Undercurrents Stirring

The Yunshui Capital mist; a storm is brewing.

Qu Yutang has been feeling uneasy lately, as if something big is about to happen.

As she was preparing to return to her residence, a familiar figure once again "coincidentally" appeared in front of her.

"Qu Yutang!"

Princess Yun Qian of the Cloud Water Dynasty maintained her haughty demeanor, but a lingering anxiety was evident in her expression.

"Hey, I heard that Xie Ning from the Cloud-Overturning Gate has also successfully completed his seclusion and reached the Greater Inner Force," Yun Qian said somewhat irritably. "But the strange thing is, he hasn't shown his face since he came out of seclusion. Everyone's acting like they've gone mad. The atmosphere in the capital has been getting more and more oppressive lately."

She paused, then finally couldn't help herself, lowering her voice and tentatively asking, "Tell me honestly, has your Heaven-Surging Alliance been planning anything big lately?"

"My father has been restless these past few days, unable to eat or sleep, and the entire palace is under heightened security. I have a feeling that something bad is about to happen."

Qu Yutang looked at her and calmly shook her head. "I don't know."

She genuinely didn't know. Xiao Tiance's recent movements had become increasingly strange; he had bypassed her and most of the elders on many core matters, discussing them only with a few trusted confidants.

"Don't know?" Yun Qian clearly didn't believe her, but seeing Qu Yutang's cold eyes, she knew she wouldn't get any answers, so she could only snort dejectedly and turn to leave.

Watching Yun Qian's departing figure, Qu Yutang's brows furrowed slightly.

[Even the royal family of Lianyunshui sensed the crisis...? Xie Ning has also disappeared?]

Just then, a trusted maidservant quickly walked to her side and whispered a few words in her ear.

"What did you say? Elder Gu Yue... he left the city alone and hasn't returned yet?"

Qu Yutang's heart sank!

Gu Yue is an elder of the Punishment Hall. He is tyrannical but meticulous, and would never disappear without a trace.

[Could this be... related to Xiao Tiance's recent secret operation?]

A bad feeling rose in her heart.

Just as she was about to send someone to investigate, a calm voice suddenly rang out behind her without warning.

I'm looking for Xiao Tiance.

Qu Yutang froze, then turned around abruptly to see a young man in blue robes standing not far behind her.

She was horrified; with her mastery of Greater Inner Force, she hadn't even sensed the other person approaching!

"Who are you?" she asked warily.

"Dongfang Yueming." Dongfang Yueming's gaze met Qu Yutang's eyes directly. "Take me to him."

Qu Yutang looked into those deep, starry eyes and felt a chill run down her spine. She could sense that the man before her was very strong, so strong that it made her heart tremble!

She remained silent for a moment, then finally spoke, advising, "I don't know what grudge you have against him, but I must warn you, Xiao Tiance's strength is far more terrifying than you imagine. He..."

"You seem to want him dead too," Dongfang Yueming interrupted her.

Qu Yutang's pupils suddenly contracted!

She looked at the man before her, who seemed to know everything, and in the end, simply nodded, turned, and led the way.

Meanwhile, in a secret room of the Cloud-Overturning Gate.

There were only three people in the secret room.

Above him sat Xiao Tiance, the leader of the Heaven-Surging Alliance.

To his left sat a withered old man with sinister eyes, none other than Shang Jiuyou, the sect leader of the Cloud-Overturning Gate.

To his right stood a Grandmaster -level deacon dressed in black robes, from the powerful Nirvana Sect of the Central Continent!

"Gentlemen, the plan can begin now," Xiao Tiance said with a smile, as if discussing a trivial matter.

The deacon of the Nirvana Sect, Zhao Wugou, had a glint of greed in his eyes. He nodded and said, "Very good! As long as you can help me forge my Innate Physique, I guarantee that I will recommend you two to my elder brother in the future, so that you can also join my Nirvana Sect and enjoy unparalleled glory!"

Of course, he had no intention of keeping his promise. Once he successfully advanced, these two people would be of no further use to him.

Xiao Tiance seemed oblivious. He turned to look at Shang Jiuyou, his smile turning playful, "Sect Leader Shang, are you truly determined? I've heard that your beloved disciple, Xie Ning, is Bufan, having just broken through to the Greater Inner Force. He is the future hope of your Cloud-Overturning Gate. If you soften your heart then, our plan will be ruined."

These words, seemingly a reminder, are in fact a blatant checkmate!

Shang Jiuyou's old face, as white as tree bark, twitched suddenly. He felt the dual pressure from Xiao Tiance and Zhao Wugou.

He knew that if he didn't show some "sincerity" today, he wouldn't be able to leave this secret room!

Shang Jiuyou slowly closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, only endless ruthlessness and determination remained in them.

He faced the door and slowly said, "Ning'er, come in."

A moment later, a spirited young man, whose inner strength had reached its Greater Inner Force, pushed open the door and entered. It was Xie Ning, who had just emerged from seclusion!

"Master!" Xie Ning bowed respectfully, his eyes filled with anticipation for the future.

"Sect Leader Shang, what a bold move..." Xiao Tiance clapped his hands and chuckled, as if enjoying a good show.

Shang Jiuyou ignored him.

He looked at his most beloved disciple, slowly raised his hand, and with lightning speed, struck Xie Ning on the top of the head!

"Master... why..."

Xie Ning's body trembled violently, and the light in her eyes, along with all her fantasies about the future, quickly dimmed.

"Hmph!" Shang Jiuyou withdrew his hand, his voice hoarse as he said, "Once the sacrifice begins, there will be no place for me in the entire Cloud Water Dynasty! I have no way out!"

After personally killing his beloved disciple, he seemed to want to vent all the grief and anger in his heart. He then looked at Xiao Tiance with a mocking gaze. "As for you, Alliance Leader Xiao, you are truly magnanimous. Aren't you afraid that your exceptionally talented disciple will come looking for revenge? As far as I know, the Xue Hai with the Qu Family has not yet been avenged! Keeping such a potential threat by your side, can you sleep soundly?"

He thought that these words would at least hit Xiao Tiance where it hurt.

However, Xiao Tiance simply picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and smiled nonchalantly:

"Hahahaha! Sect Leader Shang is overthinking it. I know Qu Yutang's identity better than anyone else. Keeping her around is naturally... for other purposes."

Seeing Xiao Tiance's confident and in control demeanor, Shang Jiuyou felt a chill run down her spine.

He suddenly realized that the man in front of him was far more terrifying than he had imagined.