Dongyang City Lord's Estate.
Inside the study at this moment, the City Lord of Dongyang was methodically handling city affairs behind his desk. However, the sudden appearance of a dark shadow was completely ignored by this Soul Emperor-level City Lord.
"Have they not returned yet?"
A cool female voice rang out as Zhang Lexuan pushed open the door and walked straight in. She looked at Dugu Xin, who was standing beside the City Lord observing him, completely ignoring the City Lord in her speech.
Obviously, in the few days Chen Junting had been away, Dugu Xin and the others had completely taken control of the City Lord of Dongyang.
And within the City Lord's Estate, the City Lord himself possessed the highest cultivation. Now, no one in the estate noticed anything wrong with the City Lord, nor did anyone notice anything amiss within the estate itself. They had absolutely no idea that to Dugu Xin and the others, the Dongyang City Lord's Estate was practically their own home; they could come and go as they pleased.
Currently, Dugu Xin retracted his gaze.
He didn't take Zhang Lexuan's question to heart.
Chen Junting and the others' trip to the Extreme North Ice Sea might take a considerable amount of time, but at the very least, there wouldn't be any accidents.
"They'll be back soon."
Dugu Xin considered himself well-informed, so he stiffly changed the subject. "Do the others have any progress?"
"Great progress."
Seeing this, Zhang Lexuan didn't press further.
Picking up on Dugu Xin's topic, she said, "Our people are all fully matured geniuses. This amount of time is more than enough to figure out most of Dongyang City's defenses. It's just the logistics transit hub..."
Speaking of this, her voice paused for a moment.
It wasn't that she thought it was difficult, but... "The defensive strength of the logistics transit station can't stop us, but it can detect us."
If they were detected, it wouldn't be worth it. Once exposed, it would absolutely cut the effectiveness of this plan in half.
"There's no rush for that."
A glint of cold light flashed in Dugu Xin's snake-like pupils. The fleeting chill was almost caught by Zhang Lexuan.
It happened so fast that she almost thought it was an illusion.
"Were you just planning to..."
A hint of suspicion flashed across Zhang Lexuan as she hesitantly spoke.
Although she hadn't had much contact with Dugu Xin, as an important figure in the Sea God Pavilion, she knew many inside secrets.
For example: making the Sun Moon Empire collapse for a thousand miles during the war!
She was practically a firsthand witness to that.
Truly sinister!
"What did I just do?"
A rhetorical question blocked Zhang Lexuan's words. Moreover, his smiling appearance made it even harder for her to describe.
What could she say?
What could she possibly say?
"...Nothing."
"Nothing what?"
Right at this moment, a voice suddenly rang out.
The familiar tone quickly made Dugu Xin lock onto a certain direction. The next second, the empty space in the study distorted.
A Void Gate opened, and a foot stepped out leisurely.
Following closely behind was a jade-like foot.
The moment Chen Junting fully revealed himself, he took the lead in speaking, "Tell me, 'nothing' what?"
"It's really nothing." Dugu Xin replied casually, but his gaze landed on Huo Yuhao. His current aura was much stronger than a few days ago. "Congratulations, Yuhao."
"Brother Xin."
As the few exchanged pleasantries, Chen Junting's gaze fell on the City Lord of Dongyang. With just a simple glance, he saw the demon talisman faintly glowing inside his body.
Seems like the quality is pretty good.
As expected of something made by the teacher, it's a premium product.
As Chen Junting retracted his gaze, they had just about finished greeting each other. Since that was the case, it was time to get down to business.
"Senior Sister."
Chen Junting spoke to Zhang Lexuan, "On our way to the Sea Princess's territory this time, we encountered something. Perhaps you should write a letter to inform the elders of the Sea God Pavilion."
Zhang Lexuan's brow furrowed slightly, and she immediately understood the importance of this matter. "Okay! But I have no way to send the letter back. Maybe..."
Just as her gaze shifted to Gu Tianchen, "Okay."
Chen Junting naturally agreed without hesitation.
"As long as you write the letter, Senior Sister, we will send it out. And besides the Sea God Pavilion, there's also the Body Sect..."
Although the continent was engulfed in the flames of war, relying on the sheer scale of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, as long as they wanted to send a letter, it wouldn't fail.
"Okay."
Zhang Lexuan was swift and decisive. Walking up to the City Lord, she directly shooed him to the side, picked up a pen, and prepared to write on a piece of rice paper. "Go ahead. What's the news?"
"It concerns the Sea God Douluo."
As soon as these words came out, the tip of the ink brush Zhang Lexuan had just pressed down paused, and a dot-like ink stain immediately spread out.
