Chapter 184.1: From Jiang Empire

The drizzle wouldn’t stop, drenching the wide streets of Feihuang City.

Donning a straw raincoat, Wang Wenqi turned sharply and slipped into a narrow alley. Water splashed from the ground as she quickened her pace.

Behind her, a black-robed man appeared, grinning mockingly. "Scourge of the Jiang Empire! Just where do you think you’re going?!"

He abruptly launched an attack, intending to capture Wang Wenqi.

Just then, an elderly man in a scholar’s robe intervened. Brilliant light filled the alley, stopping the black-robed man's attack in midair.

The black-robed man halted, surprise flashing in his eyes. "A member of the No-Food Sect?"

The elder stared contemptuously at him. "And you are a member of the Lin Empire's imperial clan. Why would you serve the evil gods?"

"A good bird chooses the tree it perches on. I merely made a better choice," the black-robed man replied in a deep and heavy tone.

"You’re just courting disaster by working under the evil gods," the elder said sternly. "They will gradually absorb you, turning you into their puppet!"

Most nations of the northern lands had long been occupied by evil gods. Their people were reduced to hollow husks—mere puppets of those gods.

Followers of the No-Food Sect had once infiltrated such cities, witnessing scenes that were horrifying beyond words. At first glance, nothing was out of the ordinary. The commonfolk worked during the day and rested at night. Yet all of them wore the same expression, followed the same routines, and never spoke of their own accord. Children never cried, and dogs never barked. It was chilling to the bone.

In fact, that was the main reason the elder and so many others resisted the new gods so fiercely. Compared to that, offering children every month to certain powerful figures was nothing.

The black-robed man listened, unfazed. "Our god promised that those who submitted first would retain their consciousness. You’re quite powerful. Why not submit as well? Our god will accept you."

The elder flew into rage. "So as long as you save yourself, everyone else can go to hell?!"

"Others are too weak," said the man calmly, a ghost of a smile creeping up to his face. "They aren't even qualified to pledge loyalty to the god. They lost themselves, so what? They only have themselves to blame."

"That is no excuse for aiding evil!" the elder roared, lashing out in a frenzy.

Just then, the man sensed something and narrowed his eyes. "Reinforcements? I'll spare your lives for now."

With that, he dissipated and vanished.

A few seconds later, six or seven people arrived in the area, led by Huang Mengying and Nangong Wujin.

Wang Wenqi stared gratefully at Huang Mengying and the others. "Thank you for saving me, Sister Mengying."

Huang Mengying stared at her with a complicated expression. "Don't go out for the time being."

Wang Wenqi lowered her head, gritting her teeth. "I never expected the evil gods' lackeys to track me down here."

Everyone felt their hearts tighten. Just moments ago, the scholar-robed elder had already sent word: Wang Wenqi’s would-be assassin was from the Lin Empire’s imperial family.

"The Jiang Empire was defeated. The imperial capital was reduced to ruins. Many are frightened..." Huang Mengying said, heavy with helplessness.

A Third Step to Heaven new god had descended upon the Jiang Empire's capital. The Empire’s ancient god fought until his last breath, enraging the evil god. The imperial capital was wiped out, and all six million inhabitants of the Jiang Empire's capital perished. People were terrified beyond their wits. Even the upper echelons of the Lin Empire shook like leaves.

Hearing this, Wang Wenqi's eyes filled with tears, on the verge of spilling over.

Seeing this, Huang Mengying hurriedly said, "I’m sorry, Sister Wenqi! I shouldn't have brought up something so painful!"

Huang Mengying knew that Wang Wenqi’s parents and clansmen had all lived in the capital and died at the hands of that evil god. It was only because she had come to Feihuang City on other business that she had survived.

Raising her sleeve to cover her face, Wang Wenqi asked with a hint of resentment, "Did Qiyuann Sovereign really defect to the new gods?"

At those words, Huang Mengying couldn’t help but recall the banquet where she first met him. He was a handsome and unbridled ancient god, bowing to no evil gods. A few days ago, he had slain all the gods of Gale Wind Town out of nowhere.

Everyone was shocked. After all, even Nangong Wujin had been powerless against the evil gods of six towns. He made his move, only to discover the true extent of the demigod Sarwolf’s strength the hard way. And yet, Qiyuann Sovereign managed to slain Sarwolf.

What followed was even more shocking. Qiyuann Sovereign agreed to cooperate with the new gods and welcome a True God![1] They were utterly confused by this.

"I'm not really sure," Huang Mengying said. "The people we sent to Clearwater Village returned yesterday. Qiyuann Sovereign has confirmed it. He intends to receive a True God into Clearwater Village."

Wang Wenqi's eyes turned bloodshot. "Traitor! My great-grandfather trusted him so much!"

Wang Wenqi was a descendant of Venerable Tianbao. Over ten days ago, her great-grandfather had instructed her to find Qiyuann Sovereign in Feihuang City. She was entrusted with delivering supreme treasures capable of helping a peak Violet Palace divine being break through to the True God realm. And yet, that man had defected to the evil gods—the very ones who had killed her great-grandfather!

Nangong Wujin exhaled deeply. "You can discern a person’s face but not their heart. What he intends to do, we truly don't know. Still, his desire to welcome a True God must be genuine. We need to awaken the Ancient God Circle as soon as possible. Otherwise, once a True God descends, there won't be even the slightest chance of survival."

1. E/N: As they said, if you want to confuse your enemy, you must first confuse your ally... and yourself ☜