40. Ranran, admit it. The one you love is Lu Weian.

Coupled with droughts and insect plagues, the number of refugees fleeing from Ji Province into Zhongshan Kingdom was growing day by day. Similarly, scholars drawn by the fame of Zheng Xuan and Cai Yong arrived in groups of twos and threes, forming an endless stream.

"What on earth are you trying to do?" The Holy King furrowed his brow deeply, a heavy sense of foreboding washing over him.

Jin Wancheng sneered and said, "Does Valley Master Hua still not know whether Jin is a true man of honor?" His words were exceedingly rude, carrying the clear undertone of toying with Hua Xiangrong.

The Tsar, originally gripped by terror and intense anxiety, suddenly received the news that the Qing army had halted its offensive. He froze for a moment, followed immediately by a massive wave of relief.

To facilitate resistance against the Ming army, the five nations unanimously agreed to gather all their forces in Colombia. Ultimately, the allied forces would advance north through Panama to counterattack the Ming army, defeat them decisively, and drive them completely out of the American continent.

"I also wish this were merely a dream, but the truth is that the Central Realm is paying extreme attention to this matter. Right now, supreme powerhouses from the Central Realm may have already descended upon the Dragon Heart Empire!" Lai Yunhao shook his wayward head.

"Since you refuse the path of survival offered to you, do not blame me for lacking sentiment!" Before Tie Zheng could finish his thought, Hahan had already lost patience, bringing his sword down in a single sweep.

The streetlights flickered on, and night fell completely. Gusts of cold wind swept across, making Lu Xia shiver all over. She swore to herself that this was definitely not from fear—absolutely not.

Everyone assumed that Nangong Po's palm strike would either kill Wanyan Zongwang outright or cripple him entirely. To their surprise, Wanyan Zongwang stood unscathed several yards away, his footing as steady as a rock. Only then did they realize Nangong Po had no intention of taking a life, and Shangguan Yun hurriedly sheathed his sword.

This place had almost become a paradise for cultivators, with very few otherworldly entities remaining. More intense contests began to erupt among the cultivators themselves, though fatalities were significantly fewer than before.

"No matter the time! No matter what you become! Even if you turn into a tiger or a wolf! I will always be your brother!" Qin Xiao spoke with unshakeable certainty, his promise heavier than a thousand gold mountains.

After washing up, Qin Xiao ate a little something to replenish his energy. Then, carefully securing the doors and windows, he began crafting talismans.

Qin Xiao arched his body like a drawn bow, his limbs extended to maintain the shape of a crescent moon, and with a whoosh, he flew back into the ruined private room on the third floor.

Later on, when Feng Hu stepped out of the car to apologize, and Su Chacan knelt down to beg Zhao Zilong for forgiveness, Zhao Zilong—who had left such a profound impression in the flight attendant's heart—actually had to turn and ask the fat man for instructions.

The white flood dragon halted instantly at the sound, turning its gaze toward the profound eyes of the purple flood dragon. After a long, solemn moment, it whipped its body around and, swaying gracefully, returned once more to the vast and ancient stone forest perched atop the mountain peak.

Lin Chong dragged Hu Lu forcefully in front of the brutally murdered Hou Si and Xu Biao, then pressed Hu Lu's face down into the dirt, forcing him to stare eye-to-eye with the dead Xu Biao, whose eyes remained wide open in lingering resentment.

Xia Fan cast a sidelong glance at the bathroom, then unhurriedly sat down on the bed. Crossing his legs, he swung them back and forth with nonchalant ease, utterly unconcerned.

When all is said and forth, it amounts to just a few phrases and predictable lines, remaining unchanged for thousands of years. It seemed to have become some sort of tradition, with both sides tacitly cooperating in the performance.

Finally, the day of the competition arrived. Ye Yanqing, alongside countless others, traveled to the preliminary venue of the Martial Arts Tournament—Youzhou.

"I'm not too clear on the details," Wang Ren said. "I only know that that herb is extremely precious, and for an ordinary person to consume it is practically seeking death."

This Seventh Elder, Fang Chen, was at best a practitioner in the nascent stages of the Martial Ancestor realm. Compared to Zhang Jingfan, his strength was still vastly inferior. Killing him would be as effortless as snapping a finger, yet for now, Fang Chen could not die.

In an instant, all sorts of guesses churned in people's minds, though none knew who Su Ke was or what there was to celebrate.

He called Shizhu. When the call connected, the rushing sound of howling wind came through, as if the other party was traveling at high speed.

Seeing that he still hadn't made a move and that his expression had instead grown even uglier, Zhou Yingying felt a mix of trepidation and unease, casting a silent plea for help toward Sun Zhitong.

Within the Gao family, martial arts was the core pursuit. Gao Qixuan's cultivation was built through genuine, hard-earned practice without the aid of external shortcuts. Thus, aside from a tiny handful of young disciples among the major clans who could rival him, virtually no one could compare to him.

Especially during their recent major maneuvers—acquiring chip technologies, software development, and more—they were not only contributing to the gaming sector but also laying out the framework for China's Heavenly Net surveillance system.

Qixia wept alone for a while longer, then tucked the bird back into its cloth bundle. Wrapping it up just as before, she cradled it in her arms and went to find Ziyi.

"Master, to prove that your disciple speaks the truth, I have a treasure here that I wish to offer as a token of respect for taking you as my master." With that, Zhao Hao casually flicked his right hand and produced a mobile gaming chair.

Yet Ye Zhi had consistently shown no reaction whatsoever, which inevitably began to stir a sense of anxiety within her. Therefore, she resolved to seize today's opportunity to properly flirt with him and test his attitude.

When the Wei family watched Deng Hongzhu walk out of her own accord, they were completely dumbfounded. Only then did they realize why Su Ming was so arrogant—he genuinely possessed true and formidable capability.

The old man turned his head to glance at her, his stern and handsome face veiled by an imperceptible gentleness. He had many things he wished to say, but the present moment was hardly the right occasion.

Everyone knew that Ling Feng cared little for fame and fortune, preferring simply to remain within the prince's manor as a mere attendant by Bai Mingyuan's side. Yet Bai Mingshan had brought the matter up once again.

This was built specifically by the King of the Qing Territory Realm to warn all the princes that once they entered the training grounds, they must diligently apply themselves to martial arts.

"What is it?" Tang Yuxin was eating with great relish; why on earth was he suddenly stopping her?

All of the Yang family's properties, restaurants, medicinal herb stores, and entire business enterprises were to be transferred under Ximen Shi's name. As for him and his eldest brother, they would continue working here—not for the Yang family anymore, but for Ximen Shi.

Baili Mu abruptly tightened his brow. Hearing the words "Gu poison," he clearly refused to believe it, assuming she was merely talking nonsense.

All of Luo Yiyun's movements were under Oulan's strict surveillance and control, including her decision to infiltrate the banquet to assassinate her—Oulan was fully aware of it all.

His family was the poorest in the slums, standing a world apart from the Supreme Lord of Wealth. Propose marriage?