Online Game: Starting with an SSS-Level Plundering Talent

Chapter 486: Chapter 486: Farewell to the Merciless Emperor

John knew how serious the situation was. They absolutely couldn't allow the Celestial Vault to refine another city.@@novelbin@@

If Anixegon succeeded, they would undoubtedly die.

This was their only chance.

He asked, "How many people can we gather now?"

Nine Phoenix furrowed her brows, looking troubled, and replied, "I contacted a few Emperor-level experts in advance, but only True Dragon Emperor and a few others responded. The rest of the Emperor-level experts have hidden themselves and said they won't get involved."

These guys were scared off by Anixegon, especially after the battle with Void, where they nearly lost their lives.

John's expression darkened, but there was little he could do. Most of the Emperor-level experts were The Overseers, and if they hid within the World-in-Hand, it would be difficult to detect them.

"By the way, what about Merciless Emperor? She should help us," Chaos said, recalling Merciless Emperor and speaking up quickly.

She was a two-star Emperor-level expert with immense power, and with her help, they would have a better chance.

John frowned, recalling what had happened last time. Merciless Emperor had left without a word, and he wasn't sure how to face her now.

However, if Merciless Emperor helped them, they would indeed have a higher chance of success.

After a moment of hesitation, he decided to invite her.

He turned to Nine Phoenix and asked, "Can you find Merciless Emperor?"

He didn't know where Merciless Emperor lived.

Nine Phoenix nodded and said, "Nine Phoenix Emperor is not The Overseer, and she doesn't have a World-in-Hand. She resides in the Valley of Severed Emotions, a place where few dare to disturb her."

"Valley of Severed Emotions?" John murmured to himself. That place did seem like it would suit her.

"Let's go," he decided. He would go there in person to invite Merciless Emperor.

The group split up. Chaos Emperor and Heavenly King contacted the other Emperor-level experts.

He, Nine Phoenix, and Sini headed toward the Valley of Severed Emotions.

The Valley of Severed Emotions was hidden in a remote location at the edge of the Realm of Chaos. The environment was harsh, making it nearly impossible to survive, and it was rarely visited by anyone.

Now that the Heaven God Tablet had shattered and the laws of the Realm of Chaos were gone, the environment of the Realm of Chaos had worsened even further. In the outer regions, even Seven-Star experts could no longer adapt.

But Merciless Emperor was unaffected in the slightest.

The group rode on Avis' back, with the howling wind around them. Everywhere they looked, the landscape was desolate—wilted vegetation, fading vitality, endless yellow sand, and barren lands as far as the eye could see. It was a scene of complete desolation.

This was all due to the shattering of the Heaven God Tablet and the loss of the power of laws.

"John," Sini suddenly said, as if realizing something. "Could this Realm of Chaos also give rise to a Heart of the Continent?"

"Hmm?" John was momentarily stunned, as he'd overlooked this point.

At that moment, the scene in the Realm of Chaos indeed seemed like the precursor to the appearance of a Heart of the Continent.

Nine Phoenix spoke up, "No. To form a Heart of the Continent, a complete planet is required. The Realm of Chaos is special. While it has the power of laws, it's not a planet, so it doesn't meet the necessary conditions."

John furrowed his brows and asked, "If this continues, what will become of the Realm of Chaos?"

Nine Phoenix looked around at the desolate surroundings, her tone tinged with sadness. "All life will vanish, leaving nothing but a dead wasteland."

Although this wasn't the planet she was born on, she had lived here for thousands of years, and thus had some attachment to it.

John didn't say much more. His resolve to leave this place grew even stronger.

...

Avis raced forward, covering half the continent, with the environment growing harsher the further they went. The winds howled, the temperature plummeted, and the biting cold made it hard for him to endure.

"It's just ahead," Nine Phoenix said, pointing toward the front.

Ahead, a world of ice and snow stretched out, with towering ice pillars and glistening cold light, filled with a murderous aura.

John furrowed his brows in surprise. "The Sword Domain!"

It was actually a swordsmanship domain. Merciless Emperor's comprehension of the sword path was far beyond his own.

"Master, I'm afraid I won't be able to handle it," Avis said helplessly, gazing at the chilling ice and snow world ahead.

John nodded. With a thought, he recalled Avis into the World-in-Hand.

This sword domain was indeed terrifying. Even Nine-Star experts wouldn't dare to step in lightly.

Fortunately, their group had special strength and could endure it.

"Let's go," John said, leading the way and stepping into the ice and snow world.

Buzz!

The sword intent hummed, and the piercing cold rushed in. The flashing cold light whistled, enveloping the entire icy world.

John didn't dare be careless. He immediately activated Diamond Body Protection and raised a Power of Domain, shielding Sini and the others.

Nine Phoenix was an Emperor-level expert, so these sword lights couldn't threaten her.

Tracy crossed her arms in front of her chest, rubbing her arms for warmth. She asked, "Sister Nine Phoenix, are you sure Merciless Emperor lives here? This environment is too harsh!"

She was shivering from the cold, unable to believe that anyone could survive in such conditions.

Nine Phoenix smiled slightly and said, "You have to pass through this icy world to reach Merciless Emperor's dwelling."

The group was puzzled, pushing forward through the snowstorm, the flashing sword lights whizzing around them.

Soon, a special barrier appeared. They passed through it smoothly, and the biting cold suddenly disappeared. Before them, a clear and open landscape emerged.

