There’s a certain kind of sickness that tends to worsen easily. It’s called “overthinking.”

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Huff, huff—

A handsome man, his clothes in disarray and his hair still damp, stood on a thick tree branch. If it weren’t for his slightly ragged breath, no one would’ve guessed he had just sprinted several kilometers.

Damn, he had bolted a little too quickly, afraid he’d leave a trail behind!

Who knows if his movements were graceful enough, if his posture was noble enough, and if his retreating figure was seductive enough~~~

He had carefully staged this whole “mysterious beauty bathing” scene, and now he couldn’t even be sure if the bait had worked. Did Feng Shi take the hook or not?

But Long Ming was confident that, with his charm, even a mere glimpse of his back would leave an unforgettable impression.

This move actually contained profound subtleties, carefully selected from countless scenarios Long Ming had brainstormed.

First of all, showing one’s back didn’t seem as intentional as a full-frontal approach. Any peeping Tom would instinctively feel guilty. After all, even if you’re the number one beauty, no one can sneak a peek and feel completely justified, right?

With that internal conflict, even a back that’s only 70% beautiful would be upgraded to a 10/10 in their mind. Otherwise, how could a prince like Feng Shi justify his own voyeurism?

Second, a back view leaves a sense of mystery. It plants the seeds of endless curiosity, making the next encounter all the more anticipated, filling the mind with endless fantasies and imagination. After all, any misunderstanding would be due to one thing: “you’re overthinking it!”

Finally, people like Feng Shi are like trees. The more they reach for the sunlight, the deeper their roots dig into the darkness.

The more someone believes themselves to be elegant and refined, the less they can handle a shake to that foundation. When you dangle something just out of reach, they’re bound to be enticed. Especially someone like Feng Shi, who despises his humble origins yet craves all things noble.

Long Ming had appeared out of nowhere, dangling mystery and nobility before him. He was like a bolt of lightning in a clear sky, striking straight into the cracks of Feng Shi’s dark heart.

With a satisfied smile, Long Ming straightened his clothes. It had been 18 days since anyone had seen him. Surely the people were desperately waiting for him to make a grand reappearance, yearning to see him once again bask in the limelight.

The ice-cold beauty vanished into the distance, leaving no trace behind.

At the hot spring where Long Ming had staged his little show, Feng Shi had already left. The place had returned to its peaceful, undisturbed state.

A tall figure, cloaked in black, stepped out from behind the trees. It was the mysterious figure who had always been by Sha Yu’s side. He gazed at the steaming pool, lost in thought. Perhaps he sensed the harmony between himself and nature, as even more tree spirits began to circle around him in joy.

He ignored them, pausing only briefly before flying off in the direction of Nine-Prong Plaza.

There was still one hour left before the quarterfinals that would decide the final four. Many people weren’t content to simply wait in the plaza for gossip or head over to the gambling district to place bets. In Grimm Space, martial strength was revered. Many young people preferred to spend their time practicing spells in the training grounds.

Long Jing, one of Crown Prince Long Ziwu’s personal guards and the only one of them to make it into the top eight, was also headed to one of the more secluded training grounds with four other guards.

Though they were all a few hundred years old, they were still considered quite young by Dragon Clan standards. Their conversation naturally revolved around the upcoming matches.

They were discussing how to handle the situation if they encountered the person the Crown Prince had mentioned.

Should they rip the clothes off horizontally or vertically? Should they tear from the left or the right? Did the Crown Prince prefer more skin to be shown, or less?

“You didn’t ask? What if we tear it the wrong way and His Highness isn’t satisfied?!” Guards One and Two scolded Long Jing, accusing him of being irresponsible.

“If you’re so brave, why don’t you ask him yourself? You know what the Crown Prince’s temper is like!” Long Jing rolled his eyes, annoyed.

He may seem gentle, but he was a man who would chew you up and spit you out.

Especially after Prince Long Ming had been exiled. The whole Crown Prince had changed.

Of course, this Long Ming wasn’t the dazzling one of today but the old, useless Crown Prince.

How could two people with the same name be so different?

They decided to figure it out for themselves. But seriously, why did the Crown Prince want Long Ming’s clothes ripped off anyway?

Suddenly, Long Jing sensed something was wrong. A familiar scent drifted into their noses.

He whispered to the other dragon guards, “You guys go ahead. I’ll stay behind to cover you.”

“It’s Feng Yang Yan and his lackeys!”

“Those pesky ghosts! They’ve chosen to corner us when we’re at our weakest!”

The guards quickly scanned their surroundings. They were in a small valley beneath a massive cliff. Escape would be difficult.

Across from them, Feng Yang Yan noticed their hesitation and smirked arrogantly, as if victory was already in his grasp.

Before Long Jing and his team could retreat, dozens of people from Phoenix City had already surrounded them. The few bystanders quickly fled. Watching a Divine Beast Clan brawl wasn’t something most people could handle; it took real courage to stick around and watch the drama unfold.

In no time, the valley was deserted, leaving just the two opposing groups.

Since the incident five years ago, whenever these two clans’ juniors met, it was always a clash. This situation was nothing new.

