Chapter 77: Hope Brainwashing Technique 6400
In the vast Multiverse Star River, an unnamed star river.
The Abyss of another world.
Compared to the Abyss of the Lost Star River, the Abyss of this otherworldly star river was essentially no different in nature—both were processes where dead worlds were decomposed and then reborn and returned. Similar scenes occurred in every World Star River, without a single exception.
However, compared to the Abyss of the Lost Star River, this otherworldly star river was more empty and decayed. There were not as many worlds destroyed in their prime, nor as much dark chaos lurking in ambush.
If one were to say that the Abyss of the Lost Star River, polluted by the corpses of numerous Evil Gods, leaned from its very inception towards the fierce and ruthless cruelty after destruction, filled with uncontrollable rage and sorrow, then the Abyss here leaned towards the rotten and degenerate state after decline, a state of 'whatever' where fighting spirit and will had been completely worn away.
But.
Even on this rotten and degenerate land, in this silent Abyss filled with the twilight of death, life still stubbornly existed.
Otherworld Star River, Abyss Layer 323, Giant Skeleton Abyss.
The original world of the Giant Skeleton Abyss had a fate that was both bumpy and bizarre. Initially, it was a fairly renowned medium-level Transcendent world, with an internal space radius of about sixty thousand kilometers—not small, but not large either. The entire world consisted of forty-two large landmasses and a boundless super ocean. It nurtured hundreds of different intelligent lifeforms. Civilizations interacted and clashed, having already entered the Age of Sail. Numerous nations and races frequently engaged in trade and war. It could be considered a rather lively place.
But such good times did not last long—a great disaster of unknown origin descended upon this world, causing the continents to sink. Super tsunamis thousands of meters high swept across the entire world. The intense energy fluctuations even shattered the planet's crust and mantle, splitting the flat, round continent into four pieces. Naturally, in a world that had not yet reached the level of Void Civilization, no race could survive. Only a handful of individual Transcendent experts who could enter the Void barely managed to escape to other worlds before the destruction and survived.
If it were only that, the origin of the Giant Skeleton Abyss would not be particularly special. Whether it was the descent of a Calamity Evil God, a main cannon shot fired by a bored super civilization, or a punch thrown by a passing Transcendent expert or Void Behemoth, such destruction could occur. The Multiverse had no shortage of bored minds. But the experience of the Giant Skeleton Abyss was stranger than anyone else's.
Among the Transcendent experts who had left their mother world in the past was a user of natural forces in the common sense, a so-called 'Druid'. His animal companion was a lizard with six legs. Thousands of years passed. The Druid, who had lost his homeland, died somewhere unknown. But that six-legged lizard transformed into a Void Dragon capable of devouring stars and returned to its homeland, which had already become an Abyss.
The Void Dragon was severely wounded. Having grown to such an extent, it had long gained wisdom far surpassing ordinary humans and power far exceeding ordinary Legendary beings. It seemed to have fought against some powerful existence and won, but at a tragic cost. Knowing it might not hold on and could die at any moment, the Void Dragon had only one thought in its heart: to bring the old Druid and its own bones back to its homeland.
It succeeded.
The dying Void Dragon returned to its homeland. The long-dead world peacefully accepted this wandering son. In the world that had almost turned to sand and dust, the giant beast closed its eyes peacefully.
Thus, endless Life Energy revived this world.
The mountains were its bones, the earth was its flesh and blood. Its internal organs and energy core became stars and underground fire, restarting the flames of this world. Its vast soul recreated the dried-up cycle of souls. The death of the giant beast brought about the rebirth of its homeland. New life was born from the giant beast's blood. They created another civilization on this world, prosperous and thriving.
But time is the most merciless—the reborn world would also face destruction. This was inevitable. After the sun, which had disappeared and reappeared three times, finally extinguished for the last time, this world and its civilization, which had repeated death and rebirth several times, ultimately fell completely into the Abyss, descending into eternal twilight.
Its name was the Giant Skeleton Abyss.
Demons.
A race that had lost its flames, its cycle of reincarnation, its civilization, and its homeland, barely surviving in the world of death, struggling and unwilling to die. Because of their shattered souls, they were crazy and filled with a desire for destruction. They craved the warmth of flames but couldn't help but extinguish them. Their minds, from the moment of their birth, were equated with evil and chaos.
The ruler of Demons.
The most ferocious, most crazy, most powerful, and most cold-blooded among Demons. He must possess immense power, an unshakable mind, firm beliefs, and the determination to achieve his goals by any means necessary. If not, Demons would never submit to his rule. The cold-blooded destroyers would never bow their heads before an existence that failed to meet their requirements and call him a Demon King.
And now, in the center of the Giant Skeleton World, atop a dragon skeleton that stood like a mountain, towering and pointing straight at the sky, a Demon King sat on the throne of his castle, staring at the two envoys before him with emotionless vertical pupils.
