Volume One, Chapter 47: Captivity

In the dim, stifling chamber, the air was heavy and damp, thick with the scent of mildew. Lin Wanti slowly opened her eyes, her head splitting with pain. She realized she was bound to a rough wooden chair, her wrists and ankles tightly restrained, rendering her unable to move.

She struggled to recall what had happened before she lost consciousness: the carriage, the men in black, the pungent smell of medicine...

Li Tiannan had just led Gu Bai out of the tent when, without warning, a fist came flying toward Gu Bai. At that moment, Lin Tiandong felt once again that he had been outmaneuvered by Gu Bai. The fragments of metal scattered about now seemed especially glaring and irritating. Earlier, in his excitement, he hadn’t even noticed the wounds on his back, but now the pain was impossible to ignore.

In the main hall, the scholars were doing their utmost to display their talents, hoping to win the favor of the ladies. The legend of talented scholars and beautiful women existed everywhere.

Xue Xiaoqian, who used to mingle with Chen Zidong and his group, was somewhat snobbish in the past, so this invitation had left them both startled and flattered.

Ise Sanzhi’s concerns were not unfounded, but his thoughts were still too simplistic; in truth, he hadn't fully grasped the situation. The plans might sound beautiful, but the risk of losing control was real. None of the emperor’s sons had a soft heart; given the chance to ascend the throne, why would they accept merely the title of crown prince?

Fang Xu, listening from the side, couldn’t help but twitch the corners of his mouth. It seemed he had provided the recipe, yet now he was being completely sidelined—was that really fair?

At Qingyun Fortress, the salt was refined to perfection, yet the price was even lower than elsewhere, something truly difficult to fathom.

The four of them ascended to the second floor, where a heavy door stood—the only passage separating the first and second floors.

After carrying the willow-wood sword for so long, his temperament had been subtly influenced. Coupled with his habit of plotting and scheming, always treading the path of intrigue, it was now an obstacle on his journey to immortality.

Otrom approached the table, pressed his hands together, and poured magical energy into the black crystal orb. Everyone’s gaze was fixed upon it, watching in silence as the events of that day replayed in the swirling depths of the crystal.

Just before leaving, Su Qin suddenly remembered something, grabbed Xia Yuan, and dragged him back into the room, slamming the door shut with a kick.

Li Shaoqiang was one of the earliest members of the Lu family troupe. Now thirty-seven, he had played bit parts for seven or eight years but was still struggling to make a name for himself.

Rows of old cars were lined up in the open lot. Alongside the road stood a row of makeshift earthen huts, already built, numbering over a dozen.

After the three took their seats, Xuan Zhenghao gestured, and two of the crystal walls opened. A black crystal stone flew into his hand.

“Roar!” Ye Lingyun let out an enraged howl. His eyes turned pitch-black, his body erupting with wild demonic energy, deathly aura, and ghostly force, as if he would shatter the very seal of the heavens and earth.

“This is Ling’er’s gift. She wouldn’t let me open it, but now you can. I’m curious to see what treasure lies inside.” He handed the Sumeru ring to Qiao Ning.

Strange howls echoed from all directions, swirling and lingering like the cry of some otherworldly flute, commanding venomous creatures and monstrous insects.

With the blessing of a Xuanhuang Merit Dragon, the pagoda claimed seventy percent of the benefit, while Lu Changsheng received only thirty.

At these words, Lu Changsheng felt a bit embarrassed. Though he truly didn’t wish to embrace Li Shanshi, Liu Ruyan’s sharp and suggestive remark left him completely at a loss for words.

This also brought significant trouble to the city’s law enforcement; there were even shortages of police staff.

“Senior brother, it seems you have something on your mind.” Jingyue’s cheeks bloomed like peach blossoms, her eyes enchanting. She lay sideways beside Dilin, draped in a sheer white veil, her graceful figure captivating.

By now, the situation on the field was unmistakably clear. The blue team led by Ye Tian and Li Bai held an overwhelming advantage. No matter what the others said in the chat, it was as if they were inviting ridicule upon themselves—it was nothing but self-inflicted humiliation.