For several days, visitors to the fortress had been coming in an endless stream, a motley of characters among them. Amidst this crowd, a visitor shrouded in a black robe seemed unremarkable, for most of the arrivals were furtive and secretive.
Yet, he still caught attention, for the Wolf King himself met with him personally.
In the side hall’s reception room, the Wolf King sat on a sofa, extending his hands to warm them over a charcoal brazier. His gaze was fixed on the flickering flames, as if he hadn’t even noticed the visitor.
The visitor pulled back his cloak and bowed, saying, “Luo Yun greets the Wolf King.”
The Wolf King remained silent, and Luo Yun stood there. A flash of anger passed through his eyes, but he managed to restrain himself.
After a moment, the Wolf King finally looked up and said, “Sit down.”
Luo Yun chose a chair and sat upright, showing respect to the Wolf King while also displaying his dignity and indomitable spirit.
The Wolf King continued to warm his hands, asking in a cold tone, “Why didn’t Luo Bingfeng come?”
A look of anger flashed across Luo Yun’s face. “The city lord has significant responsibilities and cannot leave Tiaochao City easily. You, Wolf King, should be aware of this.”
The Wolf King’s tone remained unchanged as he asked again, “Why didn’t Luo Bingfeng come?”
This time, Luo Yun could no longer hold back. He stood up and said, “May I ask what you mean, Wolf King?”
The Wolf King raised his head and said calmly, “Do you really not know what I mean?”
Luo Yun was momentarily speechless, unsure of how to respond.
The Wolf King said, “Considering you dared to confront me, I won’t make things difficult for you. Did Luo Bingfeng not give you instructions to come here?”
Luo Yun was taken aback. “How did you know?”
The Wolf King sneered, “You may not know what kind of person Luo Bingfeng is, but after all these years of competition, I do. He is a man who would rather break than bend, and the more formidable the enemy, the less he will yield. Even if we were on friendly terms, he would never ask for help.”
Luo Yun fell silent, recognizing the truth in the Wolf King’s words.
The Wolf King chuckled and continued, “Luo Bingfeng is a naturally gifted individual. He has faced death multiple times without retreating, emerging stronger each time. His cultivation is second only to the Heavenly King. In the past, he grew stronger against stronger opponents, and he would never back down from a fight. But this time, it’s different. Neither the Evernight nor the Empire can be compared to a neutral zone. There are many powerful figures in the Empire, and even if he passes that test, the Evernight reinforcements will be too much for him to handle.”
As Luo Yun listened, his face paled. He slowly sat down, lowering his head. “Wolf King, your foresight is remarkable. That is why I have come to seek your assistance, to ask for your help.”
The Wolf King replied, “If Luo Bingfeng intends to fight to the death on Holy Mountain, why should I get involved? Besides, isn’t there a Heavenly King for such matters?”
“The Heavenly King is still in seclusion,” Luo Yun gritted his teeth.
The Wolf King burst into laughter. “Seclusion? The enemy is at the gates, and he is still in seclusion? What nonsense! You don’t understand—there can only be one Heavenly King in this neutral ground, and that is Zhang Tianwang, not Luo Tianwang!”
Luo Yun was truly stunned. After a moment, he regained his composure, his face full of grief and anger. “I thought she was deceiving me, but… but…”
The Wolf King waved his hand. “Go. If Zhang Bushou doesn’t intend to act, why are you here? Have you ever considered me as one of your own kind?”
Luo Yun did not leave but knelt before the Wolf King, clenching his teeth. “Please, Wolf King, lend a hand to the city lord! If he survives this crisis, I, Luo Yun, will swear eternal loyalty to you!”
The Wolf King was surprised and gave Luo Yun a deep look, but ultimately shook his head. “You are brave and capable, indeed a talented individual. For other matters, I might consider it, but not for this.”
Luo Yun realized that the Wolf King would not help, no matter what. He got up to take his leave. As he departed, the Wolf King said meaningfully, “You don’t understand Zhang Bushou, and neither does Luo Bingfeng.”
The cryptic remark left Luo Yun puzzled, and the Wolf King did not explain further, continuing to warm his hands, making it clear that the meeting was over. Luo Yun still needed to visit the Spider Emperor and the Moonlight White Devil, so he hurriedly left.
In the center of the ancient castle of the Spider Emperor, a small crystal spider, about the size of a fist, lay on an octagonal platform. Its many compound eyes glowed with complex light as it scrutinized the person before it. This was an old man in tattered clothes, his weathered face etched with deep lines, his murky eyes sunken in brown sockets. He looked like a common beggar, but now, standing before the incarnation of the Spider Emperor, he stood straight and tall, speaking confidently.
