“The problem is, this is the Xianyin Realm, a place forbidden by divine decree. The heavenly tribulation here is a hundredfold more intense than ordinary,” Tian Xuanzi said with a bitter smile. “Therefore, Hao, you must tread carefully.”
Yang Hao listened with a headache.
According to Tian Xuanzi, remaining in the Xianyin Realm to confront the tribulation would result in a tribulation possessing a hundredfold power. Although a group of senior immortals could assist him, in the end, the greatest pressure would still rest upon himself.
This was no joking matter. A regular calamity was enough to reduce a person to ashes, but a calamity with a hundredfold power—what would that be like? Would it crush him so thoroughly that not even ashes would remain?
Tian Xuanzi saw Yang Hao deep in thought. Understanding the tremendous risks involved and the heavy burdens Yang bore, he did not push further and simply said, “For now, think it over carefully. Whether or not to enter the Grand Dan Furnace for cultivation is entirely your own decision. You may return to rest first and come back once you’ve made your choice.”
Yang Hao remained silent. He gazed at the enormous丹furnace standing alone before him, just like a mountain looming in his heart.
What he was about to decide was a matter of life and death. And had the Creator’s intricate design truly transcended life and death?
The setting sun cast a crimson glow, like blood and tears.
Knowing that Yang Hao needed time to think, Tian Xuanzi and the others left him alone beside the Grand丹Furnace and departed on their own.
Yang Hao stood there for a while, then, treating the丹furnace like a mountain, he climbed up using both hands and feet. With his cultivation, flying to the top would have been easy, but in his troubled state, he preferred to sweat it out.
Sitting atop the lid of the Dan furnace, Yang Hao gazed into the distance, astonished by the breathtaking scenery. The Xianyin Realm must have been transformed by immortals, recreating the landscape of Earth from millennia ago.
In the distance, beneath the setting sun, stretched an endless expanse of emerald grassland. A clear river meandered across it. Though there were no cattle or horses grazing, the desolate beauty of the grassland was palpable.
The crimson glow bathed the mountains and grass, tinging the beautiful scene with a hint of blood. Yang Hao couldn’t help but recall the Elder Mountain, where countless warriors had perished under the Elders’ fingers.
Let this fading sunlight be the blood that those fallen brothers never shed.
“What are you thinking about?” Shi Mingyuan had followed him up, naturally appearing beside Yang Hao. She casually swept her hair back, tying it up and revealing her exquisite face in the evening light.
“Hmm,” Yang Hao murmured. “The masters want me to cultivate inside the Grand Dan Furnace.”
“I know,” Shi Mingyuan’s expression changed slightly. “I want to advise you not to go. It’s too dangerous. I consulted the masters, and they said the odds are a hundred to one—survival is very unlikely.”
“I know.”
“There must be another way,” Shi Mingyuan said. “Let me think of another way for you.”
“You?” Yang Hao smiled at her. She had become much more heroic, no longer as feminine and spoiled as before, making her even more endearing. “You’ve changed so much, I can hardly recognize you.”
“Did you tell people that I’m your wife?” Shi Mingyuan tilted her head.
“Hmm,” Yang Hao admitted directly. After Shi Mingyuan was injured and fell into a coma for him.
All the way to the days on the Saint Bear Star, Yang Hao had regarded her as his wife.
“But later, why were there other women?” Shi Mingyuan’s face darkened. “I just received news from the west—you’re already engaged to another woman.”
“Your news is really slow,” Yang Hao joked self-deprecatingly.
How could he explain it? Could he say that he loved her, and also loved Lan Yue, and another woman named Ling Ziyun? Could he say that he wanted all the beautiful women in the world for himself?
Shi Mingyuan began to cry.
Under the blood-red setting sun, even her tears seemed red.
Yang Hao panicked, quickly wiping her tears away. Shi Mingyuan, already heartbroken, softened the moment she touched Yang Hao’s hand and leaned against him, sobbing.
Yang Hao embraced Shi Mingyuan’s soft body. This exquisite woman, with her flawless beauty, pressed tightly against him.
