Dawn City, Combat Command Center.

The black and white chess pieces on the board were locked in a fierce battle, black pieces overwhelming the board while the white pieces crumbled in disarray.

Commander Lu sat with a stern expression and said coldly, "Huai Yin, something's happened."

Not long ago, he had received reports from the front lines, stating that Balensa City had seen the emergence of a large number of Corpse Ghost Ancient Divine Species. The Eastern Front was engaging them in combat amidst intense and escalating conflict, requesting immediate reinforcements.

This confirmed that Gu Jianlin's judgment was correct.

Originally, these Ancient Divine Species, upon resurrection, could do nothing but roar furiously in place.

Because they'd been transformed into Corpse Ghosts, they were destined to die off on their own after a period of time.

Now, however, the Eastern Front had approached, unwittingly offering their vibrant life force.

"Why bother telling me? My student said this would happen, but they refused to believe it,"

Huai Yin picked up a white chess piece, idly toying with the board: "Let them sort it out themselves."

Commander Lu shot him a frosty glare. "You knew something would happen? Then why didn't you say anything?"

Huai Yin paused for a few seconds.

"I knew something would happen, but I didn't know exactly what."

A faint smile crossed his face as he placed a piece on the board. "You must understand, though Chi is no longer here, he was my rival. Even in death, he still has the power to influence this world. We don't know how he achieved this, but to this day, I'm still engaged in a battle with him, with no clear victor yet."

Commander Lu's face turned exceptionally grim. He had lived through that era, witnessing firsthand the earth-shattering battles between those two brothers, where each move wielded unimaginable power, claiming countless lives in collateral damage.

"But the style of my match with him is somewhat different. That guy had an overwhelming desire to control, always intent on manipulating the world in his hands. Unfortunately, he focused too much on surface matters,"

Huai Yin remarked coolly, "While I prefer to go with the flow. Oftentimes, just the slightest change can trigger a butterfly effect that reshapes the bigger picture, pushing massive currents to work in my favor."

Commander Lu's expression was dour; suddenly, a memory struck him.

Years ago, while stationed at Buzhou Mountain, his son sent him New Year wishes via text.

The network there was poor, and messages trickled in sporadically.

"Happy New Year, Dad."

"Wishing you great fortune and good health!"

"Send the red envelope!"

"What kind of lousy network is this? Can't send this message?"

"Idiot."

The first two messages and the fourth couldn't go through, leaving the third and fifth in reversed order.

The final result turned into:

"Idiot!"

"Send the red envelope!"

Afterward, Lu Zicheng was subjected to family discipline and spent seven days kneeling at the ancestral shrine.

"What are you even doing?"

Commander Lu asked irritably.

Huai Yin chuckled faintly, "I told you, my apprentice is over there. Nothing will go wrong."

But in that instant, a distant thunderous roar could be heard, as if the sound of a world-shaking dragon's cry reverberated, accompanied by the thunderous growl of a Qilin!

The chess pieces on the board shattered instantly.

The teacups on the table trembled, their waters rippling frantically.

"Damn it! Something's gone wrong!"

Commander Lu bolted upright, his expression shifting drastically: "What the hell is that?"

But for a fleeting moment, he glimpsed a trace of satisfaction on his old friend's face.

"You were smirking just now, weren't you?"

He demanded, "Huai Yin, do you know what's happening?"

Huai Yin appeared utterly serious, replying, "What? What are you talking about? I don't understand a word."

·

·

Dawn City, Observatory Tower.

Taihua stood at the railing of the rooftop, gazing out over the desolate Ancient God Realm. Her expression was slightly dazed, unable to discern whether it was a dragon's roar or the Qilin's growl that seemed to shake one's very soul.

Though there wasn't a strong spiritual fluctuation, an inexplicable unease still pervaded her senses.

At this moment, whether it was the plight of the Eastern Front or the inexplicable disturbances a moment ago,

The entire Ether Association erupted in chaos, convening yet another emergency meeting.

As the President, she stood here, lost in thought.

"Can you feel it? What is that thing?"

She asked softly.

A figure in a black robe stood behind her, also gazing intently at the boundless wasteland.

If Gu Jianlin were here, he would undoubtedly recognize this person.

This was the one who had appeared at Forget Sorrow Grocery Store and claimed he would deal with the President.

Unrecognizable as either male or female, their face possessed a divine beauty that seemed to transcend humanity, with jade-like skin and eyes that carried profound depth.

An otherworldly aura as though unfit for this mortal realm.

"I don't know."

The black-robed figure's voice was ethereal and calm: "My instincts tell me this matter has nothing to do with me."

Taihua scoffed lightly, "Such immense power and yet you do nothing. I still don't understand what you people are thinking. Before I die, I truly want to visit the Lishan Tiyan Pavilion and get some answers."

"To understand all things and know Heavenly Destiny, yet perfection is unattainable."

The black-robed figure's gaze remained as still as an ancient well, carrying the weight of millennia.

Taihua fell silent.

"Though you are human, you rival the Supreme in stature. We hold you in respect."

The black-robed figure said coldly, "We hope that you will uphold your end of the bargain."

"To receive such reverence from you lot—this life would be worth dying for."

Taihua suddenly laughed, "The last person to enjoy such treatment was likely none other than the Emperor."

The black-robed figure remained quiet.

"If I die, as part of the bargain, you will gain everything you desire. But ultimately, the one to take control of the order must be the person I designate. Soon, I will send that girl to Lishan."