Breathing erratically—from running out of air, the entire group eventually settles down.
In the same instance, the other members of Nine Lives looked to the faction representatives with a light of camaraderie in their eyes—seeing as how they all hate the same person now.
Regaining his breath, Ning Qiu Heng asks—
"What's the name of this despicable bastard?"
Raising a sigh, Jiu Sheng replies—
"I believe all of you should be familiar with this person. His surname is Long."
Widen her eyes, Hong Xuan replies—
"Long Hua? B-But then what about that other one?"
Shrugging her shoulders, Xu Tian Kun says—
"Beats us. Regardless, there's no need to doubt his identity."
"…"
"…"
Exchanging a look with Wang Yongning, Shao Tianming recalls the incident involving the crocodilian weapon spirit, and remarks—
"That's why he was able to come back alive."
"He's hidden himself quite well…"
As Wang Yongning mutters this, Zhou Chen raises a frown.
The possibility of that practitioner being Long Hua had crossed Zhou Chen's mind—the moment Xu Tian Kun mentioned that the individual had come from outside of the Everlasting Spirit Realm.
Turning to Zhui Yun, Lan Shan says—
"We need to let Lady Nian know about this as soon as possible. Knowing his true personality, we'd be insane to continue working with this bastard!"
Towards this suggestion, Zhui Yun shakes her head, and replies—
"We can't. Lady Nian has a contract with him, and this prevents her from pulling any schemes against him."
"Then…?"
With a frown on his face, Ning Qiu Heng turns his attention towards the two Moon Guards, and similarly, Zhui Yun and Lan Shan did the same.
Realizing what the three members of NPI wished to ask, Qing Yue nods, and says—
"…Madame Nian has always kept a close eye on Lady Nian's activities—despite their disagreements. For the time being, you three should keep this matter to yourselves; we'll let Madame Nian know of this in advance."
Adding to this, Hong Xuan says—
"Madame Nian wishes to celebrate Lady Nian's belated birthday—after this excavation. Odds are, he would be invited as well. That should be another opportunity to kill him—if we fail to do so here."
Hearing this, Xu Tian Kun widens her eyes, and asks—
"You're going to let that venomous snake into your own home? Isn't that a bit too daring?"
Raising a frown in agreement with how risky such a situation would be, Qing Yue says—
"For time being, nothing is set in stone. …If we don't want to have to deal with him in our own home, then we'll just have to do our best—to make sure that we kill him here."
"…I'll contact Madame Nian just in case."
Saying this, Hong Xuan runs off.
Turning to Zhui Yun, Qing Yue says—
"Hardly the time to be fighting among ourselves. I'll cut straight to the point; mind giving us a few vials of that new drug?"
Simultaneously, both Zhui Yun and Ning Qiu Heng turn to Lan Shan, who replies—
"Ai… Payment for this favor, I suppose."
Shaking his head, Lan Shan takes out two vials.
...…
Pulling Jiu Sheng to the side, Xu Tian Kun whispers—
"What now? If that venomous snake enters the fry—in the Long Yue family's estate, things will get messy."
Thinking the same, Jiu Sheng grinds her teeth together, and mutters—
"That damn venomous snake, everything that he's dipped his stinking fangs into is just…- Ai… What that Moon Guard said is true, let's just do our best to ensure that we kill him here in this ruin."
...…
Inner domain, within the hall master's temple—
"Hmm…"
Situated on top of an elevated platform is a white throne.
Seated on the throne is the hall master of the Ashen River Hall, Zhōu Xiǎoyǔ, who is dressed in a white changpao.
Present on Zhou Xiaoyu's forehead is a golden sigil, which is shaped like the face of a dragon.
The entirety of this temple is white from in to out, and the roof of it is held up by a total of four pillars.
Vein-like patterns of gold are present throughout the four pillars, and this same pattern can be seen throughout the floors of the building.
A unique feature of this temple is the lack of a wall—behind Zhou Xiaoyu's throne.
But that's not to say that the temple's rear is empty—for what serves to replace a physical wall is a wall of golden Qilin flames.
"…"
Turning her golden eyes towards the man standing a few meters in front of her, Zhou Xiaoyu asks—
"You reported that it might be possible to enter the outer domain?"
"Indeed."
The 40-something-year-old man possesses red hair and red eyes; facial appearance wise, they look similar to Shao Tianming, but with a much more mature air.
Attire wise, the man is wearing a red business suit—over a white dress shirt with a purple necktie.
The name of the man is Shao Jiang Le, the father of Shao Tianming.
(This is far too soon…)
Contemplating the matter, Zhou Xiaoyu eventually says—
"Gather up a group of… I'd say around 500 individuals, and have executives Li and Feng take charge of them. If I recall, your son and a surnamed Wang is charged with the excavations of the outer domain's ruins, correct?"
"Indeed."
"If possible, use them as markers."
"I'll make the arrangements right away."
"Un."
Following Zhou Xiaoyu's nod, Shao Jiang Le leaves the temple.
"…"
As the door of the temple closes, Zhou Xiaoyu glances to the side, and asks—
"Still there?"
"…"
Emerging from behind the throne is a figure dressed in black armor, whose stature is well over two meters in height.