The desolate ancient ruins echoed with faint rumbling sounds.

The chains binding eight silver coffins snapped, their lids exploded open with a thunderous crash. Thick, pitch-black mist spilled out, accompanied by the crimson glow of eyes slowly opening and the beast-like sound of heavy breaths.

The black mist spread like an all-encompassing curtain, blotting out the sun and sky. Countless eerie whispers and the rustling of creatures crawling filled the air.

This feeling was all too familiar—it was the Calamity Ruins!

"Eight ancient ancestors, what dynasty or era they belong to, what status they held in life—I still don't know to this day. But since you all seem so keen on gathering here, before I retrieve the Qilin Wedge and leave, let these things keep you company, alright? Bye-bye."

The voice of Master was heard from the recording pen tossed on the ground, teasing.

One could almost imagine his grin stretching all the way to his ears.

It was infuriating.

The instant the eight ancient ancestors awakened, their terrifying aura blanketed the entire area.

Not only that—upon awakening, they summoned the Calamity Ruins.

Thick mist enshrouded the ancient ruins, making everything invisible.

Only vague, shadowy figures within the fog appeared familiar, and they crept closer.

"Ying Changsheng, Mu Qingyou, Li Hanting, the three of you step back for now and take a short break."

Instructor Wan's thunderous voice echoed from above: "Mr. Liu."

He took a deep breath and raised his voice. "Now that the ruins' gate is already shut, how about we align our efforts to deal with the situation? Whatever issues there are, let's settle these eight ancient ancestors first."

Mr. Liu was arguably the most principled director in the You Ying Group. Although he despised many members of the Ether Association, he showed immense respect for those warriors who fought for humanity. Sometimes, in desperate times within the Ancient God Realm, he'd reluctantly seek his help, and he'd likely pat himself on the chest and agree.

Though most of the time, he was rather irritating, like a rock in a latrine—both foul and stubborn.

"Fine, but do you have the means to open the gate to the underground ruins?"

Mr. Liu bellowed.

For some reason, Moon Princess and Butcher had suddenly disappeared, which made him uneasy.

At this moment, with people from the Ether Association around, it actually felt reassuring.

"Mr. Liu, please be careful."

Ning Chen whispered, "The Calamity Ruins have arrived."

The other candidates prepared themselves as if facing a mortal enemy, ready to defend against the mental invasion.

Wan Rentu leaped down, landing heavily on the ground.

Casually grabbing blade, spear, sword, and halberd from his back, he pierced through the electromagnetic bombs scattered on the ground.

Boom!

The Qi Realm suddenly collapsed.

Ji Ye exhaled deeply, her spirituality was nearly exhausted.

"Thank you, Instructor Wan."

Ji Han, barely steady, almost stumbled. "Good thing you arrived."

"Can you still fight?"

Instructor Wan cast a glance at them and asked deeply, "By the way, why are there only two of you? Where are your other teammates? Have you seen them anywhere? I found Ying Changsheng's group in the depths of the ancient ruins; they were being hunted by several ancient ancestors and only managed to escape about half an hour ago."

"No idea, but there's definitely a traitor. Both of us fell into a trap, didn't see who it was."

Ji Ye's expression was grim.

"If nothing goes wrong, there's more than one traitor."

Ji Han wiped his face and replied, "I saw several teammates fall into dimensional rifts. They might have landed in the underground ruins, or maybe got teleported outside. Either way, chances of survival are slim."

Just then, hurried footsteps echoed from the distance.

Blue Whale and Dawn arrived late: "Instructor, we're here!"

"Good thing you're here. With healers and sufficient secret medicine, we won't have much trouble dealing with those ancient ancestors."

Wan Rentu looked at the space behind them and hesitated. "Why are there only you two? Where is Thunder?"

He knew the rescue squad had split into three groups.

Blue Whale and Dawn looked startled, then turned quickly to check behind them.

A pitch-black mist.

"No, she was just right beside us!"

They chimed in unison, "How could this be?"

Wan Rentu abruptly realized something unexpected might have occurred.

"Wait, where is Gu Jianlin?"

His voice suddenly broke.

For a brief instant, the ancient ruins trembled once more.

It felt like something horrifying was awakening.

Simultaneously, the Calamity Ruins began their mental invasion.

Each of them saw their closest loved ones, their faces twisted in eerie smiles, moving toward them.

·

·

Amid the dense mist, Gu Jianlin also saw that familiar figure.

The girl wore a pink-and-white camisole nightdress, revealing her smooth shoulders and delicate collarbone. Her pale legs stretched slender under the skirt, resting on fluffy cotton slippers.

The wind fluttered her pale green short hair, causing it to sway.

Her icy yet exquisite face remained expressionless as her clear eyes gazed at him quietly.

One Youzhu, two Youzhus, three Youzhus.

In the mist, all he saw was Youzhu.

Gu Jianlin knew this was because, in his mind at that moment, she consumed his every thought.

No matter how cold and detached he normally was, it was impossible not to be moved now.

"So, that's how it is."

He gently stroked the stone bead on his wrist and whispered.

