The various noble families heard a piece of exhilarating news. The Song family, with their vast wealth, seemed to have lost face in purchasing military merits from Song Zining, which was precisely what the others desired, thus avoiding a price hike instigated by the financially powerful Song family.
With so many people eager to acquire military merits, some clever individuals thought of investing early in this Seventh Young Master, the future military god. They proposed to put their own teams under Song Zining’s command, fighting alongside Darkflame, and dividing the military merits according to contributions. These terms were undoubtedly generous.
Song Zining’s response was extremely gracious; he welcomed all comers. In no time, Blackflow City gained more than a dozen new teams, with even more arriving steadily. Seeing the strength grow, the ambitions of the noble families swelled, and they set their sights on the dark army of tens of thousands across from them.
At this moment, Qian Ye had already entered the Zhao family’s war zone, resting at a transit base for his final preparations. Upon hearing this news, he was immediately reassured. With Song Zining’s move, he had successfully bound the noble families to his chariot, greatly increasing their safety coefficient, whether facing the dark army or guarding against the hidden arrows from the Nan Gong family behind them.
Hence, with peace of mind, Qian Ye followed Zhao Jundu’s route and embarked on a new journey.
However, news that brought joy to Qian Ye would not please everyone. Wei Po Tian, the son of Duke Boyang, the sole guardian of the Long Winter Fortress in the far east, was one of those who were unhappy. Every bit of information about Song Zining made his anger rise, and by the end, the entire fortress could hear the curses of their young lord.
“Damn it, what kind of nonsense! If I were in Evernight, that sissy wouldn’t have a chance to show off!” Wei Po Tian, filled with rage, kicked over the table.
The comprehensive war between the Eastern Far Province and the dark races had been ongoing for over a year. Even for major events like the Iron Curtain Blood War, the Wei family only sent two teams to Evernight as a formality. Of course, the Empire knew the situation in the Eastern Far, and no one would hinder their teams at this critical juncture.
Wei Po Tian, having experienced countless battles, broke through to become a battle general, amassing military merits and receiving the rank of Angel Broken General. This meant that after the Eastern Far campaign, he would be qualified to lead an independent army, albeit starting with a regular corps.
Thus, while Song Zining was making a name for himself in Evernight, Wei Po Tian was entrusted with the crucial task of defending the Long Winter Fortress, the most northern military stronghold between the Eastern Far Province and the dark territories.
After a long and drawn-out battle, the dark army had not made any progress in the Eastern Far. This spring, with the ice thawing, the Wei family, supported by the Empire, began to launch counterattacks. The Long Winter Fortress became a key logistical point for soldiers and supplies.
Strictly speaking, Wei Po Tian had done a commendable job during this period. The dark army repeatedly assaulted the Long Winter Fortress, but each time, Wei Po Tian repelled them. At one critical moment when the fortress walls were breached, Wei Po Tian single-handedly held the gap, fending off multiple attacks from five Viscount-level experts, eventually forcing the dark races to retreat empty-handed.
In normal times, such achievements would be widely celebrated. However, this was a special period, and the entire Great Qin Empire was focused on the Iron Curtain Blood War. The war, true to its name, had become another full-scale confrontation between the Empire and the Evernight forces, affecting the hearts and minds of all.
Under the Iron Curtain, any deed or military merit was magnified. Therefore, Song Zining’s brilliance was unparalleled, and Wei Po Tian’s accomplishments were entirely overshadowed and rarely mentioned.
If it were anyone else, it might not matter. For example, no matter how much attention Zhao Jundu received, Wei Po Tian wouldn’t care. But Song Zining’s glory reminded him of past events, making him feel inferior. Even drinking together, he felt he couldn’t face him!
With this in mind, Wei Po Tian wanted to lead his troops into the dark army and fight fiercely. However, his Thousandfold Mountain was more suited for defense, lacking in offensive power. Thus, the great general could only let out a long howl, lamenting his situation.
Such a showy task was never meant for him.
In the depths of the Evernight Realm, on a peak towering ten thousand meters high, stood a withered, frail old man. He looked like an ordinary old man, dressed slightly better than a commoner. Yet, behind him stood numerous dark race powerhouses, each exuding a formidable aura, yet all respectful.
The old man gazed into the distance, his eyes spanning millions of miles, focusing on the Iron Curtain. Almost the entire curtain was within his sight, even the forbidden zone in the center, untraversed by humans or dark races, faintly visible.
