It took a couple of seconds for the cultivators ahead of Azaroth to respond to his words. The first task they received was to fight each other?

However, Laura's subordinates had a massive issue with this order. They immediately spoke out to express their concerns.

​​

"How will we fight against these warriors? They have trained in close-ranged combat while we trained in long-ranged combat. Please think of a competition that would be absolutely fair to both of our groups." A man spoke with a graceful appearance.

His reasoning appeared to be sound, and he was quite polite while speaking. Many of the warriors within Laura's group immediately agreed with those words.

"That's right. Competition should be fair to both parties. Having a brawl against these men would just be using our weakness to fight against their strength."

"I am sure our opponents would prefer a fair competition. One where both parties have an equal chance of winning, right?"

"If it's archery, I guarantee I won't lose to anyone!"

All of Laura's underlings were shouting loudly. Laura appeared quite displeased when she heard them shouting.

Her respect and affection for Azaroth had reached a high value. She couldn't tolerate how her subordinates were shouting at him.

It irritated Laura that only her subordinates seemed to be yelling and whining. Noah's subordinates remained calm. It was as if they wouldn't dare to speak without Noah's approval.

Laura felt that she had failed in instilling her prestige within her subordinates.

Azaroth coldly spoke, "No."

It was spoken powerfully. One that made these warriors understand that Azaroth wouldn't submit to their demands.

As this realization dawned upon them. Many of these warriors were quite angry. Some warriors were considering leaving.

They hadn't joined Laura's group to fight against some brutes.

Azaroth noticed their reactions. He allowed them to think for some time.

After a few minutes, he felt that he had given them enough time. Azaroth spoke loudly as his voice resounded in the entire field, "What is the difference between a strong and a weak?"

His question was met with pin-drop silence.

This was intended to be a rhetorical question. Thus, Azaroth wasn't expecting a response from these warriors. He intended to make a point with his question.

Azaroth then continued speaking, "When I tell you that I will make you strong, what do you think I mean?"

This time, Azaroth was indeed looking for an answer.

Laura's subordinates immediately began to give their answers one by one.

"I think you are planning to train us so that we can become 4 Star Cultivator."

"In my opinion, we would be quite strong when we can defeat the core disciples of the top sects."

"You are planning to train us and make us strong enough to rule over a territory?"

…

Only Laura's subordinates spoke, and they just continued to give their answers.

Azaroth waited for them to finish speaking.

Azaroth spoke after he confirmed that no one else wanted to speak, "The answers you gave me indicate what strength means to you."

"Some consider strength to be a rank of cultivation while others think they would be considered strong after defeating some strong individuals or probably win a competition."

"Now, hear me out. In my opinion, strength is the ability to make things happen. When I talk about making you strong, I mean to make you strong enough to do whatever you want in this world without any considerations. If you want to kill someone, you can kill that person without thinking of any consequences. Why? Because you are strong enough to deal with any consequences."1

"Defeating a 5 Star Warrior or a 6 Star Warrior? Naah. Your vision is far too narrow. When I say I'll make you strong, I mean you'll be able to compete with the very best. You will be strong enough to defeat those considered as gods!"

Azaroth's words had absolutely shocked these warriors. In fact, a fire had lit up within their eyes. Whether it was Noah's subordinates or Laura's subordinates, all of them were absolutely excited to hear this speech.

"However, to reach that level, you will need to endure the training I will put you through. Most importantly, you will obey my every command, no matter how unreasonable it appears. These are my two conditions. Now, decide whether you want to stay or leave. Whether you want to rule the world or just stay here in this rundown city. Give me your response." Azaroth finally finished his speech with those words.

Noah's subordinates looked at Noah first and were seemingly asking for his consent to speak.

Noah instantly got angry and shouted at them, "What? Boss asked you a question. How dare you stay silent?!"

Nearly all of Noah's subordinates flinched when he shouted at them. They felt that Noah was too unreasonable.

If they said something, Noah would scold them harshly for speaking without asking for his permission. But now, as they were asking for his consent, he was scolding them for staying silent.

They felt that the world was truly unfair. Azaroth wanted to chuckle as he saw the expressions on Noah's subordinates' faces.

However, Noah's subordinates gave their answer collectively, "We want to stay and train under you, Lord Azaroth."

Noah looked slightly pleased when he heard all his subordinates say that.

He then looked in Azaroth's direction with a delighted smile. Azaroth then slowly patted Noah's head and praised him, "You trained a good bunch, Noah."

Noah looked slightly embarrassed as Azaroth praised him in front of everyone. But his happiness was off the roof.

Noah's subordinates were astonished to see Noah with that embarrassed and happy look. It was as if they were looking at a stranger.

Right now, Noah actually looked like a cute little kid. They were used to Noah's ruthless side and were actually shocked to see him acting like a happy little kid who had just received candy.

Meanwhile, Azaroth stared at Laura's subordinates. Many of them had already expressed their desire to stay and train under Azaroth passionately.

However, there were still a few warriors who remained unsure.

The reason for their hesitation was easy to guess. These warriors didn't want to obey Azaroth's orders. They wanted to retain their rights. And they didn't respect Azaroth enough to believe whatever he had promised them.

A warrior asked, "How do we know you can make us reach the level you are talking about? Prove to me that you are not a sham."

"I expected this question." Azaroth smirked as he added, "If you can ask me that same question again, you can consider me a bragger."

"What do you-"

Before that warrior could even finish his words, he and all the warriors within the field fell on the ground except for Laura and Noah.

"I didn't give you my complete introduction. My name is Azaroth, and I have reached the 5 Star Rank at the age of 17," Azaroth's words made these warriors gasp in shock.

They had never heard of a 17-year-old 5 Star Warrior. Even the top genius of the Red Crown Sect, the third prince, became a 5 Star Warrior when he was 22 years old.

In reality, this was a lie. Azaroth had personally created this body. So there was no such thing as age. However, this wasn't a complete lie. It was because, in his previous life, Azaroth had indeed become a Demon Lord at the age of 17.

"This probably isn't enough to convince you about my ability. No problem." Azaroth spoke with a smile. He pointed and Noah and began to speak, "Noah began to cultivate since a few months ago. And he has already reached the 3 Star Rank. He will be participating in the Heavenly Dragon Battlefield Tournament at the age of 10. So tell me, do you still question my ability to make you strong?"

All of these warriors felt the suppression over them weaken. They began to stand up, staring at Noah with shock.

None of them was aware of this fact!

Noah's subordinates, who were absolutely terrified of him, were somewhat embarrassed and gained a lot of respect for Noah.

Noah had become a 3 Star Warrior within a couple of months. He also possessed enough control over Ardor where he could beat them all without much trouble. They felt embarrassed as they compared themselves to him.

However, they also understood that he must have trained like hell to have achieved the power he possessed right now. This made them respect Noah greatly.

Even the warriors on Laura's side were astonished as they stared at Noah. The man who had questioned Azaroth's ability to train them was absolutely silent now.

Soon, the warriors hesitant about joining Azaroth immediately shouted that they wanted to train under him!

As hot-blooded youths, they all wanted to become stronger. To dazzle the entire world with their power! And they believed that Azaroth could indeed accomplish what he was promising. Thus, they agreed to become his soldiers!

This has been inspired by Uchiha Madara from Naruto. Hope you all liked it, though.