a massive city.

"You're awake," Celeste's voice came from nearby. "The first time entering Hell can destabilize the soul. You passed out for a while. Let's move on. Be careful not to let the undead influence you."

Lin Tian stood slowly. Around the forest floated indistinct blue silhouettes, ghostly and wandering, creating a scene straight out of a horror movie.

"So this is what they mean by going to Hell? Doesn't something feel off? Where do souls from other regions go when they die? Don't gods like Hades, Anubis, and Hel oversee the dead?"

As they walked, Lin Tian asked his question aloud.

Celeste began to explain, "Each pantheon divides its territories. In areas under the dominion of the Lord of Heaven Jehovah's faith, the souls of the dead end up here. Hell, however, is just an excuse for those so-called Heavenly Gods' negligence."

"What do you mean?"

Lin Tian pressed, noticing her expression growing serious.

Celeste stopped in her tracks, displeased as she explained, "Souls sent to Hell never see the light of day. Their minds twist further and further, attaching themselves to Hell's creatures until they transform into ferocious and savage hell monsters. If not for us demons living here to periodically cull them, the mortal world would have long become a slaughter slaughterhouse for hell monsters."

She had grown up in battle and slaughter, tasked with exterminating those creatures.

"The idea of good people ascending to Heaven is utter nonsense. Only a tiny fraction of good people, who were also incredibly strong in life, are chosen by Jehovah to become angels guarding his religion and regime. There are countless good people. For all you know, the soul that just drifted past might have been someone who did every good deed imaginable during their life."

Celeste's expression turned grim as she continued.

Lin Tian decided not to probe further.

This was an inter-racial matter and had nothing to do with him.

Besides, whether these gods were good or evil, he didn't intend to spare them in the end.

If he didn't dismantle these oppressive systems of religious deities ruling the world, he'd never achieve total domination.

Nor could he establish new laws to pave the way for the future.

Lin Tian had already drafted a blueprint for the world's development. The current system was nothing more than an outdated feudal monarchy, utterly backward.

He had to develop a technological tree to enjoy a more extravagant and indulgent life.

A world that fused swords, magic, mythology, and modern technology, all under his rule.

Wouldn't that be perfection?

Otherwise, there were too few ways to pass the time, and Lin Tian was already bored with most of them.

However, Goblin King City had begun its transformation into a modern city, making it much easier to plan.

He intended to give those relics of the Demigod Empire a little taste of modern shock when the time came.

"We're here. This is Hell's City, built by us demons. It's about the same size as Goblin King City," Celeste's voice rang out.

The two of them had unknowingly arrived at the base of a towering city wall.

The ancient, weathered bricks exuded a sense of age.

The streets had an old-world charm, resembling the districts of London in England.

As the two entered the city, the moment the surrounding residents saw Celeste, their gazes trembled with fear, and they began fleeing in a panic.

The path was practically clear; not a single demon resident could be seen along the way.

Lin Tian was incredulous. "What's going on? Your reputation in Hell isn't very good?"

Celeste appeared unfazed. "Actually, my reputation is decent, but this is the region where lesser demons live. The moment they sense a high demon's presence, they all flee and hide, not even daring to glance in my direction."

After walking for a while, the surrounding architecture and decorations became noticeably more refined and grand.

Lin Tian quickly deduced the situation.

"This must be the area where middle demons live."

Sure enough, as they reached the center of the city, the streets were illuminated by various skeletal candle lamps, casting a bright glow.

The streets and buildings were meticulously arranged.

Even the merchants were kneeling on the ground to sell their goods.

"Your Highness, if I'm not mistaken, those kneeling merchants are middle demons, and the ones fully prostrated are lesser demons. How do they sell anything in that state?" Lin Tian asked, pointing to the roadside, curious about the city's operations.

Celeste paused and explained, "You're right. Middle demons can keep their heads up, while lesser demons must remain in a bowing posture. But they're not really selling goods. These shops are a form of amusement set up by the high demons. High demons don't need to buy anything—they simply take whatever they want."

Hearing this, Lin Tian was astounded by the absurdity of the system.

He refrained from commenting further since he was in someone else's domain. Criticizing Celeste, a high demon herself, would hardly be tactful.

No wonder the city, though as prosperous as Goblin King City, felt eerily deserted.

Since entering, there hadn't been a single spoken word. The environment was as dim as night, with only the flickering light of candles.

The atmosphere was oppressive.

Ordinary people would likely go insane if they lived here.

Soon, they arrived at a lavishly decorated palace, surrounded by an overwhelming number of skeletal candle lamps.

The sheer density of the lights was astonishing.

In this world of perpetual darkness, the quantity of candlelight symbolized status and power. Among the high demons, it had become a tradition to compete over who had the most lights.

The palace before them was undoubtedly the pinnacle, its overwhelming candlelight making it clear who reigned supreme.

"This is akin to your royal palace—it's also my home. Let's go," Celeste said.

As soon as they entered, two demon maids approached.

"Miss, you've returned. The banquet begins in three hours. Please come with us for your preparations," said the maid supervisor of the Lucifer household, her demeanor respectful and formal.

The maids were beautiful, but their stiff expressions and rigid manners added to the oppressive atmosphere.

