The people arrived first—the contingent of Gu Yue, followed closely by the entourage of Lanling. These two names were legendary to Zhong Yun; in the dining hall, aside from the mention of the Second Miss Qin, these were the figures most discussed.

The first was a young man built like a brick house, possessing the towering physique of a basketball center, yet speaking with a soft, refined lisp. This was Gu Yue, hailing from the royal lineage, a true scion of the highest nobility. Following him was the second young man, outwardly polished and scholarly, resembling a delicate scholar, but whose voice boomed with robust energy, like rolling thunder. This was Lanling, the Duke's son, enjoying an equally exalted status. He was commonly addressed as Lord Lan.

These two were of similar age, both favored sons of heaven born into the pinnacle of nobility. Even more remarkable was that their appearances and temperaments were polar opposites, straddling the extremes. Perhaps due to this contrast, people frequently drew comparisons between them. Over time, this comparison solidified them into bitter rivals. Their tendency to clash immediately upon meeting had become a celebrated anecdote in the upper echelons of the Andu Empire.

Zhong Yun had glimpsed them from afar at a banquet, but seeing them in person now confirmed the rumors were accurate. These two were truly fascinating personalities. A fleeting smile crossed his face, replaced instantly by a question forming in his mind: why had these two ventured all the way to the Fourth Level? Could it be for this young man? If this young man could compel these two luminaries to rush to his aid, and his surname was Qin... could it be...?

"My apologies, you are one step too late this time." Gu Yue's features were sculpted as if by axe and blade; his sword-like eyebrows met his temples, lending him an innate aura of sternness, yet this was entirely undone by his gentle smile. Oddly, these two sharply contrasting qualities did not clash on his person. "You're already in your twenties, yet you remain so naive," Lanling declared, his voice like a deep bell, a flicker of disdain crossing his fair, delicate face. "Do you think this is child's play? Where one must observe the courtesy of arrival order." Gu Yue's brow tightened slightly. "Are you intending to violate the rules of the game?" "Preposterous," Lanling scoffed, laughing wildly. "Did you dictate the rules of the game? You declare them at will. Did you bother to ask me?"

Zhong Yun watched their spat with keen interest, contrasting their demeanor with the rumors he had heard. They were indeed just as legendary: Gu Yue, courteous and polite; Lanling, arrogant and domineering. However, he understood well that one could not judge these individuals purely by surface appearances. To reach their level, a privileged birth was undoubtedly crucial, but it could not be denied that they themselves were exceptional. The Andu Empire was vast; there were easily hundreds born into backgrounds comparable to theirs, yet few had achieved what they had.

Lanling suddenly turned toward Zhong Yun, a flash of anger in his eyes—this low-born wretch dared to mock him. "Tear out his tongue for me." Hearing this command, the tall, thin man standing before him lunged forward instantly. His speed was terrifying; he left only a phantom trace in the air. "Go and rescue Young Master Qin," almost simultaneously, Gu Yue instructed the towering, muscle-bound man standing ahead of him. The muscle-bound man, hearing the order, surged forward like a battering ram. Lanling spun around to glare fiercely at Gu Yue, clearly infuriated by his opportunistic move. Gu Yue returned his gaze with a placid smile.

The woman standing beside Lanling, whose allure had not diminished with age, suddenly let out a soft "Hmph." The muscle-bound man, who was just about to reach Young Master Qin, seemed struck by an invisible force; his massive frame shuddered violently, and with a resounding crash, he fell to the ground like a collapsing mountain. "Thank you, Aunt Ling," Lanling exclaimed in delight, turning to bow respectfully to the woman beside him. The fact that the untamable Lanling exhibited such deference indicated this woman’s status was far from ordinary. She inclined her head slightly in acknowledgment. "Sister Ling, surely you aren't deliberately bullying us?" Gu Yue said with a wry smile. "Elder Gu has never offended you, to warrant your intervention." Lanling shot Gu Yue a venomous glare, roaring, "Is she someone you can call Sister Ling?" Lanling called her Aunt Ling, yet Gu Yue dared to call her Sister Ling—wasn't that effectively claiming a generation's advantage? "Little brat, you dare to take liberties with me. You’ve got quite the nerve," Aunt Ling remarked, her eyes shifting with a smile that wasn't quite a smile. Gu Yue’s eyes brightened, a blush flashing across his face. "I would never call you that, Aunt. It would age you."

