My attributes are increasing infinitely Chapter 453: Travelling

A month flew by in the hush of an unseen tempest.

Within that brief period, Ethan's reputation soared to match the Emperor's own stature. The humble forge shop that once hid away on a bustling avenue had given way to a majestic ten-floor edifice that loomed over the capital's horizon.

Arrays and defensive formations gleamed across the structure, while spirit stones inlaid in its walls throbbed softly like the heartbeat of a beast. Daily queues formed outside from traders, aristocrats, sect delegates, and imperial messengers all seeking custom armaments. Though its sign bore a plain title, across the land it now stood for flawless craftsmanship.

Ethan's power had surged forward at an alarming pace. His pure fighting prowess now rivaled that of a peak Martial Emperor.

Wrapping up an extended forging stint in his subterranean workshop, Ethan brushed sweat from his forehead and climbed up to the topmost office. The item he'd just forged—a mid-grade Saint artifact—would've rocked entire nations just a month prior. Today, it blended into his everyday labors.

He shoved the office door wide.

As soon as he entered, his senses blared in warning.

A figure occupied his seat.

The intruder lounged at ease, his extended legs propped on Ethan's desk like it was his own domain. Though his aura stayed contained, the room's atmosphere grew heavy and choking. Such an essence screamed otherworldly origins.

Ethan's eyes grew keen.

He triggered Appraisal without delay.

[Name: Ye Qin

Title: Saint Weapon Master

Rank: Comparable to Tier 7 Being

Weapon: Cursed Spear

Devil Contract: Viscount Level Devil]

Ethan's eyes tightened a bit. A Tier 7 entity. A Saint-rank powerhouse. Yet the scan revealed something far graver: this visitor was a Universe-tier powerhouse. At such a stage, ascension to the Immortal Realm should've already happened. No cause remained for him to stay behind.

"Who are you?" Ethan inquired steadily.

The man cocked his head, entertained. "Oh? No fear in you? I've breached your space uninvited. I could end you in a blink, unnoticed."

Ethan ignored the taunt. He strode ahead and claimed the facing seat. His poise held steady as stone.

"What brings you here?" he questioned bluntly.

Ye Qin laughed lightly. "Direct, aren't you? Fine. Join us in forging arms. Excel, and I'll designate you my successor. Upon my life's close, the Cursed Spear passes to you. My inheritance could let you rule this plane outright."

Ethan paused in quiet for moments. Over the last month, he'd delved deep with Yumiko into Soul Weapons and devil pacts. Devils hailed from the God Realm, sending down slivers of intent to bind with humans, channeling them to reap godhood. Human devotion, dread, and bloodshed all yielded divine sparks. Devils played the long game; mortals served as their tools.

From Yumiko's insights, this plane's inhabitants forever chased freedom from their chains. They sensed a boundless expanse beyond.

"I see," Ethan murmured softly. "Tell me this: why the endless strife? Is it really just for dominance and control?"

His tone stayed utterly serene. No trace of dread colored his words.

Fear held no grip on him.

Lately, he'd gained access to the system's Third Protocol: the Tyrant of the Fourth Dimension. Last use hadn't drained its timer fully. About thirty seconds lingered. In this realm, a Fourth Dimensional force crowned the God Realm's summit. Even Viscount devils paled beside it.

For the moment, nothing could touch him.

Ye Qin held his reply. His eyes drifted to the pane, scanning the far-off urban sprawl.

"You fancy yourself wise to the cosmos," Ye Qin drawled. "Yet what we call our all is but a speck amid infinite sands. Past this domain lurk horrors beyond count. For us mortals, born without cultivation's gift, survival in that vast design leaves what options?"

Ethan eased back a touch. "Those devils you bind with—how do you rely on them? What stops them from devouring you? From yanking your strength mid-clash?"

Surprise flickered in Ye Qin's gaze. "You know of that too?"

Ethan offered no reply.

"The devil earns no trust from me," Ye Qin confessed. "I see his game clear. Still, he grants me choice. While goals match, we thrive together. Should he one day seize it all back, fine. I'd face it without rue."

Ethan eyed him with focus.

"That's your view?" he replied evenly. "Then consider this: serve under me. In ten years, wars end here. Mortals roam unbound. My word on it."

Silence gripped the chamber briefly.

Ye Qin then erupted in guffaws.

"Hahaha. Such bold words from one so frail. I shared a fond memory, and you dream of world conquest?"

The mockery slid off Ethan. He just grinned and rose.

He craved allies. Human ones proved priceless. Each devoted soul netted ten threads of divine force from the system. If so, why hold back?

Why not claim the whole realm as his force?

God Children dotted other planes. In a decade, they'd ripen and launch assaults. Ethan scorned a leisurely pace. He'd shatter the board ere the match began.

He shut his lids for a beat.

"Engage the Third Protocol."

Boom.

Invisible force cracked the office's fabric. Air warped in fury. Wall-etched arrays sputtered, then faded, as if daunted by an incomprehensible might.

Hellfire flooded the space.

Ethan's presence burst forth like a star imploding then blooming anew. Immense. Boundless. Crushing. It warped with a dimensional twist alien to this plane.

The sealed devil force in the Cursed Spear quivered.

Ye Qin's eyes shrank in shock. That heartbeat, he gazed upon a higher-realm horror. Beyond Saint. Beyond God. Transcending this world's frame.

His legs gave way.

He dropped to the ground.

Ethan's emanation didn't just quell him. It outstripped the God-tier devil's aura in Ye Qin's pact. The Viscount's intent huddled mute, shunning the confrontation.

For seconds, time froze in place.

Ethan then shut off the Protocol.

The infernal weight lifted at once, yielding a thick quiet.

Ye Qin stayed on his knees.

"Ye Qin," Ethan stated coolly, as though no marvel had unfolded. "I aim for every mortal as my faithful. Found a sect. Admit only mortals. No elite lineages. No devil bonds. True mortals alone."

Ye Qin's pulse raced wild. That aura's echo seared his thoughts. He grasped it now: this figure defied all norms.

"My lord," Ye Qin rasped, head bowed low. "Your will shall be done."

He rose unsteadily, quelled his shakes, and exited the room.

A prompt flashed in Ethan's sight.

[You have gained a loyal subordinate. Reward: 10 strands of Divine Energy.]

Ethan permitted a subtle grin.

A ceaseless forge of divine power stirred to life.

"Has the Divine Fruit surfaced yet?" Ethan pondered silently.

[Highly probable it hasn't, Master.]

Ethan approached the glass, surveying the sprawling city below. "We'll roam the lands then. Scour each nook. My growth demands haste."

His fingers drummed the desk softly.

"I'll hunt mighty Spirit Masters. Fell them, claim their might. Give me the full roster. Emperor tier up to this plane's apex."

[Assembling list.]

Yet prior to that quest, Ethan knew a key truth.

His enterprise required a firm base.

He couldn't forsake the trade outright. Halting output would spark turmoil in trade lines spanning kingdoms. Elites would frenzy. Sects might sour. Such disorder could sabotage his grand design.

"First, I'll craft ample arms and relics for a year's trade," Ethan whispered.