Volume 1, Chapter 25: A Choice of Life and Death

A massive impact left them unable to stand. Clutching each other or grabbing for support, they risked falling into the sea as the sharks renewed their assault.

Captain Wu gripped the iron railing tightly. "This isn't right! Why is it more intense than before?"

"Look!" someone shouted.

They peered around. Good heavens—what had been a single shark before had now become seven or eight. They were all massive, and their combined gathering explained the ferocity of the impacts.

"My God, I’ve never seen so many sharks in my life!" Captain Wu felt they were truly doomed. Even if the boat didn't capsize, it would be smashed against the reefs, its hull destroyed.

Ren Yi, Rangiku, and Kurama Yakumo all subconsciously looked toward Uchiha Unohana, and Ren Yi then saw the Mangekyo Sharingan in her eyes.

Inside the Ning Prince’s tent, Wang Lun was drenched in sweat, his face etched with anxiety, while Zhu Chenhao sat as steady and composed as if nothing were amiss.

As expected, once the transfer order from the Dalian Labor Bureau reached the First Textile Mill’s personnel department, the leadership showed no intention of obstructing it and immediately processed the paperwork. Many coworkers gathered around, offering congratulations and farewells with eyes full of envy and jealousy.

The fate of those four was identical; within two minutes, they had all become sustenance for the Ancient Heaven-Shaking Dragon Ape.

These twelve earth veins corresponded to Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, Time, Space, Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter, and Poison—effectively mirroring the attributes of the Twelve Ancestral Witches.

As for the other Hokage, the Fourth died too early to gauge his stance. The Third was quite wary of the Ren clan, and it was actually the Second Hokage who had influenced the Third’s attitude toward them.

"So, what do we do now?" Ming Xuan had lost his usual wisdom. He looked at Ying, his mind a chaotic mess, unable to process anything.

"Huff, huff..." Just as he sat down, Zhang Fa came running over in a panic.

Yet, this was only the beginning. The main event was still to come. With the war banner in hand, General Zhong, filled with confidence, broke camp and marched toward Bianliang City.

***

Looking up, Xiao Tian was startled. It felt as if a massive bolt of lightning was barreling toward him, and he couldn't help but curse. In that moment, feeling death approaching, he slowly closed his eyes, awaiting the end.

"Oh dear, this..." Qin Chuan felt a pang of guilt, realizing the entire pool of essence had vanished, absorbed by that giant cocoon.

Years ago, he had emerged the final victor in the struggle for the throne. Pholos had retired to his hometown before that, avoiding entanglement in the conflict.

Today, though some might have intended to present certain matters, Wu Xukuan’s outburst had silenced them all; no one dared bring it up.

The young man nearby felt a chill down his spine, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, and instantly dismissed the thought he had been harboring.

Because Qin Chuan was among the strongest in the Realm of Creation, finding someone more powerful at the Tribulation Transcendence stage would likely only be possible in the Upper Realm. Yet, his full-force strike had been blocked so effortlessly.

The Void Beast felt aggrieved. Physical might had always been its strength, a trait used to slay many foes, but now it was forced to keep its distance—a true humiliation.

Shaking his dizzy head, just as he tried to emerge from the horrific scene, a thunderous explosion erupted deep within his mind without warning.

After a few attempts, the chaotic notes became much smoother. It had to be said, Zhou An had real talent; though the melody was simple and didn't quite fit the current atmosphere, he had managed to compose a piece of his own.

Before coming to Dulu City, Jiutian had researched it online. In his mind, he had imagined it as nothing more than a large city.

"Immeasurable Longevity Buddha, this old priest hasn't lived enough yet!" Zhang Sanfeng chuckled, his face full of joy.

In terms of magic power and the path of longevity, Xuan Changsheng left the God of Sleep in the dust, but when it came to the soul, he was still a novice.

Many brothers I hadn't seen in ages—Zhang Meng, Zhang Yuhang, Cheng Junhui, Sakura, Demon Shadow, Fan Zixie, Brother Tang, Zero Soul, and others—I found myself missing them deeply.

"This is a war between two worlds. There can be no mercy. Forget our past friendships..." The Azure Heaven Sword Immortal frowned, sword intent hanging from his brows. He turned and entered the Kunlun Secret Realm to hunt down the hidden agents of the other world.

Seeing this, Jiang Liang and the others felt a sense of foreboding, but soon everything returned to calm, and the Reaper slowly faded away.

"So mean." Zhou Xiaolian buried her face in his chest. After their frenzy, her voice sounded increasingly sultry, the three words spoken like a coquettish plea.

***

"Monkey, what do you mean by this? Looking for a fight again?" Yang Jian’s expression shifted instantly as he stared down Wukong, shouting at him.

Upon entering the city, Xiang Gantian realized something was wrong. With his primordial spirit formed and his spiritual sense capable of scanning all of Anyang City, he discovered someone who should not have been there.

Li Quan had targeted me time and again, and Li Feiyang had already stated that Li Quan would fight me to the death. This meant he would continue to find all sorts of ways to ruin me. Now, I just had to wait for Lu Yi and the others to arrive, doing my best to keep us safe for these next two days.

When he brought the water over and set it before me, he sat on the sofa beside me, making it look as if we were overly intimate.

But before this plan could be implemented, Zhao Hai was thrown into prison by Jiang Anning.

Jiang Anning looked like a shattered clay doll, leaning weakly against Jiang Xiu'e, as if she had fallen to pieces.

Though the Northern Imperial Guard wielded immense power, it was hardly a desirable post; many avoided it like the plague.

The reason they couldn't get in now was that Yu Jinlong was currently hosting an important guest.

The man leaned down, his thumb brushing away the cream from her lips. He wiped it clean, lifted her chin, and planted a gentle kiss, biting her lower lip a few times before letting her go.

Compared to regular animal hide, the greatest characteristic of sea beast skin was its superior elasticity and thinner texture. If one used ordinary hide to make a hot air balloon, it wouldn't even be able to lift its own weight, let alone carry a person.

Chi Li looked at the person weeping on her shoulder, feeling somewhat awkward. In her original world, she was an orphan, and only the Director Mother had been kind to her. She wasn't used to the embrace of a stranger.

Why did this sound as if the villagers were plotting to kill them or burn their homes?

"I am a prince of a different surname, personally enfeoffed by the Imperial Court, carrying three urgent edicts! How dare you obstruct me?" Ye Tian shouted sternly, his voice filled with unquestionable majesty.