Furnace Fortress.
The teacup in Mu Lei's hand slipped from his grasp, shattered porcelain and tea splashing across the floor.
He did not lower his head to look.
His eyes were fixed on the brief report on the holographic screen. "Fang Mo has advanced to Void Comprehension, slain a Void Comprehension Realm mutant beast, and can summon two Void Comprehension-level battle beasts and dozens of Heaven Penetrating Level battle beasts. The beast tide on Red Rock Continent has retreated!"
The command center was deathly silent. Several staff officers lowered their heads, scarcely daring to breathe.
"Confirmed?" Mu Lei's voice was so hoarse it barely sounded like his own.
"Confirmed!" Flash Thunder stood beside him, his voice equally heavy. "Word has already spread across the Central Continent. From what we know, Jihuang Sword Palace and Sword Soul Sect are both preparing congratulatory gifts."
Mu Lei fell silent.
He slowly sank back into his chair, as if all strength had suddenly been drained from him.
Fang Mo's advancement into Void Comprehension had transformed him from a threat into a sword hanging over the Empire's head.
No—not a sword. A sword still had a sheath.
Fang Mo did not. His blade could cleave through the void at any moment and fall wherever he wished.
"Governor..." Flash Thunder hesitated.
"Has the research institute produced any results?" Mu Lei asked, rubbing his brow.
Flash Thunder shook his head grimly. "They are still testing it. It will take at least another three months before it can be put into actual combat. But to mass-produce it and deploy it to every fortress, we will need at least a year. Before then..."
"Before then, he can go wherever he wants!" Mu Lei took over, helplessness seeping into his voice. "Silver Fortress, Furnace Fortress, even our strongholds in the