Chapter 23

The sunset atop the mountain peak glowed crimson, like eyes weeping blood, gazing sorrowfully upon the suffering masses.

"Tell me, Brother Long Xuan, if we refuse, would it even matter?" the Shangming General asked tentatively.

"I understand. Tell them to prepare to rest!" After responding to Xu Yan, Zuo Chen unleashed his remaining spiritual energy. The Aura of Despair Soul manifested once more, this time without restraint, engulfing even his companions in a relentless struggle against the suffocating gloom.

The Earth-Shaking Ape had mentioned that the Ice Temple lay to the north of the Raging Ice Sea, but it had provided no specific location.

Ye Jiuge watched the duels from beneath the ring. Observing combat was a form of study; the techniques of her opponents offered her much to learn.

As night deepened, Zhao Ziying and Liu Xianfang drifted into a heavy slumber. Chen Anhe finally opened the door gently and crept out of the house.

The group hid in the distance, Zuo Chen controlling the fat rabbit to hop through the woods, occasionally feigning the act of grazing.

"Aren't the rules inherently unreasonable? If the disparity in strength were vast, that would be one thing, but when the gap is negligible, who can fight five people in a row? You must change these rules," Lu Fei said indignantly.

"What a joke. You're holding your sword backward," the man with the eyepatch, who led the group, mocked Feng Xi.

"Damn it, are Level 10 Shadow Flashes cabbage? Why are there so many?" Long Xuan cursed.

Some destinies are fated and cannot be escaped. Xi Xueji admired Yun Shan’s youth and elegance, while Yun Shan coveted her beauty.

A wave of heat radiated from his thigh, forcing Zhao Yuan to pull back his wandering thoughts. He realized that a soft, boneless hand was reaching down from the back of his neck.

Murong Qing did not marry Yun Shan out of true love; her motives were rooted in his fame and a desire for his cultivation techniques to attain immortality. Besides, had Yun Shan not forced her, she would never have married him.

Yet, she was discovered and transformed into a sheep with such ease by this second-tier wizard before her.

***

Tucker realized that he could use this talent to directly absorb starlight from the universe; he could even absorb the light from his own steam stars.

While keeping an eye on the movements of the "people" outside the door, she observed her surroundings for anything that could serve as a weapon.

Upon witnessing that scene, Qin Huaidao’s heart could not help but tremble violently. She was tall and curvaceous, with a stunning appearance. Once they encountered any situation, they would exhaust every means to achieve their goal, never giving up until they succeeded.

The malevolent ghost spoke with great glee, unaware that Mu Fan was eavesdropping the entire time.

Xu Yunping was astonished! His eldest brother was already an Earth Immortal; to be even higher than that? That would mean he was either at the Great Perfection stage or a Heavenly Immortal.

One could also have those skilled in climbing ascend the trees to monitor the surroundings for suspicious dangers in real time.

Upon hearing Nangong Yuhan’s words, Nangong Meining’s brows knitted tightly. Although Nangong Yuhan had never stated it explicitly, she could see that he did not approve of her being with Li Yilan.

"Now that the Dragon Fist has seized Xuanyin Pass, they will surely defend it to the death and will not easily sally forth again. When will I be able to avenge my imperial father and brother!" Xin Ao said, clutching his chest in pain, nearly collapsing.

Seeing Gu Fan’s desperate urgency, Gu Fan nodded slightly and together they flew toward the peak of West Ridge Mountain.

A massive roar suddenly erupted at the doorway. Tong Guaiguai snapped her eyes open, staring at the motionless door, wondering where the sound could have come from.

Bai Chen agreed, and only then did he feel at ease taking his wife to the cafeteria. Upon entering, the room was filled with guests—all soldiers in uniform.

Young Master Mo Li finally pieced together the truth from their words. No wonder Zi Mo had refused to say who had hurt Yan'er when he asked.

The crowd knelt in unison, their voices deafening as they cried, "Greetings, Princess Luo." Strangely, after their call, the sky suddenly brightened, returning to its original state. The sun hung high, the breeze was gentle, and it was as if the previous omen had never occurred. The commoners were left in awe.

"That may be true, but the First Imperial Brother will be Emperor sooner or later. You’d better not offend him, hehe," Xin Yu teased.

***

A protective light shield appeared on the surface of Green Mantian’s body, blocking the incoming arrows, but the shield shattered under the weight of the assault. To avoid being surrounded, he had no choice but to fly into the high sky, unleashing various skills from his weapon and occasionally striking down a Winged Tribesman or two.

"Believe it or not! I’m telling you, to get involved with someone like him is to invite a massive karmic debt. Dare to steal his apprentice, and you’ll be struck by lightning!" Wang Chu said.

Lin Yingxue raised an eyebrow at her, noticing the disdainful look in her eyes, and stood up to walk toward her.

Zhang Xiaoting’s silence, however, held a different kind of pain and helplessness. The heavy burden of restoring his sect and the helplessness of his situation left him feeling inadequate, but things had reached this point; he knew there was no turning back, only moving forward step by step.

Zhao Zun struck again with his blade while moving his feet, following up with a kick. Hua Yu used all his strength to dodge the blade, but failed to guard against the kick to his chest, and a salty, metallic taste surged up his throat.

At that moment, many did not pay much attention. Whether they were soldiers of Demon-Slaying City or the demon army, most had cultivation levels too low to grasp the meaning behind the Green-Clad Daoist’s words. However, figures like Bi Hanqing and the Heaven-Swallowing Demon Emperor were different; they sank into deep contemplation.

Qing Lian’s appearance stunned everyone. The previously jovial atmosphere turned silent, her beauty eclipsing all else.

Zhuge Tian had retreated to a distance when the explosion occurred. The self-detonation of over a dozen masters was something even a Ninth-Layer Grandmaster could not withstand.

He had only done so once for Lin Yingxiang, and that was because Lin Yingxue had previously picked a fight with him, accusing him of never consummating his marriage to Lin Yingxiang, which would cause her to lose face before others.

Occurrences similar to the Creation God Peak were rare, numbering only a handful over countless years.

Seeing Tong Guaiguai looking dazed, Zhu Zhu simply pulled her home. Zhao Yu was doing homework and was genuinely happy to see Tong Guaiguai, but not wanting to make his joy too obvious, he struggled internally before offering a faint greeting.

"Guards! Take Yin Yufeng to the dungeon first!" As Su Jin finished speaking, two officers stepped forward, separated Yin Yufeng and Nan Shuang, and dragged Yin Yufeng away. Nan Shuang did not cry, but stared blankly as he was led away.