This collision between the Equality Nation and the Nansia Governor’s Office, though it erupted suddenly at the end of the South Border official examination, had been preceded by many rounds of underground confrontations.

Both sides had made extensive preparations.

The actions of the Nansia Governor’s Office were in the open, while the Equality Nation operated in the shadows, which dictated their divergent approaches.

The Equality Nation’s implementation of "fairness" throughout the South Border was the first layer.

The Equality Nation’s plot to disrupt the South Border official examination was the second layer.

The Equality Nation’s intention to target Su Guanying or Shi Mingcheng was the third layer.

The Equality Nation’s desire to seize the Siguan Underground Palace was the fourth and true objective hidden beneath layers of disguise.

They were not afraid of being suspected of having designs on South Xia, as such suspicion was inevitable. What they wanted was for the Nansia Governor’s Office to misjudge their intentions and determination!

It is essential to know that an organization like the Equality Nation can never stand in the sunlight and directly confront the Overlord Countries.

They exist within the current power structure but seek to overthrow everything in existence. Each action is extremely dangerous.

Take Yan Tu, who had risen to the position of Nine Soldier Commander, but because of a seemingly risk-free support operation, was caught by Jiang Wuqi using the most straightforward method and died a gruesome death.

Therefore, each of their actions is carried out with great caution. At the slightest hint of trouble, they sever all connections and go silent. The Equality Nation’s envoy surrendered by the Summer Country, and later Yan Tu and Li Youjue, were all dealt with in this manner.

For this operation in the South Border, the Equality Nation deployed a large number of personnel.

This could be considered one of the largest operations in recent years, aimed at countering the setbacks suffered in the Qi Territory.

Among them were three True Men of the Age and a Yan Dao expert. Even King Zhao intervened personally, seeking complete success.

No matter what preparations Qi Country had at the Nansia Governor’s Mansion, as long as these preparations did not exceed the presence of one sitting Yan Dao expert, King Zhao was confident in capturing the Siguan Underground Palace.

At Qi Country’s side, without being able to confirm who their opponents were, or rather the scale of the enemy’s actions, they opted to counteract with stillness for the active disturbances occurring across the South Border. Large-scale personnel selections and the establishment of a new Department of Penalty were among the methods employed.

Wu An Marquis was tasked with maintaining order during the South Border official examination. Nansia Governor Su Guanying and Military Governor Shi Mingcheng, as the most formidable force on the surface, personally stationed at the Tiger Platform.

While Qintian Monitor Ruan Qin was secretly hidden in the Siguan Underground Palace.

A Yan Dao expert crouching in preparation was the first trump card.

A successfully restored Siguan Underground Palace was the second trump card.

The Equality Nation had done its utmost to measure variables, while Qi Country had left a more ample margin for error.

Ruan Qin along with the Siguan Underground Palace was enough to suppress all possible threats!

This was determined not even by the wits of both sides, but rather by the different cards they could play.

Any True Monarch of this age comes with a name and reputation.

It has been many years, yet only Winter Emperor Xie Ai emerged unexpectedly. But even her trail leads back to Frost Fairy Lord Xu Qiuci, possessing the secret of a pivotal reincarnation.

Even Xie Ai herself appeared at the Yellow River Gathering, remembered by many throughout the world.

The real identities of the three leaders of the Equality Nation are definitely not obscure. One cannot become a Yan Dao expert by sitting in some remote mountain for a lifetime. Their real identities and actions are constantly under scrutiny by many eyes. Seizing opportunities to act is far from simple and must come with significant value.

During the Qi-Xia War, the Shenxia had shown interest in intervening, unwilling to see Qi Country successfully annex Xia. But King Zhao clearly stated he would not get involved, and Saint Duke also declined to take risks. Aside from differing assessments of the situation, it was also because none of them were entirely free to act.

It was not due to favoritism toward Jiang Shu, nor was it permissible to stand by as Qi Country grew stronger.

When King Zhao personally went to Linzi to follow up on Qiao Er’s lead, it showcased immense courage. But that was a covert operation; this time, however, it’s an overt action.

The determination of the Equality Nation could not be firmer.

And Qi Country?

After a war to extinguish a regional power concludes, they still have an unused trump card reserved for today!

This card was planted thirty-four years ago. Even the entire court of Summer Country officials was deceived, remaining hidden for over half a year after the end of the Qi-Xia War.

Who on the outside could have anticipated this?

Even a pinnacle figure like King Zhao could not help but feel shocked and puzzled.

Who exactly is Jiang Shu?

But Ruan Qin would not care about his feelings. Upon seeing King Zhao attempting to escape, Ruan Qin immediately activated the Siguan Underground Palace, spanning the modern world, suppressing time and space.

The so-called "Cave Heaven" is a world within a cave!

A Cave Heaven is a world in itself, a treasure world born at the center of these Ten Thousand Realms, unlike the small worlds beyond the heavens. No matter how well those small worlds are managed, they can only serve as external supplies without impacting the present world’s structure.

Predecessors and sages devoted their utmost wisdom to refine the Cave Heaven Supreme Treasure, breaking the limitations of "tools," with unimaginable potency.

Especially under the manipulation of a Yan Dao expert like Ruan Qin, even the "Dao" of the battlefield itself could be directly interfered with!

The distance between this place and King Zhao’s next intended destination had been completely suppressed. The concept of space became a barrier, and the concept of time was erased. Numerous options regarding the route forward, struggled for a thousand years, could never be exhausted. Furthermore, an invisible line of rules began attempting to restructure King Zhao’s Dao body.