Volume 1, Chapter 23: Those Who Can Afford Hospitalization Are No Ordinary People!

At this moment, Lian Wushuang pressed his fingers together like a sword and brushed them across the surface of the mirror. Inside the glass, ethereal shadows swirled, conjuring scene after scene of landscapes. Though the scenery shifted incessantly, a single figure in red remained constant.

"Tianci is quite the sword expert; watching him is worth the time," Ghost Hand replied, preparing to follow.

He was born with an empty spirit root, abandoned by his parents in infancy and tormented by illness. It was not until his master sacrificed his own life span to grant him a rebirth that his physical suffering finally ended. Yet, this pain merely migrated into his psyche, coinciding with the disintegration of the Qin family and his master's mysterious disappearance.

"Very well, you have passed this palace. Remember my advice." The white ape-creature grinned, then transformed into a single strand of hair that drifted slowly to the ground.

The death of so many of their kin infuriated the Qidi beasts, who were at the peak of the Soul-Supreme Realm. What angered them even more was the sudden detection of strange metallic energy ahead.

Being a steward was no easy task. Having served Lihuo for so many years, he not only managed the daily affairs of the household but also had to memorize the names and faces of every prince and minister who served alongside his master, never daring to make a single mistake.

"Move, your head!" Ye Liangchen snapped, snatching up a folding stool from the side and leading the crowd in a charge toward me.

Xiong Ba was startled at first; to think that his full-out effort was viewed by the other party as nothing more than "foolish child's play." Then, a wave of relief washed over him. By all accounts, at this stage, the other party could have flayed him alive without consequence, but given Qin Shou's words, could it be that he truly intended to treat his illness?

With a dull thud, Fautrier suddenly accelerated. This time, his movements were visible to the naked eye, yet Zhen Shifeng lost his composure. He blindly piled up black sand in front of him, but after only two seconds, the thick protective wall was completely obliterated.

Qin Shou lay on his bed, clutching a fox-shaped pillow, tossing and turning, unable to find a moment of peace.

Ying Lü let out a sigh of relief. Her gaze, previously distant and aimless, grew firm and confident. She cast a faint smile toward Hashiqi and turned to head back.

***

Ru'e laughed with excitement and charged forward, but Baili suddenly reached out to block the attack.

Facing Momo’s sword momentum, Roger first took a step back, tilting his body slightly to evade the sweep. Then, stepping forward with his right foot, his rapier darted out like a viper’s tongue, thrusting toward Momo’s vital points.

From beginning to end, the man never looked around. Had he done so, he would have discovered Ling Changxi’s gaze, brimming with a soft, lingering affection.

Doyle guessed that Johnson had already rushed to the heart of the battle. He turned immediately and headed toward the area where the Behemoth was wreaking havoc.

Hearing Lillian’s words, Han Feng was startled. He looked at his own body and only then realized he was currently in human form.

Yet now, the anxiety, fear, loneliness, and helplessness slowly rising in her heart were devouring the little sense of security Yixia had managed to possess—the warmth and safety she had painstakingly gained from that person.

"I am a fox; I do not eat the flesh of my own beast-kin," Lu Zihuai ultimately used this reason to coldly refuse Chu Xun.

Wherever the Black Swan dog ran, the light followed! It clung like a shadow, as if inseparable as glue and lacquer. Both were items created by Mo Yimeng’s witchcraft, and they seemed to share a mysterious connection.

"Luo Yiyun... he didn't die?" Luo Yiqing said, her voice trembling. They had received news that Luo Yiyun had arrived in Baili as an envoy of the Aqi Kingdom. It seemed they had all come to seek revenge. Yet, she did not want it to be now; she had hoped for it to occur only after Baili had unified the world and reached the peak of its power.

Canghai smiled indifferently and rose to leave. I remained where I stood. Before long, Xiren entered, her eyes red; it was clear she had just been crying.

I sat with Shunzhi and the Empress Dowager on chairs in the courtyard. The servants had already brought out charcoal braziers, fruits, and pastries. Even though it was winter, I did not feel a hint of cold.

***

Seeing his look of lingering unwillingness, Zhang Qingting felt a sudden urge to shed tears of sympathy for the customers being fleeced. A ten-percent increase was essentially doubling the price! Their net profit was only slightly less than Pan Maoguang’s own. If such extortionate pricing wasn't the definition of a profiteer, Zhang Qingting truly didn't know how the word was spelled.

Nodding firmly, Han Ning said, "There is no other way now; this must be done. I must save the Prince. If I succeed, this place shall serve as a tomb for him and me." Her expression was earnest, devoid of fear. As long as they could die together, what did she have to fear?

However, before he could get fully close, he instantly sensed an energy wave, swift as lightning, striking toward him.

Mo Ji’s hand slipped from her shoulder as Ye Huang spoke softly. He noticed Ye Huang’s shoulders slump immediately. She then glanced ahead; though it was a fleeting look, he felt a surge of anger rising from within his heart.

The energy orb provided power to the formation, which in turn converted that power into energy for Sun Zhi. Thus, once the energy in the orb was exhausted, the formation would cease to exist.

Subsequently, the demonic shadow flickered and appeared above the Thousand-Soul Bell. Two large hands suddenly formed a seal. The bell shook violently for a moment, let out a mournful cry, and all the black mist on its surface was drawn back inside.

Yin Huanyu had no time to focus on his psychological state; he merely waved his hand impatiently, signaling for him to leave.

"Silly girl, don't be afraid. I am by your side, and besides, this is just a dream. Don't worry." Wei Junze reached out, placing his fingertips over Yu Muxun's eyes, and gently wiped them with his thumb.

Crafting this universe-defying, super-invincible mooncake had taken Chen Fan half the day. The remaining half was spent preparing for tomorrow's celebratory feast.