Domain Spirit City
The grand hall of Domain Spirit City was brightly lit, and the Domain Spirit Envoys sitting around the long table all wore grave expressions.
On the table lay a massive map of the Spirit Domain, marked with the defensive positions and power distributions of various critical areas. The atmosphere was heavy, as if the very air was laden with tension.
An elderly Domain Spirit Envoy broke the silence with a light cough.
"News has just arrived—Yu Yuan is dead. Killed by a young man named Jay."
As the words landed, the room erupted. Expressions shifted dramatically.
A lean and cold-eyed envoy sneered, "Yu Yuan may have been a Domain Spirit General, but his death is a provocation to Domain Spirit City.
If someone dares to kill one of our own, this Jay must be captured. Otherwise, where is the dignity of our city?"
A younger envoy, calm and composed with a faintly mocking smile, leaned on the table and countered, "We all know the kind of person Yu Yuan was.
His death might not be a bad thing. As for Jay, rather than viewing him as an enemy, why not try to recruit him?
A Spirit Vessel for a Divine Spirit Guardian is no ordinary figure. It would be foolish to waste resources fighting him when we could make him an ally."
The room descended into argument, with some supporting the idea and others opposing it.
At the head of the table, the leader of the Domain Spirit City remained silent.
Dressed in a silver-white robe, his hands rested calmly on the table, and his deep gaze seemed to penetrate the very air.
He raised a hand slightly, signaling for silence.
The grand hall instantly fell quiet, and all eyes turned to him.
"Yu Yuan's death isn't something worth obsessing over. His abilities and temperament had long caused enough issues," the leader said, his voice low and authoritative, carrying a weight that left no room for dissent.
He continued, "As for Jay, I agree with the suggestion to recruit him. A talent like him, if turned into an enemy, would undoubtedly be a threat. But if we can bring him to our side, he will be a significant asset."
He paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping across the room, and his tone hardened.
"However, the Spirit Domain's situation is becoming increasingly precarious. The Barrier Trees must be fortified, especially the four in the Domain Spirit Streets. We need to focus our defenses there. Other regions can temporarily spare resources for this purpose."
The leader's voice deepened. "As for Jay... send Qin Gongming. Tell him our goal is to bring Jay into the fold of Domain Spirit City. Qin Gongming has always excelled at negotiation. Whether through coercion or persuasion, I trust he can handle it."
The Meeting Ends
As the leader's words concluded, the Domain Spirit Envoys nodded in agreement. The lean envoy reluctantly sat back, his displeasure evident but unspoken. The younger envoy smirked, clearly satisfied with the leader's decision.
As the meeting ended, the envoys left one by one, leaving the leader alone in the grand hall. He stood quietly, his eyes fixed on the Spirit Domain map, lingering on the direction of Xiyuan Street.
"A storm is brewing in the Spirit Domain... Jay, this name may well become the pivot for changes to come." The leader spoke softly, a gleam of intrigue flickering in his gaze.
The flickering candlelight in the grand hall stretched his shadow, long and indistinct, as if foretelling the monumental upheaval that lay ahead.
Dragon King Hall
The Dragon King Hall was lavishly decorated, with intricate dragon reliefs coiling along the walls, exuding an air of majesty and mystery.
In the center of the hall, a man dressed in a black robe with golden patterns sat on a wide rosewood chair. A letter was held in his hand, his brows furrowed in displeasure and puzzlement.
Qin Gongming glanced at the letter's contents, scoffing as he tossed it casually onto the table. Leaning back against his chair, he muttered to himself,
"Not long ago, someone from the Dragon King Hall clashed with this so-called Jay. Now the Domain Spirit Envoys want me to approach him? How convenient for them to delegate the dirty work."
He rubbed his temples, a trace of exasperation in his voice.
"If we can recruit him, fine. If not, that's not on me. Sure, Jay possesses a rare Divine Spirit Guardian, but the Dragon King Hall isn't without its own trump cards. I really wonder what the Domain Spirit Envoys are scheming."
Reflecting on the Dragon King Hall
Rising from his seat, he paced to the window, gazing out at the vast training grounds below. A complicated expression flickered across his face.
"Xiang Cheng and Sister Lü have been so busy lately, dealing with who-knows-what major matters. Meanwhile, the West City Hall seems oddly relaxed, as if they're hiding something," he murmured, his gaze sharpening.
"Edword, that guy... he's been holed up in West City Hall, never stepping foot outside. Just what is he planning?"
His eyes drifted back to the letter on the table, and a wry smile tugged at his lips.
"It seems the Domain Spirit Envoys don't entirely trust the Dragon King Hall either. If it weren't for Xiang Cheng, I wouldn't bother getting involved in this mess."
Qin Gongming shook his head, returning to the table to pick up the letter. Staring at the words, a flicker of resignation crossed his face.
"My life really is a hard one. Even Xiang Cheng has been so secretive lately, not even telling me who he's been meeting. Whatever. I've always stood by him; no point overthinking it."
With that, he pushed open the grand doors and stepped out into the night. His black and gold robe billowed in the wind as his figure quickly disappeared into the shadowed corridors of the Dragon King Hall.
The Morning Calm
The morning sun bathed the courtyard in soft, warm light, gently spreading across the land.
Jay lay lazily on a lounge chair in the yard, his hands behind his head, eyes closed in quiet relaxation.
The breeze ruffled his black hair, making it sway slightly, as if the whole world had fallen into a peaceful tranquility.
With his eyes half-closed, Jay gazed at the deep blue sky, the corners of his mouth curling into a slight smile. He murmured to himself, "I miss steak and rice, and pizza."
The rich aroma of the sauce and the sizzling sound of the steak filled his mind, and for a moment, Jay was lost in the pleasant fantasy. However, the peacefulness didn't last long.
Just as he drifted deeper into his daydream, Ares' voice suddenly echoed in his consciousness, cold and sharp:
"Jay, be careful. Someone's intruding."
"Hm?" Jay immediately opened his eyes, his expression hardening. "Who is it?"
"It's not just one person. Four presences, moving towards us," Ares calmly replied, a hint of suppressed killing intent in his voice.
Upon hearing this, Jay slowly sat up from the lounge chair, his eyes narrowing as if pondering something.
He stretched lazily, his gaze sweeping towards the direction outside the courtyard. A faint, indifferent smile tugged at his lips.
"Looks like someone's asking for trouble."
Standing up, he stretched his muscles, his eyes flashing with a cold light.
"Let's go. Let's see who's come knocking."
However, just as he was about to move, he stopped and lifted his gaze toward the distance, deep in thought. The morning sunlight bathed his figure, elongating his shadow.
"If they dare come, they must have more than just idle curiosity…" Jay murmured, his eyes gleaming with both caution and excitement.
"Ares, are you ready?"
"I'm always ready to follow your command," Ares' voice responded, full of unwavering confidence and coldness.
Jay didn't say another word. His hand gently rested on the Burning Sky Halberd, feeling the resonance between the weapon and his spiritual energy. He stood silently at the edge of the courtyard, waiting for the "uninvited guests" to approach.