Volume One, Chapter 110: The Concert Turmoil (2)

The dishes were served in quick succession. The steamed perch was devoid of any fishy odor; its flesh was tender and melted in the mouth. Alongside were yam and pork rib soup, stir-fried seasonal vegetables, and beef stewed with carrots. The red date and millet porridge was a special addition by Bian Xunzhou, nourishing for the blood and energy.

The group was well acquainted, so there was no need for the old custom of silence at the table. Qiao Wanyun and Yu Xichuan kept the conversation flowing, occasionally joined by Wen Xuyu, while Bian Xunzhou and Yu Dongzhou remained mostly silent. The atmosphere was congenial.

As the meal drew to a close, Wen Xuyu gently set down her chopsticks and nodded politely. “I’ll excuse myself to the restroom. Please, enjoy your meal.” Bian Xunzhou instinctively rose as well. “I’ll go with you—”

In the trenches, the officer immediately ordered the engineers to continue fortifying their defenses while everyone else readied themselves for battle. In an instant, the soldiers silently took their positions; machine guns and rifles were set upon the parapet, while logistical personnel stacked boxes of ammunition and grenades behind them.

In the forest outside Lizhuang, a solitary figure sat cross-legged on the ground, forming intricate seals with his hands and murmuring incantations. Before long, ripples disturbed the nearby pond. A hand gripped the root of a tree at the water’s edge, then another emerged.

Wu Jun glanced at his humble tofu rice, then at the two meat and two vegetable dishes Li Maozai pushed in front of him. Without hesitation, he clasped his fists in gratitude.

“No problem. But may I ask what kind of business you wish to discuss? For security, you can speak with me. For scrolls, this is our elven director. For weapons, our dwarven director. And for loans, our gnome director,” the dragon director replied with a genial smile.

“Damn those Skeleton Mercenaries! Pass the word—bring Nief back to me, no matter what!” In a secret chamber of the Dark Church, a middle-aged man of imposing presence overturned the table in fury, his shout echoing as countless orders were dispatched.

Xie Yuchen’s mouth moved, struggling to form words, but only hoarse, broken sounds escaped him.

Radiant as sunlight, the brilliance spread in all directions, enveloping the twin palms unleashed by Gongtingjie.

Ignoring the pain in my arm, I swung the Flame Blade once more, carving a gap just wide enough for a person to pass through the Red Demon’s domain. At that moment, a furious roar thundered, and a dense crimson mist surged our way.

Now Pan Ren, the instigator, stepped forward. “Your Majesty, have no fear. With us here, you are safe. The people of Taihu revere you as their sovereign; the Huzhou army and civilians stand united and will not let the enemy breach the city.”

The people of Jiaozhou, long oppressed and poisoned by Hong Xiuquan, finally witnessed the tyrant’s downfall. Their joy was uncontainable, and tears of relief streamed down their faces.

Qu Mingyan had always believed the Celestial Realm she ascended to was the pinnacle of the Three Thousand Worlds, and that the boundless tribulations she had endured were the most terrifying ordeals one could face.

A cold wind blew. Yu Yan looked at his beloved little sister, still waiting. The words to urge her to return stuck in his throat.

Facing the monster, which now revealed a cruel, savage grin, her heart turned cold. She closed her eyes in silent resignation.

She had finally met someone she knew, someone willing to speak with her—it was more than she could have hoped for.

Zhang Fanxin was about to say something when Nangong Zhuo walked over, draping his arms over the shoulders of Dai Rui and Zhang Fanxin.

“Ahem…” Bai Huiru cleared her throat, a fleeting embarrassment crossing her face. But she was no stranger to grand occasions in the capital; even the Lady of the Marquis of Jing’an had been at a loss with her.

She forced her source power to its limits, and when that was not enough, she tapped into her own potential. Life itself burst forth in dazzling arcs against the dark sky.

The two quickly found common ground. Yang Xiao picked up Song Yan’s phone and called the shopkeeper. Initially, the man was reluctant, but when Yang Xiao promised to solve his son’s schooling if the matter was handled, the shopkeeper agreed, albeit hesitantly.

It was clear these people had been captured by members of the Supreme Unity Sect. Their motives could not be innocent—there was surely some monstrous plot at work.

But he did not relax his guard, nor would he agree to Eliane’s request to let her join him in the next trial game.

She could not bring herself to say such things, yet her tongue was clumsy and she could think of nothing else, so she resorted to throwing a tantrum.

Sitting beside the Jade Bone Disc, Hou Xue was visibly uneasy and at a loss for what to do.

“Impossible! He…you…” Kong Chi nearly leapt up in rage. He knew that Pan Liu would not lie in front of everyone, and the presence of Kong Lingshuang’s aura in the jade token could not be forged.

A sword that sealed the heart, but also shattered it. The immense force of true energy seeped in, twisting their once-mighty hearts into something as soft as bean curd.

“I doubt it. She’s probably just here to stir up trouble for business,” someone remarked.

No matter how strong Zhao Zhang was, he could not withstand the power of the Path of Withering and Flourishing. Where the palm struck, decay and death followed. Having succeeded, Xiang Gangtian showed no sign of stopping—he was determined to see Brahma Yan’s humiliation complete.

For newer disciples, most of the challengers ranked beyond seventieth on the Profound Extremity List, where the chances of advancing were slightly higher.

“Taishi!” Dian Feng shouted urgently. Now was no time for him to undergo tribulation; peril upon peril loomed on the Origin Star.

“To think everyone accepted the invitation,” the master of the dark faction said, his face completely concealed by a bronze, blue-faced, fanged mask.

Mu Qingyan’s gaze fell upon Mu Qianxun’s wrist, her expression darkening.

Ling Xueya looked at Ye Feng, lying on the ground, grief overwhelming him. Ye Feng’s meridians had been severed inch by inch, blood continuously oozing from his body. His breath was faint and weak.

There was a look of predation and desire in those eyes; the scorching gaze seared Li Xixi’s heart, making it ache. She could not tell if it was an illusion, but the already thin air seemed to burn away, leaving her breathless.