"Yes!" Mo Wudao let out a long breath, though his expression was somewhat downcast. "I was indeed too eager for revenge." The situation now, he conceded, was somewhat rash, deviating greatly from his original intent.

Huyan Aobo nodded slowly. "But it wasn't entirely without gain. We have basically ascertained the true strength of the Evil Monarch's Mansion. Jun Mo Xie's power... everything has been revealed! I believe that is all there is to it. Though it is already a terrifying force!"

"The most crucial thing is that what we feared most did not happen!" Huyan Aobo continued. "That is, the Heavenly Punishment Forest did not merge with the Evil Monarch's Mansion! The only one who came here today was Venerable Mei, and she appeared in the capacity of Jun Mo Xie's woman! None of the Beast Kings were present—that is a good sign."

"Brother Huyan, you mean that... that..." Mo Wudao's eyes lit up.

"But Brother Huyan, don't forget the thousands of flying Xuan Beasts that soared into the sky when we arrived, and that world-shattering divine blade!" Xi Ruochen said gloomily. "To conclude that the two factions have not fully united might be somewhat premature. Right?"

"No, precisely because of that," Huyan Aobo countered, "I believe they have not merged! Don't forget Mei Xueyan's identity. If the Heavenly Punishment had truly integrated, would there only be these flying Xuan Beasts showing up? Not to mention the Ghost... those original Eight Great Beast Venerables have also reappeared in the Heavenly Punishment... the transition between old and new power among them... how could it be so easy?"

"Exactly so!" Mo Wudao's gaze became even brighter. "As long as we confirm that Jun Mo Xie and the Heavenly Punishment have not merged, they are merely neighbors. That means we have more options. Once we handle the imminent Battle of Seizing Heaven, we will naturally have plenty of tactics to deploy."

"Let everything wait until after the Battle of Seizing Heaven! People of the mortal world often say that a gentleman's revenge—ten years is not too late. But for us, what does even a little more time matter? Why rush over a mere fraction of time!" Xi Ruochen said faintly. "The Heavenly Punishment must not be slighted, and the Evil Monarch must not be insulted... both sides possess truly strong personalities..."

The three smiled in unison; the plan was set.

After the two rounds of fighting, one side was completely defeated, and the losers were precisely the people from the Holy Lands. Yet, apart from carrying the injured back for treatment, the Holy Lands made no further moves!

This fact puzzled not only the assembled guests in the main hall but also Young Master Jun himself.

Why no follow-up action? This situation was the first to fall outside the Young Master's predictions.

Could there be another conspiracy? But... even if there were, it wouldn't matter; everything would be met with steadfast resolve!

"Mansion Lord Jun! The strength belonging to your mansion has truly reached the apex of the world. I believe no one will have any further doubts. It is now beyond question that the Evil Monarch's Mansion ranks among the pinnacle forces on the Xuan Xuan Continent. After your mansion's ceremony concludes, we hope to have a candid discussion with Mansion Lord Jun." Mo Wudao smiled warmly, regaining his usual calm and collected demeanor.

"No problem." Jun Mo Xie readily agreed. "Today's gathering is ultimately just a ceremony, and we feel quite uneasy that everyone has traveled so far to attend. Therefore, after the ceremony, we have arranged a seven-day carnival. Everyone can enjoy themselves to the fullest; all expenses will be covered by the Evil Monarch's Mansion!"

Amidst the cheers of the crowd in the hall, Jun Mo Xie suddenly heard a faint, buzzing sound: "Mansion Lord Jun, I am Zhan Wufeng of the Zhan family from the Ethereal Illusion Mansion. I wonder if I might speak with Mansion Lord Jun privately after the ceremony to discuss the potential for cooperation between the Evil Monarch's Mansion and my Zhan family!"

Zhan Wufeng!

The Zhan family... cooperate with me? Is there such a possibility?

Jun Mo Xie was truly stunned this time—not feigning it in the least. It was too unexpected.

"Good!" Jun Mo Xie nodded in agreement.

Following this, a lavish feast was served course after course, and everyone in the hall breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that no further unexpected changes would occur today. It was the action of the Three Great Holy Lands that caused the most astonishment. They had arrived seemingly aggressively, but after suffering just one injury, they immediately quieted down. This reaction was somewhat unacceptable to the assembled magnates; it seemed too cowardly...

But this incident did confirm one other thing: the Evil Monarch's Mansion was an entity of extreme might!

The crowd mused over this, but these were matters between super-powers, irrelevant to small figures like themselves. Even if they wanted to latch onto a powerful backer, the big players might not even deign to look their way. Since it was pointless to think about, they might as well enjoy the delicacies before them—that was the sensible thing to do. Just as they were preparing to start eating heartily, a long, earth-shattering roar suddenly echoed from outside!

This roar was as if the gates of Hell had suddenly opened, releasing thousands of vengeful spirits simultaneously. In an instant, the entire world seemed shrouded in thick, oppressive gloom, eerily silent and suffocating!

Miao Zhan, Miao Dao, Miao Wu, and the other Holy Venerables from the Holy Lands instantly changed expression!

Because they recognized who the arrival was!

The disaster this person's appearance could bring might be no less than the Battle of Seizing Heaven, perhaps even more terrifying!

