The black-haired boy sipped his tea, calmly admiring the stormy night outside.

This was actually a puppet, infused with a trace of spiritual power and controlled via spiritual body threads. Although it had flesh and a heartbeat, it lacked a soul. In theory, it shouldn't be able to deceive any detection methods.

However, everyone knew that Gu Jianlin possessed a Mythical Weapon with cloaking abilities.

So, the absence of detectable soul fluctuations was perfectly reasonable.

Of course, Chen Bojun, a true Holy Sanctuary Level Ascender with powerful observational abilities like Eagle Eye, could instantly see through its true nature. But he chose not to reveal it, only giving a knowing look.

Enough is enough!

Though Lu Zijin lacked observational abilities, she could discern it from behavior and movements.

The real Gu Jianlin wasn't pretending—it was just his naturally excessive pride coupled with his cold and solitary personality that gave others the impression he did things his own way. In truth, he wasn't deliberately targeting anyone—he simply didn't care what others thought and focused only on accomplishing his tasks.

Occasionally, his sarcastic remarks were just side effects of his Ghost Transformation.

As for Jing Ci, he was purely here for the entertainment.

Initially, he was merely following a teacher's orders to clean up after his junior.

But as he pretended, he unexpectedly discovered unparalleled joy in the act.

As for past events, ever since he became the King of Qing's disciple, many renowned prodigies doubted his talent and sought to challenge—or even kill—him.

One reason was that the King of Qing had made countless enemies in his early years.

The principle of paying off the father's debts applied equally well to the master-disciple relationship.

Grudges from the previous generation naturally passed down.

If they couldn't strike the master, at least they could try their luck with the disciple!

Another reason was the King of Qing's unorthodox method of teaching disciples.

The elder's approach was essentially: "As long as it's not an overwhelming attack, go ahead—my disciple is invincible!"

Jing Ci, naïve in his youth, killed all who dared challenge him.

Later, his advancement was so quick that he entered the Holy Sanctuary Level not long after, and no one dared challenge him again.

Since then, he understood the true loneliness of being beyond the reach of others in greatness.

It had already been over a decade since he last enjoyed the feeling of showing off and humiliating others.

Who would've thought that helping his junior put on airs today would bring him such bliss?

It was as though he'd returned to his younger days.

From a distance, Nie, the Deacon, was livid and shouted, "He gave me seven days? Seven days! He's the leader, I'm the leader! How dare he speak to me like that? What, is he planning to bash my head in with a chair too? Does he really think I'd agree? Ha! What a joke! I agreed anyway, what now?"

"Even though you're all so incompetent, identifying a minor assassin shouldn't be too difficult, right? Yes, I mean you—stop looking behind you!"

He coldly addressed his subordinates: "Can you do it?"

The Demon Hunters exchanged bewildered looks as the one in front hesitantly pointed at himself.

Though the Judgement Court savagely eradicated internal dissent and swallowed other factions to grow stronger within the Association, they weren't stupid.

Factional disputes were still factional disputes.

After all, wherever there are people, there are conflicts of interest—even in a class of forty elementary school students, cliques exist. What more in a vast organization like the Ether Association?

The world is limited in size, and resources and interests are finite.

If some are well-fed, others must starve.

This has been the unchanging truth throughout history. No empire or organization can fully unite, top to bottom.

However, if someone dared to flip the table, that changed everything.

Assassinating an Omega Sequence prodigy crossed the Association's bottom line.

If this reached the President, it would have severe consequences.

At that moment, the medical team finally arrived on-site.

Tonight, aside from the nano warriors of the Dawn Combat Sequence, the medical team was the busiest.

Especially Lin Wanqiu, the team leader, drenched in rainwater with blood-stained cheeks. Though still alluring, she couldn't hide her exhaustion.

"Captain Lin, you've finally arrived."

Nie, the Deacon, hurried over and handed her a bottle of Blue Blood, saying, "I know you've worked hard, but please check on that boy quickly to ensure there are no lasting repercussions. After all, he's an Omega Sequence prodigy. If something happens, and the President blames us, no one can shoulder the responsibility."

Then, grumbling under his breath in indignation, Nie muttered, "Why did the Association recruit such an unruly and undisciplined person? He openly disobeys orders and acts alone every time—what a pain! You've been troubled time and again. Truly outrageous!"

Lin Wanqiu, however, smiled faintly: "It's only right. They're our Omega Sequence prodigies, destined to fight against the Ancient Gods for humanity. For them, no amount of hard work is too much."

After a brief pause, she added, "Besides, wasn't it you who recruited him?"

Nie, the Deacon's expression froze immediately.

Lin Wanqiu twirled a strand of hair and smiled gently: "Deacon Nie is sure to rise up in the ranks, having personally recruited an Omega Sequence prodigy. Your contribution will be invaluable. No wonder you risked repercussions to gift him two pieces of Mythical Weapon and pretended it was just routine work."

Nie's face changed drastically, internally screaming, "That's not true! I didn't, I swear!"

"At first, even I thought you were favoring him because of your connection with his father. But now, I see—you truly have an eye for talent."

Nie was stunned.

Damn, I've been framed as the traitor!

Lin Wanqiu turned to the boy sitting calmly amidst the wind and rain.

Before arriving, she'd heard the thunderous applause erupting in the communication channel. At first, she didn't understand the reason but eventually learned the truth after some inquiries.

Faced with the Judgement Court's struggling Demon Hunter team and the urgent situation facing the Omega Sequence, Gu Jianlin had personally taken on the risk of leading the monsters away.

He bought precious time.

As a result, there was no need for the warriors of the Dawn Combat Sequence to sacrifice themselves.

No casualties were reported.

On the way here, she also heard that Lu Zicheng and Chen Qing were injured and required treatment.

This was undoubtedly a rare opportunity.

Yet, when Lin Wanqiu tidied up her appearance, intending to approach the boy with graceful tenderness to check his condition, she was stunned by a glance.

"A mere Fourth Rank Ruler could harm me?"

The black-haired boy took a sip of coffee, glanced at her coldly, and said indifferently, "Go rest. I don't need you."

Lin Wanqiu: "..."

Chen Bojun covered his face and sighed deeply.

Lu Zijin struggled to hold back her laughter, pretending to know nothing while looking around innocently.

·

·

A helicopter hovered over the West Port Forbidden Zone and slowly descended.

A woman in a black dress sat in the airport, curiously looking at the boy sitting amidst the storm below. With suspicion, she asked, "I thought Ying Changsheng and my junior sister were already unbeatable in this regard, but I didn't expect someone even better at posturing. Whose subordinate is he?"

Someone answered, "Senior Sister, that's Gu Jianlin."

"Gu Jianlin, so it's him."

The black-dressed woman narrowed her eyes: "This year's Newcomer King in the Peak City District? The one responsible for the Black Cloud City massacre?"

[PS: This book is first published on Qidian Reading App. Next update at 11:30 PM tonight. Had a fever tonight—this chapter is shorter than usual. Will aim to write longer in the next chapter, thanks for understanding.]