The Water Deity Elder, whose image is that of a mighty river, spoke calmly: "Though our encounter was brief, I've used seven-tenths of my strength, while the Demon Eye has only deployed four-tenths. Even in a fierce battle, I see no chance of victory. My initial assessment is that two Elders would be required to match him—of course, this doesn't account for the use of equipment, nor for the Demon Eye's frenzied state, during which it slaughters ordinary people to sustain itself through warfare. The strength and terror of the ancient war god, you all should be well aware of." The Elder of the Red Flame Sect scoffed: "Regardless of how strong the ancient war god is, even if he goes berserk and relentlessly slaughters civilians to draw their vital essence, even then, he alone cannot be our six Elders' match." No matter how many variables arise on the battlefield, nor how formidable the ancient war god may be, he cannot single-handedly face off against six Masters. The Elder of the White Tiger Army spoke with firm resolve: "This has never been a question of whether we can win—it has always been about how to eliminate the Demon Eye with the least possible The Mages' Eyes has been showing up openly in Songhai, confident that we won't dare to act there. "Of course, he's also afraid to engage us in the bustling city centers." A master-tier combatant, equivalent to a humanoid bomber, leaves everything in his path reduced to ashes. The stronger the spiritual realm traveler, the more cautious they tend to be in real life—no one wants to be officially wanted by the spiritual realm and become a constantly tracked fugitive. The spiritual realm's warrant applies to all travelers, regardless of whether they're lawful or chaotic. Once issued, even a master-level traveler becomes a "public enemy," and with substantial rewards, both the righteous and the chaotic factions will rally to attack. That's why the elders of the Songhai branch are so troubled—fighting with more forces than they have, it's not difficult to defeat the Mages' Eyes, but the real challenge lies in eliminating him without making a sound. "To suppress the noise of battle and avoid affecting ordinary citizens, we must either move the Mages' Eyes away from the city or into a sacred realm. Can the Dog Elder's zoo hold him?" The voice of the Master of the Still-Death Palace resonated in the conference room. Soft and gentle, it carried a touch of effortless ease, as if she were lazily lounging on a couch, chatting casually—rather than conducting a formal, high-level meeting. Guided by the principle that "an enemy of my enemy is my friend," the senior elders of the Songhai Branch reached out to the Master of Still-Death Palace upon learning of the Heavenly King of the Mysterious Eye's arrival. Though this woman was a wandering scholar and a fugitive on the run, the senior elders maintained a flexible professional boundary, remaining good friends with her as long as they could effectively counter the Heavenly King of the Mysterious Eye. Master Dog spoke slowly: "The rule-based artifact can indeed hold the Heavenly King of the Mysterious Eye, but only if the physical artifact itself arrives—projected images will not suffice. While the artifact's body is mobile, it cannot forcibly detain people. "We need to get the Heavenly King to willingly enter the zoo. But how do we entice an ancient war god to walk into our net of his own accord?" "Once you enter the zoo, you're never leaving—it's impossible for the Mago's Eye to be fooled. The Central Hall Elder suddenly asked, 'Lady Zhi Sha, how has the bait been faring?' Lady Zhi Sha replied calmly, 'The bait has been noticed, but hasn't yet taken the hook. The Mago's Eye King is remarkably patient. He's usually nervous, but when it comes to critical issues, he shows absolutely no weaknesses.' By 'bait,' she meant a puppet she had strategically placed in the underground black market, making a single public appearance. The very next day, the target took notice, yet remained patient, observing quietly without immediately acting. The Central Hall Elder mused, 'What if we use the bait to lure the Mago's Eye King into the zoo?' Lady Zhi Sha exhaled, 'First, the bait isn't substantial enough—unless I personally become the bait. Second, the Mago's Eye King's vertical eye can detect disguises, and the zoo lacks the ability to conceal its own aura.' The conference room fell silent for a moment. A master-level evil occupation, quite simply, is that difficult. The commander of the White Tiger forces sighed, "The Mage's Eyes have been making a grand show of themselves lately—deliberately irritating us, confident that we can't do anything about it, though even he knows we won't risk a full-scale battle. The official tournament is due to open soon. As long as the Mage's Eyes causes any disturbance in Songhai, headquarters will surely hold us accountable. Each of the regional branches will also mock the Songhai branch for its inadequate performance. Most critically, if the Primordial Sovereign encounters any unexpected issue at this very moment, it will be a severe blow to the Five Elements Alliance. Moreover, who knows—what if the Mage's Eyes has been quietly operating in Songhai with ulterior motives? What if all this is merely a façade, and his true intention is to eliminate the senior elders of the Songhai branch? That would directly