A full week had passed since Yi Mu and Han Guan were appointed as new Grand Elders of the Dragonis Kingdom. Yet, peace was short-lived. An unexpected tragedy struck when the King fell severely ill, completely bedridden and incapacitated. His symptoms were dire, threatening to end his life at any moment. In response, Regent Yan Yue strictly sealed all cross-continental trade and reinforced internal and external defensive arrays throughout the realm.
Within the Kingdom Streets
Rain poured from the skies amidst howling, tempestuous winds. Yi Mu and Han Guan walked side by side, surveying the surroundings. Yi Mu turned his gaze toward Han Guan.
"Are you holding up alright?"
Han Guan sighed softly. "Yeah, I think so... When do we begin our plan?"
"Not just yet," Yi Mu replied calmly. "Though I have a feeling today might be the day."
Han Guan added cautiously, "I know it sounds simple, but we can't afford to lower our guard, Yi Mu."
Suddenly, a little girl stepped out in front of them, holding up her small hand. "Mister, give me some candy!"
The two exchanged a look; neither of them carried any sweets. Smiling, Yi Mu lifted the young girl onto his shoulders, and together they walked toward a nearby stall selling fresh confectioneries.
The shopkeeper turned to greet them, but his eyes instantly caught the prestigious robes indicating their elder status. He bowed hastily. "Welcome, welcome, respected New Elders! How may this humble vendor serve you today?"
Yi Mu smiled. "We'd like some delicious candy for this little girl, and a few bags for my friend and me."
The vendor beamed with pride. "We have plenty of top-quality sweets, esteemed Elders! There is Magma Candy, Shia Sweets, and Gunner Candies."
"Give us three bags of Magma Candy, please," Yi Mu said.
The vendor quickly packed three bags with glowing Magma Sweets. Han Guan reached into his pouch to pay, but the shopkeeper adamantly waved his hands, refusing the money. "Nonsense! You are the newly appointed Elders of our kingdom. It is only right that we welcome you properly!"
"Thank you," Yi Mu said warmly.
Stepping out of the shop, Yi Mu set the little girl back onto the ground and handed her a bag of sweets. He patted her head. "Take care of yourself, little one."
The Demonic Alliance Headquarters
Deep within the shadowed sanctuary of the Demonic Alliance, some cultivators were sparring, others were drinking wine, while the rest slept. At the center of the hall, Leader Mu Tiang sat upon his elevated throne, staring up at the stone ceiling as the heavy rain battered the fortress outside.
A breathtakingly beautiful woman materialized at his side, her voice as smooth as silk. "Darling... you seem troubled today."
Mu Tiang replied indifferently, "No, I'm just contemplating a few matters."
She smirked playfully. "Care for a little distraction?"
"Not now, my dear. I need to rest my mind."
In an instant, First Deputy Gu Lingshi appeared before the throne like a phantom. Bowing his head, he spoke solemnly, "Leader, there is something I must report."
Mu Tiang met his eyes. "Speak."
"A group is approaching our stronghold from afar."
Mu Tiang sat up straight. "A group? How many?"
"Their leader possesses a terrifying aura at the Sixth Rank. The rest are all at the Fifth Rank, around seven people in total."
Mu Tiang's gaze turned sharp. "Prepare yourselves. They might have a specific motive. Gather the deputies and order the remaining cultivators to stay hidden as usual. If anything goes awry, strike without mercy."
Gu Lingshi vanished into thin air. The alluring woman tilted her head. "What about me, darling? What are your orders?"
"Go underground," Mu Tiang instructed coldness in his tone. "Protect that object."
"Understood."
Mu Tiang stared at the massive fortress gates ahead, thoughts racing through his mind. [Who are they, and what is their true goal?]
A few minutes later, the heavy iron gates shattered into pieces! Two figures stepped through the dust. One of them laughed mockingly. "Damn, Leader Mu Tiang in the flesh! You look furious."
Mu Tiang demanded coldly, "Who are you?"
The intruder grinned. "Me? Well, you don't know me, kid, but I know quite a lot about you... The boy whose mother was murdered by his own brother."
Explosive rage erupted from Mu Tiang as his Sixth-Rank aura burst forth, shaking the entire hall. "Keep my mother's name out of your filthy mouth!"
"Woah, calm down, angry boy!" the man chuckled, before adding maliciously, "Though, if you cared so much, why didn't you protect her—"
Before he could finish, Mu Tiang slammed his hand into the man's face, shooting upward and smashing straight through the fortress ceiling into the open sky! But the man countered with a devastating punch, sending Mu Tiang crashing back down into the dirt floor.
Brushing off his clothes, the intruder scoffed, "You're arrogant, grabbing my face without warning. Truth be told, I'm not here to kill you. I have an objective, and I want to form an alliance with you."
Just then, Gu Lingshi charged at top speed, screaming as he aimed a heavy kick straight at the man's head. The man smirked. "Fool."
