Daybreak

Dawn had broken.

Huang's drunkenness had faded. His usual coldness had returned as he sat on his palace throne, rubbing his temples and pondering what to do about the continent that had fired a Sky-Piercing Pillar at them.

It had fired only one.

That seemed less like a sneak attack and more like a provocation—or a declaration of war.

Judging by the other continent's course, its destination was probably Eternal Night Continent as well. Their goals conflicted.

Inside the palace,

Huang's trusted subordinates stood quietly on either side, awaiting his orders.

The hall was silent.

Only after a long silence

did Huang slowly speak.

"Since they've shown their hand, their goal should be the same as ours: that supreme treasure on Eternal Night Continent. They say whichever faction obtains that Exotic Treasure will rise rapidly."

"We weren't sure before. We worried it might be a rumor."

"But another faction sharing our goal—and a Human Continent at that—makes the information more credible. That's good for us."

"Pass down the order."

"Advance at full speed. We must reach Eternal Night Continent sooner."

Xiangyang stood in the palace too, at the end of the line of trusted subordinates, his head lowered and his mouth shut. His mission had been to infiltrate the Wasteland Clan, and he had done that. All that remained was to wait patiently for Mortal Domain to contact him.

Without a Message Talisman, he had no idea how they would reach him.

But his boss had said Mortal Domain would find him when needed. Until then, he had to do nothing but lie low.

Night-Opening People Continent.

In an underground meeting room, the advisers stood with grim faces until a voice came through a Message Talisman beside them. "My lord, that swarm of Locust Strange Entities has withdrawn. There are