Chapter 14403 Searching for the Giant Beast Army

Looking down at the familiar outline of the city—towering city walls, bustling streets, and patrolling soldiers—Ling Xiao felt a surge of belonging.

This is the empire he built with his own hands, the homeland he must protect.

Soon, he landed in front of the main hall of Batian City, the core of the Batian Empire.

The main hall is magnificent, with thirty-six dragon-carved pillars standing tall. Each pillar is carved with a lifelike dragon, its scales clearly visible, as if it will take flight at any moment.

The luminous pearls embedded in the pillars emitted a soft white light, illuminating the entire hall and creating an atmosphere that was both solemn and luxurious.

Ling Xiao strode into the main hall and sat directly on the golden throne above. His aura unconsciously emanated from him, enveloping the entire hall in an atmosphere of majesty.

Below, a woman in a light purple dress stood respectfully. She had a beautiful face and a gentle temperament. She was Shangguan Yue. While Ji Mingkong was busy dealing with the empire's military affairs, Shangguan Yue was responsible for organizing intelligence from all sides and reporting the empire's daily situation to Ling Xiao.

"What is the situation of the various forces in the Demon Sea?"

After Ling Xiao sat down, his gaze fell on Shangguan Yue, and he asked in a deep voice, which echoed in the empty hall with an unquestionable majesty.

The Demon Sea is an important region surrounding the Overlord Empire. Previously, many forces had been entrenched there, posing a threat to the empire's security. Before his trip, he had ordered the annihilation of the hostile forces in the Demon Sea.

Shangguan Yue bowed slightly and respectfully reported, "Your Majesty, after a month of suppression, all the major forces in the Demon Sea have been pacified."

"This raid yielded over three thousand pieces of rare and precious materials, including century-old purple heart grass and millennium-old cold iron."

"At the same time, we successfully recruited 279 martial arts experts. Most of these people were originally rogue cultivators struggling to survive in the Demon Sea, or powerful members of small families oppressed by hostile forces."

She paused, took out a scroll from her bosom, unfolded it, and continued, "Among them, there are thirty-five people whose cultivation level is above the Great Sun Realm, and the Azure Moon Realm..."

Ling Xiao sat in the golden VIP seat, his fingers lightly resting on the edge of the armrest. When he heard Shangguan Yue mention recruiting powerful individuals, he slightly raised his hand to interrupt her, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable decisiveness: "Those who are willing to come will be treated with courtesy, and given sufficient resources and respect."

"Those who are unwilling should not be forced. Forcing them to stay will only create resentment and may cause trouble in the future."

He has never liked using coercive means to bind others, especially these powerful martial arts experts. Only by sincerely submitting can they truly be used by the Overlord Empire.

"My subordinate understands."

Shangguan Yue responded respectfully, then raised her head, her gaze falling on Ling Xiao, a clear look of surprise flashing in her eyes.

She had followed Ling Xiao for many years and was extremely familiar with his aura. At this moment, however, she could clearly feel that Ling Xiao's aura had undergone tremendous changes compared to before. His originally slightly sharp aura had become more stable, and his energy fluctuations were perfectly integrated, as if they were in harmony with the surrounding heaven and earth, exuding a kind of back-to-basics charm.

She couldn't help but ask, "It seems that the Emperor's cultivation has improved again?"

"His aura is perfectly integrated, subtly aligning with the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth. Could it be that he has already touched upon that realm?"

Upon hearing this, Ling Xiao simply smiled faintly, his tone calm and unperturbed: "It was nothing more than a small gain from this training trip."

He didn't explain the details of the breakthrough in detail. Regarding the improvement of his cultivation, he valued more whether he could use it to protect the Hegemon Empire than for empty fame.

Shangguan Yue's face instantly lit up with ecstasy, and she bowed deeply in gratitude, saying, "Congratulations, Your Majesty!"

"With the Emperor's breakthrough, the revitalization of our Overlord Empire is in sight!"

"With the Emperor in charge, we have a better chance of winning even when facing the threat from the Heavenly Abyss Holy Hall!"

In her view, every improvement in Ling Xiao's cultivation level would provide greater security for the Batian Empire, which was undoubtedly a boon to the empire.

However, Ling Xiao gently shook his head, his composure replaced by solemnity. He spoke slowly, his voice lower than before: "Issue the order that all disciples of the Empire training outside must return immediately and are not allowed to leave the Empire's territory without authorization."

"At the same time, activate the first three layers of restrictions of the national protection array, and mobilize three hundred Great Sun Realm experts to take turns guarding it. Without my order, no one may enter or leave the territory of the empire at will."

The sudden order instantly created a tense atmosphere in the hall.

The joy on Shangguan Yue's face vanished instantly, replaced by a grim expression. She immediately realized the seriousness of the situation and hurriedly asked, "Is Your Majesty worried that the Heavenly Abyss Holy Hall might take action against us?"

Although the Tianyuan Holy Hall had previously had friction with the Batian Empire, it had never taken any large-scale action. Now that Ling Xiao is being so cautious, it is clear that he has sensed an extraordinary crisis.

"Yes."

Ling Xiao's gaze was deep as he looked out at the dark night sky outside the main hall, as if he could see through all obstacles and see the movements of the Tianyuan Holy Hall. "During my trip, I was ambushed by the Holy Priests of the Tianyuan Holy Hall. They even sent out the Dark Feather Guards, which means they have gone all out."

"Based on the elders' previous warnings, the Heavenly Abyss Sanctuary is probably about to make a big move."

He knew very well that the Heavenly Abyss Temple had long coveted the Overlord Empire. Now that he had broken through, the other party would definitely accelerate its actions and would not give the Overlord Empire more time to develop.

Shangguan Yue's heart sank. She dared not delay in the slightest and quickly bowed to accept the order: "Your subordinate will make the arrangements immediately to ensure that every order is implemented and that no accidents occur!"

Just as she was about to leave the main hall, Ling Xiao suddenly spoke: "Take me to see the 'Beast Army'."

Shangguan Yue was stunned: "Is the Emperor going to mobilize the Giant Beast Army? They haven't been mobilized for over a thousand years."

Ling Xiao nodded: "It's time to let them stretch their muscles."

Shangguan Yue hesitated for a moment, then finally bowed and said, "Yes, sir."

The two left the main hall and flew through the air, soon entering a vast sea of clouds. The churning clouds shrouded the entire Demon Sea in a hazy mist. The protective array's light screen appeared and disappeared within the clouds, like a giant glass bowl inverted on the mountain range.

Amidst the sea of clouds, Ling Xiao suddenly asked, "Isn't the Giant Beast Army on Seven Kings Mountain?"

Shangguan Yue shook her head: "No. According to the rules of the Twin Kings throughout history, the Giant Beast Army has always been stationed in the Giant Beast Mountain Range. The terrain there is unique, and the demonic energy is abundant, making it ideal for their cultivation and growth."

Ling Xiao looked up into the distance, a sense of unease rising in his heart. The Heavenly Abyss Holy Hall had suffered repeated setbacks; this time, they would surely come out in full force. To think they would underestimate him would be truly foolish.

He didn't believe that the Heavenly Abyss Saint Lord, who had ruled the Heavenly Abyss for a thousand years, could be a reckless person. The powerful figure who had once single-handedly suppressed the Heavenly Abyss would never make the same mistake twice.

Therefore, we must prepare all available forces, such as this army of behemoths!