Gu Lingshi thought the man would block his foot, but the intruder vanished instantly! Reappearing behind him, Gu Lingshi delivered a lightning-fast kick aimed at the back of the man's neck.
Simultaneously, Mu Tiang extended his hand, unleashing a torrent of black spiritual energy that blasted the man back. A dark vortex materialized beneath Mu Tiang's feet, swallowing him whole. Gu Lingshi drew his blade, leaping forward to strike, while another shadow portal opened right behind the intruder—Mu Tiang emerged with his fist coated in lethal dark energy, aiming to pierce his chest!
"Not this time, boys!"
Using terrifying speed, the man instantly blinked away to a safe distance.
He raised his hands, his tone turning serious. "Listen, if I wanted to destroy this stronghold, I would have done it without bothering to speak to you. So hear me out."
Mu Tiang narrowed his eyes. "Speak."
The man issued a spiritual summons, and the six cultivators behind him appeared instantly. "Don't worry about the damage," the intruder said, gesturing to the collapsed roof. "One of my men can restore your ceiling to the way it was."
One of the men vanished to repair the damage. The intruder looked directly into Mu Tiang's eyes. "So, kid, what do you say we make a deal and help each other out?"
"Why should I cooperate with someone whose name and identity I don't even know?"
The man chuckled. "Ah, right, my bad! My name is Yi Mushen, Leader of the Ghost Organization from the Central Continent."
Silence fell upon the hall. Gu Lingshi glanced at Mu Tiang in shock. [Damn it... What is the Leader of the Ghost Organization doing all the way here?!]
Yi Mushen continued, "I know your goal is to eliminate your brother. Well, I hold a personal grudge against him too."
Mu Tiang declared proudly, "My brother's death will come by my hands alone. I don't need outsiders meddling in my revenge."
"I expected you to say that," Yi Mushen smiled. "Don't worry, I won't interfere in your revenge. My objective lies beneath the Dragonis Kingdom."
Mu Tiang frowned. "What do you mean?"
"There's a man I need to break out from down there," Yi Mushen explained. "You know about him, of course... your nephew."
The Demonic Alliance Leader froze, staring in disbelief. "What are you talking about?!"
"Your brother fathered a son with a prominent woman from the Central Continent," Yi Mushen revealed. "She hired me to retrieve her son in exchange for things I won't bother mentioning right now."
Mu Tiang went silent for a moment before nodding firmly. "Fine. I accept this alliance."
Yi Mushen grinned. "Wise choice, kid."
Their eyes locked in a silent pact. Turning around, Yi Mushen walked off as his men followed behind him. Before disappearing into thin air, he called back, "I'll see you on the battlefield, strong kid... But you better prepare yourself well. You won't just be fighting the Dragonis Kingdom, but also the neighboring realms and even the Western Continent coming to their aid! You're going to need my organization's help, because without me, you'll be utterly crushed."
With those final words, the entire group vanished completely...
Mu Tiang turned to his deputies, exhausted. "Clean up this mess. I'm going to rest; I'm exhausted."
"Understood, Leader!"
Within the Dragonis Kingdom
Inside the royal chambers, Regent Yan Yue stood beside the King's bed. The King remained unconscious, his breathing dangerously shallow. Lady Yu Xin stood at the bedside, examining his pulse.
"We need the water of the Blue Lotus Flower to cure the King," Lady Yu Xin said quietly.
Yan Yue frowned, his expression turning sharp. "Are you joking?! That journey takes at least a week through deadly territory!"
Lady Yu Xin looked up calmly. "Then do you want the King to die?"
Infuriated, Yan Yue grabbed her collar, pulling her close as his voice lowered menacingly. "If you ever say something like that again, I will make sure you cease to exist."
Lady Yu Xin met his gaze without a hint of fear. "I understand your anger, but take your hands off me."
Realizing his loss of composure, Yan Yue quickly released her and stepped back. "I apologize... but your words crossed the line."
"Regardless," she replied, adjusting her robes, "if you want him to recover, we must retrieve the water of the Blue Lotus Flower."
Just then, the doors to the chamber swung open.
"I'll do it."
Both turned in surprise as Fourth Elder Farkan walked into the room.
Yan Yue immediately raised his hand. "I refuse, Fourth Elder."
Farkan, prepared for his rejection, stood his ground. "The King must be healed, Regent. Am I not right, Lady Yu Xin?"
Lady Yu Xin hesitated. "You will face unimaginable perils, Fourth Elder. I cannot allow you to put your life on the line like this."
Farkan smiled faintly. "Do you not trust my strength?"
Yan Yue rubbed his temples, letting out a long sigh as he looked at Farkan. "Fine... We will prepare your supplies tomorrow. And one of the Heavenly Calamities will accompany you on your journey."
Farkan nodded. "Understood."
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End of Chapter