188: A tiger fallen into the plains is bullied by the 'emperor'

"Spare you? That’s nothing but a pipe dream! Who will spare those innocent living people who died in the mouths of ghosts?" Yin Shu’s face was so gloomy it looked like it could drip water.

Harold Lancelot composed himself, took a deep breath, and said, "Sir, you see everything clearly. Our Werewolf Clan really made an unintentional mistake this time. Please, show some mercy and spare us."

Facing Harold's bitter pleading, Yin Shu only gave a cold smile, having no intention of answering him.

He raised his right hand, and a soul reaping chain, pitch-black as ink, suddenly emerged from his palm.

Seeing this chain, Harold Lancelot's pupils instantly constricted. He recognized at a glance that this was indeed the soul reaping chain of the Netherworld!

Once locked by it, the soul would be immediately and forcibly taken to the Netherworld.

"Lord Thousand-man Commander! Leave a way out in your actions, so we can meet again in the future." Harold Lancelot shoved his hand into his suit pocket and crushed the summoning crystal.

"Hmph, it seems you are determined to resist to the bitter end." Yin Shu swung his arm violently, and the soul reaping chain, like a nimble black snake, shot rapidly toward Harold Lancelot with a sharp whistling sound.

"Not good!" Harold Lancelot turned pale with fright, crying out inwardly in alarm.

A dazzling Stupefying Curse shot from the tip of the Scepter of Desire, heading straight for Yin Shu.

This Stupefying Curse was clearly well-prepared, with a clear target and extreme speed, closing in on Yin Shu in the blink of an eye.

At that same moment, the Empress quietly appeared behind Yin Shu.

Shang Wan Ning, dressed in a graceful and luxurious phoenix robe, sat leaning on her Imperial Throne. She slightly raised her eyelids, her gaze cold as she stared at Olexia opposite her.

"When did it become your place to order My Subordinate around?"

Shang Wan Ning's vermilion lips parted slightly, her voice cold as frost, containing an imperial majesty that made one dare not disobey in the slightest.

Yin Shu was startled by Shang Wan Ning's sudden appearance, but he quickly reacted, hurriedly bowing in salute, his face full of respect: "Greetings, Your Majesty!"

Shang Wan Ning only gave him a faint glance. However, that single look made Yin Shu feel like a child who had been wronged outside, returning home to seek comfort and protection from a parent.

"Mm."

"Go quickly and organize the ghost soldiers to capture all those ghosts who have tasted blood."

"Understood, Your Majesty!"

Yin Shu cupped his fists, performed a salute, and his figure instantly turned into a black shadow, vanishing into the sky without a trace.

At this moment, Olexia's demeanor was slightly lazy. She said with a half-smile, "Empress, aren't you being a bit too overbearing?"

"I only need to develop believers in this tiny Country R. As for the other countries in the East, they can all belong to you. How does that sound?" As Olexia spoke, she lightly tapped the scepter with her finger.

Hearing this, the corners of Shang Wan Ning's mouth curled up in a disdainful smile.

She rested her chin on one hand, the 'nine-tasseled imperial crown' on her forehead swaying with the slight movement of her head.

The Nine Nether Spirit Phoenix embroidered on the hem of her robe seemed like a living thing, its wings fluttering ethereally, adding a few more degrees of majesty and dominance.

"Not good at all!" Shang Wan Ning answered decisively.

"What I desire, I will not yield even an inch of soil!"

"Even if it is something I despise, as long as I have not spoken, no one dares to take it by force."

Olexia's expression changed slightly; she hadn't expected Shang Wan Ning to be so resolute.

"Empress, don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit!" Olexia barked angrily.

Shang Wan Ning's gaze was sharp, shooting straight at Olexia like a blade.

"A mere fallen god of the West dares to be so insolent before Me!" Shang Wan Ning crossed her hands at her slender waist, the slight curve of her lips forming a smile of extreme contempt.

Her figure was graceful, her magnificent phoenix robe fluttering in the wind, making her appear even more noble and majestic.

"With less than ten percent of your strength remaining, you still have the audacity to challenge My imperial majesty."

"Could it be you think I will be soft-hearted?" Shang Wan Ning narrowed her phoenix eyes.

Locked by killing intent, Olexia, who already had a bad temper, was now even more enraged.

"Empress, could it be... you are determined to fight Me today?" After speaking, she heavily planted the Scepter of Desire, which symbolized her 'godhood', in front of Shang Wan Ning, as if she would attack the next second.

"Even if less than ten percent of My strength remains, dealing with you, a so-called successor of the Netherworld, is still an easy task."

Shang Wan Ning couldn't help but frown, questioning with a face full of suspicion, "What about being a successor???"

"Do you really think... I am just an ordinary successor?" After speaking, she lightly waved her jade-like hand. In the sky above, a surge of divine power fluctuations, like crashing waves, instantly spread out.

"Hahahaha..." Shang Wan Ning threw her head back and laughed. Her laughter was crisp and pleasant, yet it carried a depth that was hard to fathom.

After she had laughed her fill, she slowly said, "After the God War, the gods of the West had already gone to other planes to seek a chance at survival, while the gods of the East retired to the Source Realm to recuperate..."

"I'm guessing correctly, aren't I!"

"Since you have all chosen to abandon the Mercury Plane, from now on..."

"It belongs to Me!"

Shang Wan Ning exuded dominance as she continued, "Without My permission, not even a speck of soil, a drop of water, or a wisp of air on the Mercury Plane... none of you fellows who call yourselves 'He' have the right to touch it!"

"If you dare to cross the line even by half a step, do not blame Me for being heartless!" After saying this, Shang Wan Ning felt immensely refreshed.

Especially when she saw the God of Desire looking furious yet forced to endure, she found it extremely amusing.

[Tsk tsk tsk! An irritable and short-tempered goddess... truly won't do.]

Deep rolls of war drums sounded...

Behind Shang Wan Ning, a legion of hundreds of thousands of elite ghost soldiers suddenly emerged without warning, surging forward like a tide. "Don't be in a hurry, this is only a part of them!"

"The Netherworld still has several of My Subordinates with sixth-rank cultivation, awaiting Your Excellency's arrival..."

Olexia's expression changed slightly, and she hurriedly reached out to recall the Scepter of Desire that had been placed in front of the Empress.

She gripped the scepter tightly and said through gritted teeth, "Hmph! I never expected to fall to such a state today, a tiger down on the plains bullied by an 'Empress'!"

Shang Wan Ning didn't care at all. She smiled slightly, her eyes curving into crescents, a flicker of calculation flashing through them.

"The winner takes all; this is an eternal truth. Since you have already admitted defeat, then obediently follow Me to the Netherworld for a visit!" Shang Wan Ning lightly waved her phoenix robe and spoke with a firm tone.

Hearing this, Olexia gave Shang Wan Ning a fierce glare.

But knowing that the current situation was stronger than her divinity and that she was indeed no match for her opponent, she could only nod helplessly in the end.

Immediately, she turned into a streak of black light and followed closely behind Shang Wan Ning, disappearing into the horizon.