“Little Junior Brother.” Jian Chi’s excitement was palpable. “We’ve finally managed to wait for you.”

The man looked remarkably unchanged from thirty years ago, though his frame had certainly gained some height.

“Forgive me, I couldn’t arrive sooner.” Xingchen’s expression darkened as his gaze instinctively drifted toward the headless corpse of the Tiger Roar Mountain Beast.

Meanwhile, Jian Qi was busy tending to the fallen Tyrant of the Dragon Abyss Flying Snow Bear and True Man Eagle.

“They are gravely injured,” Jian Qi reported. “But everyone is still alive.”

A collective sigh of relief swept through the group.

Jian Wu and Xingchen were old friends; despite the years separating them, they had fought side-by-side over two decades prior. Their reunion was laden with deep emotion, though this was hardly the time for reminiscing.

“Could you recount what transpired?” Xingchen was genuinely curious how they had managed to survive; with Zhan Lang’s capability, killing them would have been a matter of moments. That only Tiger Roar Mountain Beast had died, while the Tyrant of the Dragon Abyss Flying Snow Bear and True Man Eagle were merely injured and unconscious, truly surprised Xingchen.

Jian Xing muttered an internal admission of shame, unsure how to begin. He instinctively looked toward Jian Wu.

The seasoned Jian Wu, wise beyond his years, saw Xingchen’s intent immediately and spoke first. “We don’t know Zhan Lang’s true purpose for coming here…”

After a considerable pause, Xingchen finally grasped the full sequence of events.

“Zhan Lang didn’t come here to kill or destroy,” Xingchen remarked, equally perplexed by Zhan Lang’s actions. “What exactly was he trying to achieve?”

“I believe he was searching for someone,” Jian Chi offered.

“Searching for someone?” Xingchen looked astonished.

“I share that sentiment,” Jian Xing added. “From the beginning, Zhan Lang seemed to be testing the strength of General Dragon Abyss and General True Man. However, it appears their power did not satisfy Zhan Lang.”

“Which is why he asked you that strange question,” Xingchen concluded.

“Precisely.” Jian Xing nodded. “Looking at this, his next target is very likely the Snow Domain Empire.”

“But even if he finds Youyue, what then?” Jian Wu wondered aloud.

“Though we are uncertain,” Jian Chi said, “it is clear that Zhan Lang is acting this way likely to enhance his power to fight against you.”

“But would Youyue agree to it?” Xingchen questioned, puzzled.

“Even if Youyue refuses, facing Zhan Lang, he wouldn't even have a chance to resist,” Jian Wu stated. “Furthermore, we only know he might seek Youyue. What he does after finding Youyue is beyond our prediction.”

This was truly troublesome; what in the world was Zhan Lang plotting?

“Lan Ye, can you analyze Zhan Lang’s intent in seeking Youyue?” Xingchen mused internally.

“Zhan Lang’s combat power cannot match a combined assault from you and Yueying. Tactical computer analysis suggests Zhan Lang’s highest probability objective is finding a suitable Host to activate an energy-sharing mode to boost his strength.”

“Finding a Host?” Xingchen was stunned. “Just like Yueying and I?”

“Affirmative,” Lan Ye replied.

“How is that possible?” Xingchen found it almost unbelievable. “With his temperament, he would never seek a Master to restrain himself.” In their previous confrontation, Xingchen had clearly seen Zhan Lang’s intense aversion and disdain for the concept of a Master.

Once Zhan Lang activated his personality mode, he gained absolute autonomous control; even if he found a Host, he wouldn't be controlled by the Host’s commands. The relationship would be one of equals, and with Zhan Lang’s abilities, he could very likely coerce or even reverse-control the Host.

“Controlling a Host?” Xingchen felt a jolt of fear. “A Hero controlling a Host—that’s utterly insane!”

But Xingchen quickly realized that if Zhan Lang succeeded, his power level could indeed surpass the combined strength of himself and Yueying. If that happened, the situation would become dire.

The others watched Xingchen’s shifting, somber expression, their hearts fluttering with anxiety.

However, they noticed Xingchen seemed to be conferring with someone internally.

Was he communicating with the Hero? But why did Yueying beside him still look so vacant and blank?

Truly strange individuals!

“Your Highness, have you discerned Zhan Lang’s intentions?” Jian Wu inquired.

“Zhan Lang most likely intends to find a Master,” Xingchen stated gravely. “Only in that way does he stand a chance to defeat the combined force of myself and Yueying.”

“A Master.” Jian Xing’s expression drastically changed, but it quickly settled into one of complexity, tinged with disappointment and melancholy.

The others also wore strange looks; it was clear none of them had imagined that Zhan Lang’s preceding actions were a test of their worthiness to become his Master.

This meant they had once possessed an incredibly rare opportunity to gain a powerful ancient Hero, yet they had missed it due to their own insufficient strength!

“Being his Master is not an easy feat,” Xingchen sensed their thoughts immediately. “He is no longer a Hero existing solely for guardianship. Thus, anyone he chooses will merely become a puppet controlled by him.”

“Puppets?” Every face paled.

“We must stop him,” Jian Wu asserted.

“Naturally,” Xingchen agreed.

“This is perfect,” Jian Chi chimed in. “Now that we know his intent, if we plan properly, we can certainly capture him.”

“An ambush?” Xingchen considered. “That is indeed a fine idea.”

“There is no time to lose,” Jian Xing urged. “Your Highness should depart for the Snow Domain Continent as soon as possible.”

“Convey my regards to Master, Uncle Lu, and all the Senior Brothers,” Xingchen requested as he looked toward Jian Chi.

“Understood.” Jian Chi nodded repeatedly. “You take care as well.”

“Farewell.” As the words left his mouth, the ghostly figures of Xingchen and Yueying vanished from the spot!

The others only registered a fierce gust of wind, but when they looked again, Xingchen and Yueying were already far in the distance! They disappeared from sight in the blink of an eye!

Only the stunned, statue-like figures remained on the training ground!

“Such incredible speed,” Jian Qi sighed with envy. “If only I could fly too.”

“So handsome!” Jian Chi stared blankly, utterly captivated. Little Junior Brother had such incredible luck to have such a powerful Hero, and one so stunningly beautiful at that!

“I really wish I had a Hero,” Jian Chi murmured to himself. “It doesn’t even matter if it’s not a female one.”

“That one is hopeless,” Jian Wu and Jian Qi exchanged exasperated looks at the idiotic dreamer.

Returning to the main hall, Jian Xing still seemed utterly detached, as if his soul had left his body.

Witnessing the power of an ancient Hero for the first time was an unimaginable shock to both Jian Xing and Jian Wu!

This was the strength afforded by having a Hero! Jian Xing clenched his fist tightly, his expression showing undeniable envy.

Invincible, able to soar through the heavens and burrow through the earth.

As the ruler of a nation, his craving for power and strength far exceeded that of ordinary men.

If he possessed such a Hero, why worry about achieving supremacy? Perhaps the entire continent would have long been unified under his banner.

Years of serving together allowed Jian Wu to understand Jian Xing’s thoughts completely, yet some things simply could not be forced. How many in this world were fortunate enough to possess the miraculous luck of the Nine Luminaries Divine Being?

What a regret! If only they had managed to keep him when he was still in the Biji Empire back then, perhaps the Biji Empire would be a very different entity today!

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