179: In this age of great strife, I alone reign supreme.

Outside the Ghost Gate Pass, a magnificent imperial palace stood abruptly, like a giant beast hidden within layers of black mist, exuding a chilling aura as if it wanted to devour everything.

Looking from afar, that continuous complex of palace buildings resembled a massive entity constructed from ghost crystals; it was majestic and spectacular, leaving 'ghosts' in awe.

Whenever ghosts, harboring curiosity, gazed at that palace, they would instantly feel a supreme pressure bearing down like Mount Tai, causing their entire bodies to tremble involuntarily.

The 'pressure' seemed to come from the depths of the Nine Nether Hells, containing endless terror. This made the ghosts not dare to take another glance at the palace, fearing that they would suffer total annihilation of form and soul for offending it.

For existences above the level of Yin God, the situation was slightly better. Although they could also feel that pressure, relying on their own profound cultivation and composure, they were not as vulnerable as ordinary ghosts.

As for those Yin soldiers and soul-arresting ghost runners responsible for patrolling, they were even more clearly aware of exactly what kind of deity resided within this palace.

Therefore, they would not dare to be like ignorant and fearless mortal souls, attempting to peek at the full view of the palace. A slight carelessness would likely bring fatal disaster upon themselves.

A majestic shout suddenly rang out: "Where are Black and White Impermanence? Come see Me at once!" The person shouting was none other than Shang Wan Ning. Before her voice had even faded, she turned and strode toward Chenfeng Palace.

At this moment, in Jiaotai Palace, Ling Qi was lying lazily on the bed, her body covered only by a silk quilt that concealed her faint, alluring charms.

Upon hearing Shang Wan Ning's voice, she hurriedly got up and wrapped herself tightly in the silk quilt.

"Your Majesty, what is it?" Ling Qi asked in a sweet voice.

Shang Wan Ning turned her head, glanced at her indifferently, and said: "It is nothing, I just detected the traces of a little mouse."

"A little mouse?" Hearing this, a trace of confusion flashed in Ling Qi's eyes, but it quickly returned to calm.

Shang Wan Ning frowned slightly and whispered to herself: "This little mouse was actually able to evade My divine sense; it seems to have some background..." In her words, a hint of vigilance toward the mysterious visitor was revealed.

A moment later, the tightly shut doors of the great hall slowly opened, emitting a dull and heavy sound.

Hei Jing and Bai Xuan did not dare to delay in the slightest and hurriedly walked in with quick strides.

Stepping into the great hall, they saw a high imperial throne carved from Nether jade standing prominently above.

Upon the imperial throne sat a woman dressed in a phoenix robe—Shang Wan Ning.

Her stunningly beautiful face was cold as frost, revealing a solemn majesty that made "Yin Gods" awe-struck.

Examining the phoenix robe closely, the Nine Nether Spirit Phoenix embroidered upon it had every feather clearly visible, delicate and detailed.

The Spirit Phoenix's posture was elegant and noble, as if it would spread its wings and fly at any moment. Even more astonishing was that, in a daze, one could actually see the 'Spirit Phoenix' nimbly blink its phoenix eyes.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!" Hei Jing and Bai Xuan shouted in unison, simultaneously cupping their hands in a bow and bending deeply, their bodies forming an angle of nearly ninety degrees with the floor.

They used such a humble and respectful posture to demonstrate their reverence for the Empress's supreme authority.

[Oh my god!!! Her Majesty's might is growing with each passing day.]

Shang Wan Ning's voice echoed in the spacious great hall: "The Spiritual Energy Storm is approaching, which undoubtedly indicates that the era of great contention is about to begin. Just now, the Yin energy in the Netherworld also surged, and I detected something unusual within it."

Hei Jing and Bai Xuan kept their heads bowed, listening intently to the Empress's words.

Only at this moment did they suddenly realize that the previous strange surge of Yin energy was actually warning the "Underworld" of some unknown change.

Thinking of this, the two could not help but secretly ponder: In that case, today the flower of the other shore along the Yellow Springs Road were blooming more luxuriantly than usual, and the waters of the Wangchuan River, which were usually as calm as a mirror, were also unusually turbulent, surging incessantly; this must be the reason why.

"An evil god in the human world has already emerged. You must quickly lead a team to investigate the Puerto Rico region of Country M in detail." Shang Wan Ning frowned tightly.

"Remember, you must be careful and cautious on this trip. If you encounter danger, do not try to be brave or reckless. If you are unable to handle it, you may directly summon a teleportation array and retreat immediately." After speaking, a look of concern flashed in her eyes.

Upon hearing this, Hei Jing and Bai Xuan hurriedly bowed and replied in unison: "Yes, we will strictly follow Your Majesty's decree!"

Immediately after, Hei Jing and Bai Xuan turned around and walked out of the hall with steady steps, preparing to gather their subordinates.

They would depart immediately for the Puerto Rico region of Country M to begin their investigation. Their figures gradually moved further away, eventually disappearing outside the palace gate.

After Hei Jing and Bai Xuan left, as the heavy hall doors slowly closed, the entire hall immediately fell into silence.

No longer needing to face her subordinates, Shang Wan Ning could relax slightly from the dignified posture she had maintained throughout—she leaned back gently against the chair, stretched her slightly stiff body, and let out a long sigh.

After resting for a moment, Shang Wan Ning sat up straight again, one jade hand gently stroking her fair earlobe, lost in deep thought.

After a while, she murmured to herself: "It seems the currently known 'divine name' in the West—Olexia. Could it be this evil god that has appeared?"

Thinking of this, her beautiful brows furrowed again.

"If it really is her, it seems the era of great contention is getting more and more interesting."

Shang Wan Ning's lips curled slightly, revealing a faint smile, but soon this smile was replaced by coldness, "However, I will not show mercy to any enemy. Whoever they may be, if they dare to disturb the peace of the world, they will be punished by the Underworld!"

On a plane named 'Airbus A610' flying to Tokyo, Du Wenqing sat in a window seat, chatting with several companions beside her.

However, her mind was not at all on the conversation; instead, she looked out the window from time to time, her eyes drifting, as if she were hiding some unspeakable worry in her heart.

"Wenqing, what on earth are you thinking about? I've called you several times in a row, and you haven't reacted at all!" Qiu Yanhui said with a hint of teasing in her tone.

Du Wenqing snapped back to reality, raised her eyes to look at Team Leader Qiu beside her, and a look of apology appeared on her face: "I'm really sorry, Team Leader. I was just thinking about some things and accidentally got too lost in thought."

Qiu Yanhui looked at her with a smile that wasn't quite a smile, as if she had seen through everything, and joked: "Oh ho, could it be you're thinking about your girlfriend? Look at how distracted you are."

"It's your first time on a business trip; you two lovebirds are inseparable, so I guess you're just not used to it!"