After the bell rang for two seconds, Zhou's secretary heard Cai the Elder pick up the phone. This was half a second faster than usual—something Zhou knew signaled the leader's anticipation of good news, specifically the joyful news of Yuan Shi Tian Zun's return to the spiritual realm. The more the leader anticipated, the more tense Zhou felt. Taking a deep breath, he smiled warmly, spoke with ease, saying, "Good news, Director! Yuan Shi Tian Zun has returned. He escaped the assassinations by the two masters from the Night Rose and the Southern School without relying on any external help. He has now returned to Song Hai." He deliberately emphasized "without relying on any external help" to convey to Cai the Elder that Yuan Shi Tian Zun's safe return was not due to any shortcomings in their efforts. On the other end, there was a moment of silence—Zhou could almost hear the intense flow of water, like a spring flood or a surging wave—then Cai the Elder's calm, neutral voice: "Understood." As he spoke, the turbulent flow settled. "Have you confirmed the purpose of Yuan Shi Tian Zun's visit to the Bai Xia branch?" "Cai Elder asked further. As a secretary who has served him for many years, Zhou Secretary understood immediately—Cai Elder wished to know how the Southern Sect and the Night Rose had orchestrated their plans. This was directly related to the weaknesses of Yuan Shi Tian Zun. Zhou Secretary spoke softly: "According to feedback from the Baxia branch, they were unaware that Yuan Shi Tian Zun had visited Baxia City this morning. However, Victoria and Ling Jun suddenly went to inspect operations today and placed special attention on a recently arrested malevolent profession. 'Once the incident of Yuan Shi Tian Zun's disappearance was reported to headquarters, that malevolent profession was suddenly ordered for execution by Victoria, carried out by Ling Jun. Yet the Baxia branch did not receive the body of that profession.' Cai Elder listened quietly and said, 'What do you think of this matter?' Zhou Secretary lowered his voice even more: 'Yuan Shi Tian Zun has maintained close ties with this malevolent profession over a long period. He went to the Baxia branch this morning specifically to rescue them, but was ambushed and set up by the Night Rose.' "Yuanshi Tianzun has had ties with the evil professions, a fact not secret at the headquarters. Back then, at the trial, Cai Elder had intended to use this very charge to define Yuanshi Tianzun's character. However, those evil professions were subordinates of "Wan Shi Wu Heng," and Yuanshi Tianzun's interactions with them were carried out under the instructions from the Song Hai branch. Thus, the headquarters can only temporarily tolerate this matter. After Zhou Secretary finished speaking, he said solemnly, "Leader, this is precisely his weakness—Dark Night Rose has already revealed it to us." Previously, the headquarters had no clear understanding of the nature of Yuanshi Tianzun's relationship with these evil professions; now, it is fully evident. Given Yuanshi Tianzun's strategic positioning as a high-ranking night traveler, this must have been a signal sent to them by Dark Night Rose. Cai Elder smiled, said nothing, and hung up the phone. ... Just as the dust of the incident—where Yuanshi Tianzun was ambushed by two masters from the evil faction—had begun to rise, it quickly settled again. In the afternoon, the forum remained bustling with discussions, as the whistleblower posted a headline: "Yuanshi Tianzun is doomed—deeply heart-wrenching," drawing attention from official representatives across various branches. Everyone watched anxiously through their screens, praying for Tianzun's survival, while more outspoken members criticized the headquarters. The brilliant talents from the evil faction remained elusive, while their own stars—like the green grass in a garden—were constantly harvested and cut down by others. The situation became chaotic, with administrators unable to keep up with the volume of deleted posts. It wasn't until 1 p.m. that the Songhai branch issued an announcement confirming that Yuanshi Tianzun had escaped the crisis and returned safely to Songhai. Only then did the tone of the forum begin to shift. The official representatives expressed delight in their praise: "Indeed, a true Tianzun!" yet they remained helpless in the face of the evil faction's leaders' elusive, ever-changing presence. Though Tianzun had returned safely, he could only absorb this silent loss and would now have to remain vigilant, carefully avoiding the attention of the dominant leaders. As for retaliation, it was clearly impossible. Throughout the afternoon, Zhang Yuanqing had been replying to messages from his friends—reporting in when needed, boasting when appropriate. Everyone’s advice was simple: stay low-key, just survive. No matter how powerful or renowned Yuan Shi Tian Zun might be, his title would always remain: the strongest