Furnace Fortress.
The teacup slipped from Mu Lei's hand, scattering porcelain shards and tea across the floor.
He did not look down.
His eyes remained fixed on the brief report on the holographic screen. "Fang Mo has advanced to Void Insight and slain a Void Glimpse Realm mutant beast. He can summon two Void Insight-tier battle beasts and dozens of Heaven-tier battle beasts. The Beast Tide on the Red Rock Continent has retreated!"
The command center was deathly silent. Several staff officers kept their heads lowered, not daring to breathe too loudly.
"Confirmed?" Mu Lei's voice was so hoarse that it barely sounded like his own.
"Confirmed!" Flash Thunder War King stood beside him, his voice equally grave. "The news has already spread across the Central Continent. According to our intelligence, both the Jihuang Sword Palace and the Sword Soul Sect are preparing congratulatory gifts."
Mu Lei fell silent.
He slowly sank back into his chair, as though all his strength had suddenly been drained away.
With his advancement to Void Insight, Fang Mo had grown from a threat into a sharp sword hanging over the empire's head.
No, not a sword. A sword still had a sheath.
Fang Mo had none. His blade could cleave through the void at any moment and fall wherever he wished.
"Governor..." Flash Thunder War King hesitated.
"Has the research institute produced any results?" Mu Lei asked, rubbing his brow.
Flash Thunder shook his head gravely. "Testing is still underway. It'll take at least three more months before it can be deployed in combat. But mass production and installation in every fortress will require at least a year. Until then..."
"Until then, he can go wherever he pleases!" Mu Lei finished for him, helplessness seeping into his voice. "The Silver Fortress, the Furnace Fortress,