Bai Jun spotted his teammates among the crowd.
After scanning the area and confirming that Qin Rong and the others were all present, he let out a sigh of relief.
"Gu Yan! Thank goodness you're alright!"
Liu Jianxing also searched for Gu Yan in the crowd. Only after seeing him unharmed did he relax and stride toward him.
"Yeah."
'Gu Yan' nodded, then cast a fearful glance at 'Old Gao.' "If it weren't for Old Gao, I wouldn’t have made it back to see you, Brother Liu."
Liu Jianxing shared the sentiment, patting his chest. "If not for Brother Murong, I wouldn’t be standing here either."
Just then—
**Hum!**
An overwhelming pressure weighed down on everyone’s hearts.
All of them stiffened in alarm.
The next second—
**"ROAR!!"**
A deafening howl shook the earth as a tide of demonic beasts surged forward like a flood, their monstrous forms emerging through the swirling dust.
Everyone looked up.
Before them, the demonic army advanced in disciplined formation, each step sending tremors through the ground.
Amidst the vast dark legion, one figure stood out distinctly.
A figure seated upon a massive black demonic beast, its back bearing a throne of bleached bones.
Clad in heavy armor, the figure rested a broadsword radiating an eerie glow at his feet.
His face remained hidden beneath his helmet, but even from this distance, the martial artists could feel the crushing aura emanating from him.
Beside him stood a robed figure in black.
And alongside them, another figure rode a colossal silver wolf.
"Tsk... Who is that?!"
"The demonic army... Their master?"
"What the hell is going on here?!"
The martial artists held their breaths, their eyes wide with terror as the demonic legion closed in.
Within moments, the armored figure guided his night-like steed forward, halting before the group.
**"ROAR!"**
Countless demonic beasts flanked him, lowering their heads in submission as a sign of reverence.
Bai Jun and the others immediately felt the suffocating pressure bearing down on them.
The armored figure silently observed them, as if scrutinizing each martial artist.
Is this... the master of this forbidden zone?
So strong... And these demonic beasts around him...
Bai Jun quickly assessed the situation, a cold sweat breaking out on his forehead.
This can’t be real...
Their energy fluctuations... They’re all at the Grandmaster level?!
**Thud! Thud!**
His heartbeat quickened.
Truly a forbidden zone...
What does he want? He let us pass through the trials, only to gather us here like this.
What’s the plan?
Time ticked by.
Lin, seated atop Yinyue, swept a disdainful gaze over the crowd before raising her voice.
"Humans, trespassing into our domain was the most foolish decision you’ve ever made."
"But our benevolent monarch, in his mercy, has granted you an audience for making it this far."
"Now, our lord presents you with two choices."
"First—submit to us, the Nether Clan."
The moment these words were spoken—
**Nether Clan???**
Everyone froze.
What kind of race is that?
Are they referring to these demonic beasts?
And... submit to them?
After so many of us have died?!
One martial artist, provoked by the demand, snarled in outrage.
"Are you joking?! So many of us have already died!!"
"Hey... shut up!"
"Can’t you read the situation?!"
Those nearby panicked, hastily pulling him back.
Though they, too, seethed with rage over their fallen comrades...
Right now, resistance was impossible.
Just look at the demonic beasts surrounding them—this wasn’t a fight they could win.
Lin’s expression remained cold as she addressed the speaker.
"Of course, there is a second option."
"And that is... to offer your lives to our monarch!!"
As her voice fell—
**"ROAR!"**
In an instant, every demonic beast roared in unison, the sound shaking the earth.
Ning Qian’s grip on her sword trembled slightly as she gritted her teeth, resisting the Grandmaster-level sonic assault.
Some weaker martial artists collapsed on the spot, knocked unconscious.
The figure on the throne raised a hand slightly.
Immediately, the demonic beasts fell silent.
Then—
Gu Yan, now the Nether Monarch, spoke calmly.
"Humans, I know why you’ve come."
"But now, you have only these two choices."
"Life or death—even insects should know the answer to that."
The crowd seethed with fury.
Bai Jun scanned the area.
His teacher was nowhere in sight.
Teacher... isn’t here?
His fists clenched.
This is the worst-case scenario...
Just as the crowd glared at Lin with burning hatred—
**"Like hell we will!"**
A furious voice rang out.
All eyes turned toward the source.
There—
The young master of the Gu Family, Gu Yan.
He gripped his sword tightly, pointing it straight at the Nether Monarch.
"After so many of us have died, you think we’ll just let this go?!"
"Submit to you monsters?! Don’t make me laugh!"
"I’ll avenge the fallen!!"
Lin’s face darkened instantly, her aura turning murderous as she locked onto Gu Yan.
"Human... you seek death."
"Daring to disrespect our monarch like this?!"
Bai Jun stared at Gu Yan, his heart stirring.
Yes... just like a month ago, when Gu Yan rallied us against the Night King.
And now, history repeats itself.
That’s right.
With that thought—
**Hum!**
A surge of silver energy erupted from Bai Jun’s body, his hair turning silver and standing on end.
He growled, "Gu Yan is right! Staying true to ourselves—submitting to monsters isn’t the way of martial artists!"
"Everyone, I’ve already used my silver energy to call for backup from my teacher! As long as we hold out until Minister Lin arrives, we’ll be safe!!"
The moment these words were spoken—
Hope reignited in everyone’s hearts.
Minister Lin—Bai Jun’s teacher was none other than that monster, Lin Yinyin!
"Alright!"
Weapons were raised as the group turned their furious gazes toward Lin.
Lin’s eye twitched in irritation.
What fools.
To be granted the honor of joining our monarch’s ranks...
