Chapter 25: Dislike for the Middle-aged Man

"Do you need something from me again?" Lu Jinyan could tell from her expression that she had a request.

"What do you mean by that? Why do you always think the worst of me?" Ali pouted in protest.

"Isn’t it true you want something?"

"Of course not..."

Although Song Yang and Chu Mo hadn't known each other long, Song Yang had witnessed Chu Mo’s intelligence and perception firsthand. Since the Han family had already broken the rules of the competition, there was no reason for the Song family to maintain any unnecessary airs.

"Qingfeng, you mentioned there was a great treasure hidden in this labyrinth, but why haven’t we found it yet?" Luo Yi was still preoccupied with the treasure Daoist Qingfeng had spoken of, and couldn't help but ask in confusion.

The information Hong Jinyao had given about the trial differed in key details from what Princess Yanli had conveyed. Though both spoke of competing for a trial token, the specifics didn't quite match up.

"You..." Shangguan Ning stamped her foot in anger, her beautiful face twisting with barely restrained fury.

She propped herself up, rubbing her drowsy eyes, and looked around, immediately captivated by the strange sights that surrounded her.

"Very well. But, are you sure it’s wise to go after the general like this? Do you really have the strength to pull it off?" Luo Yi’s voice suddenly turned cold, as biting as a winter wind, making both Skinny Monkey and Fat Ox shiver involuntarily.

Sometimes, there are no punishments for breaking moral codes—at most, you’re met with contempt. But Chu Xiangxue believed in keeping her word: if you agree to something and then go back on it, it puts her in an impossible position.

Of course, he only swore because he truly meant it—he would never go back on his word.

Once I understood his meaning, I expressed my understanding. In that situation, anyone would have chosen to save their own life first.

When a person dies, the mission is accomplished: you get both the money and the reputation. It was said that this fellow was the number one agent in all of China, and to have killed him with one’s own hands—was that not fame and fortune both?

"You've seen for yourself—they’re all out right now. If there’s nothing urgent, you’d best go home and get some rest," Leng Xuanye said coolly to Mu Zhiruo, sensing Yu Mo’s anxiety and unease.

The Grand Elder waved his hand and disappeared into the void, and all the other figures vanished as well. The summit of Ten Thousand Dragons Mountain returned to its former tranquility, as if nothing had happened at all.

As Xiao Qi stepped into the hall, he felt a sense of familiarity—he had seen these two barbarians somewhere before. Their features, their garb, were utterly distinct from the styles of the three great empires on the Thunder Continent, making them easy to remember.

Jun Mo’s eyes narrowed slightly. He recognized that what Kerr had just performed was an ancient court ritual—he never expected to witness it here.

"Lan’er, this doesn’t concern you. You’d best pretend you know nothing," Mu Zhiruo said coldly, giving Ouyang Lan’er a sidelong glance.

"Master Ji, my name is Bai Hualou. It’s an honor to meet you." Hualou stepped forward, her voice soft yet distant, carrying both pride and reserve—a perfect balance of deference and dignity.

He had hoped to use this time to get closer to them, but now, it seemed there was no chance.

Hua Shuo was an old subordinate of his, powerful and seasoned in battle; his strength far surpassed that of most late-stage Demon Emperor cultivators.

In Xiang Ye’s camp, those lords and generals who had not yet departed sat clustered around low tables.

"It’s nothing. Did you inform her family of your marriage?" Ignoring Feng Yichen’s questions, Leng Xuanye deftly changed the subject.

Are you upset? You trained so hard, slayed demons, risked everything to protect the honor of the Northern Star Sect, and always took pride in your title as Celestial Master. Now, through no fault of your own, I have implicated you, and in front of everyone, you’ve been branded as someone who practiced dual cultivation with demons. You are now a demon in their eyes—your name will never be cleared. Does it pain you?