40. City of Flowers and Birds (2)

After much pleading from me, Yan Jingxi finally relented and asked the doctor, who then begrudgingly allowed me one egg and a small portion of pickled vegetables.

However, after this incident, Jin Junmei became much quieter. Xu Wei kept glancing at him sideways while driving.

"Old Guo, you have to help me, I'm begging you. I'll pay you back every cent I owe you," Old Chen sobbed.

The moment he landed, Hulk sprang to his feet, his eyes burning red. Like a heavy tank, he charged straight toward Xiao Lin.

"Grandma, you don't know, but when we met the big brother on the plane that day, his neck was covered in bruises, patch after patch. It was only after I insisted that Dad looked at them for him and prescribed him some ointment," Liangliang chirped, recounting what had happened.

"Haha..." Faced with this sort of awkward comparison that felt like he had been "seen through," Yun Yeyao could only manage a hollow laugh to mask his embarrassment—though he kept the true extent of his awkwardness hidden deep inside.

In the open lot, two groups of people were crowded together, shouting insults and shoving one another. It looked like a brawl was about to break out, yet the surrounding onlookers showed no intention of intervening; they were clearly just there to watch the show.

"What’s inappropriate about it? Don't worry, I’ve brought enough men to guarantee Jin Junmei’s safety," Bao Erqin assured Xu Wei.

"Nonsense! Let me tell you, you harmed my sister—you’re as good as dead! Lightning Repelling Spell!" I fumbled for a talisman in my pocket and unleashed a bolt of heavenly lightning.

Indeed, the person who had caused Long Yun'er’s expression to change—the one who least should have appeared on the light screen, yet was the most logical to be there—was Old Huang, the elderly security guard who had left with Jin Wan earlier but had clearly returned.

As the second wave of minions arrived, Wang Hao used his skills to secure the last hits, hitting level 2 first. He didn't rush to allocate his skill point, instead stepping back slightly to wait for the crocodile to initiate.

Deities governed by laws, like the God of Light, are wealthy and powerful; they often bestow favors upon the clans they deem worthy. Yet, these clans have no freedom whatsoever. Betrayal leads only to death. They are nothing more than dogs, and even to be a dog, many would fight tooth and nail just for the chance.

***

As expected, at Zhu Yuanzhang’s command, the two Zhu brothers charged out in the lead. The others didn't dwell on Zhu Yuanzhang's somewhat embarrassing display just moments before. As Liu Zhang brushed past him, he let out a whistle, causing Zhu Yuanzhang to narrow his eyes.

Although the Blood Tooth Mercenary Group hadn't officially stepped forward, it was clear that the monsters near the village were being released by them at regular intervals.

Li Xuan dissipated the power of his Demonic Flame Domain and mobilized his Life Domain instead. Walking through the gloomy mist, he found the pressure still within a tolerable range.

When faced with Butler Jin’s recurring, eerie smile, Long Yun'er felt as if an unknown giant beast had opened its maw, ready to swallow her whole.

The loss of these two territories left Jin and the Huaxia region without any geographical barrier. If they were to attack, and if he insisted on refusing to negotiate, he would truly have to make a desperate last stand and leave it to fate.

It was true; back in the tier-two professional league, Li Tianya had been beaten so badly by Chen Ran that he likely still carried the psychological scars.

"Because I am your future husband. Since we are to be a future couple, having a telepathic connection shouldn't be a problem, right?" Lu Lin said with a solemn, straight-faced, and utterly shameless expression.

The readers might have been whispering among themselves, wondering how Li Hui, a "mischievous general" full of wild schemes, could possibly know how to capture demons and ward off monsters. Isn't this just a charade?

"Sect Leader, the enemy is at our doorstep! If we don't fight back, we’ll lose the prestige of our sect!" an old master of the Unity stage remarked.

"Manman, are you going or not? I’ve already had Ye Beiming book the table for me," Long Xuanyan said, his brow furrowed in frustration.

Dong Xie-zhi stopped dodging because he knew he couldn't. Huaxia’s forbidden weapons were even more terrifying than those of his own Dongying. He was desperate to know if Ding Ning could dodge this second forbidden weapon; he suspected that even he would have no way out.

As everyone knew, Li Yunxuan had been stripped of his status as Crown Prince and driven out of the palace; Lin Feng had been accompanying him ever since, and Li Yunxuan was naturally grateful for Lin Feng's support.

***

Now, it wasn't just the powerful cultivators watching the duel; even ordinary people were staring up at the sky.

Hefeng Township was the place of birth in Xu Ping’s memories. He had lived there until he was ten. After his parents died in a car accident when he was ten, he had followed an old gentleman to Qingqiu City.

Between heaven and earth, holding the Yin and embracing the Yang, all things have spirits and their own way of existing. The ancient tree, having been nourished for years by the flesh and blood of the Ice Serpent, had begun to develop a rudimentary spirit. However, as it absorbed and devoured living flesh, it was inevitably eroded by the resentment of the thousands of monsters that had died there.

The figure in the black robe looked grave. He began to form seals with his hands, his body flickering in and out of sight within the sphere of spiritual energy, yet he could not vanish completely.

"He was always a vulgar person to begin with; you can't expect him to come up with any elegant names," the White Queen said with disdain.

"Jin Feng, are you unaware of the rule of first come, first served?" Mo Ke’s face darkened as he stared coldly at Jin Feng.

She was Lin Bixiao’s best friend, and even if Lin Bixiao refused to admit it, that did not mean the fact was any less true.

"What, what is going on here?" Yang Zhong muttered, shaking his head vigorously, convinced he was dreaming.