Chapter 38: The Scapegoat

Yuan Peipei sat on the newly installed swing in the Cloud Finery Pavilion, feeling a sense of melancholy.

"Your Highness, what is the matter?"

"Yes, why are you sighing so heavily?"

Cuizhi and Lanxin asked.

Yuan Peipei replied with disappointment, "I just didn't expect my sister to be so heartless. Over a mere argument and a single dress, she ruined a young woman's entire life."

The next day, news came from the Ministry of Personnel that Li Yuanyuan had taken her own life.

Proclamation.

As they approached the tiger's den, the two of them were hit by a foul stench—the scent of long-decayed bones left to weather the elements for years.

At the same time, she had an agreement with Yin Honghua: if the latter truly fell into depravity beyond redemption, she would strike her down for the sake of the common people.

"The Jade Purity Palace is too desolate; now that spring has arrived, I have returned." Tang Yanning felt that the Duke of Tang’s reaction was somehow off.

Colorful true energy rose from the soles of her feet, flowing against the current, gradually surging into her arms, and finally entering the most mysterious place in the human body—the brain.

Huo Qiyue pursed her lips, ignoring Mu Zhaoyang, and took out her phone to call Shi Pianran.

Xi Yan had actually noticed Huo Linyan watching from the manor gate long ago, but he did not say a word.

"System, where are you?" Even in the warmth of Meng Ling's embrace, it could not mask the chill deep within Mu Yu's heart.

Could it be that the enemy from yesterday came to borrow food and returned this morning specifically to thank us? Impossible. I immediately dismissed the thought; the behavior of that enemy yesterday made it impossible for him to possess such a kind heart.

Before drawing out the bestiality within his body, Jiang Hua first had to comprehend the Evil Emperor's Relic. The relic contained the lifelong cultivation of successive Evil Emperors. Jiang Hua had already perfected the North Sea Blossom Technique; even if he absorbed only a wisp of true energy, as long as he meditated deeply, he could perceive the knowledge those Evil Emperors had learned in their lifetimes.

A bolt of lightning struck, draining over fifty thousand health points from Ling'er. Just as the Dark Dragon opened its maw to breathe dragon fire, the Thunder Dragon performed a graceful turn, swung its tail, and sent the Dark Dragon crashing to the ground. The Five-Poison Beast was pinned to the earth by the Thunder Dragon's massive claws, yelping in pain.

Murong Zheng was stunned, completely bewildered. He thought to himself, how could such a person speak such common, worldly words? Could it be that all immortal masters actually hide themselves among the common folk?

With the arrival of new dishes, the spirit stones brought by Wu Yixian and his sister were no longer enough. There was no hope for the honey-glazed roasted chicken, so they could only order one of each of the remaining dishes.

"Farewell, everyone. I will return, and in the near future, we shall stand side by side in battle once more!" Lin Xiao smiled and spoke to everyone present.

This time, with an incredibly high success rate, I forged four Level 2 Reinforced Flame Gems, while Chen Shiyu was not as lucky—her eighty gems yielded only a single Level 2 reinforced stone.

On the other end of the phone, Xia Liu listened to her son's experiences over the past few days, her heart tightening with panic. Seeing him suddenly fall silent, she grew even more anxious, wishing she could rush to his side immediately.

Qi Guang watched quietly as Old Madam Luo acted in such a secretive manner. It was adorable, like an old urchin; one would never guess her age. Thinking back to the first time he met her, he remembered being quite startled himself.

Suddenly, a weight pressed gently upon him, making it hard to breathe. Just as he was about to struggle, a scent like orchids flooded his nostrils—a familiar fragrance that left his spirit stirred and utterly unable to resist.

To go down to the third level, they had to put on heavy hazmat suits again. The transport plane had brought a large quantity of this special equipment. This time, the team going down was larger, including not only security personnel but also technicians and engineers.

The Emperor sat by the bed, motionless, gripping her ice-cold hand. His face was haggard and disheveled. The Empress, who had also gone without sleep for several days and nights, stood nearby; watching her husband in such despair, she felt profound sorrow.