The colossal Sky Whale shifted its body, as usual, causing monstrous waves to surge across the Eastern Sea. It then slowly descended, panting, “I can’t go on. I need a break; I’ve been floating for too long.”
Qian Ye watched the sudden appearance of several sky-reaching hurricanes, feeling utterly helpless. “Elder, take it easy with the panting…”
“I can’t help it; nowadays, I get winded just by moving a little.”
Its massive body slowly submerged into the sea, and it felt somewhat more comfortable. “It’s a bit strange, though. In the past, every time I turned while sleeping, it would attract a horde of Heaven’s Mechanism Adepts trying to track my movements. Why has there been no sign of them today?”
“Perhaps the Empire’s Celestial Pavilion is a bit short-staffed lately.”
“The Celestial Pavilion, short-staffed? They boast ninety-nine Heaven’s Mechanism Adepts, and they have over a hundred backup candidates out in the world. With just three to five years of training, any one of them could be qualified to enter the Celestial Pavilion.”
Qian Ye smiled, saying, “Well, that must be quite a coincidence. A few days ago, I intended to clean up some troublesome Heaven’s Mechanism Adepts. I didn’t realize how many people were planning against me, and I got a bit carried away, killing maybe a little more than half of them. They’re probably still cleaning up the mess, so they don’t have time to scheme against you.”
The Sky Whale was delighted. “That’s great! Those Heaven’s Mechanism Adepts are truly annoying. I only tolerated them because of Xuan Si, but they didn’t restrain themselves over the centuries; instead, they became even more arrogant! As if I couldn’t do anything about them! The only reason I didn’t do anything is because their bodies are too fragile—spitting on them would drown a dozen or more.”
Qian Ye looked at the Sky Whale’s enormous mouth, which was several thousand meters wide, and was speechless. A single spit from this ancient creature could probably drown tens of thousands.
With that, their conversation had reached its end. After a brief moment of contemplation, Qian Ye said, “Let me make it clear: although I accepted the object, I may not necessarily help the human race. If you think it’s inappropriate, I’ll return it.”
“There’s no need! Do as you see fit. Even if you use it to annihilate the human race, it wouldn’t matter. Xuan Si’s intention was for you to follow your heart.”
“Why me?”
“Because I, the elder, like the way you look. That’s all.”
Qian Ye responded, “The Empire has existed for a thousand years, and there have been countless geniuses and prodigies. Without going too far back, my adoptive father and the King of Green Sun are both exceptional. They are both stronger than me, aren’t they?”
“Strength doesn’t matter; I, the elder, have to like the way they look. Let me tell you, not long ago, one of Xuan Si’s descendants came to the Eastern Sea, hoping to obtain the item meant for you. But what did he do? He went fishing! I, the elder, was hiding in a small place, hungry and thirsty, and he dared to fish here! Was he trying to starve me? Hmph, with his measly skills, he dared to challenge me! If not for Xuan Si’s sake, I would have blasted him ten thousand miles away with a single spurt of water.”
Qian Ye had no idea who was so daring to come fishing in the Eastern Sea. From the Sky Whale’s words, he could roughly guess the fate of the powerful individuals who had disappeared here.
He didn’t dare to think too deeply about it.
Confirming that Martial Ancestor and the Sky Whale had no specific demands, Qian Ye felt justified in accepting the object.
The Sky Whale slowly sank into the Eastern Sea, resuming its slumber. Qian Ye, however, still had some unfinished business to attend to.
He flew high into the sky, standing with his hands behind his back, and called out, “Zhang Bu Zhou, come out and see me.”
His voice wasn’t particularly loud, yet it instantly echoed throughout the entire Eastern Sea.
However, there was no response.
Qian Ye, undeterred, raised his voice slightly. “Zhang Bu Zhou.”
This time, half of the Neutral Grounds heard his voice. Countless powerhouses dropped their work, gazing upwards, their bodies trembling uncontrollably. The mere hint of power in his voice left them weak and unable to resist.
