Chapter 290: The Cage of the World

Under the subtle machinations of numerous influential figures, the situation was developing at a bewildering pace. However, these changes were visible only to a select few at the very top, and even many long-standing high-ranking officials had not yet been privy to them, let alone had any opportunity to get involved.

Soon enough, whispers about a new world and a new era began to spread quietly, sweeping through the upper echelons of the Empire at an incredible speed.

The new world, to the entire upper class of the Empire, was as enchanting as a fairy tale.

This wasn’t about land or living space, for the Empire currently occupied only four of the twenty-seven continents. The endless conflicts in Eternaria Night already provided ample room for contention. The emergence of the new world was more of a shock to the truly powerful.

Since the rise of humanity, and the subsequent standoff with the Eternaria Council, over a thousand years of war had not overshadowed a stark reality: both humanity and the dark races were trapped in the prison-like Eternaria. After the fall of the Void Star, all paths outward were cut off, and even the mightiest of beings, once they embarked on a journey into the void, would never return.

In ancient times, many of the supreme beings who ventured into the void managed to come back, like the three Sovereigns on the Holy Mountain, who had explored the depths of the void. But now, even the Eternaria Great Lords who ventured into the void never returned. The most shocking case was that of An’doya, the Black Wing King.

This second-strongest vampire, widely believed to have a chance to ascend the Holy Mountain, possessed a spatial flash technique that was a supreme tool, even surpassing Zhang Boqian’s ability to cross the void. Since his departure without return, the strong of Eternaria became extremely cautious, even avoiding further risks, when exploring the void.

However, this formed a vicious cycle. The lack of void exploration experience effectively reduced a crucial path for honing one’s power. Although most people did not notice, the recent millennium had not produced any new strong beings, regardless of their origin force attributes or race, who could surpass the peak of the ancient strong ones from a thousand years ago.

Like the River of Blood gradually falling silent, similar events were happening in the legacies of other races. Even though Habsburg rekindled the Blood Mark of the Fire Crown, which greatly invigorated all vampires, he only reached the rank of the Second Generation Progenitor, Prince Sammael, and did not surpass it.

In recent years, as time passed, Eternaria no longer held much hope for An’doya’s return. Most Council members believed that the Black Wing King, who once shone like a meteor in the sky, had fallen.

The Great Vortex was once seen as a gateway to another world, but its extreme harsh environment, the difficulty of entering and exiting, and, most importantly, the formidable natives and beasts within made it a place of despair. Even the Great Lords, who forced their way in, immediately faced the hostility of the entire world and encountered crises they could barely withstand.

A Great Lord of the Spider Demons, who attempted to explore the core area, returned gravely injured after just three days. If not for his swift escape back to Eternaria, he would have lost his life. Upon his return, his strength was greatly diminished, and he fell to the rank of a Duke. He could not remember what he encountered in the core of the Great Vortex, his memory filled only with endless pressure and fear.

Centuries of exploration, whether by Eternaria or the Empire, had made little progress in the Great Vortex. This was expected by the higher-ups. In such a dangerous place, what could a group of beings, not even reaching the level of generals, achieve?

In fact, the tenfold gravity zone that Qian Ye entered when he first went into the Great Vortex, was a region that neither Eternaria nor the Empire had set foot in for centuries.

The rewards of exploring dangerous areas were, naturally, significant. Qian Ye obtained a large number of white fruits and white fruit wine, which were new life-extending items that did not affect innate abilities. The Longevity Kings were believed to gain at least five years of life, and these could be sold. This subtly raised the overall strength of the entire Empire.

Other resources harvested were also abundant, as evidenced by the generous trading terms proposed by the military.

But for the Supreme Beings, these resource gains were trivial. What they truly cared about was the great path ahead.

Was there a different world beyond the Great Lords and the Celestial Kings? This was the common question in the hearts of all the current supreme beings.

Struggling like caged beasts in the prison-like Eternaria, it was impossible to reach the realm beyond the Great Lords and the Celestial Kings, a tacit consensus. The three Sovereigns’ ascension to the Holy Mountain was undoubtedly linked to their experiences deep in the void. After the fall of the Void Star, this path seemed to be closed.

Without a way out, and the Great Vortex being inaccessible, the greatest of both humanity and the dark races were trapped in this cage.

For the common people of Eternaria and the Empire, the new world meant little; their lives would remain unaffected. For the strong, it was not particularly significant either, as the new world was still just a legend, with details known only to a few in Eternaria. Moreover, everyone had witnessed the dangers of the Great Vortex, and the historical Void Star was no haven.

No one knew what the new world truly looked like, not even those who claimed to hold the key to its gate. They had merely touched the gate, but the key was yet to be made.