Lanling sneered internally. He knew Aunt Ling’s temperament well; Gu Yue had flirted with her several times, successfully enraging her. If not for Gu Yue's status, she would have already had him hacked to pieces and fed to the fish. However, even if she couldn't touch Gu Yue, those accompanying him were fair game. This Elder Gu was certainly not the first unlucky soul. Aunt Ling was about to speak when she suddenly let out a soft sound of surprise, turning to look toward the center of the room, an expression of astonishment crossing her face.

Lanling’s heart stirred, and he followed her gaze. What he saw shocked him profoundly. Zhong Yun was seated comfortably where he was, observing them with obvious interest. Lying on the ground was his personal guard, the tall, thin man, motionless—dead or alive, it was impossible to tell. A gravity settled upon his features as he resumed studying Zhong Yun with renewed scrutiny. Gu Yue, standing nearby, was also startled. In the short time they had been talking, this young man had silently neutralized Lanling’s guard. To serve as Lanling’s personal guard meant considerable strength, especially with two super-experts present on their side. Yet, the opponent had dealt with the guard without a single person noticing.

All four felt a sudden chill; they immediately dropped their dismissive attitude, looking upon the inconspicuous young man with true gravity for the first time. A profound silence fell over the room. The sound of hurried footsteps echoed again from the doorway. Zhong Yun stroked his chin; today was certainly becoming lively. He wondered who was arriving now. "Xiao Xing, Xiao Xing, are you alright..." An anxious voice called out. Zhong Yun felt a tremor within him, surprised. Although the voice sounded intensely worried, it was also soft and seductive, seeming like a gentle hand plucking at the strings of his heart.

The most distinctive voices Zhong Yun had ever heard belonged to Weiwei and Ming Yunyu—one soft, the other ethereal. Hearing their voices was a supreme pleasure. This new voice, however, was exquisitely sensual, possessing a strange magic that could stir the most primal desires buried deep within a person. If he were to use his Yuan, employing the newly learned 'Sound' technique, he could achieve a similar effect. But he was certain that the source of this voice was entirely natural, containing not a trace of Yuan. Zhong Yun’s Yuan leaned toward the spiritual, his perception so acute that he could deceive even the two high-level experts present. There was no room for error.

Gu Yue and Lanling remained perfectly still, showing excellent tacit understanding. Until they could ascertain Zhong Yun's true power, they would not risk confrontation. While they couldn't comprehend how such a master had appeared here, clashing with such an expert aboard a spaceship would be tantamount to suicide.

A crowd flooded through the doorway. Six figures in black first secured the entrance, followed by a woman and a man. Everyone in the room felt their eyes light up simultaneously, even the discreet old man accompanying Gu Yue. The woman who entered was clad in a soft purple silk gown, her long, dark hair pinned atop her head with a single ornament. Her beauty defied description; it was utterly captivating. Though not the first time seeing her, Zhong Yun was still struck by a profound sense of shock. He had previously thought Yun Qi and Weiwei represented the pinnacle of beauty, but today he was forced to admit that truly demonic beauty existed in this world.

"Xiao Xing..." As the Second Miss Qin stepped into the room, she saw her younger brother unconscious on the sofa. Her heart seized, and without a second thought, she rushed toward him. Zhong Yun remained motionless because an almost imperceptible aura had locked onto him. He was certain that the slightest movement on his part would invite a storm of attacks. However, he had no intention of obstructing her; he allowed the Second Miss Qin to gather her brother.

Zhong Yun narrowed his eyes, observing the man who had entered with the Second Miss Qin. That imposing aura emanated from this man, who radiated palpable coldness. Though the man’s eyes were not directed at him, Zhong Yun knew every move he made was under strict surveillance. Hong Yuting, upon entering, felt a sinking sensation when he saw Zhong Yun. Then, noting Gu Yue and Lanling in the room, the corner of his mouth twitched. In his mind, they must have cornered Zhong Yun here. He said nothing, merely standing silently. What he could do, he had already done. Zhong Yun's final fate was beyond his power to change. Suddenly, his gaze sharpened. Aside from two figures—one stout, one thin—lying prone, there was no one else in the room. He recognized both of them: the personal guards of Gu Yue and Lanling. Strange. The report he received from his subordinates was not like this... Hong Yuting’s gaze snapped toward Zhong Yun, his face alight with contemplation.

