Volume 1, Chapter 23: You're Mentally Ill! Go See a Neurologist!

Gu Mingzhu’s expression stiffened for a moment before returning to normal. Every time she visited the Empress Dowager, she was met with disdain, yet she still felt compelled to initiate conversation and put on a facade of harmony.

Xi Zhai clenched his fists tightly at his sides, standing beside him in a protective stance.

Red Archer remained unmoved, pushing his speed to the absolute limit, charging toward Gilgamesh like a bolt of crimson lightning.

After a moment of surprise, Hua Jin watched Li Luo quietly, his expression calm and revealing nothing further.

"Just how large is the underground base they built?" Ye Zi asked, listening with a look of confusion.

In the Classic of Mountains and Seas, the Queen Mother of the West is described as having a beast-like appearance, human-shaped but with a leopard’s tail, tiger’s teeth, and a talent for whistling. With disheveled hair and wearing a jade ornament, she governs the calamities of heaven and the five destructions—a reference to her control over the foreknowledge of disasters, though some believe these terms refer to celestial bodies.

The corridor outside suddenly became bustling. As everyone else departed, the cell grew even quieter than before, though the atmosphere felt significantly more relaxed.

Thinking about having to walk the world in the form of a golden snub-nosed monkey made Ren Qinglian feel like losing his mind. Fortunately, his internal injuries temporarily distracted him; he spent his days immersed in clearing his meridians, leaving him little time to dwell on such an annoying predicament.

Of course, she could not simply cultivate spiritual energy at will; if her physical constitution were unfit for longevity-extending techniques, there would be nothing she could do.

Unfortunately, An Ran was not the type to play the hero. Once her psychic scan revealed a massive swarm of mechs flying toward her, she realized she had drawn the enemy’s attention and was being targeted for a concentrated strike. She promptly led her subordinates back to the base for supplies, leaving the commander’s forces to strike at empty air—a maneuver that left him nearly spitting with rage.

Li Hu leaped off his horse and walked briskly, with Yan Qing hurrying to keep pace. Fang Jin and Wang Dazhong rushed ahead of Li Hu to lead the way into the mansion.

Perhaps seeing through the young man’s thoughts, the ancestor of the Ye family continued, "Although both of your older brothers possess higher cultivation realms than you, I can see that your future achievements will be limitless."

***

Ye Tian shook his head and spoke without reservation: "The other Divine Emperors have met with misfortune. I have only managed to find these two, and I have encountered the Master of Earth. He has formally notified me that we are to head to the Ancient Cave of Ten Thousand Demons in three months."

Furthermore, Li Hu had withdrawn his troops from Western Xia, allowing Zhe Yanzhi’s army to return to Shaanxi. Zhe Yanzhi could, to an extent, keep Li Hu in check, while Li Hu’s presence in Taiyuan threatened the Jin forces in Hebei. This significantly reduced the pressure on Bianjing from the Jin army, buying the city time to swiftly resolve the issue of the old emperor in the southeast.

With a creak, it dove into the Heaven-Capturing Halberd, disappearing without a trace in the blink of an eye.

Giving a low shout to the dozen or so soldiers below, Lin萧’s gaze was sharp as lightning. He executed the Shadow-Drifting Hong Technique, his figure like a wisp of green smoke swirling rapidly around the bloodthirsty wild boar.

As he spoke, Lin Xiao stepped toward Liu Li, his eyes cold and devoid of any emotion.

Meanwhile, Liu Mei and Mo Rou still wore stiff smiles, though confusion soon followed. Chen Chaopiao looked so wretched that they had forgotten their own awkward posture and actions.

"So, you mean you’re willing to partner up? To open a restaurant, a chain?" Chen Chaopiao asked.

Even Long Tian felt a bit guilty saying these words. His reasons were sufficient, but his true motive was the selfish desire to keep Yue Ming by his side to help him find rare medicinal herbs; such a living treasure-hunting device was too rare to miss.

"There are no 'ifs.' Just do as I say." An Weichen’s tone left Du Meishan no room for choice.

"You can accept me. If what the 'Fat Sheep' said is true, I should be fine, so you don't need to worry. It’s a pity this is a dream; I can't take this painting with me." Zi Yan looked down at the exquisite blue rose.

During the warming of the cauldron, Long Tian sorted through the experiences of alchemy and medicine refining in his memory. Once the process was complete, he cast the flame already rising in his hand directly into the furnace, settling his mind as his spiritual energy slowly flowed out from his soul sea.

"You can repair American aircraft, too?" Rafsanjani was pleasantly surprised; this was an unexpected gain.

***

"Let’s do it this afternoon. I need to rest in the morning. After lunch, I’ll accompany you out," Xiong Xiaobai replied, continuing to record the outline content she had thought of on paper.

The hall masters of the Dark Palace immediately began to deliberate, and before long, bursts of laughter echoed through the main hall.

But this time, Xuanyuan Si truly had no leads. He knew that Mi You’s attack could not have been a mere coincidence, yet he could not fathom the specific cause.

Well, prayer was completely useless; he would never count on the heavens for protection again! Tian Tian turned stiffly. An Zirui had already reached the doorway, and as she turned, the distance between them became uncomfortably close.

Long Qianxun wanted to die upon hearing that question. "This is bullying!" he grumbled to himself.

"It’s all thanks to your reinforcements. Without that Earth Cannon, I wouldn't have been able to take down the Singer," Qiao Lü laughed.

After Xiang Yun finished speaking, the two in the arena did not immediately engage as expected, but remained in a silent standoff.

Luoyang City was divided neatly into northern and southern districts by the Luo River. In the streets, one could see rows of stern, armored Sui Dynasty soldiers patrolling. Even though rebel armies were constantly emerging across the Sui Dynasty, there was no sign of chaos in this ancient capital.

Such discussions, even if whispered, were easily overheard by any cultivator capable of arriving at this place.