Volume One, Chapter 144: Emperor Xuanwu’s Fierce Protection of His Beloved Son!

The bearded escort ignored him, riding a tall horse and leading the way forward. The halted convoy began to move once again. Behind them, the other contestants looked on with strange expressions, as if considering the two of them fools, disdain curling at their lips.

Half an hour later, a thunderous roar suddenly reverberated from within the ancient ruin’s divine pillar. In an instant, a towering celestial pillar appeared, descending directly near the group. Song Ming and the other eleven all lifted their eyes toward the pillar, an indescribable feeling stirring in their hearts.

The sky and earth were shrouded in blackness. At this moment, Gu Chen was enveloped by white lightning, standing like a radiant beacon. Countless blinding rays shot forth in all directions, distorting the surrounding space. A vast power burst forth from the lightning blade, striking fiercely upon the head of the water demon.

The thought of nearly being humiliated moments ago by those two examinees from the Western District left the three trembling with lingering fear and apprehension.

“You’re clever; in the end, you did not lay a hand on my brother. Although I am now an adversary to your country, before defeating your father, the rules of the Celestial Emperor Palace remain unchanged. Therefore, I cannot act against anyone, including you,” Yi Nao Tao said calmly.

Step by step, he ascended, seemingly without end. He Qingfan no longer knew how long he had walked, only that a sorrowful emotion grew ever stronger, while vivid images continuously flashed through his mind. In a star cluster where countless stars converged, a supreme sovereign rose powerfully, leading millions of warriors to conquer the universe.

Still, he refused to believe that a mere freshman newly admitted to the Celestial Academy, a seventeen-year-old youth, could possess such strength.

Gu Chen already anticipated Mu Xue’s reaction, gently rubbing her chubby cheeks as he smiled.

Outside the temple, Dao Qianqiu felt a chill in his heart but never expected Ye Fan to have earned An Mengqi’s trust and received such a promise.

“How should I put it? Though I do not wish to hide anything from you, I hope to show only my better side before you. Even our family relatives are harmonious and peaceful, not like earlier, tearing apart family bonds over money, almost coming to blows.”

At the critical moment, just as An Lesi’s hand was about to strike Lele’s head, Li Rou caught An Lesi’s arm and tugged hard.

“Don’t I look like it?” Yun Yue knew he had deceived her; he wanted to dissolve the tension lightly and sincerely apologize to earn her forgiveness.

---

Wang Zhangzhu adjusted her appearance before the mirror. She had no change of clothes here, yet even in a patient’s gown, she refused to owe Chu Huandong anything more. This time, he had sent planes and personnel to rescue her, undoubtedly spending a great deal, but she would repay him when the opportunity arose.

“In that case, please take these tens of thousands of troops back home,” Zhu Quan said coldly.

Only after realizing nothing had occurred did she dare to emerge. Yet, she was surprised that Miss Qing dared to mention this matter before so many people. How could she possibly know?

Chu He had already guessed he had offended someone unbearable. Without Wu Hui’s orders, he appeared at the next teleportation array and continued on to the next.

Lian Shuo looked at the hand clutching his sleeve and was about to break free when he heard Han Lianyi’s voice.

“It is already late at night. If the young masters cannot return to their mansions, it would surely be inconvenient…” Ma Sanbao, recalling these nobles and their retainers being closely guarded within the prince’s residence, worried that if their families came seeking them, it might cause further complications.

Ye Yufei’s face grew redder at Yang Yanhong’s teasing words, bowing her head and avoiding everyone’s gaze.

The Life-Extending Sunflower emitted squeaking sounds, merging back together. Its vitality was tenacious; even the Minghong Blade, a supreme killing sword, could not slay this mutated Life-Extending Sunflower. Meanwhile, a burst resounded in midair as a black cloud sped lightning-fast toward Cang Jianli.

“Not bad speed!” You Ma smiled, holding his wooden sword before him. This strike could not be retreated from. If one flinched at the first blow, it would be difficult to discern the opponent’s true strength later, thus falling behind. The momentum could not be lost, regardless of whether the opponent was a ghoul or human.

The four Celestials showed bitter smiles. The Storage Realm was a peculiar world used by Celestials to store items. It was inaccessible to others and more like a dead realm than a world.

For a whole year, Ning Yue had not appeared before anyone, as if vanished, until the time set by the Winged Demon Emperor arrived.

Ning Yue let out a long roar and charged forward. Cold Frost’s guess was accurate; although Ning Yue withstood the attack, his strength was still affected.

“I recall that guy was afraid of birds?” Nishio was surprised. When Dong Xiang first met the weakling, she had been quite frightened.

---

If previously Chu Ming had been unable to break the deadlock, it was because he and Xuan Yi were too cautious, neither able to disrupt the balance.

Xiang Shanzhi was about to speak, but seeing He Panren, Ma Sanbao, and Qin Ruier nod in unison, he swallowed his words.

To be honest, Yang Jun had no expectation of reward in helping Chu Ming this time.

The sorcery domain, also called the emotional domain: the sorrow domain admits only the sorrowful, the laughter domain only the joyous, and the killing intent domain only those filled with murderous intent.

Chen Chen smiled politely, conversing with Brother Niu and asking a question that had piqued his curiosity since earlier.

“You dare attack a police officer?” Li Tong said, drawing his gun. His subordinates followed suit.

Though discussing his own death, the God of Destruction showed no discomfort.

Compared to the robust charm of Xiao Shi and Yang Gang, An Zichang’s beauty was exquisitely delicate, yet it did not diminish his masculine spirit.

“Aren’t you afraid to face Bai Hua Sha?” Li Jiuyang could understand the rogue tendencies of the emperor.

Zhao Fengnian secured a plot of land on the east side of his home from the village chief, then spread the word about building a new courtyard. The villagers, accustomed to helping with construction, were eager to assist, as the Zhao couple was well-liked, and once the workshop opened, they might become their main patrons.