News spread that Dongfang Da Qian had announced he was going into seclusion, temporarily shelving all subsequent plans.
The capital was thrown into an uproar. At such a critical juncture, every second counted, yet he had chosen to go into seclusion. This was undoubtedly tantamount to voluntarily withdrawing from the competition.
So far, Lian Feihong was far ahead in first place. With Dongfang Da Qian, his greatest threat, now in seclusion, there was no rival left as far as the eye could see. He could already defend his position as the next Sealed Lord.
All that remained was to remove the Royal Family's obstruction, and victory would be right before his eyes.
Against this backdrop, an old acquaintance from the Golden Immortal Path came to find Zhou You. The visitor was... Si Xinmochi.
"Where have you been, old sir? Why are you only showing yourself now?"
When Zhou You saw Si Xinmochi, he studied him for a moment. Though he knew full well that Si Xinmochi had been hiding in the northern lands, he still feigned surprise.
"Governor of Qingchu Prefecture, you possess half an identity in the Golden Immortal Path. You are one of our own."
"This cataclysm that overturned the heavens was all orchestrated by Lord Chongyang from behind the curtain. That beast must be eliminated before the truth can be restored to the world. The deaths of the Sealed Lord and Consort Mei, the sudden upheaval in the capital—they were all sins committed by him."
The Eight Hounds of Chengtian had once shared a close relationship with Lord Chongyang, half master and half friend.
Si Xinmochi had once worshipped Lord Chongyang above all else, regarding him as a god. Yet now, he hated him so fiercely that his teeth ground together.
Only after asking did Zhou You