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This guy... confident!

Wei Gongcheng instinctively took a step back as he caught sight of that sword intent in the other’s eyes!

He hadn’t encountered Tian Heng often, but he wasn’t unfamiliar. Back when he served under Duke Weichi, he had heard the Duke praise this youngest Duke Qi many times.

He was someone both capable and ambitious, yet anytime you looked at him, he seemed the least threatening, always displaying humility.

And when he said he only had partial confidence, you’d best not believe him—because those words usually meant he was fully certain!

"You..." Wei Gongcheng swallowed hard. He didn’t know if it was an illusion, but for the first time, he saw sword intent seemingly emanate from the depths of someone’s eyes.

For a moment, he felt as though the figure before him wasn’t Duke Qi, with his calculating mind, but was instead a sword—a pure, untainted sword!

What is going on?

"Official Wei, rest assured..." Tian Heng spoke, smiling. "I know this action is extremely risky, but trust me—I am not one who delights in reckless gambles!"

Wei Gongcheng hesitated at Tian Heng’s words, but in the end, he cupped his hands respectfully and said, "If that’s the case, I’ll leave this matter to General Tian."

His attitude was impeccable. Despite his position as the First Hell Ruler, he offered Tian Heng the courtesy of a subordinate. Such demeanor revealed his intentions, leaving Tian Heng quite satisfied.

"Official Wei, no need to be too polite. We are colleagues, both serving our master!"

After Tian Heng gave his response and completed the gesture of courtesy, he vanished instantly.

Wei Gongcheng stared at the departing Tian Heng, his gaze complex.

That was clearly not Tian Heng’s strength—such pure power exceeded anything he had ever witnessed in even the strongest individuals.

It absolutely wasn’t something Tian Heng, with his deep scheming nature, could cultivate. This left only one possibility.

Ao Zhen...

Ao Zhen... What exactly happened in the Southern Sea?

At this thought, Wei Gongcheng hastily gathered his Divine Sense, intending to notify the Shen Family about the situation here. However, as his Spiritual Power began to converge, he suddenly felt a chill against his back. He reacted instinctively, but it was already too late.

In mere moments, he was frozen in place, transformed into an ice sculpture.

And he didn’t even need to turn around to guess who had made the move.

Given his Spiritual Power, it was unlikely anyone could approach him so silently. If someone with that level of assassination ability had infiltrated within, Jiangnan would have already collapsed. Eliminating the possibility of ordinary assassins left only one explanation.

Wei Gongzhan...

No... it should be the King of Qin!

"Truly unexpected..." The King of Qin stepped forward, gazing ominously toward the direction Tian Heng had left.

He had also seen that sword intent in the other’s eyes just moments ago. Reflecting deeply, the King of Qin admitted that even he likely wouldn’t be able to withstand such power!

What was that?

What has Chen Qing done now?

"What just happened?"

A familiar female voice suddenly appeared. Though Wei Gongcheng couldn’t move, he immediately recognized it as the voice of the Princess Royale!

For her to be here... it confirmed his suspicions. She must have followed him into the Hell Ruler’s passage...

"What method did you use?" Wei Gongcheng asked coldly.

"Flying Star..." The King of Qin replied indifferently.

"I see..." Wei Gongcheng instantly grasped the principle.

In this world, if any spatial technique could pierce through Yin Yang, Flying Star would certainly be the most powerful.

Back when Wang Ye was merely a Third Rank Sorcerer, he had already utilized Flying Star to traverse the Path of Yin Yang.

As long as this technique was mastered, leaving a mark in Hell and transmitting the Princess Royale there wouldn’t be impossible.

"But you are not the Master of the Dusk Phenomenon. How can you use Flying Star?"

"Taboo Power..." The King of Qin replied softly. "It allows the storing of others’ techniques—though it’s single-use and comes at a steep cost, it can indeed be useful in critical situations."

The King of Qin has this ability?

Wei Gongcheng noted this mentally and then asked again, "What is it you’re trying to accomplish?"

"What about you? Spent all your effort extracting intelligence—what are you hoping to achieve?" The King of Qin replied without turning his head. "I can’t let you live. As brilliant as you are, I apologize, but this plan is too significant. Even talents like you must be eliminated."

Wei Gongcheng was startled by these words but soon chuckled, saying, "To earn such praise from the King of Qin, it seems Wei can die without regret."

"Good... so be it." The King of Qin clenched a single hand, and the Power of Frost rapidly spread, freezing every shred of Wei Gongcheng’s awareness within.

The Princess Royale watched this unfold, her face icy cold. "This power of yours... feels ominous."

"No choice. To win... one must be willing to sacrifice everything..." As the King of Qin spoke, frost began spreading over his face—not metaphorical frost, but actual physical frost.

The Princess Royale looked and immediately understood. "The Power of the Demon Statue again? Don’t you know how dangerous that thing is?"

"Future dangers can’t compare to present needs. No matter how heavy the interest, the debt has to be paid—because people must live for today!"

The Princess Royale considered his words deeply, then finally nodded. "Fair enough."

"But there’s one unexpected factor."

"Tian Heng’s power?" The Princess Royale raised a brow.

"Exactly..." The King of Qin nodded. "Jiangnan’s defenses are weak, a perfect opportunity. Wei Gongcheng was their only capable person. Initially, I thought once he was dealt with, Jiangnan would fall under our control. But just now, Tian Heng’s power far surpasses what we assumed."

The Princess Royale nodded in agreement. She knew very well about Tian Heng’s capabilities—not weak, but if she were to act personally, she’d defeat him in three moves at most!

But now, things were different. That sword intent from earlier—perhaps...

"An unknown power and an ambitious wielder... This could be trouble. You felt that energy earlier, didn’t you? Honestly, are you confident you can win?"

"No..." The Princess Royale shook her head outright.

"How candid of you, Your Highness."

"At this stage, should I still pretend to be invincible?"

"Then what does Your Highness think we should do now?"

"Let’s observe for now..." The Princess Royale sighed. "That kind of power is beyond Tian Heng’s control. Let Lan Shang test the waters first."

---------------------------------

"Brother!!"

In a black-and-white space, someone suddenly awoke—it was none other than Wei Gongzhan!

This is...

Wei Gongzhan quickly looked around. The eerie ambiance immediately confirmed that this place wasn’t Daqing Mountain... It wasn’t even any world he recognized.

Damn!

Wei Gongzhan rose swiftly, but a warm voice spoke beside him.

"Don’t rush. Your brother left something in you. The side effects might be severe; you’d best remain calm for now, or else... things could take a disastrous turn."

"Huh?" Wei Gongzhan froze, quickly turning his head. He saw a handsomely dressed man in black sitting calmly beside him.

This man... he recognized him.

Though he had always been a minor figure—even during his time in the Capital City as merely a minor noble’s offspring—this man frequently visited the common people. Wei Gongzhan had once had the honor of assisting him with a case.

"Lord Wang Ye??"