Rupert’s sudden arrival brought Emily, Tina and the others to a halt. What surprised everyone was that Rupert intended to lure Tina with the Jade Lotus True Spirit Liquid.Was he switching from brute force to gentle persuasion now?“Lord Rupert, you people still won’t give up,” Isabel snapped.Though Isabel was merely a Centurion within the Dragon Tooth Guard, her family background far outranked Rupert’s, so she spoke without the slightest deference.Rupert only smiled faintly at Isabel’s taunt. “Tina, nothing in this world matters more than your own future. With this Jade Lotus True Spirit Liquid, you can forge a Nine-Pillar Divine Platform when you advance to the God Realm. Talent like yours ranks among the very best even within our Dragon Blood Guard. I know you hold a deep grudge against Frith. If the chance arises, I will even arrange a fair duel for you two to settle this feud.”Beside him, Frith’s face darkened. She stared at Tina with venom in her eyes, yet she said nothing. C

If this negotiation fell through, even the members of the Scaled Dragon Guard would harbour quiet resentment.After all, this was a matter that benefited every single one of them.Seeing this, Yvonne knew they held no bargaining power against Albert. She quickly smiled. "Very well, we shall agree to your terms. Thirty thousand dragon essence. But if Commander Albert fails to deliver as promised, we will not be able to calm the crowd.""No problem."Albert agreed at once. "Hand over the dragon essence first."Yvonne did not hesitate at his demand. She knew full well that Albert needed the dragon essence urgently to claim the Jade Lotus True Spirit Liquid.She pulled out her Guardian Lord token and transferred thirty thousand dragon essence directly.Albert accepted it with a wide grin. Under the gaze of the entire crowd, he walked over to Wheeler, Guardian Lord of the Dragonbone Guard.This time, he kept his words short."Thirty thousand dragon essence, one hundred and sixty thousand s

But what if Albert and Emily actually pull it off? When that day comes, they will become the most sought-after figures across all Five Heavenly Dragon Guards. Every other guard division will treat them with the utmost reverence. Star beads are critical to everyone’s cultivation. When it comes to matters that shape their own strength, all personal grievances take a back seat.In terms of prestige, Albert and Emily would become uncrowned Guard Lords.As their power continues to grow over time, with both reputation and strength in hand, the long-vacant position of Grand Guard Lord of the Five Heavenly Dragon Guards might very well fall into their grasp.Just thinking about it sent a shudder through Rupert.While Rupert’s mind churned with these tangled thoughts, the massive formation high above the Boundary River Starfall Platform roared to life. Clouds and mist peeled away, revealing the mysterious, fearsome Boundary River hanging in the untouchable high heavens.The formation rumbled,

The Blood Dragon Guard fell dead silent, every member’s face grim. They felt cut off and isolated. They knew full well that Rupert and Freya had burned their bridges, so Albert would never help the Blood Dragon Guard refine star orbs.The star orb refinement, once the Blood Dragon Guard’s greatest pride, had now been nearly matched by the other three guards. Their long-held sense of superiority was shattered.Daring not to openly voice resentment toward their Guard Lord Rupert, many Blood Dragon Guards instead cast reproachful glances at Freya.Freya sharply felt those stares. Cold rage welled up inside her. Her reputation, built over years of painstaking work within the Blood Dragon Guard, had been all but ruined by Albert. Every month from now on, when Albert refined star orbs for the other three guards, she would face this wave of blame. It was an endless torment.Freya trembled with fury.Albert paid no mind to Freya’s state. After finishing the refinement for the three guards, he

If you held no such fears, why would you reach out to me suddenly after all these years? The Faceless Hades’ faint, ethereal laugh seemed capable of stirring the darkest impulses buried deep within one’s soul.Weston, your Bruce Supreme Clan appears mighty on the surface, yet hidden perils fester within. Your ancestor, Supreme Bruce, is already advanced in years. Wounded in the last Unification War during his battle against the Great Yin-Yang Demon Lord, his foundational essence was damaged. He has not stepped out for many years now, and I fear his end draws near.Once something befalls Supreme Bruce, your clan will crumble. The millennia of foundations you have built will be handed over, and you will struggle to defend yourselves.Weston crushed the teacup in his grip in an instant. Cup and tea dissolved into nothingness. His calm demeanor shattered, replaced by a grim, horrified glint in his eyes.The entity’s words had struck the fear that gnawed at his very core.The plight of the