Fine then.
Just as she prepared to strike—
The Nether Monarch version of Gu Yan spoke indifferently.
"Is that so?"
"Then... become nourishment for our brethren’s revival."
Before anyone could react—
**Thwip! Thwip! Thwip!**
A storm of thorned vines shot out from the massive flower bud behind him, lashing toward the crowd.
**"Gah—!!"**
'Gu Yan' was impaled through the abdomen, collapsing instantly.
"Young Master!"
"Gu Yan!"
Old Gao and Bai Jun shouted simultaneously, completely caught off guard.
"First, deal with the most troublesome pests."
The Night King version of Gu Yan spoke indifferently, then turned to Lin: "Leave the rest to you."
"Do not disappoint me."
With that, the Night King version of Gu Yan vanished from the scene.
"Yes!"
Lin nodded, then cast a murderous gaze at the group before gesturing to the demonic horde: "Kill them."
"ROAR!!"
As her command echoed, a deep, guttural roar erupted. Countless monsters surged toward the warriors like a tidal wave, their howls and thundering footsteps resonating across the battlefield like the tolling of a doomsday bell.
Meanwhile.
In a space overlapping with reality.
"Phew..."
Gu Yan had Zhua Zhua remove his helmet and armor.
He then turned to Xiao Leng, who was staring at him with an unreadable expression, and shifted uncomfortably. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Have you decided when to make your move?"
Xiao Leng gave a slight nod. "Naturally."
She paused, then smiled faintly. "Just look forward to it. The effect... will be spectacular."
s the Eldest Princess, renowned for her cold and aloof detachment, became the most docile of lambs, obeying his every command without question. But when the final move was played on the chessboard, as Gu Chenghan seized everything and ascended on the verge of apotheosis, that very Princess suddenly embraced him from behind, her tone carrying a dependence never heard before: "Wait... you haven't yet... commanded me to love you forever." Gu Chenghan froze abruptly. She... hadn't been hypnotized?! ... [The Eldest Princess's Diary] [When my soul was extracted, becoming the sole spectator outside my own shell] [At first, there was overwhelming fury, until I saw] [How he used my sword to effortlessly shatter my inescapable doom] [How he wielded my authority to eradicate fatal conspiracies I had never even detected] [Like a deity, he rescued me from the deep mire I was trapped in] [If not for those annoying vixens, he and I would be a match made in heaven] [I think I am ill, gravely ill] [My deity should belong to me alone] ... "Hypnosis? Oh, it succeeded, my dear Master." "Only this time, it's my turn to hypnotize you."
e bizarre and supernatural had descended. The previous emperor was a thoroughgoing tyrant; no longer satisfied with human women, he had set his sights on a stunningly beautiful supernatural entity. He met his end in his bedchamber, drained of all his vital essence. As the legitimate eldest son and crown prince, Wang Hao was thus hastily enthroned, becoming the young emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty. No sooner had he awakened the "Imperial Sign-In Intelligence System" than he was assassinated by a Son of Destiny—a classic villain's opening. The Great Zhou, ravaged by the former emperor's excesses, was in national decline. The great families within its borders harbored their own treacherous schemes, martial sects began to defy the imperial court's decrees, and border armies, their pay and provisions in arrears, grumbled incessantly against the central government. Fortunately, the central capital was still held secure by the half-million Imperial Guards and fifty thousand Imperial Forest Army who obeyed the court's orders, along with the royal family's hidden reserves of power, barely managing to suppress the realm. As the Great Zhou's finances worsened and supernatural activities grew ever more frequent, the court sat atop a volcano. Ambitious plotters everywhere dreamed of overthrowing the dynasty, and even some reclusive ancient powers emerged, attempting to sway the tides of the world. At the first grand court assembly, the civil and military officials nearly came to blows, fighting tooth and nail over the allocation of fifty million taels of silver from the summer tax revenues. The spectacle opened Wang Hao's eyes—the Great Zhou's bureaucracy was not only corrupt but also martially proficient, a cabinet of all-rounders. Some officials even had the audacity to suggest the emperor release funds from the imperial privy purse to address the emergency. Wang Hao suddenly felt weary. Let it all burn.
to panic—he has a system. As long as an investment target dies, he can claim a reward. And since he is immortal, the one thing he has plenty of is time. ... Countless years later. “Immortal Emperor of Longevity? I invested in him.” “Supreme Celestial Venerable? I invested in him.” “Undying Empress? I invested in her.” “...” “Heh. Once they’ve all died, even the Heavenly Dao will have to kneel and call me Dad.”
his freshman year, Su Bai accidentally bound the "Indulgence Tycoon System." 【Sleeping in? Reward: +$1,000】 【Spent $288 at a street barbecue stall? Cashback: +$2,880】 【Dropped $14,396 on in-game skins? Special reward unlocked: A brand-new Porsche Panamera!】 Luxury cars, penthouses, corporate shares, financial empires… College life was all about living freely and doing whatever he pleased! … When the adorably naive academic genius faced family medical bills and financial struggles, Su Bai waved his hand dismissively: "Your future is on me." "Wuwu~ Big Brother is so good to me! I’ll become a scientist to repay you!" When the genius girl got bullied by a shady professor? Su Bai casually dropped a billion-dollar investment, forcing the university to grovel and beg for her return. A company’s funding chain collapsing? Su Bai smirked—cash was the one thing he’d never run out of. Years later, when people traced the rise of the AI prodigy beauty, who was the man behind her success? Not just that—Su Bai also became the tsundere campus belle’s unattainable dream, the contrast senior’s daily necessity, and the beautiful counselor’s emotional anchor…
