"Oh, isn't this our Black Empress? Why so distressed?"
Within a void of nothingness, countless stone pillars stood in the sky, forming a dark and endless expanse that seemed deceivingly close, yet unfathomably far.
Following silently behind the Serpent Queen, the Emperor took note of the term "Black Empress" when he heard it, realizing it might be an important piece of information and knowing that his current status afforded him no right to inquire!
The Serpent Queen cast a cold glance towards the source of the voice, which came from a stone figure sitting atop the sky, in a lotus position—clearly a Buddhist statue in appearance, but its face was indecipherable no matter how one tried to discern it.
"You've caused quite a delay this time!"
In the void, a muffled voice resounded, making the Emperor's eardrums buzz and his chest oppressively heavy, his blood uncontrollably beginning to boil within him.