“There, there,” Yang Hao kissed Shi Mingyuan’s earlobe. “I’m right here with you.”
“Do you still love me?” Shi Mingyuan asked tearfully.
“Of course. You’ve always been the one I care about the most,” Yang Hao said, pinching her chin between two fingers. Looking at her tear-streaked face, she seemed even more endearing than usual.
“Then why…”
“When you were unconscious, when you were unconscious for me, I always regarded you as my wife,” Yang Hao said softly. “After we separated, I went through so much. I was just happy to know that you were doing well.”
“But I’ve been waiting for you,” Shi Mingyuan bit her lip. “I’ve been waiting for you to come get me. Being a leader, being in politics—none of that is what I want. I just wanted to help you as much as I could, waiting for you to take over. But you? You’ve been off having fun with other women.”
As she spoke, Shi Mingyuan’s anger boiled over. With a shove, she pushed Yang Hao away and stood up abruptly.
She was wearing a mechanical suit today, her shorts ending at the knee, revealing her shapely calves. But those legs quickly moved away from Yang Hao. “If that’s the case, then there’s no need for you to keep thinking of me as your wife. Go and be happy with that other woman.”
“I…” Yang Hao was speechless. In this world, no creature changes its mood faster than a woman.
Shi Mingyuan, in no way compromising her reputation, stood with her hands on her hips, furious. “If you want to cultivate, go ahead. If not, return to the west. I don’t want to see you anymore—a fickle, heartless, faithless man who abandoned his wife.”
Yang Hao scratched his head, embarrassed. “I’m not going back. I’ll stay here for now.”
“Whatever,” Shi Mingyuan coldly tossed the words over her shoulder. “Anyway, starting tomorrow, I’m leaving the Republic. You can stay wherever you want. I won’t see you anymore.”
“Where are you going?” Yang Hao exclaimed in surprise. Right now, the Star Spirit Republic was the safest place. Beyond it lay the Empire’s territory. With the Crown Prince now a puppet emperor under the Elders’ control, the entire imperial government was in the hands of the Elders.
If she were discovered, it would be extremely dangerous.
“I recently heard that a divine artifact appeared in the south,” Shi Mingyuan tossed her hair back, her posture elegant and bold. “I want to help you… I’m going to seize this artifact.”
“The southern Empire?” Yang Hao frowned. Although it was not the core region of the Empire, it had always remained under imperial control. Moreover, the south was a region of intense religious fervor, dominated by the Supreme Holy Church, which worshipped Supreme as the one and only god. These religious zealots were not to be taken lightly; encountering them was no laughing matter. “Be cautious. Take more people with you.”
“Do you still care about me?” Shi Mingyuan glared fiercely at Yang Hao, not forgetting to kick him before turning and leaping off the Grand Dan Furnace.
Yang Hao frowned, helplessly watching Shi Mingyuan’s retreating figure as she rode the lightning away.
This woman was indeed a bit tough on the outside but soft on the inside. Although she claimed she never wanted to see Yang Hao again, in reality, she was going south to help him obtain another divine artifact.
However, given the current situation, Shi Mingyuan and Lan Ling were sure to clash. If Yang Hao later found Lan Ling and Ling Ziyun, how would he handle the relationships among these three women? That was truly a headache.
And it was indeed deserved. Who told him to be so fickle, seducing the Ice Beauty of the Capital, the most cunning female strategist trained by the Elders, and already having a fiancée who had become the leader of the Republic.
With such three formidable women standing together, what kind of story would unfold?
The southern region of the Galactic Empire had been very peaceful. Even when the Oracular Autonomous Territory and the Star Spirit Republic declared independence and the Empire was engaged in continuous wars, the southern region remained calm.
Because in the southern region of the Galactic Empire, it was not the star system government that ruled, but people’s faith. The people here almost all devoutly believed in the Supreme Holy Church, a religion that revered the Supreme as the only god in the universe. Under this shared faith, they willingly accepted the governance of religious leaders dispatched by the Elders, and thus experienced no turbulence at all.