affect the safety of each of you present. Thus, the issue with the Mage's Eyes has remained unresolved, and the elders have been restless ever since. The senior elder of the Red Flame Sect has endured it for a while, finally reaching his limit, and said in a measured tone, 'Making a grand show, acting with complete disregard—deliberately irritating us "Hmph, really thinks that's all we can do? Since everyone has their reservations, no one really feels confident—best case, we all go down together. I'm going to fight the Mage-Eye head-on, and we'll all be wiped out." No one responded in the conference room. Zheng Sha, the Master of the Stilled Blade, sneered, "As a senior elder, what's the point of saying such things?" Luo Shen, the elder from the Water God's Palace, chuckled, "He's not just being dramatic—he's actually capable of doing it. Never underestimate the wisdom and composure of the Fire Master." Zheng Sha laughed heartily, "How do you officially describe me? As a madman, a zealot. I'd say your elders are truly the ones who are out of their minds." At that moment, the Dog Elder slowly said, "I have an idea." The room fell silent once again, the four Masters leaning in to listen. "It's not difficult to deceive the Mage-Eye's perception and have him 'mistake' the zoo for something entirely different. As long as one Void-being steps in to create a phantom realm, the Mage-Eye will never detect the existence of the zoo." "Void-Wielder" is the title of the master of the realm of illusion. Master of the Red-Flame Sect sighed, "Isn't this just plain nonsense? How could the Void-Wielder possibly join us?" Suddenly, he paused, as though remembering something. The elder of the White Tiger troops chuckled, "Excellent idea. If that one can step in, the matter will be settled." Pausing again, he added, "But our face won't be enough—we simply can't persuade him." Master Luo proposed, "Let the Primordial Celestial Sovereign intervene." Master of the Central Hall hesitated, "Even the Primordial Celestial Sovereign may not commit. That one wouldn't likely step in for a transcendent wanderer. If he does, we'll have to reassess the value of the Primordial Celestial Sovereign." "Everyone…" the Lady Grand Master of the Stilled-Death Palace interjected, with a touch of confusion and something unusual in her tone, "What are you talking about? When did the Primordial Celestial Sovereign develop such a close connection with the Void-Wielder? I've never heard of it." Master of the Red-Flame Sect scoffed Although you have grown close to the Primordial Heavenly Sovereign, he is still one of my Five Elements Alliance's people—so everything still needs to be reported to you, right?" As he finished speaking, it seemed as though he had misunderstood, for the Master of Zheng Sha Palace was now rubbing her teeth. The Dog Elder said, "Then that's settled. I'll inform the Primordial Heavenly Sovereign to personally intervene. Everyone will await further news." "...Do the Elders expect me to personally invite Master Wuhen to assist?" At home, Zhang Yuanqing listened to Fu Qingyang's phone call, stunned. Fu Qingyang said simply, "Is there any issue?" Zhang Yuanqing furrowed his brows. "As you know, Master Wuhen is constantly battling his inner demons. Once he channels his true strength, his anger will rise and he may lose control." Even a Master-level leader might be overwhelmed by such intensity. The art of confronting one's inner demons requires calmness and detachment from worldly distractions and conflicts. Fu Qingyang replied calmly, "All we need is for him to create a realm of illusions—no need for him to engage in combat." Moreover, the elders didn't have a solid trust relationship with Wuhen. He wanted to get involved, but the elders weren't necessarily willing to agree. "I'll give it a try..." Zhang Yuanqing wasn't confident enough to make a firm commitment. After hanging up, Zhang Yuanqing immediately donned the "Silent One" mask and stepped out. Ten minutes later, he took a ride-sharing car to Jinshan City. On the way, he gazed out the window, lost in thought. According to the elders' plan, if Master Wuhen were to step in, resolving the Móyǎn would be a near certainty. The issue, however, was what if Master Wuhen chose not to intervene? My face as the Yuanshǐ Tianzūn seems to carry little weight with the Buddhist masters. Yet the Móyǎn Tianwang absolutely had to be dealt with—hiding was merely a temporary strategy and couldn't last. It was a matter of life and death; he couldn't simply act like a ostrich. Once the situation escalated and they came knocking, everything would fall apart. As the ride-sharing car approached Wuhen's hotel, Zhang Yuanqing had a plan in mind. "Master "Here's fifty yuan cash—won't deduct from your fare," the driver said, pressing the brakes and parking by the roadside, "Have a safe journey!" Zhang Yuanqing paid the fare, stepped out of the vehicle, and arrived at a quiet spot. Seeing no one around, he removed his mask of silence and quietly faded into the background. Then he took off running toward the Unseen Hotel. At that moment, he still had over thirty kilometers to go. With his current stamina, maintaining a sprint for thirty kilometers was manageable, but running that distance in the state of night walking would be quite taxing. When Zhang Yuanqing reached the outer area of the Unseen Hotel, his