Thus, Lu Ding's identity was confirmed, completing the verification loop.
"Though I haven't seen it with my own eyes, that moment shouldn't be far off. May I ask what your military's intentions are?"
"Why this sudden interest in interfering with Tianxing Group's candidate selection?"
[Is there a problem? Does Tianxing Group truly not need White Eagle's assistance?]
Within Wei Gao's territory,
Tianxing Group held considerable influence.
But when facing White Eagle's stationed troops, they still had to tread carefully.
National power dictated different ceilings, after all - their spheres of influence simply weren't comparable.
Even Wei Gao as a nation required foreign military presence - no amount of posturing could change that.
Because here, the sky belonged to White Eagle's jurisdiction.
Gong Cang responded respectfully: "Of course, it would be Tianxing Group's honor to collaborate with your forces..."
"It's getting late, we shouldn't take more of your time. Goodbye."
Gong Cang proceeded deeper into the villa.
Pushing open a certain door,
The interior resembled a dimly lit palace.
A figure sat upon the throne-like seat.
Kneeling on one knee, Gong Cang reported: "Master, regarding White Eagle's..."
After listening, the throne's occupant pondered briefly.
"If White Eagle is interested, let's observe their true intentions. Should they genuinely wish to support Tianxing Group, all the better."
"We could leverage White Eagle's strength to stabilize our international expansion plans."
Gong Cang remained kneeling: "Master, I fear White Eagle's candidate support may be pretext to interfere with Tianxing Group's operations."
"No matter. They're just successors - I remain the true authority. Let them meddle if they wish."
"Delegate minor matters freely, but major decisions require consultation."
Though White Eagle's assistance might harbor ulterior motives,
For Tianxing Group, this development contained only benefits, no drawbacks.
As the ancient Great Han saying went: So long as the emperor lives, the crown prince remains merely a crown prince.
"Understood, Master."
The device in Gong Cang's hand kept lighting up -
Outside personnel were trying to reach him.
"Master, I beg leave to attend to this."
An anxious subordinate came rushing with a report: "Butler, Lady Kim Cheon-hwa and Lady Kim Eun-ok are dead."
The butler's expression darkened: "When?"
"Ten minutes ago. Their guardians confirmed and notified me."
As these words were spoken,
The man's phone rang again.
[Captain, emergency! Kim Moo-hoon, Kim Sung-jae...]
Over a dozen names followed.
[They were gathering in the new district's private room... all dead inside]
Gong Cang saw this message too.
So many candidates dead at once.
His face grew stormy,
Eyes flashing with restrained fury.
"I'll inspect this personally!"
With that, Gong Cang strode out purposefully.
They arrived at a nightclub in the new district.
Naked corpses lay strewn about haphazardly.
Gong Cang surveyed the grim scene with a dark expression.
He knew exactly what these candidates had been doing here.
Hormone-driven degenerates!
Most candidates were originally commoners, elevated only by sharing Tianxing Group's ruling bloodline.
Upon gaining power, wealth, and Qi Refiner abilities,
They'd lost all sense of their actual standing.
Indulging in depravity, constantly pushing moral boundaries.
Frankly, their existence was meaningless.
The only reason they were tolerated?
Their veins carried Tianxing Group's ruling blood.
And certainly not by outsider hands!
Gong Cang examined each corpse meticulously: "Recall all young masters and misses immediately to prevent further incidents."
"Additionally, deploy all available personnel to hunt down the perpetrator - tear the city apart if necessary!!!"
"Simultaneously, use several low-ranking candidates as bait to lure the killer out."
An attendant responded: "At once!!!"
But would bait even work?
Lu Ding and An Wuyang were merely collecting materials for the Heaven-Plundering Spirit technique.
Now that materials were sufficient,
Why bother hunting these pathetic weaklings?
That would just create unnecessary complications.
Under a certain bridge's arch,
An Wuyang arranged another formation.
"This might hurt somewhat. Endure it."
Kim Gyeong-joo nodded within the formation, her gaze noticeably steelier than before.
As An Wuyang's hand seals activated,
The girl's agonized screams tore through the air.
Listening, even Lu Ding thought she might die from the pain. Thɪs chapter is updated by novelFirｅ.net
"Thank goodness I never went through this."
His cultivation journey had been smooth sailing.
From beginning till now,
The worst pain probably came when Ye Chengfeng tore flesh from his shoulder at Dahei Mountain.
And even that was manageable.
Time passed minute by minute.
As dawn's first light touched the horizon,
Kim Gyeong-joo stumbled out of the formation.
Pale-faced, bloodshot eyes.
An Wuyang examined his handiwork approvingly, nodding repeatedly.
Lu Ding approached: "Results?"
Kim Gyeong-joo looked weakly at Lu Ding: "Divine One, I'm alright."
An Wuyang added: "She's now a genuine prodigy, far surpassing those cheap imitations outside."
Finally, all prerequisites were met.
Divine Palace realm at eighteen.
What more could you ask?
Admittedly, such rapid advancement meant limited combat effectiveness.
But push her into a corner, activate Demon Possession,
And a hundred demons surging forth would overwhelm ordinary Divine Palace cultivators.
High ceiling, low floor.
Without Demon Possession, Kim Gyeong-joo would struggle against a conventionally cultivated Spiritual Sea practitioner.
Different story altogether.
As for the final requirement - background - Lu Ding and An Wuyang would provide it.
All three elements secured.
Time for a speedrun!!
Kim Gyeong-joo was still recovering when
Lu Ding and An Wuyang each took an arm, hauling her up: "Come! We're taking you to claim your birthright!!!"
The dazed girl protested: "Huh??? Can't I rest? My head hurts terribly."
"Rest? Rest is for the dead. We prioritize efficiency."
"When we arrive, speak only when addressed. Otherwise, sit and nap. Leave everything to us."