However, after the Battle of Elder Mountain, unexpected changes occurred here.
The Yundujia Star Cluster was the most important planet in the southern region. Located at a crucial transportation hub, whether heading to the core of the Empire or to other star systems in the south, one had to pass through the acceleration space station here.
Due to its superior geographical location, the Yundujia Star Cluster was the main trading hub of the Merchant Guild in the south, making it a prosperous trade planet.
Just such a star system accounted for half of the entire southern region’s trade volume, holding a pivotal position.
On Yundujia Star Cluster, there were a total of two billion people, over twenty million merchants, and fifty million employees following the merchants. Here, it was practically a planet built by merchants.
However, after the Battle of Elder Mountain, the previously peaceful days finally faced turmoil. Due to the Merchant Guild’s defeat in this battle, the nine councilors of the Guild were forced to flee, leading to the entire merchant system collapsing without leadership.
Taking advantage of the situation, the forces controlled by the Elders seized the opportunity to oppress the merchants, marking the beginning of chaos on this trade planet.
The Apocalypse Pavilion was the most famous restaurant on Yundujia Star Cluster, established by an old merchant and passed down through three generations. When Yundujia Star Cluster was first established, many merchants suffered from homesickness due to the unfamiliar southern cuisine. The old merchant opened the Apocalypse Pavilion, specializing in delicacies from the central region of the capital, which quickly became popular.
A century has passed, and the Apocalypse Pavilion still stands on Yundujia Star Cluster, where countless merchants stop to taste delicacies.
It was afternoon now, and the Apocalypse Pavilion was not crowded, with only about ten tables, scattered across the elaborately decorated grand hall. The three-story open space was the hallmark of the Apocalypse Pavilion, with walls carved with imperial family patterns. It was said that the name “Apocalypse Pavilion” was bestowed by the late emperor himself.
Although not crowded, today’s diners included two tables that were particularly eye-catching. The current owner of the Apocalypse Pavilion, Ning Shuidong, although preoccupied, kept glancing at the diners at those two tables.
Coincidentally, both tables were occupied entirely by women.
One table was occupied first. Two women sat there, one of whom looked like a female warrior, wearing a bright white soft armor, with a silver spear placed beside the table. This female warrior was extremely beautiful, especially with an exceptionally full chest, which attracted a lot of male attention. However, her cold expression seemed capable of freezing everything around her. Yet, she was very caring towards the other woman beside her, helping her sit down, pouring tea for her, and even carefully deliberating over the menu choices.
The woman being cared for by the female warrior was holding a baby. Although she was holding a newborn infant, this woman did not look like a young mother, but rather as seductive and charming as a mature woman. She was the complete opposite of the female warrior, with a flirtatious expression in her eyes.
However, given the overwhelming killing aura from the female warrior beside her, no man dared to approach and strike up a conversation.
In this chaotic era, these two women were without male companionship, clearly in a difficult situation. Yet, they ate with great care, ordering several dishes that even the waiters had never heard of. Ning Shuidong himself went over to listen and learned that these were special imperial dishes. He immediately instructed the kitchen to prepare them carefully.
Before Ning Shuidong returned from giving the order, he deliberately cast a glance at the infant in the woman’s arms. The child was clearly less than a hundred days old, sleeping soundly in its mother’s arms, completely indifferent to the changes in the outside world. Born with red lips and white teeth, the baby was extremely adorable, yet no one knew who the father was.
While Ning Shuidong was speculating about the background of these two beautiful women, another table of diners appeared, making the entire Apocalypse Pavilion shine.
They were five exceptionally beautiful women.
The Yundujia star system was a major southern town where people came and went, and beautiful women were common. However, so many women of such perfect beauty appearing at once, without any men accompanying them, was indeed rare.
Yet, no one dared to casually approach this group of beauties because anyone could see that they were not easy to provoke. These women were all wearing mechanical suits with the insignia of the Star Spirit Republic on their chests.