This Demon King had six arms. His entire body was wrapped in pale bones. On his head were horns like a dragon's, standing upright. Behind him was a massive tail like steel. He had four eyes on his head and another four on his abdomen, emitting blood-red light, making him look ferocious and terrifying. This being, who looked like a Bone Demon and a Dragon Demon, suppressed his urge to attack, endured the discomfort, and growled in a low voice at the otherworldly envoys before him.
"Leave my world!"
His voice sounded like bones rubbing together, like the noise of insects scraping their wings and hind legs. Accompanying it was a powerful mental fluctuation that was almost an attack—this Demon looked like a powerful combat-type on the outside, but his mental power was terrifyingly far beyond his physical body.
Before him, the two humanoid envoys were not intimidated by this threat. One of them had smooth, flowing hair, a face extremely alluring to humans, and smooth black exoskeleton covering her entire body. Translucent dragonfly wings could be seen folded behind her. This was clearly a variant of the 'Seductive Demon' from the Lost Star River Abyss. This type of Demon, which could transform into beautiful human women or men, used to live by seducing humans or other beings and devouring their souls. They were not known for their combat strength.
But the strength of this Seductive Demon was immense. The energy fluctuations faintly emanating from her could even distort the form of surrounding matter, causing electrons to overflow and emit light. She had clearly reached the level of a Demon Lord.
Behind her, a silent, golden-haired human male held a cross-shaped hammer, coldly observing the other mid-to-high-level Demons who dared not act. He was clad in sturdy Mana Armor, and the gray Holy Light shining on it was constantly changing the properties of the surrounding matter. His strength had clearly also reached the Legendary realm.
Seductive Demon Lord 'Boseka' and the newly promoted Legendary Paladin 'Loranda'. Two Legendary-level beings naturally had no need to fear a Legendary-level Demon King. Although the main communication envoy was the stronger one, and the latter was only responsible for guarding the former, it was still the same.
"You are just afraid, my kin."
Facing the Bone Demon King's threat, Boseka did not put on a deliberately seductive form—after all, she hadn't had time to understand the ecology of Demons in this world, and the other party wasn't human, so being beautiful was useless—but strength was the best pass. The Seductive Demon Lord released part of her energy fluctuations, informing the other party that she was of the same level as him: "You are afraid of change. Afraid that we have come to plunder your already scarce resources. Afraid that we will take your land and occupy your homeland—am I right?"
"Too much nonsense. In short, you want to subdue us."
But clearly, the Bone Demon King wasn't buying this at all. He snorted coldly and said bluntly: "We are the most powerful Demon group in the 'Dia Star River' Abyss. Controlling us means controlling the Abyss of this star river—but why should we submit to you? The recent actions of you Mycroft people are spreading among many star rivers—you come, you conquer, you expand your territory, but then what? Your power has reached its limit. Do you still have the strength to come and threaten us?"
"You talk too much nonsense too."
On the other side, the Paladin couldn't help but tighten his grip on his warhammer. Loranda was clearly someone who didn't buy this either. Bright gray Holy Light could be seen burning around him, immediately causing the surrounding Demons to shout and flee towards the outside of the castle—if a real fight broke out, none of them, who hadn't reached the Legendary realm, would likely leave alive.
"Ridiculous. We originally had nothing. Do we have to fear you like other civilizations?"
The Bone Demon sneered as well. He stood up from his throne, his eight eyes emitting blood-red light, his aura soaring wildly: "You want to fight? Then fight!"
"Hey—don't, don't, don't! Don't fight! Don't fight! Let's talk nicely, talk nicely!"
Seeing the Bone Demon and the Paladin at odds, seemingly about to break out into a large-scale conflict at any moment, the Seductive Demon felt a great headache—this time, she was instructed by Goliath to try and subdue the Abyss Demons of other star rivers. The Demon group of the Dia Star River was the most powerful and had the longest history among the surrounding star rivers. But clearly, the Mycroft people couldn't fully trust Demons, so Loranda was sent out to accompany her.
But perhaps personality was contagious. This Paladin was clearly influenced by his good friend, Count Radcliffe. This tendency to start fighting without a word of nonsense was more demonic than Demons themselves. Things that could be solved with words didn't need force at all! Boseka could only quickly mediate and act as a peacemaker.
But contrary to the Seductive Demon's expectations, just as she started mediating, both the Paladin and the Bone Demon simultaneously gave up the idea of fighting—it seemed that the two sides had just been testing each other's bottom line and attitudes, and didn't really intend to start a conflict. But Boseka believed that if a real fight were to break out, they certainly wouldn't hesitate.
"Demons are still Demons after all. Although the names are different, the races are different, losers are still losers. You are, and so am I. What are you people doing here?"
