This, truly, was the state of humanity within the Bright Domain. Every resource pertaining to cultivation was held tightly in the grasp of the Winged God Clan. Even the strongest among humanity, the great powers, could only secretly scavenge the scraps left behind for their own practice.

Here, humanity primarily relied on innate talent for cultivation. If the humans of the Bright Domain possessed any singular advantage, it was that the Winged God Clan offered a degree of protection over the weak, resulting in the spiritual energy density within the Bright Domain being somewhat richer than that of the Nine Provinces.

Controlling resources was one of the Winged God Clan’s primary methods of subjugating humanity. Any powerful individual, no matter how prodigious their talent, required a near-oceanic quantity of resources to reach the pinnacle. Under the stringent control of resources, achieving true accomplishment for humans was harder than ascending to the heavens. Meanwhile, the Winged God Clan used these massive resource caches to continually expand their strength, further solidifying their reign and control.

Frankly, the gift Lei Dong presented held little appeal to the great sects of the Nine Provinces world. But here, it descended like a catastrophic tidal wave upon the father and daughter, whose positions were not insignificant.

Light flickered ceaselessly in Emperor Roman’s eyes. He knew intimately how difficult it was for him, even as a reigning emperor, to amass cultivation resources. Most of what he had painstakingly collected over the years through various means had been given to his extraordinarily gifted, almost aberrant, daughter. He understood that his daughter was the sole hope he carried in this life.

Faced with this gift of astronomical value, Emperor Roman could not remain entirely composed. Yet, a greater wariness bloomed in his gaze, for anyone presenting such a treasure always expected a far richer return. What did the Roman Empire possess that the other party might desire? He was acutely aware of the consequences should he accept the gift without fulfilling the associated obligation: annihilation. The complete destruction of the entire Roman lineage. The other party would need to move no troops; merely leaking the news that his daughter secretly practiced the Great Light Incantation would ensure the Winged God Clan would never spare the Roman house.

“Your Majesty need not be nervous. My King merely admires Your Majesty’s character and offers a small token of goodwill. These paltry resources are but a drop in the ocean to my King, not worth mentioning,” Mei Ji stated placidly.

“Alas. Then, might I ask your envoy,” Emperor Roman slowly shook his head, “what is your King’s objective? My Roman family holds a low status; we are likely insignificant in your King’s eyes?”

“Very well. If I do not make this clear, I fear you would not dare accept this trove of cultivation resources.” Mei Ji smiled flirtatiously. “My King’s objective is simple: to conquer the entire Bright Holy Domain and bring the Winged God Clan to its knees.”

“What?” Emperor Roman immediately collapsed onto the ground. Perhaps he had anticipated some quarrel between their King and the Dawn King. But he never imagined the ambition extended to crushing the entirety of the Winged God Clan? Instantly, disbelief spread across his features as he shook his head. “I do not believe it. The Winged God Clan is too powerful.”

“Whether you believe it or not is irrelevant; you only need to perform your assigned duty.” Mei Ji produced another jade slip and tossed it over. “Everything you need to do is contained within this slip.”

“What if I refuse?” Emperor Roman clutched the jade slip tightly, his hand trembling slightly.

“Heh heh, you refuse? Giggle, don't tell me you’ve forgotten how Princess Sophia, your precious daughter, met her end?” Mei Ji covered her mouth, smiling wickedly. “Don’t tell me you haven’t secretly supported and cultivated some heretical cults. And don’t tell me you went to such lengths to steal the Great Light Incantation for Princess Natasha to practice merely for the sake of gaining longevity. Emperor Roman, my King is of the same human lineage as you. He did not come here bearing the noble ideal of liberating his brethren. Of course, he mentioned that liberating our kin is a possible side benefit. However, more relies upon the self-action of you humans of the Bright Domain. Alright, alright, I shall repeat it. If you are unwilling, my King, out of consideration for our shared human bloodline, will not make things difficult for you. We will deal with the Dawn King ourselves; it will cost us a bit of effort, at most.”

At this juncture, Emperor Roman let out a long, drawn-out sigh. “It seems I am left with no choice. Very well, tell your King. I, Emperor Roman, accept his gift. However, before executing the plan, I have one small condition.”

“Speak,” Mei Ji inquired calmly.

“I require your King to accept Natasha as his handmaiden,” Emperor Roman stated plainly and indifferently.

“Father!” Natasha cried out in shock, immediately refusing, “This daughter will not go! I must stay by your side to protect you.”

