In another stretch of the void, Lin Jiaer stood before a porthole, her gaze fixed upon the boundless emptiness, her face devoid of emotion. All the demonkin were as silent as cicadas in winter, not daring to make a sound for fear of invoking her wrath. Everyone knew that when she was silent, it was when she was truly enraged.
Beyond the porthole lay the endless void, with occasional storms roaring between the few slender warships, which appeared especially desolate and frail against the backdrop of distant landmasses. No one had anticipated that the once mighty fleet, full of momentum at the start of the expedition, would suffer such a heavy loss, nearly halved, just as the journey began. The true loss in combat power was far more than half. The firepower of Lin Jiaer’s flagship alone could match the combined strength of all the remaining ships.
This devastating defeat was only the beginning. Whether among the demonkin or within the Mesfield clan, Lin Jiaer’s enemies were both numerous and powerful. The real, brutal struggle would begin after she returned.
The immediate problem, however, was when and how she would return. Perhaps before heading back, she needed to secure some achievements to avoid looking too bad.
Just as she was pondering this practical issue, a warship suddenly emerged from the void, heading straight toward Lin Jiaer’s fleet. The emblem of the Blood Throne, etched on its side, was particularly glaring.
The demonkin instantly erupted into a commotion, but a gentle gesture from Lin Jiaer silenced them. She fixed her sharp gaze on the approaching warship.
The Blood Throne was not just an unmentionable name among the bloodkin; it was also somewhat taboo for the demonkin. Those who had fallen under Shattered Flow’s gun included not only many prominent bloodkin figures but also key figures from the demonkin. Among them was a great scholar, who had dedicated his life to the study of the void. Although his personal strength was mediocre, he was the hope for the demonkin to overcome the harsh environment of the neutral zone and establish a foothold there.
The death of this demonkin scholar instantly set back their research in this field by decades. The project that was close to success, the environmental improvement equipment, was thus aborted. In the ensuing decade, the demonkin failed to complete related research, preventing them from entering the neutral zone again in large numbers, watching helplessly as the Blood Throne established and solidified its position.
Today, the Blood Throne had grown immensely powerful. The once young and inexperienced bloodkin had now become formidable enough to match Shattered Flow. Both the demonkin and bloodkin had long acknowledged this reality. But for an up-and-coming figure like Lin Jiaer, any history could be broken, and any reality could be changed. The heroes of the past were merely stepping stones on the path to the throne of power.
Therefore, her trip to the neutral zone was not without the intention of meeting the one on the Blood Throne, given that her elite fleet was no mere decoration. She hadn’t expected, however, that the neutral zone would be so perilous, with the unprecedented Valhalla appearing almost instantly and destroying most of her fleet. She still couldn’t fathom whether Valhalla was a warship, a void beast, or something else entirely.
The incoming warship moved swiftly, heading straight for the center of Lin Jiaer’s fleet, only beginning to decelerate at the last moment. When it stopped, it was just tens of meters away from the nearest ship. For floating warships, often hundreds of meters long, this distance was dangerously close, risking collision even if they turned around.
Lin Jiaer’s expression was as cold as water, her gaze sharp. This warship’s audacious behavior suggested that the impending encounter would not be friendly.
The hatch of the bloodkin warship opened, and out stepped a pale, grim-eyed elder. He strode to the bow and announced, “My master has heard of Vice-Duchess Lin Jiaer’s visit to the neutral zone and has sent me to greet you. May I ask if the Vice-Duchess is present in the fleet?”
The elder’s words, emphasizing ‘Vice-Duchess,’ were extremely disrespectful. People usually addressed Lin Jiaer as ‘Duchess.’ The distinctions between the ranks of duchesses were often deliberately ignored. Lin Jiaer had already demonstrated exceptional talent, and ascending to the rank of duchess was only a matter of time, making the title not too exaggerated.
Lin Jiaer gestured for her warship to move forward, then flew out of the cabin, hovering at the bow, looking down at the bloodkin elder. “Is your master sending scum like you to insult me?”
The elder gave an exaggerated bow. “How dare I, a humble servant, insult the Vice-Duchess? You are from the illustrious Mesfield clan, and a mere flick of your finger could crush the neutral zone.”
Lin Jiaer’s face turned ashen, and she coldly replied, “Cut the nonsense. Does your master have a message, or should I send you packing? If not, you won’t be able to go back.”
The elder, undaunted, gave a sinister smile. “My master does have a message for the Vice-Duchess. He says that the neutral zone is dangerous, not a place for children. Since you are here, you can leave. Otherwise, what might happen is anyone’s guess.”