"Xiao Xing, wake up, Xiao Xing..." The Second Miss Qin anxiously called her brother’s name, but he remained unresponsive. Her mind was a tangled mess. At this moment, two Qin family medics approached. "Miss, please entrust the young master to us." The Second Miss Qin snapped back to reality, handing her brother over. She composed herself and stated coldly, "No matter the cost, you must save Xiao Xing." Her tone brooked no argument. The two medics began to sweat, a bitterness rising in their hearts. They knew their young mistress’s temper well; failing to save her brother would have dire consequences. They cautiously began their examination. The Second Miss Qin stood up, suddenly turning to face Zhong Yun, her face so cold it could scrape frost. "Was it you who beat my brother to this state?" "It was," Zhong Yun confirmed. The Second Miss Qin’s gaze chilled by another three degrees. She said with icy clarity, "Capture him. I want him alive." The six men in black who had entered first immediately lunged forward, sealing off all six possible escape vectors around Zhong Yun. A cold smile touched Zhong Yun's lips, and his body suddenly twisted. The icy middle-aged man at the door spun around sharply, two terrifying beams of cold light flashing in his eyes, his aura of frigidity surging forth. Hong Yuting, standing nearby, shivered violently and quickly moved aside, putting significant distance between himself and the man. The middle-aged man had lost composure because Zhong Yun’s slight distortion of movement caused his spiritual sense to lose its lock, as if Zhong Yun had vanished into thin air.

Aunt Ling and the elder beside Gu Yue simultaneously stiffened. They had witnessed the entire process and were shocked that this young man had managed to fool even that formidable elder. Zhong Yun’s perceived power level rose sharply in their estimation once more. Facing the six men charging aggressively, a flash of purple light crossed Zhong Yun’s eyes. The movements of all six instantly halted, as if they had been abruptly paused mid-sprint—the entire effect was utterly bizarre. Their potentially decisive strike failed, and Zhong Yun effortlessly slipped out of their attack zone, appearing like a phantom behind them.

The six men reacted with incredible speed, preparing to turn the moment they landed, but the surroundings seemed to freeze. Their bodies were completely unresponsive, as if every bodily function had ceased, leaving only their brains operational. The sensation was maddeningly frustrating. Zhong Yun walked past them at a leisurely pace, delivering a light tap behind each man. They froze in place, as if caught in a paralysis spell, before he knocked them unconscious one by one. This scene delivered a massive shockwave; not only was the Second Miss Qin left gaping, but even Aunt Ling and the other two experts were deeply shaken. "The Law of Time?" Hong Yuting could scarcely believe his eyes, crying out in disbelief. He stared at Zhong Yun, a tidal wave of shock surging through his mind. Hearing Hong Yuting’s words, the Second Miss Qin visibly trembled, an uncontrollable dread rising within her. She recalled the legends surrounding the "Law of Time."

The "Law of Time" was one of the most terrifying abilities ever recorded. A thousand years ago, it had manifested in the Andu Empire, plunging the realm into unprecedented turmoil. The person possessing this ability was the progenitor of the current Andu Imperial House—the one who seized the throne through incredibly bloody means and elevated the Andu Empire to a high civilization. This was the most legendary figure in Andu history, the Emperor who achieved unparalleled merit. Legend held that the Emperor's "Law of Time" was invincible. To secure recognition as a high civilization from the Greater Universe Federation, he single-handedly traveled to their headquarters to submit his application for advancement. In the personal assessment phase, he defeated ten of the Federation's most formidable experts, conquering the Judicial Council through sheer martial prowess. The Andu Empire had met the standards for ascension five centuries prior, but they lacked a representative figure who had reached the Yuan Level Six. Yet, records indicated that the Emperor's Yuan was only Level Five at the time. He still defeated ten Level Six experts, forcing his way through the personal assessment. This was all due to his peerless unique ability: the "Law of Time."

Power of the 'Law' was a supreme ability capable of overriding levels, and those wielding 'Law' power were exceedingly rare across the entire cosmos. The "Law of Time," in particular, was an existence that defied heaven itself. The only known individual possessing this ability was the Emperor of the Andu Empire. Aunt Ling and the elder beside Gu Yue exchanged glances, recognizing the profound astonishment reflected in the other's eyes. P: Recommend a book: The Demolition Man of the Great Qing (Book ID: 1290720). Occasionally mislead world powers, raid the Spanish coast. When time allows, discipline the little Japanese, and give the Tsarist Russians a few knocks. If short on money, ask the British for some, and don't forget to trick the Americans... War is an eternal topic, and this book will present a series of brilliant naval battles, reviving the glory of the Big Gun doctrine! First publication.