“Thank you, Empress!”
The Dragon Guards held back their laughter. Commander Wang Man was a rough man; asking him to manage the interior design of the new palace was like asking a brute to embroider silk shoes. Yet, he had executed the task beautifully.
Just then, four terrifying, overwhelming monster beast auras descended from the void, crashing down like a tidal wave.
From the east, a One-star Great Emperor Teng Snake appeared, its massive body like a winding mountain range, scales shimmering with five-colored light, radiating a heart-stopping dread. The Emperor-tier Teng Snake flicked its tongue, and the poisonous mist from its mouth twisted the surrounding void.
To the west, a Giant Crocodile crawled out of a spatial rift, its body covered in jagged ridges like deep ravines. Its eyes glowed with fierce malice, and wherever it passed, space distorted and the heavens trembled.
Two more Emperor-tier monster beasts appeared from the south and north.
In the next instant, all four Emperor-tier monster beasts transformed into human forms and knelt before Ji Fuyao.
“We respectfully welcome the Empress!”
Wang Man introduced them: “Empress, these are the four Emperor-tier monster beasts of the Blackflame Mountain Range. They have all submitted to our Fuyao Dynasty.”
Following his words, the four beasts swore the Heavenly Dao Oath, pledging eternal allegiance to Ji Fuyao.
Ji Fuyao nodded to Wang Man and Qing Yan, showing her approval. “You have all worked hard during this time.”
The Dragon Guards responded in unison, “We are honored to serve the Empress!”
Wang Man’s Transmission Jade Slip suddenly vibrated. He retrieved it, and a smile immediately spread across his face. “Empress! The news of your journey and the annihilation of many Heavenly Net Hall Great Emperors has spread. More and more Overlord-level Powers are sending goodwill messages. Now that they know you have arrived in the Blackflame Mountain Range, they are preparing to come and witness your glory!”
Ji Fuyao’s eyes narrowed, radiating a subtle majesty. “Let them enter.”
Wang Man quickly relayed the message. “Empress, they will arrive soon. Shall we return to the main hall to wait?”
Ji Fuyao nodded, leading the group into the hall.
Inside, Ji Fuyao surveyed the surroundings. The Imperial Throne rose majestically from a Sea of Spirit Fire, looking incredibly fierce. The massive columns of the hall were engraved with defensive Great Emperor Formation Patterns, shining brightly, and the floor was paved with rare, ancient jade, giving the space a profound, weathered aura.
Seeing the meticulous arrangement, Ji Fuyao was surprised. “Wang Man, did you arrange all this?”
Wang Man looked slightly embarrassed. “Yes, Empress. Are you satisfied?”
Ji Fuyao nodded. “Excellent.”
Moments later, she sat high upon the Imperial Throne and released a wisp of the Eight Desolations Annihilation Flame. Instantly, the entire hall became scorching hot, as if boiling. But she quickly suppressed the flame, bringing it into a subtle state—seemingly gentle, yet capable of instantaneous, devastating explosion.
Qing Yan and the others understood: the Empress intended to demonstrate the Dynasty’s power to the incoming major factions.
Just then, the void twisted and space tore outside the Blackflame Mountain Range.
Leaders and Old Ancestors of numerous Overlord-level Powers descended. To show reverence and respect, they walked the final distance to the great hall.
“Liu Family Liu Shan of Fangzhou requests an audience with Empress Fuyao!”
“Joyful Union Sect Lin Feng of Hezhou requests an audience with the Empress!”
“Nalan Family of White State requests an audience…”
Ji Fuyao’s majestic voice slowly echoed from within the hall.
“Enter.”
***
Over the next few days, a massive event shook the Three Thousand States of the Southern Wilds!
Tianyuan Old Ancestor left the Grand Dao Sect, carrying the Bronze Ancient Palace Dao Rhyme, attempting to locate the palace. He first traveled to Cloud State, investigating with Jiujun Old Ancestor for several days, but found nothing.
Then, Tianyuan Old Ancestor left Cloud State and went directly to Tianluo State. Tianyuan Old Ancestor intended to confront Duan Hunsheng, the Hall Master of the Heavenly Net Hall.