“Where do you think you’re going, Long Jing? It’s been a while, hasn’t it? How about we catch up?” Feng Yang Yan’s lips curled in a disdainful smile. They had been waiting here for someone from Divine Dragon Valley to fall into their trap.

Long Jing and the other dragon guards exchanged uneasy glances. They were only five, while Feng Yang Yan had brought dozens. The odds were far from favorable.

Clearly, Feng Yang Yan had planned this out in advance, determined to prevent them from reaching the competition. They had been too careless!

“Then let’s go for it. If it comes to it, we’ll fight to the death!” Long Jing, the leader of the five, gave the signal with just a glance. After years of working together, they had developed an unspoken understanding.

In an instant, dense magical energy gathered, forming a barrage of blasts that exploded around them, with Long Jing at the center.

“Run!” Long Jing shouted, and the five dragon guards scattered in different directions.

But Feng Yang Yan had anticipated their move. With a shout, he leaped into the air, yelling, “SkyNet!”

Several members of the Phoenix Clan responded, casting a spell that created a glowing grid-like cage in midair. The grid shimmered as they continuously poured magic into it.

There was no escape. They had no choice but to fight.

Even though Long Jing’s team was strong, they were gradually losing ground. Within the SkyNet, bursts of colorful magic exploded in fierce combat.

Three of the five dragon guards were already gravely injured, collapsed on the ground. The remaining two were exhausted, their armor shattered and blood seeping from their wounds. Yet, their eyes still burned with defiance—that unyielding spirit of the Divine Dragon Clan.

It was as if their gaze said, Loyalty and unity are things your bird clan will never understand.

“Capture them all!” Feng Yang Yan ordered. Though their stares gave him a chill, he convinced himself they were just a few dying dragon guards. Even if he killed them, Divine Dragon Valley would have no choice but to swallow their pride.

There was nothing to fear!

Long Jing and the others felt a wave of despair. They had accounted for many things, but they hadn’t anticipated that Feng Yang Yan would strike during the tournament.

Sometimes, the unexpected catches you off guard.

Suddenly, a powerful presence swept over the area.

But just as quickly, it disappeared, as if it had never been there.

With a sharp snap, the SkyNet vanished. Feng Yang Yan froze in shock. What was happening!?

Looking around, he saw that two of his comrades had fallen without a struggle, their bodies lying still on the ground, as if lifeless.

Before anyone could react, several more of Feng Yang Yan’s people dropped like flies. In a matter of seconds, half of his once-arrogant group was gone. No one had seen who had struck.

The assailant moved with such speed that no one could see him.

It was a speed far beyond their level, the mark of someone truly powerful.

Speed wasn’t the only measure of strength, but extreme speed was an undeniable indicator of power. Whoever this was, they could have easily obliterated Feng Yang Yan’s group, yet they chose to take them down one by one, as if savoring the process, instilling fear with each blow.

The hunters had become the hunted.

When a mouse dies is up to the cat’s whim.

Feng Yang Yan, despite his status as a top-tier young expert, struggled to stay calm in the face of this invisible killer. He forced himself to remain composed, but every rustle of leaves had him jumping at shadows.

“Who are you, Senior? If I have offended you in any way, please forgive me,” Feng Yang Yan called out. His mind wasn’t filled with straw; otherwise, he wouldn’t have earned the title of the top young expert. He knew when to back down, and sometimes showing weakness and humility earned goodwill.

But no one answered him.

Suddenly, a cold sensation ran down his spine.

It was as if a frigid serpent had coiled around his back, breathing icy air onto his ear.

“Bullying the weak with numbers?”

“P-predecessor… Please show mercy…” Feng Yang Yan’s voice trembled. The man’s tone was as lifeless as a corpse from the frozen wasteland.

But Feng Yang Yan quickly composed himself. He had to force the assailant to reveal himself.

Focusing all his energy into his palm, he spun around and slashed behind him.

But there was no one there.

The figure had vanished.

Who was this terrifying person with such incredible stealth skills?!

After all this time, Feng Yang Yan hadn’t even glimpsed the man’s clothes!

“Ahh…” A painful scream tore from Feng Yang Yan’s throat as his hand, the one he had used to strike, was twisted backward at an unnatural angle.

“Ahh! Ahh! Ahhh!” He screamed again as his bones were shattered in some mysterious way.

Suddenly, that overwhelming pressure returned, sending shockwaves of terror through the air. It was the same energy from before, too terrifying to bear. The sheer weight of it felt like a suffocating blanket.

“Leave!” The invisible figure finally spoke.

Feng Yang Yan didn’t dare linger. Swallowing his extreme fear and hatred, he cradled his broken hand and fled with his remaining men, leaving behind those whose fate was uncertain.

Long Jing and his guards stood dumbfounded. Had they really… been saved?

Shaken to their cores, they hastily expressed their gratitude to their savior. “Thank you, Senior, for saving our lives!”

The figure slowly appeared before them.

Long Jing and his guards gaped in shock, pointing at the man before them, unable to process what they were seeing.

Stealth potion + Fake Holy Domain speed + Aura simulation = Ultimate expert!

Once again, Long Ming had dazzled them all!