Deep within the Skyrite Mountains. An enormous metallic lifeform in the shape of a black phoenix was hovering there. The giant metallic lifeform was like a little mountain hovering in the skies. Currently, quite a few people were entering into this metallic lifeform.

In the cliffs beneath the metallic lifeform, there was a large group of people who were travelling together, sending off their family and friends.

Amongst them were Tarosse, Dylin, OBrien, Bebe, Delia, and others, all of whom were standing next to Linley.

Tarosse, Dylin, Olivier. Be careful in your travels. After you arrive at the city of Meer [Mier], whenever you have a chance, you have to come visit. Ill miss you all very much. Linley looked at these people and laughed. After he returned and told Delia that they could go to the cities, Linley came to understand

That although Delia and Bebe were just going for a visit and would come back, Tarosse, Dylin, Cesar, and the others were preparing to immigrate to that city.

Definitely! Dylin said very apologetically. Linley, actually, we originally wanted to stay here at your place, but the control and supervision within the Skyrite Mountains is very strict, and we also arent members of your clan, so we normally arent even allowed to leave the gorge and wander around. So

I understand. Say no more. Linley laughed.

In his heart, he couldnt help but sigh.

Due to the struggle with the eight great clans, the Four Divine Beasts clan, to guard against the possibility of spies entering, was always very strict. Unless there was a special circumstance, the clansmen werent permitted to wander about freely. As for Tarosse and Dylin, they werent even members of the clan, so the patrolling warriors kept an even tighter watch on them.

Tarosse and the others had nothing to do, yet they couldnt wander about either. Naturally, it was like sitting in prison for them.

It was my fault for being inconsiderate. Linley said apologetically.

Linley, dont say that. Tarosse said hurriedly. In their hearts, Linley had saved their lives, and so they were filled with gratitude towards Linley. Linley, in the future, when you have time, you need to come to Meer City to visit us.

Definitely. Linley nodded.

Then well head out for now.

Tarosse, Cesar, Olivier, Dylin and his childrenthese people bade farewell to Linley, then flew towards the distant metallic lifeform. As for Delia and Bebe, they remained by Linleys side.

Linley. Delia looked towards Linley.

Linley smiled as he looked at Delia. He couldnt help but give her a hug, then said gently, Safe journeys.

Delia couldnt help but feel a warm feeling surge in her heart. Nestling into Linleys arms, she acknowledged softly, and then lifted her head up to look at Linley. Linley, dont worry about me. I wont be in any danger. Its you who I worry about. The battle between our clan and the eight great clans is so fierce. When you fight for your clan, you need to rememberthat Im waiting for you.

Linley stared at his Delia.

Dont worry. Your husband is quite strong. Linley laughed.

Narcissist. Delia laughed as well.

Oh man, I refuse to watch this any longer. Im leaving. Bebe suddenly called out.

Linley couldnt help but glance sideways at Bebe, who just grinned wickedly.

Alright. Delia, Bebe, safe journeys. Ive already had a chat with the Elder who is in charge of escorting you on this trip. Linley said. Delia and Bebe nodded, then bade Linley farewell as they too flew towards the metallic lifeform in the air.

Linley raised his head, staring at the enormous metallic lifeform begin to move. In but an instant, it turned into a blur, disappearing into the horizon.

He loved her, but he couldnt forcibly detain her. Everyone needed their own space.

Linley turned and headed back towards Bloodbath Gorge. Halfway there, however, Linley saw clearly those many roving patrol soldiers, all of whom had stern looks on their faces as they cautiously kept watch on every place.

The atmosphere within the clan really is too tense. These soldiers are always on patrol, for fear that a spy might slip in. Linley sighed.

No wonder Tarosse and Dylin were unable to stay here, within this extremely tense atmosphere.

Its not their fault. After all, the clan is currently in a state of crisis. Who knows if well be able to last another ten thousand years. Linley knew very well that although he was able to kill two of their Seven Star Fiends, the enemy was also capable of killing two of his sides Seven Star Fiends.

A constant, never-ending battle.

