The battle, which came quickly, also ended quickly.
In this battle, among the four factions, Wenlan City and the Dark Church both took action and stood on opposing sides.
When facing the Angelic Holy Assembly, they were still comrades in the same camp.
But now, they had become enemies.
The Monster Legion and the Skull Society remained silent.
Perhaps they had considered intervening, but they did not.
Here, no one could remain neutral.
At the same time, no one knew which side the Monster Legion and the Skull Society would choose.
Without a definitive outcome, all they could do was wait.
...
After a great battle, the continent of Damiria quieted down once more.
Three days later, Linglong and Hong Si found Chen Fan together.
"What's wrong?" Chen Fan asked, puzzled.
He knew Hong Si; he wouldn't seek him out without a reason.
If he came, it meant something was up.
With Linglong accompanying him, it indicated it was not a minor matter.
"City Lord."
Hong Si cupped his fists and said, "I wish to take some people out."
"Hmm?"
Chen Fan was confused.
Where to?
The Qin family army, which had always preferred peace, had for the first time made a move.
"For training."
Hong Si stated gravely, "There are too few men in the Qin family army, only eight hundred veterans. Many great battles cannot involve them, which does not fit the definition of the Qin family army. Therefore, I wish to take them out for training."
"Where are you planning to go?"
"No specific destination."
Hong Si replied, "When the Gate of Space opens, the Qin family army will return and aid the City Lord in battle."
"Actually, there's no need for this," Chen Fan sighed.
He understood Hong Si's thoughts, and the Qin family army's thoughts as well.
However, the upcoming battles were too high-level, and the Qin family army could only do so much.
"No."
Hong Si shook his head. "The Qin family army has always fought against heaven and earth, never shirking battle. Believe me, when the Qin family army returns, they will surely be able to help the City Lord."
He had this confidence.
Chen Fan glanced at Linglong beside him. "Is it because of him?"
"Yes."
Hong Si did not conceal it. "Linglong needs a physical body, and I happen to know of one that is perfectly suited for Linglong."
With Linglong's current power, an ordinary body could not withstand his immense might.
If his power were to be weakened, Linglong would not agree.
He needed a powerful physical body, one that could bear all his strength.
Chen Fan looked at Linglong. "Are you sure?"
"Yes."
Linglong nodded affirmatively. "I want to experience what it feels like to have a physical body."
His current body was forged from spiritual energy.
Though a treasured body, it lacked the treasures of a human body.
The human physical body was the most mysterious treasure.
Linglong, in his current form, was a spiritual entity. He could not be repaired, nor could he eat, and could only spend his days in boredom.
Once heavenly treasures transformed into spirits, they would be bound by rules and could never advance further in their lives.
This was also why Linglong desired a physical body.
Chen Fan looked at Linglong, his expression becoming serious. "How can I trust that you won't act against the Qin family army after you leave?"
King Qin had entrusted the Qin family army to him, and he had a duty to take care of every single one of them.
Dying on the battlefield was one thing, but dying at Linglong's hands...
Chen Fan felt that when he descended to the underworld, he would be relentlessly pursued by King Qin.
"..."
Linglong did not know how to guarantee this.
It was Hong Si who stepped forward. "City Lord, I trust Linglong."
Linglong looked at Hong Si gratefully.
"Are you sure?"
Chen Fan did not completely trust Linglong. He continued, "If Linglong were to attack you out there, you would have no chance to retaliate."
"I won't," Linglong stated.
Chen Fan remained silent, looking instead at Hong Si.
"I trust him."
"Alright."
Since Hong Si had spoken, Chen Fan could not say much more.
Very well.
Since it had come to this, then so be it.
"Go ahead."
Chen Fan nodded.
Hong Si had made his decision, and the Qin family army had made theirs.
Since they had placed their trust in Linglong, what more could Chen Fan say?
"Thank you, City Lord."
"Mm."
Chen Fan raised his hand and patted Hong Si's shoulder, energy surging into him. "I have left a mark on you. It has no use for harming anyone, but if you were to die, the mark would activate, and I would immediately receive news and track your whereabouts."
He said this without regard for Linglong being present.
Hong Si wanted to say it was unnecessary, but seeing the City Lord's serious expression, he did not speak.
...
Linglong and Hong Si departed together.
"City Lord, Tian Qukou requests an audience," Lan Kuang's voice entered the manor.
"Come in."
"Yes."
Shortly thereafter, Tian Qukou, with whom Chen Fan had previous dealings, entered the manor.
In the courtyard, Tian Qukou cupped his fists. "City Lord, yesterday, when the Palace of Gods attacked Wenlan City, they also sent people to the Northern Region."
"Hmm?"
Tian Qukou did not beat around the bush this time. He said directly, "I believe the City Lord also knows what lies in the farthest north of the Northern Region. The existence of that God of Slaughter is no secret. The City Lord must know that I am here simply to inform the City Lord that the Skull Society stands with that God of Slaughter."
Chen Fan raised an eyebrow.
He hadn't known that the Palace of Gods had also attacked Wusheng simultaneously.
What boldness.
That individual was a being whom even he felt was dangerous.
Tian Qukou continued, "There is also a message that the Skull King has asked me to deliver to the City Lord."
"What message?"
"Until the Gate of Space opens, the Supremes will not appear."
Chen Fan remained silent.
This sentence revealed a great deal.
He raised an eyebrow and looked at Tian Qukou. "Are you implying that to break through to the true Supreme realm, one must open the Gate of Space?"
"Correct."
"Why?"
"Does the City Lord remember the wisp of aura that emanated from the Gate of Space some time ago?"
"I remember."
That wisp of aura had eventually fallen into Chen Fan's hands.
Tian Qukou continued, "The City Lord also knows that a long time ago, when King Qin entered Damiria, a Supreme had appeared to stop him. Their breakthrough to the Supreme realm was primarily reliant on the aura emanating from the Gate of Space. Collecting enough of it would allow them to shatter the Supreme barrier and step into the Supreme realm."
Chen Fan nodded, he understood.
Damiria was like this, but what about the East?
Or was it that the entire world was like this, with the rules of Supremes locked within the Gate of Space?
"Why is this so?" Chen Fan was very curious.
"I do not know."
Tian Qukou shook his head. "These matters involve too many things, too advanced. No one knows the reason. Perhaps, only after opening the Gate of Space can the reason be known."
Chen Fan mused, "So, the Skull King wishes to enter the Supreme realm, and therefore wishes to open the Gate of Space."
"Precisely."
Tian Qukou continued, "Not just the Skull King, but also myself... As long as the Gate of Space is opened, we have a great chance of breaking through to the Supreme realm."
"According to you, one only needs to collect the aura emanating from the Gate of Space. The opening of the Gate of Space, with the emergence of ancient fierce beasts, would be a catastrophe for Damiria, and even the entire world."
Tian Qukou gave a wry smile. "Auras rarely appear. Among a hundred portions, ninety are taken by the Palace of Gods and that senior."