"No, you haven't lost." Lei Dong managed a slight smile and shook his head gently. "It is King Shengyao who has lost. I don't know what happened to him, or why, but a supreme powerhouse famous across the Six Domains and Nine Continents has allowed himself to be consumed by power and lose his mind. But no matter what, I, Lei, will not give him a chance to win this reckless gamble."

"I also don't know why he has become like this. In my former understanding, King Shengyao was quite decent," King Caijue sighed deeply. "Is our Winged God Clan truly destined to decline from glory, perhaps even face extinction?"

"Glory? Heh, in my eyes, the Winged God Clan appears strong now, but it is filled with the scent of decay and doom," Lei Dong leaned back comfortably, sipping his tea with a light laugh. "This incident is merely the trigger that exposed the rot within your Winged God Clan's... // Fastest text update from Shu Fen Lou

"Humans!" King Caijue trembled slightly, staring deeply at Lei Dong, trying to discern something from his expression. But after a long moment, she let out a deep sigh. "Lei Dong, you are correct. We Winged Gods have been too arrogant, too self-assured, foolishly attempting to enslave the humans of the Bright Domain with backward strategies. In truth, one only needs to look at the humans of the Nine Continents to see. Your Human Race is demonstrating its extraordinary potential at an alarming speed. Your kind is in no way inferior to us Winged Gods; in fact, your potential far surpasses ours. Ultimately, we should not have sought to control humanity through deceit and manipulation, but rather coexist with them fairly, with mutual respect."

"Your Excellency, King Caijue, I wonder if you wish to preserve the vitality of the Winged God Clan? To become the hero who saves it?" Lei Dong began to speak persuasively.

"Me? I fear I am not qualified for that. I hope to have an audience with King Guanghui," King Caijue pondered deeply before slowly shaking her head. "Lei Dong, I wonder if you could do me this great favor? His Excellency King Guanghui is not only immensely powerful, but he is also King Shengyao's older brother. If he agrees to withdraw his troops, the Winged God army will naturally collapse and retreat to the Holy Bright Domain, preserving our strength. Then, you, Lei Dong, will have achieved your war aims."

"Heh, Your Excellency King Caijue," Lei Dong chuckled, shaking his head. "You view things too simply. You must have learned from Mei'er that that old devil of the Shadow Demon Clan once gave King Shengyao a Mind-Snatching Demon. Have you never been curious, or considered, why that Mind-Snatching Demon was never used on you? After all, you were his captive for nearly a hundred years."

King Caijue suddenly shot to her feet, her eyes wide with disbelief and terror. "Lei Dong, you... you mean...?"

"That is not my implication," Lei Dong shook his head with a touch of pity. "I am merely speculating. Since that Mind-Snatching Demon was not used on you, there is only one possibility: King Shengyao used it on someone more deserving. Unless..."

"Unless, unless what?" King Caijue felt faint, desperately grasping Lei Dong's arm as if catching a lifeline at the end of her words.

"Unless King Shengyao is a man of deep affection and good character." Lei Dong sighed and shook his head. Judging by King Shengyao's recent actions, he certainly did not appear to be a soft-hearted man. Furthermore, his character displayed an element of ruthlessness in achieving his goals.

King Caijue froze, sinking back weakly into her seat, a look of sorrow washing over her face as she murmured distractedly, "This, how is this possible? He, he actually used the Mind-Snatching Demon on His Excellency King Guanghui? His Excellency King Guanghui is his brother, his own blood brother." Although she was questioning this aloud, she already suspected it was the truth. All signs pointed to King Guanghui having kept a low profile for the last century, dedicating himself to cultivation. He had offered no opposition to the expedition into the Abyss Domain, instead supporting King Shengyao's decision wholeheartedly.

"My deduction is likely eight or nine parts correct," Lei Dong sighed, shaking his head with a derisive chuckle. "The Radiant Twin Kings, what a grand title. What a pity, truly a great pity."

"King Shengyao has gone mad. He is leading the Winged God Clan to ruin. Lei Dong, please help me, help our Winged God Clan." King Caijue's face was deathly pale as she gazed intently at Lei Dong, uttering a single sentence: "I will agree to anything you ask, even, even if it is my own body."

"Your body?" Lei Dong glanced thoughtfully at King Caijue, his gaze lingering appreciatively over her graceful form, showing distinct interest. "King Caijue, are you truly willing to pay the price of your body for the future of the Winged God Clan?"

