Fu Qingyang cleared the S-level instance. Xiahou Aotian's embarrassment vanished in an instant, replaced by excitement and joy. With Yuan Shitianzun unreachable, the small team of "Return of the Dead" was like a ship without a rudder.

It forced him to indulge in wine, women, and pleasure with Zhai Cai.

Lamenting that the end of the world was coming, and as the protagonist, he could only humiliatingly enjoy the superior material comforts.

Now, with Fu Qingyang's return to reality, the team finally had its backbone.

Back in his study, Fu Qingyang's eyes naturally fell upon Xiahou Aotian in the reception area, as well as the Single-Line Knight draped in a smooth black sable coat.

He showed neither surprise nor amazement, merely a calm glance, as indifferent as a Grand Marshal facing the collapse of Mount Tai before him without changing countenance.

Then, he noticed his treasured Qianhong and cigars, unwrapped and uncorked, being thoroughly enjoyed by the two.

Xiahou Aotian's eyes darted around, and he quickly poured a glass of wine for Qian Gongzi: "Celebrating Elder Fu's clearance of the S-level instance and his advancement to Level Nine, Sovereign!"

Fu Qingyang took the glass and glanced down at the liquid inside.

At that moment, the Single-Line Knight walked over, holding a cigarette in one hand and a wine glass in the other, smiling: "Sorry for helping myself to your collection without your permission. You're not angry, are you?"

Fu Qingyang said blandly: "It's nothing!"

But Zhai Cai and Xiahou Aotian felt their hairs standing on end, every pore feeling as if it was being pricked by a sword. With a mere thought from the cold-faced swordsman, they would be pierced by a thousand blades and die.

"It's nothing? He clearly cares a lot!" Xiahou Aotian complained inwardly.

At the same time, he was filled with astonishment. The pressure and sense of danger emanating from Fu Qingyang, who had just been promoted to Level Nine Sovereign, were even stronger than his uncle's.

His uncle was an apex Sovereign. Although the Earth Manipulator profession was relatively gentle and not as sharp and aggressive as a Scout, it still indicated that Fu Qingyang was no ordinary Level Nine Sovereign.

He must have had some incredible encounter in the S-level instance. Seeing the two men stiff and ashen-faced, as if facing a formidable enemy, not daring to move, Fu Qingyang leisurely took a sip of cognac, smacked his lips, and commented: "It's best to keep it in an ice bucket when tasting it. The wine isn't expensive, but it's relatively rare. If you want to drink it, tell me next time."

He put down the glass, pulled over a high-backed chair, and sat down, gazing at Xiahou Aotian like a dignified superior.

"Fighting a dungeon solo was more difficult than I imagined. I wasted a lot of time in there and couldn't clear it within the agreed time. What's the situation with Yuan Shi now?"

From their micro-expressions, he detected pessimism, solemnity, and a hint of self-abandonment.

"The battle for the Solar Origin is already over, and you didn't even get a whiff..." Xiahou Aotian muttered inwardly. Of course, he wouldn't dare to say it out loud.

He sighed and said: "Yuan Shitianzun has become the Lord of the Sun. Alas, I am a failure, unable to keep up with his progress. Maybe it's just not my version yet."

Yuan Shitianzun had become the Lord of the Sun. This news completely exceeded Fu Qingyang's expectations. The cold, stern expression of the superior was momentarily shattered, replaced by a brief daze.

In that instant, the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction from advancing to Level Nine Sovereign vanished. The usually proud Qian Gongzi, for the first time, felt a helpless sense of "why was Yu born when Liang was already here?"

Soon, these emotions transformed into deep gratification. He resumed his cold, stern expression and nodded.

"It seems that a lot has happened outside while I was in the instance."

Immediately, Zhai Cai and Xiahou Aotian told Fu Qingyang how the Star Lord had convened a demigod meeting, forcing the Goddess of Beauty and the Void God to hand over the Compass Shard to start the Solar Origin battle.

As for how Yuan Shitianzun was able to enter the instance and become the Lord of the Sun, they had no idea.

Xiahou Aotian sighed: "According to announcements from the Five Elements Alliance headquarters and the Taiyi Sect, the Star Lord has betrayed the Lawful faction and become our greatest enemy. It is said that he and Yuan Shi have a decisive battle, and I don't know if we can help."

Fu Qingyang spent just two minutes to completely digest the information, calm the storm in his heart, and display extraordinary psychological resilience.

He calmly asked, "Where is Yuan Shi? Has he returned to reality, or is he still fighting in the instance?"

Zhai Cai replied: "Last night, he fought Ashura in the Northwest. The Void Demigod was also in Yangcheng, teleporting the entire city's population to the suburbs of Songhai. The government is now mobilizing resources to settle the refugees. Just now, he seemed to be fighting in The Way of the Extraordinary again. Our levels are too low to participate or even watch."

Xiahou Aotian said indignantly: "Yuan Shi has become arrogant since becoming the Lord of the Sun. He disdains to share information with us and hasn't contacted us yet."

Zhai Cai glared at Xiahou Aotian disapprovingly and said: "Don't interrupt me. I heard from the Void Society that the ultimate goal of the Evil faction is to destroy Earth, and the gods behind them will take action."