The Manipulated Long Tianyun, A Vessel Prepared for the Divine

On this day, everyone remembered the fear of being dominated by Demon Creatures.

As the dark clouds dispersed, a ray of sunlight fell upon the ruined city.

The scent of blood still lingered over the wreckage, and the echoes of yesterday's battle seemed to hang in the air.

Martial artists from neighboring cities arrived one after another to rescue survivors.

The death toll reached unprecedented heights.

It was hard to imagine that this area had been under the protection of the Martial Alliance.

Martial artists from the Martial Alliance, who had been dispatched to the Southern Isles, rushed back upon receiving the news.

Unsurprisingly, Long Tianyun became the one most responsible for the casualties.

After all, he had mobilized most of their forces to search for ancient energy, leaving the situation beyond salvage.

Three days later.

All survivors within the city had been located, and the Martial Alliance arranged temporary shelters for them.

Neighboring cities also sent supplies, temporarily stabilizing social order.

But the loved ones, family, and friends lost during this tragedy would never return.

All those who had lost someone were immersed in grief.

Online, voices began to emerge, claiming that Long Tianyun was unfit to lead the Alliance.

The criticism grew louder, impossible to suppress.

In contrast, Leng Qingqiu's heroic performance in the battle spread across the internet, with many believing that only she was fit to lead the Alliance.

At this moment.

Inside the grand conference hall of the Martial Alliance headquarters, the atmosphere remained tense and solemn.

Today, the Alliance convened a major meeting to discuss the recent Demon Creature invasion and future countermeasures.

All key martial artists and high-ranking officials were present, their expressions grave.

What was intriguing was this—

The person seated at the head of the table was no longer Long Tianyun.

Instead… it was Leng Qingqiu!

Because Long Tianyun had refused to attend the meeting, citing his need to "refine ancient energy."

His indifferent reaction suggested he felt no remorse for the tragedy three days prior.

Sitting at the head of the table, Leng Qingqiu's thoughts kept drifting to Gu Yan.

In truth, when she discovered that footage of her battle had spread online, she had already begun to suspect something.

From joining the department, to becoming the head of the Sword Enforcement Division, to the growing online sentiment pushing for her leadership—

Leng Qingqiu sensed that Gu Yan was secretly orchestrating it all.

His goal was clearly to place her in the position of Alliance leader.

But… why?

What was Gu Yan's true motive?

Beside her, a department head, seeing that everyone had arrived, spoke solemnly: "Colleagues."

"The Demon Creature invasion three days ago exposed many flaws in our defenses. We must reflect deeply and find more effective countermeasures to prevent such a disaster from recurring."

"Additionally, our monitoring team detected traces of a unique energy signature at the scene."

"After cross-referencing our database, we confirmed that the remnants belonged to… the Night King!"

The moment these words were spoken, the entire room tensed.

The Night King—a name that struck fear into hearts across all eras.

And now, traces of his presence had been found at the scene?

What did this mean?

It meant this catastrophe was likely his doing.

An elderly martial artist stood, his expression grave. "Minister Hong, this invasion was too sudden. If the Night King was behind it, it would make perfect sense."

"I have a theory—the isolation barrier in the Ancient Martial Realm, along with the disappearance of countless Demon Creatures within the city—could these also be the Night King's doing?"

"Could his goal be to control the Demon Creatures?"

Another martial artist stood in agreement. "I share this view. Ever since Long Tianyuan was slain by the Night King, the isolation barrier appeared in the Ancient Martial Realm."

"This is undoubtedly connected to him!"

"Now that his energy signature has been found at the scene, there’s no doubt—he’s responsible!"

The room erupted in outrage.

"Damn the Night King! How can he be so ruthless?"

"Exactly! He claims to eradicate all evil, yet he keeps destroying cities!"

"The previous Demon Creature invasion must have been his doing too!"

"What do we do? This won’t be the last attack—how do we prepare for the next one?"

As the debate grew heated, the minister who had spoken earlier turned to Leng Qingqiu, who had remained silent.

Respectfully, he said, "Leader, it’s your turn to speak."

As the head of the Tactics Department, he believed only Leng Qingqiu could lead them to victory.

He was one of her staunchest supporters.

Hearing this, Leng Qingqiu snapped out of her thoughts.

Since things had come to this, she had no choice but to accept reality.

With a composed voice, she spoke, instantly silencing the room: "The Demon Creature invasion exposed many weaknesses."

"Most critically, our defensive systems are full of gaps. We must urgently reinforce the city’s defenses and raise our alert levels."

She turned to one side. "The Formation Department will be responsible for constructing defensive arrays. Additionally, our early-warning systems for Demon Creature invasions must be thoroughly reviewed and improved."

"Yes!" The Formation Department head responded immediately.

Leng Qingqiu nodded. "Furthermore, patrols must be intensified, and alert levels raised. We will also need more resources and aid to support our defense and reconstruction efforts."

"Finally, I will infuse the formations with psychic energy to track Demon Creature signatures. The moment they show signs of resurgence, alarms will be triggered."

"Teleportation arrays must also be upgraded for faster response times."

"Yes!"

As orders were issued one after another, everyone grew more convinced—only Leng Qingqiu could lead them forward!

......

......

Deep within an underground Alliance laboratory.

Long Tianyun passed through multiple security checkpoints before reaching the central chamber.

The space was dominated by a massive experimental platform.

Rows of suspended green containers filled with an unknown liquid lined the area—each holding a grotesquely deformed… half-Demon Creature.

His gaze swept indifferently over these failed specimens, products of the "Anti-Demon Weapon" experiments.

Then, he strode toward the largest containment unit at the far end.

Inside, a figure was submerged in liquid, their body pierced by countless tubes.

Unlike the other failures, this one was still conscious.

Sensing movement, the figure’s eyes snapped open—now transformed into vertical, reptilian slits.

A murderous aura radiated from them.

BANG!

Their hands slammed against the glass, their voice hoarse: "You… lied to us…"

"Bai Jun, accept your fate."

Long Tianyun’s voice was cold.

"This is your destiny."

Long Tianyun spoke in a flat tone, gesturing to a white-coated lab assistant nearby.

The assistant nodded and flipped a switch in front of the containment unit.

In an instant,

torrents of green fluid surged through the tubes, injecting directly into Bai Jun’s body.

"Ugh... AHHH!!"

A scream of agony echoed through the chamber.

Bai Jun’s consciousness began to blur as he stared at Long Tianyun.

His memories faded rapidly.

The Demon Weapon experiment...

So... it was all real.

Little sister... Teacher...

Gu Yan... you... must protect them...

Time lost meaning.

"GROWL!"

With a bestial roar, Bai Jun inside the containment unit... lost all awareness.

His body swelled grotesquely, his original form now replaced by something monstrous.

"Sir, the readings show Bai Jun’s energy has reached levels only seen in a Grand Master!"

"But... it seems he’s lost all self-awareness."

A lab member reported excitedly.

Long Tianyun gave a faint nod. "Understood."

The moment he spoke—

Whoosh!

A shadowy figure materialized beside him—one of the Long Family’s elite enforcers, sent by their patriarch, Long Aotian.

"Long Tianyun," the enforcer said gravely, "the Patriarch demands your presence."

"Also."

His gaze shifted to the lab staff. "Make a copy of the Demon Weapon’s experimental data."

"Yes, sir!"

Minutes later,

the shadow vanished with the data in hand.

And "Long Tianyun’s" expression slowly twisted into something unreadable.

Good.

Now, all obstacles have been removed.

Descend, O Divine One...

I’ve prepared... the perfect vessel for you.