Clear Sky Sect, Cloud Deep Unknown Abode.
A towering castle floated among the clouds, shrouded in mist all year round, radiating an air of isolation and oppression.
Inside a stone hall with a rough-hewn style.
Tai Tan and Niu Tian sat facing each other, neither looking particularly happy.
Just moments ago, the "Lord" in the Divine Realm had sent down a new divine decree.
The gist was: The plan had changed. Huo Yuhao, their pawn, had slipped out of their control. For certain reasons, the Divine Realm couldn't interfere directly for the time being, so they needed to keep a closer eye on things and, if necessary, resort to extreme measures.
"Bah!"
Tai Tan took a long swig of liquor and slammed his cup onto the stone table, sending chips of stone flying.
"What does that Tang San take us for?"
"Back when we went to the Divine Realm, he made it sound so nice, talking about brotherhood and all that. And what happened? He dumped us in this godforsaken place to play babysitter!"
"And now he's the one who's gotten himself into trouble and can't clean up his own mess, so he wants us to take the fall?"
"Does he really think it's still ten thousand years ago, when he could talk us into making a Sacrifice whenever he felt like it?"
Tai Tan, once the king of the forest, had always been short-tempered.
His dissatisfaction with Tang San had been building for ten thousand years.
If it weren't for Sister Xiao Wu, and for the sake of looking after her child, he would've quit long ago.
"Second brother, watch what you say."
Compared to the hot-tempered Tai Tan, Niu Tian was much more composed, but there wasn't much reverence for the God King in his deep eyes either.
"Tang San's in a tough spot now, too. Plenty of people on the God Realm Committee are keeping an eye on him."
"His authority to oversee the lower realms was stripped this time, and his control over them has fallen to rock bottom. That's why he's in such a hurry to contact us."
"So what?"
Tai Tan snorted, his eyes full of disdain.
"His being in a hurry is his problem. What's it got to do with us?"
"I'll ask you one thing: If those so-called 'extreme measures' would hurt Xiao Qi, would we do it or not?"
At the mention of "Xiao Qi," the hardness in Niu Tian's eyes softened at once.
She was Sister Xiao Wu's child, the one they had watched grow up and cherished dearly.
In the hearts of the two of them, her eldest and second uncles, Wang Dong'er meant ten thousand times more than their so-called brother-in-law, Tang San.
"Tang San's plan is his grand scheme for the next ten thousand years."
Niu Tian fell silent for a moment, then spoke slowly, his tone firm as iron:
"But our bottom line is Xiao Qi. That's all."
"If his plan means gambling with Xiao Qi's safety, then he can take that damn plan and throw it to the wolves."
"As for Huo Yuhao, the unexpected variable..."
Niu Tian narrowed his eyes and lightly tapped his fingers on the table.
"If Tang San says he's slipped out of his control, that means the boy has secrets even a God King can't see through."
"There's no need for us to stick our necks out."
"Let's do what we can. As long as Xiao Qi stays safe in the lower realm, that's enough."
"As for the rest... That's a fight between immortals. We're too old to get involved."
After hearing him out, Tai Tan grinned and poured Niu Tian a cup of liquor.
"Heh heh, big brother, that's exactly what I wanted to hear!"
"As long as Xiao Qi doesn't get hurt, Tang San can do whatever he wants!"
Several days later, Mingdu, Sun Moon Empire.
As the most technologically advanced city on the continent, Mingdu was far more prosperous than most people could imagine.
The inner city was especially valuable, with every inch worth a fortune. Only the rich and powerful lived there.
Gu Yuejin brought Huo Yuhao along, and the two strolled around like casual tourists, stopping here and there before finally coming to a halt in front of a vast, imposing estate.
The Hongchen Family.
As a top family that controlled Mingde Hall, the Hongchen Family's estate wasn't merely luxurious—it was an unabashed display of wealth.
The outer walls weren't made of ordinary brick or stone, but of a rare metal capable of absorbing solar energy. In the sunlight, it shimmered with a faint golden-red glow.
The guards standing at the gate all wore the latest Soul Tool Battle Armor, and even the spears in their hands were level-five Soul Tools.
Even the servants coming and going wore clothes made from Soul Tool fabric with self-cleaning functions. They strode about briskly, their faces brimming with the pride of being members of the Hongchen Family.
"Tsk, tsk. This is what you call evil capitalists."
Gu Yuejin sighed. "Yuhao, see that? If we ever make it big, we'll have to pave the bathroom floor at home with this kind of metal."
Huo Yuhao: "..."
His master's aspirations really were simple, unpretentious, and painfully dull.
As soon as the two reached the gate, two guards in battle armor stepped forward.
Gu Yuejin instinctively straightened up, already preparing that "Dragon King smirk."
However.
"May I ask what brings you here? If you're visiting, please present your invitation."
The guards' voices were cool but perfectly polite, and they even bowed slightly. There wasn't a thing to fault in their manners.
"..."
The words Gu Yuejin had prepared caught in his throat.
Wait, what?
Why wasn't this going the way I expected?
Do you two even know how to play NPCs?
Douluo Continent wasn't supposed to be like this!
By the rules, you should've looked down your noses at us, pointed at me, called me some penniless nobody, and told me to get lost!
At the very least, you should've shoved Yuhao and said, "What makes country bumpkins like you think you can come here?"
Then I'd snort, unleash my soul pressure, flash my token, and say, "Are you blind?" before thoroughly wiping the floor with you!
That smooth little combo was what made a wish-fulfillment story fun, you know?
Letting us straight in?
You have absolutely no professional pride!
One star!
One star, I say!
Gu Yuejin helplessly flipped his wrist, and the black Mingde Hall Master Token appeared in his hand.
"Tell Jing Hongchen that Gu Yuejin is here to see him."
The moment the guards saw the token, their pupils contracted.
As private guards of the Hongchen Family, they were all too familiar with its distinctive material and markings.
It was the Family Head Token!
To see the token was to see the family head!
"W-we pay our respects, sir!"
The two guards dropped to one knee without hesitation and gave a crisp military salute, their demeanor instantly becoming utterly respectful.
"We didn't know you were coming, sir. Please forgive us for not welcoming you sooner! Please follow me. I'll inform the family head at once!"
The gates swung open with a roar.
Gu Yuejin put away the token and strode inside with Huo Yuhao.
Guided respectfully by a servant, the two passed through one corridor after another and arrived at a spacious, brightly lit reception hall.
The finest tea had just been served, and they hadn't even had a sip.
"Hahaha! Young friend Gu Yue, you've finally arrived!"
Accompanied by a hearty laugh, the door swung open.
Jing Hongchen still looked round and cheerful as ever as he strode inside.
Two young people with silver hair like his followed behind him.
"Brother Gu Yue!"
As soon as the girl on the left entered, her wine-red eyes lit up like a pair of floodlights.
Meng Hongchen couldn't spare a thought for ladylike restraint. She darted out from behind her grandfather and waved excitedly at Gu Yuejin.
"I knew you'd come! I've been looking forward to it every day!"
The sight of her excited delight made Jing Hongchen's eye twitch.
To Jing Hongchen's right stood a handsome young man with a slender build.
He had the same silver hair as Meng Hongchen, but his eyes were mismatched, one blue and one green, radiating an innate arrogance and coldness.
At that moment, those mismatched eyes were sizing Gu Yuejin up without the slightest courtesy.
There was scrutiny in them, defiance, and even a hint of the fighting spirit that came from meeting someone of his own kind.
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