With time pressing, Chen Rui did not linger long in the Shadow Empire before quickly returning to Darkmoon Territory. Catherine came with him as well, which left Dodo, who had not seen her mother for some time, exceptionally excited.
As for the Shadow Empire, Catherine had already made arrangements. In the name of entering seclusion for contemplation and cultivation, she delegated governmental affairs to Lilith, the newly appointed Minister of Internal Affairs, while military matters were placed entirely in the hands of her imperial uncle, Florenz. Everyone knew that Her Majesty the Shadow Empress was not only a sage, but also a powerhouse capable of rivaling Lei Chan. She had undertaken similar periods of contemplation and cultivation many times before, so this time likewise caused no stir.
By now, Darkmoon Territory had gathered all the members of the friends-and-family group and the spiritually linked "connected people" who would be participating in the Land of Floating Specters trial.
The harem group consisted of Lola, Catherine, and Isabella.
The Land of Floating Specters was extremely perilous; even demigods risked falling at any moment. Athena was pregnant and naturally could not take such a risk, so she would remain in Darkmoon to rest and recuperate in peace. Jia was too weak and not suited for combat, so in order to avoid distracting Chen Rui and the others, she chose to stay behind and care for Athena.
It was not that Shea did not wish to go, but her circumstances differed from Catherine's. Besides, this trial would not be completed in a day or two, and the people Satan sent next would certainly arrive in the Fallen Angel Empire first. Thus, Shea's responsibilities and the pressure she faced would be no trifling matter.
Although Shea, Athena, and Jia could not go, all of them