Coming down from the second floor, Li Xiaoyuan quickly looked at the two of them and asked, “Who was looking for you?”

“Just an acquaintance. You wouldn’t know him,” Xia Wanqing replied lightly.

She had been troubled the whole time during dinner.

Originally, Martial Heaven Sacred Ground only intended to tag along for some benefits in this Mystic Realm. Yet somehow, they had been dragged deep into the storm.

After the meal, night gradually fell.

Everyone returned to their respective rooms.

Xu Zimo was resting when he suddenly heard a knock on the door.

“Asleep?” came Xia Wanqing’s voice from outside.

“What is it?” Xu Zimo opened the door, puzzled.

“I can’t sleep. I want to talk to you,” Xia Wanqing said.

“Because of the First Prince?” Xu Zimo asked.

“There are many things. I just feel restless inside,” Xia Wanqing walked in and sat down slowly on a chair.

“All restlessness comes down to one word, weakness,” Xu Zimo said. “The day you grow strong, you won’t need to be restless. You just won’t have to deal with these trivial struggles anymore.”

“You… when do you plan to leave?” Xia Wanqing asked after a brief silence.

“If possible, after we come out of the Nine Nights Immortal Sovereign’s Mystic Realm,” Xu Zimo replied.

“Can’t you stay?” Xia Wanqing lowered her head, her expression unreadable.

“Why don’t you consider leaving Martial Heaven Sacred Ground?” Xu Zimo asked.

“I want to revive Martial Heaven Sacred Ground. That’s my dream,” Xia Wanqing said.

“Exactly. You have your dream, and I have mine,” Xu Zimo smiled. “But before I go, I can help clear some obstacles for you.”

“I don’t need you to help me. Just take care of yourself. Live well,” Xia Wanqing said.

She stood up and walked to the bedside.

Outside the window, a full moon shone with boundless radiance.

“It’s been so long since I’ve admired the moon,” she murmured.

Xu Zimo patted her shoulder.

Her body suddenly went limp and fell straight into his arms.

He gently carried her to the bed and laid her down.

Then his gaze shifted outside the room as he said with a smile, “Since you’ve already come, hiding in the shadows is meaningless.”

As his words fell, a figure suddenly appeared in the room, as if materializing from thin air.

“You’re rather capable. My stealth technique, within this imperial city, there are few who can see through it,” the black-clad figure said calmly.

“The First Prince sent you?” Xu Zimo asked. “Can’t recruit me, so he turns to killing.”

“Dead men don’t need to know so much,” the figure said.

His form vanished.

The next moment, a longsword thrust from behind Xu Zimo’s back.

Xu Zimo simply swung a palm, smacking the assassin’s body into the air.

Before the figure could land, Xu Zimo reached out and dragged him directly to his front.

One hand clasped tightly around his neck.

“I truly don’t want to kill ants. But you all insist on crawling before me,” Xu Zimo said coldly.

The man’s body was fully wrapped, leaving only his eyes exposed, eyes now filled with terror.

“Sir, I…”

Before he could finish, a nameless flame erupted, burning him to ash, bones and all.

The night passed without further disturbance.

When Xia Wanqing slowly opened her eyes, she found herself lying on Xu Zimo’s bed.

She quickly checked herself in a panic.

“Relax. I didn’t do anything to you,” Xu Zimo entered the room and said. “You were too tired last night, so I didn’t wake you. I went to your room to sleep instead.”

“I’m sorry,” Xia Wanqing’s face flushed red as she hurried off the bed.

“Sixth Elder is waiting outside for breakfast. The Second Prince is here, today we enter the Mystic Realm,” Xu Zimo said. “Hurry and get ready.”

“Got it,” Xia Wanqing nodded.

After they prepared, the Second Prince’s party was already waiting outside.

“Everyone, there may be some changes,” Chen Luo said as he glanced at Xia Wanqing.

“What happened?” Xia Wanqing frowned slightly.

“Originally, Father entrusted the Mystic Realm to me. But when I returned to the palace yesterday, I found that he is treating this matter with unusual importance,” Chen Luo explained. “To be honest, I don’t know the exact reason. But Father has decided to personally go to the Mystic Realm.”

“What does Second Prince mean?” Xia Wanqing asked.

“Before, I was supposed to lead you. But now, you will join our main force,” Chen Luo said. “I came here to warn you: once you’re with Father, do not speak recklessly. Just follow along and act according to the situation.”

“The King?” Xia Wanqing asked.

“Yes. Father is gathering at the northern city gate. Let’s head out now,” Chen Luo said.

Xia Wanqing nodded slightly.

Truthfully, by this point, she no longer wanted to enter the Mystic Realm.

But since the Second Prince personally came to inform them, she couldn’t refuse.

The group made their preparations and walked toward the northern city gate.

By the time they arrived, a large crowd had already gathered.

Among them was also the First Prince.

When he saw Xu Zimo and the others, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, followed by thoughtful silence.

Xu Zimo looked ahead at the man seated at the highest position on a carried throne, surely the King himself.

A square face, dignified and imposing.

He carried the natural aura of a ruler.

Most who looked at him couldn’t help but lower their heads.

He was the sovereign of sovereigns, the ruler of the Star River.

He stared straight ahead, brows furrowed, lost in thought.

On either side of him stood an elder.

One was the Jade Cauldron True Immortal.

The other was an old crone whom Xu Zimo did not recognize.

He also spotted Yu Huashang, as well as several other princes.

“This is clearly no ordinary Mystic Realm expedition,” Xu Zimo said with a smile.

“You noticed as well,” Chen Luo admitted without hiding it.

“This time, the Thousand-Ox Dao Court has become involved.”

Only sects that had produced Grand Emperors, Saint Sovereigns, or powers even beyond those realms, were qualified to be called a Dao Court. Martial Heaven had once been a Dao Court. But after the destruction of Sovereign Mountain Range’s Dao Source, they gradually declined, becoming the small lineage they were now.

“I can’t say more for now. You’ll see when we arrive.”

The imposing scene at the city gate naturally drew the attention of the people.

Not long after, a white-robed youth emerged from the city.

He carried himself with grace, a longsword on his back.

With sword-like brows and bright eyes, he had the bearing of a true swordsman.

“Isn’t that the Heartless Sword, Sikong Ji? Ranked seventh on the Heroes Ranking!”

His appearance instantly caused a commotion at the gate.

Following behind him was a burly youth clad in steel armor, carrying a massive iron hammer.

“That’s Wu Dao! Ranked third on the Heroes Ranking!”