Volume One, Chapter 71 To see his eldest brother and his soon-to-be bride, together in such a way...

With a sharp whoosh, the Enhanced Golden Diamond Talisman shot forth, its speed and force no less than that of the Golden Blazing Drill talisman treasure. It was accompanied by a trail of afterimages and a piercing sound as it sliced through the air—perhaps even more impressive than the original.

The things he once disregarded in his youth had finally come back to affect him today. No matter how he tried to reason it away, he had received help from Duan Rushuang and had promised her this very matter.

Once again, there was no hindrance. The massive doors slowly opened, revealing a path of gold and crimson ahead. The Road of Impermanence betrayed nothing of the eerie mystery its name suggested; it merely appeared as any path to the highest sanctum would, solemn and grand.

Lin Chengping remained unmoved, diligently carrying out the task Zhang Tianyi had entrusted to him. Having finally found a breakthrough, he was not about to let his own negligence cost him this opportunity.

Out on the grasslands, Shen Chuanxing’s face was ashen. After his earlier clash with Tie Laosan, he had suffered internal injuries, but concern for the others left him no time for healing; he sprinted madly across the plains.

Wang Tiao could tell you from experience: never underestimate a bedsheet. When their number reaches the particular total of fourteen, they can smother a man.

A burst of hurried footsteps sounded outside. Knowing his backup had arrived, the floor manager and Lily scrambled to their feet. They’d wanted to hurl some harsh words at Hao Yong, but the memory of what had just happened made them quickly withdraw their hands in fear.

A thin layer of frost had already formed on the ground beneath their feet, icicles sprouting from the stone walls around them.

Isaacs was not idle either. Atop the blue dragon’s back, he could prepare attacks that required time. He sheathed Reckoning at his side, then let the Hand of Order morph into a massive blade, crystalline holy light gathering along its edge.

Just then, a sharp, feminine rebuke rang out at the auction hall entrance as Nightshade’s lithe figure appeared in the nick of time, leading a mass of black-robed followers behind her.

The midday sun blazed gloriously, its light casting shadow after shadow across the earth.

It was hard to imagine such a scene emerging from among the elders of the Dragon Palace. Each of them had cultivated their minds to terrifying heights, capable of remaining unmoved even if Mount Tai were to collapse before them. Yet no one knew that what they were about to face was far more terrifying than a mountain’s fall.

As Zhan Haoran spoke, his nose stung with emotion, his eyes grew misty with tears, and even his voice broke with grief.

Gritting his teeth, Feng Hu shouted, “You think I’m afraid of you?” With that, he charged at Xiao Ming with his fists, but was no match for Xiao Ming’s skill. In just two moves, Feng Hu was knocked to the ground, clutching his stomach, unable to move.

Libius carefully noted everything. By then, the soldiers in the room had finished stripping away all the luxurious valuables and decorations, piling them into several large chests. Oka gave a wave, signaling that their work was done. Libius saluted smartly, then turned and left the room with his guards.

Du hurried into her own courtyard, inwardly blaming herself for being too talkative.

“I’ve obtained my independent study permit… I’m here to learn now!” Totori panted breathlessly.

“Tsk, who would have thought the atmosphere in Shengjing would be so liberal? To confess one’s feelings so publicly, in front of everyone.” Even now, Changning found the scene she had just witnessed utterly incredible.

Everyone braced themselves for battle, focusing their energy, ready to unleash their most powerful strike against their foe.

Yuan Zhao gazed over with a faint, mocking smile at the corner of her lips. Was Yuan Nian trying to play the emotional card?

With unwavering calm, Yuan Zhao stared at Quan Feifan. It was as if his every move had been anticipated, her voice steady and unshaken throughout.

Outside, the assassins were surrounded by Wu Jiu and the others, while inside, Yuan Zhao and Tan Jiuzhou closed in on Mo Qingtang from both sides.

The village boasted a well and was encircled by a tall wooden palisade, more than a man’s height, entwined with poisonous, spiked brambles.

“What do you mean by that! You just don’t want to help, do you?” Third Aunt’s face was now devoid of any trace of a smile.

Had even a hint of murderous intent flickered in his eyes, she would not have hesitated to cut these two down where they stood.

Su Chen wanted to question the suspect himself, but suspected the answers would be deceptive, so after confirming internal security, he left the interrogation to Yu Mo.

Li Fenglian had no intention of bidding. She felt little attachment to the Shangguan family, and ever since leaving the valley, her only goal had been revenge for the Changfeng Lodge, not for the Shangguan or Li clans. If not for her desire to avoid disgrace in the martial world and Mo Changfeng’s urging, she would never have wasted her money here.

Liu Ezi bent low, but spoke with a swagger, “How could I not? Thanks to Madam’s generosity, I didn’t sleep a wink last night—spent it all in the kitchen with my two daughters-in-law, making food.” She yawned as she finished.

“Auntie, you…” Wang Xuanxuan was furious. Her father still lay unconscious in bed, and yet her aunt not only failed to ask after him but also uttered such a string of unpleasant words.

“You all…” Huang Mengmeng was seething. No one had dared treat her this way for ages, but that wretched Fang Yuqi actually dared to mock her right in front of Brother Feng.

Just then, Mu Enxi, whose senses were sharper than most, caught a sound the other two missed. She picked up a pebble and tossed it at the stone wall.

The middle-aged man was about to strike again when, in a blur beside Lin Ye, the figure of Ren Wo Xiao appeared.

“Tomorrow is Old Master Le’s birthday banquet. I’ll attend.” She held the invitation sent to Rao Studio and would be present as a guest.

“So that’s it,” Xiao Ziyang nodded, inwardly impressed by how deeply these families concealed their true strength.

“Look here,” Mu Enxi pointed to two spots on the wall where figures were drawn. Though the drawings were simple, it was plain from their appearance that the two were not from the same tribe—like us and foreigners, you could tell at a glance.

Suddenly, in an inconspicuous corner of the table, a slender, twisted string from a musical instrument caught Mu Wanting’s eye.