The leader of this group of beauties was Shi Mingyuan, with long black hair and a tall, slender figure. Although she was in a region controlled by the Empire, she did not hide her identity. As for the men in the restaurant staring at her with fiery eyes, she was already used to it.
After entering the Apocalypse Pavilion, Shi Mingyuan glanced around, only pausing slightly when she looked at the pair of women.
But Shi Mingyuan did not recognize them. Although one of them was Ling Ziyun, whom she had once deeply hated and despised.
That was indeed Ling Ziyun and Kan Ling.
Their whereabouts must be traced back to the Battle of Elder Mountain. Before attacking Elder Mountain, Yang Hao had sent Ling Ziyun to an acceleration space station in the Milky Way, assigning a swordsman team to protect her, regardless of whether they won or lost, she was not allowed to take risks while pregnant.
After the devastating defeat at Elder Mountain, Yang Hao stayed behind to hold off Zun while He De led the people in their escape. However, Kan Ling returned and was ultimately wounded by Zun’s powerful shockwave. Fortunately, the sword spirit appeared just in time, carrying Kan Ling out of the sphere.
From that moment on, Yang Hao completely lost contact with Kan Ling.
In fact, Kan Ling’s injuries were not severe. After the sword spirit flew through the universe for a while, she soon regained consciousness. However, she did not witness the scene of Yang Hao throwing the divine ring, causing a massive explosion. After losing contact with the main group, Kan Ling’s first thought was to find Ling Ziyun.
Fortunately, she thought of Ling Ziyun.
That糊涂ghost, He De, flew straight back to the神谕Autonomous Territory with everyone else, leaving Yang Hao’s wife and child behind at the acceleration space station. As a result, when the Elders dispatched people to eliminate the remaining members of the Dan Ding Sect, they coincidentally discovered Ling Ziyun. Upon realizing that Ling Ziyun was carrying Yang Hao’s unborn child, they could not afford to let her escape. The Elders’ subordinates slaughtered everyone on the spot and prepared to take Ling Ziyun back with them.
Yang Hao left the swordsmen to fight desperately, and they all sacrificed their lives. At the most critical moment, fortunately, Kan Ling and the sword spirit arrived. They fought fiercely and rescued Ling Ziyun.
From then on, these two women plus a sword spirit began a wandering life. They could not stay in the Empire, so they accidentally ran to the south, where they rested, gave birth, and searched for Yang Hao’s news.
Now the child was born, but Yang Hao had no news at all. Today, Kan Ling and Ling Ziyun brought the child to Yundujia Star Cluster to see if there were any smuggling ships to the western autonomous territory.
It was truly the Creator’s joke. If Yang Hao saw the scene in the Apocalypse Pavilion, he would probably want to go and crash his head. The most formidable rivals in history met here.
Fortunately, although Shi Mingyuan and Ling Ziyun exchanged glances, they did not recognize each other. After all, a year had changed them too much.
Shi Mingyuan and Ling Ziyun had both lived in the Ling Fei Star Sea on Leimeng Star. At that time, Ling Ziyun was the boss—always dressed up and heavily made up, even more colorful than a butterfly. How could she be like this now, holding a baby in her arms and without any makeup? Not only Shi Mingyuan, but even her master, Elder Rong Li, would likely fail to recognize her at first glance.
As for Shi Mingyuan’s transformation, it was even more remarkable. Once a renowned courtesan in Ling Fei’s Star Sea whom no one desired, she had now become the Prime Minister of the Star Spirit Republic, a leader at the Saint Domain level. Her military uniform and stunning figure were incomparable to her former self.
So although these three met, no sparks had yet erupted.
Of course, this was only temporary.
Ning Shuidong kept his eyes on Shi Mingyuan’s table, not entirely because there were so many beauties at that table, but because everyone had already figured out their origins—they were actually rebels from the east.
This was too bold. Although the south was also an outer territory, it was still under the control of the Elders. Coming in so brazenly, without even changing their uniforms and insignia, they were not afraid of being attacked, but Ning Shuidong was worried about getting into trouble.
