At the same time.
Within the Ninefold Nether.
Yalita stood watch in the desert of the Second Layer. She rose and gazed out at the yellow sand filling the sky.
"The complete Blood Saint Ritual... the full extent of its power... everything really has changed."
She clenched her fists, felt the power surging through her, and spoke softly.
Elsewhere.
At the Torch Dragon Residence.
Shangguan Yun was talking with Grandmother.
"Are you certain?" Grandmother asked.
"Not entirely. That new Acting President seemed to have appeared in the Ruins back then."
"He said a few things about Xu Jingchen at the time," Shangguan Yun said.
"Perhaps he's Xu Jingchen reincarnated?" Grandmother asked, looking at her calmly.
Shangguan Yun lowered her head and said nothing.
Grandmother sighed soundlessly.
Ever since Xu Jingchen disappeared, Shangguan Yun had been despondent for a long time. This was the first time she had stepped forward of her own accord.
In that case...
"Go to the Mortal World. I'll pull some strings for you. The All Things Unity Society is doing everything it can to replace the Millennium Aristocratic Clan in the Mortal World—the Su Residence of Northern Ji," Grandmother said.
"Is that really happening? Can I get to the Mortal World?" Shangguan Yun's eyes lit up, and she asked urgently.
"There's still a way to transport one or two people. After all, they're short-handed," Grandmother said.
Several breaths passed.
"All right. I'll go," Shangguan Yun said, biting her lip.
Day broke.
An announcement sounded outside.
It was time for morning training.
Running footsteps echoed down the corridor.
Xu Yuan yawned, rolled over in bed, and went back to sleep.
"Master."
A woman's voice whispered beside his ear.
Xu Yuan shot upright. Xi was crouched on the Ceiling Fan, looking down at him. She wore loose