Still, Lin Tian noticed their eyes were drawn to him.

No species could resist a pleasing appearance, especially when they were used to interacting with demons all day.

Lin Tian was surprised by the maid supervisor, who had a combat strength of over 20,000—she was undoubtedly a middle demon.

He hadn't expected such a powerful servant.

The maid supervisor also took notice of Lin Tian. "Miss, who is this? Why doesn't he have even a trace of demonic energy?"

Initially, she thought he might be a young high demon from some other house.

But upon closer inspection, something seemed amiss.

Celeste explained, "He's a friend I made in the mortal realm. Let's go; I need to get ready."

With that, the maid supervisor dropped the matter.

Inside the palace, as they reached the dressing room, Lin Tian said, "I'll wait for you outside."

"Alright, but don't wander around. You might be mistaken for an intruder," Celeste cautioned.

Lin Tian shrugged and didn't reply.

Once she went inside, he couldn't help but start wandering. It wouldn't hurt to find the treasure vault where demons stored valuable items.

He could stash everything in his spatial ring without anyone the wiser.

As he roamed, several demons under the house's jurisdiction crossed his path. But as soon as he mentioned Celeste's name, they all treated him with great respect—even offering to guide him.

Though he quickly familiarized himself with the palace, he found no sign of a treasure vault.

Most importantly, he uncovered no information about the Tree of Hell.

Looking out from a seventh-floor window, Lin Tian saw a crowd of various humanoid creatures approaching the palace.

Undoubtedly, they were high demons arriving for the banquet.

The Lucifer household had only two decision-makers: Lucifer and Celeste. This gave Lin Tian plenty of freedom to explore further.

Lin Tian remained cautious of the other high demons, knowing they weren't to be underestimated.

He returned to the area outside Celeste's dressing room just in time to see her stepping out in full formal attire.

Gone was her usual office-style uniform. Instead, she wore a stunning black floor-length gown with a chest-high cut that was utterly captivating. Her flawless, alabaster skin and exposed chest added to her allure.

Even before, without any makeup, she had been exquisitely beautiful. Now, she was breathtaking—a beauty that could topple nations.

As the daughter of the Left Wing Archangel, she was so stunning it almost seemed unreal.

The maid supervisor couldn't help but tease, "Miss, you really match well with this gentleman."

Celeste had been under her care since childhood, and they shared a close bond, so she dared to jest.

Hearing this, Celeste appeared slightly flustered. "Don't talk nonsense. He's just a good friend of mine."

This woman… truly an unbelievably innocent demon.

If she were a human woman, being relegated to the "friend zone" like that would surely break someone's heart.

Lin Tian didn't mind, knowing she likely didn't mean it that way.

The maid supervisor, however, smirked knowingly. "Oh? Then I really feel sorry for this gentleman. If it were me, I'd definitely choose him. After all, the other high demons are hardly decent options."

At that moment, a voice interrupted.

"My darling, the banquet is about to begin, and everyone's waiting for you!"

A middle-aged man dressed in a platinum suit, his hair slicked back and exuding an air of sophistication, descended from the staircase.

The maids immediately bowed. "Your Highness Lucifer."

The man was none other than Lucifer himself.

Ignoring Lin Tian, Lucifer gazed at Celeste and praised, "You little rascal, secretly becoming even more beautiful behind my back? Truly, you inherited my genes. Come on, let's not keep those poor souls waiting any longer."

He reached for Celeste's hand, ready to escort her out.

Suddenly, Lucifer froze, turning to look at Lin Tian. "And you are? That goblin? What are you doing here?"

Lin Tian was startled. How had he been recognized so quickly?

Even those close to him, like Alice and the One-Eyed Owl, had taken a moment to identify him.

Celeste quickly explained, "He's my friend, so I invited him to the banquet."

"Hmph, fine," Lucifer sighed deeply, understanding her simplicity.

Who invites friends to a matchmaking banquet?

Still, he didn't think much of Lin Tian.

Lucifer added, "Since you're a friend of my daughter, that makes you my friend too. Feel free to enjoy yourself at the banquet."

Lucifer knew of Lin Tian's reputation—someone who had slain seven Demon Kings of Sin and even fought with Beelzebub for a while.

For a goblin, it was unprecedented.

But that was the extent of his interest.

"Understood," Lin Tian replied casually.

He hadn't expected the Great Demon God of Hell, a being akin to a deity, to be so polite and down-to-earth.

It was entirely unlike the image of an arrogant god he had imagined.

He followed them downstairs.

By now, the grand hall was filled with numerous high demons. Their attire ranged from elegant to garish, with some wearing outlandish costumes.

The styles were bizarre.

The hall was also laden with an array of Hell delicacies—primarily blood, flesh, and viscera, with not a single vegetable in sight.

"Woohoo!!"

"All hail His Highness Lucifer and Lady Celeste!!!"

"She's stunning! Is she a goddess? Yes, she's definitely a goddess!"

The young high demons erupted in cheers, their eyes brimming with greedy desire.

Lin Tian surveyed the crowd. Most of them had combat strengths around 20,000, though a few exceeded Celeste's power.

Additionally, Beelzebub was present, along with several other Demon Gods.

The entire elite force of Hell had gathered in one place.