Undercurrents Beneath Still Waters, Flames of War in the Holy City (Happy National Day)

Lei Zhan Marquis Manor, Purple Thunder Pavilion.

This was a small courtyard separate from the marquis manor's main complex, with an exceptionally tranquil environment.

At the center of the courtyard stood an exquisite pavilion constructed entirely from Purple Heart Thunder Bamboo. Its entire structure emitted a faint purple halo and pure Thunder Yuan Qi.

Powerful isolation restrictions and Spirit Gathering Arrays had been laid around the pavilion. The heaven-and-earth yuan qi was so dense it nearly liquefied, making this one of the finest places for secluded cultivation within the marquis manor.

Blood Hidden Elder sat cross-legged on a cushion in the center of the quiet room.

He did not immediately refine those Pledge Treasures. Now was not the right time.

Little Mouse? That is rather interesting. Blood Hidden Elder's thoughts flickered.

Buzz—!

The powerful isolation restrictions outside the quiet room suddenly fluctuated faintly without warning. They had not been forcibly attacked, but eroded by an extremely icy force that seemed capable of freezing spacetime.

The temperature throughout Purple Thunder Pavilion plummeted. A layer of dark-blue ice crystals instantly covered the surface of the Purple Heart Thunder Bamboo, producing faint cracking sounds. Even the dense yuan qi flowing through the courtyard seemed frozen stiff, becoming sluggish and viscous.

Almost at the same time.

Jingle, jingle, jingle—!

A crisp and pleasant, yet incomparably eerie sound of the Resentment Bell pierced through the restrictions without obstruction and rang directly within the quiet room, as though it could penetrate the divine soul and reach the depths of one's heart.

The bell initially sounded beautiful, but it instantly became chaotic and disorderly, filled with a maddening sense of confusion. It seemed intent on stripping away one's mind and forcibly pouring in misfortune. An invisible, incomparably vicious curse of "bad luck" wound toward Blood Hidden Elder