After the meal, Ye Xiu first helped Chloe awaken the Third Stage of her Purple Pupil, and then he drove to the meeting place arranged by Ergouzi.

Once he was gone, Qin Qing returned to her usual self. "We can’t just be idle in Guoyang," she said. "I think the Long Family will be eager to sell off their fixed assets, companies, and shares across Hexia Road. How about we register a company in Guoyang and buy up all of the Long Family’s properties?"

"The Young Master had already planned to do so," Chloe said. "After buying the Long Family’s assets, he intends to snatch away the money they just received."

"Great. I’ll call the Zhulu Group and have them send someone to Hexia Road." Qin Qing immediately took out her phone, ready to make the call.

Just then, a smiling, middle-aged woman carrying a sword walked in. "There’s no need for that," she said. "Let someone else handle the acquisition of the Long Family’s properties. The two of you will be coming with me now."

Qin Qing and Chloe’s expressions changed drastically. Ergouzi’s invitation had been a trap, designed to lure Ye Xiu away so someone could be sent to kill them.

"If you want to take us, you’ll have to prove you have the strength," Chloe said, slowly rising to her feet as her pupils turned a deep purple.

"Chloe from the Purple Pupil Family? Their greatest genius in hundreds of years?" the middle-aged woman recognized her with disdain. "You’re no match for me. You might as well just kill yourself."

"We won’t know if I’m a match until we fight," Chloe replied confidently.

"I advise you not to try," the woman said with a shrug. "Once we begin, you will die a gruesome death. Let me introduce myself. My name is Wei Bayin, a Fourth Realm War God."

By declaring her strength, she hoped to subdue them without a fight.

Sure enough, upon learning of Wei Bayin’s power, Chloe’s expression turned grim. In truth, Ye Xiu had just helped her awaken the Third Stage of her Purple Pupil, raising her strength to the Fourth Realm as well. But she was not yet accustomed to the abilities of the Third Stage and was certainly no match for Wei Bayin.

"Young Mistress, I’ll hold her off. You need to escape," Chloe said in a low, solemn voice.

Qin Qing’s expression fell. From Chloe’s face and tone, she knew her friend was no match for Wei Bayin. This is trouble! I can’t just abandon Chloe and run away by myself.

"Escape? Do you think she can get away?" Wei Bayin said with contempt. "Let me tell you the truth: I didn’t come alone. I have two helpers outside. The two of you won’t be escaping today, even if you could grow wings."

The hearts of Qin Qing and Chloe sank. It’s over. They exchanged a look, secretly resolving to die rather than be taken captive. Otherwise, if Ergouzi took them hostage, Ye Xiu would surely surrender without a fight.

"Those two people you mentioned... have they already gone to report to the King of Hell?" Just then, a mocking voice drifted in from outside, and the next moment, Mo Luo walked in.

Seeing him, Qin Qing and Chloe were overjoyed. They realized Ye Xiu must have anticipated that Ergouzi had a backup plan and prepared a countermeasure of his own.

Wei Bayin didn’t recognize Mo Luo. "TSK TSK. Another one here to die," she said with nearly arrogant confidence. "So what if you took care of those two? Killing the three of you will be as easy as slaughtering pigs and dogs."

"Is that so?" Mo Luo gave a sinister smile. In the next instant, he abruptly appeared in front of Wei Bayin, his hand gripping her throat. "Go on," he said coldly. "Show me how you’re going to kill the three of us."

"You..." Wei Bayin’s eyes widened in horror as she stared at Mo Luo. "You... you... you’re one of Huang Quan’s Thirteen Grand..."

Before she could finish, Mo Luo took advantage of her speaking to toss a Blood Pill into her mouth. As her aura began to surge, he twisted her neck, then took out the Bloodstone Ye Xiu had given him. He had already used the same method to drain Wei Bayin’s two helpers.

...

「Xian Mountain National Forest Park, True Martial Mountain Summit」

Ergouzi sat cross-legged on the ground with a chessboard he had brought himself. He was playing against himself.

Suddenly, he looked up and saw Ye Xiu climbing the mountain. He smiled, stood up, and greeted him, "Bro, it’s been five years. How have you been?"

"I was doing just fine, but your appearance makes me feel like I’ve swallowed fly droppings." Ye Xiu smiled as he walked over and sat down opposite Ergouzi without being invited.

"You’re still the same as ever, Bro, just as blunt," Ergouzi said, smiling as he sat back down. He continued with a sigh of emotion, "Back then, I was hot-headed and betrayed you. It’s only right that you hate me, but I sincerely miss the times we conquered the world together. I asked you here today mainly to apologize, hoping you can forgive me."

Ye Xiu looked at Ergouzi calmly and said with a hint of admiration, "Not bad. You’ve changed a lot in five years. You’ve even learned to hide your feelings and play the sympathy card."

"I don’t understand what you’re saying, Bro. As you know, I didn’t even finish middle school before human traffickers sold me to a training camp in Xipoloya. I’m not well-educated; my comprehension is limited," Ergouzi said with a smile.

"If you don’t understand, then never mind." Ye Xiu had no patience for Ergouzi’s act. He picked up a white piece from the board and said, "Come on. Let’s play a game and see if your chess has improved."

"I’m definitely no match for you, Bro. I’ve never won against you, but since you’re in the mood, I’ll play a game with you," Ergouzi said with a smile.

They cleared the chessboard. Ye Xiu took the white pieces, and Ergouzi took black.

The moment Ye Xiu placed the first piece, the atmosphere shifted. An invisible Power burst forth from within him, aimed directly at Ergouzi.

Ergouzi maintained a calm and indifferent smile, but an invisible Power also erupted from within him to counter the force Ye Xiu released.

As the pieces were placed one by one, the Power released by the two grew stronger and stronger. This match wasn’t just about chess skill, but also about strength. The two were using the game to probe each other.

At a certain moment, Ye Xiu placed a white piece down. "You lost!"

Ergouzi was startled. "I didn’t lose."

"Yes, you did. Look, five white pieces in a row," Ye Xiu said, pointing at the board.

Ergouzi was completely baffled. He nearly lost control of his Power and suffered a backlash from the shock. "Gomoku?" he exclaimed. "I thought we were playing Go!"

"You’re still too naive," Ye Xiu laughed.

Ergouzi was astonished, suddenly realizing he still hadn’t grasped Ye Xiu’s unconventional way of doing things.

"Let’s get down to business." Ye Xiu’s smile faded. "You invited me here because you want the Cultivation Technique for realms beyond the Seventh Realm, right?"

From their probing just now, he had realized that Ergouzi’s strength was stuck at the level of a Seventh Realm War God. Back when he had taught Ergouzi the Cultivation Technique, he had lied, telling him his version of the technique only went up to the Seventh Realm and nothing more.

"As expected, I can’t hide anything from you, Bro," Ergouzi said, his eyes burning as he stared at Ye Xiu, filled with anticipation. "So, are you willing to pass on the Seven Killings Blade Intent techniques for realms beyond the Seventh Realm to me?"