Especially those affiliated clans under the three Great Sacred Lands were already scheming, wondering how, after the Heaven-Seizing War, they could cooperate with the Great Sacred Lands to utterly annihilate the Evil Monarch's Mansion and plunder its wealth. That wealth was simply too enticing...

As for the rules of the Evil Monarch's Mansion, who would ever take those to heart? They never dreamed that this very act of disregard would lead to consequences so severe...

"Please, enjoy yourselves..." Jun Mo Xie said with refined elegance, "This humble self must take my leave for a moment." "Wait, Mansion Master Jun. We have truly important matters to discuss today..." Xi Ruo Chen interjected.

"After today's gathering, everyone may stay a few extra days. Whatever the issue, we can discuss it calmly.

Today is the day this Sect inaugurates its estate; we shall not discuss mundane affairs..." Jun Mo Xie glanced at the dozens of figures from the three Great Sacred Lands, as well as the people from the Misty Illusory Realm, with a deeply meaningful smile. "I trust this Lord will ensure none of you leave empty-handed..." This was an insinuation.

Yet, it also settled the hearts of these powerful figures, each harboring their own secret agendas. Jun Mo Xie offered a polite bow, turned, and walked away.

In a flash of white robes, he vanished as if he'd blinked. Countless servants poured forth from every direction, bringing forth fine wines and exquisite dishes in a ceaseless torrent...

Ying Bokong, Feng Yun, and Jun Wuyi, leading the contingent of the Evil Monarch's Mansion, toasted table by table. The atmosphere was unprecedentedly fervent.

It seemed impossible for it not to be lively. Putting aside those martial artists who already leaned toward the Evil Monarch's Mansion, who felt they had gained immensely from this trip—not only establishing ties with the mansion but also receiving several exceedingly precious gifts—just consider the Heavenly-Grade fine wines served for hospitality alone.

While perhaps not absolutely impossible to find on the market, they were exceptionally rare; to be able to drink them freely today certainly made the trip worthwhile. Those who maintained a neutral stance, or perhaps harbored disdain for Jun Mo Xie’s overbearing manner, or those who inclined toward the three Great Sacred Lands dared not reveal the slightest hint of dissatisfaction.

They truly dared not. Setting aside the Evil Monarch, who would kill a living person over a minor disagreement, the individuals currently offering toasts were either Saint Venerables or Saint Sovereigns.

What caliber of personages were these? With a mere flick of a finger, they could end one's life.

For them to offer a toast was a massive honor; to not accept it immediately would be inviting trouble! While all the martial artists in the great hall were engaged in clinking cups and exchanging pleasantries, the women upstairs were also enjoying a lively exchange.

After this period of time spent together, the group had moved from strangers to acquaintances, and now, they were quite familiar with one another. "Sister Mei, Sister Guan...

Little Yi, sister... Why do all of you look so strange?

What is wrong?" Miao Miaomiao looked at these newly met sisters with some bewilderment. These sisters were not only beautiful but also possessed fine temperaments.

They felt an instant kinship, a true meeting of kindred spirits, making her feel inexplicably that they were treating her with genuine sincerity. This situation was quite unreasonable.

She belonged to the Misty Illusory Realm, nominally aligned closer to the three Great Sacred Lands. For them to bare their hearts to her upon first meeting was decidedly peculiar.

Even if Du Gu Xiaoyi was young and naive, it could be excused, but Mei Xueyan was a Heavenly Punishment Sovereign—what an extraordinary figure—it was impossible for her to act this way. Especially with Qiao Ying, someone from a Sacred Land, present.

Yet, Miao Miaomiao instinctively accepted them, otherwise, given their nascent acquaintance, she would never have posed such an intimate and profound question. But at this moment, it seemed that upon hearing the words spoken by the "Evil Monarch" downstairs, their expressions had all turned peculiar.

Miao Miaomiao couldn't help but feel puzzled—what on earth was happening? The Evil Monarch’s words, though sounding a bit abrasive and extremely arrogant, were fitting for establishing a new sect; it required a powerful show of force, a form of self-proclamation.

What he said was correct. Even if it was a bit tyrannical, the man possessed the capability.

In this world where brute force equals right, whatever he did was permissible. After all, if the Evil Monarch could not suppress those who "had opinions" immediately, this inauguration ceremony would likely end in tragedy.

The so-called "killing the chicken to scare the monkeys"—the Evil Monarch’s method appeared brutal, even insane, but it was currently the best strategy! Miao Miaomiao believed that even if no one had stepped forward just now, the Evil Monarch would have found a way to provoke someone into appearing, only to slay them publicly to establish authority!

This authority had to be established! But why were Sister Mei and the others reacting like this?

Even if others were concerned due to feminine softness, how could Mei Xueyan, a former Heavenly Punishment Sovereign, give this kind of response? "Little sister misunderstands," Mei Xueyan said with a helpless smile.

"It’s not about him killing people to establish authority..." She thought to herself, How little you know of Mo Xie’s usual character? Yes, you know one side of him, but you don't know that this brat is actually Mo Junye.

This fellow pretends to be a dragon acting like a tiger, and a tiger acting like a dragon—it’s impossible to explain precisely... "I truly didn't expect Brother Mo Xie to utter such profound words; it’s genuinely beyond expectation..." Du Gu Xiaoyi exclaimed with a strange expression.

