Chapter 56: Schemes

Ling Yun’s punch seemed to contain supreme divine might, scattering the majority of the demonic energy and evil dragons.

Don’t assume that just because it’s two against two now, I have no chance of winning. I, Lord Yue, am a businessman and naturally understand the principle of many against few.

As soon as Long Yan uttered these words, all the martial artists present erupted in an uproar. Nearly everyone was stunned, as if they had misheard.

Chu Yun furrowed his brow; now the question arose—what should be done about the Maze Returning Mountain Range in the Western Wastes?

At these words, Mo Dao’s eyes twitched violently, the killing intent and fury within him almost palpable enough to become reality.

Nan Junyu smiled faintly, appearing calm. He didn’t rise, but merely raised his jade cup to clink glasses with Li Tianlin and the others, slowly savoring the fine wine.

This was an exceedingly advanced barrier! The old man’s face was utterly serene, as if he was long accustomed to such matters.

Suddenly, a meteor streaked across the sky, shining with ephemeral brilliance, freezing in that instant. Reflected in Li Ranzhi’s lustrous black eyes, it formed a picture of breathtaking beauty.

When the host announced Yan Qingwu’s name, countless viewers watching the broadcast, along with the media reporters at the scene, erupted in thunderous cheers.

The young man was tall and slender, a gentle smile like a spring breeze on his face, yet a terrifying aura emanated from him, no weaker than one born of a true Saint’s bloodline.

Several strands of chaotic energy burst forth. Though not as powerful as Keqiu Xiuqier, their profound intricacy was of another kind. United, they managed to break through the blockade of the three Grandmasters and Ling’er, sending Keqiu straight back.

By the next day, all of the Divine Demon Continent knew. While everyone was still reeling from the sudden action of the Dragon Clan—who had obliterated the Four Great Families and seized the United Kingdom—in the depths of the sea, on an island shielded by an unknown barrier, the reclusive Elves convened a meeting.

For a whole day, everyone sat at the tower, chatting and laughing, only leaving for home around three or four in the afternoon. On the walls of the Lovers’ Tower, many visitors had left their marks—some just a name or two, others a line of poetry or an entire verse.

Finally, Wei Jiu could no longer contain himself. He got up, crouched down beside Li Er, and spoke in a tone of resignation.

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She made it sound easy—only twenty-one days left, and with such indifference, as if a single word, “do,” would suffice regardless of the consequences.

Youzi Shi wrapped his arms around Su Yin’s slender waist and pressed his lips to hers, his body leaning into her proud chest.

“Of course it’s your Calamity Jade,” the Second Fate said with a faint smile. He knew well that the Void Walker had been cowed by that stranger’s single strike and would not dare to play any more tricks.

Within the ruins of a secret sanctuary, the ingenious design astonished the four of them, filling their hearts with anticipation for the adventure ahead. Such a sanctuary could never have belonged to ordinary secret sects or masters—not even a Secret Venerable would possess such an estate.

This was a clearly renovated spiraling corridor, winding downward, remarkably similar to the one in the game’s storyline. After confirming there were no other monsters around, Tang Ze paused to think, then stopped walking.

Suddenly, a brilliant light exploded from the frame. After spinning for a moment, a pill radiating with life essence appeared before Ling Zhoutian’s eyes.

Even epic quests could change objectives on the return journey. Just as before, Zhu Sha and Hao Jie had brought Su Muzhe into the plot, and the target could be swapped midway. However, whether this would reduce the rewards was uncertain.

Xuanyin knew everything—was it because he’d told her? Indeed, with their close relationship, even when Xuanyin had plotted against his own mother, he hadn’t blamed her. How could he not share these matters with her? Qing Rang felt not only his hands and feet turn cold, but even his organs seemed chilled; his hasty arrival now felt rather laughable.

Soon after, Qu Ying, who searched Mo Yan’s body, and the person tasked with searching the residence, both delivered the poisons and antidotes they’d found. After Wu Jiu checked, he discovered there wasn’t even a hint of antidote—there was no trace of poison on any of the three either.

If she didn’t choose, he’d just recommend something else, wouldn’t he? Yan Xiaoxiao looked at the pictures intently. To be honest, she checked the prices first, then casually picked a mid-range bracelet.

The secret letter in his hand stated that Duanmu Qing Rang had nearly drunk a bowl of poison. Just now, his heart felt as if a piece had been torn away, frightened out of his wits.

“Young master, the package contains enough dried rations for two days, and the flask is filled with the local specialty, pear blossom wine,” Jin Niang reminded him once more. Yet as she mentioned the wine, an inexplicable tension filled the air. She’d only swapped it in at the last moment, believing it more invigorating than water.

Lin Tianyao, too, followed the great locust tree to where Qingkong had just departed. Sure enough, he detected faint ripples of a watery veil, and was then drawn inside.

From Yuanforce Second Order, to linear equations, to space tunneling combinations, each was unraveled in turn, densely covering most of the “Light Sand” array.

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Liao Qingming nodded, swiped his card to open the door, and walked in, closing it behind him without a word.

For now, the Hemp-Clad Village was unreachable. The villagers born there could only return home after all was settled.

He pulled from his pocket the slip of paper given to him by the crown prince—a relic of the late empress, his royal sister, who had left behind contingencies for her son. Fortunately, the letter mentioned only that he’d sheltered an imperial fugitive; it seemed the prince didn’t yet know more.

Yan Xiaoxiao’s thoughts were a jumble. Wishing for some peace, she brushed off Xu Yi with the excuse that she still had work to finish.

“I guess, when you reach the third screen, you’ll fail,” Nan Qing said coolly.

The Northern Continent lay in the farthest reaches of the north, locked in perpetual winter. It was said that even now, strange beings from other dimensions would sneak across its borders.

Nangong Jianxun remained silent. This had not been his intention—he simply wished to protect Nangong Ming.

Liang Shan was tempted but understood the rules of the Brotherhood were ironclad. If he let Zhang Qilong break them now, the Black Dragon Society would have no credibility in Jiangnan. Hesitant, he voiced his concern.

After speaking, they all drank. After a long while, with most of the wine gone, they finally stopped.

Nangong Ming landed steadily. At that moment, Xi Xichen’s scream rang out. His expression changed, and he dashed over at lightning speed, just in time to see the bodies of six men sent flying through the air.

Nong Bagaos looked down at the barbarian soldiers below, nodding in satisfaction. He knew this would affect morale, but these men were of little use now—keeping them here would only mean more pointless deaths, which he loathed. That was why he had refrained from acting earlier.