“Be a good child, you must trust your father.” Emperor Roman looked at his daughter with lingering affection, his voice softening as he said, “Father will surely succeed. If you do not leave, Father will lack the courage to stake everything.” He left unsaid what needed to be said: without providing them with a hostage of extreme importance to Emperor Roman, the other party might never truly trust his compliance.

“Emperor Roman, you are indeed a man who understands calculation, worthy of being called a great monarch who has more than doubled his nation’s territory at such a young age,” Mei Ji praised him. “But rest assured, my Master is not one given to lust; he is an upright and heroic figure.”

“Not lecherous?” Emperor Roman instead managed a bitter smile. “That, for me, is devastating news.”

“Giggle, for me, it’s also devastating news,” Mei Ji laughed lightly.

Almost simultaneously.

At one end of the Dawn Continent, near an ordinary Sky City, in the capital of the Faxi Empire, the scene was one of utter chaos. The once flourishing, ancient, and imposing capital was now in disarray. A humanoid monster, standing nearly ten feet tall and reeking of putrid blood, had appeared out of nowhere before the Royal Palace.

The creature’s eyes were savage and fierce, filled with cold cunning. With every step it took, it left behind fetid footprints of blood. The soldiers serving as guards outside the palace complex were naturally loyal and brave. Though startled by the sudden appearance of the monster, several soldiers charged forward fearlessly, their long spears emitting cold surges of Battle Qi light.

The spears pierced the blood-colored monster’s body instantly. However, before the soldiers could wear expressions of relief, the creature grinned hideously and extended its claws; its arms stretched like rubber, splitting into several strands that coiled around the soldiers.

In the span of a breath, the monster dissolved into a stench-filled blood mist, engulfing the few soldiers. Their piercing screams caused the arriving reinforcements to hesitate, their steps faltering.

The screams abruptly ceased. The foul blood mist coalesced back into a humanoid form, burped unnervingly, and appeared even taller and more robust than before. With a cruel sneer, it lunged with lightning speed towards the remaining half-squad of soldiers.

“Monster, teach…”

Chaos erupted.

Within the time it takes a stick of incense to burn, the blood-colored monster had already devoured over a hundred people, including several high-level figures such as Great Battle Masters and Archmages. Blood light filled the palace grounds, thick with stench. Countless people fled in madness, listening to the mournful screams that echoed around them.

An identical scene was unfolding at every garrison post within the capital. There, although these blood-colored monsters were not as formidable as the one attacking the central palace, they appeared in groups of three or five and seemed to possess an unkillable nature; even some Light Mages found themselves unable to dispel them. Monster after monster moved unimpeded, displaying extreme brutality and dominance.

The most terrifying aspect was that these blood-colored monsters grew stronger and fiercer after consuming sufficient blood.

The entire city soon hovered on the brink of an apocalyptic state. The royal relatives and nobles attempted to flee, only to find the city gates had been breached at some unknown time. They were forced to rely on their powerful movement techniques, hoping to fly over the city walls.

However, these monsters seemed to favor flying prey. Anyone daring to take to the air became the immediate target of pursuit; their speed was so incredible that escape was impossible for anyone.

A piercing alarm sounded.

High above in the cloud layer, a gaunt, black-robed elder and a young woman wearing a thin veil observed the unfolding scene.

“Jie jie, Mochou, you truly live up to the Spirit Blood Body. Unleashing the Blood Fiend Great Art under your command is like adding wings to a tiger. Even I, your Master, feel inferior,” the Blood Demon remarked, both impressed and gratified. “This old man has finally found an heir who surpasses the master in the craft.”

“Master.” Before the woman called Mochou’s lips even moved, a series of slightly deep and hoarse sounds emanated: “The power achieved is also thanks to the wondrous effect of the Blood Spirit Orb rewarded by the Master. At the time, we never expected the Blood Spirit Orb to contain a fragment of the cultivation method for the Blood River Divine Art. Although we cannot copy it directly, it has elevated the quality of our Blood Fiend Great Art by several tiers. Moreover, it provided many ingenious functional ideas.” This Mochou was, of course, the mute girl who had once saved Lei Dong’s life. She was the one who had given herself this new name.

Later, she offered herself to the Blood Demon as his direct disciple. Although she was mute, those who reached this level of cultivation had countless ways, through tempering their bodies, to regain the ability to speak.

Upon mention of the Blood Spirit Orb, the Blood Demon became animated: “Even this Master never suspected the Blood Spirit Orb possessed such peculiar efficacy. Not only does it aid in cultivating the Blood Fiend Great Art, but it can also be used in a special manner to refine Blood Puppets. Now, these new Blood Puppets are vastly stronger than our original ones. Exhilarating, truly exhilarating. It is worthy of being called a Primordial Spirit Treasure.”