Chapter 39: The Secret Beneath the Earth

Was this tree here before? Ning Yun felt a flicker of curiosity; why couldn't she seem to recall it?

"Little White, why did you bring me here?" What connection could this tree possibly have to the earthen cave?

Little White, however, was brimming with excitement, letting out a sharp, "Awoo!" In a flash, the creature darted to the other side of the tree. Ning Yun followed, only to discover that the trunk of this tree was, in fact, hollow. Yet, it was still brimming with lush green leaves.

Lin Xuan offered a faint smile. He casually rolled a snowball in his hands and tossed it; the projectile shattered the sound barrier as it flew.

Regaining his composure, Guardiola clutched his face with both hands, his expression one of utter disbelief. Beside him, Arteta remained equally paralyzed by shock.

No sooner had she finished speaking than several other Star Lords chimed in, their address shifting from the deferential "Your Excellency" to a blunt "you."

Alderweireld watched this scene in astonishment. As a star central defender who had played in a Champions League final and reached the quarterfinals of the World Cup, he knew full well that by this stage of the match, most players would have reached their limits, struggling just to breathe—let alone think clearly.

"Heh, when did I say you weren't good enough? But before we begin your training, I want to give you a gift," Li Fan said, feigning mystery.

Pushing aside the man who was trying to steady her, Su Lingge—forgetting for a moment the child silently growing within her—stumbled frantically down the stairs.

Yang Lei, leading the way, fared better, mostly because he held the flashlight. While the thorns slowed his progress, he remained relatively safe, but Chen Ziyang, trailing behind, was far more frustrated.

Suddenly, a gale whipped through the air, stirring the waves into a frenzy that rose several meters high. Disciples with weaker cultivation levels, who had been sitting cross-legged in mid-air, were nearly knocked from the sky by the sheer force of the incoming sword aura. They staggered backward, struggling for a long moment before they could regain their balance.

"Damn, that was a close one!" Angulie said, patting his chest and exhaling a long, deep breath.

As those around them rose, Shen Anyan also stood up. Raising her head, she met Yin Chenlang’s clear, bright eyes; the usual icy coldness in her beautiful, alluring gaze had vanished, replaced by a unique charm.

Some things, and some people, may be capable of change, but there are certain wounds that—in this life, the last, and the next—can never be forgiven.

In these three years, have the years taken their toll on my parents? My two precious younger brothers must have grown as well; they are four now, old enough for kindergarten.

Following closely behind her was a troop of elite cavalry. They were not traditional prairie riders, but soldiers of the Great Qi Imperial Court, clad in heavy armor and armed with sharp blades. They were accompanied by two high-level retainers: one at the Earth Immortal stage, the other at the Human Immortal stage.

The local officials also sent many men to assist the charitable foundation in building shelters for the citizens whose homes had been destroyed.

The sound of Song Jie stepping out of the hot spring roused Fujikura Yu from her deep slumber. Still groggy, she looked at him with a bewildered expression. "Master?" Once fully awake, she hurriedly stood up and exited the spring.

Song Qingying’s expression grew increasingly solemn. It wasn't until the intruder revealed themselves that the web of spiritual energy he had cast felt the slightest tremor. Although this web was intricately linked to his own heartstrings, in all honesty, if the visitor had chosen to strike, he might not have been able to react in time.

Thus, Jiang Yi was left helpless regarding the fact that Shen Anyan had not countered Yin Chenlang’s decision just now.

Such an outstanding man was hers. Likewise, Ming Cong, her cousin in name, was the man belonging to her dearest friend.

At the Yiqiu Gate between the west side and the central courtyard, Zhang Gongjin stood guard. Clad in triple-layered armor and wielding a hundred-pound blade as broad as a door, he stood like a temple guardian. Du Junchuo stood beside him with a spear, backed by over a hundred men standing in strict formation, prepared to repel any charge from the routed soldiers of the west or the enemy forces.