beneath the Sovereign. When the Sovereign appeared, he would still have to bow. He remembered that when he teleported away, the plane had only sustained moderate damage—just two large holes from the impact, with no serious damage to its critical systems, so it hadn’t lost control. The Gulfstream model also came equipped with life rafts. The crew members couldn’t have died in a typical accident; the only plausible explanation was that they were eliminated by the Three Protectors and the Six Elders. But then came the question: was there any real need to eliminate them? The two Masters weren’t criminals—they were terrorists, entirely indifferent to official investigations. If they didn’t fear investigation, then why kill the crew? Was it simply out of a desire to kill, or a need for vengeance? This is an advanced spell of the illusionist profession, allowing the master to revive one living person at a time, though at the cost of losing all strength—similar to erasing and restarting. When the aircraft is in operation, the cabin crew is precisely the one who can provide the rejuvenated body for the Master of Pure Yang. Should the Master of Pure Yang revive through borrowed strength, he would certainly not return with the aircraft to Songhai—thus, he would be effectively choosing to die. However, if he departs alone, the sudden disappearance would draw the attention of the Songhai branch, making the borrowed strength revival impossible to conceal. Therefore, causing the aircraft to crash is the most favorable outcome. After receiving the dog elder's response, Zhang Yuanqing hung up the phone and saw Yin Ji had replied: [The dog elder's suggestion is excellent. Being watched over by the Dominators is quite dangerous—no one can withstand a Dominator during the Sage stage. If you remain low-key until the end of the year and become a new Dominator, the Evil faction will find it much harder to eliminate you.] The news of Yuan Shǐ Tian Zūn's disappearance had already spread among the senior leadership of the Five Elements Alliance and the Taiyuan Sect, and Yin Ji was also deeply concerned. [Yuan Shǐ Tian Zūn: Sister, you're absolutely right. I'll definitely stay low-key and look out for the end of the year. I'm looking forward to joining you in the Killing Campaign then—we're sure to both ascend to Dominator status together.] [Yin Ji: Looking forward to it! (smiling)] Zhang Yuanqing and Yin Ji have maintained a private correspondence over time, occasionally chatting casually. Zhang often shares small, subtly romantic remarks, which Yin Ji never directly responds to but never grows annoyed either. Each time they finish talking, Zhang carefully clears the chat records. Because Guan She deeply longs for her elder sister, who is gentle, kind, and patient—so accommodating that even when treated unfairly, she remains warm and forgiving. She can only say: the Magic King truly understands me! Yet, despite her admiration, Zhang Yuanqing has no intention of pursuing a deeper relationship with Yin Ji. This woman is deeply devoted to the Magic King and rarely shifts her affections. He glanced at the time—it was 4:30 in the afternoon. He still had to return to the villa in the evening for a barbecue party, so he needed to visit Wuhen Hotel now to attend to his younger brother’s matter. Moreover, Zhang Yuanqing decided to take a bold step before his retirement. … Wuhen Hotel. In the lobby, the roller shutter door remained closed, and the bright, reflective floor tiles glowed softly. Zhang Yuanqing and Xiao Yuan sat on the lounge chairs adorned with potted plants, acting as the de facto leaders of the group, observing their younger brothers managing the defection. Liang Chen, whose hands were tied with ropes, lay on the ground, weak and helpless, with a pair of Cuo Beiyue’s smelly socks stuffed firmly in his mouth. Zhao Xintong held a knife, and Kou Beiyue also held one, surrounding the plump young man. Zhao was furious, while Kou was solemn and sorrowful. Kou Beiyue gritted her teeth, saying, "Liangchen, I've always treated you well. Tell me—why have you betrayed us?" "Wooowwwww..." "Are you not going to say it? If you don't, I won't hold back." "Wooowwwww..." Still refusing to speak? Very well. Then, let's be brothers another time when we meet again." Kou Beiyue pressed the blade against the young man's round, plump chest. The wailing grew even more intense. Standing beside them on the wooden bench, Zhang Yuancheng couldn't bear it anymore, "I told you to question him, not to kill him or eliminate him. Bring out those stinky socks!" Kou Beiyue pulled the stinky socks from the young man's mouth and commanded, "Speak!" The young man was weeping helplessly. "What am I supposed to say? I haven't betrayed anyone. Though I'm a morally flawed character, I'm a morally grounded evil "Ugh, what moral standards do evil professions have?" "Boss, before you say that, think about your own career!" "I see you're