All the officers and soldiers of the Earth Federation Army's First Group Fleet, subordinate to the expeditionary headquarters holding the line against the Roman fleet at the Jump Gate, were utterly stunned.
They watched as one bizarre flash of light after another streaked across the pitch-black void, and the enemy Roman warships detonated, one after another.
The explosions were so fast and fierce that the Roman vessels disintegrated as if they were made of paper, not even a single escape pod managing to flee.
An entire large-scale Roman Comprehensive Fleet—comprising fifty-seven Roman New Type Level One warships, three hundred forty-seven Level Two warships, and nearly a thousand Level Three and auxiliary vessels—was wiped out in less than a minute of furious bombardment.
The strange streaks of light continued to sweep through the vacuum, the wreckage of the Roman fleet erupting in continuous blasts until the largest remaining fragment of that massive fleet was no bigger than a human head.
When the brilliance finally faded, dozens of eerie figures, robed in long, flowing garments with radiant light shimmering around their hands, floated silently amidst the ruins of the pulverized Roman fleet.
The commander of the Earth Federation Fleet screamed in disbelief, “It’s that legendary group! They’ve joined the battle! They’re actually fighting! Issue the order: seal off the entire Jump Gate! Annihilate the Romans!” The Earth fleet rapidly began setting up defenses around the Jump Gate.
A vast number of armed satellites detached from their mother ships, their rounded bodies tumbling as they spread out to surround the gate.
A fleet composed of twenty Nantianmen-class warships, nearly a hundred Beitianmen-class warships, and over three hundred assorted auxiliary vessels slid silently through space.
The dozens of strange figures swiftly melted into one of the Nantianmen-class ships.
The fleet suddenly accelerated, crossing the Jump Gate at full speed.
In the Heaven Star Sector, dozens of small Earth Federation and Roman squadrons were locked in a fierce, chaotic engagement.
The Earth fleet held the advantage in warship armor and propulsion engines, while the Roman vessels maintained their traditional edge in high-energy weaponry and energy shields.
The overall combat strength of both sides was comparable, resulting in a brutal deadlock.
That small fleet traversed space at full throttle.
Every Roman warship in its path perished, hundreds of new-model ships destroyed with ease.
The devastating losses immediately alarmed the Roman command.
The fleet plunged into the atmosphere of Heaven Star, hovering arrogantly directly above the Roman Expeditionary Command Headquarters on the planet.
Countless Roman defense turrets, near and far, locked onto the intruding fleet.
Nearly a thousand large Roman warships in high orbit and near the surface completely encircled the squadron, yet not a single Roman dared to issue the order to fire.
The reason was a single individual: the Corpse Emperor, tall and imposing, clad in coarse robes, his face tinged green, floating openly above the fleet’s flagship.
His cold, pitiless gaze swept across the surroundings, yet it felt like a sharp blade hacking into the hearts of every Roman who met his eyes.
On the ground, the high-energy cannons of the defensive turrets quietly dipped their muzzles three inches lower.
All Roman warships in high and low orbit subtly retreated three li.
The Roman warriors standing on the ground watching the scene silently crouched down.
“Roll out for me!” the Corpse Emperor roared, unleashing a volley of ash-grey Yin lightning laced with eerie, pale-green ghostly flames.
The blast roared forth, slamming into a ridge bristling with defensive turrets.
The muffled thunder lasted only a brief moment.
That ridge, nearly a thousand meters high and spanning several li, vanished from Heaven Star.
A colossal circular pit, hundreds of meters deep and nearly ten li in diameter, appeared amidst the continuous mountain range.
The thousands of Roman warriors and tens of thousands of Spirit Race thralls garrisoned on the ridge didn't even manage a single cry.
“The next strike will be your Supreme Command.” The Corpse Emperor’s lips tightened into a line, chillingly sharp like a steel blade.
He smiled cruelly, “Don’t hide, don’t dodge.
I know you can hear and see.
Your Supreme Command is three thousand meters underground.
Hmph, I happen to want to test just how deep this newly refined Yin Lightning can penetrate.” The Corpse Emperor’s words were an act of sheer arrogance.
Daoists who reached the Void Realm were already subtly attuned to the heavens and earth, summoning natural forces with every gesture.
A layer of rock three thousand meters thick presented a significant obstacle for cultivators at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage, but for a Void Realm expert, even thirty thousand meters of bedrock was nothing more than dust to be crushed with a mere flip of the hand.
A piercing, grating sound hammered through the thick strata directly into the Roman command center.
The shout was like thunder exploding in the ears of every Roman commander.
Thousands of Romans within the headquarters simultaneously clutched their ears and let out piercing shrieks.
The Corpse Emperor’s tyrannical sonic attack destroyed their eardrums and simultaneously shattered the neural systems within their cochleae.
