Sector cleansing, pirates submit

Returning to the quietly controlled God-Felling Node, Nightmare did not linger. From the intelligence he had seized, he precisely filtered information regarding the remaining forces of the Tianyan Alliance within the Desolate Star Sector. Three small outposts and two hidden resource collection points were scattered like tumors in different corners of this gray Star Domain.

"Intelligence shows that these strongholds are not large, with defense forces at most consisting of a few Middle Sovereign Early Stage and a small number of Elementary Peak. However, they have a regular communication mechanism between them." Nightmare projected the star chart onto the main control screen of the ni dao vessel, marking five red dots. "We must eradicate them all in the shortest possible time, leaving no survivors, erasing all traces, and cutting off the eyes and claws of the Tianyan Alliance in this Star Sector."

He looked at the forty-five elite Nidao Guards behind him: "Divide into five groups, nine people each. I will coordinate from the center and provide support at any time. Requirements: Fast, accurate, ruthless, and absolute. Understood?"

"Understood!" everyone shouted in unison, their Battle Intent burning in their eyes. The continuous great battles in the Elementary Universe Domain and serving under Nightmare had long since honed them into the sharpest war machines.

Five squads were quickly formed, each receiving target coordinates and simple intelligence. Nightmare also distributed a small amount of Middle origin crystal captured from the God-Felling Node and intelligence stations to each person, to be used for replenishing consumption or for bursts of power at critical moments.

"Depart."

Without further mobilization, five small, high-speed, stealthy assault ships separated from the ni dao vessel, like five dark golden arrows leaving the bow, shooting silently into the deep background of the Desolate Star Sector in five different directions.

Nightmare sat in the ni dao vessel, his Divine Sense struggling against the complex energy background of the Desolate Star Sector, barely maintaining a blurred perception network covering several areas, ready to deal with emergencies at any time.

The purge operation went more smoothly than expected.

The first outpost was built inside an asteroid that had been almost hollowed out. The nine Nidao Guards broke in with lightning speed, cooperating tacitly, focusing on assassination and surprise attacks, supplemented by combined attack Formations. In just a few dozen breaths, they slaughtered the three Middle Sovereign Early Stage and over a dozen Elementary Peak guards who were still meditating and Cultivating, then detonated the remaining energy in the asteroid's core, turning the entire outpost into cosmic dust.

The second resource collection point was hidden in a dense asteroid belt, disguised as an Abandoned Mine. The Nidao Guards squad directly used ship-borne energy cannons to blast open the disguise and stormed in. The guards didn't even have time to activate the complete defensive Formation before they were routed and fell under the precise and violent attacks. The meager origin crystal in the collection point was looted, and the facilities were completely destroyed.

The third, the fourth... Like precise surgery, the tentacles laid out by the Tianyan Alliance in the Desolate Star Sector were cleanly cut off one by one. In Nightmare's Divine Sense network, the energy reactions representing enemy strongholds extinguished one after another, like candle flames blown out by the wind.

However, shortly after the fifth and final small outpost, located in a remote part of the Star Sector near an active ion storm belt, was cleared, a sudden change occurred.

At the edge of Nightmare's Divine Sense, he suddenly caught a chaotic energy reaction that was moving quickly and was of considerable scale, moving from deeper in the Star Sector toward the direction of the recently destroyed fifth outpost. That energy was mixed, violent, and full of greed and predatory aura, definitely not the cold, well-trained kind of the Tianyan Alliance.

"Hmm?" Nightmare's gaze tightened. The ni dao vessel immediately changed direction, silently heading to meet it, while sending a rendezvous order to the two Nidao Guards squads that had just finished their missions and were returning.

Soon, the remote detector of the ni dao vessel captured the target.

