"The mission failed?"

One-Eyed Nick furrowed his brow.

Even before the outbreak of the Seven Saints Godslaying War, the Celestial Sword Bureau had elevated its level of attention on Ye Qingzhou, even placing him second on the must-kill list.

The first position, undoubtedly, belonged to Zhang Xinwu.

This demonstrates how much importance the Celestial Sword Bureau placed on Ye Qingzhou himself.

Even after the end of the Seven Saints Godslaying War, when rumors circulated that Ye Qingzhou had been severely injured and gone into seclusion, Nick did not relax his vigilance. Instead, he spared no expense to support the Golden Swallow Sect as an undercover operation, intending to investigate and verify Ye Qingzhou's true condition.

Especially recently, the frequent interactions between the Celestial Secret Research Institute and Ye Qingzhou have given Nick a bad premonition: "What does the intelligence analysis department think about this?"

"We suspect that Ye Qingzhou's injuries are healing or that he has at least found a way to cure them, otherwise, the urgent actions of the Celestial Secret Research Institute are difficult to explain."

The intelligence department's analyst made a serious but absurd statement.

Although the analysis process was utterly wrong and far from the truth, their conclusion was ironically correct—Ye Qingzhou indeed had already recovered from his injuries.

After listening to this analysis report from the intelligence department, Nick immediately felt another headache: "Why can't you just obediently go and die?"

"Their hero is our enemy."

To the Celestial Sword Bureau and the entire Western Pole Kingdom, Ye Qingzhou, the Martial Arts Prodigy of the Dongji Kingdom, is a tremendous threat, perhaps even another Extreme Heaven Madness.

With just Zhang Xinwu alone, the entire Western powers are already on edge, in complete disarray.

If there's another one, how can their Celestial Sword Bureau continue its work, and how can it deeply engage in European affairs?

"Is there a way to lure him out of the Dongji Kingdom?"

Nick's mind was now entirely occupied with thinking of how to set up a trap to assassinate a Golden Martial Saint, believing that with the full strength of the Celestial Sword Bureau, it might be possible.

"That'll be very difficult."

The intelligence officer had a constipated look, frowning like a contractor dealing with an unreasonable client.

Angry at the words, Nick's remaining eye bulged like a copper bell: "Is all this funding from Congress each year just for you to emphasize the difficulties to me? Go find a way to become the solver of problems, not the problem itself!"

"Yes, Director."

After an all-nighter, costing who knows how many hairs, the intelligence department finally submitted a feasibility report to Nick.

"Director, we've got a plan."

"Hmm? Let me see."

Nick received the report with joy, nodding repeatedly: "Good, how did you come up with this?"

"Previously, Ye Qingzhou had registered to participate in the World Tournament, but once he became a Golden Martial Saint, his qualification was automatically canceled, and the world ranking became irrelevant to him. So we changed our approach and there's a high probability we can entice him to the Land of Chuyun as a special guest."

The world ranking is for Martial Arts Grandmasters, which are the Silver Powerhouses of Europe.

Ye Qingzhou directly advanced to Martial Saint, naturally, not on the list, becoming a top-tier powerhouse above all on Blue Star as no one is qualified to rank a Martial Saint.

"The Blood-Colored Sanctuary, the Red Moon Order, and a few Golden Martial Saints of Europe, this time we must pull out all the stops, accomplishing it in one decisive action!"

Nick was already determined to spare no cost to eliminate Ye Qingzhou, a major threat to the Western Pole Kingdom: "We cannot let him continue growing like this. Killing him now is at least easier than when he becomes a Martial God."

......

At Dragon Return Ridge, Ye Qingzhou, who was using the Power of the Underground Dragon Vein to refine the Life Creation Pill, looked delighted: "A Top Grade Pill, even Heaven is helping me."

But soon, Ye Qingzhou suddenly looked up toward the sky: "A sudden premonition, Heaven's warning? Looks like some crafty people want to harm me..."

After pondering, Ye Qingzhou was relieved.

As the saying goes, a tall tree in the forest will always get destroyed by the wind; as long as you achieve success and fame, there are those who will plot against you.

They might suppress you to safeguard their interests, cozy up to you to extract benefits, or simply dislike you and want to bring misfortune to you.