Paralyzed by the agonizing pain of ruptured eardrums and shattered cochleae, the Romans in the command center collapsed onto the floor, writhing desperately while covering their ears.
The immense shockwave also wrecked the Roman comprehensive battle command system.
Every piece of electronic equipment inside the headquarters erupted in massive electrical arcs.
Dense flashes of light danced wildly through the command center like headless swarms, causing intermittent, even more frantic screams as Romans were burned on the face by spurting electricity, their once handsome features turning as scorched as sesame cakes.
A high-energy beam suddenly shot toward the Corpse Emperor floating a thousand meters overhead.
It was fired by a Roman on the ground, whose entire body was trembling with tension.
His finger joints spasmed, and he reflexively pulled the trigger of his axe-gun.
The Corpse Emperor shattered the beam with a single punch and burst into roaring laughter, “Someone still dares to attack this Seat? Truly unafraid of death?” A blast of faint black gale rose from the ground.
The Corpse Emperor took a deep breath facing west, drawing the pale black wind entirely into his body.
His chest swelled immensely.
The Corpse Emperor forcefully exhaled toward the ground, and a black squall, chilling to the bone and filled with surging evil energy, instantly swept across dozens of li of forest.
The Roman soldiers caught in the black wind were covered in a faint black film; they could no longer grip their weapons and collapsed stiffly like wooden stakes.
“Roll out for me! You know who I’m talking about!” the Corpse Emperor bellowed toward the heavens.
Instantly, the clouds within a thousand li radius shattered like fragile glass.
Wisps of vapor were torn into long, thin streamers stretching for thousands of meters, coiling and trailing far into the distance.
The sky looked like a magnificent, radiant white lotus in full bloom—exquisitely bizarre to the extreme.
“Namo Amitabha Buddha.
Old friend, long time no see.” A deep, sonorous Buddhist chant echoed.
The Crimson Dragon King, draped in a black kasaya, a two-meter-long demon-headed great saber strapped to his back, and clutching a string of prayer beads the size of a fist, all blood-red as if condensed from fresh blood, slowly ascended from a forest below.
He lunged toward the Corpse Emperor with lightning speed.
“Whoosh!” The Crimson Dragon King’s hundred and eight fist-sized prayer beads, trailing a savage gust, slammed toward the Corpse Emperor’s forehead.
The Corpse Emperor let out a strange laugh and countered with an inverted palm strike.
Several twisted, ghastly green characters flickered on the white, osseous hand-seal, exuding an aura so chilling it hardened both body and soul.
With a deafening crash, the prayer beads in the Crimson Dragon King’s hand disintegrated into dust.
The Dragon King grunted, thrown back over ten li high, nearly slamming into the armored belly of a Nantianmen-class warship.
The Corpse Emperor remained suspended in place, completely unmoved.
He watched the Crimson Dragon King, a thread of blood visible at the corner of his mouth, and sneered, “Demon monk, long time no see.
Your skills haven’t improved at all.” Breathing heavily a few times, the Crimson Dragon King slowly flew back to face the Corpse Emperor.
He brought his palms together.
“It is not that this poor monk has not improved; my strength has increased several dozen times over these years.
Alas, old friend, your progress has been too swift; you are already in another realm.
To be frank, my current true power is inferior to yours.” The Corpse Emperor scoffed three times and nodded curtly.
“It’s good that you know.
Commit suicide! Otherwise, this Seat will slaughter every last Roman scum on Wandering Immortal Star.” The Crimson Dragon King, his expression unchanging, spoke robotically, “My strength may be inferior to yours, but you lack the power to force this poor monk to commit suicide.
If I employ my clan's secret technique—drawing a deity into my body to borrow the power of our divine beings—I can defeat you.
Since your strength is not yet overwhelming enough to crush me, on what grounds should I end my own life?” “What if we act together?” a cold, arrogant voice slowly sounded.
A streak of clear light flew out from a Nantianmen-class warship.
True Master Baishui, the Sect Master of the Kunlun Dao Sect, his face stiff, drifted down atop a cloud of water vapor.
He looked coldly at the Crimson Dragon King and sharply admonished, “Demon monk, do you truly believe the Asian Dao Alliance is without capable figures? By attacking and injuring our Alliance disciples, you were the first to tear up the Declaration of Seclusion.
You cannot blame us for resorting to harsh measures today.” With a wave of his hand, ten million water-like sword energies silently enveloped a hilltop.
Nearly ten thousand Roman warriors on the hill were flung high into the air by the sword energy, all of them vomiting blood as they died.
True Master Baishui usually appeared kind and benevolent, looking detached and unconcerned with worldly affairs, but he was, after all, the Sect Master of Kunlun.
