Chapter 564: Fan Emperor Disappears, Jiang Ruo Arrives at a Mysterious Land

Jiang Chen continues to fight inside the Instance, and Li Xueru nonstop plans the formation of the magical array.

Administrative and military affairs across the lands proceed in an orderly fashion.

This time the Situ family also lends strong support, cooperating closely with Li Xueru, Hong Jishi and other great clans.

It can be said that for this grand plan, the Shenlong Empire has almost mobilized all its forces.

Such a massive move cannot be concealed and soon reached the ears of other factions.

They each sent people to probe for information, but the Shenlong Empire is like a solid Fortress, making it hard for outsiders to glimpse its interior.

Even when some information is obtained, it is vague and hard to discern truth from falsehood.

As a global power, the Shenlong Empire's strength far surpasses that of those small nations and minor forces.

Attempting to infiltrate it is as hard as scaling the heavens.

The camp on Hong Jishi's side continues to expand, and the number of people parasitized by spirit‑eating beasts far exceeds expectations.

The camp originally prepared for one hundred thousand people became full, so a larger camp was swiftly expanded.

Craftsmen and architects acted quickly to enlarge the camp.

Because healers were insufficient, many array masters were summoned to set up healing arrays.

At the same time, many alchemists were called to brew healing elixirs.

The royal family also joined the effort, providing stocked medicinal herbs.

The number of people parasitized by spirit‑eating beasts quickly surpassed two hundred thousand and continues to grow at a staggering rate.

This infection rate will eventually increase geometrically, and the difficulty of control will grow ever larger.

It is projected that in a month the camp could host a million parasitized individuals.

Globally, only the Shenlong Empire could accomplish such a feat.

No other power can be compared with it.

Nevertheless, even with Hong Jishi and others being extra careful and strict, they are certain that some spirit‑eating beasts have escaped.

If it is within the Shenlong Empire it is manageable; once the Soul Fusion Array activates, all spirit‑eating beasts across the Empire will be eradicated and become nourishment.

But if they flee to other nations, other forces...

Those forces will have to figure it out themselves.

The Shenlong Empire has done its utmost; regarding other countries, they can only express regret.

Li Xueru once sighed, "Our ancestors said, those not of our kind have hearts that differ."

"We have limited abilities; it's enough if we can manage our own nation's affairs."

"The countries whose appearance and culture differ from ours should handle it themselves."

As one of the visible power cores of the Shenlong Empire, every word of Hong Jishi represents the firm stance of the Empire's upper echelons. Under the Fan Emperor's silence, Hong Jishi's statements are almost equivalent to the Empire's highest decisions. His authority runs deep, and among some citizens his status even surpasses that of the royal family.

Hong Jishi is currently busy with various camp affairs, but Lin Zhenzi's sudden arrival, with a solemn expression, forces him to temporarily set aside his tasks.

"Have you been to Dragon Race Island?" Hong Jishi asked.

"Yes, but I didn't find the old man," Lin Zhenzi replied.

Hong Jishi furrowed his brow, "The old man rarely leaves Dragon Race Island; where could he have gone?"

The "old man" he mentions refers to the Human Race's sole Half-step Super God, the Fan Emperor, rarely spoken of by the public yet renowned among Divine-level Professionals. He is two generations older than Hong Jishi and Lin Zhenzi, even a generation older than Ye Chen Shi.

It is said he has lived nearly two hundred years, though his exact age is unknown. He has been out of public view for decades, yet everyone knows he remains a solid bulwark of the Human Race.

Because of his presence, Demons dared not act rashly, nor launch a massive invasion of the Human World. Now, however, he has suddenly vanished.

Hong Jishi originally intended, at the activation of the Soul Fusion Array, to invite the Fan Emperor to preside. After all, the Demon Emperor has acted, the Abyss Demon will surely receive the news, and the Dragon Race may also move. Without a Half-step Super God‑level strongman to sit in, he fears unpredictable accidents could occur.

Although powerful, and Li Xueru a master of his generation, there remains an insurmountable gap compared with a Half-step Super God.

Hong Jishi whispered, "I was also planning to go to Dragon Race Island in a few days to look for the old man; it seems you and I thought the same. Now the old man is missing, and if he doesn't want to appear, we truly will have a hard time finding him."