From the first meeting with Moon Princess, he'd experienced a strong sense of déjà vu—the cold and detached yet subtly caring tone, the tenderness hidden within those indifferent expressions. Even when she deliberately altered her voice, something about her felt intimately familiar, especially the warmth of her body when held close.

The portrait of her personality had always been Youzhu.

Except, certain discrepancies in their video calls, hairstyle, and… bust size had left lingering doubts he couldn't confirm.

Sometimes, he even wondered if she was some unknown older sister.

But Su Youxia was already over twenty, with alluring photos of her at home—a sensual older sister.

Even if it was confirmed to be her, he didn't know what to do next.

He avoided the issue altogether.

Because whether it was Youzhu or Moon Princess, they were both immensely important to him.

Who was who didn't matter.

Perhaps, years ago when he was completely alone, that man had kept her at a distance, quietly watching him without approaching for fear of disrupting his world—careful not to pull him into their chaos.

Master and disciple must have made some pact.

Together, they kept him in the dark while secretly supporting, protecting, and grieving for him.

That day when Old Gu had his accident, this girl had also rushed to the scene.

But it was too late.

Afterward, she stayed silently by his side, caring for him for three months in the hospital.

Gu Jianlin vaguely remembered times when he woke from nightmares and clung to her desperately, as if a drowning man in hell seeking salvation.

Under the highway bridge during Li Changzhi's attack—she silently stood watching him.

Nervous to the point of leaving deep imprints where she stood.

Afraid that he might lose the fight, or worse, his life.

In the cafeteria of Peak City High, she observed quietly in the shadows, ready to intervene at any moment.

Ultimately, she watched as he fought alone and earned his merit independently.

During the siege at Black Cloud City, she vigilantly guarded him throughout.

Perhaps only during Gu Jianlin's Ancient God Transformation could she momentarily lose sight of him.

She must've been frantic then.

Later on, as the curse began to affect him, Gu Jianlin deliberately kept his distance.

She said nothing, nor did she ever push him.

Instead, she played along with her role as Moon Princess, always by his side.

Even in the Qilin Immortal Palace, she constantly worried for his safety and sought materials for him.

Finding clues and taking risks, only to leave him behind.

This was Old Gu's final gift to him.

Moon Princess.

Su Youzhu.

Always her.

Thinking back, it made sense. Old Gu, with his proud and stubborn character, even when forced by the curse into divorce, would never leave his ex-wife to just anyone. He would have chosen someone reliable, capable of offering extraordinary protection.

No one would be more reliable than his personally trained disciple.

Someone to protect his ex-wife while also looking after his son.

Su Youzhu must've carried several Mythical Weapons gifted to her by him.

"If you go pulling reckless stunts again, I'll throw you into a ritual as a Female Sacrifice."

Gu Jianlin shot a glare at the girl in front of him. Even knowing it was an illusion, he decided to indulge.

It couldn't be denied—this timing of the Calamity Ruins made it the perfect natural cover.

The Lock of Nonexistence infused with spirituality detached from his wrist and began extending freely.

For an instant, the ancient ruins quaked in fear.

Because an ultimate monster was awakening.

Gu Jianlin placed his hand on his face, the pitch-black light rapidly forming itself into an obsidian Qilin Mask.

His breathing deepened, and blazing golden light ignited within his pupils, resembling thunder roaring in the depths of darkness—a divine wrath brewing into flame, circling, and raging.

With no expression, he walked forward. Black horns sprouted atop his head, grim and fearsome scales spread beneath his clothes, and the sound of cracking bones echoed like rolling thunder. His blood surged like the roar of tsunamis.

It was as if an inner demon had been unleashed, roaring and venting unparalleled power.

Breaths carried the unmistakable scent of Ancient God's Breath.

Boom!

The silver coffins behind the eight ancient ancestors exploded once again. They opened their crimson eyes, now consumed by terror. Their frightened expressions betrayed their senses—all of them reeled, as though perceiving an unimaginable, horrifying presence, shattering their souls in despair!

"Come, let's fight."

Gu Jianlin relished the surge of power from this Qilin transformation. Yet, the insufficient concentration of Ancient God's Breath meant it wouldn't last long, forcing him to fixate on these eight ancient ancestors.

Their life force should suffice to sustain his Qilin transformation a while longer.

Then, forcibly blast open the gate to the underground ruins.

He never worried about whether the gate could be opened.

After all, this was the Qilin Immortal Palace.

His domain.

He intended to descend to meet her, unstoppable by anyone.

·

·

Boom!

The world spun.

When Moon Princess opened her eyes again, everything was pitch-black; she couldn't see her hand before her face.

"Boss, are you alright?"

Butcher panted heavily as he spoke.

He'd been scared to death earlier; he didn't know why, but the Supreme had suddenly contacted him.

Almost frightened his soul out of his body.

"Shh."

Moon Princess pulled out a burning stick and gently lit it.

The flame illuminated the shadowy depths of the cave.

"Welcome to the underground ruins, Miss Moon Princess."

Master's voice echoed from the dark. "Unexpected, isn't it, to meet here?"

[ps: Today's update ends with ten thousand words—don't worry, take it slow…]