Eternal Thief

At that moment, within the battlefield, before the first clash of blades...the war had already begun. The moment the endless sea of Corpse Qi disappeared into the Evernight Demon King’s white flask, the final obstacle separating the two armies vanished.

Silence lingered for only a heartbeat, and then...

’BOOOOOOOMMMM!!!’

The communication formations across every battlefield simultaneously erupted with crimson light. Within every command fortress, every outpost, every supply station, and every temporary military camp...orders descended.

The Evernight Dukes did not give the Corpse Clan even a moment to recover from losing both the Undead Boundary and their greatest battlefield advantage.

Instead, they struck immediately across the battlefield; every trial ring vibrated, and a brilliant crimson screen unfolded before every participant.

_____

-Evernight Trial Notification!

-The Evernight Trial Hunter’s Hunt has officially begun!

-War Commencement: Confirmed!

-Current Battlefield Status: Active War Zone

-Contribution System Activated!

-Battle Merits Begin Counting Immediately!

-Warning: Participants are now permitted unrestricted combat against members of the Corpse Clan.

-Survive, earn Glory, and Conquer in the name of Evernight!

_____

The moment those words appeared, countless pairs of eyes ignited, weapons were unsheathed, and battle intent erupted across the heavens.

No one needed further instructions, as they all knew: the trial... had officially become war!

---

Meanwhile, within the First Battlefront’s central command fortress, the Dread Duchess slowly descended from the sky. Her crimson robes fluttered without wind while the suffocating aura of a Half-Abyssal King spread throughout the fortress.

Every Abyssal Lord instinctively bowed.

"Greetings, Your Grace!"

She merely nodded before looking toward Eva, who already knew she was there, and commanded, "You’ll accompany me."

Eva remained calm. "I understand, Master."

The Dread Duchess continued in her usual cold tone, "The Corpse Clan’s Half-Abyssal Kings will inevitably emerge. My duty is to prevent them from interfering with the battlefield."

Her devilish eyes landed upon Eva, "You’ll assist me. You aren’t expected to fight them. Your responsibility is simple. When our opponents reveal their subordinates...you’ll eliminate them."

Eva nodded without hesitation, "I won’t disappoint you."

The Dread Duchess seemed satisfied. Only then did her gaze shift toward Kharon Veyth, or rather...Ace.

"You." Her voice remained indifferent, "You may remain here, or you may also accompany my disciple."

She spoke as though discussing something insignificant, "But understand this. The battlefield beside me will become the most dangerous place in this entire war."

Her eyes narrowed slightly, "If you follow her...you may die."

Silence filled the room.

Everyone subconsciously looked toward Kharon, as this wasn’t merely a choice but a test of loyalty.

Ace also knows that and lowered his head respectfully. Without the slightest hesitation, he cupped his fists.

"This subordinate follows Lady Eva. Even if death awaits. I shall remain by her side."

The command hall became silent. Even several nearby Abyssal Lords secretly glanced toward him.

The Dread Duchess looked deeply at him as her eyes seemed capable of seeing through one’s soul.

After several breaths, she gave a faint nod, "So be it."

She neither praised nor criticized him, but inwardly, she remembered his answer.

The next moment...the Dread Duchess looked toward everyone assembled within the command hall.

Her expression instantly turned icy, "Listen carefully."

The atmosphere immediately froze.

"You are the shield protecting the participants." Her voice echoed throughout the fortress, "Now, every Abyssal Grand Lord and Abyssal Lord spread throughout the First Battlefront immediately."

Her killing intent quietly filled the room.

"Anything..." She emphasized each word, "...Above the Abyssal Guardian Realm....must never reach the participants. If even a single Abyssal Lord of the Corpse Clan succeeds in slaughtering those beneath your protection..."

Her scarlet eyes swept across everyone, "...then don’t bother returning. You already know what awaits failure."

No one dared breathe loudly as every member stationed beneath the Dread Duchess knew her reputation, and failure in the eyes of the Dread Duchess...was never tolerated.

"Now move!" The single word sounded like an absolute judgment.

"Yes, Your Grace!"

Hundreds of figures of Abyssal Lords, Abyssal Grand Lords, special detachments, and elite squads instantly disappeared from the command fortress like arrows released from a bow...they scattered throughout the First Battlefront.

Within moments...only the Dread Duchess, Eva, and Ace remained!

---

At the same time...inside the Corpse Clan’s defensive fortress...

Belfast’s expression remained extremely ugly; the disappearance of the Corpse Qi had completely ruined one of their greatest advantages. But there was no time to dwell on it.

"The enemy has begun advancing!" A Corpse Elder shouted.

Belfast immediately suppressed every distracting thought. His voice thundered across the fortress, "Everyone! Remain at your assigned positions! Formation Masters! Prepare every defensive array!" Corpse Legions! Stand by! No one advances without orders!"

The fortress instantly became orderly again as panic gradually gave way to discipline. Yet...before anyone could relax...two terrifying law senses descended!

The Evernight Kings...had moved!

---

Deep beneath the former Undead Boundary, the Evernight Fiend King and Evernight Demon King traveled through layers of ancient corpse mountains.

Entire mountain ranges shattered before them. Solid corpse stone that could resist Half-Abyssal Kings crumbled like sand beneath the Fiend King’s casual strikes.

Neither king slowed, their law senses continuously sweeping through everything for hundreds of miles, yet they discovered nothing but endless hollow mountains, ancient tunnels, and abandoned chambers.

The Evernight Fiend King frowned, "Nothing but empty shells."

The Evernight Demon King’s countless crimson runes continued revolving inside her white eyes. Unlike the law sense, her eyes observed something deeper.

Right at that moment, she suddenly smiled. "I think I found it."

The Fiend King stopped, "Oh?"

She pointed toward the mountain depths as her smile deepened, "The mountains...they’re hollow. Completely hollow like tunnels. The Corpse Clan couldn’t possibly create something like this without purpose."

She softly chuckled with a faint malicious intent, "I believe...we’ve found their sanctuary. Their true hiding place lies beneath."

The Fiend King’s savage grin widened, "As expected of you."

Without another word, he punched downward.

’BOOOOOOM!!’

Entire mountain chains collapsed, and the earth split apart before the two kings descended deeper, far deeper than before.

But right at that moment, the Evernight Demon King’s expression suddenly changed ever so slightly.

"Hm?" She stopped descending, and her countless runes rapidly revolved.

"Eldest Senior Brother..." The Evernight Demon King’s smile became meaningful, "Something rather massive...is heading our way!"

The next instant, a terrifying vibration spread through the underground world; the earth shook violently, and then... a monstrous roar echoed from the darkness.

"ROOOOOAAAAARRRRR!!"

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