It was a fleet composed of over thirty dilapidated ships of various shapes, modified into strange forms and painted with ferocious patterns. In the center of the fleet was a particularly huge main ship, like a steel giant shark, with a bleeding fang emblem embedded on the bow. The fleet had no Formation to speak of and advanced in a disorderly manner, but the energy reactions of all the ships were not weak, especially that main ship, whose aura had surprisingly reached the Middle-level Sovereign Realm Middle Stage!

"Space pirates..." Nightmare instantly judged the other party's identity. One of the true "specialties" of the Desolate Star Sector. Judging by its scale and the aura of the main ship, it was likely one of the strongest pirate forces in this Star Sector.

These pirates were obviously vultures attracted by the subtle energy fluctuations that might have leaked when the fifth outpost was destroyed, or simply by "smelling" something unusual (perhaps the resource route regularly paid by the outpost was interrupted).

"Accelerate, stop them." Nightmare ordered. It was a good opportunity to clean them up as well.

The ni dao vessel no longer hid. A flash of light appeared on the surface of the dark golden hull, and its speed increased sharply. Like a drawn sharp blade, it cut through the gray Void Realm and blocked directly in front of the messy pirate fleet.

"Huh? Where did this reckless fool come from? Daring to block the path of our 'Blood Fang Group'?" Arrogant strange shouts and whistles immediately rang out in the pirate fleet's public channel.

The cabin door of the giant shark main ship opened, and a blood-red figure flew out, standing in mid-air. It was a bald giant nearly three meters tall, with muscles knotted like steel, and a ferocious blood-colored fang pattern tattooed on half of his Face. He was shirtless, wearing only a cloak made of unknown animal skin, holding a blood-colored giant axe the size of a door panel in his hand. The violent aura of the Middle-level Sovereign Realm Middle Stage spread out undisguised, mixed with a rich bloody and fierce aura.

He was the leader of the "Blood Fang Pirate Group", calling himself "Blood Fang", notorious in the Desolate Star Sector for his cruelty and fearlessness (or rather, greed and recklessness).

Blood Fang's copper-bell-like eyes swept over the strangely shaped, aura-restrained, yet vaguely uncomfortable ni dao vessel, and finally landed on Nightmare, who had just stepped out of the ship and was standing in mid-air. He licked his thick lips, and the light of greed in his eyes almost overflowed.

"Kid, you look very unfamiliar? New here? Don't know the rules?" Blood Fang's voice was rough like grinding gravel. "This Star Sector is the territory of our Blood Fang Group! If you are sensible, hand over this beautiful ship and all the good things on it to me! Then kneel down and kowtow a hundred times. If I'm in a good mood, maybe I'll take you as a lackey to wash the deck and spare your dog life!"

The pirate fleet behind him burst into boisterous laughter, various profanities and the light of energy weapon charging lit up, obviously preparing for a forced robbery.

Nightmare quietly watched Blood Fang and the motley crew fleet behind him, with no expression on his Face, as if watching a group of noisy flies.

"Your territory?" Nightmare finally spoke, his voice flat. "Soon, it will be mine."

"What? Seeking death!" Blood Fang was stunned, then flew into a rage. He had roamed the Desolate Star Sector for many years, when had he ever been so underestimated? Especially since the other party's aura didn't seem particularly strong (Nightmare had restrained it too well).

"Tear him apart for me! Grab that ship!" Blood Fang roared, and the blood-colored giant axe in his hand swung violently!

"Blood Fang Devouring Heaven Formation — Activate!"

The thirty-plus pirate ships behind him, although chaotic, erupted with blood-red light at this moment. Their energies were vaguely connected, instantly outlining a huge, rough, blood-thirsty and devouring Formation pattern in the Void Realm! At the center of the Formation, Blood Fang's aura merged with the Formation, and the violent blood-colored energy gathered on him like a tide, making his already huge body expand by another circle, his aura climbing, vaguely approaching the Middle-level Sovereign Realm Late Stage!

This was his trump card, a rough combined attack Formation formed by combining the energy of all the pirate ships, specifically used to deal with tough opponents or to plunder large merchant fleets.