He stood quietly, gazing for an unknown duration, then slowly said, “It’s almost time…”
Behind him, all the dark race powerhouses held their breath, intently watching the old man, fearing they might miss anything. His every word, every special syllable, every nuance, and even every specific gesture would influence the entire Evernight Parliament.
The old man suddenly paused, deep in thought, seemingly unable to make a decision.
After a long while, he raised his left hand, pointing to the sky, and said, “It seems… we must invite that one over.”
Seeing the old man point to the sky, all the dark race powerhouses were shocked, followed by deep fear. They lowered their heads, showing respect.
The old man’s gaze swept over them, “You should return and prepare. What follows will not be trifling skirmishes.”
They all agreed and leaped into the air, flying in all directions, leaving the old man alone atop the solitary peak, facing the Celestial Ghost afar.
Deep in the Twilight Continent, in a valley that was mostly a forbidden zone, a large number of bloodline powerhouses had gathered.
In the front row, more than a dozen bloods stood, each with unique appearances. Most had white hair, but every detail from head to toe was perfectly groomed. Even the button on their sleeves was a masterpiece, requiring centuries of history to be worthy of their attire.
These bloods were all at least Vice-Duke level, with even two Grand Dukes among them. In the current era where most Princes were in eternal slumber, Grand Dukes were nearly the topmost authority among the bloods.
Different emblems shone on their chests, and among them, ancient snakes entwined around roses, castles amidst thorns, crowns of burning flames, and death horns, represented seven of the twelve ancient clans.
Here, even honored Marquises could only stand in the back. Normally commanding vast regions, they now bowed their heads slightly, showing humility. As for the Earls, they had no right to enter the center of the valley.
The valley was silent, with only the wind audible. So many bloodline figures gathered without a single sound, all waiting in silence.
Finally, the silence was broken by approaching footsteps. Two figures appeared at the valley’s entrance, walking steadily towards the center.
As these two figures appeared, the atmosphere in the valley changed. The auras of the many bloodline powerhouses were suppressed by these two. The space around them distorted, making their images blurry, indistinct due to their overwhelming power.
All the bloods, including the Grand Dukes, stepped back, clearing the path to the center of the valley.
A Marquis on the outskirts suddenly trembled, staring at one figure, and stammered, “King of No Light!”
His voice was almost a whisper, yet it caught the attention of the figure on the left. The figure paused, turned to the Marquis, and a low, magnetic voice resonated in every blood’s heart.
“Julio, it’s you, little one. When I first met you, you were just a young Baron. Now, you are a Marquis. In three hundred years, I will give you the chance to challenge me.”
Many gazes instantly focused on Julio, with mixed emotions of envy and schadenfreude.
Then, a Grand Duke from the Pass family stepped forward, greeting the King of No Light and the other figure whose face was still concealed.
“Noble King of No Light, and the revered Your Highness, please follow me. The ceremony is ready.”
The King of No Light nodded and, along with his companion, followed the Grand Duke to the center of the valley, where a mass of swirling darkness hovered.
The Grand Duke leaped into the darkness first, followed closely by the King of No Light and the mysterious figure, both vanishing into the void.
In the next moment, they appeared in a mysterious space.
There was no sky, no ground, and endless darkness in all directions. Within this space, the black fog-like substance was dense, almost tangible, with the essence of primal darkness.
From the void, a dozen chains reached out, attached to an ancient coffin floating in mid-air. The chains and the coffin were made of the same material, with wooden patterns but metallic luster, exuding an aura of ancient age. Ancient blood-colored runes faintly appeared and disappeared around them.
Entering this mysterious space, the King of No Light and the mysterious figure’s surroundings ceased to distort. The figure revealed itself, a demon, standing half a head taller than the King of No Light. His eyes were closed, but a narrow, golden eye opened on his forehead.
The vertical golden pupil was a mark of the demon royal family. Even standing beside Mephistopheles, the progenitor of the Dracula clan, the fourth-ranked ancient bloodline, the demon remained calm and composed, equal in status.
Yet, before the ancient coffin, the demon placed his hand on his chest and bowed, showing utmost respect and humility.
“Great Queen of Night, I apologize for disturbing your eternal rest. But now, the Evernight Parliament needs your power.”
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