Gacha games can't save this bizarre world.

This final record was sealed away in a dream.

After all, we went through so much trouble to snatch it, so handing it over would feel like we'd worked for nothing.

Speaking of which, the demons of hell are quite unique. That was Zhao Hao's first time fighting a demon.

These creatures generally dislike direct combat and are a different type from demons. However, they are quite powerful and, most importantly, very difficult to kill. They are usually banished from the world of the living and the dead, sent back to hell. Coming from hell to this world is quite a difficult process, but that's about it.

……

When the group chatted together, they all started talking about Zhao Hao's current identity.

In my opinion, "Based on my years of experience, this doesn't seem like a good thing."

Gou Quanze said, "You can only make a fortune by keeping a low profile. Now that you've all been pushed to the forefront, how can you remain low-key?"

The fat man said directly, "Unsolicited kindness is either a trick or a theft."

Zhao Hao and his thirteen companions now hold a very high position in the Amerin world, with various departments cooperating with them wherever they go. Those unaware of the situation might mistake them for imperial envoys, or even the President himself!

But if you suddenly pull this stunt, others might not care—Westerners are easily swayed by such tactics. But Zhao Hao, as a Song dynasty citizen, inevitably feels like he's being manipulated!

Now that you're being so cooperative and flattering, I'm worried that you might just dump me at any moment.

Then they'll do something like Liu Bei throwing his child, using me to win people's hearts!

Besides, with thirteen candidates, who are you going to choose? Are you trying to start a competition among us?

Ultimately, however, it is a clash of forces.

Zhao Hao is now just a little bit away from upgrading to Bronze 2-star.

At this rate of development for fantasy games, in another year or two, no demons, monsters, or beautiful women in disguise will be able to withstand the discerning eyes of the Ruyi Jingu Bang!

……

Just as Zhao Hao and his friends were wondering if some old silver coin was plotting against Zhao Hao, there was indeed a meeting being held.

In a very secluded conference room, around an old and solemn long conference table, sat a group of people. All of them wore black iron skull rings on their hands.

Seated at the head of the table was an elderly man with white hair and beard, leaning on a cane, who asked, "What is the current situation of the candidates?"

Someone quickly replied from underground that there were still a few people who had not reached the Bronze level.

The old man paused for a moment, then said that he would devote all resources to training the remaining candidates to reach the Bronze level as soon as possible, so that the real selection could begin.

At this moment, a young man at the conference table became dissatisfied and questioned why outsiders and scoundrels were chosen as candidates.

The old man remained silent for a long time before finally saying that the selection was not made by him and that there were many things he couldn't tell them yet, and that they should just follow the arrangements.

Finally, the elder made the decision to allocate more resources to stimulate the candidates' growth.

Soon, the old man drew a circle on the paper, inside which was the word "Toad God Jar".

Chapter 354 The Passionate Rock Spirit of Texas

Zhao Hao accepted a mission that required him to go to a remote town in West Texas.

Texas is the second largest state in America. More than a hundred years ago, it belonged to Mexico. But as the saying goes: it's too far from heaven and too close to America.

Amei used a set of skills called "Take it all," first supporting his independence from Mo Du Ge, and then persuading him to join her, successfully gaining another territory.

However, the Texas legislator's commentator at the time said, "We accepted Americo's accession to the Republic of Texas." Wow, that's a bit of a boast!

Because Texas joined under a special status, it often tries to secede, demand preferential treatment from America, or protests.

Texans typically identify as Texans far more strongly than they identify as Amis.

After all, it's known as the Lone Star State.

Texas is a vast and resource-rich country. When people mention this place, they usually think of two things: Texas cowboys and Texas Hold'em.

If you're thinking of Dezhou braised chicken, go to Haokeban Shandong; it's not the same place.

Those who like basketball should know the Houston Rockets and the Dallas Mavericks.

Houston is the largest city in Texas.

Dallas is the third largest city in Texas and is known as the cowboy capital. The two previous presidents of Dallas, whose heads were blown off, were assassinated here.

The Houston Mavericks are the team that basketball player Michael Jordan currently plays for, which is also under the management of Zhao Hao.

Jordan didn't really understand why Zhao Hao put him on the Mavericks. Zhao Hao's explanation was: "Hey Jordan, do you believe in fate? The Mavericks are your destiny, you will create glory there!"

Jordan: But, boss, what's the price?

Zhao Hao: Go play basketball, or are you asking for trouble by making jokes at me?

Texas has many large plains, so there are many large farms, which are jokingly referred to as the "big countryside" in America. In contrast, western Texas is characterized by dry, hilly, rocky, and desert terrain.

There's also the very famous Amazon Space Agency here, those three~

According to Colt, Aramco's top management has been making a lot of moves recently, especially in the aerospace field, with a lot of documents and policies being released, indicating that they are about to make a big push for aerospace.

Zhao Hao was sent here on a mission this time.

Moreover, the Mysterious Bureau even transferred "Master Xiluo" over, saying that Zhao Hao, a veteran member of the bureau, would mentor him.

Zhao Hao couldn't understand it. Old Saipan, a redneck witcher mentor who was also a candidate and a native of Saipan, would have been much better off leading Xiro on this mission. Why bother making him travel thousands of miles across several states?

The reasons above are also quite valid: there is a concern that the hot-tempered redneck Saipan might shoot him because he doesn't like Italians.

Zhao Hao thought about the impression that old Saipan had left on him, and well, the mortality rate in Xiluo was indeed quite high.

Moreover, Old Saipan was recently sent to Modu Ge to perform an exorcism.

