Building the Strongest Undead Empire from Scratch

Alex stood on the plaza, her core leadership flanking her. The surrounding lords, unsure of the purpose of this gathering, watched with curiosity.

Death Spirit quickly relayed Alex's command to all Lords and Freelancers within the empire.

They converged on the undead Imperial Capital, assembling in a massive crowd.

The Freelancers, though numerous, possessed only trace amounts of the system's power, posing no significant threat.

Purging their system was simple. Alex's divine fire could easily accomplish this. The Sovereign level lords could also do it themselves, albeit more slowly.

"Everyone," Alex announced, her voice carrying across the plaza, "as promised, I will now help you remove all traces of the system. This purging is complete, more thorough than becoming a Freelancer.

Afterward, whether you choose to remain within the undead empire or integrate into human society is entirely up to you. I won't stop you."

Alex explained the purpose of this gathering.

This was part of their agreement. The lords, now aware that they were merely pawns in the system's game, had been waiting for this day.

Moreover, the system would disappear in a hundred years anyway. And any pseudo-gods created through its influence would be banished by the World's Heart, just like true gods, becoming puppets of the system. This was merely happening sooner than expected.

Once the system vanished, alliances, submission contracts, barracks, and other special structures would lose their function.

This meant Alex would no longer have absolute control over Ice Cream, the Xiao siblings, Drake, Sophie, and the others.

They would regain their freedom.

However, special structures like the Portal of Transit and other already constructed buildings would remain unaffected.

Their magic circles were permanent, independent of the system.

It was similar to the magic circles created by alchemy warlocks. Their death didn't deactivate the magic circles they had created.

"What do we need to do?" the lords asked.

"Nothing. Just stand here. I'll handle the rest."

Alex placed two fingers on her forehead. A golden energy slowly flowed out, coalescing at her fingertips into a golden flame.

She raised the divine fire above her head and released it into the sky.

The divine fire blazed, bathing the lords and Freelancers in its golden light.

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They watched in awe. The light radiated no heat, only a sense of calm.

A strange energy emerged from their bodies, clashing with the divine fire's energy.

"Is that the system's energy within us?" Xiao Hui asked, surprised. She couldn't sense any change within herself.

If not for the divine fire, they wouldn't have even noticed its presence.

"Yes, this energy is unconscious. It only activates in the presence of the World's Heart's energy, acting as a defense mechanism. It's harmless," Alex explained to Xiao Hui and the others.

The energy flowed out, dissipated by the divine fire's radiance.

The amount of system energy within each lord, regardless of their level, was roughly the same. This was why lords could actively purge it upon reaching Sovereign level.

However, the top-ranked lords on the leaderboard had received special treatment from the system, possessing more energy than the others.

Therefore, Satan, Lilith, and the others had a greater amount of system energy within them.

And Alex, having held the top spot, had the most. That's why she had been able to withstand the island's power for so long.

The system's distribution of energy was like placing bets. The higher-ranked lords had a greater chance of becoming gods and were therefore more valuable to the system.

Within half an hour, the system's influence was purged from all the Freelancers. An hour later, the lords were also cleansed.

Only Alex's core members and Satan and Lilith's groups remained.

"My task is complete," Alex announced. "You are free to go wherever you please."

Her goal had been to weaken the system. Although the faith power provided by these lords and their troops was beneficial, it wasn't essential.

"We wish to stay!" the Freelancers declared unanimously. They had no home, no place to go. The lords, though harboring other ambitions, had no better options in the current climate. They agreed to remain in the undead Imperial Capital, at least for now.

After dismissing the crowd, Alex waited patiently for the remaining individuals to be cleansed, maintaining her divine fire with her soul power.

It wouldn't take long. They were almost all Sovereign level beings and could purge the system's influence themselves, with a little help from Alex.

Three hours later, as midday approached, everyone except Drake and Xiao Mu had been cleansed. They stood beside Alex, watching the two Race Kings.

Alex was worried. The Light Titan and Rock Dragon races were small, and without the system's barracks, the faith power they provided might not be enough for them to reach pseudo-godhood.

Death Spirit, lacking faith power, was still stuck at first-stage Sovereign level.

But Alex wasn't willing to give up on him. Perhaps she hadn't found the right method yet. Or maybe, unlike the other Race Kings, his potential extended to true godhood.

Regardless, she wouldn't let him become a pseudo-god.

Torin had recently ascended to pseudo-godhood, becoming the undead empire's second strongest combatant.

As the last vestiges of system energy dissipated, signifying the complete purging of its influence, the divine fire merged back into Alex.

She felt her divine fire grow stronger, closer to illuminating her God's Path.

This was undoubtedly connected to the core of will.

If she destroyed a few more cores of will, she could surely reach the third stage of Sovereign level.

