[Command Thunder and Absorb Lightning], astonishing effects! Buhai's initiative, Zhaoli's choice!

"You are all too courteous. Please rise."

Lin Changheng stood in the air above the encampment, his hands behind his back. As his voice rang out, a vast tide of mana swept over them, lifting every bowing cultivator upright without allowing refusal.

Sensing this, everyone felt even more deeply shaken.

Just how immense was True Lord Ten Thousand Longevity's mana? And how exquisitely precise was his control over it?

"Thank you, True Lord."

Another rumbling chorus of thanks rang out.

Just then, a figure flew out of the Main Tent, shot toward Lin Changheng, and stopped before him in midair.

It was [True Lord Buhai].

His complexion looked much better now, and a hearty smile graced his face. He had presumably taken healing elixirs and regulated his breathing, suppressing his injuries.

After exchanging greetings, he asked quietly, "Ten Thousand Longevity, may I ask how your pursuit-"

Naturally, he wanted to know the outcome of Lin Changheng's pursuit of the [Darkscale Demon King], but he felt it was presumptuous and feared being rebuffed, so he left his question unfinished.

Lin Changheng understood perfectly.

After considering it, he felt that he would eventually have to produce the demon's corpse to claim the alliance's rewards for military merit-

Even if he denied or concealed it now, the fact that he had killed the demon would still come to light then. It would only make him seem far too lacking in candor.

Thus, after weighing the matter, he nodded.

"Hiss-!"

[True Lord Buhai]'s pupils immediately contracted, and his heart clenched. My premonition was right. The [Darkscale Demon King] really was slain.

But surprise and delight swiftly followed, along with immense satisfaction.

"Good riddance!"

Leaving aside how closely [True Lord Buhai]'s interests were tied to the prosperity of the [Sea-Ruins Merchant Guild], the cultivators of