Only the little stepchild was thriving and doing well.

Dark clouds densely blanketed the sky, thunder rolling ominously as lightning streaked across. The slanting flash cast uneven light upon Liao Wanxun’s face, partially revealing his features in a blurred, shadowy manner that lent him an even colder, more forbidding demeanor.

Whenever he thought of Liu Yi, who had thwarted his bid for dominance in the apocalyptic world, his feelings were a tangled mix of love and hatred.

She was breathtakingly beautiful, pure and lively, with formidable personal abilities and decisive action. As the leader of Jiushan Peak, she had garnered the loyalty of countless mutated beasts, making her the ideal woman to marry.

“Do you want to die or live?” Jiang Fan shouted, raising the God-Slaying Sword. Time was tight; less than twenty seconds remained in the one-minute window of opportunity.

Su Che listened quietly, a well-measured delight flickering across his face, as if realizing that the Myriad Refining Sect would become a rare, valuable client. Yet, for reasons he could not explain, an inexplicable sense of alertness stirred within him.

Meeting the Wolf Team at this stage of the league seemed like a gift—an easy win after a series of setbacks, a moment of comfort. Arsenal desperately needed this victory, for three points were crucial to steadying their footing at this critical juncture in the championship race.

Thanks to the relentless pursuit by the foreigners, the eunuchs of the Imperial Surveillance Office were rounded up en masse, scrambling and cowering as they were herded together. Zhang Dexi summoned the roster of the office, counting each name carefully. Everyone was accounted for—except for Surveillance Chief Qi Huanyou. He immediately reported this to Yuan Dahai.

Of course, if Lü Bu thought Liu Long had only brought two fierce generals this time, he was gravely mistaken. On Liu Long’s left flank stood the young Zhao Yun, no less formidable than Zhang Fei or the others. It was only because Lü Bu had not yet faced him in battle that he underestimated Zhao Yun’s strength.

An unexpected challenge, the interruption of a rare cosmic treasure—thus the matter reached its conclusion.

In just a few terse words, Zhu Guozhen’s resignation was accepted without a trace of hesitation or room for negotiation, echoing the resolute tone of Emperor Tianqi’s earlier refusal of Yang Lian’s resignation.

Though awakened, he was unwilling to show weakness. Casting a cold glance at the eunuch party’s officials, his gaze settled on Gu Bingqian’s face. With a faint curl of his lips and a cold snort, he said nothing, hands clasped behind his back as he strode toward the Meridian Gate. Zuo Guangdou and the others hurried to follow.

Imperial authority was forever the finest cloak; beneath it, there was no fear of the Donglin faction wielding military power to “purge the court.”

Zhang Lin firmly believed that if his soldiers were personally trained by Comrade Hu Daming, the scene would be extraordinary. Even if they only absorbed a fraction of Hu Daming’s teachings, it would be nothing short of extraordinary.

Without a sense of crisis, Conan hesitated over whether to crouch and make a final attempt using his power-enhancing shoes, yet gradually his resolve settled.

Yang Fan seemed finally fed up with Coco. Grasping her upper arm firmly, he reaffirmed his purpose without yielding an inch.

Upon hearing Ying Zheng’s words, Meng Yi was momentarily stunned. Only then did he realize that in his previous contemplation of General Wang Ben’s statement, he had overlooked a crucial detail.

She did not want anyone to know, fearing others would trouble Coco, who lacked any form of protection.

Suddenly, Luo Haoran and the other two felt a numbness spread through their bodies, their true energy utterly drained.

The title struck fear across the kingdoms—rulers, officials, and common folk alike trembled at its mention.

At first, Tang Miaoyan did not suspect the Qi brothers because she mistakenly believed them to be mere wealthy scions.

Most villagers had already fled, none aware of her connection with Wang Ergou, allowing her a quiet sigh of relief.

If only she hadn’t hitched a ride with Gin, she wouldn’t have come this far, and in the end, she avoided causing trouble for this peripheral member.

As for now, leaving aside the hazy events of that day, the decisive battle today saw Sano also retreat quietly to the outskirts.