152: The impact of regression

The Royal Capital, it was still that familiar palace.

Blade Claw sat high upon the throne, looking down at those below. Inside the great hall, the atmosphere was heavy, quiet enough to hear a pin drop. The civil and military officials standing on both sides all lowered their heads, not daring to meet his gaze.

"Everyone, these past few decades, you have truly worked hard." Blade Claw spoke, his voice calm, revealing neither joy nor anger.

An old official tremblingly stepped out from the ranks, knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face: "Your Majesty, we are incompetent and failed to hold the Empire's territory. Please punish us, Your Majesty!"

"Punish?" Blade Claw chuckled softly, "Why speak of punishment? That you were able to preserve the Empire's final Foundation in these chaotic times is already rare."

"But…" The old official wanted to say something more, but was interrupted by Blade Claw.

"No need to say more." Blade Claw waved his hand, "Let the past be the past. Now, what matters most is the future."

He stood up, his gaze sweeping over everyone: "During the years I was in seclusion, quite a lot has happened outside. It is time for those clowns to come to an end."

"Pass down the order, reorganize the troops. I want those rebels to know who is the master of this land!" Blade Claw's voice was resonant and firm.

"As you command!" The ministers replied in unison, their voices carrying a hint of excitement.

They knew that the true pillar of the Empire had returned.

The Empire, this long-dormant massive ship, had finally set sail once again.

On the other side, inside a hidden cave.

"Are you sure Blade Claw has really come out of seclusion?" a hoarse voice asked.

"Absolutely certain." another voice replied, "I saw it with my own eyes, he is in the Royal Capital."

"Hmph, so what if he has come out of seclusion?" the hoarse voice snorted coldly, "Does he think the current Empire is still the same Empire as before?"

"Then what do we do now?" the other voice asked.

"What do we do?" the hoarse voice fell silent for a moment, "Wait and see. Let's first see what he actually intends to do."

"Yes."

Similar conversations were constantly playing out all over the world.

Those once immensely glorious The Strong Ones, upon learning the news of Blade Claw's emergence from seclusion, all chose to lie low temporarily.

After all, back then, Blade Claw's might was too peerless. Even though their strength had greatly increased over these years and they had gained confidence, no one was willing to be the first bird to stick its head out.

Even if there were new-generation The Strong Ones who were full of confidence and wanted to challenge him, the God's Envoys behind them personally suppressed them. After all, the God's Envoys behind them did not want to face Artemis so soon.

And Blade Claw, it seemed, was not in a rush to expand his territory either.

After coming out of seclusion, he did not immediately launch retaliation against those rebels, but chose to stabilize the existing territory.

Blade Claw first quelled the unrest within the Empire's existing territory, then struck hard at the few Liberated Zones that were jumping around the most. During this period, he also conveniently rescued a group of generals who were loyal to the gods and the Empire, which naturally included Poison Fang and Black Scale.

Then Blade Claw stopped. At the Feishuang Icefield, Rock Stele naturally also received the relevant news. One thing worth mentioning is that after Blade Claw entered seclusion, Rock Stele, over these years, through various schemes and arduous efforts, finally gained control of the Rebel Army here. He successfully turned the entire Feishuang Icefield into a Liberated Zone, and then, through a series of operations, squeezed out those guys in this rebel group who were temporarily unconvinced by him.

And he found ways to help them get a foothold, establish new Liberated Zones, and become the boss within them.

Then, through a series of machinations, he had the Liberated Zones they established positioned right in front of his own doorstep, isolating Blade Claw's Empire from the Feishuang Icefield.

Returning to the main topic, after much deliberation, Rock Stele decided to return to the Empire's territory; there were some things he wanted to go and confirm with the Enlightener.

In a strange forest, the towering giant trees were not ordinary tree species, but giant flowers magnified countless times. The petals were spread out, colorful, and a rich fragrance permeated the air, making one feel refreshed, yet also faintly sensing a trace of danger.

Deep in the forest, a colorful giant snake was coiled atop a blooming giant flower. The giant snake's body was as thick as an ancient tree, and its scales shimmered with a mesmerizing luster; this was precisely Bekara's true form. She lowered her head, her huge snake eyes watching a small white snake beneath her.

"Hiss… hiss…" The Little White Snake was anxiously clamoring at Bekara, impatient to go and find some trouble for Blade Claw.

Facing this impatient little snake, "Hoo…" Bekara gently exhaled a breath.

The Little White Snake immediately demonstrated to everyone what high-quality sleep was.

Bekara raised her head, her gaze sweeping over the surroundings. In the shadows of the Giant Flower Forest, many snakes were hidden. They were either coiled on flower branches, lurking in the flower stamens, or wrapped around the flower stems; they were of various shapes and sizes, but without exception, they all exuded a dangerous aura.

"Listen up." Bekara spoke, her voice low and majestic, "Contract your forces. During this period, all of you be well-behaved, don't go out and stir up trouble."

"Hiss…" The snakes responded one after another, indicating they understood.

Bekara nodded with satisfaction, then, she coiled up the sleeping Little White Snake, twisted her body, and disappeared into the Giant Flower Forest. She had to take this little guy back and give it a good "education".

On the other side, the gray wolf that Nanike had transformed into had a robust figure, its fur shimmering with a faint luster under the sunlight. He was leading a few wolf cubs, walking unhurriedly across the grassland. The few wolf cubs were running around excitedly in the vast world, chasing and playing with each other, occasionally letting out tender, happy cries.

"Awoo?" A wolf cub ran to Nanike's feet, rubbed its head against his leg, and tilted its head, seemingly asking: Where are we going?

Nanike looked down at it, a rare trace of warmth in his eyes. He did not answer, but only gently nudged the wolf cub's head with his nose, signaling it to follow.

"Hey, Gray Wolf, have you heard? Blade Claw has come out of seclusion!" A passing Wild Dog shouted at Nanike from afar.

Nanike's footsteps paused, his ears twitching slightly.

"Blade Claw? Who's that? Is he very strong?" another wolf cub asked curiously; it was still too small and had no idea what the name Blade Claw represented.

"Strong? Hmph, more than just strong." The Wild Dog curled its lip, "Back then, he was…"

The Wild Dog wanted to say more, but was interrupted by Nanike: "Shut up, don't say such things in front of children."

The Wild Dog was stunned for a moment, then immediately realized, and smiled sheepishly: "Hehe, that's true, why should kids listen to this."

Nanike ignored the Wild Dog and continued walking forward. He was feeling somewhat irritable in his heart; because of some reasons, he had entered the field quite late, and as a result, it had taken him these years to finally pick out these few little ones.

With these little ones' current strength, if they were to get caught up in this drama, I'm afraid not even their bone scraps would be left.

"Awoo!" A wolf cub suddenly stopped and barked a few times towards the distance.

Nanike followed its gaze and saw that in the distance, a few beasts were besieging an injured elk.

"Want to go see?" Nanike asked.

The few wolf cubs all nodded excitedly.

"Go ahead." Nanike said, "Remember, don't interfere."

The wolf cubs cheered and dashed away.

Nanike watched their retreating figures, his gaze becoming somewhat complex.

"Artemis, is this how you felt back then? No wonder you protected Blade Claw so much."

Watching the wolf cubs running back after watching the show.

"Sigh, I hope you can survive." Nanike sighed, turned around, and led these little ones away in the opposite direction of the Empire. He had to find a safe place to settle these little ones.

"Hey, Gray Wolf, aren't you going to take a look?" The Wild Dog's voice came again.

"Not going." Nanike said without looking back, "Not interested."

"Tch, coward." The Wild Dog muttered and also left.