After the 1,001 core fortresses were corrupted, Number Eighteen used his methods to merge them into the forbidden zone as its foundation.
In an instant, the forbidden zone expanded more than tenfold.
Many Star Fortresses had no time to react before they were swallowed by the forbidden zone.
These Star Fortresses held no hidden core fortresses within them. Though they possessed countless exotic treasures and methods, they were still corrupted in an instant.
A great number of martial artists became Fallen Ones and Lost Ones; a small portion became Corrupted Ones.
Howling strangely, they controlled the fortresses and charged at their former companions.
For a time, the scope of the slaughter widened even further.
At the summit of the heavens, above the Ninth Heaven, on the Alliance Headquarters Continent:
News of Extreme Joy Continent, Bi Luo, and the forbidden zone appeared at a lower-level meeting.
Hundreds of thousands of middle- and lower-ranking members discussed the matter.
A massive projection appeared.
Within the projection, a mass of black mist churned and expanded. Star Fortresses densely packed around it launched frenzied attacks at the black mist.
Yet every attack could only shrink the black mist by an infinitesimal amount.
As time passed, the black mist steadily expanded.
"We discovered a sleeping site of an Ancient Person. We wanted to excavate this Ancient Person, study him, and advance our current technology."
"However, this Ancient Person is bizarre and evil. He actually has a large number of dangerous elements serving as his lackeys, resisting us and refusing to contribute to humanity's technological progress."
"Just now, they created a forbidden zone."
"We searched for information on forbidden zones, but for various reasons from the past, the records are incomplete beyond repair."
"We simply cannot find any means to counter the forbidden zone."
The meeting host