The Countess continued to reminisce, "Once the source of this information was confirmed, the moldy spirit energy returned to the dark void. It mobilized everyone to launch a preemptive strike against the divine realms before they could attack us. So, our initial purpose for starting that divine war was not to invade the divine realms but to seize the energy that posed a threat to the dark void."

"That's impossible. If the divine realms had known about the existence of the dark void for a long time, why were we unaware of it? And why has there been no mention of this information in the divine realms' archives?" Dream Jia questioned.

Dream Jia initially wanted to question the true reason behind the outbreak of that divine war, as mentioned by the Countess. But strangely, while she was considering raising objections, she also had a feeling that the Countess's words were not false. So, Dream Jia concluded that the Mother of Mold Spirits likely embellished the situation before mobilizing those moldy spirit energies to attack the divine realms. Thus, from the perspective of the moldy spirit energy, their actions were to protect themselves. With this preconceived notion deeply ingrained in the Countess's consciousness, Dream Jia found it difficult to argue with her on this matter.

The Countess shrugged, answering with a sly grin, "What if they were just trying to conceal the truth so that you would fight us without any doubts? After all, no matter how you look at it, we are the ones attacking you. This would make you more determined to fight us with all your might. And perhaps, because of that divine war, the divine realms saw the dire consequences of attacking the dark void. So, they completely covered up this plan to prevent anyone from finding the location of the dark void through these clues and launching a retaliatory attack on us, which could lead to a misunderstanding and trigger another divine war."

Then, without waiting for a response from Hao Yun and the others, the Countess continued, "Under that guy's call, countless moldy spirit energies participated in this war. At that time, we all thought it would be an easy battle. But unexpectedly, the armed forces of your divine realms were also very powerful, so the war lasted for many years and was extremely intense. Ah! I still vividly remember that the squad I was in was defeated miserably by the divine army because of our weak strength. Those guys really laughed their heads off!"

"I don't understand why you came to fight the divine realms under that guy's call? Why didn't the Mother of Mold Spirits come instead? If, I mean if, the divine realms did attack the dark void, wouldn't she suffer the most?" Hao Yun asked.

The Countess replied with a laugh, "Maybe because the Mother of Mold Spirits didn't believe that the divine realms had the ability to attack the dark void?! Besides, the Mother of Mold Spirits is carefree by nature and wouldn't easily interfere with our choices. So, since it was that guy who brought back the intelligence and called everyone to battle, the Mother of Mold Spirits naturally wouldn't have much influence on the stability of the dark void and allowed us to make our own choices freely."

"Of course, it's also because of the Mother of Mold Spirits' attitude that we didn't receive reinforcements during that divine war. Ahem. In our clan, there is a rule—don't clean up after others. Whoever issues the military order should be the one to solve the problem. If you can't solve it, then you can expect to be the laughingstock of the dark void for eternity!"

The Countess lifted an empty teacup, waiting for the teapot to pour tea automatically, and continued, "It was because of this bizarre rule that we eventually lost the divine war due to our isolation without any support. But well, as long as lucky ones like me are still alive, the seemingly concluded divine war will continue, and we still have a chance to turn the tables and become the ultimate victors."

"Humph! Losing means losing! Where do all these nonsense come from? You're obviously hiding in the black hole, barely surviving, yet you have to say that the divine war is still ongoing! As if you still have a chance to counterattack us! Hmph! Ridiculous!" Watching the Countess's arrogant appearance, Dream Jia disdainfully muttered.

The Countess mimicked Dream Jia's expression, rolled her eyes exaggeratedly, and then changed her tone, saying, "Ah! I did suffer some injuries in the divine war, but it wasn't enough to make me flee in defeat. Believe it or not, at that time, I suddenly found the war boring. So, I used my injuries as an excuse to retreat from the battlefield, and after dealing with my fusion body at that time, I took advantage of the chaos and fled."

"Why didn't you run back to the dark void? Instead, you ended up hiding here?" Dao Lao asked.

The Countess waved her hand, saying, "Oh! Due to some indescribable reasons, I finally got the chance to leave the dark void. So, I simply joined the army attacking the divine realms. Later, I smoothly left the battlefield and planned to wander around and do some fun things."

"Ah! To avoid the divine war, I wandered around various border areas of the divine realms for countless years, to the point where I didn't even know when the divine war ended. After that, when I traveled to this area, I discovered this special chaotic void. As a result, after I entered, I found out that this place was also formed by a massive explosion triggered by a fierce battle."

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"At first, I naturally didn't want to stay here for long. After all, I was well aware that this place would soon become a forbidden zone under the strict surveillance of the divine realms. But this chaotic void was so special that I was inexplicably attracted by the chaotic energy hidden here."

