Return to the Imperial Capital, and you'll have a one-in-ten chance of survival.Head south to the Ten Thousand Great Mountains, and you'll live.
When you heard these two drastically different answers from Liu Yue, your expression turned grave as you weighed the pros and cons carefully.
Clearly, Liu Yue was already pushing her limits by telling you this much. The matters and karmic entanglements involved were far too great—far beyond what she could afford to meddle in.
It was obvious that both paths were fraught with danger. The trip south to the Ten Thousand Great Mountains, in particular, was very likely an elaborate trap laid just for you—waiting for you to jump right in...
「"The Imperial Capital is a den of wolves and tigers, swarming with powerhouses. It's also the mastermind's home turf. It wouldn't be surprising if several Heavenly Beings were lurking there. With my current abilities, taking on an ordinary Heavenly Being is already the limit of what I can handle."」
「"Going there would be practically a death sentence. But that 'one-in-ten chance'—what does that glimmer of hope represent? Could there be something I'm missing?"」
「"No matter. Since they've been so eager to lure me south to the Ten Thousand Great Mountains, I'll take the bait in this simulation run. I'll scout ahead for my real self and see exactly what kind of dragon's lair or tiger's den awaits me—and how many people are out for my blood."」
After a moment of deep thought, you finally decided to stick to your original plan: head south, to the Ten Thousand Great Mountains.
You wanted to find out once and for all if the trip south was truly a trap. You also wanted to identify all the people who wanted you dead, so you could prepare yourself in advance.
And for some inexplicable reason, you felt a strange, powerful pull toward the south—a tug that made your blood boil, as if your very veins were urging you to go.
You had to find out why.
At worst, you'd die. But as long as your real body remained intact, you could always find a way to survive through countless simulation runs.
Having made up your mind, you led Liu Yue toward the Century Hotel.
It was already nightfall. Just like in your last simulation, the entire Century Hotel was under siege by hordes of black-cloaked assassins—all determined to kill the decoy posing as you inside.
「"Two Saint Ascension powerhouses and one Third-Order Heavenly Being. Want me to make a move?"」Liu Yue asked, still eager to fulfill her three promised favors so she could claim her reward and make a clean getaway.
In her estimation, the hidden Third-Order Heavenly Being was far beyond your ability to defeat.
「"Not yet. It's not time for you to act. Let's watch first."」You shook your head. If the mastermind wanted to set a trap for you, you'd make them pay a painful price first.
Besides, you wanted to test a theory.
As time passed, the Modu General Administration team led by Qi Wei could no longer hold their ground, beginning to retreat step by step.
But unlike last time, there was no heroic rescue from the Child of Destiny, Ye Fan. The so-called Child of Destiny seemed to have vanished without a trace from the very start...
「"Looks like Ye Fan isn't going to show up tonight."」You sighed inwardly, disappointed. You'd been looking forward to ambushing him again.
Who would've thought that in this simulation run, Ye Fan would be as slippery as an eel—nowhere to be seen from start to finish.
Meanwhile, the Ghost Doctor the Venerable, hidden in the shadows, could no longer contain himself. He charged straight into the Century Hotel.
Sun Zhong was sent flying with a single palm strike, crashing to the ground and spitting up a mouthful of blood.
Pfft!
The decoy "Sun Qian"—dressed to the nines like a spoiled playboy—was obliterated by a single palm, reduced to a cloud of blood mist, not even leaving a complete corpse behind.
「"It's a fake! A decoy!"」The Ghost Doctor's face twisted into a grimace. He'd never expected to kill the wrong target.
The Li Clan Ancestor and Shen Zhong from the Modu General Administration, who'd followed him inside, paled instantly, a sense of foreboding washing over them.
Could it be that their target had known about their plan all along—and fled beforehand?!
「"Hahaha! Earlier, I wondered why Young Master Sun wanted a decoy. Turns out it was to keep you bastards in check!"」Sun Zhong laughed bitterly, blood still dripping from the corner of his mouth, sneering at them disdainfully.
「"Old dog of the Li Clan! Shen Zhong, you two spineless cowards! Don't think you can hide your identities behind those masks—I'd recognize you anywhere! And you, you eunuch! The stench of your cowardice is practically choking me!"」
「"Sharp-tongued little worm! Seize him! This official will tear his soul apart piece by piece!"」The word "eunuch" struck a nerve. It was the Ghost Doctor's biggest pet peeve. He was a eunuch, yes—but he'd never tolerate being called a dog.
The Li Clan Ancestor and Shen Zhong exchanged a glance, preparing to make a move. But they froze abruptly halfway.
Unbeknownst to them, you and Liu Yue had appeared silently behind Sun Zhong, your eyes cold as you stared them down.
「"Beat them half to death. Leave them just conscious enough to talk."」
「"One favor left."」
Liu Yue held up a single finger, reminding you of the terms of your deal.
Before her words faded, a terrifying Heavenly Being aura slammed down without warning. A tidal wave of spiritual energy erupted, carrying boundless power that instantly gravely wounded the Ghost Doctor and his two companions.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The Li Clan Ancestor and Shen Zhong collapsed to the ground, their fates unknown.
The Ghost Doctor spurted blood from his seven orifices, dropping to one knee. His robes were tattered and torn, and a gaping hole pierced his dantian—his cultivation completely destroyed.
Liu Yue's attack was so fast that even you barely registered it. The sheer power she displayed made your pupils constrict sharply...
Compared to her overwhelming might, your own Fire Dragon Incinerate the Heavens technique was like a tiny glowworm pitted against the blazing sun—utterly insignificant.
「"A Fifth-Order Heavenly Being... and those strange techniques... Just who are you, little girl?!"」The Ghost Doctor stared at the hole in his dantian, his face draining of all color. He seemed to recognize Liu Yue's lineage.
「"Dare to speak my name, and even your master will pay a terrible price!"」Liu Yue's expression darkened instantly. She snapped at him sharply.
Your gaze flickered. You'd never imagined that this eunuch Ghost Doctor would actually recognize Liu Yue's true origins.
But it was clear she had no intention of revealing her identity to you.
The Ghost Doctor fell silent at her warning, but his eyes locked onto you, and he suddenly threw his head back and laughed maniacally:
「"Hahaha! This official thought you'd really managed to rope that clan into backing you. Turns out it's just a transaction!"」
「"This little girl doesn't even dare to tell you who she is—she doesn't take you seriously at all!"」
「"You little bastard! This official admits defeat! Kill me, torture me—do whatever you want!"」
Hearing the Ghost Doctor's attempts to sow discord, Liu Yue's expression flickered. She turned to you, wanting to explain—but all she saw was your calm, unreadable face.
You activated Supreme Mode in an instant, your heart as still as a lake. An aura of supreme dominance erupted from your body, and you stared down at the Ghost Doctor like a sovereign overlooking his minion.
「"The palace's rules have truly deteriorated. A mere eunuch dares to insult his master upon seeing him. Who gave you the courage?!"」
You tried to use your Smooth Talker talent to coax the Ghost Doctor into spilling his secrets.
Boom!
At your sharp rebuke, the Ghost Doctor froze for a split second. A look of servile respect flickered across his face instinctively, and he almost dropped to his knees to beg for mercy—but it was quickly replaced by a wave of extreme rage.
「"You... you carry the cursed blood of a regicide! Qianyuan nearly fell because of your kin..."」
Aaaaagh!!!
Before he could finish his sentence, a wisp of black flame suddenly erupted from his body, burning wildly—as if he'd triggered some kind of forbidden curse...