But Shi Mingyuan continued eating calmly, completely ignoring the gazes of others. Since the women of Angel Star had escaped the fate of being bought and played by men, they had always maintained this sense of pride.
The afternoon sunlight poured through the open atrium, illuminating the golden imperial emblem, making it exceptionally beautiful. Ning Shuidong gazed at the two tables of beauties, almost feeling like he was in a dream.
If the universe could truly be as peaceful as this afternoon, with people quietly enjoying delicious food everywhere, how wonderful it would be. Ning Shuidong thought to himself.
But dreams have always existed to be shattered.
As if jealous of the too quiet atmosphere here, soon, outside came a clamor. A shrill chant pierced Ning Shuidong’s ears. He painfully twisted his face but had to pull himself together and go forward.
“Who’s the boss? Step forward!” A group of people wearing black cloaks, with large sword emblems embroidered on their backs, rushed in rudely.
“I am, I am.” Ning Shuidong forced a smile. “Are the honorable masters of the Holy Church here to dine?”
The black-cloaked ones did not respond first but kicked Ning Shuidong hard. Although Ning Shuidong was a merchant and had practiced some martial arts since childhood, when the black-cloaked man kicked him, he did not even dare to dodge, letting himself be kicked down.
“Merchant!” the man in the black cloak said disdainfully. “The至尊 granted us the power to eliminate your kind.”
Ning Shuidong fell down, his expression already stiff, but he still勉强said, “Honorable masters of the Holy Church, what do you need from me today?”
“By order of the Elders and the religious leader, the Apocalypse Pavilion must cease operations immediately. All personnel must leave Yundujia Star Cluster. This land will be reclaimed by the Holy Church.”
The black-cloaked man coldly threw down a command paper.
Ning Shuidong was greatly shocked. He picked up the command and read a few lines before pleading:
“Honorable masters of the Holy Church, we are just small merchants. We have run this restaurant in Yundujia for three generations. It’s our ancestral business.”
“Even small merchants are merchants,” the man in the black cloak would not hear any explanation. “The Merchant Guild dared to conspire with Yang Hao.至尊has already decreed that all merchants are traitors. Merely driving you away is already an act of leniency.”
Ning Shuidong’s face turned pale. The day he had feared had finally come. He lowered his head and pleaded, “Honorable masters of the Holy Church, the Ning family has operated the Apocalypse Pavilion in Yundujia for a hundred years. This is our home. If we lose the Apocalypse Pavilion, we lose our home. Furthermore, we also believe in the Supreme Holy Church. We have long abandoned the merchant class and are no longer merchants.”
“Scoundrel!” the black-cloaked man slapped Ning Shuidong, saying arrogantly, “Merchants cannot trust the Holy Church. This is an insult to Zunzhi!”
At this, the entire restaurant was stirred. Especially the tables of Kan Ling and Shi Mingyuan, who were coldly watching the events unfold.
Kan Ling was more impulsive and had already wanted to rush out, but fortunately, Ling Ziyun tightly held her back, preventing her from moving.
Ning Shuidong sighed, knowing that today’s matter could not be resolved peacefully. He could only nod and say, “If that’s the case, please give us a little more time, honorable masters of the Holy Church. Although we don’t need the family business anymore, we still need to pack some things before leaving. Our family is large, www.kz.cc. We need a month to move.”
“A month?” The black-cloaked man sneered. “Leave today. You are not allowed to take anything. Everything will be confiscated by the Holy Church.”
Even the most foolish person could understand that this was not just about clearing out merchants but about seizing others’ wealth for their own use.
Even if Ning Shuidong was not easily angered, he was now furious. He got up from the floor, angry and said, “The Apocalypse Pavilion is the result of our family’s hard work. How can we easily hand it over to you? Is there any law left in the Empire? Is there any justice left?”
“We are the law!” the man in the black cloak scorned. “The words of the Supreme are the law. We, who sit beneath the Supreme, are the enforcers of the law.”
