Volume One, Chapter 29: The Territory Cabinet

Throughout the day, Zhuang Fan felt more and more of Xiao Mei’s power, gaining a deeper understanding of the native inhabitants of this otherworldly realm. Though they lacked support systems, their own physical prowess was extraordinary.

"So what if you're a big shot? Does having a high rank mean you can be unreasonable?" Qin Xiao retorted, refusing to be outdone.

Gu Jianan truly detested such nuisances, much like when Que Ge had offered herself up as a slave.

Fang Jikang and Yu Liying did not return to the factory that day. Fang Zhinong was exhausted; after drinking some water and eating a few bites of food, she fell asleep in Yu Liying’s arms.

A man in his twenties took the raw stone from Chen Yu’s hand and began cutting it with the stone-cutting machine.

"Master, she is Su Tanji, a beauty from a thousand years ago. Furthermore, she is no longer a ghost; she is a demon far more formidable than any spirit. To be precise, she is a thousand-year-old fox demon."

By lamp-lighting time, Ma Qiancheng was so exhausted that he couldn’t even lift his arms. When he released Qiu Fenglin, he collapsed onto the floor like a deflated balloon.

The invitation for the eighteenth birthday banquet and grand exchange meeting of the youngest ninth-level practitioner was worded with extreme courtesy. Added to this, the Ninth Bureau touted Gu Jianan as a master artifact refiner and talisman maker, praising her until even she felt a twinge of shame, though it was certainly a highly effective approach.

In the corner of the office, Kiba Yuuto, usually so humble and easygoing, glared fiercely at the two women and their holy swords.

The third person was Zong Yan, who had just achieved a breakthrough a few days prior. Her cultivation base was not yet stable, and this battle would serve perfectly to solidify it.

To ascend to that supreme position, relying solely on a dim-witted, sickly crown prince and a powerless Rong family would never suffice. He had to rebuild his reputation among the officials and the common folk so that, once the deed was done, his ascension to the throne would be a natural progression.

Seeing the gate to Jiang Mianmian’s house wide open, he walked right in. Upon entering the courtyard, he spotted Jiang Mianmian in the living room, head buried in her studies.

In the early evening, Xu Che drove to the entrance of the police headquarters. Sheng Xiao sat in the back seat and placed a call to Mu Qiqi.

At his shout, the guards outside rushed in, subdued Han Liang, and stuffed a cloth into his mouth to prevent him from biting his tongue to commit suicide.

After entering the city, Ling Han bade farewell to the medicine merchants and set off to find lodging. The Huixiang Restaurant near the East Gate was bustling with customers that day; the waiters darted back and forth incessantly, their calls mingling with the chatter of the patrons.

Murong An had assumed that when Murong came to the kitchen, he was looking for her, but she hadn’t expected him to circle around the perimeter of the house instead.

Hearing his proposal, the group led by Tu Kuku had no objections. They decided to stay and wait, and incidentally, everyone—man and spirit alike—wanted to stroll through the market at the foot of Qingling Mountain to observe the long-unseen folk customs.

"So, you still... love her?" As Shu Nian asked this, a faint, bittersweet sensation stirred in her heart.

The man’s words left Murong An baffled, though she simply wore a look of utter confusion, as if she had no idea what he was talking about.

The last time Zhang Mingyang had visited, he had only seen the manufacturing plant; he had never actually seen the base’s residential quarters.

That meant Ni Ruonan and Ni Liyang had left of their own volition. But why would they choose to leave?

"Do not fear me. I have already perished in the chaos; what you see before you is but a lingering soul."

After the Five Kage dispersed and returned to their respective villages, the trio of Sahong and his companions were intercepted just as they stepped out of the Land of Iron on their return journey to the Hidden Sand Village.

Zhang Linglong had visited Bishan several times, often staying at this very Crystal Palace Hotel, which was always incredibly lively.