"Then, very quickly, I found myself enveloped in these chaotic energies, entering a long and wonderful period of joy. Finally, when I woke up again, I realized that I had acquired the ability to independently evolve into a physical form and wield all my powers," said the passionate Countess. She then very considerately, in a vivid manner, demonstrated to Hao Yun and the others what she referred to as her "period of joy." Disgusted Hao Yun even felt like pouring the hot tea in his cup over his face to cleanse his eyes.

After putting on a passionate performance, the Countess conjured up a lit cigarette, and with a satisfied expression like she was living the life of a god, she said, "Since then, I have completely rid myself of the need for a host and become a unique moldy spirit energy. So, in order to further break free from the constraints of moldy spirit energy on me, I decided to stay here, healing my injuries while exploring this wonderful chaotic world. After that, I created the Fragrant Nebula. Firstly, to shelter the survivors of the explosion, and secondly, to better conceal my whereabouts. Then, I unexpectedly stumbled upon you three."

"So, what are your intentions—," Hao Yun hesitated.

"How do I intend to handle you?" the Countess finished the sentence for him. Then, with a snap of her fingers, she extinguished the lit cigarette. She withdrew her careless mischievous expression, replaced by a gloomy look, and slowly pointed her finger at Hao Yun and the others.

Seeing the Countess suddenly turn terrifying, Hao Yun and the others tightened their defenses, ready to face her attack. The Countess, upon seeing their vigilant stance, gave a slight smirk, followed by a slow gesture of her right hand pointing towards them, then closing again.

As the Countess clenched her right hand into a fist, Hao Yun and the others' faces turned even grimmer. They could feel their throats being tightly grasped by some force. Their bodies involuntarily began spasming under the assault of electricity. At the same time, they were slowly lifted into the air, feeling as if they were drowning. Their faces turned red as they struggled desperately, clutching at the air around their necks.

"Ha! Hahaha! Look at your expressions, it's hilarious! Hahaha!" Just as the three of them were on the brink of life and death, the Countess, with a ferocious expression, suddenly burst into laughter. Simultaneously, all the strange forces entwined around them vanished. They fell heavily to the ground, gasping for air, their eyes filled with horror as they watched the Countess laugh hysterically.

"Alright, alright! Stop scaring you all! Hahaha! Look at you, are you okay? Did I scare you out of your wits?" The Countess wiped tears from her eyes, pretending to be elegant, fanning her nose with her handkerchief.

"What, what kind of power was that? Why do you possess such immense strength?" Dao Lao managed to say, regaining his breath. Just now, besides feeling the pain mentioned, he clearly felt that his spiritual body was like a toy in the Countess's hands, easily crushed by her at any moment. Similarly, Hao Yun and Dream Jia, who had just recovered from shock, despair, and astonishment, after experiencing the Countess's power, concluded that the Countess's strength surpassed Elina's by many levels.

"Have some tea, have some tea! Hahaha!" After this little episode, the Countess, as if nothing had happened, sat back in her seat, delicately sipping the hot tea, while beckoning to them. Hao Yun and the others paid no attention to the Countess, still gasping for air, their faces pale, staring at her.

After the Countess had finally finished her cup of tea, she put it down and looked at the still-stunned Hao Yun and the others. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she nervously said, "Oh! Right! We seem to have discussed how to deal with you just now! So, if I really wanted to act, what do you three think would happen?"

"What is your purpose in keeping us here? Humph! If you intend to use us as hostages, ambushing more divine troops trying to rescue us, then I advise you to abandon this idea and kill us early. Because unless they receive our personal request for help, they will never risk entering here!" Dao Lao tried to calm his breathing, persisting in dealing with the Countess.

The Countess waved her hand disdainfully, saying, "Oh! Can you stop assuming the worst of me? I, as a noble Countess, how could I possibly resort to such despicable tactics, like crushing ants to death as if they were beneath my notice? Hahaha!"

Listening to the Countess's delusional speech, Hao Yun shook his head and asked, "So, what exactly do you want to do with us?"

"Ah, hmm, how should I deal with you?" the Countess pretended to ponder.

Suddenly, the Countess snapped her fingers, "Ah, yes! Of course, I want to imprison you all here forever, so you can continuously generate negative energy for me! Oh, how could I forget such an important thing?!"

Hearing the Countess's response, Hao Yun and the others' hearts sank to the bottom. Although they were sure the Countess wouldn't kill them outright, being imprisoned here forever? Looking at the numbers on their chests, how could Hao Yun and the others guarantee that they could endure longer than the original owners of those three numbers?

Moreover, although Hao Yun and his companions' divine powers were slowly recovering, judging from the power they had just experienced, according to the system's calculations, even if their strength eventually fully recovered, would they really have the ability to forcibly escape from the Fragrant Nebula in front of the Countess?

"Sigh! Why do you three troublemakers always look like dead fish? The Fragrant Nebula is a world of joy, can't everyone be a little happier?" Seeing the serious faces of Hao Yun and his companions, the Countess first placed her hands on her hips, straightened her ample yet unenticing bosom, and then pretended to be angry as she swayed her body in protest.