The night passed without incident; they could even hear the crisp chirping of crickets in the corners of the walls.
Yet Huo Yuhao knew this was merely the brief calm before the storm.
The moment the sun rose slowly in the east, Wang Yiheng left Mingdu with Tian Meng, pressing on without rest.
Wang Yiheng's convoy, disguised as merchants, sped away in a cloud of dust.
Disguised as Lin Yi, Tian Meng sat upright inside the carriage with his eyes closed, as though this were merely an ordinary journey.
Yet his hands clutched the Life Creation Qi Refining Furnace and Di Tian's Reverse Scale in a death grip, betraying his inner unrest.
Before the city gates had fully closed, an entirely different presence descended from afar.
Kong Deming stood beneath Mingdu's walls, the Silver Moon Divine Light Shield floating above his head. Its cold moonlight illuminated his face like an ice sculpture.
Behind him, the elites of the Evil Lord Soul Engineer Corps resembled a silent torrent of steel, their cold armor reflecting chilling gleams in the sunlight that made hearts tremble.
At that moment, killing intent condensed until it was almost tangible, weighing heavily upon this mighty city of steel that had only just awakened.
The scattered pedestrians at the gates saw this and fled in all directions like startled birds.
The soldiers guarding the city froze in shock at Kong Deming's killing intent, their breathing stopping.
It was a fear born of life's instincts, as though an ancient ferocious beast had fixed its gaze upon them, leaving them afraid to move a muscle.
"Offering Hall Master Kong Deming is here! Where are the members of the Sun Moon Empire's Offering Hall?"
"The Sun Moon Empire's former crown prince, Xu He, colluded with Qian Duoduo, the wandering dean of