The Dao-Field of Thunderstruck was opening at that very moment. One year inside the Dao-Field was equivalent to ten years in the outside world. With the continuous gathering of Chaos Crystals, Thunderstruck had a real chance to elevate his Hidden Dragon Army and Ghost Legion to a level capable of sweeping the world, ensuring his strength would not lag too far behind the Night Emperor. Coupled with the Ghost Emperor of the Underworld and their allied forces, Thunderstruck felt utterly confident in suppressing the Night Emperor.

Of course, this was not solely contingent on that one year passing. Even right now, if the three factions could truly coordinate their efforts, they could hold the Night Emperor in check. This was because Thunderstruck had consistently revealed only fifteen hundred Nascent Soul-level Hidden Dragons, plus a thirty-thousand-strong Ghost Legion, for the defense of the city.

In truth, throughout the entire campaign up to this point, Thunderstruck had rotated his troops constantly along the battlements, effectively hiding two-thirds of his army’s true might. Not only was the Night Emperor, the Sacred Radiance King who had been relentlessly attacking Thunderstruck, unaware of this, but even Thunderstruck’s actual allies were not entirely privy to the full extent of his power.

Those hidden six or seven tenths of his military strength were the true source of Thunderstruck’s unshakeable confidence, and the reason he faced the combined might of the Sacred Radiance King and the Abyss Lord without fear.

The Void Refinement stage was indeed formidable, so much so that Thunderstruck was unwilling to engage in direct confrontation. However, on such a massive battlefield, even a Void Refinement expert could not defy destiny alone against overwhelming numbers. Their primary function was to intimidate the enemy, lowering their morale, and bolstering their own side's spirit. But clearly, the Night Emperor’s subordinates were all controlled by Heart-Devouring Demons; their morale was fixed and impervious to change.

"One year? No, half a year at most." The Emperor of Dark Night likely did not wish to press these people too hard, lest they fight desperately, resulting in heavy losses. A mere half year or year was something the Emperor of Dark Night could afford to wait for, nor did he fear these individuals would manage to pull too many tricks in such a short time. After all, the spatial rift connecting to the Abyss Domain was entirely under his control; he could open or close it at will. These people were nothing more than turtles in a jar.

"Half a year is too short." Thunderstruck shook his head repeatedly. "We have a great deal of appeasement work to do. Furthermore, even if we surrender, Lord Night Emperor, we cannot accept being controlled by the Heart-Devouring Demons." Thunderstruck’s final tone softened slightly.

"Naturally, there would be no need for Heart-Devouring Demon control. I have already stated that my previous subordinates were an accident," the Emperor of Dark Night replied, putting on an earnest expression. "Since that is the case, I will grant you one year. If you still refuse to submit by then, do not blame me for showing no mercy."

"Very well, then we request that Lord Night Emperor lead his troops back a million li," Thunderstruck responded with extreme sincerity. "This matter is too grave, and we need time to discuss countermeasures against you potentially using the Heart-Devouring Demons to control us. After all, we were all once powerful sovereigns in our own right; none of us wish to become conscious corpses." As he spoke the last words, Thunderstruck’s face betrayed a flicker of panic and dread.

The Night Emperor sneered internally a few times, musing, Discussing a method of restraint? Heh, let them discuss it. Once they surrender, I will have plenty of ways to bring them into line. To prevent them from acting rashly out of desperation before they can fully accept the situation, I will grant them some time to adjust.

This Night Emperor was cunning and old. He certainly understood that these Deity Transformation realm experts were all powerful figures accustomed to having the final say. To suddenly transition from being a leader to being a subordinate was something they would psychologically resist strongly. Forcing the issue now would surely provoke a backlash. Giving them a year to contemplate would slowly shift their mentality from resistance to helpless acceptance. Their own immense power was proof enough: anyone who resisted was courting death.

The Night Emperor saw no need for further haggling. Preparing to offer them a shred of hope for survival, he delivered a fierce ultimatum: "Since I am showing sincerity in wishing to share glory and wealth with you all, I will give you one year and withdraw a million li. Take this time to truly consider whether you wish to fight me over mere pride and ultimately die by my hand, or submit to me and join me in unifying the Six Domains and Nine Continents to establish a complete dynasty. One final point: this area is rich in Chaos spiritual energy, far more than I can consume alone…"

Saying this, the Night Emperor—leaving behind a large, tempting morsel—began leading his forces in a retreat. The battlefield returned to its previous silence, as if nothing had transpired.

But at this moment, neither Thunderstruck nor the Sacred Radiance King could afford to engage in internal conflict and waste strength against each other.

"Lord Sacred Radiance King, although the Night Emperor has withdrawn a million li, the Abyssal race has always been treacherous and fickle. It would be best if our two camps moved slightly closer," Thunderstruck secretly transmitted his divine sense fluctuations to the Sacred Radiance King. "In truth, our conflict is merely a struggle over interests; it has not reached the level of irreconcilable hatred."

