"That green dog is suspicious. Junior Brother Zunzhan (Master Zhan) didn't show any signs before, but right after hitting that green dog, problems appeared immediately. If there's no connection, it's absolutely impossible. There are no such coincidences in this world. If it's not coincidence, then it's inevitability. Just now, I saw that Junior Brother Zunzhan was entangled in misfortune, bad luck soaring to the heavens — to the point where even the heavens shunned and people hated him."
Master Zunsheng took a deep breath, his eyes showing a trace of profundity as he slowly spoke.
Although the incident had occurred in an instant, he had still gleaned much of the underlying truth. That definitely wasn't a coincidence. Otherwise, how could all those calamities strike at once? Clearly, someone wanted him dead.
"What now? Are we really going to accept Da Yi's terms?"Zunren asked.
"What else can we do if we don't? The general trend cannot be resisted. However, Emei likely won't agree. That old Taoist with the long eyebrows has a fiery temper. Getting them to spit out what they've already eaten won't be easy. There may very well be another conflict with Da Yi."Zunsheng said slowly.
In the Shushan region, Emei was the most powerful. The Long-Browed Immortal was famous for suppressing the dark races, notorious across the demon realms. He was not only intolerant of evil but also domineering in nature, and his cultivation had already reached the Dao Platform realm. With such a personality, it was unlikely he would accept Da Yi's conditions without resistance.
A war could break out at any time.
Not long after, the bells of Mount Wutai rang out — heavy and sorrowful, spreading in all directions, enough to bring listeners to tears.
Among the common people nearby, a rumor spread like wildfire.
Villagers murmured among themselves:
"Have you heard? We're going to come under Da Yi's rule. Da Yi! The very Da Yi Holy Court we've always heard about. They say it's a paradise for the human race — a place where no one ever goes hungry. People eat three meals a day, and every meal is filling! You can even cultivate freely. I can't even imagine what such a life would be like."
"Yeah, I heard that too. Da Yi sent several mighty experts to challenge the sects at Mount Wutai and forced them to sign contracts. From now on, we'll be citizens of Da Yi. I wonder what kind of treatment we'll receive?"
The once numb hearts of the people were beginning to awaken.
Da Yi — that was a paradise they could only dream of, the most perfect homeland for humans. In the past, it was a fantasy, something buried deep in the heart due to hopelessness. But now that it was within reach, hopes and dreams that were long buried began to stir again.
Simply put, the hearts of the people had started to waver.
At the same time, Ye Gucheng and the others began to appear at the gates of a second sect, issuing challenges just like before.
Though a few of the seven would occasionally lose, overall they won again and again.
Sect after sect was forced into signing the contracts.
As time passed, word of the Da Yi Tongtian Pavilion's envoys blocking sect gates had spread throughout the Shushan realm.
The common folk were ecstatic, secretly cheering. But the major sects were gloomy and anxious.
If they were facing monsters or the dark races, they wouldn't fear them.But facing Da Yi… it was just too hard.
Dark Ring Realm – Dark Fortress
The Dark Fortress stood atop a massive abyssal volcanic crater. The surrounding air stank of sulfur. Normally, no creature would want to approach this place.
The fortress floated in midair, suspended above bubbling lava that could instantly incinerate even a fierce beast to ashes.
All around, the demonic energy was thick and violently oppressive. Most lifeforms couldn't survive in such an environment.
"BASTARD!!"
On this day, an enraged roar thundered out from within the fortress.
"Search! Search every inch! Find that damned thief for this Lord!!"
Inside the great hall of the fortress, a terrifying figure stood — clad in black armor, wearing an iron mask. Only a pair of pitch-black eyes could be seen, like twin portals to a bottomless abyss. Anyone who met that gaze would feel a chill in their soul.
Before this Dark Lord Sauron, a group of dark creatures knelt on the ground — stitched flesh beasts like moving meat mountains, flame-wreathed infernal giants, and even stunningly seductive succubi.
All bowed low, trembling.
In Sauron's hand was a letter — finely crafted and clearly deliberate.
On the card, elegant handwriting read:
"It is said that you, my Lord, possess a peerless beauty — the Succubus Queen Meiji — whose charm eclipses all others. A rare treasure, unforgettable once seen.Tonight at midnight, the Thief Prince shall walk on moonlight to claim her.Please present her willingly, lest my trip be in vain."— Chu Liuxiang
Queen Meiji — the Succubus Queen — was Sauron's forbidden treasure.
Since claiming her, he had spoiled her beyond belief. Though he was a name that terrified children into silence, and his subordinates feared even the crease of his brow, only Meiji could make him show another side — especially in bed, where he found immense pleasure.
It might not be love, but she was certainly his most prized possession.
Within the Dark Lord's domain, her status was second only to his. Her every need was met instantly.
Even his subordinates didn't dare steal a glance at her. They could only peek secretly in the shadows.
So one could imagine — Meiji was his. No one else's.
Now someone had dared send him a calling card — declaring they would steal her away?
This was nothing less than a public slap in the face. If it actually happened, Sauron's dignity would be shattered.
Even the calmest man would erupt with fury under such insult — let alone a Dark Lord whose possessiveness knew no bounds.
"STILL NOT SEARCHING?!"Sauron growled coldly.
"YES, MY LORD!!"
All the demons responded in unison and scattered, beginning a chaotic search through the fortress.
Chicken and dogs flew, cats and beasts jumped — the entire fortress was in disarray.
"Chu Liuxiang?!!"Sauron spat the name coldly.
Just then, a woman walked in — seductive beyond compare, charm exuding from every step.
Queen Meiji — her beauty was enough to mesmerize anyone. Her presence made it impossible not to look. Every man who saw her would feel a surge of desire.
She sauntered over, smiling as she picked up the letter and glanced at it.
"Oh? Someone wants to steal me away?" she giggled. "Who would be bold enough to say such a thing in front of my Lord?"
"Hmph. That Chu Liuxiang must have a death wish, daring to lay hands on you. He must think I, the Dark Lord, am easy prey."Sauron sneered, dark energy roiling around him. His fury was clear.
If he ever caught Chu Liuxiang, he would make him understand what true pain was.
Meiji laughed again. "Now I'm curious. I want to see what kind of man he is."
"Don't be careless," Sauron warned. "If Chu Liuxiang could place this card right in front of me without being noticed, his strength is not ordinary. Just in case, take the Supreme Dark Ring for protection.
With the ring, no matter how skilled he is, he won't be able to hurt you."
His eyes flashed. He truly feared Chu Liuxiang might succeed. If Meiji were taken, his reputation would be utterly ruined.
The Supreme Dark Ring was his treasure. Its powers were immense — invisibility, body protection, auto-defense shield, emergency teleportation, and power amplification.
As long as Meiji wore it, even a Dao Platform expert couldn't harm her easily.
It was the ultimate insurance.
"Thank you, my Lord. Tonight I shall serve you well… maybe even give you a little Dark Prince."Meiji beamed with joy.
The ring was not only powerful but accelerated cultivation — especially effective for their kind.
More importantly, it symbolized Sauron's favor.
"Here, wear it."Sauron nodded, placing the ring on her finger.
At that moment, he swore — no matter what, he would find that damn thief.
Otherwise, he would never sleep soundly again.
Inside the Dark Fortress, the chaos continued — demons rushing everywhere, hoping to catch even a trace of the intruder…