Many wondered, “Who is this? How can such a powerful being exist in the world?”
After waiting a moment and receiving no response, Qian Ye let out a cold laugh, his tone light and nonchalant. “Come out, then!”
His voice spread instantly across the Neutral Grounds. Ordinary people could not hear it, but anyone of Commander rank and above could, with the sound growing louder for those of higher cultivation. The Marquises and God Generals, each dominant in their territories, felt as if thunder struck their ears, leaving them dizzy and disoriented. The few Dukes who were present fell backward, all sustaining injuries.
Not far from Qian Ye, the void trembled, and a grand mansion materialized. The gate opened, and a stern middle-aged man stepped out, crossing the void to stand before Qian Ye. “Sir, why be so aggressive?”
Qian Ye, still with his hands behind his back, replied coolly, “Zhang Bu Zhou, do you think I can’t find you, or do you think I’m powerless against you?”
A flash of fear crossed Zhang Bu Zhou’s face as he bowed and respectfully said, “It’s Emperor Qian Ye. I have been in secluded cultivation, focusing on accumulating strength, hoping to one day reach the peak of Heavenly Kings, providing an additional protector for the human race in the Neutral Grounds. I apologize for my negligence.”
Qian Ye scrutinized Zhang Bu Zhou, then said, “It seems you’ve put a lot of effort into finding out about me and thinking of what to say to impress me. But there’s one thing you don’t understand.”
Zhang Bu Zhou’s eyes betrayed a hint of unease. “What don’t I understand? Please enlighten me.”
Qian Ye gazed into the distance, then said, “I was born human. My adoptive father rescued me from a garbage heap, nurtured me, and showed me the way. I have brothers, sisters, and comrades who have protected me through life and death without regret. Because of these bonds, I am always tolerant when dealing with the Empire. It’s not for the Empire, but for the human race, and especially for the people I care about within it.”
Qian Ye’s gaze returned to Zhang Bu Zhou, and he sneered, “What are you, trying to invoke the greater good of the human race? Even now, you don’t fight for the human race, choosing instead to remain in seclusion. What use are you, then?”
Zhang Bu Zhou was startled, rapidly retreating as he shouted, “I am about to become a Heavenly King! You cannot harm me; even for the human race, you cannot!”
As he fled, he suddenly turned to see Qian Ye standing right behind him!
Zhang Bu Zhou’s soul nearly left his body, and a glance around revealed that everything was as it was at the beginning—he had been flying in circles, remaining in the same spot!
He stared at Qian Ye’s left hand, where a dark spot pulsed, and his fear grew.
“W-what is that?” Zhang Bu Zhou realized he was being drawn towards the dark spot. No matter how he struggled or what techniques he used, he couldn’t resist. The closer he got, the stronger the pull, and the faster he moved.
“Spare me! I’m still useful to the human race!!” Zhang Bu Zhou screamed.
“People like you are a curse to the human race.”
“No, you can’t do this! I have a secret agreement with the Imperial House. If you harm me, you will disrupt the great plan of the human race and become a historical criminal!” Zhang Bu Zhou’s voice was hoarse.
Qian Ye smiled faintly. “Rest assured, I will take care of the human race’s great plan.”
“No!!!”
In his final scream, Zhang Bu Zhou’s body elongated, drawn into the darkness. His body flickered with light as he unleashed countless powerful techniques, but none of it could escape the dark pull, all of it being sucked in.
Around the dark spot, a faint glow appeared, but there was no other sign that Zhang Bu Zhou, the strongest human in the Neutral Grounds, just one step away from becoming a Heavenly King, had perished.
Qian Ye closed his hand, sealing the darkness, and turned to gaze into the distance, where the Blood Throne lay.
At that very moment, within the inner chamber of the Blood Throne, the legendary blood figure was busy throwing clothes and items into a box, creating a mess.
In the midst of his chaos, a soft, gentle voice echoed in his ear. “Packing, are we?”
He stiffened, his entire body rigid.
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