Then, a sinister voice spoke with chilling clarity: "On such a grand day as the opening of the Evil Monarch's Mansion, how could this Venerable not come to join the fun? The Fourteenth of the Nine Hells has come to offer congratulations! Can the Evil Monarch, Jun Mo Xie, step out for a look!"

The Fourteenth of the Nine Hells!

This harbinger of disaster, recognized as the foremost expert of the age, had actually come!

"The Fourteenth Young Master is thoughtful. Since you have come to my mansion, why not step inside for a cup of wine? The fine spirits we have prepared might satisfy the Fourteenth Young Master's taste!" Jun Mo Xie said in a deep voice.

"Your wine is undoubtedly excellent, but there are annoying people inside! Better to forgo the drink, then!" The Fourteenth of the Nine Hells' voice drifted ethereally, floating north and south, instantly shifting east and west, seemingly coming from all directions before finally converging in the center to form a complete sentence—yet everyone heard it perfectly clearly, the insidious undertone still distinctly perceptible.

"Haha, since the Fourteenth Young Master is unwilling to show himself... this Venerable will toast you from afar, as a token of respect!"

In the main hall, on the central platform, a jar of wine suddenly shattered with a sharp bang. A splash of liquor erupted, and before it could hit the ground, it transformed into the shape of a brilliant long sword, solidifying in mid-air, then abruptly shooting out like a meteor, piercing straight out through the hall entrance!

The wine sword vanished instantly, the whoosh of it breaking the air only registering moments later!

What Xuan technique was that!

And with what level of mastery!

All the assembled guests changed their expressions in horror!

Miao Zhan's eyes shone with penetrating light as he watched the direction the wine had flown, appearing lost in thought.

A moment later, a sound of admiration came from outside: "As expected of the legendary Heaven-grade fine wine! Meeting it is even better than hearing about it!"

Then: "Jun brat, are you not coming out yet?"

Jun Mo Xie offered a wry smile and said, "Did the Fourteenth Young Master’s previous congratulation turn out to be just empty words? Bring out a congratulatory gift first, and this Venerable will step out for a moment."

The crowd was speechless. The fearsome figure of the Fourteenth of the Nine Hells had personally come to offer congratulations, and not causing trouble—wasn't that already a magnificent gift? How many people in the world could command such deference? Yet, you ungrateful wretch, you are openly demanding a gift!

"A gift for the c..." The Fourteenth of the Nine Hells outside sounded somewhat awkward; it seemed the fellow truly hadn't prepared a gift...

"A gift!" Jun Mo Xie's voice was firm, projecting the stance that if no gift appeared, he wouldn't come out.

"One Nine Nether Cold Blade shall serve as the gift!" Outside, there was a boom, followed by a black light that flew in with the sound of rolling thunder, enveloped in black mist, resembling a rising Nine Nether Dragon!

Suddenly, a bundle of black light, thick as an embrace, thundered into the hall! As it neared, the black light abruptly dissipated, transforming into a slender, chopstick-like blade that flew in and embedded itself squarely on the high platform.

The crowd could scarcely believe it—that tremendous, earth-shattering sound was caused by such a thin, long, and narrow blade!

"Truly stingy, even for the dignified Fourteenth of the Nine Hells! Presenting so little is beneath your status!" Everyone heard Jun Mo Xie's disdainful voice, and then—a tall, elegant youth with striking features, clad in white, suddenly appeared on the high platform, his robes flowing loosely, his bearing as refined as jade!

The next moment, this white-robed youth stepped out with a faint smile, moving so quickly that he left thousands of afterimages behind—it seemed like countless white-robed youths lined up in perfect order, all the way to the door, and then even extending into the sky...

The figures in the sky vanished, and only then did the white-robed figure on the stage begin to slowly fade...

The Evil Monarch!

Jun Mo Xie!

Watching the figures dissipate one by one, yet maintaining perfect order without the slightest disorder, Miao Zhan let out a deep sigh, his eyes heavy with gravity. From this single encounter, he felt that the cultivation of this Evil Monarch surpassed his own!

Could this youth truly be Mo Junye?

Recalling Mo Junye's behavior in the Illusion Mansion, Miao Zhan, Miao Dao, and Miao Wu all fell into confusion.

Could it really be possible? Why was there absolutely no similarity in their demeanor?

The three frowned deeply, losing the certainty they had felt earlier.

Although Jun Mo Xie was no longer in the main hall, praises erupted all around.

"Worthy of being the legendary Evil Monarch; truly the epitome of grace and approachability, displaying the bearing of a hegemon of an era! This..."

Jun Mo Xie's faint smile, though it quickly faded, made everyone genuinely feel that the smile was directed at them, a greeting meant for them personally!

Everyone shared the same thought!

"Did you bring that thing out?" The Fourteenth of the Nine Hells stood in the void, his two dark eyes fixed on Jun Mo Xie.

"If I said I didn't bring it out, would you attack me?" Jun Mo Xie tilted his head.

"Before fighting your master, I will not strike you first!" The Fourteenth of the Nine Hells glanced at him disdainfully. "Your progress is indeed fast, but you are still far from being qualified to fight me."

"Ha, you actually dare to think of fighting my master? I'm afraid my esteemed master would beat you to death... Heavens," Jun Mo Xie rolled his eyes, retrieved the 'Divine Melody' from his robe, and tossed it over casually. He shook his head. "I've been studying this thing for several days, but I still haven't figured out how to use it! Can this thing really be used as a weapon?"

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