Supreme Emptiness

But right at this moment, a massive tremor suddenly shook the ceiling. The powerful vibration transferred underground, triggering a violent earthquake.

The magma river churned as the earth split open. Several terrifying fissures extended all the way from the surface down to the subterranean world barrier. Waves of agonizing screams echoed from the cracks above.

It was the people of the Black Moon Sanatorium!

They were under attack!

"Preposterous! Who dares to run wild in this Viscount’s territory?" Feng Lingxiao charged out of the fissure, seething with anger.

Taking advantage of the chaotic upheaval, the subterranean slaves broke free from their restraints and scattered in all directions. Liang Feiyan’s eyes darted around. Instead of fleeing like the others, she crawled up the fissure toward the surface.

On the surface.

In Tiandu, a long, dragon-shaped Spirit Vein had been severed cleanly in half. The massive palace complex that once stood atop the Spirit Vein had been completely leveled.

More than a dozen Sages hovered in the air, surrounded by swirling Law Chains. They looked as if they were facing a formidable mortal enemy. However, they swallowed their anger, not daring to make a move against the person who had destroyed the Black Moon Sanatorium.

Jiang Fan sat astride the Big Black Dog. Behind him, over ninety top-grade Spirit Swords fanned out like a heavenly lotus—dazzling yet incredibly dangerous.

The Big Black Dog turned its head to take a look, its eyelids twitching wildly. It secretly stuck out its tongue and thought, "Good heavens! When did this guy get his hands on that woman Jian Sankuang’s sword scabbard? And he can actually control this many longswords!"

A massive wave of shock surged through its heart. Granted, Jiang Fan possessed methods even more formidable than the Sword Array before him, such as that powerful gourd and that dangerous brush. But those were merely external tools.

Things were different now. From who knows where, Jiang Fan had learned terrifying swordsmanship. He could actually mobilize this many top-grade Spirit Swords and unleash power that rivaled the Early-stage Three Calamities Realm!

When it first met this kid, he was just a little guy who nearly died trying to sneak-attack a Heaven Burial Saint Beast. It hadn’t been that long, yet he had already become this terrifying! Today, even without it holding the line, Jiang Fan could single-handedly slaughter his way through the Black Moon Sanatorium.

Jiang Fan coldly stared at the dozen or so Sages present. "I’ll say it one last time. Hand them over," he demanded. "Don’t force me to make a move!"

The dozen Sages seethed in silence. First, they were deeply wary of the Big Black Dog; the other party was a member of the Imperial Family! Second, they feared Jiang Fan. None of them could single-handedly withstand that terrifying Sword Array! Perhaps by joining forces, they might be able to break the formation.

Just as they were hesitating over whether to hand over the three people, a furious roar echoed from below.

"Jiang Fan! It’s you!"

Feng Lingxiao’s figure flickered into view. His hair and beard bristled, and his killing intent cascaded like a waterfall. His face was twisted with unbridled rage.

Back in the World of Darkness, the Snow Maiden had snatched away his Wind God Order Flag and given it to Jiang Fan. Because of that, he had been severely punished by the Nanqian Royal Family upon his return. He hadn’t even gone to settle the score with Jiang Fan yet. But instead, Jiang Fan had actually invaded Nanqian and destroyed his Black Moon Sanatorium!

This was simply bullying intolerably!

Jiang Fan narrowed his eyes, revealing a hint of surprise. "So it’s you? I was wondering who in Nanqian had such a crooked Heart Skill!"

He truly hadn’t expected that the master of the Black Moon Sanatorium, a certain Viscount, would turn out to be Feng Lingxiao!

"Hand the people over to me. Otherwise, I guarantee you won’t live past today!" Jiang Fan’s gaze was icy.

Things were completely different now. He was no longer the same Jiang Fan who had fought against the Young Emperor.

Feng Lingxiao was just about to reprimand him when he suddenly noticed the Vast Sword Formation behind Jiang Fan, causing his expression to change. However, the flash of fear only lasted for a fleeting moment.

"Hmph, do you think this is the Void? This is Nanqian!"

