One Month Later.
The Southern Region was unified under the banner of the Eternal Night Empire.
Sects were abolished. They were replaced by Departments.
The Department of War (Blood Devils).
The Department of Shadows (Intelligence).
The Department of Resources (Merchant Guilds).
Mortals lived in fear, but also in order. Bandits were eaten. Corrupt officials were skinned. Mo Tian's rule was brutal, but efficient.
Mo Tian sat in the Divine Sword Palace (now renamed the Night Palace). He was refining the Heaven-Splitter.
The sword floated in front of him, black veins spreading across its white steel as he corrupted it.
"Master," Ghost One entered. "The envoy from the Central Continent is here."
"Oh?" Mo Tian opened his eyes. "Who is it?"
"The Heavenly Mystery Pavilion."
Mo Tian paused. The Heavenly Mystery Pavilion. The organization that ranked cultivators and sold information. They were neutral, mysterious, and dangerous.
"Send him in."
An old man in grey robes walked in. He held a scroll.
"Greetings, Emperor of the South," the old man bowed slightly. "I am Envoy Cyan."
"Skip the pleasantries," Mo Tian said. "What do you want?"
"I am here to deliver the new Heavenly Rankings."
The old man opened the scroll.
"The events in the South have shaken the world. The Heavenly Dao Sect has placed a bounty on your head. But the Pavilion... we only record truth."
He pinned a page to the air.
[Heavenly Ranking - Rising Dragons (Under 100 Years)]
Rank 1: Mo Tian. Title: The Heaven-Devouring Villain. Cultivation: Golden Core (Peak). Threat Level: Calamity. Note: Do not engage alone.
Mo Tian laughed. "Rank 1? I'm flattered."
"There is one more thing," the Envoy said. "A warning. Your actions have awakened the Guardians."
"Guardians?"
"The Five Great Sects of the Central Continent are mobilizing. They do not tolerate a unified Villain Empire. An army is gathering at the border."
Mo Tian stood up. He grabbed the corrupted Heaven-Splitter.
"Let them gather," Mo Tian said, his eyes glowing purple. "I was getting bored of peace anyway."
He looked at the Envoy.
"Tell the Central Continent... the Villain is coming for dinner."