Tian Yang and the Golden Dragon Emperor discussed much more than they let on, but they simply weren't able to speak as openly as they needed to.
The universe had too many dark forces moving around. It was too late for those forces to silence those who understood their existence, but if any clue to their identities was revealed, such niceties would be forgotten.
The main concern for this war and many of those in the past never changed.
It was always those inside that ruined things for everyone, not the enemy themselves.
For a race that was defined by their straightforward belligerence, the Nox were surprisingly good at convincing those opposing them to switch sides.
Whether it was out of fear or something more positive, many chose to believe in those who could show the kind of power the Nox could.
But it was all a facade.
The Nox were not united, nor were they a race with much prospect in the long term.
Their only goal was to destroy. They'd been destroying and destroying for millions of years and had yet to be satiated.
Grand Heavens Boundary was only their current target. If it ceased to exist, who could say they'd become docile?
The Nox didn't grow through building their society. They didn't have the usual civilization structure people were used to, and judging them by such standards was a fruitless task.
In essence, the only way for the Nox to develop was through constant destruction, and their developments only increased their destruction capability. Those factors like quality of living were meaningless to them.
So what kind of foolishness was it to follow them?
How could anyone think they could offer something better?
How could anyone believe they'd actually survive and be granted what they were promised by those they submitted themselves to?
It was mind-boggling, but in situations where people formed relationships with the Nox, they didn't tend to have the time or peace of mind to consider the facts.
What they saw was one simple picture.
These creatures were destroying the universe with frightening efficiency.
Submitting oneself to them meant joining the winning side.
When the other option was death, was there anything left to say?
Nonetheless, it could be inferred that most of those influenced by their words were those without much to fight for.
Nobody wanted to die, but people were more than willing to die for those things they cared for more than anything else.
"Hmph."
Immortal Blood Asura sneered to himself.
In his mind, they were the foolish ones.
Permanence was not a real concept. Nothing could last forever.
Those who submitted were weak. They were rabble who held no more meaning than the citizens he was mutating into artificial Nox to this very day.
In the end, regardless of their position, they were meant to be cannon fodder.
But cannon fodder that accepted its place was better than the little ants that still tried to kill the elephant even after it crushed their hive in a single step.
He disdained them.
He was different.
He had power, power he gained for himself, and power that would only be used for himself.
Whether the Nox won or the universe won, his survival was guaranteed.
His enemies never survived encounters with him. The situation was definitely restraining him, but those he wished to deal with could never escape his grasp.
"The Great Angel's influence in Luxurion is decreasing. Within two years, he will hold no power in Heaven's Army."
"Elyssa Bloodlock has finished her duty. The information is available for viewing at any time. In addition, the Void Old Immortal and Golden Dragon Emperor met. They discussed regular planning and alluded to the existence of traitors, however, it is unclear how much they know."
Immortal Blood Asura hummed, acknowledging the two people who gave him their individual reports.
"Other news?"
"Yes, Sir. The Artificial Soldier Project is progressing steadily. The army will be available to deploy in 4 years at the latest."
"4 years?"
Immortal Blood Asura frowned. That was not nearly fast enough.
"Tell them to accelerate the process by any means. A defective product is acceptable, however, it must function for a duration."
"Yes, Sir."
The reports continued, listing the situation in Eien as well as the Nox's progress into the Beast Domain.
As they continued, the type of information these two provided became more and more frightening.
"Heaven's Army's current deployment plans are…"
"Those in executive positions that can be pulled over are…"
"These are targets for elimination. Their removal will…"
"There is activity on Death Emperor Star. Hidden Death Valley has begun…"
"We have received news from the Abyss…"
Information nobody should know was presented like candy. Immortal Blood Asura listened with an uninterested impression until the very end.
"No Return Pass has not been breached."
His brown twitched slightly, imperceptibly.
"That is enough. Return to your duties, and do not raise suspicions."
"We comply, Lord."
The two, one man and one woman, turned to exit the room.
"Pathetic."
Of those in the universe, perhaps they were the most pathetic.
From their positions high in their ivory towers to mere secretaries reporting to him. To think people like them could be conquered with worms no bigger than a fingernail.
Gerard Wright and Anastasia Night.
These two respected and dignified Heaven's Army Great Commanders were nothing more than puppets now.
If not for them, how could his plans progress so smoothly?
It was truly laughable for people like the Golden Dragon Emperor and that old pretender from the Human Domain to think they could understand the situation.
There was only one thing Immortal Blood Asura could never gain control over.
'That pest…'
He never thought a grudge he dismissed when his grandson died and picked up half-heartedly to save face after his son's death would grow to this point.
He never thought a measly junior could cause him more annoyance than the enemies he viewed as his equals.
Frankly, that young man should not have been alive.
He only stood there in No Return Pass, surviving through some unknown means, because he was lucky.
If there weren't so many eyes…
If there was even a single lull in that surveillance…
'Hmph.'
He still didn't need to get caught up on that junior.
He had no assistance in any way, and perhaps he'd been able to use tricks to survive for this long, but tricks were also temporary. He would die soon enough.
Plus, it simply didn't matter.
He was in No Return Pass right now. Accessing that place was not simple and couldn't be done covertly, so Immortal Blood Asura couldn't touch him either way.
If he somehow managed to miraculously survive through those five years, then his death would occur in the sixth.
Immortal Blood Asura's focus needed to be elsewhere.
"You arrived early."
"We did not set a time. I came when it was convenient."
"No matter. Let us depart."
"Hmm."
A man appeared in the corner of the room without a trace, and together with Immortal Blood Asura, he flashed away from Blood Asura Holy Land entirely.
He was naturally the Karmic Emperor.
And the purpose of this visit…
…was to discuss the beginning of the second phase of their grand plan.
