SSS-level catastrophe? That's my wife!

It's on the third floor of the coffee shop, in a spacious room on the far right of the corridor.

"Boss, this is the location where the central leadership met with the gray-robed man, which we discovered secretly."

The middle-aged man respectfully placed the photo in front of the man in the main seat.

Zhao Shanhe picked up the photo, his brows furrowing: "Just as I thought. I told you long ago, those five old men alone don't have that much ability."

He paused, then added, "Mingzai, continue the investigation, but be extremely cautious."

"Our seventh-tier awakened beings are outnumbered, and Zhen'e Court is now... Ning Mo and the others don't know how long they can hold out." He sighed at the end.

"Yes, boss." Just as Lu Mingzai finished speaking, a knock on the door suddenly sounded.

"Go in," Zhao Shanhe said calmly, though he wondered to himself: Had something happened in broad daylight?

Chen Yong pushed open the door and walked up to him: "Boss, there's a young man downstairs looking for you..."

Before he could finish speaking, Lu Mingzai chuckled, "Brother, who thinks they can just see the boss whenever they want?"

Zhao Shanhe looked at Chen Yong: "You came here specifically to report this, what did he say?"

"Yes, he said: Mingcheng, after three years apart, I met an old friend who is still alive."

Zhao Shanhe's heart skipped a beat, and he asked urgently, "Where is he?"

Chen Yong and Lu Mingzai were both stunned. They never expected that this person would elicit such a strong reaction from their boss.

Chen Yong quickly replied, "He's downstairs. Shall I bring him up now?"

"No need." Zhao Shanhe raised his hand, then stood up. "I'll go myself."

After he left, Chen Yong and Lu Mingzai looked at each other in bewilderment.

"We all know the boss's old friend, how come you don't recognize him?" Lu Mingzai asked in confusion.

"You wouldn't recognize him even if you went; he's just a young man in his early twenties, clearly unrelated to us."

As Chen Yong spoke, he also walked downstairs.

The first floor of the coffee shop.

Lin Mu casually leaned against the bar counter and waited, when a square-faced figure in a black trench coat slowly walked over.

He was burly and imposing, exuding an aura of authority. His deep gaze brazenly scrutinized Lin Mu, a hint of uncertainty in his eyes.

"Your figure and demeanor are right... but your face?"

"Long time no see." Lin Mu looked directly into his eyes, her tone flat.

Chen Yong, who was coming downstairs, overheard this and his eyes widened instantly: Is this young man really the boss's old friend?

Zhao Shanhe's brow remained furrowed: "This is a matter of great importance. I cannot believe you based on just one sentence."

"Shall we talk on the third floor?" Lin Mu smiled.

Zhao Shanhe nodded: "Come with me."

As soon as Chen Yong stood still at the bar, someone approached him: "Brother Yong, who's that guy?"

"The boss personally greeted me? I can't believe my eyes!"

"Go about your business."

"If you're too curious, don't stay in the coffee shop. Go out on a mission," Chen Yong said coldly.

The man immediately shut up.

Most missions are fraught with peril, and just this month, two sixth-tier awakened individuals went out and never returned.

In the room on the third floor, Lin Mu sat opposite Zhao Shanhe, slowly picking up his teacup and taking a sip.

Zhao Shanhe raised an eyebrow: He was already 80-90% sure, but he still needed one last confirmation.

He can't afford to gamble on this.

He urged, "Hurry up, when did you become so indecisive?"

"You're still so impatient, that's why you got hurt the worst back then," Lin Mu teased with a smile.

"Wasn't that all to save you? Don't you know how weak you were back then?"

Zhao Shanhe paused abruptly as soon as he finished speaking, "Although I believe you, you have to prove that you are you."

The moment the words were spoken, a chill suddenly filled the entire room, and a layer of ice quickly formed on the ground centered on Lin Mu.

Zhao Shanhe's lips finally curled into a smile: "Your current strength is less than one-tenth of what it used to be?"

"But you're still alive, that's wonderful."

The next moment, the silver-white hilt suddenly appeared in Lin Mu's hand, and as he exerted force with his fingertips, a transparent light burst forth.