===

With the system's power purged, it was time to utilize the accumulated faith to help her followers ascend to godhood(Divine).

Alex raised her right hand. An invisible energy began to manifest throughout the undead empire's territory, converging towards the undead Imperial Capital, swirling like an invisible vortex above the city.

The energy coalesced in Alex's palm, growing larger and radiating an awe-inspiring power.

Soon, a ball of faith power, larger than her hand, pulsed in her grasp.

"By the power of faith within my divine kingdom," Alex declared, her voice echoing through the city, "I grant Xiao Hui, Arthur, Riven, John, Crane, Arthas, Azure, and Vulture to godhood!"

The energy in her hand expanded explosively, splitting into eight streams of pale gold light that surged into her chosen champions.

Eight golden pillars of light erupted into the sky, enveloping them as their bodies and souls underwent a divine transformation, their power surging.

"Drake, Xiao Mu," Alex said, her tone apologetic, "your faith power is insufficient. You won't be able to god this time."

Thanks to the sheer number of undead, their faith power was abundant. The others, however, fell short.

"We will expand our forces and grow stronger," Xiao Mu said, his voice filled with determination. "I can already sense that I'm close to breaking through to Divine level." Drake nodded in agreement. They wouldn't remain stuck at third-stage Sovereign level. In the upcoming war, Divine level would be the deciding factor.

"Ten gods are enough for now," Alex replied, nodding. Her gaze shifted to Ice Cream.

He was the most talented among them, besides herself. With the complete Azure Dragon treasure, his ascension to true god was only a matter of time.

Once Ice Cream became a true god, he would be their strongest combatant, securing the undead race's position among the top-tier factions.

Perhaps the current Dragon God had been too merciful, or perhaps he had fallen victim to the traitors within his race, choosing to ascend rather than fight.

Otherwise, the dragon race's pseudo-gods and gods would have been no match for a true god.

His decision to ascend instead of eliminating the traitors was puzzling.

"Ice Cream," Alex said, approaching him, "the system's power is gone, and I've released you from our contract. You are free now. Whether you choose to return to the dragon race or stay is entirely up to you."

Their relationship had been mutually beneficial, but Alex had arguably helped Ice Cream more than he had helped her.

"I choose to stay," Ice Cream replied without hesitation. "I will help you achieve your dream." His eyes shone with unwavering resolve.

Born on the Eldoria continent, he felt no connection to the dragon race. His only concern was his mother.

Now, knowing that the dragon race had sided with his mother's killers, he couldn't tolerate it.

Both Emberon and Alex hoped Ice Cream would ascend to true god and unify the dragon race.

They had strayed from the right path. A new Dragon God was needed to lead them and prevent their destruction.

This was the main reason Ice Cream chose to stay.

"Welcome to the undead empire," Alex said, smiling. "I'm sure not all dragons have sided with the World's Heart. When Emberon arrives, you can discuss your plans. I won't show mercy to those traitors."

The Frost Heart was restored, but fully merging with it was incredibly difficult. Alex hoped Ice Cream's ascension wouldn't be delayed for too long.

As the city's faith power dwindled, the Race Kings began to transform. Xiao Hui's six wings became eight, her aura growing stronger. She was the first among the eight kings to Divine level.

Azure and Riven's ethereal forms solidified, becoming more tangible, almost like flesh and blood. Azure, in his human form, looked almost indistinguishable from an ordinary person.

John and Arthur's appearances didn't change much, but their soul flames burned brighter, now enveloping their entire bodies instead of just flickering within their chests.

Crane and Arthas looked more human, their deathly auras the only indication of their undead nature.

Vulture, the new King Ghoul, was the only exception. He looked almost identical to his previous form. Alex had initially thought his ascension had failed, but the aura he radiated was unmistakably that of a Divine level.

Without the system, Alex couldn't analyze Vulture's abilities. She would have to observe him in action.

Eight gods hovered in the air, radiating immense power.

In terms of overall strength, the undead empire now surpassed even the dragon race.

Although slightly weaker than the Demon race, they were more than capable of facing the era crisis.

The Race Kings descended, landing beside Alex, each radiating an unparalleled aura.

Her next objective was simple: choose the weakest target and destroy their core of will. She didn't need to aid any specific race.

The Demon race, despite losing ground against the combined forces of the Titan and dragon races, still held control over the Valoria continent.

Alex decided to communicate with the Demon race first and confirm their allegiance.

After that, she would target the cores of will on the Arcadia continent (humans), the Tyrangar continent (Titans), and the Mossvale continent (dragons).

Since the dragon race had betrayed them, Alex's first target, after contacting the Demon race, would be the weakened dragon race.

She was determined to obtain the Mossvale continent's core of will.