After ten thousand years, what would be the situation for the Four Divine Beasts clan?

Within that large quiet gorge in the Skyrite Mountains. Linley was currently in his study, flipping through some books that introduced various places of the Infernal Realm. Linley suddenly closed the book, looking through the window to the outside world. Delias group has been gone for over a month now. But I keep on having this restless feeling in my heart.

Linley shook his head. Im just thinking too much.

Based on the distance between Meer City and the Skyrite Mountains, a roundtrip would take three or four months. There was still quite some time before Delia would return. Even if they encountered any danger, the intelligence agents would definitely send the news back as well.

This gorge is actually one of the most peaceful places in the entire Skyrite Mountains. Through the window, Linley looked towards the distant grass. The descendants of the Yulan branch were all gathered there, chatting and laughing, seeming very leisurely.

The reason they were blissful was because they were ignorant!

They didnt know what sort of crisis the clan was currently facing, and the clan wasnt planning to inform these Demigods and Gods of the real situation. As for the Highgods who knew what the clans situation as, they were all worrying and training hard.

They all wanted to enter Bloodbath Gorge and battle for the sake of the clan!

Elder Linley. Suddenly, a voice rang out from outside.

Enter. Linley frowned. The person was dressed in a blood-red robe, the uniform of a Bloodbath Gorge warrior.

Someone had been sent from Bloodbath Gorge?

What is it? Linley asked.

Elder Linley, the Grand Elder has ordered that you make haste to the Azure Dragon Palace. The blood-robed warrior said respectfully.

The Grand Elder is summoning me? Linley immediately stood up. Not saying another word, he immediately flew outside.

The blood-robed warrior followed close behind Linley as well. The two of them immediately flew into the skies, out of the gorge. Linleys departure, in turn, attracted the attention of quite a few people in the gorge.

Whooooosh. The cold wind howled, slicing against them like knives of ice.

In Bloodbath Gorge, Six Star Fiend were clustered together in groups of three or five, while occasionally, a Seven Star Fiend could be seen. Linleys face was emotionless. He was hurrying towards the Azure Dragon Palace at high speed. Upon entering it, he immediately headed to the fifth floor.

Linley swept the fifth floor with his gaze. Within this hall of the Azure Dragon Palace, there was the Grand Elder, dressed in that long black robe and with her face covered with that silver mask, who was seated on her throne. But in the main hall, aside from the Grand Elder, there was one more person

The balding Elder Emanuel.

Elder Emanuel was currently standing to one side respectfully. Upon seeing him, Linley couldnt help but feel puzzled. Hes here also?

Elder Linley. Emanuel smiled towards Linley.

Elder Emanuel. Linley greeted him as well, then saluted respectfully. Grand Elder!

The Grand Elder, seated up above, said calmly, Linley, in the war between our Four Divine Beasts clan and the eight great clans, the eight great clans will occasionally send people out on predetermined routes, letting us attack them. Generally speaking, the attacking side has a slight advantage.

Linley nodded.

Attacking out of ambush could catch someone off-guard. Naturally, they had an advantage.

How can our Four Divine Beasts clan always engage in this sort of sneak attack? The Grand Elder said coldly. Thus, our Four Divine Beasts clan will often send our own squads out on predetermined routes, to await the attacks from our enemies.

Linley sighed to himself.

He knew that the clan did this. Originally, Arhaus had led his squad out on a predetermined line to await the attacks of the enemy. That timeArhaus had engaged in a fierce battle with the enemy, with the result being that Arhaus most powerful divine clone had been killed.

Once again, it is because of the glory of the clan! Linley sighed to himself.

The Four Divine Beasts clan, for the glory of the clan, wouldnt even deign to always engage in sneak attacks. One could imagine how arrogant they were!

This time, I was planning to just send Emanuel to lead the squad out on the predetermined route. The Grand Elder said. However, this is Emanuels first assignment, and he himself isnt confidentso he recommended you to me.

Linley was startled.

What was this supposed to mean? The assignment tasked to Emanuel, Emanuel could shift to someone else?

