Dharma Aspect Realm

The Bone Invitation hung in the Exchange's back end.

Four words stood out.

The Abyss Sovereign is cordially invited.

Little White stared at the invitation, crushing the bone cup in her hand to powder.

"I'm going to tear it apart."

Lucifer looked up. "The invitation, or the one who sent it?"

Little White sneered. "Both."

Yang Yan said nothing.

A flame of destruction burned in her palm, its layers folding inward.

Moro studied the invitation, his voice grim. "The Shepherd dared to name the location. That means he's already laid a trap at the End of Dark River."

Xilan added, "A trap made specifically for you."

"What the Primordial Offspring needs most."

"He knows you care about Jin."

"And that you care about why you were targeted so long ago."

The God of All Machines projected a screen of predictions.

Three days from now. The End of Dark River. The Bone Auction.

More than a thousand possibilities appeared on the screen.

Ninety-nine percent were red.

Assassination.

Sealing.

Relocation.

Capture alive.

Sacrifice.

One possibility stood out most of all.

[Target: Capture the suspected vessel for Jin's revival]

Little White narrowed her eyes. "He thinks you're a vessel?"

Yang Yu looked at the words and smiled.

"He can dream."

Tie Tu stood nearby, a chill running down his spine.

This was no auction.

Someone had sharpened a knife, laid it on the table, and invited Yang Yu to put his own neck beneath it.

Tie Tu spoke cautiously. "My lord, should we lie low for now? Three days isn't enough time. The Shepherd must have calculated that we can't prepare in time."

Yang Yu did not answer.

He reached out and took hold of the Bone Invitation.

A cold will stirred within it.

"Abyss Sovereign."

"If you do not come,