"Now it seems we can only try to contact Jiang Yi," he added.

Lin Zhenzi suddenly gasped, "Jiang Yi?"

Hong Jishi nodded, solemnly explaining, "He is about to be revived; at least now he can wield the Demon‑Slaying Sword to cut down the Demon Emperor's will. The Instance his soul has manifested is stored in the Dungeon Hall you manage."

Lin Zhenzi paused, then solemnly nodded, "I understand."

After pondering, Hong Jishi added, "The news of the Fan Emperor's disappearance must be kept strictly confidential and not be spread."

"Don't worry, I understand the seriousness of the matter," Lin Zhenzi assured.

After Lin Zhenzi left, Hong Jishi found Li Xueru and informed him of the Fan Emperor's disappearance.

Li Xueru, after deep thought, whispered, "We need to send people to look for Jiang Ruo and see where she is. Also, it's time to contact Lao Ao and call him back. At least the three of us together will have a battle‑force if an accident occurs."

……

Ancient Battlefield, deep within the Upper Space, a mysterious Core Area.

A dazzling beam of light slashed across the sky, its speed astonishing.

The space of the Ancient Battlefield trembled violently from the impact of this force, as if it could collapse at any moment.

The light cut the void like a sword, tearing open the surrounding emptiness to reveal endless darkness.

The Fan Emperor's figure darted through it, carrying Jiang Ruo toward the direction where Antares lies.

The Fan Emperor radiates dazzling light, resisting the expulsion force of the Ancient Battlefield with astonishing power.

However, as time passes, this expulsion force grows stronger, and even the Half-step Super God Fan Emperor finds it hard to endure for long.

Jiang Ruo feels anxious, not understanding why the teacher brought her to this dangerous place.

They moved from Deep Space into Lower Space, then turned to the Core Area of Upper Space, heading straight for the center.

If Jiang Ruo were alone, she would likely have already been expelled from the Ancient Battlefield by this force.

The Fan Emperor's voice echoed through the roaring space, "Antares!"

At this moment, the expulsion force had become unimaginably strong, and cracks continuously appeared in the space surrounding the Fan Emperor.

The Lightning that sprouts in the void, each bolt contains power that can destroy heaven and earth.

Jiang Ruo knows well that any one of these Lightning bolts could instantly blast her to ash.

Now, the Ancient Space no longer merely seeks to expel the Fan Emperor, but intends to execute him.

The Fan Emperor strains with all his might to resist the surrounding Lightning, yet still finds it arduous.

"Antares!" the Fan Emperor shouted loudly again; this time, Antares finally responded.

It slowly lifted its heavy eyelids, glanced at the Fan Emperor, and then emitted a low hum.

In that instant, the Lightning dissipated, and the space regained its calm.

Antares's power instantly enveloped the Fan Emperor and Jiang Ruo, shielding them from the Ancient Battlefield's law.

The Fan Emperor felt the protective power, finally sighed in relief, and descended to the ground with Jiang Ruo.

"Honored Lord Antares, long time no see, Fan Yan sends his regards," the Fan Emperor said respectfully; his real name is Fan Yan, and before Antares he dares not show any arrogance.

Antares hummed, his tone tinged with teasing: "You old fellow are still alive? I thought you had long since died."

Fan Yan was unfazed, merely smiling in reply: "Our transaction is not yet complete; how could I die so easily?"

A strange hue flashed in Antares's eyes as he asked: "So, have you found the Dragon Pearl?"

Fan Yan nodded, speaking earnestly: "Yes, I have found it, which is why I am here, to complete this transaction with you."

Antares pondered for a moment, then nodded: "Very well, state your request."

Fan Yan turned to Jiang Ruo and slowly began: "I ask Lord Antares to spare a fragment of will to protect my disciple, ensuring she remains safe before attaining Half-step Super God."

At this moment, Jiang Ruo finally understood why her teacher brought her here.

The Antares before her was such a powerful and unimaginable being, clearly surpassing her expectations.

Shock filled Jiang Ruo's eyes; she also guessed the reason, her voice trembling: "Teacher…"