Returning to the Land of Ruin

He was utterly perplexed—since the Dark God intended to help Gu Lan, why had he never acted?

Faced with his subordinate's question, the Dark God merely gave a scornful smile.

"He has the strength for it, and it's about time he returned to the Land of Ruin."

His words left the subordinate bewildered, caught in a fog of confusion.

Words rose to his lips but were swallowed back—some things he couldn't voice.

Within the Jing Nation palace, Gu Lan swept his gaze over the group before summoning his true qi.

"I must leave. You all guard this place well. Any Lava Clan powerhouses you see—kill on sight!"

Though Gu Lan's voice wasn't loud, it carried an inexplicable weight.

Ding True Man, Zhongren, and Xue Lengyan didn't dare utter a word.

Gu Lan held Mu Yuyan in his arms, but as he took a step forward,

urgent footsteps echoed from outside the palace. It was Gu Simu.

Though he hadn't seen her yet, he could sense her aura.