After hearing Zhou Huai's speculation, Zhao Qingcang frowned.

"If that's really the case, then the problems with the Dawn Guild are likely much more serious than we anticipated."

"Once we've dealt with the remaining issues in Sakura Country, we must concentrate all our forces to deal with the Dawn Guild!"

He turned to look at Zhou Huai, his eyes filled with admiration and gratitude.

"Zhou Huai, we really owe you a lot this time. Now that your mission is successfully completed, it's time for us old bones to clean up the battlefield."

"Don't worry, once the problem with Japan is completely resolved, the Great Xia military will definitely reward you for your contributions!"

"However, you must protect yourself during this time. You are now the most precious asset of Great Xia, and you cannot afford any mishaps, understand?"

Zhou Huai smiled and nodded: "Marshal, rest assured, I understand. You and Elder Chen should also be careful. The situation on the front line is constantly changing. Although the high-ranking officials of the Sakura Kingdom have been wiped out, the counterattack of the remaining forces should not be underestimated."

Lin Zhu, who was standing nearby, also stepped forward.

“Zhou Huai, thank you.” Lin Zhu’s voice was gentle. “If it weren’t for you, I might have been sleeping in that darkness forever. I, Lin Zhu, will remember this kindness. If you ever need anything in the future, just let me know.”

Zhou Huai smiled and cupped his hands in greeting: "Principal Lin, you flatter me. You shed your last drop of blood for Great Xia. It is my duty to bring you back to your homeland."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Zhao Qingcang did not linger any longer.

Although the overall situation at the front has been decided, he, as the commander-in-chief, still needs to return to oversee the battle personally.

Soon, the numerous high-ranking military officials left by car.

Zhou Huai then returned to the villa.

Looking at the sunset, he felt more joyful than ever before, no longer troubled by life and death.

at the same time.

Somewhere in the world, at unknown coordinates, in the deepest part of the world.

This is a bottomless abyss, devoid of sunlight and gentle breeze.

Silence.

However, at the bottom of this dark abyss abandoned by the world, there grows a giant tree that defies all reason.

The tree is hundreds of meters tall, its thick trunk supporting the dome of the abyss.

Even more strangely, its lush branches do not grow many leaves, but instead bear large, heart-like fruits.

Each fruit was as big as a millstone and emitted a faint blue light.

The light, like a person's breath, flickered on and off, appearing exceptionally eerie and beautiful in the darkness.

If someone were to get closer and take a closer look, they would be horrified to discover—

Inside those transparent, glowing fruits, there were actually blurry human figures curled up!

These figures, with their eyes closed and bodies curled up, resembled infants still developing in their mothers' wombs. Golden energy, imperceptible to the naked eye, was continuously flowing into these fruits along the veins of the tree trunk.

Looking up from under the tree, thousands upon thousands of glowing fruits hang from the branches, like a galaxy of stars, yet exuding a chillingly evil beauty.

At this moment, at the thick roots of the giant tree.

A middle-aged man was standing quietly.

He wore a well-tailored and sophisticated vintage suit, his hair meticulously combed. His face was pale yet handsome, exuding an elegance and composure honed by time.

The middle-aged man tilted his head back, his gaze fixed on the dazzling, star-like fruit above him, his eyes filled with fascination and fervor.

He was admiring a perfect work of art that represented the culmination of a lifetime's work.

They didn't speak or make any movements, just watched quietly.

I don't know how much time passed.

"Tap, tap, tap..."

Suddenly, the crisp sound of high heels clicking on the ground echoed in the empty abyss.

The sound, growing louder as it approached, broke the tranquility of the place.

A slender figure walked gracefully out of the darkness in the distance of the abyss.

If Zhou Huai were here, he ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) would recognize this woman at a glance.

Chen Lanxin, the youngest professor at the Imperial Capital Academy of Great Xia, and an S-level array master!

However, Chen Lanxin at this moment no longer had the serious and conservative scholar's attire she used to have in the academy.

She wore a tight-fitting black leather outfit that accentuated her stunning figure, and her fair skin looked even more alluring against the leather. Her face was adorned with exquisite and seductive makeup, and her eyes held a wild and cold gaze.