As his naked gaze invaded her without restraint, King Caijue felt a surge of humiliation and violation. However, at this moment, she had no choice left. This person before her had clearly calculated everything, including the life and death of the Winged God Clan, which now rested on his whim. He displayed terrifying power, and by her estimation, certainly much more. This young human was immensely ambitious, and his goals extended far beyond the fate of the Winged God Clan. He surely held trump cards she hadn't yet seen.

Taking a deep breath, a hint of seductive compliance softened the icy beauty of King Caijue's face. This was perhaps the first time in her life she had acted so contrary to her own nature, using her feminine charm to placate any man: "Lei Dong, if you wish it, you may have me any time."

"Your Excellency King Caijue!" Lei Dong's tone suddenly hardened, his eyes sharpening as he stared intensely at her. "Please do not make Lei Dong look down upon you."

King Caijue's expression stiffened, a wave of humiliation washing over her.

But before she could speak, Lei Dong continued in a deep voice: "In my view, Your Excellency King Caijue is an extraordinary person. Just, compassionate, strong, and fearless. You have stood unwavering against life-threatening coercion for a century. Honestly, I hold you in high regard. But what you just said today has deeply disappointed me. Whether you wish to solve problems or save the Winged God Clan, why not use your strength, use your sword, use that Blade of Judgment renowned for upholding all justice within the Winged God Clan? Instead, you resort to the methods of those weak succubi, trying to solve issues with your body and beauty. This is not just an insult to yourself, but also to me."

Lei Dong's words grew heavier, finally causing him to stand up and slam the table.

King Caijue, who had initially felt insulted, gradually grew grave. Facing the impassioned Lei Dong, her heart filled with endless shame, but even more, with gratitude towards him. Gratitude that he treated her past actions with respect, and gratitude that he used his vehement attitude to awaken her, to awaken the true self within her.

She had harbored some fondness and gratitude toward Lei Dong for saving her initially. But this feeling now was different. This man, who frowned at her and angrily rebuked her faults, his every word and angry expression seemed to drill into the deepest core of her heart, plucking at her heartstrings. Though he was scolding her, she felt no anger, only a strange, secret joy. It seemed she had not truly misjudged Lei Dong; he was vastly different from King Shengyao, who had lost his true nature.

"Good, Lei Dong. Tell me what to do, and I shall do it," King Caijue slowly stood up. The sword, nurtured and hidden deep within her soul, began to emerge from the purple mansion between her brows. It was an outwardly simple longsword, yet it radiated immense might. Extending her slender hand, she firmly grasped the sword. Confidence and fortitude seemed to reappear on King Caijue's person, her eyes filled with absolute resolve. "I will (slaughter clean) all filth and decay, and return a bright and clear realm to the Winged God Clan. I, King Caijue, swear that anyone who seeks to erase our Winged God Clan's right to exist, I will cleave them under my sword."

"Good, very good," Lei Dong's eyes showed immense appreciation. "This is the King Caijue I know—just, compassionate, and fearless."

King Chixing's temper suddenly worsened drastically; his personal divine hall was smashed into ruins by him. The guards and maidservants stood fearfully outside the door, afraid to even breathe deeply, lest they draw the attention of King Chixing in his rage and inadvertently cause disaster.

Just then, the communication array within the hall lit up, signaling a request for contact. King Chixing, his eyes slightly bloodshot, paused for a moment before a self-mocking expression crossed his face. "Liu Yue, Liu Yue, King Chixing wants to see what else you have to say, how you plan to perform and deceive me now."

Just as he was about to answer the communication array, his trusted guard suddenly burst through the door, his face a mixture of surprise and panic. "My Lord, my Lord, King Caijue requests an audience outside!"

"Insolent fool! Who allowed you in?" King Chixing, boiling with suppressed anger and shame, was about to lash out and punish this subordinate who didn't know when to be silent, when his ferocious expression suddenly froze. "Who, who did you say is requesting an audience?"

"It is I, this King," a cold voice reached King Chixing's ears, causing him to shiver violently. A tall, cold, and stunning woman clad in milky-white armor appeared before King Chixing with the speed of flowing light. "King Chixing, have you been so lost to anger that you would refuse even me entry?"

King Chixing shuddered.