Chapter 142: Invasion
The audience was still processing what had just happened when the match ended. Gamori and Shang Que’s fights were polar opposites—one was flashy and courteous, while the other was understated and cold as ice.
“Now that’s a true master,” Quake remarked, rarely one to give praise. “Did you see that, Han? That’s the man who guided me into the warrior path. He’s only a fifth-tier warrior, but his strength is incredible. He defeated a fire mage without even using his combat energy.”
Han Ming nodded, murmuring to himself, “Sacrificing vision to heighten his other senses, huh? Impressive. That means every inch of his skin can detect changes in air currents and temperature. Truly remarkable. I could never do that.”
Watching today’s matches left Han Ming with a lot to reflect on. It was a reminder of the old saying: *There’s always someone better.*
---
The next morning, Han Ming arrived at the arena early, hoping to spot more hidden masters. However, he was disappointed. It wasn’t that the remaining competitors were weak—they just didn’t leave the same awe-inspiring impression as the previous fighters.
The top 32 matches concluded, with Han Ming and several familiar faces advancing: Shang Que, Huang Ying, Phil, Gamori, Sasor, Jasmine, Zhenluo, and eight others.
While the tournament was in full swing, tensions were brewing between the Monte Empire’s palace and the Magic Guild. Envoys sent to negotiate between the two factions were repeatedly ambushed and killed, straining their relationship to an all-time high.
Myron stood in the palace courtyard, gazing at the sky with deep concern. “Something feels off. This situation is far more complicated than it appears.”
---
Far from Fila City, in the wilderness outside the border city of Wildland, dozens of cloaked figures slipped into the city under the cover of night.
“City Lord, it’s late. You should rest,” a young, beautiful maid said softly, placing a cup of tea on Li Zhan’s desk.
“Hmm,” Li Zhan exhaled, straightening up and closing the documents in front of him. He massaged his temples, trying to ease the tension.
The maid moved behind him, gently taking over the task. “You work so hard every day, City Lord. You must take care of your health.”
Li Zhan leaned back, closing his eyes and enjoying the soothing touch.
Suddenly, the door to the study opened, and a servant hurried in. “City Lord, an envoy from Fila City’s palace has arrived.”
Li Zhan’s eyes snapped open. “An envoy? At this hour? Something urgent must have happened. Bring them in.”
The servant bowed and left. Moments later, a man in black entered the study.
Li Zhan nodded, dismissing the maid. “You may leave as well.”
The maid bowed slightly, but as she turned, her eyes gleamed with a sinister light. Her nails elongated, piercing the skin near Li Zhan’s temples.
Li Zhan’s body stiffened as his combat energy surged, but the maid’s quick movements sealed his meridians, preventing him from using his strength.
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The black-clad man smiled. “City Lord Li, there’s no need to struggle. The poison from the Black Nether Flower, native to a distant continent, is specifically designed to suppress combat energy. It’s a rare and precious substance—you should feel honored to be its target.”
“What do you want?” Li Zhan asked, his voice calm despite the situation. He knew anger would only cloud his judgment.
The man chuckled, twisting a black ring on his finger as he sat across from Li Zhan. “You’ve probably guessed we’re not palace envoys. No matter. Let me be frank—our organization has sent fifteen operatives to Wildland. I’m just one of them. The others have already infiltrated the homes of key figures in the city, including the military commander, the deputy city lord, and more.”
Li Zhan’s heart sank. These people had clearly been planning this for a long time. But what was their goal?
“Curious, City Lord?” the man asked, clapping his hands twice.
The study door opened, and a group of people was ushered in, followed by armed guards. Shockingly, the guards were Li Zhan’s own servants—traitors who had been hiding in plain sight.
The group being escorted included Li Zhan’s three daughters, two young sons, and five concubines. “Unfortunately, your eldest son is currently missing,” the black-clad man added.
“What do you want?” Li Zhan demanded.
“Patience,” the man said, walking over to one of Li Zhan’s sons. With a swift motion, he decapitated the boy.
“You monster!” Li Zhan roared, blood surging to his head as he spat out a mouthful of blood. His family members screamed and wept in terror.
“City Lord, we have a simple request: withdraw all defensive forces from Wildland and keep it a secret from the Monte Empire’s palace.”
“What!?” Li Zhan was horrified. Withdraw all defenses? What were these people planning?
“It seems you need time to think. Take your time,” the man said, moving to one of Li Zhan’s daughters.
“No! Please, spare us!” the girl begged, but the man showed no mercy, beheading her as well.
Li Zhan’s veins bulged, his eyes bloodshot with rage. “You want me to betray my country!”
The man clapped slowly. “Very perceptive, City Lord. So, what’s your decision?”
“Never!”
“Brave words,” the man sneered, killing another of Li Zhan’s sons.
“City Lord, think carefully. Without your cooperation, we’ll still take Wildland. Do you think you’re the only one suffering? Dozens of neighboring cities have already fallen. Resistance is futile.”
Li Zhan shook his head, tears streaming down his face. “I may not be a saint, but I will never betray my country. If my family must die today, so be it. At least we won’t be remembered as traitors.”
With that, Li Zhan closed his eyes.
The black-clad man, furious, shouted, “Kill them all!”
The room erupted into chaos as heads rolled. In moments, Li Zhan’s entire family lay dead.
“Do it,” Li Zhan whispered, tears falling.
The maid behind him drove her nails into his temples, ending his life.
“Send the order. Invade the city!” the man commanded.
A servant hesitated. “Without Li Zhan’s orders, some forces might still resist.”
“It doesn’t matter. Most of the defenses are already compromised. Move in!”
“Yes, sir!”
Outside Wildland, a massive army of shadowy figures appeared on the horizon.
“What’s that!? Sound the alarm! Enemy invasion!” a guard on the city walls shouted, scrambling down to raise the alarm.
Peering through the cracks in the city gates, another guard saw the approaching army and collapsed in terror. The enemy forces were none other than the demonic legions of the Nether Realm, their eyes glowing with crimson sparks.
"Where are our reinforcements!?" the guard cried, panicking as the Nether Realm army drew closer.
A barrage of fireballs, wind blades, and massive boulders rained down on the city. Wildland''s once-impenetrable defenses crumbled under the assault. Without military support or powerful fighters, the city gates were reduced to splinters in moments.
The Nether Realm forces poured into the city.
"Wildland... is lost," the guard whispered, closing his eyes in despair.
In a secret location within the city, dozens of messenger birds took flight, each carrying a small parchment. But before they could escape, a swarm of bat-like creatures descended, capturing every bird.
On the highest tower of the city lord''s residence, a figure stood watching the chaos below. His body was grotesque, with rotting flesh and exposed bones.
"Lock down Wildland! No one leaves this city—not even a mosquito escapes!" he ordered.
"Yes, sir!" a shadowy figure replied, darting away to carry out the command.
The streets of Wildland were filled with screams and cries as the Nether Realm legions slaughtered indiscriminately. Any resistance was crushed instantly, the bodies of rebels strung up on tree branches as grisly warnings.
Soon, the city''s trees were adorned with swaying corpses, a macabre testament to the invaders'' ruthlessness.