The Sacred Radiance King certainly understood Thunderstruck’s underlying meaning. He glanced toward the Abyss Lord from a distance and transmitted back to Thunderstruck in a gentle tone: "Commander Thunder, you truly are an unparalleled genius. To build such a massive force in such a short time—you have even managed to fool this King. However, how can I trust that you won't take this opportunity to eliminate me?"

"Lord Sacred Radiance King speaks in jest. Your noble race is a traditional powerhouse of the Six Domains and Nine Continents. Even in decline, you must possess certain secret trump cards," Thunderstruck transmitted with a smile. "I, Thunder, am no foolish simpleton who would strike an ally at such a crucial moment. In fact, if Lord Sacred Radiance King had investigated and learned anything about me, you would know my temperament and character. In terms of trustworthiness, I am absolutely incomparable to someone like Udis. Moreover, I have no great interest in the territory of the Radiant Domain; rather, I would prefer to cultivate a strong ally within the Radiant Domain, where we can watch each other’s backs and provide mutual support."

"Well said. Shall we then find a time to become more intimately acquainted?"

After a brief discussion, the two settled on a date a month hence for a formal meeting. Simultaneously, representatives from all three sides immediately agreed upon the layout of their encampments. They would be positioned near each other, forming a triangular tripod configuration.

In the friendly communication array, the Sacred Radiance King and the Abyss Lord both displayed looks of exhaustion. Neither had anticipated that matters would resolve in this manner.

"Sacred Radiance, the current situation is perfectly clear. In this Chaos Space, the most powerful entity is the Emperor of Dark Night. His strength alone is enough to crush our three factions combined," the Abyss Lord said, his expression grim. "But the Emperor of Dark Night clearly values our power and wishes to bring us under his command, which is why he has paused his attack, intending to erode our resistance over time." The Abyss Lord was also unaware of Thunderstruck's concealment of the majority of his strength, hence his statement.

"Udis, as a member of the Abyssal Demon race, can you make an educated guess about the Emperor of Dark Night's intentions? If we refuse to surrender after a year, what means will he employ?" The Sacred Radiance King also wore a worried expression.

"Then we will certainly die!" The Abyss Lord sneered. "The other outcome is capture by the Emperor of Dark Night and forcible implantation by the Heart-Devouring Demons. Our only path to survival now is to unite with Thunderstruck’s elite forces and slay the Emperor of Dark Night."

The Sacred Radiance King’s eyes brightened slightly, mirroring the Abyss Lord’s thought process. In truth, all of them had glimpsed the Night Emperor’s weakness: his subordinates were almost entirely controlled by Heart-Devouring Demons. Once the Night Emperor was killed or controlled, those seemingly powerful Heart-Devouring Demon armies would become nothing more than masterless puppets, presenting a massive opportunity.

"Before we discuss how to kill the Emperor of Dark Night, let's examine our current predicament," the Sacred Radiance King suppressed the stirring ambition in his heart. "Excluding the Emperor of Dark Night, among our three factions, isn't the alliance led by Thunderstruck currently the strongest? The allied armies of the other races that emerged are immensely powerful; combined, we are no match for them. Once the Emperor of Dark Night is eliminated, that young man named Thunder will inevitably turn hostile. How shall we deal with him then?"

"That is simple: we absorb the Thunder brat first, then kill the Emperor of Dark Night," the Abyss Lord declared his plan with imposing authority. "Sacred Radiance, I have occupied the Chaos Otherworld for some time and have gathered a batch of Heart-Devouring Demons specifically targeting Deity Transformation experts. You and I are both at the peak of the mid-stage Deity Transformation realm, and with your elder brother, the King of Radiance, that makes three peak mid-stage Deity Transformation experts. Our pinnacle strength far surpasses Thunderstruck's. If our two sides join forces, we can absolutely suppress Thunderstruck in a short time. Once he is parasitized by a Heart-Devouring Demon, we will effectively..."

"A fine thought, but what is your strategy for luring out the Emperor of Dark Night afterward?" the Sacred Radiance King asked calmly.

"Naturally, feign division and surrender, then risk infiltrating the Emperor of Dark Night’s lair for a decisive blow. My Abyssal race possesses a Primordial Spirit Treasure called the Endless Abyss, capable of concealing a legion of a thousand troops within," the Abyss Lord sighed. "Unfortunately, that item fell into the hands of the Shadow Demon King, and that old scoundrel has vanished. I only have a replica of the Endless Abyss, which can perhaps hide three hundred people. Your Winged God race is wealthy and well-established; surely you possess similar spirit treasures?"

"Indeed. This King has also collected a Spirit Treasure passed down from ancient times called the Troop Hiding Pagoda. It is a unique space formed when an ancient powerful being refined a small realm," the Sacred Radiance King stated placidly. "By our race's standards, it can hold two thousand individuals. Two thousand people might not be decisive in a frontal engagement, but they can be immensely effective in a surprise attack."

"Why did I hear that your Radiant Holy Domain possesses a treasure of your lineage called the 'Holy Hall'?" The Abyss Lord chuckled darkly.