Zhao Shanhe's eyes flashed with a sharp light: "The sacred artifact is still in your hands!?"

Lin Mu sheathed his sword and said calmly, "Now you can rest assured."

Several photos were tossed in front of Lin Mu as he spoke, and Zhao Xinghe said in a deep voice, "Take a look, this is something that can overturn your understanding."

Lin Mu picked up the photo, his eyes instantly turning cold. Recalling Su Nianhe's words, he calmly spoke:

"After all these years, they've finally come to light."

"Yes, they used to be in the shadows while we were in the light, but now the tables have turned."

Zhao Shanhe changed the subject, his face showing concern.

"But Zhen'erting is their only thorn in their side."

"Ning Mo's strength might make them wary, but what about Qing He and Feng Xi..."

"I'll leave the secret matters to you. I'm in a hurry now..." Lin Mu shook his head helplessly.

"It's only a matter of time before their strength is restored; they won't make a move easily."

Zhao Shanhe waved his hand: "Just focus on recuperating. If the forces behind the central government find out you're still alive, they will stop at nothing to eliminate you now."

He suddenly became serious: "Where do you live now?"

"And what's with this face? I'll send Chen Yong to guard you. I don't feel safe without a seventh-tier awakened one by my side."

"No need, Gu Cangli is very close to me."

"By the way, I'm currently studying at Jiangcheng Academy..." Lin Mu smiled helplessly.

"puff--"

Zhao Shanhe spat out a mouthful of tea, his eyes wide with shock: "Are you kidding me?"

Lin Mu looked at the tea stains on his clothes and sighed softly, "Truly genuine, this year's freshmen from Jiang University."

Zhao Shanhe was stunned for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter, laughing so hard that tears almost came out.

Lin Mu's face turned completely dark.

……

In the Huayun District of Shangcheng, a detached villa was filled with a strong smell of blood, and the floors of each room were stained with dark red blood.

"Sister, where to next?" Yu Ning walked up to Su Nianhe, licked her lips, and asked excitedly.

"Go to Yucheng," Su Nianhe said calmly.

"Xiong Hei discovered the tracks of several gray-robed figures, each with an aura above the sixth rank. What are these people behind the scenes planning to do in Yu City?" She frowned slightly and slowly walked away in her high heels.

"Let's head to Yucheng!" Yu Ning followed with a smile.

……

Southern District of Saint Capital.

Inside an abandoned ancient city covering 3000 square meters, dim lighting exudes a sinister atmosphere.

In the central building of the ancient city, two elderly yet vigorous figures passed through layers of guards and headed towards the deepest room.

The gate slowly opened from the inside, and a gray-robed man with an aura of profound mystery said in a deep voice, "The king is waiting for you."

The old man on the left had just spoken when he said, "Left Protector, Your Majesty..."

Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by a cold voice: "Go in." The gray-robed man walked straight between the two of them.

In the deepest room, a few candles flickered in the darkness without any wind.

On the throne sat a figure in black robes with an indistinct face, exuding an invisible sense of oppression.

Two elderly men approached the throne, bowed their heads respectfully, and said, "Greetings, King Qing."

"Elder Lei, Elder Ge." A deep voice suddenly rang out, causing the two men to tremble slightly.

"Years of experimentation destroyed in an instant! Don't you owe me an explanation?"

The figure on the throne spoke again, his voice carrying boundless pressure.

Elder Lei quickly bowed: "King Qing, it was our oversight. We had planned everything, but we didn't expect Ning Mo to discover that abandoned manor."

"Ha... Ning Mo, Zhen'e Ting, can't stay any longer."

Elder Ge lowered his head and added, "King Qing, we have a plan to kill the three of them one by one."

"One by one? That's too slow." The figure in black robes spoke in an icy tone.

"Find an opportunity to wipe them all out in one fell swoop."

"At that time, I will send four seventh-tier awakened beings to assist me. Do not disappoint me again."

After saying that, the figure in black robes waved his hand: "You may go."

Elder Ge and Elder Lei exchanged a glance and replied in unison, "Yes, King Qing."