Volume One, Chapter 53: The Duke of Ning Seeks the Retired Emperor’s Aid, but Finds No Way Forward—Utter Bewilderment!

Jia Zhao was forcefully rejected by Qin Bao and was left utterly frozen in place. If he left the Black Guards, his wife and son would be executed, their fate uncertain. If he stayed, Qin Bao was clearly intent on extorting him, making no secret of his demands. What exactly did Yun Ming possess that could threaten Ren Xiaoyao—was it simply Yun Ming’s unparalleled medical skills?

After fifty circulations of blood, there was a sudden surge—a force erupted, breaking through the skin and manifesting as a crimson line. Yet he was incapable of harnessing it, for the Great Dao guided him, allowing him to reveal his true immortal-level strength, but not to use it.

“I’m not going up. I’ve already told the Dream Team and the others—I keep my word,” Gu Changqing said calmly, treating the competition as if it were nothing.

Thinking of Tang Xue beside me, who would soon be reborn, my heart felt stifled. After all the effort, I hadn’t expected the matter to be resolved so easily.

The pressure emanating from him was that of Devouring Heaven, even stronger than that which radiated from Ao Manxue.

Thus, at this moment, Jiang Hai was also caught up in it, searching all around, hoping to unravel the mystery. Clearly, this was the key to entering the next stage—the Immortal Estate.

Seeing this, the powerful nobles were filled with doubt and suspicion. Yet, as cultivators in the declining stage of Heavenly Men, with more than a dozen possessing the strength of the Immortal Transformation stage, numbering in the thousands, they had no fear of specters or death spirits. After a brief hesitation, they dove toward the valley, intent on annihilating Li Zhiyuan within it.

Chu Tianze stood with his hands behind his back, gazing into the abyss before him. The pitch-black, bottomless chasm seemed to be slowly devouring him.

There was no other way—although the element of surprise was lost, Lu Feiyun and his companions had no choice but to channel more magical power, propelling their spiritual and magical artifacts forward with greater speed.

“Apologize!” The cold command was uttered, with no interest in explanations. Li Hao spoke directly.

At this moment, the elders and chieftain of the Moon Clan, along with the Nightless Supreme and Nightless Infinite of the Dark Clan, all approached.

The mountain was still covered with emerald bamboo, the robe still a shade of blue, and the longing autumn eyes remained unchanged.

As the eldest and most experienced member of the five royal merchant guilds, Brant formally convened the first cooperative meeting of the five major guilds today.

“You already know?” Zuo En was slightly surprised, then realized: who was Phantom? A formidable figure who roamed Europe and America, remaining at large even after half the world’s church forces had hunted him.

Yet, after all, mortals have their own blessings—seven emotions and six desires, love and hatred, joy and sorrow. I’ve experienced them all, and my life is not wasted.

Seeing that his followers were on the verge of total annihilation, the middle-aged man in black could no longer restrain himself.

No matter what, I realized I was starting to worry needlessly. If I find I can’t control it, I can always return it to Mount Shu.

Looking at the simple gate before me, battered by years of cold wind, the four bold characters of “Iceheart Zen Courtyard” still stood proud in this northernmost land.

At that moment, another old man emerged, gesturing for Xin’er’s uncle-master to stay silent, indicating he would handle the matter. Judging by appearances, this elder was of a higher rank—likely the Grand Elder, while Xin’er’s uncle-master was at most the Second Elder, since only these two seemed advanced in years.

Dragon Elephant Wisdom Art: Recorded in the Dragon Elephant Wisdom Sutra, it is the supreme guardian art of the Esoteric School, divided into thirteen levels. Its external force is fierce and powerful, embodying the strength of ten dragons and ten elephants, with every move bearing the force of a thousand pounds.

Thus, Xu Weikang was certain the deputy director’s words were merely for show, meant to save face for Xiao Feifei and, by extension, for Xiao Guoxiong.