The Abyssal Lord's Threat

Everyone was busy, each seeming to be preparing for something.

But Chu Ming knew: among these people, how many were true allies, how many were hidden agents lying in wait, how many were pawns controlled by others, and how many were puppets like Yan Lie—still usable even after death?

He withdrew his gaze and said lightly, "From the moment Kong Mingzi died, I knew someone was setting the board. I just didn't expect the scheme to run so deep, or for them to have waited so long."

Li Xuan remained silent.

Chu Ming continued, "First came Kong Mingzi's forged suicide letter framing me. Then Nether Three's ambush. Then the Yan Lie puppet's false accusations. Every step was timed to the moment, every step meant to leave me isolated and helpless."

He paused, the corners of his lips curling into a smile.

The smile was faint, yet it carried a hint of control.

"But they forgot one thing."

Li Xuan asked, "What?"

Chu Ming looked at him, his gaze calm. "The harder they push me like this, the more it proves they're afraid I'll go in. Afraid that I'll break through amid the Order Tide." Li Xuan's eyes sharpened.

Chu Ming continued, "If Yan Yuan truly were half a step from becoming a Domain Lord, why would he need all these schemes and tricks? He could simply kill me himself. But he didn't." "He can't."

"Or rather, he doesn't dare."

Li Xuan seemed thoughtful. "Because of the seal?"

Chu Ming nodded. "Though the seal has loosened, it still suppresses beings at the Great Lord level.

"If he acts personally, he'll likely trigger a backlash from the seal. That's why he can only use these people and these methods to force me to exhaust my mind before entering the seal—or stop me