Within the Demon Domain, the president of the Divine Flower Society looked at the post with a faint smile in his eyes.

Beside him, a Yin Spirit chuckled. "Old Shen, do you think what the Blood-Clothed Sword God said is true?"

The president shook his head. "No way! These are the techniques we cultivate ourselves. How could we possibly be unaware if there were problems? He's just fear mongering."

"Exactly. Saying cultivation manuals are tainted is pure nonsense."

"Want to know what I think? He made the whole thing up and forcibly tied it to the Great Calamity just to promote that Yuan God Sharing Society! He’s only trying to collect techniques from across the world!"

It was obvious that the president didn't believe in the Blood-Clothed Sword God at all. Regardless, the post had stirred up quite a bit of discussion and attracted attention. While most Yin Spirits regarded it with skepticism, some low-level cultivators were convinced. After all, someone of the Blood-Clothed Sword God’s caliber had no reason to deceive them.

***

The next day, Qi Yuan stretched lazily. Since he hadn’t been gaming, he didn’t stay up late and felt well-rested. Yet today he had uncharacteristically slept in.

Rogue Immortal rushed in anxiously. "Something's wrong!"

Qi Yuan frowned. "What happened?"

Has something major occurred? Did Great Venerable Wujun come knocking?

"Qiyuann Sovereign, your post on the Divine Flower Society last night has been deleted!"

Qi Yuan immediately channeled his consciousness into the Divine Flower Society's jade slip. "What...?"

Sure enough, his post had vanished. Just yesterday, it had over a thousand replies, yet now it had vanished without a trace.

At that moment, Great Sun Flame Emperor and Iceberg Empress hurried over. They had clearly noticed as well.

Qi Yuan frowned. How strange. After thinking for a moment, he sent a message to the Divine Flower Society Eastern Lands Branch Master.

Blood-Clothed Sword God: Did you see the post I made yesterday? Why was it deleted? Who did it?

Not long after, he received a reply.

Divine Flower Society Eastern Lands Branch Master: Senior, I do not know either. But one thing is certain, it was likely deleted by the president.

Blood-Clothed Sword God: The president? Did I offend him? Why delete my post? Does this tiny Divine Flower Society not even have freedom of speech? What's his account? Give it to me, I'll add him and confront him directly!

Qi Yuan was getting angry. Getting posts deleted on Blue Planet was one thing, but even posting as a cultivator could get censored? Ridiculous! He was going to have a proper talk with that president.

Divine Flower Society Eastern Lands Branch Master: I'm afraid I cannot help with that either. I have no way of contacting the president.

Blood-Clothed Sword God: Can my post be restored?

Divine Flower Society Eastern Lands Branch Master: No.

Blood-Clothed Sword God: Damn it. I'll just post again!

He had finally lost his temper. However, when he tried to make another post to expose the deletion, he realized he couldn’t post at all!

Qi Yuan exploded. "I've been muted?!"

All he did was make a single post! Not only was it deleted, he was muted too! What kind of power-abusing mod was this?! He would remember this president.

The branch master was terrified.

Divine Flower Society Eastern Lands Branch Master: Senior, this has nothing to do with me...

Blood-Clothed Sword God: Where is the president?

Divine Flower Society Eastern Lands Branch Master: No one knows. The president is elusive.

Qi Yuan withdrew from the jade slip and told others what had happened. Their expressions grew grave.

"Looks like the waters run deep..."

Qi Yuan's gaze turned cold. "No matter how deep, I'll cut off that mod dog's head instantly!"

"Qiyuann Sovereign, be careful... A storm might be brewing," Iceberg Empress warned.

Being muted like this felt off. Danger could be approaching.

"Hmph. Who needs to be careful is still up for debate. In fact, this is good. I finally know who my enemy is," said Qi Yuan dismissively, his gaze deepening. "Forget it. We're supposed to visit Lord Wind today. Let's go to Wenfeng Mountain."

Qi Yuan was carefree. With strength on his side, he was confident.

***

In an unknown region, lightning seas churned as clouds drifted overhead. Ahead lay dense mist, obscuring everything. Only faint silhouettes could be seen.

Suddenly, a streak of light descended. A decree unfurled, radiating boundless pressure. It could easily overwhelm and even kill Yin Spirits. Golden light dispersed, and hundreds of similarly colored characters drifted through the air.

Someone declared in a vast, authoritative voice, "The four generals of the Lei Clan, heed my command!"

From the lightning sea, four bare-chested men stepped forward, eyes lifeless like death gods incarnate. Their torsos were crisscrossed with sword and blade scars, marks of brutal battles survived. Each of them radiated terrifying auras. Alone, each was enough to conquer a region. United, they were invincible.

A cold, murderous edict echoed in the surroundings. "Blood-Clothed Sword God of Qinghong City in Phoenix Heaven violated the ban. Kill without mercy!"

The four generals knelt on one knee. "Understood."

***

Within the Phoenix Palace, Jasmine reclined lazily on her bed. Her clothes were disheveled, revealing her fragrant shoulders and jade-like feet, marked faintly with kiss traces. Traces of allure still dripped from her gaze. The palace carried a faint scent of lust and blood.

"Weak men really are boring." She gazed at an ancient mirror, lost in thought. Recalling the Blood-Clothed Sword God made her lick her lips. "What a shame... A man like that can't be toyed with as I please. Again, such a waste. If he truly liked and respected me, I might have settled down and become his wife."

Greed glimmered in her gaze, tinged with killing intent. She liked dominating powerful men. In fact, Blood-Clothed Sword God had already displeased her by killing Xiangyun. She only held back to give him face.

Just then, a sharp, hoarse voice came from the mirror. "You won't get the chance to spend a night with him anymore."

A white-robed figure appeared within it.

Jasmine raised a brow. "Oh? Does someone else set their sights on him?"

Fickle and obsessively possessive, she bore no goodwill toward the Blood-Clothed Sword God. She could fall for any handsome man at a glance. Yet after one night, unable to endure parting, she would kill him, drink his blood, and fashion his skull into a wine cup.

A single night with him would be the ultimate delight, his skull the trophy she valued most. Too bad he failed to impress her, or she could have let him make an honest woman of her.

The voice grew fearful. "Dark Sun has set his sights on him."

Jasmine's expression changed. "Dark Sun..."

"In ten days, they'll arrive at Qinghong City. I won't show myself for a while."

"Such a handsome man, destined for a short life..." Jasmine's eyes filled with sorrow as she lamented. "Why must he die at someone else's hands instead of mine?"

She felt rather helpless. Perhaps that was life, filled with regrets at every turn.