If he were truly a gentle, easygoing man, how could he command respect among all Dao cultivators? Decisiveness, resolute judgment, and ruthless action—that was the true face of True Master Baishui.
A string of cold laughs echoed from high above.
True Master Hanhe, Lion Venerable, Eagle Saint, Tigress Granny, King Bone, and other grandmasters from both righteous and heretical factions of the Asian Dao Alliance materialized.
The eighteen Void Realm Grandmasters hovered in the sky, treading on clouds.
Their imposing presence and murderous aura made the hundreds of thousands of nearby Roman troops seem as insignificant as ants.
The Crimson Dragon King’s face turned black.
Gritting his teeth, he roared in anger, “It wasn't intentional for me to strike your Dao Alliance disciples! I was aiming to eliminate the descendants of the Eight Great Electoral Families of the Romans—who told your Dao Alliance disciples to get involved in our internal Roman affairs?” Ba ba ba ba, de.
The Crimson Dragon King recounted the entire sequence of events from that day.
He frankly explained to the Corpse Emperor, True Master Baishui, True Master Hanhe, and other Dao Alliance leaders that he had acted at the request of the Roman King, intentionally creating a Spatial Tide to eliminate the competitors of the Roman Great Prince Heisuojin: Gu Yechen and Penghua.
He claimed the others were merely collateral damage, not intentional targets.
“I see.” The Corpse Emperor frowned.
“Helping your own King doesn't violate the Declaration of Seclusion.
However, since my disciple was accidentally injured, you must provide an explanation for this matter! Otherwise, inviting fellow Daoists here on such a grand scale to settle accounts and returning empty-handed would be impossible to explain.” The Crimson Dragon King looked stunned.
He pointed at the massive crater on the ground and the nearly ten thousand Roman warriors killed by True Master Baishui’s single stroke of energy, shouting, “Are these many casualties not enough of an explanation?” The Corpse Emperor repeatedly shook his head.
He looked seriously at the Crimson Dragon King and said, “If you had injured a Kunlun disciple, perhaps this many deaths would suffice.
But you injured this Seat’s disciple.
My apprentice is precious; you think this small number of casualties will settle the score? Do you truly mistake us Evil Dao cultivators for soft-hearted Righteous Path members?” The Crimson Dragon King was furious, smoke nearly rising from his seven orifices.
Soft-hearted Righteous Path members? When True Master Baishui killed, he certainly didn't seem soft-hearted.
Gritting his teeth, he stared at the Corpse Emperor for a long moment before saying sinisterly, “Then, what kind of explanation do you demand?” Tossing the hand-seal in his hand, the Corpse Emperor said grimly, “The life or death of my two beloved apprentices is unknown; this loss is too great for my Nine Nether Dao.
Hmm, however, we cultivators act according to Heaven’s will and never do anything excessive.
Recently, this Seat has been cultivating the ‘Myriad Ghosts Night March Incantation’ and requires a number of spiritual corpses for refinement.
Give me thirty thousand Romans and one hundred thousand Spirit Race members to use for training, and then sever one of your own arms.
Only then will this reluctantly be considered settled today.” The Crimson Dragon King jumped up and roared, “You outrageous beast! Are you abandoning all reason?” He angrily looked toward True Master Baishui and True Master Hanhe, gesticulating wildly as he shouted, “You have already killed so many of my clan members today! Don’t push things too far!” True Master Yi Pu looked coldly at the Crimson Dragon King and said softly, “Even if we did, what can you do? All your words boil down to one sentence: those who harm our Dao Alliance disciples shall be killed without pardon!” True Master Hanhe interjected with a chuckle, mediating the situation, “Crimson Dragon King, you’ve received an enormous bargain today.
The old zombie only demands one of your arms.
This is rare for him to reason! If it were the old zombie I first met, after you injured two of his disciples, he would have wiped out your entire clan?” Sighing softly, True Master Hanhe shook his head and mumbled, “However, the old zombie has finally broken through a realm, and his mental cultivation has improved.
His killing intent and bloodlust have weakened significantly.
He’s only listening to reason today because it wasn't intentional that you harmed his followers.
Therefore, he only demands one arm, plus a few clansmen for refinement.
You’ve struck a massive bargain!” The Crimson Dragon King was so angry he almost spat blood.
He glared at True Master Hanhe, filled with resentment.
Why did this hypocritical old Daoist look so detestable? He had only accidentally injured Gu Yechen and Minghua, not intentionally harmed them.
In truth, Gu Yechen and Penghua wandering into the Spatial Tide was also because they coveted the Super Battleship left by the Roman ancestors; the main responsibility lay with them.
Yet now, somehow, he was the one facing ruin? Thirty thousand Romans and one hundred thousand Spirit Race members—the Crimson Dragon King didn't care much about those; he could simply breed more later.
But his own arm? The Crimson Dragon King truly couldn't bear to part with it.
