Chapter 31

Following the intense battle, the castle defenders not only suffered heavy losses, but the survivors were also utterly exhausted. The advantage they once held from their elevated position had been neutralized by the siege engines and heavy crossbows of the attacking force, leaving them at a distinct disadvantage.

Lu Xiu’s words once again deeply shook everyone present. They looked at the firm expression on his face, ruminating on the resounding power of his declaration.

At that moment, he could no longer maintain his composure. An infinite terror rose within his heart, and a sense of unease and foreboding churned incessantly inside him.

"Hmph, I am well aware that both tasks are extremely difficult to accomplish, but you must still try your best. If a turning point were to emerge, wouldn't we be able to escape this great predicament?" the silver-haired old man said, his expression impassive.

Just then, Yang Chenyu’s figure quietly appeared at the edge of the battlefield. After casting a brief glance at the two ghost kings, he could not help but smile.

The skirmish between the hundred men lasted for a period that was neither too long nor too short. Finally, with the retreat of a martial artist at the peak of the Six-Lock Realm, the combat between these opposing sides came to an end.

Previously, when Han Li released his sword radiance, the Silver-Winged Night叉 remained indifferent. However, when wings sprouted from Han Li's back, a hint of surprise appeared on the monster's face. When the Snow Crystal Bead, enveloped in Purple Luo Heavenly Fire, manifested its terrifying power, the monster’s expression finally turned grave.

Yang Chenyu extended his right hand and waved his sleeve, drawing the phantom into it. Afterward, he transformed into a wisp of green mist and vanished without a trace.

Standing in one of the martial academy’s herb workshops, Yi Li once again personally felt just how numerous the students of the academy were.

Although reaching the early stage of the Saint Realm was already a tremendous surprise for both of them, it would, of course, be even better if they could break through to the middle stage or higher.

"Girl, you must think this through carefully. Last time you took the blame for Master Bao, you ended up being driven out of the manor. Our relatives and neighbors mocked us relentlessly, yet Master Bao didn’t even offer a word of thanks. This is proof enough of the Jia family’s cold-heartedness and ingratitude."

Yu Yuan did not hesitate to hold the Bai Ze Demon Saint in front of him like a shield, placing it between himself and the Holy Mother of the Golden Spirit.

She felt that she was no longer forgetful, and she worked with greater vigor. After all, the knowledge in her mind had become more abundant, and she felt more confident in her heart.

Seeing Hu Xin and the others standing on the ground, everyone hurriedly descended and assumed a posture of inferiority.

Xue Rongzhen chuckled, feeling that Chi Zaozao was truly shameless in her speech; she glanced at her son, who looked quite embarrassed.

His expression was frantic, as if he had been startled, and his hands were busy trying to hide some sort of cheating device.

***

With a gaze filled with anger directed at Ye Qing, Chi Zaozao appeared fine on the surface, but she was still fuming inside.

Had it not been for Liu Xu’s quick thinking in finding an excuse to downplay the solar eclipse, Song Bin would have faced more than just a reprimand or a docked salary; he might have even been dismissed or demoted.

Watching Chi Zaozao’s actions, a wave of warmth suddenly washed over Ye Qing, and his expression became complex.

A side peak jutted out from the main mountain like a branch from a tree, and the two peaks were connected by iron chains.

When Jiang Yun was clearing out the Nine Provinces, he once split open a Princess of the Fallen Immortals sealed within an immortal tomb with a single sword strike, nearly shattering her.

Of course, this was merely a rumor concocted by the office staff, but in their eyes, no one other than Old Master Ge could make the Ge family members behave themselves.

Whether they smoked or not, when Ye Fei offered them cigarettes, they reached out with both hands, flattered and honored, before thanking him repeatedly.

Amidst the stunned silence of the crowd, his appearance and build shifted until he was identical to the man in the painting—handsome, elegant, and effortlessly graceful.

Chen Xuanzang gazed into the distance, his mood gradually improving. Life always has its ups and downs; not losing heart at the lowest point is half the battle won.

"Cratch, you don't have to worry about that at all!" Xiao Yi’s ability to remember the names of every student had become something people were accustomed to, but it had left a deep impression on the students.

The banter, slightly teasing and perhaps a bit reckless, seemed to reflect Xiao Yi’s certainty that the once arrogant and domineering Lorraine would not lash out at him.

Logically, someone with a deep understanding of "Shifting Shadows" should be able to clearly distinguish the real body, and as a thief, Hal Roger was even less likely to be ignorant of this.

Therefore, for the imperial family of the Five Sage Empire, this sort of puppetry was played out with quite a bit of relish.

The shopkeeper bowed low, his face full of sycophancy, following closely and respectfully at the side of a white-haired elder with a youthful face.

Glancing at the patch of ground where Shangguan Jing had been lying, she frowned in disgust, waved her sleeve, and a sudden gust of wind swept the sand and dust away.

After preparing everything necessary, Shen Tongyan made another appointment with Zhou Jingnian. Upon meeting, she presented the outsourcing resources directly to him.

***

But when he realized I had fallen asleep and had lowered my guard against him, he couldn't help but embrace me.

He raised his eyes and watched as Mu Yunchu, about to step into the gluttonous feast, paused and pulled out a red veil to cover her face.

He also felt fortunate that he had gambled correctly that night; otherwise, the Zheng family would likely no longer have him as their fifth young master.

If that were the case, as long as the connection between Guo Xiulian and Huang Abing could be uncovered, perhaps they could find clues regarding this criminal syndicate.

It wasn't just Old Liu; the villagers who knew Fang Hong, including his neighbors, shook their heads, convinced that it was simply a case of shared names.

"No rush. Since I'm in the capital, I must see an old friend. I'll be back before dinner, so you just busy yourself for a while," Zhou Xunli said with a smile.

When Qi Qi heard that "that uncle" was also involved, she immediately thought of Zheng Wu’s lecherous appearance and couldn't help but feel a wave of disgust.

Cai Jiaquan saw the motorcade and stamped his feet, rubbing his hands in excitement. With a smile on his face, he stepped forward, ready to welcome the provincial leaders. Unexpectedly, the motorcade did not stop at all, but drove straight toward Lion Head Mountain. Panic-stricken, Cai Jiaquan scrambled into his car and urged the driver to chase after them at full speed.

Fortunately, he had narrowly avoided a fatal blow to the head, sparing himself from having his skull crushed on the spot by the golden cudgel.

"Grandfather, do you really want to watch your precious grandson suffer a loss?" Sun Zhifang asked, puzzled.

"Ten million!" Throwing out the exorbitant price casually, Liu Yongxiang felt wonderful, as if this place had become his home turf; he scanned his "subjects" back and forth like an emperor.

Managing to suppress his inner excitement, Li Xu began to deduce the true function of the "Guihai Gathering Cauldron Formation."