The blood-colored Formation shone brightly, and a huge Blood Fang, composed entirely of viscous blood and violent energy, capable of devouring small celestial bodies, protruded from the Formation, carrying a nauseating bloody smell and terrifying suction, biting down towards Nightmare! Wherever it passed, the Void Realm seemed to be stained with a layer of filthy blood color.

Facing this terrifying blow, a trace of faint disgust flashed in Nightmare's eyes. This energy was mixed, filthy, and full of negative emotions, which he disliked.

He didn't even use the ni dao vessel, nor did he unfold his Domain.

He just raised his right hand and tapped his index finger lightly at the huge Blood Fang that was whistling over.

"Break."

A point of dark golden light, condensed to the extreme and as deep as the Origin of the Universe, burst from his fingertip.

That light was tiny, almost negligible compared to the huge Blood Fang.

However, the moment this point of dark golden light touched the tip of the Blood Fang —

Chi —!!!

Like a red-hot needle piercing into grease.

That seemingly terrifying Blood Fang began to disintegrate and dissolve at an astonishing speed from the contact point! It wasn't shattered, but as if the "foundation" of its existence was fundamentally disintegrated and erased by the power of reversal and destruction contained in that dark golden light! The blood-colored energy made a shrill sound, as if countless resentful souls were screaming, and quickly evaporated and dissipated!

In the blink of an eye, the huge Blood Fang capable of devouring celestial bodies disappeared without a trace, and the rough blood-colored Formation pattern behind it also vibrated violently, its light dimmed instantly, and many pirate ships emitted black smoke due to the backlash of the Formation, with screams coming from inside.

"What?! " The ferocious grin on Blood Fang's Face froze completely, turning into extreme horror. His famous combined ultimate move was just... tapped away by the other party so lightly?! What kind of power was this?!

A cold fear, originating from the instinct of life, instantly seized his heart.

He just wanted to order a retreat or scatter and flee.

But Nightmare's figure had already appeared in front of him like a ghost! The distance between the two was so close that Blood Fang could clearly see the cold, dead darkness in the other's eyes, and the dark golden reverse patterns flashing in the depths of his pupils.

Fast! Incomprehensibly fast!

Blood Fang roared, wanting to swing his axe to hack, but his movements became incomparably slow and stiff under Nightmare's invisible pressure and aura lock.

Nightmare's right hand was already raised, and the dark golden light that made people palpitate condensed again on his fingertip, slowly pointing towards the center of Blood Fang's eyebrows.

The movement was not fast, but it carried a sense of irresistible fate.

Blood Fang's hair stood on end. He could feel that if this finger pointed down, he would definitely die! Whatever Middle-level Sovereign Realm Middle Stage cultivation, whatever fierce reputation of roaming the Star Sector, in front of this finger, they were all ridiculously fragile.

Extreme fear overwhelmed everything.

"Spare... spare my life! My lord, spare my life!" Blood Fang's huge body trembled violently, and the blood-colored giant axe in his hand "clattered" and fell, floating in the Void Realm. He no longer cared about Face and fierce prestige, begging for mercy in a hoarse voice, "I, Blood Fang, am willing to surrender! Willing to offer everything! Just ask the lord to spare my life! I... I am still useful! I know the distribution of all forces in this Star Sector, I know the locations of many secret strongholds of the Tianyan Alliance! I... I still have a batch of hidden treasures!"

He was incoherent, just wanting to grab the last straw.

Nightmare's finger stopped just an inch away from the center of Blood Fang's eyebrows.

The dark golden light on his fingertip flickered slightly, reflecting Blood Fang's Face, which was twisted and deformed by fear.

"Surrender, or die." Nightmare's voice was cold, without a trace of emotion.