“Your Highness, this is a perfect opportunity! Before the Evernight reinforcements arrive, if you act swiftly, you can break the existing balance in the neutral zone. With our help, even if Zhang Bushou emerges, he will not dare to act rashly. When the Evernight army arrives, with your position as a high-ranking spider demon, you will gain the attention of the Evernight spider demons. Even the demon and vampire races will have to be cautious. At that time, the dynamics of the Eastern Sea will be permanently changed, and your name will stand alongside Zhang Bushou’s.”
The crystal spider’s eyes gleamed with mockery. “Haven’t you always wanted to overthrow the four major races? How can I trust you?”
The old man said, “Our goal as Prostrates is to overthrow Holy Mountain, not the four major races. To achieve this, we need the strength of an external ruler. The neutral zone is the ideal place, and wouldn’t you want to become the new king?”
“Very persuasive, continue. If there’s nothing else, please leave.” The crystal spider was still sarcastic.
The old man persisted, “Your Highness, the foundation of Holy Mountain is balance, not absolute power. Now, with only three thrones left, the balance is precarious. Holy Mountain is not as invincible as it seems. If the spider demons can occupy two thrones, Holy Mountain will collapse. That is our ultimate goal.”
“How far it is from a duke to Holy Mountain, I know better than you. Leave, I’m tired.” The Spider Emperor clearly wasn’t interested.
The old man gritted his teeth and said, “We have one final offer, the Shadow Great World!”
“Shadow Great World!” The crystal spider trembled, almost falling off the octagonal platform. It was no longer calm. “How do you have the Shadow Great World?”
The old man explained, “The Shadow Great World is the supreme secret technique of the spider demon royal family, leading to the peak of Holy Mountain. We collected it over a thousand years, acquiring only a small fragment by chance. It has been passed down as our most treasured possession. Unfortunately, none of us have the royal blood, so it remains unused.”
The Spider Emperor, now convinced, grew more excited. “My ancestor was once part of the spider demon royal family. Although several generations have passed, royal blood still flows in me.”
“We know of your lineage, which is why we believe in your potential. Perhaps this fragment is meant for you.”
The crystal spider paced nervously on the octagonal platform, clearly moved. As the highest inheritance of the spider demons, even a small part was enough to drive any spider demon mad.
But the Spider Emperor, a strong and experienced leader, quickly calmed down. “You won’t just give it to me, will you?”
The old man said, “Once you prove yourself worthy of becoming the new king in this battle, we will arrange for you to go to the Evernight. You will have one hour to study the Shadow Great World fragment.”
“One hour? Study?” The Spider Emperor sneered.
“One hour is enough. The fragment cannot sustain itself for long. Once out of the secret chamber, the mother world will constantly call it back, absorbing its power. So, it cannot leave headquarters.”
The Spider Emperor said slowly, “You’re right. It seems you really have the fragment. How do you plan to support me in becoming the new king?”
The old man’s face lit up. “Besides providing intelligence, we will send a detachment to join your forces. Additionally, ten trainers will arrive, all from the best trainers of the Evernight. They will train your troops using the latest methods. I believe your troops will soon become the strongest in the neutral zone, rivaling even the noble houses of the Evernight.”
The crystal spider raised its front limbs. “Hmph, the usually stingy Prostrates sending their own troops, surprising indeed. Well, I believe in your sincerity, but don’t think of controlling my troops. They belong to me!”
The old man hastily bowed. “Of course, even our troops will follow your commands. Our people are only here to provide advice. However, they are proven excellent commanders, and I hope you will consider their suggestions.”
The Spider Emperor hesitated. “I’m not a great strategist… If they can win, I don’t mind giving them more command authority.”
The old man quickly agreed, “Your Highness is wise!”
As the meeting was about to end, the Spider Emperor suddenly asked, “Why me?”
The old man hesitated. “Because you are the purest bloodline of the spider demon royal family outside, and because we have the Shadow Great World fragment.”
The Spider Emperor said coolly, “The fragment’s power must have been mostly reclaimed by the mother world. Without me, how long can you last?”
The old man, startled, replied, “Only about three years.”
“Three years?”
“About one year.”
“Fine! We’ll cooperate!”
The old man, who had turned pale, was now pleasantly surprised. “Why did you change your mind, Your Highness?”
“Because I don’t want the Shadow Great World to become complete either.”
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