"Sea God Douluo!?"
Four words, but the most important were the first two.
"Sea God"...
This wasn't something to be said lightly!
"What exactly is going on?"
Facing the dumbfounded looks of Dugu Xin and Zhang Lexuan, Chen Junting's expression remained normal as he explained calmly, "It's exactly as it sounds: 'Sea God Douluo.' He is also the Grand Worship chosen by the Sea God in the mortal realm. His cultivation has also reached the Limit Douluo level."
Hiss—
Hearing this, Zhang Lexuan and Dugu Xin couldn't help but gasp inwardly.
Were Limit Douluos really this "cheap" now?
Whether it was true cultivation or combat power achieved through soul tools or other "external forces," counting the spirit beast races, the number of individuals at this level was almost enough to count on both hands.
You have to realize, this number was already a lot!
With so many experts entering the fray, this war...
It was hard to say!
But right now, the most important thing was one detail.
"The Sea God Douluo is on our side, right?"
Chen Junting said bluntly without hesitation.
"For now."
Hearing this, Zhang Lexuan began to write. However, with her mind full of thoughts, she didn't realize the implication of "for now."
Soon, she learned the whole story.
After letting the ink on the letter dry, "Bring me an envelope."
The City Lord of Dongyang obediently complied, acting like a servant.
Under Dugu Xin's orders, he stuffed the letter for Zhang Lexuan, then took it and casually handed it to Gu Tianchen.
After that, he looked at Chen Junting.
"What about the letter to Long Aotian..."
"I'll write it."
Zhang Lexuan yielded her seat, and Chen Junting picked up the pen.
As the pen fell, the letter was finished. "Letter."
Chen Junting didn't even look up, calling out casually.
"What's up?"
Putting down the pen, Chen Junting handed the letter to Gu Tianchen, but turned his head toward Dugu Xin and said, "I've decided. Next, we're heading to the Evil Demon Forest and Mingdu. You and Qiuqiu stay here."
"Okay."
Dugu Xin wasn't surprised at all.
Obviously, he had expected this.
After all, the side controlling the City Lord absolutely could not be neglected. There were only a few people who could do this meticulously and carefully without causing worry. Counting Chen Junting and Ning Tian, there were only three left.
Among the three, Dugu Xin was undoubtedly the most suitable.
As for Nan Qiuqiu...
She was roughly equivalent to an assistant.
"Old Gu, sorry to trouble you to make a trip."
Gu Tianchen nodded slightly and turned around, tearing open the void.
Immediately after, Chen Junting turned his head to look at Dugu Xin.
"Notify the others. We need to prepare to head south."
...
Mingdu, Sun Moon Imperial Palace.
Meng Hongchen was leaning against her bed, holding a letter in her hand. Glancing at the figure beside her, she said indifferently, "Thanks. Deliver this letter to my grandfather."
The silhouette standing by the bed took the letter with one hand. Even though it was perfectly sealed, he still stole a glance at it.
"If you want to look, just look."
Meng Hongchen didn't even turn her head as she unfolded another letter.
Unlike the one she had just handed over, this one was given to her by her grandfather, Jing Hongchen. But from the very beginning, she had never read it, instead making her own decisions.
Seeing this, the figure put the letter away.
He would look at it, and he would also pass on the contents of the letter, but now was not the right time.
Even though both parties knew this perfectly well.
"The amount of time I can stay here is limited."
The figure remained in the shadows, his face hidden.
Even his voice sounded muffled, "When the time comes, the entire inner palace will inevitably be under martial law. Even I won't be able to get in, so you'll have to rely on yourselves then."
Meng Hongchen didn't say a word, only continuing to look at the letter.
The figure wasn't annoyed by this.
After all, from the very beginning, this was a "transaction."
All he needed to do was complete his task. So he continued, "As long as you get Xu Tianhe's 'corpse' out of the palace, someone will rendezvous with him and ensure his absolute safety."
"It seems the forces you've left in Mingdu are quite substantial."
Meng Hongchen smiled, exuding a unique charm.
"Could you chat with me a bit?"
The figure didn't speak, only casting a deep gaze.
His blood-red eyes in the shadows looked eerie.
Leaving behind a sentence, "Act according to plan."
The next second, the figure disappeared. Only the window fluttering in the breeze perhaps served as proof that someone had been there.
A moment later, Meng Hongchen's smile vanished, and her face turned abnormally cold, as if confirming the figure's departure.
She looked at the letter, a flash of struggle in her eyes.
But more than that, there was resolve.
The next moment, the letter was frozen, crushed, and turned to powder from the ice without leaving a single trace. Following that...
