(The new book "Sword Pride Reborn" is out. Desperately seeking bookmarks and recommendations, thank you all for your support!)

The grand tide of the Primordial Era is immutable. Amidst the turbulence of time and space, the narrative threads of the Primordial Era remain continuous. Just like the time-space he once inhabited, it was unclear which shard of the myriad Primordial fragments it was, yet its story bore a striking resemblance to the major Profound Realms. Although the details varied, the underlying patterns were similar. For instance, in the primary Profound Realm, the Zhou Dynasty currently replaced the Tang Dynasty; in his past history, there was once Empress Wu Zetian. Despite the different paths to ascension, the nature of the conflict was analogous. And in the Profound Realm of Huo Zhongguang, despite its small territory, a myth of a God-Conferring War was still being enacted. In that case, the mission for him and Luo Lianxin upon entering this Profound Realm must be to alter the outcome of this war...

A thought stirred in Feng Zikang's mind, grasping at something suddenly, but upon concentrating, he found nothing. However, he was not anxious. The master of this Trial Tower was gradually revealing its purpose; descending a few more floors would surely clarify everything. The immediate problem was merely resolving the current predicament. With the enemy army at the gates, he felt no undue concern. Yet, what Huo Zhongguang mentioned—that there was a powerful figure among the rebel forces—was likely no easy adversary, certainly not easier to handle than the Dragon Evil, the avatar of Chi You, or the Profound Ice White Ape from the previous two floors. Furthermore, having reached the fourth floor, his side was clearly cornered, unable to rely on trickery as before; this time, it would have to be a direct confrontation.

Feng Zikang realized this, turned back, and nodded to Luo Lianxin. "Junior Sister, it seems the key to this task lies with that great divine practitioner among the rebels." Luo Lianxin assented. "Senior Brother is absolutely right. Once we repel the rebel army, the exit to the next level will surely appear..." "Exit?" Huo Zhongguang was startled, failing to grasp their meaning. Feng Zikang smiled slightly. "I will explain this slowly, but there is no need to dwell on it now. Let us return to the palace with you!" Huo Zhongguang was overjoyed. "Master, I rely on you!" ※※※ Feng Zikang and Luo Lianxin descended from the heavens with Huo Zhongguang, returning to the palace with him. The civil and military officials, who had been utterly demoralized by the arrival of the celestial general and god-man, suddenly found their morale surging; rather than following their king to die for the nation, they gathered outside the palace, cheering "Long live the King!"

Huo Zhongguang hosted a grand banquet that evening for Feng Zikang and Luo Lianxin. Naturally, the exquisite delicacies and fine wines need no detailed description, but this Profound Realm was limited, and although Huo Zhongguang was a king of a realm, he could not produce many truly rare items. Feng Zikang and Luo Lianxin were already at the Core Condensation realm; the mortal world's food and drink were largely irrelevant to them, so they merely sipped a few cups lightly.

Huo Zhongguang heard that the two had reached the Core Condensation realm and were preparing to assault the Nascent Soul stage. He couldn't help but feel envious. Having indulged in pleasure and excess here for thirty years, his Dao heart had become lost. At this moment, he finally awakened. He firmly resolved to beg Feng Zikang earnestly to take him away from this Profound Realm, return to Dragon Tiger Mountain, and resume his cultivation.

While he mulled this over, Feng Zikang was contemplating how to handle the affairs of this Profound Realm. He intended to use his Formless Heavenly Demon avatar to scout the enemy camp that very night. The enemy was already pressing against the city walls; tens of thousands of troops attacking the city constituted a massive scale in this small Profound Realm. However, Feng Zikang paid no mind to these mortal soldiers. It was the palpable, towering killing intent within the army camp that must belong to the great divine practitioner Huo Zhongguang had mentioned. He needed to properly investigate the reality of this person.

Below, the civil and military officials were clinking glasses, their flattering words pouring forth like a tide. Feng Zikang and Luo Lianxin remained unmoved, deep in thought, when suddenly their hearts tightened—the situation within the hall had shifted. "An attack is coming!"

Feng Zikang’s spiritual aperture was clear. Upon sensing the change, he immediately let out a cold snort, waving his sleeve to cast a canopy of golden light around himself. On the ground below, a cluster of black mist slowly emerged, enveloping a white shadow within, accompanied by a chilling, sinister laugh. "Oh dear!"

Huo Zhongguang cried out, tumbling to the ground, already hiding behind Feng Zikang. The civil and military officials, who had just been lively, all collapsed, their state of life or death unknown. "What wicked spirit! How dare you cause mischief before me? Show your true form!" Feng Zikang roared, his eyebrows flying up, sending a beam of sword light slashing toward the white shadow within the black mist. The white shadow let out a delicate laugh, her form rapidly shifting, neutralizing the sword light. The black mist dispersed, revealing an incomparably beautiful woman! "Nine... Nine-Tailed Fox!"

Huo Zhongguang's voice trembled; he was clearly terrified. Feng Zikang focused his gaze. He saw that the woman was exquisitely charming, with a single vermilion dot between her brows that was captivating. She was clad in white silk, but beneath her fragrant hips trailed nine fluffy, pure white tails, swaying incessantly, immensely alluring. However, he was now a master at the peak of Core Condensation; how could he be swayed by mere beauty? The cultivation of this Nine-Tailed Fox was far inferior to the mother of the little fox he had seen previously, but their auras were similar. "A Nine-Tailed Fox?" His expression was grave as he spoke softly. This Nine-Tailed Fox was like Daji from the history Feng Zikang knew, the one who brought disaster to the nation and corrupted the Yin Shang dynasty for hundreds of years. Of course, since this Profound Realm was minuscule, neither her cultivation nor the destruction she caused could compare to Daji’s. But at this point, she should have completed her mission; why return to the imperial palace? "I trouble the esteemed immortal for asking. This humble one's name is Su Su..."

The Nine-Tailed Fox smiled enchantingly, bowing slightly to Feng Zikang in a full curtsy. Huo Zhongguang, remembering Feng Zikang was nearby, suddenly felt much bolder. He scrambled up, covered in dust and grime, and pointed at the Nine-Tailed Fox, cursing, "You wicked woman! What are you doing here again? You caused my kingdom to fall and my people to scatter! I was just about to settle accounts with you, and you dare to show up?" Seeing him stamping his foot in anger, the Nine-Tailed Fox chuckled coquettishly. "My Lord King, why such anger? This concubine comes precisely to give Your Majesty an accounting..." "Oh?" Feng Zikang smiled coldly. "May I ask what Miss Su's purpose is for coming here?" The Nine-Tailed Fox laughed. "The irreversible collapse of this kingdom is already sealed. This humble one has come to borrow Your Majesty's head to complete this tribulation, which might also earn some merit. If I can break through this Profound Realm barrier, there might be hope for ascension in the future..."

Upon hearing this, Huo Zhongguang trembled violently, his face turning pale. He knew the Nine-Tailed Fox was ruthless and would act immediately. He saw her raise her right hand, and Huo Zhongguang immediately tumbled away, hiding behind Feng Zikang, shouting loudly, "Master, save me!" Feng Zikang saw the Nine-Tailed Fox flick her sleeve, sending a beam of white light toward them. With a cold snort, a sword light swept out, shattering the white light into pieces! The Nine-Tailed Fox stumbled back two steps, her face filled with surprise. She hadn't expected such a master to emerge in this Profound Realm! Just then, a soft chirping sound came from Feng Zikang's embrace, and the little fox poked its head out.