C7 Yao Tiankui's Anger!

The Evilkind had long established their espionage network within the heart of Newcliff, the capital of the Vrabouton Empire. When Yao Tiankui, the Fourth Prince, commanded it, a confidential report swiftly found its way into his hands.

"Su Yingying, Su Lang's daughter, was unable to cultivate just three days ago and now she's a person of interest? Who's responsible for this shoddy intelligence?" Yao Tiankui's brow creased in irritation, his heart ablaze with indignation. Such a slapdash report! It was nothing more than a hastily concocted tale fit only for duping imbeciles. Renowned for his cunning, how could Yao Tiankui, a prince of the Evilkind, fall for such drivel?

"It was brought by a human informant who has recently pledged allegiance to our kind," Chi Feng informed him.

"Dispose of him. And keep digging!"

"At once, Fourth Prince!" With a swift acknowledgment, Chi Feng vanished.

Upon his return, Chi Feng not only delivered the most recent intelligence on Su Yingying but was also drenched in blood—a clear sign that the informant behind the initial report had been silenced.

"Hand it over!" Yao Tiankui commanded, sparing Chi Feng only a brief glance before poring over the new report. His frown deepened. Casting a doubtful eye on Chi Feng, he demanded, "Where did this information originate?"

"From one of our elite spies," Chi Feng replied.

"Elite? It seems he's grown too comfortable with the luxuries of Newcliff, forgetting his true allegiance to the Evilkind," Yao Tiankui spat out in contempt, his anger simmering. With a cold laugh, he ordered, "Execute him, then resume the investigation."

"As you wish."

Once more, Chi Feng departed, soon returning with yet another report. Yao Tiankui's anger surged as he read it. "What is the meaning of this incompetence? How can our Evilkind spies take so long and still fail to provide a definitive answer? After all this time, they're still insisting Su Yingying was a mere mortal three days past?"

His voice dripped with lethal fury. "Eliminate all the spies responsible for this debacle. We, the Evilkind, will dispatch fresh operatives to overhaul our intelligence operations."

"Understood." With haste, Chi Feng took his leave.

Watching Chi Feng's retreating figure, Yao Tiankui's rage reignited within him.

"With the Evilkind's resources at our disposal, how can we not uncover the truth? If I discover who's been meddling in the shadows, I will reduce him to dust," he vowed.

Before long, the Evilkind's intelligence network, which had eluded the Newcliff's secret agents and remained undetected in the capital for years, was meticulously dismantled.

...

Soong Lin, practicing his meditation deep within the imperial mausoleum of Vrabouton, hadn't anticipated that giving Su Yingying an Ascension Pill would not only preserve the empire's dignity but also inadvertently purge the long-hidden Evilkind spies.

Jolted from his trance by a wave of cheering, Soong Lin stepped out from his chamber. He watched Soong Wang's Winged Horse carriage glide majestically across the sky and couldn't help but smile. "Soong Wang's departure from the palace must be to support Su Yingying. With that in mind, I can meditate with ease," he thought, returning to his chamber to resume his cultivation.

Pill after pill, Soong Lin ingested them, each transforming into a surge of spiritual force that settled into his power core. His aura intensified with every breath. The Core Formation realm he had recently achieved was already advancing, and soon, he would reach the middle period.

Meanwhile, as Soong Lin remained absorbed in his cultivation within the mausoleum, Soong Wang's carriage had made its grand entrance at the southern gate of the Imperial Palace. The citizens of the Vrabouton Empire knelt in reverence.

Soong Wang, brimming with delight, chuckled heartily and gazed affectionately at Su Yingying in the arena. "Are you Su Yingying?"

"I am, Your Majesty Soong Wang," Su Yingying replied, bowing gracefully.

Despite her newfound fame for defeating three late-period Foundation Building cultivators, Su Yingying displayed not a hint of arrogance. Her respect for Soong Wang was profound and genuine.

"Haha, excellent, truly excellent. As a prodigy of the Vrabouton Empire, you should not be defeated in the arena. Yingying, step down now. The Imperial Guards will take over the defense of the arena."

Soong Wang was elated.

The more he watched Su Yingying, the more joy he felt in his heart.

He even resolved, once this affair was settled, to bestow titles upon Su Yingying and her father.

The words of Soong Wang brought relief to the powerful members of the Envoys of the Netherworld who were close by.

Yet, Su Yingying remained defiant, shaking her head.

"Your Majesty, I am still capable of fighting!"

"Hmm?"

Soong Wang was taken aback, but he did not let Su Yingying's insubordination anger him.

Su Lang, standing among the crowd, breathed a sigh of relief at this.

Seizing a moment when no one was looking, he sent a telepathic message to Su Yingying.

"Yingying, Soong Wang has commanded you to descend. Do it quickly. To defy an imperial command is a grave offense."

But Su Yingying stood her ground.

Her gaze, clear and unwavering, met Soong Wang's.

"Your Majesty, my father is also among the Imperial Guards. If I leave the arena, he will surely take my place. I may be young, but I cannot bear to watch my father risk his life here. Therefore, I shall continue to defend the arena."

Soong Wang paused, his emotions a complex tapestry.

The Vrabouton Empire was in a weakened state, easily oppressed by the Evilkind.

At last, a genius had emerged, a beacon of hope for the empire's resurgence, and he could not bear the thought of harm coming to Su Yingying.

But without her, who in the Vrabouton Empire could stand against the might of the Evilkind?

"Yingying, though young, you embody both loyalty and filial devotion. Your filial piety is particularly commendable. Very well, continue to guard the arena for the Vrabouton Empire."

Soong Wang's resonant voice echoed throughout the capital.

The citizens of the Vrabouton Empire erupted into cheers.

Only Yao Tiankui's face twisted into an expression of deep displeasure.

With a sneer, he stood suspended in the air, his gaze locked with Soong Wang's distant carriage.

"Soong Wang, the Vrabouton Empire has but one daughter worthy of note. Do you truly intend to let her perish in the arena?"

"What is your implication, Fourth Prince?" Soong Wang's demeanor chilled, his hand already resting on the hilt of his Tianzi Sword.

Standing beside his carriage, the State Preceptor Soong Qian, was seething with fury.

"How dare a lowly Evilkind Prince affront the emperor of the Vrabouton Empire? You seek your own demise!"

With those words, Soong Qian gestured forcefully, unleashing a fearsome, tyrannical energy that soared through the sky like a colossal dragon, stretching dozens of feet in an instant.

The Vrabouton Empire's citizens erupted in cheers upon witnessing this display.

"Our State Preceptor himself has taken action? Such overwhelming force in his tyrannical energy!"

"If only he could vanquish Yao Tiankui in one fell swoop, avenging our nation's honor."

"Go, State Preceptor! For the glory of Vrabouton!"

Hovering above, Soong Qian let out a scornful chuckle.

"Your energy may be tyrannical, but alas, your level of cultivation falls short."

With that, Soong Qian launched a punch into the void.

His formidable Might of the Flesh materialized into a tangible, ferocious energy that clashed directly with Soong Qian's own tyrannical force.

Boom!

Their assaults met midair, sending ripples cascading outward.

The intense recoil scattered in all directions.

Yao Tiankui was swiftly knocked back three paces.

Yet, in that moment, Soong Qian coughed up several mouthfuls of life blood, his vitality severely diminished.

A flash of terror then crossed Soong Qian's face.

"You've reached the middle period of Core Formation?"