Atop the Mountain, Thunder City Awaits

The quiet secret chamber, yet Ning Fengzhi's heart could not find peace.

If things were truly as he suspected, then he would have to take up the mission of the stone man, to pass down ancient secrets for those of the future.

But now the demon had already revived, and ancient matters were exposed to the entire continent, known to all. There was no need for him to pass on any messages.

Then, what use was he?

Ning Fengzhi's pupils contracted, his thoughts a tangled mess.

After pondering for a long time, he still had no clue and could only sigh deeply.

Valmont, oh Valmont, did you know that the demon has now revived, and all of human society faces a crisis?

If you were living now, what would you do?

Ning Fengzhi, with his mind full of worries, walked to a nearby seat and sat down, his eyes fixed on the stone man before him.

Late at night, he felt waves of fatigue wash over him, and he drifted off to sleep.

The next day.

In the secret chamber, Ning Fengzhi summoned Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo once more.

After a night of contemplation, he had made up his mind.

"I have decided to establish a force to counter the demon and protect humanity's safety."

"What?" Sword Douluo was stunned at first, then looked at him, "But Fengzhi, aren't you the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"

Ning Fengzhi nodded and said, "But what I am about to do may bring great trouble to the sect. Therefore, I must act in secret to ensure that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is not implicated. This is my promise to the sect as its master."

Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo fell silent for a long time after hearing this.

There was something they wanted to say, but they did not speak.

Of course, the safest option for Ning Fengzhi would be to do nothing and remain peacefully as the Sect Master.

But they also knew that if the demon truly descended and ruled the world, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would not be able to escape disaster.

What Ning Fengzhi was about to do was not only to protect the world, but also to protect the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

"Then what do you plan to do, Fengzhi? Will you use people from the sect?"

"Yes, I want to use some members of the sect's Dark Squad. However, although the Dark Squad is loyal and discreet, their strength is still lacking. You have all seen the strength of the demon; only Titled Douluo can fight them..."

"I understand." Sword Douluo nodded and affirmed, "I will join."

"I will join too." Gu Rong said from the side, his gaze also firm as he looked at Ning Fengzhi.

They had followed Ning Fengzhi for so long that they had already established a deep bond with him. It could be said that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could be destroyed, but Fengzhi could not die.

"Good, thank you, Uncle Jian, Uncle Gu." Ning Fengzhi cupped his hands in thanks.

Having received the answer he wanted, he began to proceed with the next step of his plan.

Without the involvement of these two Titled Douluo, he truly would not have had the courage to confront the demon.

The most important thing now was to gather information about the demon; what he knew was far from enough. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family and Spirit Hall both needed to send spies to gather intelligence.

Other places could not be overlooked either.

Some places that were more likely to be suspicious, such as the Clear Sky Sect, the two empires that had been passed down for thousands of years, and even Sea God Island across the sea, might all have records of the demon.

He also needed to make contact with them.

When Ning Fengzhi had arranged his plan, Sword Douluo suddenly thought of something and asked, "Fengzhi, our newly established force must have a name, right!"

Ning Fengzhi lowered his head in thought, the information about the demon and Valmont's image flashing through his mind.

"Since our force is hidden in the shadows, like a mastermind behind the scenes, why don't we call it the Black Hand?"

The Black Hand!

Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo's eyes lit up upon hearing the name. It truly fit their current identity.

"Then I now declare the Black Hand officially established, and welcome the two of you to join." Ning Fengzhi extended his hand and clasped theirs tightly.

"Don't worry, Fengzhi, this old bone of mine can still move." Gu Rong patted his chest and assured him.

"Though this old man is old, my sword is still sharp!" Chen Xin said domineeringly, stroking his beard.

Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family.

Zhong Su was flying freely in the sea of lightning in the sky, enjoying the massage of the electricity.

"Hahaha! The feeling of freedom is simply too good, I never want to go back to that damned place again."

"Let the world feel the power of lightning! Lightning!"

Rumble--

On a majestic mountain peak, several bolts of lightning struck down, wantonly destroying the land.

The ground was pitted and scarred, emitting wisps of black gas. All the plants and spirit beasts alike were turned into charcoal.

Beside them, Yu Luomian and Yu Yuanzhen arrived, looking at the tragic scene in shock, then looked up at the sea of lightning, their eyes filled with awe.

In the sky, Zhong Su descended with his arms crossed, his cold gaze arrogant as he asked, "What business do you two have with me?"

"Old Ancestor," the two cupped their hands and bowed.

Yu Luomian took out several scrolls and said, "These are the palace design blueprints for you. Please take a look. This is the population information of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family. This is..."

Zhong Su unleashed lightning, blasting all the papers into ashes. He said with disgust, "Don't show me these things. I only want to see the palace."

"Yes!" the two quickly replied.

Zhong Su rode the lightning back into the sky, entering the sea of thunder, leaving only one sentence behind.

"From today onwards, this place is no longer the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family, but Thunder City."

His overbearing voice spread wantonly through the air. The two below listened, their faces drained of color.

He was going to strip them of their Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon title!

"How can this be?" Yu Yuanzhen exclaimed in shock.

However, as soon as he spoke, a bolt of lightning struck him, knocking him heavily to the ground.

"Audacious lowly creature, if there's a next time, you will be directly punished by lightning!" a cold warning voice echoed from the sea of thunder.

Yu Yuanzhen clutched his chest, daring not to speak again.

So strong, the gap in strength is not ordinary.

He gritted his teeth inwardly, unwilling.

Beside him, Yu Luomian helped him up, and they left the mountaintop.

On the way down the mountain, Yu Luomian sighed.

"Alas! I need to think about how to tell the clansmen about the family name change!"

A family's name is its symbol, and the honor of all its members. If they were to say they wanted to change the name now, who knew what kind of upheaval it would cause.

But they had no choice. These were the demon's orders.

Alas!

Yu Yuanzhen once again regretted releasing the other party. Now, his strength had not improved, and the family was forced to change its name. He was a sinner to the family!

And at such a critical moment for the family, his so-called Clan Trial could not help him in the slightest.

In his mind, the third Clan Trial had been activated, and its content was—serve the demon.

When he saw the content, he was instantly stunned. It didn't even say to what extent he had to serve!

Even if he endured humiliation and bore heavy responsibilities, there should at least be a time limit.

Yu Yuanzhen was utterly devastated. He felt like their Old Ancestor was either helping him or harming him. Didn't he say he would bring glory to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family?

Now they had even lost their family name, what glory was there to speak of!

And Zhong Su was completely unaware of these worries, nor did he ever pay attention to them.

Ever since Zhong Su was released, Yu Yuanzhen had lost his usefulness. Now, Zhong Su was conversing with Hsi Wu opposite him.