The powerful sit and observe the game of chess, while the pieces quietly conceal their merits and renown.

The flowers and plants were also quite fond of Liu Yi. Upon learning from White Magnolia about her wood-based powers—capable of making vegetation feel the vitality of spring—they vied to please her. Their gestures of goodwill were simple: those that could bloom unfurled their most beautiful blossoms; those that could bear fruit produced plump, luscious offerings. The varieties planted for urban landscaping seldom yielded fruit, but their flowers were dazzling enough. Thus, the entire city’s ruins seemed transformed into a wild, blooming mountainside, awash with brilliant colors.

All they needed to do was hold the enemy at bay until reinforcements arrived; then, these mongrels could be utterly wiped out.

Ye Li had grown thinner, plagued by sleepless nights. She simply couldn't bear the sound of Liu Tianqing tossing and turning in the bedroom, his suppressed breath echoing through the darkness. She had consulted many doctors, but aside from applying warm compresses, there seemed to be no better remedy.

Lately, nothing seemed to go right. After finally driving away her aunt’s family, peace had lasted only a few days before yet another disaster struck.

Then Zhang Xiaofeng took another drag from his cigarette, his demeanor as calm as ever as he addressed the assembled cultivators.

Their formation had been split and encircled by enemy forces. Qian Qi and the other guards were less than ten meters from Zhang You and Li Yan, and yet, instead of regrouping, they were being forced farther apart.

Qin Ling listened, heart pounding. His gaze was fixed firmly on that round jade disc, memorizing every detail of the restriction carved into its surface.

When Mu Jinxi asked her question, her father and mother immediately changed countenance, their eyes darting evasively. At the sight, the anger that had just subsided in Mu Jinxi flared up once more.

During this audience with the emperor, Li Daozong was little more than a bystander. He had spoken only a handful of words from beginning to end; the conversation was mainly between Li Hao and Emperor Taizong. After Li Hao left, however, the emperor asked Li Daozong to remain in the Hall of Sweet Dew. Whatever was said between them, Li Hao did not know.

The next day, Li Hao no longer bound Fan Lihua, nor did they ride together. Instead, he gave her his Lion Steed to ride and mounted the Flaming Dragon himself, amounting to a swap of horses. He realized the Flaming Dragon was truly a rare treasure—a tall and powerful frame, a coat as red as fire, strikingly handsome, in no way inferior to the Lion Steed.

At last, she made up her mind. Without a word, she shed her gauzy robe and lay down on the Phoenix Couch with a stony expression.

Ahuang was the lion king of this realm, rarely seen. Its presence usually meant trouble had come to Fox Melody Mountain.

When Cheng Que woke, he felt noticeably more energetic. After all, he was a cultivator of the Ten Thousand Unities Realm. Though not as formidable as the clan chief or deputy chief, his powers gave him remarkable recuperative abilities. Especially after a good rest, supplemented by pills and food, all traces of fatigue vanished.

Truthfully, Qin Yue never intended to take Zhou Zhen’s life outright; otherwise, he would not have gone to such lengths, leaving him a week’s grace after setting the acupuncture points.

“Forget it, we can’t afford the coffee at the Saturday supermarket,” Anna declined with remarkable composure.

Wudao remained entirely unaffected. He straightened slowly, turning a cold gaze on Yin Luo. The giant sword, mirror-like in its sheen, hovered at Wudao’s side—a weapon conjured by his own power, as if to declare it would fight at his command unto eternity.

As Han Feifei stepped before Di Yuefan, a trace of confusion appeared on his face as well.

Madam Su nodded, watching Bo Yunlang’s earnest expression. She knew he meant every word, and even if his promises were never fulfilled, the sincerity of the moment moved her. Secretly, Madam Su glanced at Su Yiyao, and sure enough, Su Yiyao looked deeply touched.

The Third Elder immediately glared at the Fourth and Fifth Elders, who fell silent at once, their focus returning to the Black Fire.