The Hundred Crowns, with a stature and appearance like a mythical monster, spoke calmly:

“First time solo navigating the Sub-Ether Space, isn’t it? “

The world around them warped and shifted into a blur; unsure of where this place was, Yang Zicang nodded.

-｛Distributor February Di’an deliberately nurtures anxiety.｝

The Hundred Crowns said, unperturbed as an ancient well: “Entering the Ether Illusion without a target is extremely dangerous. What appears here as vast, expansive land might, in reality, cover only a few square meters, merely a congregation of elemental forces. “

Upon hearing this explanation, Yang Zicang’s eyes shifted. “The reverse is also true? “

-｛Distributor February. Di’an gave me a Favorable Review.｝

“Correct. Some wilderness that might take days to traverse on foot could, for you, be crossed in a single hurried step. So the spatial geography here cannot be judged by ordinary logic. And… especially, be careful not to let your spirit fluctuate wildly, or you might get lost without even realizing it. “

“I know about that. ” Yang Zicang sensed the location of his business card, feeling it was distant yet within reach in no time at all.

“Let’s keep moving. “

Yang Zicang nodded and dashed forward once again. As his mind gradually calmed, another, more distant “Ether Beacon ” radiating the “Trajectory Master ” identity appeared in his perception, threadlike and sharp.

“Without any sign of the ‘Essence Phantom Realm’ appearing, you were able to resist the yearning to master the ‘Godhead’. “

Without even turning his head, Yang Zicang shot back, “Shouldn’t I be asking you that? “

“I have a special method to stabilize my mind. “

With a glint in his eyes, Yang Zicang felt a few emotional ripples within himself, which the spy leader behind him precisely caught in that instant.

“Hmph. Truly worthy of someone beginning to master a Godhead. Take this chance and tell me, how do you plan to deal with Wager, the head of the ‘Weiting Travel Merchant Association’? “

“My goal is to trap him in the Aether World and imprison him here through emotional fluctuations. “

Baiguan’s expression flickered.

“That’s actually your plan… Wait, there was no information about ‘Ether Beacons’ in the previous intelligence. And since this is your first time here, yet you already had such a scheme in mind. “

How infuriating. Yang Zicang felt a wave of pressure. Bringing someone like this into the inn, even if only for two or three months, was it really not going to be a problem?

“Don’t tell me you have a device that can break through the Phantom Realm? “

“That’s not exactly the issue we need to discuss here, is it? “

-｛Distributor Tata Mingqi gives a “thumbs up “.｝

-｛Distributor Tata Mingqi shows “running “.｝

“If that’s the case, getting me to help out isn’t such a bad idea… Oh, it’s this place? Alright then, make it quick. I’m worried there might be trouble if we delay too long. “

Yang Zicang turned his head, tilting it as he opened his narrow, extra-sensory Illusion Gaze. With a cool, handsome face tinged with flushed cyan, he looked at him. “What do you mean by that? “

“If they’re heading in this direction, they’re probably planning to seek help from ‘Qijun City.’ Oh, forget it. Since we’re already here, I’ll let you in on a secret that isn’t exactly top-tier. The Weiting Travel Merchant Association has suffered heavy losses. Based on their movements, we suspect that Guild Master Wager intends to go to ‘Qijun City,’ find ‘Qi Jue Trade Alliance’ leader ‘Ray Ous,’ and ask for his assistance. “

“The ‘Qi Jue Trade Alliance’… Is its leader tough to deal with? “

“He’s manageable. This much can be tough for you, but it’s just not worth my special attention. “

Sensing the gravity in Baiguan’s tone and a trace of worry, Yang Zicang’s brows arched and drifted like illusory blades as his emotions slightly stretched. He quickly composed himself.

“You’ve got some intel you can’t spill, something more important than ‘Divinity,’ right? “

Baiguan’s voice caught in his throat.

“Anyway, when we get there, we shouldn’t go out right away. Sure we can’t see ordinary organisms’ aether, but if it’s that thing, you’ll see it without me having to say a word. “

……

Inside the small city the “Mist People ” call Qijun Town, nestled on the Northern Plains.

Crimson blood flowed beneath the century-old palace-like buildings along Fifth Avenue, scattered across the silent long steel cannon barrels twisted by overwhelming force.

“You… you dare… massacre… ” The man collapsed on the ground, blood seeping from his mouth, staring up at the figure standing over him with eyes as cold as steel.

Feeling his body go rapidly numb, the man’s gaze grew dim: “You… aren’t… afraid… of… the apocalypse… “

Then he heard faint “baa-baa” goat calls drifting from outside the city.

The man standing upright seemed to sense that the one beneath him was at death’s door, and as if cold iron finally showed a trace of mercy, spoke without emotion:

“Don’t worry about that. “

The man on the ground suddenly widened his eyes in fury and coughed up several mouthfuls of blood.

In that instant, the air suddenly rippled.

The man’s pupils snapped sharply, as over a dozen high-speed bodies, cloaked in orange-gold phantom flames, surged toward him like cannonballs from the ruined buildings and the scattered corpses of ordinary citizens.