As soon as his voice fell, several formidable auras exploded outward from the center of Tiandu. It was a group of mysterious figures clad in black uniforms. Their auras were so overwhelmingly powerful that the very world seemed to tremble.

The leader was an expert at the Three Calamities Realm, and the nine figures behind him were all powerful entities at the Two Calamities Realm level. Standing together, their combined might distorted the space around them.

"Who dares to cause trouble in Tiandu?" The Three Calamities Realm leader was a skinny old man who gave off an inflexible and naturally imposing vibe.

Qing Jiu’s eyes turned solemn as he transmitted a message, "Those are Nanqian’s Law Enforcers. They are responsible for the security of Tiandu and possess the authority to execute first and report later."

Is that so?

Jiang Fan called out loudly, "You’ve arrived just in time, Senior! The Black Moon Sanatorium is trafficking people and swindling their wealth. How does Your Excellency plan to handle this?"

The skinny old man shot him a cold glare. "I saw no such thing!"

Jiang Fan pointed beneath the Spirit Vein and countered, "Is there a need to look? With your Perception, you should already be able to detect the situation underground, right?"

Even his own Soul Realm, which had just stepped into the Virtuous Realm, could sense the commotion below. Let alone an absolute peak expert at the Three Calamities Realm standing right before him?

The skinny old man’s aged eyes narrowed, his gaze gradually turning sinister. "I don’t understand what you’re talking about," he sneered. "I only see you running wild in my Nanqian! A mere outsider—who gave you the courage?"

Jiang Fan chuckled.

Just as he expected!

The fact that the Black Moon Sanatorium could operate safely meant someone was shielding them. And that someone was none other than this skinny old man right in front of him!

He patted the Big Black Dog’s head. "Stupid dog, tell him!"

The Big Black Dog shook its head and let out two eerie cackles. "Bone Struggle Sage, I’m the one who told him to make a move. You don’t have a problem with that, do you?"

As it spoke, the powerful aura of the Two Calamities Realm erupted from its body.

Only then did the skinny old man finally notice the Big Black Dog’s presence. Upon sweeping his gaze over it, his pupils shrank. "The National Guardian Dog?"

Feng Lingxiao was also taken aback. "Lord National Guardian Dog? Why... why are you with this lawless brat?"

The others also finally noticed the inconspicuous Big Black Dog, their expressions shifting drastically. Why was His Majesty Nanqian’s Spiritual Pet with this outsider? And why was it even allowing him to ride on its back?

The Big Black Dog stretched out a paw and dug at its ear, speaking in a nonchalant tone, "Whoever you captured from him, hand them over yourselves. Don’t make things difficult for me."

Feng Lingxiao’s face turned incredibly ugly.

He never imagined that the National Guardian Dog would actually side with Jiang Fan! If he refused to hand over the people, he would be making an enemy out of the National Guardian Dog, who belonged to His Majesty Nanqian. Could a mere Viscount like him afford to bear such consequences?

Left with no other choice, he could only cast a pleading gaze toward the Bone Struggle Sage.

The latter also looked hesitant. Handing the people over would be easy enough. The problem was, once he did, wouldn’t the matter of the subterranean Artifact Refining Base be exposed? As their underground protector, how could he possibly escape implication?

Glancing at the Big Black Dog, then covertly glancing underground, the Bone Struggle Sage scoffed lightly. "National Guardian Dog, it is not your place to command matters of law enforcement. Please leave immediately. Do not delay my duties!"

The Big Black Dog narrowed its three eyes. "Bone Struggle, you’ve got quite the nerve!"

Jiang Fan also sensed that something was slightly amiss. For someone to dare speak to the Big Black Dog—His Majesty Nanqian’s Spiritual Pet—in such a manner? Could it be that some internal changes had occurred within Nanqian that the Big Black Dog was unaware of?

Auras surged around the Bone Struggle Sage as he stated chillingly, "National Guardian Dog, please leave!"

Right at this moment, a shift occurred from below as Liang Feiyan crawled out from the depths.