strength had been nearly drained—his face pale, sweat pouring down like a flood. "Huff, huff..." He emerged in a quiet section beside the hotel, leaning against the wall, hands resting on his knees, breathing heavily. So tired—his last near-exhaustion had been in Yin Yang Town... Zhang Yuanqing swallowed, but found no moisture in his mouth to ease his dryness. Just rested for a couple of minutes, Zhang Yuanqing staggered around to the front of the building, pushed open the glass door of Wuhen Hotel, and shouted loudly: "Xiao Yuan, save me!" At the reception desk, Xiao Yuan was busy fiddling with her phone when she suddenly gasped, looked up, and saw the dire condition of Yuan Shi Tian Zun—her face immediately turned pale. She quickly set down her phone and rushed over, her brows furrowed, her cool complexion now radiating fierce determination: "Who hurt you?" Zhang Yuanqing recounted his ordeal with a plaintive tone: "It was the relentless Demon-Eyed King. He finally found me. How humbling for a King of such stature to dare attack someone as humble as me! If it weren’t for the intervention of the Department’s senior elder, I’d have been dead already." Xiao Yuan frowned, gritting her teeth: "This mad dog!" She supported the trembling Yuan Shi Tian Zun as he sat down on a nearby lounge chair and asked: "What’s happened?" "Ah, this is an old injury flaring up again." Zhang Yuanqing explained briefly and quickly shifted the topic, saying, "The Magi-Eye King has been most unkind to us. Oh, Xiao Yuan, I simply don't know what to do anymore." "He's already pushed you to this point?" Ms. Xiao Yuan's pale face was filled with serious concern. Zhang Yuanqing seized the opportunity to add, "The senior monks from the division have actively developed a plan to counter the Magi-Eye King, but there's one issue— they need a powerful illusionist to join them. Xiao Yuan, I would like to meet Master Wuhen." "You'd like Master Wuhen to step in?" Xiao Yuan furrowed her brows, hesitating. "You know how difficult it is for him to participate, and that this goes against the rules he has set. Master Wuhen is a very disciplined elder." "It's only about creating an illusion—ah, I've already told the seniors that. So, I'm not sure I can stay in Songhai any longer. I've come to seek your help." Zhang Yuanqing sighed deeply, looking utterly discouraged. Xiao Yuan silently gazed at him. She remembered the Primordial Heavenly Sovereign as vibrant, confident, and full of spirit—yet in just a few days, he now appeared so subdued, so disheartened, as though truly struck by the Magician King’s gaze. A strange surge of indignation rose in Xiao Yuan’s heart. Taking a deep breath, she said thoughtfully, “If all he needs is a vision or illusion, I can take you to see Master Wuhen and relay your message.” Zhang Yuanqing immediately grasped her hand, eyes bright with surprise. “Really?” Xiao Yuan gently withdrew her hand and nodded. The two of them immediately proceeded to the deeper part of the hotel, took the elevator, and arrived at the door of Room 404. “Knock, knock!” Xiao Yuan tapped the door lightly with her fingers. “Master Wuhen, the Primordial Heavenly Sovereign would like to see you.” As she spoke, she tried to turn the door handle—should it turn easily, it meant Master Wuhen was willing to see him. If not, then he would not be seen. To her relief, the handle turned smoothly, and the surrounding scenery began to warp, In an instant, the two appeared within the ancient temple, its ceiling adorned with painted deities and bodhisattvas, and before them stood a golden Buddha, holding a lotus in one hand, gazing gently yet with an air of both compassion and sternness. Zhang Yuanqing inhaled deeply, the rich scent of incense filling his lungs, and folded his hands together. "Master, I have been spotted by the King of the Magician's Eye. Yesterday, I nearly died at his hands. The elders of the Songhai branch have devised a plan..." He then relayed the actions taken to counter the Magician's Eye to Master Wuhen. Master Wuhen remained silent, seated motionless. Zhang Yuanqing bowed deeply. "Please save me, Master." Master Wuhen still said nothing. Xiao Yuan couldn't contain her impatience. "Master, if your only action is to create illusions, that would not interfere with your own practice. Should you intervene to protect Yuan Shi from the threat of the Magician's Eye, you would be fulfilling your duties without breaking any rules." After a long silence, Master Wuhen finally spoke, her voice strained with pain. "But—when that moment comes, simply break this "Say this, a faint, deep glow emerged from his sleeve and flew out, landing at Zhang Yuanqing's feet. Zhang Yuanqing was delighted: "Thank you, Master." The two made no further停留, bowed respectfully, and stepped out of the ancient temple. Holding the Jade Symbol of Dreaming, Zhang Yuanqing exhaled in relief, then turned to his companion, the small circle and said: "I'll call to report this." The small circle replied calmly: "Why not just walk directly?" "I'm so tired—I just want to have a drink and rest a bit," Zhang Yuanqing said seriously. "It's such a rare visit to Jinshan City; naturally, I'd like to spend more time with Aunt Xiao Yuan." The small circle was momentarily surprised. Zhang Yuanqing had already moved to a nearby spot, pulling out his phone and dialing Fu Qingyang's number.