That's right, he is a demon hunter after all. In Mo Du Ge's place, the Vatican and the Protestant forces are not very powerful. Most of the time, it is a playground for demons from Hell and other worlds.

Some demon hunters use this place as a training ground for growth and advancement. Many local priests know exorcists and ask them for help with tasks they can't handle.

The relationship between the Papacy and the Witcher isn't exactly good, with some historical issues. However, the Americas are too far away, so trying to stop them wouldn't be very effective; it's like being too far from heaven—that's just the surface meaning.

Therefore, local priests and churches often seek outside help and generally form their own systems, only nominally respecting the Pope.

……

Zhao Hao originally planned to drive to Dezhou, but after looking at the map, he realized it was over 2,600 kilometers, equivalent to driving from Jilin Province to Guangxi Province. He apologized for his hasty decision. So he decided to fly.

It was already late autumn in October, but it was still very warm in Texas, with temperatures above 25°C.

Texas is the southernmost state in America, bordering Mexico. It has mild winters and hot, dry summers with consistently high temperatures.

It's said that in Texas, beautiful women wear denim shorts for six months of the year, showing off their long, white legs while driving pickup trucks, giving off a very free-spirited and wild vibe.

Zhao Hao spoke with the Bureau of Mysteries' office in Houston for a while, and then went to find a place to eat on his own.

Texas is famous for its barbecue and steaks. Since the region is known for its cowboys, it naturally has a thriving livestock industry and produces a large number of cattle.

Texas is a sparsely populated area, so people like big things.

For example, the steak was bigger than my face! And the beer—one bottle was equivalent to one and a half to two bottles. It was incredibly satisfying!

Zhao Hao while killing time waited for Xiluo's arrival. He was going to fly over from Europe.

The bars here are really lively. There are lots of young and beautiful women dressed in revealing clothes and wild, bearded men in the bars. Some people are even singing.

You can often hear people shouting "Yiiiiii-haaaaa" in a high-pitched voice when clinking glasses, just like in Jay Chou's "Cowboy on the Run".

It makes you want to ride a horse and lasso an ox!

Zhao Hao had previously heard that Texas had an extremely high gun ownership rate. If there were a hundred Texans, there might be a hundred and one firearms of various sizes.

It's said that every car on the road might have two shotguns in its trunk. The crime rate is among the top 10 in the US.

Zhao Hao didn't really grasp the concept at the time, after all, Amei had the highest gun ownership rate in the world.

It's just guns and street shootouts, right? If you don't encounter one every week, you feel like the week has been too easy.

But Texas is no joke. Zhao Hao saw several patrons with revolvers tucked into their belts, and there were two double-barreled shotguns that the owner had prepared behind the bar, though he didn't know if they were loaded or not.

Zhao Hao had also heard a story told by a Song Dynasty man who was studying at a university in Dezhou during a casual chat with Zhao Hao and Fatty.

He said his roommate at the time was gay. Once, he had an argument with his boyfriend on the phone, so his boyfriend drove over, and the two fought in the yard before breaking up.

The fierce and untamed spirit of the people can be glimpsed from the gay community.

It's like saying, "What are you looking at? What's it to you?" and then it opens the shell.

However, Zhao Hao quite liked the place because the locals were very welcoming.

Generally, the more prosperous and advanced a place is, the more polite people are, but also the more indifferent they are. The more backward and simple a place is, the more genuine and warm people may seem, but they are also very sincere and enthusiastic.

Zhao Hao was able to come to this bar, which wasn't on the main street, to eat a big steak because he had asked someone on the street earlier. The person was very enthusiastic in giving directions and even patted Zhao Hao on the shoulder, strongly recommending the signature big steak, saying that he wouldn't be disappointed.

As expected, Zhao Hao, who has a huge appetite, ate three pieces in one go, drawing loud cheers from the surrounding audience! The owner even gave him a complimentary beer, saying that he had the biggest appetite of the year!

Furthermore, while Zhao Hao was eating steak and drinking beer alone, a friend came over to clink glasses with him and said he planned to organize a march the next day to impeach the governor. He added that the guy hadn't called for Texas independence enough this year, which wasn't like a typical Texas man.

Zhao Hao's expression: (ー`′ー), So this is how you elect a governor! I want to introduce Trump to you and make Texas great again!

It was evening when Ciro's plane finally arrived. Ciro arrived in a vehicle from the Bureau of Mysteries.

The two were very warm to each other upon meeting, as they were already old acquaintances.

Back then, Zhao Hao saved Xiluo in the small world, which can be considered as guiding Xiluo onto the right path.

He's already a 4-star Iron-tier hero, leveling up very quickly.

But when Zhao Hao asked, Xiluo poured out his grievances.

First, he talked about how he was tricked, then how he was coerced and lured into joining some kind of candidate by Amei's agents. He also said how inhumane Amei was, forcing him to run around like an animal, one mission after another, without even having time to date.

If it were any other extraordinary individual, they would be overjoyed to receive such a large amount of resources and training.

But Ciro doesn't pursue that. For him, the biggest advantage of becoming a superhuman might be having more leverage when picking up girls. He has no desire for increasing his power.

Zhao Hao thought to himself, "These guys really went all out to train people like me."

Based on his knowledge of several candidates, Zhao Hao compared their situations and concluded that, while it wasn't a nationwide effort, it certainly provided a great deal of convenience and resources.

What are they after?

Why do you need to cultivate a savior? Why don't you just cultivate your own people?

People like Ciro and Thor aren't Amis, are you sure they'd risk their lives for you?

Is there some kind of certification for this? We thirteen of us don't have anything in common, do we?

……