Sitting back on his throne, the Bone Demon King said coldly: "As I said just now, we Demons originally had nothing. I suppose you are the same." As he said this, his six eyes were fixed on the Seductive Demon, but his other two eyes were fixed on Loranda, who was holding his hammer and not speaking: "If it's just superficial submission, then it doesn't matter. But if you plan to use me and my children as cannon fodder, then even if we die, we will not give up resistance."
"Alas, how can you say you have nothing? Don't you still have your lives?"
To this, Boseka showed a brilliant smile. She was not moved by the Bone Demon's cold attitude at all. Instead, she enthusiastically stepped forward, as if wanting to hug the Bone Demon's forelimbs. This action was stopped by the other party, but even so, she said nonchalantly: "Although the races are different, we are all Demons, so we are all one family—don't look so sad and hopeless, brother. Be optimistic, smile a little, don't be so serious."
Hearing this, both Loranda and the Bone Demon shuddered simultaneously. Such familiarity and skill in ingratiating oneself, worthy of a Seductive Demon Lord who had reached the Legendary level. And the words 'Demon telling Demon to be happy and smile' were so full of dark humor, it was practically art.
"Try to think about the past and the future—think more about hope, happiness, the best day of your life—"
But soon, the soft voice came, and the sense of absurdity was dispelled. As an extremely gentle mental fluctuation emanated from the Seductive Demon Lord Boseka's body, both Loranda and the Bone Demon King suddenly recalled the best times of their past lives.
Training with companions, running around the Holy Mountain, sweating the sweat of youth... Defeating a stronger opponent on the barren plains, finally having a full meal, successfully advancing, and gaining the right to live... Helping suffering villagers, receiving sincere thanks, being given a handmade amulet by a little girl, being praised by an adoptive father... Becoming the ruler of Demons, leading Demon Lords to fight other Demon Lords, gradually unifying the entire Giant Skeleton Abyss...
The future, an even more powerful Legendary realm, catching up with the footsteps of the pioneers, becoming a pillar of Mycroft Civilization...
The future... the future... the future...
"Stop it!!!!"
The illusion was broken. The Bone Demon woke from the illusion he had unknowingly fallen into. His furious roar also startled the Paladin from his beautiful vision of the future. In that instant, Loranda couldn't help but regret his momentary carelessness. At the same time, he finally began to take the true strength of this 'Seductive Demon Lord', whom he had considered not very powerful, seriously.
Giving hope and happiness, or arousing the most tempting desires in people's hearts—if this seductive ability were used in more malicious ways, this guy (Boseka) could undoubtedly easily brainwash a large number of mortals and Demons, organizing a huge force anywhere, loyal and unwavering... But even with such strategic abilities, Boseka still loyally served the Demon King Goliath.
It seemed that they had still underestimated the strength of the Sixth Abyss. Although these Demons seemed to submit very simply, their strength was not weak.
"Tsk, not a single bit of desire for the future and hope in your heart? This Demon has no ideals! Sir Knight, help me hold him down!"
Although the Bone Demon King had asked her to stop, how could Boseka really stop? This was the way of fighting for Seductive Demons. As the Paladin erupted, turning into a streak of light and clashing with the enraged Bone Demon King, the Seductive Demon Lord also charged into the battle line, helping Loranda suppress the opponent while frantically using seductive fluctuations to brainwash him.
"—Listen, your heart will be filled with hope for the future. You will want to explore unknown places—you will become a positive, optimistic, cheerful, and hopeful Demon! You will lead your group on the path to the future, freely deciding the direction of your path!"
The Paladin cooperated perfectly, smashing his hammer onto the Bone Demon's head, sending the Bone Demon King flying from the sky into the ground, creating a super spiderweb of cracks spanning ten kilometers on the surface. In return, he was sent flying out of the atmosphere by the opponent's tail. But the result was gratifying—the Bone Demon's stubborn brain matter began to waver—physically speaking, he fell into a brief coma, extreme dizziness, and a feeling of having forgotten something. At the same time, the seductive mental force penetrated everywhere, precisely inserting itself into this blank space.
"—You can choose to abandon your homeland and go to a new world, or you can choose to repair your homeland and raise the sun for the fourth time, just like the Void Dragon and your ancestors did in the past. Whether it's breaking free from the shackles of the past or rebuilding a new home, both are choices. Come, join us, awaken the potential of hope within your soul!"
"Don't... talk... ugh!"
The Bone Demon tried to resist the brainwashing of this mental fluctuation. His mental power was also strong, enough to expel the Seductive Demon Lord's influence. But the process was not smooth, because the Paladin had already turned into a gray meteor falling from the sky, colliding head-on with him again—the Bone Demon King felt his consciousness instantly become hazy. The same happened to the Paladin. The two Legendary experts clashed head-on in physical combat, not only leveling a nearby mountain but also leaving both of them mentally dazed.
