Under the gray, dim sky, the gray-white buildings stood desolately on the frozen land, like a continuous mountain range. The Imperial Palace welcomed its guests with a grand ceremony, with bright costumes and fluttering banners, serving as rare colors in this silver-white world.

But Shen Tang always felt that something was off; perhaps it was because, amidst the hollow cheers, the expressions of the beastmen were too numb.

Indeed, those beastmen had dull expressions, devoid of any emotion in their eyes, like puppets being manipulated by strings, only completing their tasks.

Even though the scene was a lively celebration, an indescribable dead silence filled the air, making one feel subtly strange.

Lin Xi seemed to not notice anything amiss, continuing to arrange the reception matters calmly.

Shen Tang had to push down the feeling of discord and looked around, asking in confusion, "It’s been so long, why hasn’t the Emperor arrived yet?"

She had come here mainly to discuss the alliance with the Emperor, but after being seated for a while, there was still no sign of him.

Lin Xi sighed lightly, a hint of sadness emerging on his face, "To be honest, my father has been unwell for years, and most of the palace affairs have fallen on my shoulders."

"What about the other princes?"

"My older brothers have their own territories and don’t come back often. I have no great ambitions, so I stayed in the palace to take care of my father; it’s nice to be with him."

As he spoke, he suddenly thought of something and looked at Shen Tang with anticipation, "I heard that Your Majesty has a strong healing ability, and I’ve always wanted to ask if you could take a look at my father’s illness?"

Shen Tang chuckled, "So that’s your plan."

The young man blushed immediately, waving his hands repeatedly, "My father’s illness is one thing, but I also truly want to meet Your Majesty. Someone as beautiful and powerful as you, which male wouldn’t want to build a relationship?"

These words flattered her and made her feel comfortable.

Shen Tang smiled and replied, "Anyway, I am supposed to meet the Emperor to discuss matters; take me over, then I can also check his condition."

"Thank you so much." The young man was overjoyed.

After the banquet, Lin Xi led her to see the Emperor.

Xiao Jin and the others wanted to follow but were stopped.

Lin Xi said apologetically, "I’m sorry, my father doesn’t want to see outsiders during his illness; I can only take Your Majesty in. I ask the three honored guests to wait here for a moment."

Xiao Jin and the others were quite dissatisfied. After all, this was someone else’s domain; how could they let her go in alone?

Shen Tang reassured them, "It’s fine, since Prince Lin Xi said so, you can wait outside. I’ll be out soon."

"Alright, call us if you need anything."

Under their Female Master’s orders, Lu Xiao and the others had no choice but to stay outside.

Shen Tang followed Lin Xi toward the inner courtyard.

It should have been the Emperor’s place for recovery, yet it was exceptionally remote and desolate. There weren’t even any attendants outside, giving it an empty feeling like the Cold Palace.

Lin Xi explained softly, "After falling ill, my father likes peace and quiet, and his mood swings unpredictably; I had no choice but to arrange it this way."

Sadness appeared on his face, making it impossible for anyone to remain unmoved.

Shen Tang also softened her voice, "Don’t worry, I’ll take a look. Maybe I can cure the Emperor’s illness."

"Your Majesty, thank you." Lin Xi gazed at her gratefully, his eyes filled with gentle emotions that could easily draw one in.

While they talked, they had arrived at the place.

Lin Xi stopped at the door and didn’t proceed any further, "Father has been waiting for a while, please go in, Your Majesty."

Shen Tang pushed the door open and entered. A damp, unpleasant smell assaulted her senses, like something rotting inside, causing her to wrinkle her brows.

Upon entering the bedchamber, she saw an elderly beastman sitting cross-legged on the bed, precisely the Emperor of the Eternal Winter Empire.

The old man had a head of withered white hair, lowered his head, engrossed in some task, with an emaciated and hunched body. His exposed skin was wrinkled like old bark, unusually pale with bluish-purple hues, enveloped in a deathly aura.

Shen Tang’s brows furrowed even deeper. If she remembered correctly, the Eternal Winter Emperor was only in his fifties, so how could he appear so aged?

She squinted her eyes and slowly approached, "Emperor Lin Jing, are you okay?"

The Emperor didn’t respond, only emitted a low growl like grinding teeth, "Uh..."

When she was standing right in front of him, the old man finally raised his head slowly. His face was so emaciated that it was deeply sunken, and within his eye sockets were pure black eyeballs, without any whites of the eyes!

Shen Tang’s expression changed drastically.

The next second, the old Emperor’s mouth opened wide, and a long tendril full of sharp teeth and barbs shot out, aiming straight for her heart!

Shen Tang reacted swiftly, dodging to the side, and the spiritual power condensed in her hand instantly severed the tendril.

She looked at the old Emperor in shock, only to see his body twisted and fell, with his skin turning bright red and starting to swell violently, as if about to burst!

With a loud bang, his clothes were completely shredded, and he transformed into a twisted monster, exactly like the ones Shen Tang had seen in the laboratory!

How did the Emperor turn into this?!

No time to think, the mutated Emperor lost all reason, driven solely by an instinct to attack. The massive monster charged at her, forcing Shen Tang into battle, and in the midst of the fight, the entire palace was swiftly razed to the ground.

Not far away, Xiao Jin and the others heard the commotion, their expressions changing as they prepared to rush over. But the silent guards around them suddenly began to mutate as well, transforming into frenzied monsters and lunging at them!

Xiao Jin and the others swiftly slayed the monsters, but black smoke poured out from their bodies!

This black smoke seemed to be highly toxic; ordinary beastmen would die instantly if inhaled, and even powerful beastmen would feel dizzy, with their bodily functions significantly reduced.

Simultaneously, bizarre runes appeared on the ground of the Imperial Palace, glowing with black light like an array formation, forming a strong vortex that wildly absorbed Xiao Jin and the others’ superpowers. The once gloomy sky suddenly gathered black clouds, changing the color of the land and sky, and the cries of a thousand fierce ghosts echoed in the air.

Xiao Jin’s speed instantly slowed, and a mutant species lunged at him, biting him.

Lu Xiao transformed into a Golden Eagle, trying to break free from the vortex, but countless shadows swooped up like bats and swallowed him instantly.

Xue Yinzhou also fought with the shadows but couldn’t completely kill them, and his figure was gradually devoured.

Meanwhile, Shen Tang felt her superpowers rapidly dissipating. Panic surfaced on her face as she turned and shouted at Lin Xi, who was still standing at the door, "What are you standing there for? Come and help!"

But Lin Xi didn’t move.

On that handsome, gentle face was still a warm smile, yet it seemed incredibly unfamiliar and terrifying.

It wasn’t until he watched Shen Tang being devoured by a monster that he leisurely walked forward, his calm voice eerily gentle, "I originally thought Your Majesty could hold on a bit longer... what a disappointment."

He reached out, intending to touch the massive black cocoon—

The next second, it exploded with a loud bang! The shockwave blew him several meters away.

Following that, several other explosions could be heard from different parts of the palace, blasting countless mutant species to pieces.

Amidst the rising smoke, Lin Xi covered his mouth and nose, coughing violently. He flew above the Imperial Palace, looking outside at those unharmed figures, only then realizing he’d been tricked.

"You... never went inside?!"