However, less than half a day later, people witnessed Tianyuan Old Ancestor fleeing Tianluo State, severely injured, blood staining the sky as he tore through the void in retreat.
At the border of Tianluo State, Duan Hunsheng, cloaked in a black robe and shrouded in sinister black mist, suddenly appeared, looking incredibly cryptic as he pursued Tianyuan Old Ancestor’s fleeing form. Duan Hunsheng’s voice, cold and terrifying, boomed across the sky:
“Tianyuan Old Thief, I warned you! Anyone who dares step into my Heavenly Net Hall headquarters will never return! Tianyuan, you are finished!”
This declaration instantly shocked the surrounding states. The news spread like wildfire: Tianyuan Old Ancestor defeated and chased by Duan Hunsheng!
No one had anticipated this. During their previous encounter in Cloud State, everyone had believed the two Nine-star Great Emperors were evenly matched. Yet, when Tianyuan Old Ancestor stepped into the Heavenly Net Hall’s home turf, he was instantly crushed and severely wounded!
In Cloud State, Jiujun Old Ancestor looked utterly stunned. “Tianyuan Daoist Friend went to the Heavenly Net Hall headquarters after leaving Cloud State!?”
The Yao Family Old Ancestor sighed darkly. “The Heavenly Net Hall is backed by the Silent Destruction Sect. Otherwise, how could the Southern Wilds tolerate their massacres all these years? Tianyuan was too reckless this time, daring to step into their nest. Now, the Grand Dao Sect is in danger!”
Some Foreign Race magnates sneered. “Haha. A mere Grand Dao Sect, with only this much power, dared to speak of annihilating other inheritances across the Three Thousand States of the Southern Wilds! Laughable!”
A Monster Race magnate coldly scoffed, “Grand Dao Sect, don’t even think about monopolizing the Bronze Ancient Palace’s opportunity! Our Monster Race will certainly take a share!”
Tianyuan Old Ancestor’s severe injury triggered a massive chain reaction. Monster Race and Foreign Race magnates began plotting to descend upon the Blackflame Mountain Range, hoping to capture the ‘White Robe Great Emperor’ and seize his heaven-defying Supreme Offensive Secret Art! The situation was rapidly escalating.
The Grand Dao Sect now looked like a tempting cake. Tianyuan Old Ancestor held the key to the Bronze Ancient Palace, and the ‘White Robe Great Emperor’ possessed the Supreme Offensive Secret Art. Many Overlord-level Powers were eager to make a move.
The air across the states felt heavy, like a storm was about to break. The Grand Dao Sect had finally kicked a hornet’s nest!
While previous skirmishes had ended in the Heavenly Net Hall’s miserable defeat, this time, the Heavenly Net Hall had completely reversed the situation. This was a clash between Nine-star Great Emperors! A Nine-star Great Emperor being severely injured had profound implications for an Overlord-level Power.
Some even rumored that Tianyuan Old Ancestor would die by Duan Hunsheng’s hand. Others speculated that the plan to Re-establish the Fuyao Dynasty would likely die in its infancy! Previously, factions supported the Fuyao Dynasty because of the Grand Dao Sect’s backing. But now, if the Grand Dao Sect couldn’t even protect itself, how could it shelter the Fuyao Dynasty?!
However, since the magnate on Azure Mystery Peak had yet to speak, people were hesitant to fully assess the Grand Dao Sect’s true strength. Nevertheless, the sect’s reputation had suffered a severe blow.
Inside the Supreme Profound Sect, Yuan Qingzi and Nanchenzi exchanged delighted smiles. “Excellent! Excellent! This certainly avenges us!”
Feeling refreshed and in high spirits, they had initially refused Qin Wang, who had come to request massive cultivation resources for himself and Nangong Baixue, and had even considered expelling him since the Qin Family was annihilated and they didn't want to return the resources Qin Wuyang had paid. But now, in their good mood, Nanchenzi waved his sleeve and tossed several Storage Rings to Qin Wang. He spoke lightly, “White Snow sent you, didn’t she?”