The Four Kings Meet

The imperial decree had been urgent, and the eunuch delivering the summons had been exceedingly forceful in his manner. Left with no choice, Lin Qi headed straight for the imperial city the moment he returned to the capital.

In the square before Heaven-Buttressing Hall, Lin Qi met Ying Zheng.

Dressed in a black robe, Ying Zheng looked radiant as he stood with his head lowered, watching a line of ants foraging across the square. A great pile of broken rice had been scattered on the ground, mixed with honey. Swarms upon swarms of black-headed ants were happily rushing over, carrying away the tiny grains one by one.

Ying Zheng was the only person in the vast square. Led over by the eunuch, Lin Qi had just reached Ying Zheng's side and was about to bow when Ying Zheng lightly waved a hand. "Forget it. Skip those empty formalities. Don't disturb them. Look, they're very happy!"

Lin Qi glanced at the ants on the ground and could only force a helpless smile. "Your Majesty's thoughts are unfathomable. This subject truly..."

Ying Zheng smiled, straightened, and looked at Lin Qi. Then the corner of his mouth suddenly twitched. Seeing that Lin Qi had abruptly grown two inches taller and several times broader, Ying Zheng asked in alarm, "You only went to Heavenly Armament Valley. How did you end up like this? Could those dwarves really turn a living man into this in just five days?"

Patting his belly in distress, Lin Qi furrowed his brow. "This subject had to cultivate battle energy anew. My body lacked proper tempering, and I indulged myself a little too much in Heavenly Armament Valley, so... it's a long story. I don't want this figure either."

Ying Zheng twisted his mouth. A remarkably powerful wave of spiritual