The Evil Emerges, Revealing Its True Form

The Divine Frost Domain, Floating Island Palace.

The golden-hued hall was filled with the lords of various sacred domains gathered together.

The Radiant Empress, draped in a golden-patterned gown, lightly traced her fingers along her wine glass, her gaze lingering on Qin Luo with a faint smile. "Master Qin, regarding the trade details of the Great Thousand Network, I still have some questions..."

Her voice was soft, but her body leaned slightly forward, almost crossing the table.

Qin Luo took a polite half-step back and smiled. "Please go ahead, Empress Radiant."

A glimmer flashed in the Radiant Empress's eyes as she parted her crimson lips. "If all sacred domains connect to the network, how will the production of spiritual energy be allocated? And what about the 'bandwidth fees'..."

She went on and on, questions pouring out one after another, as if she had endless things to say.

Beside them, Su Muwan rested her chin on one hand while poking at the spiritual fruits on the platter with the other, her expression growing increasingly vacant.

—Why do these abominations talk so much?

She internally screamed in frustration.

Weren’t they supposed to come here to fight? Why is everyone just discussing business?

And that Radiant Empress—her eyes are practically glued to Qin Luo!

Do abominations really need this much foreplay?!

The more Su Muwan thought about it, the angrier she became. With a crack, her fingers crushed a spiritual fruit, its juice splattering onto her hand.

"..."

Expressionless, she flicked the juice off her hand before casting a cold glare at the Radiant Empress.

The latter seemed to notice her gaze but instead of backing off, she smiled back at Su Muwan before resuming her conversation with Qin Luo.

"Master Qin, I heard the Divine Frost Domain recently developed a new type of spiritual array?"

The Radiant Empress's voice was honeyed as she twirled a lock of hair around her finger. "Would you care to elaborate?"

?

Qin Luo frowned inwardly.

Why are these abominations so strange?

No killing intent detected...

It almost feels like they genuinely want to have a proper conversation.

But... does that make sense?

They’ve already infiltrated, yet they still haven’t made a move. Are they... waiting for something?

Qin Luo nodded. "Of course."

Just as he was about to explain—

SLAM!

A pale hand suddenly struck the table, rattling the wine glasses.

The hall fell silent.

All eyes turned to see Su Muwan standing up with a frosty expression, yanking Qin Luo’s arm and pulling him behind her as she positioned herself between him and the Radiant Empress.

"Empress Radiant, mind your distance."

Her voice was quiet but sharp as ice. "Qin Luo is mine."

The Radiant Empress’s smile stiffened, a trace of fury flickering in her eyes before she quickly regained her composure.

She took an elegant step back and gave a slight bow. "You misunderstand, Lord Su. I was merely concerned for the future of the Great Thousand World, hence my many questions."

Her tone was sincere, as if she truly had only the greater good in mind.

—You wretched little thing! How dare you stand between me and my King!

Once the plan begins, I’ll tear your mouth apart first!

The Radiant Empress seethed internally, though her face remained serene.

Su Muwan narrowed her eyes. Something felt off, but she couldn’t pinpoint what.

With a soft hmph, she pulled Qin Luo back down to sit, muttering under her breath, "Who knew a mere Qin Luo would be so popular..."

Qin Luo chuckled quietly. "Young Mistress, are you really jealous of abominations?"

Su Muwan glared. "So what?! Abominations aren’t people?"

Qin Luo: "..."

Abominations literally aren’t people!

He shook his head helplessly but didn’t argue, simply shifting closer to Su Muwan to stay within her "radar range."

Seeing this, the Radiant Empress dug her nails into her palm, suppressing her rage as she turned to converse with other domain lords.

Damn it, damn it, damn it!

The King seems to have lost his past memories—that must be the accursed Heavenly Dao’s doing!

And Su Muwan!

You vile wretch! I swear I’ll make you suffer!!

Time passed slowly.

The day went by without incident.

As night fell, the second banquet of the evening commenced on the floating island.

The long tables were laden with spiritual delicacies and fine wines, their aromas intoxicating.

Su Muwan grabbed a plate and dragged Qin Luo straight to the buffet, grumbling, "Starving, starving… those people just wouldn’t shut up..."

