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Clear Sky Sect, Cloud Deep Unknown Abode.

The towering castle floated amidst the clouds, shrouded in mist year-round, exuding an air of mystery and oppression that cut it off from the world.

Inside a stone hall filled with a rugged aesthetic.

Titan and Niu Tian sat facing each other, both wearing grim expressions.

Just moments ago, that "Lord" from the God Realm had delivered a new divine decree.

The gist of it was: the plan had changed, Huo Yuhao, that chess piece, had slipped from their control. The God Realm, for certain reasons, couldn't directly intervene for now, so they needed to keep a close watch on this end, even resorting to extreme measures when necessary.

"Pah!"

Titan downed a gulp of strong liquor and slammed his cup heavily onto the stone table, sending stone chips flying.

"That Tang San, what does he take us for?"

"When he came to the God Realm back then, he talked all sweet, going on about brotherly bonds. And now? He dumps us in this godforsaken place to play babysitters!"

"Now that he's screwed up up there and can't clean up his own mess, he wants us to take the fall?"

"Does he really think it's still ten thousand years ago, when he could just talk us into sacrificing ourselves?"

As the former Forest King, Titan had always had a fiery temper.

His resentment toward Tang San had been festering for ten thousand years.

If it weren't for Sister Xiao Wu, for watching over Sister Xiao Wu's child, he would have walked out long ago.

"Second brother, watch your tongue."

Compared to the hotheaded Titan, Niu Tian was far more composed, though his deep eyes held little reverence for the God King either.

"Tang San's not in a good spot right now either. Plenty of people on the God Realm Committee have their eyes on him."

"This time, he's been stripped of his oversight authority, and his grip on the lower realm has hit rock bottom. That's why he's rushing to contact us."

"So what?"

Titan snorted coldly, disdain clear in his eyes.

"His problems are his own. What's that got to do with us?"

"Let me ask you this: if that so-called 'extreme measure' ends up hurting Xiao Qi, do we do it or not?"

At the name "Xiao Qi," the hardness in Niu Tian's eyes softened instantly.

She was Sister Xiao Wu's child, the apple of their eye they'd watched grow up.

In the hearts of these two elder uncles, Wang Dong'er's weight was ten thousand times heavier than that so-called brother-in-law, Tang San.

"Tang San's plan is his grand scheme of ten thousand years."

Niu Tian was silent for a moment, then spoke slowly, his tone firm as iron:

"But our bottom line is only Xiao Qi."

"If his plan gambles with Xiao Qi's safety, then let his damn plan go to hell."

"As for that variable, Huo Yuhao..."

Niu Tian narrowed his eyes, his fingers lightly tapping the table.

"Since Tang San says he's slipped out of control, it means that kid has secrets even a God King can't see through."

"We don't need to stick our necks out."

"Just do our best, as long as we keep Xiao Qi safe and sound in the lower realm."

"As for the rest... that's a clash of gods. These two old bones of ours better not meddle."

Titan listened, then grinned wide, pouring Niu Tian a drink.

"Heh heh, big brother, I was waiting for you to say that!"

"As long as Xiao Qi doesn't get wronged, Tang San can do whatever the hell he wants!"

A few days later, Sun Moon Empire, Mingdu.

As the most technologically advanced city on the continent, Mingdu's prosperity far exceeded ordinary imagination.

The inner city, in particular, was a place where land was worth its weight in gold. Only the rich and powerful lived here.

Gu Yuejin led Huo Yuhao like two leisurely tourists, stopping and starting as they went, until they finally halted before a sprawling, imposing mansion.

Hongchen Family.

As the top-tier clan controlling Mingde Hall, the Hongchen Family's estate wasn't just luxurious—it was a blatant display of wealth.

The outer walls weren't ordinary brick and stone, but some rare metal that absorbed solar energy, gleaming with a faint golden-red luster under the sun.

The guards at the gate were all clad in the latest Soul Tool Battle Armor, and even the spears in their hands were fifth-tier Soul Tools.

Even the servants coming and going wore clothes made of self-cleaning Soul Tool fabric, striding with an air of superiority, their faces practically screaming, "I'm a member of the Hongchen Family."

"Tsk tsk, this is what you call filthy rich capitalists."

Gu Yuejin sighed, "Yuhao, see that? If we make it big someday, even the bathroom floor at home should be paved with this kind of metal."

Huo Yuhao: "..."

His master's aspirations were truly simple, unadorned, and dull.

Just as the two reached the main gate, two guards in battle armor stepped forward.

Gu Yuejin instinctively straightened his back, the corner of his mouth already curving into that "Dragon King Smirk."

However.

"May I ask your business here? If you are visitors, please present a visiting card."

The guard's voice was cold and hard, but his politeness was impeccable, even including a slight bow.

"..."

The lines Gu Yuejin had prepared got stuck right in his throat.

This isn't right!

How is the script different from what I imagined?

Don't you two know how to play NPCs?

Douluo Continent isn't like this at all!

According to the basics, you should first look down on me, point at my nose, call me some poor wretch, and tell me to get lost!

At the very least, you should shove Yuhao around and say, 'Do you think this is a place for country bumpkins like you?'

Then I'd let out a cold laugh, release my soul pressure, flash the token, and say, 'You've got blind dog eyes,' thoroughly slapping your faces!

That smooth combo is what makes a satisfying story experience, understand?

Letting us through directly?

You have absolutely no professional integrity!

Bad review!

Bad review!

Gu Yuejin helplessly flipped his wrist, and the pitch-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 constricted.

That unique material and pattern—as private soldiers of the Hongchen Family, they were all too familiar with it.

That was the Family Head Token!

Seeing the token was like seeing the family head!

"We... we pay our respects, sir!"

The two guards didn't hesitate. They knelt on one knee and executed a standard military salute, their attitudes instantly becoming reverent.

"Not knowing you were arriving, we failed to welcome you properly! Please follow me, I will immediately report to the family head!"

The main gate swung open with a bang.

Gu Yuejin put away the token and swaggered inside with Huo Yuhao.

Under the respectful guidance of a servant, the two passed through layers of corridors and arrived at a spacious, bright reception hall.

Fine tea had just been served, and they hadn't even taken a sip.

"Hahaha! Young friend Gu Yue! You've finally come!"

Accompanied by a hearty laugh, the door was pushed open.

Jing Hongchen, still looking plump and smiling, strode in.

Behind him followed two young people with the same silver hair.

"Brother Gu Yue!"

The girl on the left, the moment she entered, her wine-red beautiful eyes lit up like giant light bulbs.

Meng Hongchen completely ignored any ladylike reserve, darting out from behind her grandfather and waving excitedly at Gu Yuejin.

"I knew you'd come! I've been looking forward to it every day!"

Her exuberant look made Jing Hongchen's eye twitch from the side.

On Jing Hongchen's right stood a tall, handsome young man with a refined face.

He shared the same silver hair as Meng Hongchen, but his eyes were a pair of heterochromatic blue and green, exuding an innate arrogance and coldness.

At that moment, those heterochromatic eyes were sizing up Gu Yuejin without any restraint.

Carrying a hint of scrutiny, a hint of provocation, and a hint... of Fighting Spirit from encountering a kindred spirit.