“What if I don’t move?” Ning Shuidong signaled to the people around him, and several waiters quietly went to close the door.
“Not moving?” The black-cloaked man and his subordinates had no idea that they were about to die. “You dare to defy the orders of the Supreme Holy Church, then you shall perish without even a grave!”
“Good! Let’s see who dies without a grave!” Ning Shuidong’s eyes flashed with a fierce light, and he pounced forward like a tiger.
The man in the black cloak was merely being conceited, never anticipating that Ning Shuidong would suddenly launch an attack. These Holy Church Supreme individuals had been overly arrogant for far too long. They had forgotten that merchants were also people who traveled extensively, accustomed to dining on the edge of a knife. They had forgotten that when pushed into desperation, people were capable of anything.
When Ning Shuidong pounced, the black-cloaked man, who was probably a high-ranking figure in the Holy Church, reacted quickly enough, stepping aside and escaping in a panic.
But his subordinates were not so lucky. Ning Shuidong drew the soft sword hidden at his waist and slashed two of them down with a couple of quick strokes. The other two henchmen tried to run but were blocked at the door by the waiters of the Apocalypse Pavilion. A group of people grabbed their weapons and smashed them to death.
Ning Shuidong, his face dark with anger, held the soft sword and approached the black-cloaked man.
“What are you going to do?” This time, the black-cloaked man was a bit shaken.
“Dogs get desperate and jump walls; people get desperate and kill!” Ning Shuidong said fiercely.
The black-cloaked man, however, was furious. “If that’s the case, then don’t blame me for being rude.” He quickly pulled out a short sword from his body. Compared to Ning Shuidong’s soft sword, this palm-sized short sword was really small.
The waiters of the Apocalypse Pavilion laughed, not even considering this child’s toy as a threat.
However, both Kan Ling and Shi Mingyuan sighed at the same time. These two Saint Domain experts had already noticed that on the short sword, there was actually a flicker of spiritual light, indicating that the sword had been refined by the Elders.
The south was a backward region, not comparable to the core area of the Empire. The weapons here were all ordinary. Having an alloy sword was already considered very advanced. Weapons blessed by the Elders were always reserved for officers.
Indeed, when Ning Shuidong’s soft sword slashed towards the black-cloaked man, the short sword in his hand glowed with light, actually cutting the soft sword. Ning Shuidong was greatly alarmed and could only retreat. His companions, seeing the situation was bad, rushed forward, but their iron rods and other objects were even more easily broken. The short sword merely made a quick rotation, and all their weapons were severed.
The black-cloaked man laughed sinisterly. “Daring to oppose the Holy Church? This sword in my hand was personally bestowed by the Elders. It still carries the holy power of the Elders. Today, I will use your blood to consecrate this sword.”
Ning Shuidong sighed deeply. His weapon was broken, and he knew his fate was sealed. He closed his eyes and awaited the arrival of death at the hands of the Supreme Holy Church member.
“Holy invincible! Break!!” A brilliant white holy light illuminated the Apocalypse Pavilion.
Ning Shuidong did not feel death. He opened his eyes and saw the black-cloaked man pouncing towards him with a fierce expression. However, this person could no longer take another step forward because his throat had already been pierced by a silver spear. The bright spear tip entered from behind, pierced through the throat, and blood flowed thickly.
Ning Shuidong was frightened and took a few steps back. Only then did he see that the one who had acted was the beautiful warrior in white soft armor holding the silver spear.
Kan Ling threw down the corpse of the holy church member, her expression still cold.
Ning Shuidong’s heart was pounding. Although he had temporarily escaped danger today, the real trouble had just begun.
“Thank you, miss,” Ning Shuidong bowed to Kan Ling, but he still said to her and Ling Ziyun, who was approaching with the child, “But you two should leave quickly. This trouble is ours, and we don’t want to drag you into it.”
“Do I need to be so afraid of them?” Kan Ling snorted coldly. As a Holy Domain expert, there were not many things she feared.
