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Players from Herta Space Station, Xianzhou, Penacony... and all corners of the universe received the notification simultaneously as Yu Ling's video was released.
Countless players immediately clicked to watch the video.
In Little Gui's live stream.
Many players directly started watching the newly released video through her stream—A Night of Ever-Flame: Scene 33.
The video began.
A deep, authoritative voice echoed.
"[The Planet of Festivities], Penacony."
"The cradle of sunken dreams."
"The haven for the timid."
In the scene.
A magnificent mansion appeared.
On the throne above sat a towering figure.
The massive floor-to-ceiling window behind him cast a blood-red glow, reminiscent of a setting sun.
Like a true demon capable of annihilating the world!
And below.
Were four figures, each with a distinct style.
This scene flashed by.
But it undoubtedly stirred up a storm!
...
"That's right! It really is Duke Inferno and his children!"
"Great, just great. I was just farming Relics, and now I've stumbled upon the real deal."
"So the headpiece of the Pursuit set is actually his Tofet Crown…"
"Duke, you better go and deal with Yu Ling! He's turned your entire outfit into a Relic!"
"What an arrogant pose! This is on a whole different level compared to the Jepella Brotherhood!"
"Are they heading to Penacony to stir up trouble?"
"Oh no! Penacony's players are in for it!"
...
As this voice muttered to itself.
Various symbols appeared in the scene.
Burning flowers, shattered clocks, a lamb offered as a sacrifice…
"The family has set the feast, and the guests are invited."
"The golden blood of [Destruction] will flow together."
"Offer this grand sacrifice to Him."
"Children of the flame…"
"This is your rite of passage."
Guinaifen was utterly stunned.
The style of this video was completely different from before!
It exuded a religious-like eeriness and dominance.
This was clearly setting up a major boss!
However.
This wasn't the most sinister and bizarre part yet.
Next, the Duke began introducing his children.
"Akash, my most sensitive child."
In the scene appeared a massive eyeball.
Wrapped in azure flames.
Surrounded by a ring of a wheel.
This image.
Even through the screen.
Made Guinaifen's skin crawl!
"I ignited your eyes, teaching you to pluck the strings and make music."
"You shall play the feast's melody with a four-stringed instrument."
"And silence the hymns of [Harmony]."
A male voice in the background replied, "Exactly as I intended, Father."
The players were all shocked!
...
"This is a clear sign they're planning to cause trouble in Penacony!"
"Penacony is hosting the Charmony Festival, inviting renowned individuals and organizations from across the universe, even including the Annihilation Gang. Is Duke Inferno preparing to make his move?"
"[Harmony] truly embraces all, even Duke Inferno is coming."
"Huh? Why would the family invite the Annihilation Gang? Isn't that like inviting a wolf into the house?"
"I'm canceling my ticket to Penacony tonight!"
"I'll make a bold guess—in version 2.0, Akash will orchestrate a series of events to attack Robin or sabotage the performance!"
"Prophet's eye."
...
But.
This was only the first.
The Duke's bold declarations had just begun.
"Dubra, my wisest child."
"I ignited your body, granting you blades, saws, and axes."
"You shall temper the iron scythe with sulfur."
"And inflict pain upon [Elation]."
"Let the blood and tears of the performers flow into the Styx."
A female voice in the background responded, "As you command, Father."
All the players were shocked once again!
This was completely unexpected!
You head to the family's territory and flip the table of [Harmony] on [Harmony]'s turf. That makes perfect sense.
But why did the topic suddenly shift?
Even [Elation] is being targeted?
Inside Lin Yu's villa.
Sparkle was also watching this video.
Seeing this scene.
A playful smile immediately appeared on her lips.
"Hmph, Dubra, is it? I'll remember you."
"We, the seekers of amusement, have no bottom line when it comes to fun..."
"I'll show you what real amusement is."
A glint flashed in Sparkle's eyes.
She planned to discuss it with Lin Yu.
Even if she had to pay a small price, she would enlist Lin Yu's powerful assistance.
To make Duke Inferno and his offspring understand!
If you target the seekers of amusement, then the seekers of amusement will turn you into the amusement!
At this moment.
Duke Inferno began to introduce his third child.