And the Seductive Demon's voice and gentle mental fluctuations were everywhere.
"Do you think the Abyss is a sad and hopeless place? Maybe that's true. But be greedier! Be even greedier! My king once told me that the best virtue in this world is greed for hope—change! Don't be like stagnant water. Together with freedom, overturn the past and become a new self! We can help you achieve your wishes, but in return, you must become part of our future!"
The Bone Demon King struggled to control his thoughts, but the process was much harder than he imagined. Because two Legendary experts were bombarding him wildly. The range of their battle had already stretched over a hundred kilometers in just a few tens of seconds. He himself had just been nearly pierced through from front to back by the Paladin and the Seductive Demon... He was gradually losing control!
The Bone Demon King could clearly feel that his mind was being influenced by the Seductive Demon. His mindset was getting better and better, his thoughts more and more optimistic, even filled with...
Filled with hope.
An incredibly greedy desire for hope!
What the hell?!
Meanwhile, the Paladin, who had been silent and extremely vigilant, was secretly shocked while assisting with the physical brainwashing.
He finally understood how Goliath had subdued the other Demon Lords back then... Besides his own strength, the most important thing was probably that he had gained the loyalty of this Seductive Demon! One of the top ten unsolved mysteries of Mycroft had now been solved!
At this moment, the Bone Demon still had combat power. In fact, his strength was extremely strong. If he could fully unleash it, it wouldn't be difficult to suppress the combined efforts of the Paladin and the Seductive Demon. If he could summon the Abyss's favor, even a few more Legendary experts wouldn't scare him. But clearly, he couldn't exert his full power now. The Seductive Demon's Legendary power, through directly manipulating electromagnetic signals, Psionic Energy fluctuations, Arcane Power fluctuations, mental fluctuations, and all forces related to thought, forcibly 'changed' the material world. The ultimate seduction magic had been completely imprinted in his mind.
The Bone Demon could actually use his own power to erase this imprint. He was a Demon King-level existence. Although his strength was far inferior to Goliath's, the Abyss's favor was still upon him. Dispelling this mental seduction would be a piece of cake.
But why erase it?
He could erase it, but there was no need.
The momentum of the battle grew weaker and weaker, more and more powerless. When the Paladin was the first to withdraw, the Bone Demon also stopped fighting and lowered his four arms. His eight eyes all closed simultaneously. In his mind, beautiful memories of the past kept replaying... Although he still couldn't clearly see the prospects of the future, that hazy feeling, full of fun, also full of unknown and hardship, could now appear in his heart... Unlike his past self, who had numbly lived day after day after unifying the entire Giant Skeleton Abyss, the Bone Demon King suddenly felt that his past self was so hateful, wasting so much time without ever thinking about 'change'!
What had he been doing in the past?!
"...Hope."
Opening his eyes, he looked far into the distance at the Seductive Demon Lord, who seemed to be hiding aside, still observing whether her magic had succeeded. The Bone Demon King snorted coldly: "Hope can also kill people."
"Then do you want to die walking on the path of hope—"
Hearing this, the Seductive Demon knew she had succeeded. She beamed with joy and shouted from afar: "Or do you want to die in the bottomless depths of despair?"
...
"Demons are all deeply manic-depressive, it's innate. They simply cannot feel any happiness. Shattered souls bring endless chaos and pain—the destroyed homeland, the gray everything, the cold, sunless, dead world, and the cruel, bloody living environment all aggravate this depression, making their tendency towards self-destruction more and more severe. Occasionally they are extremely excited, occasionally extremely helpless. To cure this 'disease', there is no other way but brainwashing."
As they left the Giant Skeleton Abyss, the Seductive Demon Lord Boseka, whether explaining to Loranda or talking to herself, said: "My king, hundreds of years ago, during the time he was summoned to the Mycroft World as a mage's servant, cured his own depression. That's why he can be calmer and more rational than other Demons, leading us towards hope."
As for whether brainwashing was another kind of disease... The silent Paladin beside her shrugged.
Who cares? At least one thing this Seductive Demon said was absolutely right.
That is, compared to dying in the bottomless depths of despair, everyone would rather die walking on the path of hope—Demons are no exception.
Meanwhile, in the Giant Skeleton Abyss.
The Bone Demon King 'frowned deeply', surrounded by a group of his Greater Demons, all staring at the 'strange' silver light pillar before them.
"...The schemes of the Mycroft people."
He said in a low voice, his tone full of disgust: "Do they want to insult me with this kind of thing?"
Even if I die, am coerced, or fall into a desperate situation, I will absolutely not touch this thing—the Bone Demon originally wanted to say this, but the Mycroft people's things were really useful.
The Exchange System was just too convenient.
"...This Life Mother Tree cultivation manual is quite interesting." (Appreciation)