Grand Elder, he recommended me? What does that mean? Linley said, rather irritated. At the same time, he couldnt help but glance sideways at Emanuel.

Emanuel hurriedly laughed, Linley, I know that you are very powerful, and soI recommended that the Grand Elder allow you to accompany me on this assignment.

Together? Linley was stunned.

The Grand Elder nodded. Right. Normally, when our squads are on assignment, we have one Elder leading each squad. Only occasionally will we send two. This time, I want you to accompany Emanuel.

Linley glanced at Emanuel. He couldnt help but feel a hint of dissatisfaction in his heart.

After all, this was supposed to be Emanuels mission.

Linley, its been two years since youve been out on a mission. Its about time for you to have one anyhow. The Grand Elder said.

Linley felt a surge of resignation. Going out to fight wasnt the issue. It was that this mission had come in a very unfair manner.

What, you arent willing? The Grand Elder asked.

Emanuel sighed emotionally, Linley, if you arent willing to accompany me, then Ill go by myself to do battle. Even if Im alone, I wont let the forces of the eight great clans have an easy time of it. If push comes to shove, Ill just lose my divine water clone.

Linley glanced sideways at Emanuel.

At a time like this, how could he refuse?

Grand Elder, Im willing to go. Linley said.

Emanuels eyes lit up, and a smile unconsciously crept onto his face.

Grand Elder, theres one thing. Linley said.

Speak. The Grand Elder said.

Linley said respectfully, Grand Elder, when our clan normally has an assignment, we just send out a single squad, with just a single Seven Star Fiend. I was hopingthat on this mission, we can put on a faade.

Faade? The Grand Elder stared at Linley, puzzled. Linley, after their last experience, I imagine the experts of the eight great clans wont be so incautious as to let a God draw near again.

Linley chuckled. That sort of trick was a one-use trick only.

Grand Elder, what I mean to say is, Elder Emanuel and his squad should ride their metallic lifeform forward, while I will take just a single Highgod with me. The two of us, by ourselves, will ride on a metallic lifeform, pretending to be ordinary travelers.

Linley laughed. A Highgod travelling with a God in the Infernal Realm is very common. It wont arouse the suspicion of the enemy intelligence agents.

Oh? The Grand Elder was beginning to understand.

Elder Emanuel will be in the front, while I will be behind. Well maintain some distance between the two of us. The enemies will believe that Elder Emanuel is there by himself, and so theyll send less people over. Once they attack Elder Emanuel, Ill be able to catch them off-guard. Linley laughed.

Elder Emanuels face had become rather ugly to behold

Linley was treating him as fish bait.

Normally, a clan will just send out a single squad. The enemies wont suspect anything. Linley said.

Fine. Thats what well do. The Grand Elder said.

Emanuel didnt know how to dispute this.

Make your preparations. Youll head out immediately. The Grand Elder said.

Yes, Grand Elder. Linley and Emanuel both bowed, and then Linley and Emanuel both left.

Linley. The Grand Elder suddenly said.

Linley, puzzled, turn to look at the Grand Elder. A voice entered his mind. Linley, you are still just a God. You still have a lot of room for improvement. If you are to truly encounter any dangers on this mission, immediately use that drop of Sovereigns Might. Your life is far more valuable than a drop of Sovereigns Might.

Linley felt a warm feeling in his heart, but he was puzzled as well.

When the Grand Elder assigned this mission, it seemed as though she was showing partiality towards Emanuel. And yet, here she was, saying this to him.

Yes, Grand Elder.

Linley didnt continue to ponder it, and just acknowledged. Emanuel and Linley thus immediately left the Azure Dragon Palace.

Linley, this time, well be joining forces. I hope that when we do battle, we wont have any suspicions of each other. Emanuel sent to Linley through divine sense. Linley glanced at him sideways, then chuckled and sent back, Naturally.

As he spoke, Linley flew directly towards the residences of Squad Thirteen.

Emanuel watched as Linley left. He let out a cold laugh, then he flew towards his own squad as well.