stubborn! Today, I'm clearing the house and settling things with Tongtong." "Boss, it's not me, truly—it's not me..." He had no idea why this matter had suddenly involved him. In the afternoon, after receiving a message from Xiao Yuan, he had followed the boss back to the hotel. Upon returning, Xiao Yuan threw her cup to the ground as a signal, Zhao Xintong closed the door, Kou Beiyue tapped him on the back of the head, and finally Xiao Yuan administered an injection, infusing him with a toxin. The esteemed Dream Master was thus subdued. Before he could even process what had happened, the slightly chubby man heard the boss ask Xiao Yuan: "What are you two doing? What has he done?" The chubby man was struck dumb—neither the boss nor he himself knew what had transpired. Yet, as soon as Xiao Yuan gave him a glance, he was ready to stab his brother in the back without hesitation. The chubby man suffered profound physical and emotional trauma. At that moment, Xiao Yuan spoke coldly, cutting off the two's comic exchange. "Have you leaked Zhao Xintong's information to the Southern School?" Zhang Yuanqing, at her side, promptly produced the tiger emblem and held it high. It was borrowed from his cousin, who was most generous—she simply waved her hand and agreed without hesitation, as if the half-divine rule-level artifact were merely a hundred yuan note. The tiger emblem flashed with a bright white light, and a deep, resonant roar of a tiger echoed faintly in the hotel lobby. The plump man lying on the ground shuddered, then convulsed like a dead pig, while Zhao Xintong and Kou Beiyue beside him also felt their legs grow weak, having to steady themselves with their swords. The tiger emblem could command all the spiritual realm travelers. Zhang Yuanqing had come not only because he held the emblem, but also because Dog Elder had accompanied him—though he had not approached the Huohen Hotel. Having just suffered a major setback without hidden protection from a master, he dared not venture beyond Songhai. "No, no... not at all," the plump young man shivered violently, his face pale as paper. "I haven't betrayed Zhao Xinpeng. I haven't betrayed my fellow guests at the hotel. Please, please don't let the tiger eat me..." In his mind, a fearsome white tiger roared and towered. Overwhelming fear surged through him, and he felt certain he would lose control and have to relieve himself at any moment. Zhang Yuanqing and Xiao Yuan exchanged glances. Zhang then asked, "Have you seen any of the southern sect's elders recently?" After a moment's thought, the young man replied, "The Grand Elder met with me once, but didn't inquire about your situation or the information regarding your fellow guests at the hotel. He only asked about my rank and my thoughts on the combat video you presented." "When was that?" "About four or five days ago." Zhang Yuanqing pondered for a while, then folded the tiger's seal. "Well, you haven't been lying. If you had, then the loyal minister, now, would have been devoured by the white tiger and perished instantly." The plump young man felt as though released from a heavy burden, and Kou Beiyue also breathed a sigh of relief. Yet Zhang Yuanqing shifted his tone: "That doesn't mean you haven't betrayed us. Think about it—does a high-tier spirit-magic master have any means of silently gathering intelligence from you?" The plump young man shook his head vigorously: "No. Although spirit-magic masters excel in mental arts, they lack the ability to erase memories. Whether through dreams or illusions, I always notice something amiss—even when the Grand Elder is in full command." Zhang Yuanqing then asked, "What about hypnosis?" The young man froze, murmuring, "Hypnosis... hypnosis... A master-level musician can achieve that. The Southern School—certainly, the Southern School must have master-level hypnosis tools..." Zhang Yuanqing nodded. "Then it's clear now. Zhao Xintong's information has seeped out through you. The information of others has likely also been compromised." The faces of the small circle of people grew pale. Kou Beiyue gritted her teeth, saying, "I knew it. The Southern School agreed to have you join the "The plump young man lowered his head, his face filled with sorrow, saying, 'I'll have to go. I'm sorry, Elder.' Kou Beiyue opened her mouth to say something to keep him, but couldn't find the words. Zhang Yuanqing glanced at the two of them and coldly remarked, 'Liangchen, I'll give you a chance to prove yourself under penalty of office.' 'What do you want me to do?' 'Go back to the Southern Branch and find out where the Sixth Elder has gone—I intend to eliminate him.' Xiao Yuan paused thoughtfully, 'Is this part of Songhai's operational plan?' Zhang Yuanqing shook his head. 'No—it's my personal initiative.' As he finished speaking, he noticed Xiao Yuan, Kou Beiyue, the plump young man, and Zhao Xintong all staring at him with the expression of someone who had gone mad.