Qin Luo laughed as he served her a few slices of spirit beast meat. "Take your time. No one’s fighting you for it."

At his words, Su Muwan glanced over while chewing—

The Radiant Empress was chatting and toasting with Lei Zhentian and others, but her gaze kept drifting toward Qin Luo, her lips curled in an eerie smile.

"Tch."

Su Muwan stabbed her plate irritably. "Qin Luo, tell me… those abominations aren’t actually into you, are they?"

Qin Luo, who had just taken a sip of spiritual juice, nearly choked. "Young Mistress, can your imagination stay grounded for once?"

Su Muwan pouted. "Then why do they keep staring at you?"

Qin Luo sighed. "Maybe they’re waiting for the right moment to strike?"

Su Muwan rolled her eyes. "Then strike already! Quit dragging it out..."

Just then, Lei Zhentian approached with several other domain lords, beaming. "Master Qin, Lord Su, thank you for your hospitality today. Let us toast to you both!"

Su Muwan: ?

Qin Luo raised his glass in return, exchanging pleasantries.

Lei Zhentian and the others were unusually enthusiastic, steering the conversation from trade cooperation to cultivation insights, then to the customs of the Divine Frost Domain...

Qin Luo responded politely, though a sense of unease gnawed at him.

—Aren’t their targets supposed to be Su Muwan?

—Why are they all focusing on me?

Then again, perhaps this was for the best.

At least Su Muwan was safe for now.

After several rounds of drinks, the Radiant Empress suddenly spoke up.

"Master Qin, there’s a question I’ve long wished to ask you."

Qin Luo looked up. "Go ahead."

Her gaze deepened as she slowly asked, "What do you believe… is the essence of this world?"

Qin Luo was taken aback but answered, "Rules."

The Radiant Empress pressed further. "And above rules?"

Qin Luo: "The Heavenly Dao."

"And above the Heavenly Dao?"

"Nothing."

"If nothingness is all there is, then what is the meaning of existence?"

"To live."

"And if living is just emptiness?"

"Then embrace the emptiness."

The Radiant Empress’s questions grew faster, Qin Luo’s replies more concise.

The surrounding listeners were utterly lost, unable to interject.

Were these domain lords really here to… philosophize with their Master Qin??

Su Muwan, meanwhile, gnawed on a spiritual fruit, her expression darkening.

What the hell is this woman playing at?

Since when did this turn into a philosophy debate?!

Finally, the Radiant Empress posed her last question—

"Master Qin, if one day you discovered you were not yourself, but a higher existence… what would you do?"

Qin Luo’s brows furrowed slightly before he replied calmly, "Nothing."

The moment he spoke—

The Radiant Empress’s face twisted. "Wh… why?"

"Because..."

Qin Luo reached out, pulling Su Muwan close with a smile. "No matter my identity or existence, I’ll always stay with my Young Mistress."

Su Muwan smirked triumphantly at the Radiant Empress. "Get it now, Little Radiant? Some questions really aren’t worth asking."

?!!

The words had barely left her mouth when—

"NO! NO!"

Something in the Radiant Empress snapped. She shed all pretense, her facade crumbling as she shrieked in front of Qin Luo and Su Muwan.

"IT CAN’T BE LIKE THIS!"

Her voice turned shrill and piercing!

Qin Luo was about to speak, but in the next instant—

His pupils constricted slightly.

The atmosphere around them shifted abruptly.

Linglong’s eyes suddenly narrowed, the whites swallowed by inky blackness, her lips twisting and tearing apart, stretching all the way to her ears!

"My King! You’ve changed! How could you stoop to placate these insignificant ants?!"

"You were meant to lead us—to tear this hypocritical world to shreds!"

As she spoke—

Boom—!

Her body swelled violently, her skin splitting apart as dark mist erupted from within!

At the same moment—

Lei Zhentian, Han Tianqing, and the other domain lords also began to warp and distort, their flesh rupturing as they transformed into grotesque, monstrous abominations!

Simultaneously—

The banquet guests, who had moments ago been chatting like ordinary humans, revealed their true forms in an instant.

"ROAR—!"

The creatures howled, and chaos erupted across the hall!