After a deep sigh, the Crimson Dragon King looked up at the sky, contemplating for a while, and finally shook his head.
“Hmm?” The Corpse Emperor’s eyes flashed with fierce light.
He grinned wickedly, “Very well then! Today, this Seat will annihilate you, and then personally ascend to refine every Roman on Wandering Immortal Star and the Thirteen Connected Stars into zombies, using the Grand Myriad Corpse Formation to attack your Roman headquarters on Mars! Heh heh, let’s see how you resist then!” The Crimson Dragon King sighed deeply and said gravely, “Old friend, don’t assume only you have achieved breakthroughs.” He paused, then said with a cold laugh, “Within the Earth Dark Alliance, the Papacy and the Alliance of Gods also possess experts not inferior to you.
The Alliance of Gods has more than ten powerhouses whose strength matches yours.
The Papacy possesses one terrifying expert capable of suppressing the combined efforts of more than ten people single-handedly.” The Crimson Dragon King meticulously detailed everything he had seen and heard during the competition for the Super Battleship that day.
He stated calmly, “I originally did not wish to tell you about this matter; I merely wanted to observe what changes might occur within the Dark Alliance internally.
But you have forced me into a corner with no retreat; I must explain.” He raised his right hand and stated firmly, “If you insist on taking one of my arms, I will activate the Profound Drawing of the Deity into my body and fight you to the death.
Can you kill me without sustaining any injury?” The Corpse Emperor stared at True Master Baishui in shock.
True Master Baishui frowned and said coldly, “The Papacy and the Alliance of Gods have hidden such formidable experts? Among them…” True Master Hanhe slowly said, “We must plan for the long term.” The Corpse Emperor snorted lightly and looked coldly at the Crimson Dragon King.
“Is what you say true?” The Crimson Dragon King brought his palms together and said with utmost piety, “This poor monk is an incarnation of the Buddha; I never speak falsehoods in my life.” The hand-seal in the Corpse Emperor’s palm spun rapidly.
After a full quarter of an hour, he slowly nodded.
“The Declaration of Seclusion must be adhered to.
Otherwise, our Dao Alliance will emerge in full force.
The strength of our Dao Alliance today is enough to destroy your Roman people more than ten times over.” The Crimson Dragon King looked deeply at the Corpse Emperor and said slowly, “Our Roman strength has also increased.
If the three of us—Night Walker, Mad Angel, and I—activate the deity within our bodies, we can fight against any two or three of you combined and remain undefeated.
And if Feathered Being is willing to act, given his current power merged with the ‘Source God’ power enshrined by our clan’s Ancestor, his strength would definitely not be beneath that mysterious expert of the Papacy.” The Corpse Emperor looked at True Master Baishui.
True Master Baishui and True Master Hanhe exchanged glances, and the three quickly huddled together, murmuring a consultation for a while.
After a moment, the Corpse Emperor turned back to the Crimson Dragon King.
“Receive one punch from me, and the matter of my disciple being injured will be concluded.
Today, the Sect Masters of Kunlun and Zhongnan, along with this Seat, have personally come.
This travel expense…” The Crimson Dragon King’s facial muscles bulged with rage.
He remained silent for a long time before nodding forcefully, “All cultural relics looted by the Romans from the former Guohua Kingdom’s Forbidden City before the War of 93 must be returned.” “Fine! Receive the punch.” The Corpse Emperor took a deep breath and casually threw a punch toward the Crimson Dragon King’s chest.
The Crimson Dragon King stared intently at the Corpse Emperor’s fist, slowly raising his hands to meet it.
He chanted a Buddhist name like a lament: “All sentient beings suffer; Nirvana is the Way!” Fist met palm.
The Corpse Emperor gave a few cold laughs and turned to leave.
In the blink of an eye, the contingent from the Asian Dao Alliance had vanished completely.
The Crimson Dragon King’s complexion shifted from green to red, then red to white, then white to black.
In the span of a few breaths, his face had changed through dozens of shades.
“Pfft.” Blood spurted from all seven orifices of the Crimson Dragon King.
He slammed violently onto the ground, supporting himself awkwardly with both hands, retching as if his very soul were tearing out.
Once he had finally vomited up everything, including bile, the Crimson Dragon King weakly raised his head.
He let out a low, menacing chuckle.
“Such terrifying power.
Is this the so-called Void Realm power of the Daoists? A pure punch felt like the entire universe was pressing down on me.
Terrifying, utterly terrifying.” “Namo Amitabha Buddha.
The Path of Nirvana still has a long road ahead.” “Power.
I need sufficient power.” Two Roman soldiers eagerly approached to help the Crimson Dragon King up, but he swept them aside with his sleeve, knocking their upper bodies off with the force of two rotten watermelons.