Great Xia Imperial City, Zhiming Marquisate. As the day of the great battle drew nearer and nearer, the marquisate instead became strangely tranquil. In the study, Ning Chen spent most of his time recuperating and regulating his breath, preparing for the battle to come.
Mu Chengxue had come. Her silences had grown increasingly frequent. Many times, she did not say a single word, merely standing quietly in the room, gazing toward the imperial palace as she sank into memories and contemplation.
Xia Ziyi remained in secluded cultivation. Within and without the secret chamber, demonic aura churned heavily. The emperor had entered demonhood with his own body, exhausting every effort to win humanity its final hope.
For this battle of utmost importance, the three bore the hopes of countless human experts. The Nether King's terrifying strength had left humanity unable to see even a sliver of light. This battle would be the most critical confrontation between mankind and the gods.
In the study, Ruoxi pushed open the door and entered, carrying freshly brewed bitter tea. She set it beside Ning Chen.
"Marquis, does your head still hurt?" A trace of distress flashed across Ruoxi's beautiful face as she asked softly.
"It's nothing. I can still hold on," Ning Chen said calmly as he opened his eyes.
Ruoxi lifted the bitter tea, tears unconsciously brimming in her eyes. "Ruoxi is of lowly status. The Marquis did not disdain me and allowed me to remain in the marquisate. I had no right to say much, but Ruoxi still begs the Marquis—no matter what, you must return alive."
She knew that the enemy the Marquis would face this time was unlike any before: a true god, a god humanity had never defeated, whether in myth or reality.
Ning Chen rose and walked to the