Volume 1, Chapter 41: Yet She Came Anyway

Meanwhile, at Gu Jinyan’s home.

Jiang Chenyu had long since blocked all the numbers that needed blocking. She didn't even notice that a piece of junk mail had slipped into her spam folder. After finishing her meal, she looked up and met Qin Feishi’s piercing, focused gaze. Embarrassed, she glanced at Gu Jinyan beside her and asked, "Have... have you both eaten?"

"Yes, we have," Qin Feishi replied, pulling himself together. He then tentatively asked, "Sister-in-law, have we met before?" In truth, the moment he saw Jiang Chenyu without makeup today, he had recognized her as the "Mountain Dweller." Asking now was merely a pretext to strike up a conversation. Thanks to the nourishment of spiritual energy, she had grown taller and no longer looked malnourished.

The Heavenly Emperor’s Seal was of immense importance; it required not only formidable destiny but also profound strength, lest it be seized by demons.

Xu Miaomiao felt cold sweat drenching her back. It took her a long time to calm her nerves, and gathering her courage, she slowly lowered the torch. She saw a face covered in blood and disheveled hair, staring up at her with an expression of desperate anticipation.

Ming Xu looked down quietly at the rice cakes in the oil-paper wrapping—the most ordinary kind, still bearing a few sugar crystals from melted frosting. He chuckled softly, "Heh." Looking out the window, the orange-red sunset filled his eyes, casting a crimson glow that was chilling to behold.

"Anyone whom Liu Li has belittled is unworthy of her attention. It seems I was mistaken," Baili Haochen said. Hearing Nangong Liuli’s assessment, the knot in his heart instantly untied.

"I forgot!" Xu Miaomiao felt no need to tell Qiu Ling about the bracelet, so she brushed the question aside.

How could Princess Lin’an admit to Lin Miaomiao that she was about to lose out? With her precious, haughty temperament, she had been tolerating Lin Miaomiao all along.

"I’ve written down the names of those with talent," Lin Miaomiao said. As soon as she finished, Ruyu posted the list on the factory wall.

***

Bi Zhanzhi’s voice possessed immense penetrating power; many guests downstairs looked toward him and shook their heads helplessly. Although it is difficult for fierce beasts to achieve enlightenment, once they reach the Quasi-Emperor realm, the malice within their souls is no longer a sign of an ignorant mind.

"Senior brother, senior brother, what’s wrong?" Zixin shouted as she saw Ziyang plummeting rapidly. Seeing he didn't respond, she rushed forward to catch him.

Hearing this, Wu Sanxing let out a cold laugh, while Jiang Yun was determined to stop caring about their lives.

A faint pink hue appeared on the rose’s petals, as flushed as the blush on a groom’s face after kissing his bride. However, the thorn had not yet pierced her heart, so the center of the rose remained pale, for only the blood from the very depths of a nightingale’s heart could dye the core of a rose.

After traveling eighty miles, a sandstorm suddenly arose. Jin Lü and two other powerful figures walked at the front, each using their own methods to scout for risks ahead.

Shen Aoning, who had been listening intently to Han Muxi’s explanation, looked at him with slight helplessness, her mind filled with quiet murmurs.

Gu Qian nodded, fetched a cup, and the two sat by the window, watching the night view of Paris.

In other words, Xi Zhong was Guo Ye’s future father-in-law, so he was exceptionally concerned about the young master.

Qiang Qu was no Yufuluo; having galloped across the grasslands for so many years, he naturally possessed some skills.

"Alright, I’m going to the church with them. You two enjoy your time together!" Zhui Nuo waved her hand, gesturing for him to "keep at it."

It must be the mysterious Yin-Yang lineage. Perhaps that was why Xiang Kai was so well-versed in Guo Jia’s affairs and had foreseen the events that followed.

Moreover, upon entering the Sea of Souls, Mo Tian would have to face the spiritual essence of Guanyin, known as the Second Buddha of the Western Heaven. To battle her in her own Sea of Souls, while she was nearly at her peak strength, was a challenge even Mo Tian dared not take lightly.

Hounded by constant pursuit, Charles and the others were fortunately not in immediate danger, as both the Soviet Union and the United States intended to capture them alive.

By the dim light, one could faintly see sharp weapons scattered across the room—all manner of blades strewn about, with dark, dried stains on the floor resembling old blood.

Outside the earthen wall, Hinata suddenly opened her eyes: "Gentle Fist Art: Protection of the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms." Two fine chakra threads emerged from her palms, even thinner than those used by puppeteers.

***

"Well done!" Having just received a personal demonstration from his senior sister, Jiang Wei naturally understood what he needed to do.

"I saw it. Everyone on the ship has been killed by Shaw. The ship won't be stopping," Charles said, lowering his hand from his temple.

"Bastard! How dare you destroy my body!" Hidan, now just a head, shouted in rage. This outburst alerted Chiyo, Zui Meng, and Kakuzu to Hidan’s state, though Neji had noticed long ago.

This warrior wore a golden helmet, a suit of golden armor, a deep purple cloak with dark gold patterns, and held a gleaming seven-foot golden blade! Who else could this be but Wang Xi, the King of Goryeo?

"Hm? Jiraiya, why are you here?" Tsunade asked, looking slightly stunned.

At this moment, the Western Army's mission was to defend Guanzhong against the Jin; the Central Army stood in a standoff with the Jin near Taiyuan; the Eastern Army was tasked with threatening Youyun to tie up the bulk of the Jin forces; and the Northern Army was to wreak havoc in the Jin heartland to prevent them from reinforcing the front lines.

The Wolf God, having lost the power provided by its statue, could not repair its broken and battered limbs. Constant strikes left it in such pain it could no longer think, moving now purely on instinct. Zhuang Jian, gasping for breath, could only pause to recover a little energy before launching the next round of attacks.

"I can use at most two or three more intermediate spells," Jane said, clearly aware of her own state.

That so-called "Master" Yan Feng appeared even more pathetic than the streamer; his legs gave way, and with a thud, he collapsed to his knees in terror.

Though the words were simple, Yan Di felt as if Qin Yu were standing right beside him, whispering in his ear. He could feel Qin Yu’s emotions—a warning, yet also a sign of care and genuine concern for his well-being.

Regardless, the rules of this martial arts tournament stipulated a fight to the death, though in previous matches, there had been almost no loss of life.

Leng Yi didn't pay much attention to what Ren Sinian meant by her question, his focus remaining on the luxurious, expensive watch in the magazine.