49

The thunderball's electric discharge ultimately shattered the four giant stones. Yet, the instant the rocks were broken, the thunderball and Iron Whirl saw Kira standing outside the stones, a knowing smile already on his face, waiting for that very moment.

Lin Baoshu noticed the strange expressions on their faces, as if a plot were unfolding, but she chose not to expose it. She remained wary of the palace people and understood their untrustworthiness clearly.

Jiang Yimei’s eyes caught Wu Ning’s decision not to confront her head-on; a flicker of amusement crossed her features. She was curious to see how Wu Ning would get close to her, confident her swordsmanship would keep her safe.

After some conversation between Uncle Lang and another, Jun Li stayed to have lunch with Jun Jue before finally letting him leave.

“Grandmother, is it going to happen or not?” Rong Zhan’s urging whispered near her ear. But Jun Li still felt unready to kiss him mouth to mouth, so she replied, “It’s okay, but not on the lips yet. I’m not prepared. It can only be here...” She touched her forehead.

Before ascending the throne, the Prince of Pingxi already feared Luo Jin. Once crowned emperor, Luo Jin’s life would surely be in grave danger.

“Well done! Hey, Seven Kill, done talking? If so, come on over quickly. We’ve found the passage; it’s time to set off.” Hearing Optimus Prime’s call, I hurried to his side, glancing helplessly at Seven Kill still delivering his speech, and called out to him.

“The fifth match begins now,” Elder Chen announced loudly, striking the bell. All eyes turned toward the arena, eager to witness Mu Yi’s true strength.

Our battle gradually intensified. Optimus Prime stood firm in front, valiantly resisting the onslaught from the Demon’s Eye, while I maintained some distance, acting as a mid-to-long-range attacker. At this range, the Demon’s Eye’s debilitating effects could hardly reach me.

Upon hearing about the visitor, the villagers’ faces darkened. Though they worried about the newcomer’s safety, their greater concern was for themselves. They had finally gotten the monster to abandon their village; why provoke it further? Thus, many urged restraint.

Wang Junhe said nothing. The photo he saw wasn’t from the official website but from a news article two years ago. Back then, Chairman Ye looked young; now, after just two years, he appeared aged and frail.

“President Tang, we’re quitting! We resign!” The voice was loud, eyes filled with contempt and disdain.

Madam Meng was taken aback but quickly understood. She took Shuyu’s hand gently, soothing her warmly: “You’ve suffered much... Indeed, living in peace in the capital, how could one understand the hardships of border folk or see the cruelty of the Wala?”

---

“I noticed Your Majesty was sleeping soundly and didn’t want to disturb you, so I let His Highness, Lord Han, and the lady rest in the side hall first. Please forgive me for acting on my own,” Consort Zhao said with a gentle, coquettish smile.

Though he didn’t truly understand why, he was inexplicably fixated on a child—one not even hoped for by Tang Xuxu.

Others aside, take Prince Qi Liu, who not only refused to confess but even invoked Empress Dowager Zhao as a sacred shield—truly beyond reproach or punishment.

“The sharp-tongued seldom live long!” Peng Wangbei said darkly, a scornful gleam in his eyes.

Unexpectedly, the Tianmai clan brought not only their leader Qin Xiangtian but also Qin Xiangyang and Qin Xiangfeng, the clan’s third in command.

In the grand hall, everyone held their breath in silence; only the camera flashes burst repeatedly, heightening the tense atmosphere to its peak.

“Heh, it’s more than just besties,” Ji Mo smiled. His tone was unusual for a soldier-immortal, but Ji Mo, a veteran with many female admirers, could tell at once.

After speaking, a heavy iron net suddenly dropped from the roof of a nearby building, ensnaring Kasir and several others in one sweep.

“I guess it was displeased by Qian Jiangyue’s evaluation and decided to investigate first, but something went wrong,” Qian Cang said, turning to look at Qian Jiangyue.

He neither spoke in rebuttal nor pleaded; his silent gaze at Luo expressed his inner stance just as it had from the beginning.

Upon hearing this, Battle Spear said nothing, his face expressionless as if Reiyan hadn’t spoken to him at all.

Memories flickered like slides in Qian Cang’s mind. The murals on He Fang Island gradually froze, revealing the figure of the Moon Goddess who had ascended.

The voice was melodious and beautiful yet carried a chilling edge, its mockery unhidden.

---

“Eh? You got hit and you can still laugh? Looks like your head’s damaged,” Qinglian said in shock at Wanyan Shi’s laughter.

If not for fearing the forces behind Wang Jinbo, the position of Qinglong Association president would likely have been his long ago.

This meant he didn’t know how to precisely avoid death. He asked the Secret God, but the latter said his soul couldn’t trade for that information—in other words, the Secret God knew but could not tell him.

Jelly understood Jia Sidao’s meaning, blushing as she turned her head away, choosing to see nothing.

Qiong Ling kept his eyes fixed on Xing Zeyuan and Gan Suo, lost in thought, unaware even when Luo Tian approached.

“Brother Wang, you didn’t just hand the stuff over to that client without checking, did you?” Jia Sidao asked.

Qian Fatty gasped, choking on food, patting his chest and pointing at Chang Feng with a comically pained expression but couldn’t speak.

“Moon Goddess, these contestants are only beginners?” The internet cafe crowd frowned, watching.

“Is there really no way?” Chu Xun’s expression, though less anxious, was serious and focused.

Tang Ji thought this made sense and said, “Good then. Fourth Miss is thoughtful.” He then instructed Lu Dan to fetch his maternal aunt, and Lu Dan hurried off. Tang Ji rose to take his leave from Fu Geng and Fu Zhuang.