Chapter 416: Evil Gods

Within the Abyss, which resembled a black hole, the tangible darkness began to surge silently without warning.

Gradually, a faint glimmer of light ignited without warning. Then, a second, a third... like a single spark setting a prairie ablaze, more and more lights illuminated the Abyss.

As the glow intensified, the lights revealed themselves to be pairs of eyes!

They varied in size and shape. Some flickered with a spectral green light like will-o'-the-wisps from Hell; others were massive and murky, their pupils swirling with an eerie crimson hue. Strange runes encircled still others.

The only similarity was that every pair of eyes exuded an apathetic Divinity!

These eyes were scattered throughout the Abyss, some high, some low, some hidden, some revealed. Eerie murmurs intertwined endlessly, sounding like thousands of rusty nails scraping across rough stone slabs, or the final gasps of the dying in agonizing despair.

The phrases were fragmented and brimming with malice, the words and syllables twisting and coiling together like ancient, evil incantations.

Seeming to sense something, the evil gods sealed within the Abyss awakened all at once.

Countless pairs of eyes pierced through time and space, their gazes ultimately falling upon the Seven Kings Barrier and its faint white glow.

They stared at the dense web of cracks spreading across the Seven Kings Barrier, greedily sucking up the leaking aura.

...

...

Several days later.

The Blood Moon Empire.

"Where is the Progenitor!?" the Undead King roared at a crowd of Blood Clan members.

The Blood Clan members fell dead silent, none daring to make a sound.

"Trash! You're all useless trash! You couldn't even keep an eye on her!"

At that moment, a Blood Clan member braced himself and said, "Your Majesty, the Progenitor is incredibly powerful. If she wishes to leave, it is truly difficult for us to notice."

The Undead King was furious enough to kill, but considering they were currently short on manpower amidst the Nightmare Invasion, he finally held back. He also knew the man spoke the truth. The Blood Clan Progenitor was the avatar of the Scarlet Moon, imitating the first-generation Undead King. Her overall strength was absolutely no weaker than a Gold King; these people had no chance of keeping an eye on her.

"Leng Yue! Does your intelligence department have any news?"

As the Minister of Intelligence, Leng Yue hurriedly stepped forward. "Your Majesty, informants reported seeing a woman in a scarlet dress at the border of the Blood Moon Empire."

The Undead King's eyes lit up. "Where did the Progenitor go?"

"Judging by the direction... it should be the Chiyan Empire."

The Undead King froze. What was the Progenitor doing in the Chiyan Empire? The Blood Moon Empire bordered the Chiyan Empire; could she have simply gotten lost?

It was entirely possible. The Blood Clan Progenitor was frequently delirious, so getting lost wouldn't be out of the ordinary.

He just couldn't figure out why she had suddenly left her bedchamber.

"Any news from our deep-cover agents in the Chiyan Empire?" the Undead King asked coldly.

Leng Yue looked troubled. "No, there has been no word of the Progenitor from within the Chiyan Empire. However, a massive battle broke out in the Chiyan Imperial Palace not long ago, and King Chi's royal residence completely collapsed."

The Undead King's expression shifted slightly. Had the Progenitor done that? In the past, he would have been thrilled, given the hostility between their nations. But these were extraordinary times, and they absolutely could not afford to provoke a conflict.

"Was it the Progenitor..."

Leng Yue shook her head. "No, it was an old man in white robes. Since the incident occurred in the Imperial Palace, the intelligence our people could gather is limited. Word has it that this battle not only destroyed the royal residence but also left King Chi injured."

The Undead King frowned deeply. Although he had always looked down on King Chi, she was a Gold King nonetheless. An old man in white robes who could injure King Chi inside the Imperial Palace? When had such a figure appeared in this world?

He didn't dwell on it for long, caring more about the whereabouts of the Blood Clan Progenitor—or, more accurately, the Scarlet Moon.

The Blood Clan Progenitor could die, but the Scarlet Moon could not be lost!

"Contact the Chiyan Empire immediately."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

...

A long while later, the Undead King leaned back alone on his throne, frowning heavily.

He had just spoken personally with King Chi, but she claimed she hadn't seen the Blood Clan Progenitor. As for the great battle in the Imperial Palace, she said it was caused by someone from the Nightmare World.

Like the Nightmare Creatures, that person was a subordinate of Pride. They had slipped into the Real World during the Nightmare Invasion and then wreaked havoc in the Chiyan Imperial Palace, intending to pick off the Seven Kings one by one. Ultimately, however, they had failed and been slain.

The Undead King didn't take King Chi at her word. He dialed a secure number.

Beep... beep...

The call quickly connected.

The Undead King said in a deep voice, "Specter, I need you to do something."

On the other end of the line, Specter fell silent for a moment. "Our transaction is over. In these chaotic times, it seems the Blood Moon Empire has no intention of continuing to fund the Revolutionary Army."

"Hmph." The Undead King snorted coldly. "Specter, don't forget: without my covert support, how could the Revolutionary Army have grown to its current scale? You shouldn't forget your roots."

"Undead King, you did fund the Revolutionary Army, but we secretly supplied you with plenty of people in return. We've long since settled our debts. Moreover, the Revolutionary Army has been heavily crippled by the Nightmare Creatures. It would be very difficult for us to cooperate with the Blood Moon Empire now."

"Relax. I'm not asking you to continue trying to overthrow the Chiyan Empire. I just need you to investigate something."

"Investigate what?" Specter asked thoughtfully.

"The Blood Clan Progenitor."

"The Blood Clan Progenitor is in the Chiyan Empire?" Specter sounded clearly surprised.

"I'm not sure myself. That's why I need you to investigate."

"The Revolutionary Army has suffered heavy losses and is currently at its weakest. If we start moving conspicuously within the Chiyan Empire, I'm afraid it will draw King Chi's attention..."

The Undead King sneered, knowing that Specter was simply demanding a bribe. He immediately replied, "Don't worry, I won't have you work for free. The Blood Moon Empire will provide the Revolutionary Army with another batch of supplies. Furthermore, you don't need to worry about King Chi. Her focus is entirely on the coastal battlefields; she doesn't have the time to manage internal affairs.

"And the Supreme Heaven you fear most isn't even in King Chi's hands right now. The Revolutionary Army is safe for the time being."

"The Supreme Heaven isn't in King Chi's hands? Did she really lose it?"

The Undead King chuckled darkly. "She didn't just lose it—she'll never get it back in this lifetime, because the Supreme Heaven is in Pride's hands."

Hearing the name Pride, Specter remained silent for a long time before finally saying in a heavy voice, "I understand."

After hanging up the phone, Specter looked at the ruined base of the Revolutionary Army and let out a deep sigh.

Logically, he should have been happy that the Supreme Heaven was lost, as it benefited the Revolutionary Army. But because of Pride, the Revolutionary Army was now completely powerless to fight the Chiyan Empire.