Dongfang Yelaiâs single sentence sent a jolt through Ye Yuâs heart.
Who was the âGreat Oneâ he spoke of?
Was it Xie Buyu, Leader of the Divine Pact?
Or someone else entirely?
And why had he used the word âobserveâ?
Ye Yuâs thoughts spun wildly. Unsure how to respond, he opted for the most versatile reply.
âHeh!â
That one syllable could mean anythingâwith the right tone it was utterly inscrutable. It was also the only option he had.
Dongfang Yelaiâs expression froze into an icy mask, his fists clenching suddenly. The temperature in the hall plummeted in an instantâand just as quickly returned to normal.
A smile resurfaced on Dongfang Yelaiâs lips as he spoke slowly, âSince youâre here as a guest, stay put. Iâll finish wrapping up the Hall of Boundlessness. Donât get in my wayâor Iâll kill you along with everyone else!â
In that moment, Ye Yu could sense the murderous intent radiating from across the room. Dongfang Yelai really did want him deadâbut for now he dared not act openly, on orders of his mysterious master.
Who that master was, Ye Yu still did not know.
He didnât linger another moment. Turning on his heel, he left the hall.
Dongfang Yelai made no move to stop him. With a thought, he dissolved the barrier and watched in silence.
Once the doors closed, his face drained of color. He spat blood and muttered, âThat old dog is as cautious as everâsending someone this powerful to watch me. Planning to kill me after I fail? I wonât give you the chance!â
A murderous aura flared around Dongfang Yelai. He was determined not to fail after all heâd sacrificed.
In truth, he had indeed wanted to strike Ye Yuâbut after briefly probing Ye Yuâs true cultivation, heâd suffered a backlash so severe heâd been forced to abandon his plan.
Ye Yuâs mocking âhehâ felt like a taunt at his impotence. That stung his pride to the coreâbut against overwhelming strength, heâd held back. Now he was left to brood alone in the hall.
Meanwhile, Ye Yu emerged from the chamber and was immediately met by Hong Zhencheng at the door. âYouâre out already? What did you two talk about in there?â
âNothing muchâjust small talk.â
Ye Yu didnât snap at Hong Zhencheng. From Dongfang Yelaiâs deliberate attempt to split them up, it was clear Hong Zhencheng knew nothing. So why create tension?
After a brief greeting, Ye Yu planned to visit Old Ge to ask about Dongfang Yelaiâbut found heâd gone out hunting for artifact materials two days ago. No one knew when he would return.
Ye Yu frowned. That old man was unreliableâwhy hadnât he told him? With the situation in the Hall of Boundlessness growing ever more confusing, he had no one to consult.
âHong Zhencheng?â he thought. âHeâs too honest to share everything.â
Ye Yu considered slipping away entirelyâbut just as he moved, he sensed multiple streams of qi locking onto him. Someoneâor several someonesâwere watching him from the shadows.
This was tricky. To avoid alerting them, he turned back toward his quarters.
At that moment, a demon god strode in from outside the Divine Pact: a male succubus with an appealing face and a faint, playful smile. He approached Ye Yu.
âSenior Ye Yu, right? Iâve heard of your deeds. Iâm Bai Shuang, newly assigned to the Hall of Boundlessness. I look forward to working with you!â
As the saying went, never strike a smiling face. Faced with such warmth, Ye Yu could only return a polite smile. He made a brief courtesy and hurried off.
Bai Shuang remained, gazing toward Dongfang Yelaiâs side chamber with that same faint smile.
Night fell.
Suddenly, Ye Yu sensed something was very wrong. The usually deserted Divine Pact had become unexpectedly lively.
The Hall of Boundlessness, dedicated to combat, normally held only thirty to fifty gods at most; the rest were out on missions. Yet now nearly two hundred qi signatures pulsed within its wallsâthat made no sense.
âLord Ascendant, †NĐŸvĐ”â ight †(Read more on our source) come out! I want to introduce some friends to you. Itâs so lively todayâeveryoneâs back!â Hong Zhenchengâs voice called from outside.
Ye Yu opened his door and pulled him inside. Hong Zhenchengâs cheeks were flushed and he clutched a jar of spirit wineâclearly well on his way to inebriation.
âWhatâs going on out there?â Ye Yu asked.
Hong Zhencheng shook his head. âI have no idea. So many sect members just returnedâHall of Boundlessness hasnât been this busy in ages. Hey, stop standing thereâcome have a drink with me. Iâll introduce you to some people, expand your networkââ
Before he could finish, Ye Yu clamped a hand over his mouth. Hong Zhenchengâs muffled protests went ignored as Ye Yuâs mind raced.
Unusual events always presaged trouble. Why had so many gods suddenly returned? Clearly something was afootâand, given what Old Ge had told him, perhaps a rebellion was being plotted today.
Before Ye Yu could deduce more, a tremendous explosion rocked the Hall of Boundlessness. Its force rattled every pillar and beam.
Ye Yu sprang forward, deploying a defensive formation that repelled the shockwaveâbut the tremor beneath his feet remained intense.
Hong Zhencheng shook off Ye Yuâs hand and staggered back, blinking soberly. âWhatâs happening? Is the Divine Pact under attack?â
A heavy voice boomed through the hall: âJunior Brother Nangong Yantian of the Hall of Fortune requests Senior Sister Xie Buyu to come and face death!â