On both sides, towering mountains rose, with a deep canyon in the middle. Here, spring was in full bloom, with grasses growing and birds chirping. A stream cascaded down the mountain, flowing gently through the entire canyon, bringing with it an abundance of life.

Sini was astonished and asked, "But Merciless Emperor doesn't have a World-in-Hand, right? Why does this place seem unaffected?"

Nine Phoenix shook her head. Merciless Emperor was very mysterious, and she didn't know what was going on either.

John curiously looked around, but soon, he noticed something.

There was a special kind of power here, one that didn't belong to the laws of The Heaven. It seemed to be related to Merciless Emperor's cultivation of The Path of Mercilessness.

The Path of Mercilessness didn't follow the laws of The Heaven. Since the Heaven God Tablet had shattered, this place would remain unaffected.

...

Deep within the valley stood a simple wooden house.

The interior was modestly furnished, with a wooden table, a wooden chair, and a bed.

Other than that, there was nothing else.

Nine Phoenix Emperor was seated cross-legged on the bed, in a meditative state.

She was attempting to break through the final, most difficult barrier of The Path of Mercilessness — to sever all ties to love.

Her eyes were tightly shut, her brow furrowed. In her mind, everything that had happened with John in the World-in-Hand kept resurfacing.

She tried to forget, but those images seemed to be imprinted deep in her soul. The more she tried to forget, the more deeply the memories stuck.

Especially John's handsome face, which lingered in her heart, refusing to leave.

"Poof..." Suddenly, she coughed up a mouthful of blood. Her aura became chaotic, her face pale. She nearly lost control of her mind and fell into madness.

"Damn it, why is this happening?" A hint of panic flashed in her eyes.

She had only used John, but it seemed like she had developed real feelings for him. She couldn't sever the emotional ties.

There were only two ways to resolve this situation: kill John or seal away all memories of him.

"Hmm?" Her brow furrowed, sensing something. She coldly murmured, "Why is he here?"

She had detected John's presence.

Although the Valley of Severed Emotions was not her World-in-Hand, everything inside it was still under her control.

Her heartbeat quickened slightly. The calm she had just managed to restore was now disrupted, and the events that had happened with John in the World-in-Hand resurfaced in her mind.

Her cheeks flushed slightly, and her face reddened. She could not calm her emotions.

"Merciless Emperor, I have something to ask of you," came Nine Phoenix's voice from outside the wooden house.

Merciless Emperor took a few deep breaths, cold killing intent radiating from her body as she suppressed her inner turmoil. She regained her usual cold demeanor and opened the door, walking out slowly.

She was still dressed in a long white gown, snow-white and elegant, exuding a chilly aura. However, there was now an added touch of maturity and charm in her expression.

Her eyes immediately fell on John, along with the other women by his side. Her expression grew even colder, and she spoke in a frosty tone, "What is it?"

John felt somewhat guilty and intentionally avoided her gaze.

Fortunately, Merciless Emperor had always been cold and distant, keeping everyone at arm's length. The others didn't notice anything unusual.

Nine Phoenix quickly spoke up, "Merciless Emperor, Anixegon has allied with Celestial Vault and is attempting to fuse the shattered World-in-Hand of Overlord, using the Ten Thousand Souls Bloodthirst Sovereign Technique to slaughter living beings. They plan to refine a new city. We don't have the strength to stop them and are hoping for your assistance."

Merciless Emperor frowned, her expression serious. She asked, "When do they plan to make their move?"

Nine Phoenix quickly replied, "Chaos Emperor is gathering other Emperor-level experts. Once they all arrive, we will act immediately."

"Hmph, do those cowardly, self-preserving fools even agree to this?" Merciless Emperor scoffed coldly, having already seen through their reluctance.

"You're injured?" John suddenly spoke up from the side.

The others were taken aback and looked at Merciless Emperor with curiosity.

She trembled slightly, casting a cold glance at John before saying, "None of your business."

With that, she waved her arm, tearing open a spatial rift. Her clear, cold voice echoed: "All Emperor-level experts and Seven-Star experts, you have three days to gather at the entrance of Overlord's World-in-Hand and attack Light City. Anyone who doesn't show up will die!"

Her command was filled with fierce killing intent.

She was truly enraged. Her failure to sever her emotional ties had left her with a deep sense of frustration, and endless anger had nowhere to go.

Then, she turned her gaze back to the group and spoke calmly, "Let's go. Head to the entrance of Overlord's World-in-Hand. No matter how many people arrive in three days, we act immediately."

Nine Phoenix was delighted and said, "With your senior involvement, the other Emperor-level experts will surely respond."

Merciless Emperor remained silent, still having no faith in the other Emperor-level experts.

The group left the icy landscape, flying straight toward the entrance of Overlord's former World-in-Hand.

"John, did something happen between you and Merciless Emperor?" Sini leaned closer to John and asked in a low voice.

He felt somewhat guilty and quickly replied, "Stop making things up."

"Tch, you dare do it but not admit it?" Sini shot him a glance, immediately noticing the tension between the two.

Then, she added, "If it were anyone else, I could step in, but she's an Emperor-level expert. If you want to win her over, you'll have to do it yourself."

Her words became more and more outrageous as she started to offer strategies for John, not realizing the icy gaze that swept over them.

Their quiet conversation didn't escape Merciless Emperor's sharp perception.