The rooftop of Cloud Mist Villa.
Ye Longlin surveyed the entire Cloud Mist Villa, everything that happened unfolding before his eyes.
"Boss, the commoners below are now hostages to the Devil. The Devil is ruthless and capable of killing hostages. Shall we have the sniper team deal with them first?"
Xuan Niao returned. As she arrived, she had seen a group of people rush into the main hall of Cloud Mist Villa.
Ye Longlin watched the fiery battlefield, narrowing his eyes. "Do you know who our enemy is?"
Xuan Niao was confused. "Isn't it Ye Xingchen?"
Ye Longlin chuckled, shaking his head slightly. Xuan Niao pondered, then her eyes lit up. "The Dark Hall."
Only then did he nod and continue, "In this war, Ye Xingchen was merely a catalyst to draw out the Dark Hall and sever their tentacles in Star City. Because Ye Xingchen is the catalyst, we can frame him for colluding with the Dark Hall. Once he has this label, he will never be able to compete for the Five Decisions.
Even if he is eventually cleared, this will be a stain on his life. In this system, once you have a stain, you can never rise to power. This is an unwritten rule.
And we, not only have we severed the Dark Hall's tentacles, but we have also blocked Ye Xingchen's path. This is a plan with two birds killed by one stone."
Xuan Niao understood, nodding solemnly. "Our enemy is the Dark Hall. Ye Xingchen is merely a warning, though it's a warning he cannot afford to bear."
Ye Longlin looked down at his palm, smiling nonchalantly. "Ye Xingchen will not lose his position in the Five Decisions because of this. The Ye family is behind him, it just depends on what price the Ye family is willing to pay. Although it's a plan with two birds killed by one stone, it deepens the hatred between the two sides.
Xuan Niao, remember one thing: there has never been true fairness in this world. So-called fairness is built upon power and status. Only when you reach a certain height will the word 'fairness' exist."
With that, he stepped into the air.
Xuan Niao pursed her lips. "Actually, Boss is quite cunning. He knows he can't let him lose his position in the Five Decisions, but he still wants to annoy him a little."
In the arena, Yuan Gang's gaze fell upon the Butcher.
The Butcher was a Grandmaster, and he had joined the Dark Hall. Who knew what methods he possessed.
This was not a good thing.
"Your turn." Yuan Gang's gaze fell coldly on the Butcher. Those who joined the Dark Hall were all their enemies.
The Butcher chuckled. "Kid, when I was cultivating, you were still in your mother's womb. Kneel down and beg for mercy now, and I can spare your life. I can even make you my disciple."
Yuan Gang looked at him coldly. "Noisy."
Then, a palm strike condensed and slammed directly at him.
"Martial Marquis peak!!!"
The Butcher's face changed drastically. His eyes were filled with shock and fear, his expression disbelieving.
When he fought against Heavenly Sword, Yuan Gang had only displayed the aura of someone who had just broken through to Grandmaster. Now, he had crossed a major realm, erupting with the aura of a Martial Marquis peak. How could he believe this?
Ming Jin, An Jin, Grandmaster could only be considered entry-level. The martial arts they practiced were all left by their predecessors.
To break through to Martial Marquis, one must have a unique cultivation technique and forge their own path.
The Butcher's peak strength reached the Martial King realm, placing him at the pinnacle. Otherwise, Rong Yao, who was at his peak, would not have personally intervened to capture him.
After being imprisoned for so many years, his cultivation had gradually declined, and now he only had the cultivation of a Grandmaster peak.
"Boom!"
Yuan Gang's palm strike dealt with the Butcher, smashing him into the ground. A palm print was imprinted on the ground, terrifyingly deep.
The Butcher lay on the ground, spitting out mouthfuls of blood, his eyes filled with unwillingness.
"Just a bunch of ants."
As soon as he finished speaking, the gunfire and cannon fire ceased.
He looked up towards the direction of the battlefield. Figures emerged from within the battle.
Their bodies were covered in blood, exuding an aura of iron-blooded killing intent. A single glance was enough to tell that this was an elite iron-blooded unit.
"Report to General Yuan, Team One has no losses, three lightly wounded."
"Report to General Yuan, Team Two has no losses, one lightly wounded."
"Report to General Yuan, Team Three has no losses, no casualties."
"..."
Yuan Gang nodded. "Just a mob of scattered soldiers. If there are any lightly wounded, it proves you are incompetent."
The captain of Team One's face turned embarrassed. He had the most casualties, with three lightly wounded. Although not serious, his team had the most injuries.
The captain of Team One retorted, unconvinced. "General Yuan, that's because we weren't paying attention. A tree next to us fell."
Yuan Gang's face changed, and he rebuked sternly. "If you are not even aware of your surroundings, what qualifications do you have to continue fighting? Go back and write a self-criticism."
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Ye Longlin looked at the person before him, a playful smile appearing on his lips. He spoke slowly, "I didn't expect you to dare to come looking for me, and even stand in my way. To be honest, I'm surprised."
The Devil shrugged. "There's more that will surprise you. The only Heavenly King in Great Xia is not even thirty. Either Great Xia has no talent, or you are truly capable. However, I lean more towards the latter. After all, your subordinates are like a single pass that no one can breach, and they wiped out all my men."
"The Dragon Lord is not someone you can judge freely. If you wish to die, I can fulfill that wish."
As the Devil's words fell, Xuan Niao's expression changed. She took a step forward, her voice laced with killing intent.
The Devil casually sat down, raising an eyebrow. "When the Heavenly King speaks, can his subordinates interrupt as they please? I thought Heavenly Kings were all very dignified."
Provocation.
These words were clearly a provocation. If it were anyone else, they would have surely rebuked him, but Ye Longlin did not.
His eyes held a playful amusement.
"When you took action, you already knew that your opponent was me. Knowing you were not my match, yet you still acted. This is something I cannot comprehend."
Ye Longlin tossed him a cigarette, speaking calmly.
The Devil reluctantly lit it. "Someone from the Dark Hall gave me an invitation, and I had to follow their orders. You should know the consequences of disobeying superiors within the Dark Hall. I suspect they deliberately sent you battle achievements, making the capital unable to reward you further.
After all, situations where a subordinate's merits overshadow their lord have happened many times in Great Xia. Moreover, we know there will inevitably be a conflict between the Ye family and you. Therefore, the Dark Hall likely chose you between the Ye family and yourself."
Ye Longlin pondered. If he were to oppose the Ye family, who would benefit?
The primary beneficiaries would be the remaining ten elder families, and the second would likely be the business world, as all the assets controlled by the Ye family would be released.
But what role would the Dark Hall play in all this?
As he thought, he let out a cold laugh. "The Dark Hall truly has good methods. An open scheme, and they even have you tell me. I'm guessing your next step is to negotiate with me, correct?"