Such is human nature, otherwise, why would cultivators always seek to detach from worldly matters, yearning for the pure land? It's because the ever-moving world always disturbs peace.

"The tree desires calm, but the wind does not stop."

Ye Qingzhou recently aimed to cultivate himself, gather his emotions, and not wantonly kill, but having a sudden premonition, he knew an ordeal was inevitable.

"Even if I am favored by luck and am Heaven's chosen, I must go through ordeals to continue enjoying Heaven's favor?"

Through Xiangshu Thinking, Ye Qingzhou could clearly perceive the heavenly intent within his sudden premonition.

This ordeal was unavoidable; the more one tries to evade, the more the calamities would pile up, possibly transforming into a lethal disaster.

With just a bit of thought, Ye Qingzhou understood the cause behind it: "Power and responsibility always go hand in hand. For all the benefits I've enjoyed, I must bear corresponding obligations. Heaven's will is likely wanting to use my hand to eliminate these rebellious infiltrators of the Void Divine Dynasty within Blue Star?"

Understanding this, Ye Qingzhou found it amusing: "Perhaps this ordeal isn't actually targeted at me."

Many times, the identities of the hunter and prey will switch; it all depends on who is more skillful.

Ding Dong~

While Ye Qingzhou was wondering how the ordeal would arrive, his phone received a message notification.

After reading it, Gu Minghui sent a communication request.

"Ye Qingzhou."

"What's up, Old Gu."

"Were you invited as a special guest to the World Martial Arts Tournament?"

"Yes, and they are so worried I might refuse that they directly offered the champion's reward, which happens to be the rare treasure I need."

"Such meticulous planning, there must be a trap, you mustn't agree."

"I've already agreed."

"..."

Gu Minghui was speechless momentarily before persuading: "The Dixiu Immortal Fruit may be precious, but if we're willing to bear the cost, we can find someone to exchange it for you. There's no need to take such a risk. With your intelligence, you should realize this is obviously a trap targeting you."

"I know."

Ye Qingzhou nodded calmly: "Even before your call, I had a sudden premonition and foresaw the fortune and misfortune, but Heaven's will is not to be disobeyed."

Hearing the words 'Heaven's Will,' Gu Minghui immediately understood Ye Qingzhou's meaning: "Is this... Heavens' Will using a borrowed weapon to kill?"

"That's right, for me, this is both an ordeal after becoming a Martial Saint and a test from Heaven's Will. You should understand, Celestial Favor is never received for free."

The Cyan Emperor Lineage and their profound exploration of the Spiritual Realm and Heaven's Will meant Gu Minghui ceased further persuasion and just said, "Recently, Europe and the Western Pole Kingdom have been jointly applying pressure; amongst the Four Great Divine Generals, only the White Tiger can slightly free up. I'll request him to accompany you on a trip to Chuyun."

This was the safest plan, and Ye Qingzhou didn't refuse: "Alright."

Ye Qingzhou himself was a Martial Saint, and with the Cyan Flood Dragon Yingyue and White Tiger Divine General, the three Martial Saints traveling together ensured escape at least, if not certain victory.

Although he was very confident in his abilities, Ye Qingzhou also understood the principle of preparing for defeat before planning for victory, ensuring there was a retreat before facing the ordeal.

Otherwise, knowing there's a trap but plunging in headfirst would make a fool out of oneself.

He handed both the Pill and Pill Formula to Xu Yuebing, asking her to pass them on to Xu Yunxi and Gu Minghui before boarding the plane to Chuyun.

At Haneda Airport, the plane landed smoothly.

Just stepping onto this land, Ye Qingzhou sensed three different strange auras. He opened his Celestial Eye, peering into the national fortune of the Land of Chuyun.

What appeared before him were three gigantic pillars of fortune; in the middle was a snake with eight heads and eight tails, symbolizing the chaotic internal power struggles of the Land of Chuyun.

Besides, there were two other atmospheric Celestial Pillars with peculiar auras.

One Celestial Pillar revealed the image of hell's hungry ghosts, maddened and chaotic, baring a pitch-black mouth as if trying to devour all things.

The other Celestial Pillar resembled a tightly constructed machine, with the gears turning, emanating a murderous clanging sound.

The three forces intertwined, shrouding the Land of Chuyun in an impenetrable shroud.