"Surrender! Surrender! I, Blood Fang, swear to be loyal to the lord from now on! If I have any two hearts, may heaven destroy and earth annihilate me, and my Divine Soul will forever fall into the blood prison!" Blood Fang roared this sentence with almost all his strength, while unhesitatingly and actively letting go of his Divine Soul defense, revealing a wisp of core Divine Soul mark — this was the highest form of complete surrender in the Hongmeng Universe, handing over life and death to the other party's control.

The light on Nightmare's fingertip flickered slightly, and a trace of an extremely thin Reverse Path mark instantly sank into Blood Fang's Divine Soul mark, binding with his life Origin. From then on, Blood Fang's life and death were only in Nightmare's one thought.

Feeling the cold, domineering mark that seemed to be able to erase his existence at any time embedded in his Divine Soul, Blood Fang finally breathed a sigh of relief, went limp, and had no more heart to resist, leaving only endless awe and lingering fear.

The pirate fleet behind him had long been stunned by this lightning-fast change. Their own fierce and arrogant leader had actually knelt down after one encounter? And voluntarily offered his Divine Soul mark?

"Leader... we..." A few small leaders were at a loss.

"All of you, kneel down for me!" Blood Fang turned his head and roared with all his remaining strength, "From today on, the Blood Fang Group is gone! I am the dog of this Lord Nightmare! You are too! Whoever doesn't obey, I will be the first to slaughter him!"

The pirates looked at each other, but in the Face of Blood Fang's accumulated prestige and Nightmare's unfathomable terrifying strength, they finally turned off their ship engines one after another, opened the cabin doors, flew out trembling, and knelt in the Void Realm.

At this time, the other two Nidao Guards squads that completed the purge mission also arrived to rendezvous. Seeing this scene, although surprised, they quickly reacted and, cooperating with Blood Fang's scolding, began to receive and reorganize this motley crew of pirates.

Nightmare withdrew his finger, stood with his hands behind his back, and looked down at the dark mass of kneeling pirates below.

"You, Blood Fang, temporarily command the original pirate group personnel." Nightmare said to Blood Fang, "Give you ten days to purge all forces in the Desolate Star Sector that do not surrender or are connected to the Tianyan Alliance. Collect all intelligence about the Tianyan Alliance in the edge area of the Middle Universe Domain, especially the troop deployment and resource points."

"Yes! Yes! My lord! Subordinate will definitely do it!" Blood Fang kowtowed and agreed.

"I will leave ten Nidao Guards to supervise and assist you." Nightmare's gaze swept over those pirates, "And watch you. Those who have merit will be rewarded, those who have faults will be punished, and those who betray... will die."

The last word "die" carried a chilling murderous intent, making all the pirates shiver.

"As for you," Nightmare looked at Blood Fang, "If you can do this well, there will be your benefits. If you can't do it well, or if you dare to have other intentions..."

He did not finish, but Blood Fang had already felt the cold stinging pain from the mark in his Divine Soul, and was so frightened that he repeatedly promised: "Don't dare! Absolutely don't dare! My lord, rest assured!"

After arranging everything, Nightmare did not stay any longer, took the remaining Nidao Guards and the ni dao vessel, and returned to the God-Felling Node.

He wanted to use the God-Felling Node as the core, combined with several surrounding broken celestial bodies that were easy to defend and difficult to attack, to build a real outpost fortress that belonged to him — "Nidao Fortress". This would be his first solid stronghold to gain a foothold in the Middle Universe Domain, capable of attacking and retreating.

The Desolate Star Sector, this chaotic edge land, would welcome its new and only Dominator. And the tentacles of the Tianyan Alliance were being cut off and devoured one by one. A new storm was quietly brewing under silent integration and iron-fisted rule.

The surrender of the Blood Fang Pirate Group was like a huge stone thrown into a quagmire, which would set off larger, bloody ripples in this Star Domain. And Nightmare only needed to sit quietly in the soon-to-be-completed Nidao Fortress, waiting to harvest, and sharpen his blade, waiting for the moment to confront the behemoth — the Tianyan Alliance, head-on.