“You two are probably not from the south,” Ning Shuidong said, signaling the waiters to remove the corpses, and explained, “In our southern region, the power of the Supreme Holy Church is incredibly strong. They are all fanatical followers of the Supreme Being, practically controlling all religious administrative authority in the south. Recently, after the new religious leader assumed office, the Supreme Holy Church has become even more aggressive in its expansion. Last week, they even assassinated the governor of the Yundujia Star Cluster, who was also our local commercial official.”
“Can a religion just kill people at will? They even dared to kill the star cluster governor? And no one stopped them?”
“Who dares to stop them?” Ning Shuidong smiled bitterly. “The Supreme Holy Church is directly controlled by the Elders, and now the entire Empire falls under their jurisdiction. Whatever the Supreme Holy Church does is carried out under the Elders’ orders. After they killed the governor, the Supreme Temple located atop Yundujia’s highest mountain has now become the planet’s highest administrative center. These black-cloaked church members are everywhere, oppressing merchants and attempting to drive us out.”
Ling Ziyun frowned. She had not expected the Elders to turn their attention to the south so quickly. According to her previous reasoning, after the Battle of Elder Mountain, the Elders would at least need a year to fully control the core region of the Empire and bring the imperial nobles and the royal family under control. But judging from the current situation, there must be some reason in the south that made the Elders eager to extend their hands here.
“What exactly has the至尊Holy Church been doing in the south this month?” Ling Ziyun asked in confusion.
Ning Shuidong lowered his voice and whispered, “Although the merchants no longer have a leader, we still maintain some secret contacts. The messages received from other star systems are consistent with what we’ve seen here. The Empire has issued internal orders mandating the evacuation of southern residents. The Supreme Holy Church is merely carrying out these orders. They are frantically driving away the merchants, seizing their wealth, and transporting it back to their temples.”
“Evacuate the south?” Kan Ling’s face changed.
Ning Shuidong quickly made a gesture to silence her. “This is information we have painstakingly obtained. It has not been officially announced.”
“How is that possible?” Kan Ling took a deep breath. “Although the south has a small population, there are still billions of people and countless planets. How can such a large area with so many residents be evacuated?”
“It is possible,” Ling Ziyun suddenly said. “The north was once evacuated like this.” As a spy cultivated by the Elders for many years, she naturally knew the internal affairs of the Elders well. “Many years ago, the entire northern population was evacuated through several large migrations, and later, all the planets in the north became desolate and died.”
Listening to Ling Ziyun’s words, even Kan Ling felt dizzy. If that was the case, then the Elders were planning to do the same to the south. Before long, the entire south would only be left with dead planets.
It was not only Ning Shuidong who was listening to Ling Ziyun’s words. Shi Mingyuan’s table of people, upon hearing this, suddenly left their table, paid the bill, and silently walked out.
Kan Ling looked at Shi Mingyuan with caution. Although they could not discern the other party’s true strength, they could feel the aura of experts. Shi Mingyuan did not respond to Lan Yue’s caution, glanced at her, and walked away on her own.
“You two should leave soon too,” Ning Shuidong sighed deeply. “Today’s incident will definitely not remain secret. Our restaurant will definitely not be able to continue. We also need to prepare for escape.”
“Where can we go?”
“East or west,” Ning Shuidong smiled bitterly. “Now, only in the areas controlled by the rebels can we barely survive. We plan to go to the Shenyu Autonomous Territory, where Yang Hao, the councilor, is stationed. After all, he is our leader, and he won’t let us be left behind.”
Kan Ling and Ling Ziyun wore somewhat indifferent expressions. They both knew that Yang Hao had not returned to Divine Revelation, and his whereabouts remained unknown.
But in these turbulent times, it was already difficult enough for people to have a little faith. Why should we go and shatter it?
The afternoon sunlight was gradually fading. The atrium of the Apocalypse Pavilion, standing for a hundred years, was becoming increasingly desolate as the sunlight disappeared.
Perhaps, it would not see the sun of tomorrow.
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