Volume 1, Chapter 34: The Empress's Birthday

News had long since circulated that some in the main contingent had broken through to the Saint level after bathing in the Moon Well, but this was the first time a Sword Saint had officially appeared. It was only natural that he received such a warm welcome; even Peter, despite being royalty of the Skansen Kingdom, had to step aside to avoid being overshadowed.

Xia Haitong sighed. Why was she worrying about this? No matter how wicked Li Siqin might be, her feelings for Ye Chengxuan were undeniably sincere. Since the two of them were in love, where could there possibly be a place for her?

To alleviate the panic among the merchants and mercenaries, the main force truly needed to take some action; at the very least, it would soothe the growing resentment among the soldiers of the Labrenz Principality.

Yet, Situ Xiao had insisted she attend in formal attire. To dress too casually would be a sign of disrespect toward him, as if she lacked the magnanimity to embrace the one her husband loved.

After speaking, he walked out of the living room. Xia Haitong stared blankly at his retreating figure, stunned by her own persistence. Where on earth did it come from?

He cried out that he had been tricked. When had the clever girl learned how to goad him? And she was such a sycophant, climbing the pole as soon as it was offered! Perhaps it was for the best; at least he wouldn't have to worry too much about Xuehai being deceived.

The reason this matter wasn't discussed while they were traveling was primarily to give Nicholas time to gradually adapt. Otherwise, discussing joining another mercenary group while his spirits were at their lowest would likely have triggered his resistance.

Having regained her freedom, Tang Yafu knelt and begged Master Qin to spare him, even attempting to rush over to save him, only to be dragged onto the carriage by the men of the Tianyue Sect.

But just as Song Duanpu reached out to take her smooth, delicate hand, the fool’s phone rang at the most inopportune moment.

Toad Gu: Tang Dynasty physicians wrote, "The complexion turns white and then green, the belly bloats and swells, resembling a toad; if the creature vomits something shaped like a tadpole, it is Toad Gu." The characteristic of Toad Gu is that the toad has cultivated into a demon.

Jiang Zaiyuan was stunned by these words. Upon further reflection, he realized that Elder Yang, who had spoken with him that day, was likely the Master of the Mansion he referred to.

His usual elegance was nowhere to be seen, leaving only a faint ache and a sense of suffocation in his heart. As he stood there panting, passersby cast pitiful glances his way, assuming he had failed to appease his lover.

"This child has always lacked discipline; I’m used to it," Cheng Anya said with a smile, finding humor in her misery at the expense of Young Master Ye. Young Master Ye slapped the back of her head. "Damn it, you’re the one who lacks discipline!"

This kind of domain could not be possessed casually; it required someone with a special constitution. Throughout their Phantom Beast race, there were only two or three who possessed a space-type domain.

Ran Junqin held his long sword in a reverse grip and charged straight at Cao Feng. Cao Feng’s face darkened as he glanced at Ran Junqin; refusing to show weakness, he wielded his paper-thin soft sword like a viper emerging from its hole, slashing toward Ran Junqin with a treacherous maneuver.

Seeing this, Jiang Zaiyuan frowned and hurriedly recalled all the remaining Black Flood Dragon Dharma manifestations, turning them back into black mist before absorbing them into his body.

Suddenly, Jiang Zaiyuan blocked with his arms, standing in place completely unscathed, while the dissipated purple-red aura once again enveloped him.

Jiang Yao had no time to persuade her and could only focus his energy on the approaching enemy.

"No, absolutely not." Han Xue hugged herself tightly, retreating to the corner of the bathroom.

"After a period of experimentation," Arant said, "I discovered I could absorb those blood spirits. But because I am only a high-level vampire, the amount of blood spirit energy I can absorb each time is limited."

Mo Xu looked at Mo Shaojun’s tears with a heavy heart. Although Mo Shaojun was not his biological son, he had long since accepted that he would be Mo Shaojun’s father for the rest of his life. He was not unaware of Jin Yunmo’s intentions, but he felt the timing was not yet right.

Once Jiang Lengying finished explaining to Hua Qianqiu and Wanyan Yanran, a surge of fury rose in Hua Qianqiu’s heart. His right hand grasped the air, and with a constant flow of pale green light, a powerful suction force pulled Deng Hong toward him.

Possessing the highest realm of "shrinking the earth into inches," he could reach the ends of the earth in a heartbeat. No matter where Wang Yu went, he could return with a single thought; these departures were entirely unnecessary.

"The pity is that the Master disappears from time to time, and we cannot find him at all. Otherwise, we could have let the Master decide," Xiao Duocai said, shaking his head.

Fat Sheep and Zhizhi stared blankly at the beautiful figure before them. Phoenix looked no more than fifteen years old; her smile was incredibly enchanting, with phoenix eyes, a delicate nose, sexy red lips, and snow-white skin.

The nobles agreed for a simple reason: to pacify Pika and his group, then find a suitable opportunity to kill them. But the next day, Pika and his necromancers left the Dark Magic Guild. No one knew where they went. The members of the Dark Magic Guild believed they must have gone to search for the whereabouts of the Black Soul.

"If you love me, go marry Mo Yi. That is the only way to show your love for me." Duanmu Hao struggled to suppress the strange emotion in his heart. He could not be influenced or controlled by Han Jingxuan again; he remained the same Duanmu Hao who understood nothing of love.

He didn't care about striking Zi Yan with his newly extended hand; instead, he gripped her hand, attempting to pry off the "devil's claws" that held his wrist.

Luo Tian thought for a moment before answering: "As for the reason, I do not know, but one thing is certain..." Having said this, he smiled slightly and looked at Wanqiu, leaving the rest unsaid.

Zhang Ziqiang was deeply disappointed. The ring only recognized a master once every ten years; his plan to use it to cultivate family loyalists was unrealistic. But it didn't matter—if he could secure the loyalty of the Temple, his safety in this world would be guaranteed.

Zhu En had fully understood the situation by now, so he stopped wasting words and recounted the events to Zhang Ziqiang in full detail.

The following day was set for a large-scale hunting plan organized by the Alliance, the first since they had moved to Taihu Lake.

Today, Su Xing sat down next to Su Han, wanting to ask him once more when he could arrange a meeting with Mayor She.

The main force of the Anti-Japanese United Army, after completing its reorganization, reached a strength of approximately 170,000 troops.