The Current State of the Heavenly Phoenix Empire

Meanwhile, in the Radiant Moon Empire, Radiant Moon City.

Today was the day of the Western Region Artifact Refinement Competition finals. This artifact refinement competition, which had shaken the entire Western Region, had gathered nearly all the most gifted artifact refiners in the Western Region. After layer upon layer of selection, only ten remained in the square.

Outside the square was a sea of people. The crowd cheered excitedly, and the clamor below rolled on without end.

At the front of the square stood an enormous high platform, upon which sat more than a hundred judges from various nations, along with powerful figures from every faction.

Seated at the very front of the platform were the chief artifact refiners of the Ten Great Empires. However, one seat was vacant. One of the Ten Great Empires' chief artifact refiners was absent.

Beside the empty seat, a burly man covered in slabs of flesh curled his lip and said without much interest, "Feng Gao actually didn't come. Whenever the dragon and phoenix clans meet, gambling is an unwritten tradition. I had wanted to use this chance to win a few things from him, but it seems there's no chance now. What a disappointment."

"Half a year ago, Long Xiaoyao won ten Natal Gu Insects from the Feng Clan's chief alchemist during the Alchemy Competition. I was truly envious!"

Qin Zhan stroked his grizzled beard and glanced at him. "Long Batian, who doesn't know that the Heavenly Phoenix Empire is being invaded by a mysterious puppet army? Stop making sarcastic remarks."

"Under the puppet army's assault, ninety percent of the Heavenly Phoenix Empire's territory has already fallen. The Heavenly Phoenix Empire is facing a life-or-death crisis. How could the Feng Clan's chief artifact refiner possibly still come here?"

With the topic brought to