"Caterina, my bravest child."
"I ignite your heart, granting you boiling blood."
"You shall use your fury to breach the vaults of [Preservation]."
"Melt their gold."
"And forge a statue for our benefactor."
In the background, a female voice eagerly chimed in: "No need to say more, old man!"
...
"Isn't this too arrogant? Even [Preservation] is within their sights!"
"So audacious! But it feels like he has the capital to be so!"
"Duke Inferno's power is unfathomable! I'm starting to wonder if he's an Emanator?"
"Is he saying he's going to rob the company's bank?"
"After this video, it's like Duke Inferno is declaring war on the Pathstriders of these three Aeons, right?"
"It feels like the universe is about to change..."
...
On the starship.
Aventurine saw this scene.
His gaze slightly darkened.
His mission this time was to represent the [Company] and head to Penacony.
He had a feeling.
In Duke Inferno's speech, the [Preservation] he mentioned likely referred to the company forces represented by himself.
Aventurine gently adjusted his sunglasses.
He muttered to himself: "It seems another opponent will join the gambling table."
"Caterina, is it?"
"Let's see how you plan to shake the chips in my hand."
Aventurine glanced out the window.
Amidst the neon lights.
The words "[First Truth University]" stood out the most.
His destination was almost within reach.
Seeing such a video.
Made Aventurine realize.
This ally from the Intelligentsia Guild was even more indispensable.
In Aventurine's heart.
He had already marked Duke Inferno and his offspring as a major obstacle in conquering Penacony.
He continued watching the video.
When introducing his final daughter.
Duke Inferno's voice became filled with pride.
"Lastly, Constance..."
"My most ambitious child."
"My most excellent child."
"I have nothing left to teach you."
"Just remember."
"Let the midnight of Penacony wither and decay."
"Take away everything you love."
"Leaving only the tomb of [Remembrance]."
The scene returned to the Eternal Flame Mansion.
On the throne, Duke Inferno spread his hands.
The white flower in his palm instantly burned to ashes.
Below.
Caterina stepped on chains and iron balls.
Letting out a series of arrogant laughter.
"Hahahaha..."
"She doesn't need to appear, I alone am enough."
Under the wide brim of her white hat.
Constance's purple eyes revealed a hint of something profound.
"Caterina, it's better to be pessimistic..."
"Perhaps we will all die?"
Akash placed a finger on her lips.
She made a "shush" gesture.
Then, she pulled the strings of the cello.
"Outlaws treading the Path of [Destruction]."
"Since when have we feared death?"
Dubra, holding an apple, obediently said, "But we should still prepare for the worst... Father."
After speaking.
The loli puppet fell to the ground.
It was lifted up like a marionette by the enormous shadow behind her.
"This journey is perilous. What is our retreat?"
Duke Inferno leaned on his cane.
Elegantly descending the stage step by step.
"Retreat?"
"As always."
"It never exists."
"[Destruction] is a glorious moment."
"If we seek survival through cowardice, this life would be far too long."
"Enjoy Penacony, enjoy her invitation."
"Let this beautiful dream prepare itself."
"To welcome her new master from Tophet."
"—Duke Inferno Ifrit."
"Ever-Flame Manor."
Duke Inferno and his children stood in a row.
Facing the camera, they struck a pose that was both elegant and commanding.
The video ended here.
And this.
Like a supernova explosion.
The video began to create ripples across the universe!
Under the video.
The first batch of viewers had already started a heated discussion.
...
"The Ever-Flame Manor has such a high level of prestige?"
"They actually declared war on the four Paths of [Harmony], [Elation], [Preservation], and [Remembrance] simultaneously. I definitely wouldn't believe Duke Inferno doesn't have some confidence!"
"Though they are not favored in the eyes of [Destruction], their aura is truly high. I almost thought they were Emanators!"
"Friendly reminder: The Annihilation Gang wasn't chosen by the Aeon of Destruction because their ideology isn't pure, not because they lack strength."
"It seems Penacony is really going to face a huge upheaval!"
"Why isn't the Path of [The Hunt] mentioned?"
"Are you dumb? If [The Hunt] heard, they would really attack the Ever-Flame Manor first."