What lay beyond the gate was still unknown. If it was similar to the Great Vortex, it would lose its significance for those near the end of their lives. But if it was a desolate, volcanic world, it would be a false hope.

However, for those who had spent nearly a millennium in the darkness, even a glimmer of hope was enough to drive them mad.

With the rumors of the new world, some old-timers, who had long since retired, began to stir with restlessness.

A new world, a new era.

The dawn of a new era also marked the end of the old, growing from the ruins and bones of the past, regardless of whether it was good or bad.

That year, Madam An Guo of the Song Family passed away. The late-arriving white fruits could not save her life.

The news shocked the nation. The heads of the Song Family from various regions rushed back to attend her grand funeral. When Song Zining, who was handling the aftermath of Ningyuan Heavy Industries, heard the news, he locked himself in his room, unseen by anyone until half a day later when he finally emerged. In just a few hours, he looked as if he had aged a decade.

There were no tears in his eyes, no trace of crying on his face. It was clear that true sorrow could not be expressed through tears.

“Send a message to the East Sea and prepare the airship. I am going back,” Song Zining instructed.

“Seventh Young Master, what about the matters here?”

“Put everything on hold.”

“But… Yes, I understand.” The head of Ningyuan Heavy Industries dared not say more. In truth, Song Zining had moved most of Ningyuan’s workshops to the Neutral Grounds, leaving behind only the essential parts that could not be moved. These included departments responsible for maintaining contact with the Empire and the military, securing important components and core resources, managing orders, and conducting research, all of which were more critical than the production workshops themselves.

Ningyuan Heavy Industries was currently undergoing reorganization, and many major decisions needed Song Zining’s input. Halting everything would result in significant losses.

But seeing Song Zining’s condition, the head of Ningyuan Heavy Industries, no matter how observant, did not dare to persuade him.

After giving his instructions, Song Zining hurriedly left.

The head and several other officials watched as he boarded a carriage and disappeared into the distance. One official, plucking up courage, said, “Do you think the young master will become the head of the Song Family?”

This question echoed everyone’s thoughts. The head, who had followed Song Zining for a long time, stroked his beard and said, “Such matters are not for you to speculate about. Young Master is still too young to lead the Song Family now. But by the time he turns thirty, it will be no issue.”

The other officials nodded in agreement, their eyes filled with enthusiasm. If Song Zining took over the Song Family, they would all be privy to the inner workings, and naturally, success would bring prosperity to all.

Madam An Guo’s passing was a source of grief for some and an opportunity for others.

Song Zining’s hasty return to the Song Family attracted much attention.

In the void above the Floating Land, a massive ship hovered. On the top deck, Zhang Boqian, having just completed his void original force cultivation, casually donned a robe and entered his study. On his desk lay several documents detailing the recent top priorities of the Empire and Eternaria.

Zhang Boqian selected one and suddenly exclaimed, opening it. Even he, as a Celestial King, was somewhat taken aback. He called for his adjutant.

“Madam An Guo has passed away?”

“The news is accurate.”

Zhang Boqian pondered for a moment and asked, “Is Song Zining already on his way back?”

“Yes, he is.”

“In that case, I will wait and see how things develop before making a decision.”

The adjutant was taken aback, saying, “Is that wise? You previously stated that while Madam An Guo was alive, we would not take action against the Song Family. Now that she is gone, if we do nothing, people may talk, and it could affect your prestige.”

Zhang Boqian replied calmly, “My prestige is in my fists, not in the mouths of outsiders. Those who dare to speak ill of me behind my back can do so, but if I hear them, I will cut out their tongues. See how they talk then.”

The adjutant, startled, quickly said, “That seems unwise. Perhaps you should keep an eye on the Song Family’s affairs?”

“Song Zining is a promising young man, reminiscent of a young Lin Xitan. However, Xitan was upright and straightforward, whereas Song Zining is more daring and adventurous. Let’s give him some time to see what he can do. Once the situation in the Song Family stabilizes, we can discuss it then.”

“What if he becomes the head of the Song Family?”

“Then we will let the Song Family be.”

The adjutant was surprised again, saying, “But that means…”

“If I do not act, others will. Do you think the Song Family has few enemies?”

Since Zhang Boqian had made it clear, the adjutant did not press further.

Zhang Boqian read the remaining documents and tossed them into the wastebasket, asking, “What are the recent developments in the Neutral Grounds?”

“Nothing significant, it seems.”

“Send more people to investigate thoroughly.”

The adjutant, surprised, asked, “Do you think something big is about to happen in the Neutral Grounds?”

Zhang Boqian looked at his long-serving adjutant and said, “Where do you think the gate to the new world might be?”