Chen Lanxin stopped five steps behind the middle-aged man.

She lowered her head, her tone respectful and submissive: "Sir."

The middle-aged man didn't turn around, still gazing intently at the fruit on the tree, only uttering a soft "hmm".

"We just received the latest news from Kochi," Chen Lanxin reported. "The SSS-level powerhouse who was just resurrected in Tokyo, Kujo Naruya... seems to have been killed."

Upon hearing this, a barely perceptible flicker of emotion finally appeared in the middle-aged man's eyes.

He said "Oh".

His tone was somewhat surprised, but mostly calm and indifferent.

Like a high and mighty deity hearing the news that a slightly stronger ant had been stepped on and killed.

"So be it if he's dead." The middle-aged man's voice was deep and magnetic, slowly spreading through the abyss: "As long as he completes the sacrificial ritual and delivers what we need, his life or death will be insignificant."

He turned around, his dark eyes looking at Chen Lanxin: "We've achieved our goal, haven't we?"

“Yes, sir,” Chen Lanxin replied respectfully.

The middle-aged man nodded, then calmly asked, "Do you know who did it? It was an SSS-level cultivator who had just awakened. Although he was in a weakened state, he wasn't someone that just anyone could kill."

Chen Lanxin raised her head, her expression turning somewhat solemn: "It's said... they're a group of SS-rank individuals."

"A group?" The middle-aged man raised an eyebrow.

“Yes.” Chen Lanxin swallowed hard. Even she herself found this information somewhat unbelievable. “Koch said that at one time, a full seven SS-rank powerhouses rushed in from outside the ruins of the Ise Grand Shrine!”

"These seven people not only cooperated perfectly, but each of them was also extremely powerful."

She paused, then continued, "I saw information on two of them. One is Yasuo, the swordsman who used the Thunder Sword Technique and appeared on the East Sea City battlefield."

"The other one is the forbidden spellcaster, Gandalf."

Chen Lanxin's eyes showed apprehension: "Sir, both of these people have previously distinguished themselves on the battlefields of Great Xia. Combining this information... it must be that mysterious being hiding in Donghai City who personally took action."

Upon hearing the words "Donghai City," the middle-aged man's eyes lit up.

"Oh?" He smiled. "That's interesting."

Chen Lanxin then added, "By the way, sir. Chu He and Mohen, who were sent to Donghai City to investigate this mysterious person, have completely lost contact with us."

"According to reports from our informants within the Great Xia, they have most likely been exposed, captured by the enemy, or... are already dead."

Upon hearing that he had lost two of his key generals, the middle-aged man was not angry at all; instead, he let out a low laugh.

He turned around and looked at the huge sacred tree again, filled with emotion. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"The Great Xia Dynasty of today has truly surprised me."

"I originally thought that the higher-ups of Great Xia were in a state of transition, with no other trump cards to play besides those few old guys who were about to die. I never expected that... in such a declining era, a terrifying professional who could kill an SSS-level would suddenly emerge."

He sighed, his tone wistful.

"To be honest, it has been a very long time... a very long time since I went back to visit."

"That place was once my hometown too."

Chen Lanxin stood quietly to the side, not daring to make a sound. She knew that the man before her was an ancient being who had lived for countless years. His past concealed too many taboos that could not be touched.

The conversation ended abruptly there.

The warmth in the eyes of middle-aged people has vanished without a trace, leaving only coldness and ruthlessness.

He withdrew his hand, took out a clean white handkerchief from his pocket, and carefully wiped his fingers.

"Let bygones be bygones."

He casually tossed the handkerchief on the ground and turned to look at Chen Lanxin.

"Remember to remind Joseph."

"Tell his people to get moving as soon as possible. Stop dragging your feet like before."

The middle-aged man raised his head, his gaze fixed intently on the blue fruits that flickered in and out of the tree canopy, and a chilling smile spread across his face.

"Our sacred tree needs more nourishment."

"Only when these fruits are fully ripe can this world truly... usher in dawn!"