If they were ordinary Fogfolk, facing such an onslaught, they would have had no choice but to flee with all their might.

But this figure simply stood calmly in place, waiting for them to close in.

“Swoosh swoosh! “

Bullets, fists of wind, and steel swords simultaneously tore through the air, aimed at that proud, standing form. The man casually lifted an ordinary-looking palm along with his arm, clenched it into a fist, drew back his elbow, and in that same instant, struck out!

Boom! Crash! Rumble!

“Ah! ” Accompanied by several wretched screams, the enemies’ bodies flew like tattered rags, smashing into the surrounding buildings.

The fine, densely packed energy veines that had extended from this man’s body into the air retracted back into him, as he said calmly,

“Stop struggling. Hand over Wager and the key, and I won’t kill the rest of you. “

Hearing those spreading words, the still-surviving people of the Gorgeous City seemed on the verge of collapse; they fell to the ground, clutching families whose bodies were either convulsing in terror or already lifeless—watching from afar that stark figure standing atop the ruins.

“Soldier… Number… Four! “

A violent cough erupted from an alley, followed by a roar filled with seething rage that echoed bitterly in the distance: “Our city has no grievances with you Bristol fans. “

Soldier No.4 glanced indifferently to the side:

“Hand over the key to the ‘Weiting Travel Merchant Association’ and its president, Wager, or tell me where they are. “

“Aaargh! I’ll kill you! “

The furious figure in the distance had completely lost his reason. He paid no heed to the “soldier’s ” inquiry at all, but howled madly as he nocked an arrow onto a longbow in his hands, golden illusory flames wrapping the shaft.

“Everyone, I’ve invested everything in you. Aaargh! “

“Hmph, a warrior who can’t do arithmetic, a human without reason. “

Just as the longbow aimed at “Soldier No.4, ” the moment before his fingers released the string, the archer suddenly swung the bow around and let the arrow fly towards a faintly shimmering rock radiating energy in the distance.

“Break! “

Like a golden rainbow piercing the sun, tearing through everything in its path!

“Wager! “

Thud!

“President Leous! ” The surrounding people watched in shock as their leader, after shouting that name, froze suddenly mid-draw with his bow in hand, then slumped to the ground.

A rock that had pierced him smashed into the distant high wall. With a crash, the surface instantly exploded into dust and collapsed like a meteor had struck it.

But in the distance, a barrier’s invisible field across the sky began to tremble as that arrow struck into it, sending out spreading ripples.

Wager, who had been hiding somewhere, clenched his teeth tightly. Seizing this opportunity, he quickly crushed the Ability Sphere together with the Crossing Person and Ian beside him. Their figures, like phantoms, dragged afterimages as they rushed toward the trembling force field’s edge, pulling out that Key while running.

“Even with such a massive tremor, you still won’t invest? “

The inn key remained completely unresponsive!

Just then, a sudden “Boom~ ” roared through the air.

The three of them froze mid-step in disbelief, vaguely seeing densely packed figures in red-and-black uniforms gathered on the grassland outside the city.

“You… you all… how dare— “

Soldier No.4 picked up a Key from the fallen man, his calm voice reaching the ears of the three.

“For the inn, this level of expense is nothing at all. “

Ian’s eyelid twitched.

“Saying it’s nothing? This… this is a field-generation device capable of nullifying ‘Divinity’ effects—definitely only the Royal Court could have it. Using it here… “

Wager turned his head to look at the Soldier walking step by step toward them, feeling a chill run through his body.

The Crossing Person beside him nervously swallowed a mouthful of saliva.

The three of them took a step back.

Soldier No.4 said, “Come over now and hand over the Key peacefully, and I’ll let you—and the rest of the people here—live. “

Ian frantically tried to invest in the Key in his hand.

“Humans never learn to be rational. “

“Don’t understand why? ” the man outside roared. “The Divine Hotel wants to see stories of real characters, not rats just knowing how to scurry into mouse holes. Before you become its honored guests, don’t think a single brass key can break through this double blockade. “

“We should never have come here, never! All for a Traveler Merchant Alliance president! ” said the Crossing Person.

“What the hell are you saying, you animal? ” Some voices roared from the rubble of the building. “So many people here are buried because of you! Our president has been guarding you until now, keeping his promise! “

Others in the ruins exploded with rage upon hearing this. “Animal! “

Ian gritted his teeth. Indeed… it was precisely because they valued his character that they had traveled thousands of miles to deliver the key!

“Enough talking, run! This thing’s timing can’t be infinite. We’ll find our chance eventually! “

Wager crushed a small sphere, kicked off the ground, and burst into a run, with a bent line spreading out from his chest.

｛I request temporal financing.｝

｛Brothers nearby, help me out! I’ll bring everyone into Fei Lu Hotel!｝

“We can’t escape! ” the Crossing Person said in despair, staring at the figure behind him.

That intimidating, god-of-war-like march had never sped up or slowed down, but at that moment, Soldier No.4 suddenly paused, his eyes flashing as he shouted, “Who?! “