Lin Jiaer trembled with rage, speechless. The Blood Throne’s warning was normal. Any formal fleet, whether from Eternaria or the Empire, entering the neutral zone would receive a similar warning unless prior notice was given. Disregarding the warning could result in a strike from Shattered Flow. This was the danger the elder alluded to, with the Blood Throne itself being the greatest peril in the neutral zone.
What no one had anticipated was that Lin Jiaer would lose most of her fleet before the Blood Throne even made a move.
As the elder spoke, he secretly observed Lin Jiaer’s fleet, which consisted of the latest and most advanced demonkin warships. Though impressive, most were escort ships, with only one destroyer. The fleet’s composition was vastly inferior to Lin Jiaer’s status.
The elder’s eyes flickered. “Vice-Duchess, did you bring only these ships? Where is your flagship? My master doesn’t like repeating himself.”
Clearly, he was probing, hitting a sore spot. Lin Jiaer’s face darkened. “You talk too much. Today, I’ll teach you a lesson to remember.”
With a sudden gesture, a faint, ethereal energy crossed the void and struck the elder’s face, sending him flying backward into the ship, crashing through several bulkheads before stopping.
Lin Jiaer snorted. “Consider that a lesson. Next time, tell your master to send someone who knows how to speak.”
With that, she turned and re-entered her cabin. The entire demonkin fleet then slowly turned and headed back to Eternaria.
The bloodkin elder, bruised and furious, flew out of the hatch, shouting, “My master will return this slap!”
The demonkin fleet continued on, neither accelerating nor turning back, maintaining its course and gradually receding.
The elder, also a marquis, was surprised by his own lack of resistance. Lin Jiaer’s slap, if delivered with more force, could have shattered his skull.
Meanwhile, Valhalla was also sailing through the void. Its first stop was Northland, where it would unload some equipment and process materials scavenged from the demonkin ships. These materials were sensitive, and exposure in South Blue City could be problematic. After completing these tasks, Qian Ye would return to South Blue City.
The journey would take over ten days, during which Qian Ye spent each day atop the earthworm, absorbing and refining void essence. The situation in the neutral zone was volatile, and Qian Ye felt the pressure.
Throughout the journey, the crew of Valhalla was busy, especially those on the cargo ships, eager to atone for their sins. In ten days, most of the equipment was installed, and the main cannon from Lin Jiaer’s flagship was moved to the earthworm. However, the cannon lacked energy, and Qian Ye would need to find Song Zining for a solution upon reaching South Blue City.
Half a month passed, and Qian Ye returned to the Eastern Sea. He parked Valhalla in the void and headed to South Blue City alone.
Upon returning, Qian Ye noticed changes in South Blue City. Several new, grand buildings had been constructed, mostly factories. Some land outside the city had been leveled, and foundations were being laid, while other areas were just being fenced off. The fenced area was much larger than before.
As he walked through the city, he saw newly built factories emitting thick smoke, indicating they were operational. The roads leading to the floating boat landing field were congested with trucks, some roads gridlocked. The original plan for South Blue City hadn’t anticipated so many large factories, with most roads barely wide enough for two trucks.
Qian Ye strolled past a factory gate, seeing several workers, former mercenaries, and even a couple of minor leaders from Blackfire, now working as craftsmen. They were laughing and talking, looking content. They ate quickly and then returned to work.
Shaking his head, Qian Ye headed to Blackfire headquarters to find Song Zining.
The Blackfire headquarters remained heavily guarded, with vigilant sentries scanning the passersby. Satisfied, Qian Ye moved towards the gate, deciding against greeting them and simply walking through.
His form shimmered, and in a few steps, he passed through the gate and into the headquarters, unnoticed by the sentries. Qian Ye was slightly surprised. Each step had been perfectly timed to avoid their line of sight, not relying on speed but precision. Even he hadn’t expected such fluidity.
At this moment, Qian Ye realized how much he had gained from the battle with Lin Jiaer. His combat skills had reached a new level.
He entered the building, moving upstairs, unseen by the passing mercenaries.
Reaching the top floor, Qian Ye sensed that Song Zining was inside, along with another person.
Just as he was about to enter, he heard rapid breathing and a soft, urgent voice, “Young Master, please, don’t… no, not there, take it out!”
Song Zining’s voice followed, “What are you afraid of? Follow me, and you’ll live a life of luxury. Just submit!”
“No, I can’t! Stop, or I’ll scream!”
“Go ahead, everyone here is mine. Even if you scream, no one will come.”
The woman took a deep breath, clearly not ready to give in. Before she could scream, her mouth was covered, and Song Zining’s frustrated voice was heard, “Damn it, I won’t let you get away today. Once I get my hands on you, see if you can fly away!”
Unable to bear listening any longer, Qian Ye coughed and pushed the door open.
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