"However, his rogue tactics are executed flawlessly. Knowing there were such entertaining things happening, I should have gone to join the fun..." Miao Miaomiao choked, left speechless.

Truly, birds of a feather flock together. Just then, Qiao Ying, seated facing the entrance, suddenly straightened her spine, her eyes flashing sharply!

The previously calm and elegant look on her face instantly transformed! Miao Miaomiao also sensed something and looked up toward the empty doorway, suddenly sensing an inexplicable presence.

The arrival of this person made even a woman like Miao Miaomiao involuntarily gasp. The newcomer had hair like dark clouds, loosely swept up by a simple golden coronet.

His brows were like drawn swords, his eyes like brilliant stars, his nose perfectly chiseled, and his thin lips suggested resolute decisiveness. His facial structure was the epitome of perfection.

He stood tall and graceful, with long limbs and a narrow waist, walking slowly, step by measured step. And—every movement, every gesture, carried an unrestrained elegance imbued with a natural rhythm, proving to be exquisitely pleasing to the eye, like a clear stream in a mountain gorge or a cool breeze passing through the woods, bringing an air of transcendence!

Yet, within the flash of his gaze, there seemed to mingle the detachment of one strolling above the clouds and an inherent, soul-deep arrogance! That flickering glance held a hint of masculine, world-defying wickedness!

It was the untamed, mischievous evil of raising one's brow, drawing a sword, and pointing the blade at the heavens! Almost instantaneously upon focusing on the newcomer, Miao Miaomiao instinctively recognized his identity—the Evil Monarch!

Jun Mo Xie! In the entire world, aside from this young man, truly no one else deserved the title "Evil Monarch"!

The moment one saw him, those four words spontaneously arose in the heart, that name which shook the entire world! The sublime, powerful concept contained within the title "Evil Monarch" was displayed to its fullest extent upon this man!

Though he had not yet spoken a word, nor had anyone witnessed his actions firsthand, that transcendent aura in his stillness and silence already interpreted the origin of the words "Evil Monarch" in the best possible way! All Evil under Heaven, follow me as Lord!

His reputation was well-deserved! He was true to his name!

And in that very first moment of meeting, a surge of inexplicable anger rose within Miao Miaomiao: anger directed toward the three Great Sacred Lands! This man before her was as pristine as an immortal cast down from heaven, as aloof as white clouds on the highest peak, as free-spirited as the autumn wind threading through the forest.

She believed that if he were to suddenly strike, he would undoubtedly be like thunder and lightning! How could such a person be the "lustful, shameless, bullying, and utterly depraved human scum" that Mo Wudao described?

Miao Miaomiao firmly believed that everything Mo Wudao claimed was completely irrelevant to the man before her. With this person's bearing, how could he possibly engage in such vile, shameful, base, and ignoble acts?

Then, all of it must be a conspiracy and slander orchestrated by the three Great Sacred Lands against him! For the esteemed three Great Sacred Lands to so deceitfully malign this person?

It was truly a profound disgrace to the lofty status of the three peak powers of the Profound Profound Continent... If nothing else, just look at the assembly of unparalleled beauties in this room—wasn't every single one of them exquisitely charming?

Since Jun Mo Xie could command the adoration of such peerless beauties, why would he proactively bother with common, unrefined women? Based on the distinctions between women and married ladies that her mother had taught her, most of the women present, save for Guan Qinghan, were likely still virgins.

To possess so many peerless beauties and yet refrain from widespread debauchery required an immense degree of self-control! That Mo Wudao was truly detestable!

Furthermore, upon her first sight of Jun Mo Xie, Miao Miaomiao couldn't explain why, but an indescribable sense of intimacy and closeness suddenly welled up in her heart! This feeling was so intense, so strong that Miao Miaomiao herself found it somewhat surprising, perhaps even...

flustered? Why?

Why would I feel such familiarity and closeness toward him? How could this impossible thing happen?

The one I love is Jun Ye! Only Jun Ye!

How could I waver so easily? Bah, what am I even thinking?

Such a thought should never have entered my mind... As this thought arose, the image of Mo Junye reappeared in her mind, completely shattering the image of Young Master Jun.

"The two ladies are indeed beauties of the highest order! Looking at you, I nearly became entranced..." Jun Mo Xie smiled, complimenting Qiao Ying and Miao Miaomiao.

In his gaze toward Miao Miaomiao, a faint thread of affection was hidden. "Greetings, Mansion Master Jun," Miao Miaomiao quickly stood up to pay her respects.

Her demeanor remained somewhat constrained. Although this person before her was young and handsome to an unbelievable degree, he possessed a status and position equal to that of her own grandfather, Miao Jingyun!

Miao Miaomiao dared not show the slightest disrespect. But she was also filled with doubt: Why does this person look at me so strangely?

"Jun Mo Xie, what is the status of my Exquisite Lotus now..." Qiao Ying looked at him coolly and asked directly, without ceremony. "Exquisite Lotus?

Oh, oh... Hunter's honor..." Jun Mo Xie raised an eyebrow and smiled.

"What is it..." Qiao Ying’s eyes widened, and she instantly stood up, her gaze filled with worry: Could it be... he actually managed to let the Exquisite Lotus die?