"The Huan King truly lived up to his name! You fought your way along the main route and still arrived first. Impressive indeed!"
As Hua Qiandai and the others puzzled over the Huan King's words of "compromise," a clear, melodious voice rang out.
A group passed through Heavenly Ferocity Hall in the third garden and hurried toward Jian Shang and the others. Leading them was Chengshalina, Goddess of Wisdom, followed by the two Gold Saints, Aquarius Kadi and Aries Jing, and seven Silver Saints, including Aquila Constellation, Grus Constellation, and Cygnus Constellation. Not a single Bronze Saint was in sight.
Jian Shang replied calmly with a faint smile, "Oh? I had always thought we would be the last to arrive. It seems I underestimated our own side!"
The implication, naturally, was that he had overestimated the Cloth Faction.
Hua Qiandai and the other women watched the rapidly approaching Athena Camp thoughtfully. In principle, the Cloth Faction had taken the side paths and should have arrived first unless they had encountered fierce resistance from the Nether Realm's forces. In that case, the Huan King's earlier words had actually been meant for the Cloth Faction-and had indeed promptly forced the Athena Camp to show themselves!
"Before entering the Nether Realm, we mostly relied on speculation and historical records. Only after entering did we realize how terrifying its forces were. Now that even Sky Chief Star has emerged, I fear all one hundred and eight Underworld Warriors truly have appeared..."
Chengshalina naturally understood the implication of the Huan King's words, but showed no unusual reaction and instead spoke gravely.
After a pause, before the Huan King and the others, whose expressions had turned solemn, could respond, Chengshalina continued in a low voice, her expression heavy with suppressed grief. "Master Mark has passed away...