"Someone come!"
"Your Highness." ×4
The four nearest maids hurried into the room.
Meng Hongchen sat up slightly and spread her arms.
"Help me change my clothes."
"Yes."
The next day, in a sleeping quarters within the palace.
On the surface, it seemed quiet and empty, with only an old eunuch cleaning. But in reality, it was the place of house arrest for the former Fifth Prince, now a Prince—Xu Tianhe.
Inside a quiet room of this house arrest... although he was confined, the conditions were actually quite good. Not only was the area large, nearly two hundred square meters, but the furnishings were also uniquely luxurious for the royal family.
Xu Tianhe sat behind the desk, constantly flipping through a book.
But his speed definitely exceeded "reading ten lines at a glance."
Obviously, he had no mind to read.
His heart was entirely focused elsewhere.
Knock, knock, knock!
A light tapping sound rang out.
Xu Tianhe's eyes lit up. He quickly stood up, walked toward the door, opened it, and said, "Please come in."
The door opened, and a beauty in palace attire walked in slowly.
At this moment, Meng Hongchen was the epitome of nobility and glamour. Her wine-red long hair was pinned up high, and her luxurious golden dress set off her noble elegance. Her fair skin was crystal clear, as if water could be squeezed out with a gentle pinch.
Meng Hongchen smiled sweetly, turned around, and closed the door.
With these fluid motions, a man and a woman were left alone, and the atmosphere in the room instantly gained a hint of romance.
"Sister-in-law."
Xu Tianhe called out softly, unable to help but swallow a mouthful of saliva. But right now, he was entirely acting; there wasn't a single bit of truth to it.
Beautiful women were great, but his life was the most important!
How could he have the leisure to care about that now?
"Mhm."
Acknowledging with a sound, Meng Hongchen played her part well too.
At this moment, her pretty face was slightly flushed, looking completely shy.
She slowly walked to the table, sat down, lowered her head, and said somewhat coyly, "Royal brother, I feel a little nervous right now."
"In that case... I am too."
Xu Tianhe tugged at his collar, a hint of trembling in his voice. His lecherous appearance truly looked like that of a total creep!
Meng Hongchen raised her head, her white teeth lightly biting her lower lip.
"Royal brother, no matter what happens, you won't regret it?"
Compared to being shy, Xu Tianhe felt she was more like trying to hold back a laugh. But even so, the play had to go on.
Hearing this, Xu Tianhe couldn't help but freeze. He silently noted that Meng Hongchen wasn't following the script, but even so, he just chuckled.
"Normally, I naturally wouldn't dare. But this time, I'm acting on imperial orders. It's Big Brother who told me to do this, so what else is there to say? As for those who didn't listen, they've all already been..."
Speaking up to this point, Xu Tianhe rubbed his hands together, looking impatient. "But seeing you, Sister-in-law, I feel that all that pent-up frustration was entirely worth it. Sister-in-law, you are truly beautiful."
Meng Hongchen smiled faintly and said, "Since you know he needs to keep this a secret, aren't you afraid he'll kill you to silence you?"
"After all..."
Meng Hongchen seemed to hesitate before speaking, letting out a soft sigh. "All of your blood brothers were murdered by Xu Tianran."
"Hmm?"
Xu Tianhe seemed to have anticipated this outcome, but he still put on an act of being fierce on the outside but weak on the inside, asking in a deep voice, "Sister-in-law, what do you mean?"
Meng Hongchen smiled slightly, shook her head, and said, "I don't mean anything by it. I just want my royal brother to understand the situation before he dies."
"You!"
Xu Tianhe abruptly stood up.
Suddenly, he felt waves of dizziness hitting him. Looking at the girl in front of him, his eyes were filled with incredulity. It was just that his acting this time was far more realistic than his previous acts.
Did he secretly take an "acting class"?
At this moment, Meng Hongchen slowly stood up.
The orchid-like musk fragrance on her body gradually faded. Her right hand made a pushing motion toward Xu Tianhe.
Instantly, Xu Tianhe's body flew backward.
By the time he landed on the bed, his consciousness had completely shut down.
At the same time, her face, which had held a hint of a smile, instantly turned ice-cold. This time, the act really wasn't convincing at all.
Immediately, Meng Hongchen activated her martial soul attachment.
Holding an ice sword in her hand, she said, "I'm sorry, royal brother. If you want to blame someone, blame your elder brother." As she spoke, a spike-like object appeared in her other hand, and she walked toward the bed.
Meng Hongchen looked at Xu Tianhe's "corpse."
Holding up the sword, and then...
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