"An unidentified object is approaching! All forces, prepare for battle!"

The cliffside instantly shattered, and squads of well-equipped soldiers poured out. Their weapons were instantly chambered as they snapped into combat formation. Just as everyone tensed, the alarm abruptly fell silent.

Then, a commanding voice slowly rose. "There's no need to panic. It's merely an old friend."

Hearing this, the soldiers immediately lowered their weapons and saluted.

WHOOSH!

The wind howled as Wang Choutian descended from the sky. He paid the soldiers no mind, instead walking straight into the mountain's interior. He navigated the steel corridors with practiced ease, soon arriving in a great hall forged from steel. A lone figure was seated at its center.

"We meet again after a long separation."

The moment Wang Choutian arrived, the person in the hall turned to face him. In that fleeting instant, Wang Choutian caught a clear view of his face. The wrinkles were like etchings of time, and his hair was as white as snow. It was clear he had lived a long life.

"Greetings, Pavilion Master." Wang Choutian stopped and bowed slightly.

The Pavilion Master shook his head gently. "You needn't be so formal. I know you are no ordinary person."

Wang Choutian straightened his back, his gaze locking with the Pavilion Master's. As their eyes met, the very air around them seemed to tremble.

"I have a matter to discuss," Wang Choutian began slowly.

However, the Pavilion Master seemed to have anticipated his question. "Dragon's Dive Pavilion has a deep cooperative relationship with him. I cannot allow him to die."

Wang Choutian didn't seem surprised. "And what if he isn't in the Heaven Merging Realm?" he asked calmly.

The Pavilion Master was taken aback. "Are you certain?"

"I have confirmed it myself." Wang Choutian nodded gently, his movement like a light breeze brushing over a lake.

The Pavilion Master fell into contemplation, resembling an ancient stone statue. After a long moment, he spoke again. "I cannot be certain whether he is in the Heaven Merging Realm, but I trust you are not lying. However, he possesses a treasure that the nation desperately needs. We cannot let him be killed so easily."

Wang Choutian's gaze burned like a torch as he stared at the Pavilion Master. "That would be the legendary Spirit Jade Elixir, would it not?" he said softly. Before the Pavilion Master could respond, he continued, "No matter. I can obtain the Spirit Jade Elixir first and then slay him. Afterward, the Spirit Jade Elixir can be shared with Dragon's Dive Pavilion."

The Pavilion Master's brow furrowed, but he still shook his head. "He has made contributions to both Dragon's Dive Pavilion and the nation. We cannot act rashly."

Wang Choutian's gaze turned icy cold. He fixed his eyes on the Pavilion Master as a boundless power surged within him, ready to erupt at any moment. The Pavilion Master looked back at him, unflinching, his own eyes glinting with resolve.

In that brief instant, it seemed Wang Choutian had been defeated. He snorted coldly. "The Wang Family requires a reasonable explanation!"

"He will apologize to the Wang Family," the Pavilion Master stated.

"That's not enough!" Wang Choutian retorted.

"What more do you require?" the Pavilion Master asked.

"The Spirit Jade Elixir," Wang Choutian replied. "To be shared between the Wang Family and Dragon's Dive Pavilion."

After a long period of contemplation, the Pavilion Master finally said, "I will try to arrange it, but I cannot guarantee he will agree."

Wang Choutian gave a slight nod and turned to leave. After a few steps, however, he paused, his voice drifting back from a distance. "If he refuses, I will take matters into my own hands. When that time comes, I doubt even your Dragon's Dive Pavilion will be able to protect him!"

Before the echo of his words faded, Wang Choutian strode forward again, this time without stopping.

The Pavilion Master watched Wang Choutian's retreating figure disappear from view and let out a deep sigh. He sat quietly on his throne, lost in thought for a moment before taking a communicator from his robes and beginning to compose a message.

Shortly after, Wu appeared at the entrance of the hall.

"Wu, your judgment was flawed. Chen Zheng is not a Heaven Merging Realm expert," the Pavilion Master's voice resonated like an echo from a deep pool, calm and profound.

"What? That shouldn't be possible..." A flash of surprise crossed Wu's eyes, but the Pavilion Master cut him off.

"The information has been confirmed. I have a mission for you..." the Pavilion Master's voice echoed through the hall.

A moment later, Wu departed in silence, his figure disappearing beyond the mountain.

「At the villa」

Chen Zheng and Wei Zixuan had just returned home from a day of shopping. Wu, who had been waiting at the entrance, immediately bowed deeply when he saw them appear.

"What can I do for you?" Chen Zheng asked in an elegant tone as he unlocked the door.

"Grandmaster Chen, you're not a Heaven Merging Realm expert?" Wu blurted out, the question that had been weighing on his mind finally escaping.

"Heaven Merging? Is that the stage after Grandmaster?" Chen Zheng smiled faintly and shook his head. "Indeed, I am not."

He had never deliberately concealed the fact; it was simply that no one had ever thought to ask.

Wu's pupils contracted instantly, and he stood frozen, as if his soul had left his body.

"If it's an urgent matter, please come inside to discuss it." Chen Zheng had a vague feeling that Wu's appearance was no coincidence. Perhaps it was related to the mysterious gaze he had sensed earlier.

Wu snapped back to his senses and immediately followed Chen Zheng and Wei Zixuan into the villa. In the living room, Wei Zixuan had already prepared fragrant tea, placing a cup before both Chen Zheng and Wu.

"Grandmaster Chen, you are in great danger," Wu said gravely after taking a sip of tea.

Chen Zheng had already anticipated this. No surprise showed on his face as he simply said, "Explain."

Without hesitation, Wu relayed the message he had received from the Pavilion Master.

Chen Zheng mulled over the key points in his mind. The Pavilion Master… Wang Choutian of the Wang Family, disappeared for ten years only to return at the Heaven Merging Realm… and he wants the Spirit Jade Elixir!

[Ding! You have successfully triggered a selection mission.]

[Option One: Refuse Wang Choutian. Reward: Bloodline Erasure Card.]

[Note: Infuse a drop of your blood and steam into the card to activate its curse-killing power. All individuals related to the target's bloodline will instantly perish. This card is only fully effective against targets below the Heaven Merging Realm; it will only have a limited effect on Heaven Merging Realm experts.]

[Option Two: Hand over the formula. Reward: 10,000,000,000 in cash.]

Upon hearing his choices, Chen Zheng immediately selected the first option.

"Wu, I'll have to trouble you to tell the Pavilion Master that the formula for the Spirit Jade Elixir belongs to me, Chen Zheng, and no one can take it away!" he declared. "As for Wang Choutian, advise him not to provoke me!"

[Ding! You have completed the mission selection. Reward: Bloodline Erasure Card.]

[Note: Infuse a drop of your blood and steam into the card to activate its curse-killing power. All individuals related to the target's bloodline will instantly perish. This card is only fully effective against targets below the Heaven Merging Realm; it will only have a limited effect on Heaven Merging Realm experts.]

"Grandmaster Chen, please reconsider!" Wu cried out urgently. "You may not fully comprehend the power of a Heaven Merging Realm expert. They are mysterious beings who control the very heavens and earth. Even missiles are useless against them!"

"Below the Heaven Merging Realm, we are all nothing but insignificant ants." A flicker of longing appeared in Wu's eyes as he spoke.

His words, though arrogant, were the truth. Those at the Heaven Merging Realm had transcended the limits of humanity, becoming beings that surpassed all others.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.