Chapter 2569 Deception Outside the mausoleum of Empress Persephone, a swirling storm of darkness loomed over the death realm. Once, the Hanu Empire had been a formidable power in this realm, wielding the ability to control the death storms and dominion over vast territories. However, everything changed with the emergence of Empress Persephone, who swiftly swept through the death realm, overpowering the Hanu Empire and rallying other factions against it. After engaging in a fierce battle with the Empress’s forces, the Hanu Empire sustained severe losses, leaving it weakened over time. In the thousands of years following the end of the war, the Hanu Empire was constantly worried about the resurrection of Empress Persephone, attempting to breach her mausoleum time and again. Unfortunately, the guards within the mausoleum were extremely powerful, including death knights and a group of elite former retainers of the empress. Considering that the death realm had fallen into chaos again after Persephone’s death, any attempt at a forced attack would likely result in mutual destruction at best. If they were not careful, the entire Hanu Empire could become a sacrifice to other empires. Thus, the Hanu Empire opted for a more cautious approach, setting up an undead storm around the periphery of the mausoleum to hinder those who would inherit the empress’s will from entering, while also establishing a small number of restrictions within the mausoleum. If any trial participants could pass the numerous assessments and reach the Great Hall of the death knights, they would receive news. They waited for over a hundred thousand years. During this time, the Hanu Empire gradually weakened, eventually becoming a minor clan in the death realm. Their existence was on the brink of destruction, surviving only by becoming a subordinate nation of a certain empire in the death realm. The alarm system within the mausoleum was triggered layer by layer until the alarm in the deepest part of the death knight temple sounded, bringing back the fear the Hanu Empire had felt under Empress Persephone’s rule. King Finlit of the Hanu Empire descended from the death realm storm, looking at the mausoleum before him, and asked, “What’s the situation?” Over an hour before his arrival at the mausoleum, three commanders of the empire had entered the mausoleum with three elite teams to explore. Immediately, a death servant stepped forward to report, “Your Majesty, it has been confirmed that someone has entered the examination temple guarded by the death knights. They must have taken advantage of the lull in the death realm storm to breach the mausoleum. The three commanders have already entered the inner region of the mausoleum and have just reached the first basement of the wooded area.” “They’ve only just reached the first basement?” Finlit frowned slightly. “Why are they so slow this time?” “We’ve encountered some difficulties.” “Oh? What kind of difficulties?” “A special creature has appeared within the mausoleum, one that isn’t undead. They are quite peculiar, possessing high attributes and an exceptional self-recovery ability.” The King’s brow furrowed further. “This self-recovery reminds me of…” The death servant’s eyes flickered with the fire of red souls as he hesitated before adding, “Disaster, Ouroboros.” The King’s expression changed, raising his hand to interrupt, “It cannot be Disaster; she was completely annihilated by Empress Persephone. Don’t you remember?” “Indeed!” “If the Empress has truly revived, knowing her nature, our entire Hanu clan would likely face annihilation. Inform the three commanders to eliminate the Empress’s inheritor without fail.” “Yes!” “Let’s go. I will enter the mausoleum myself.” … Meanwhile, Fang Heng was unaware of the increasing number of enemies gathering outside. He was deep within the mausoleum’s Great Hall, focused on his grind. He had cleared out over ten commander-level Death Gods from the mausoleum. After defeating several coffins, he had begun to discern the level of creatures contained within by examining the inscriptions outside. Though he couldn’t fully understand the writing, he could make judgments based on certain unique patterns. Additionally, the closer he got to the mausoleum’s central area, the stronger the wills buried within the coffins became. By this reasoning, the next coffin to be opened was likely to contain a God of the Underworld. According to necromancy classifications, such a God of the Underworld would already be at the transcendent level. This wouldn’t be an easy fight. He needed to proceed with caution. If it really came to that, just run. “Move out!” Fang Heng had prepared thoroughly in advance, exchanging a knowing glance with Li Shaoqiang and Tan Shuo as they approached the coffin together. He immediately placed his hand on the coffin. “Chi!!” As the coffin opened a crack, a wave of black mist poured out! A God of the Underworld! Whatever it was, it appeared to be nothing more than an unmanifested cloud of black fog. Without hesitation, Fang Heng swung his holy long sword at the mist. “Bang!!!” With a loud explosion, the mist dimmed slightly. Unlike the previous Death Gods, the black fog associated with this God of the Underworld was denser and more powerful. Even after three consecutive strikes from Fang Heng, it held its ground, rapidly condensing in the air. The God of the Underworld’s form became more solid than that of the Death Gods, its surface entirely black with intricate golden patterns swirling across it. “Whoosh! Whoosh whoosh whoosh!!!” Around them, the dense vines of Abe Akaya surged toward the God of the Underworld, ready to pierce. Bad! Fang Heng’s heart raced. Even after materializing, the God of the Underworld remained a special type of soul body, just like the Death Gods. The attacking vines passed right through its phantom form. The piercing attack was completely ineffective! Fang Heng dodged out from behind the thick vines, raising his great holy sword once more to strike at the God of the Underworld. “Bang!!!” Before the God of the Underworld could fully condense into a solid form, Fang Heng’s blow sent it reeling back. As it rapidly took shape, it lifted its head to glare at Fang Heng, anger flickering in its eyes. Chi! Chi chi! Eh? The God of the Underworld suddenly noticed several soul chains darting out from the side, ensnaring Fang Heng and locking him in place. An ambush? There were more enemies? Turning to look, he saw Li Shaoqiang, who had bound Fang Heng with the soul chains, shouting, “God of the Underworld! He has passed the Death Knight’s Assessment and is the body needed for the Empress’s revival. He has betrayed the Empress! Do not harm his body, attack his will!” The God of the Underworld snorted coldly and transformed into a swirling black mist, enveloping Fang Heng. Whoosh!!! In the blink of an eye, the black fog poured into Fang Heng through his facial features. The berserk mental energy surged into his sea of consciousness! The God of the Underworld quickly realized that Fang Heng’s sea of consciousness was much larger than he had anticipated. As expected! He soon found the ice crystal left by Empress Persephone deep within Fang Heng’s consciousness. A traitor! He must be punished! Eradicate his will! Let him become a puppet devoted to the Empress! Just as the God of the Underworld prepared to assault Fang Heng’s will, he suddenly felt a jolt in his chest. What was that?! In the next moment, a terrifying aura of will erupted from a corner of Fang Heng’s sea of consciousness! The ancient, horrifying will descended! The God of the Underworld was shaken to the core, unable to resist under the immense pressure. His own will was completely devoured by the terrifying demonic seed of will! [Hint: The player has defeated the God of the Underworld. The player receives holy spirit crystal*1.]