The Ancient Gods' Whisper

In that fleeting moment, the overwhelming killing intent engulfed the entire altar.

Because Gu Jianlin had come to understand far too many things, he could no longer suppress his thirst for blood. Even the Black Qilin deep within his consciousness opened a sliver of its golden eyes, with the fire of divine wrath igniting in the depths of its pupils.

Nightmare Master.

Mu Feng.

Tang Zijing.

Gu Ci'an.

On the surface, these events appeared to be orchestrated by The Order of the Hidden, but all of them were connected to one organization.

That organization was the Judgement Court.

"The Blood Moon Slaughter involving Gu Ci'an was categorically pinned on him as a case of corruption by the Judgement Court. Why were Uncle Mu and the others purged and taken away during the Black Cloud City incident? And during the West Port incident, as soon as the Nightmare Master appeared, the Judgement Court rushed to clean up the scene. Even Tang Zijing became a taboo topic within the Ether Association."

The answers have now been found.

It's just unclear how many members of The Order of the Hidden are embedded within the Judgement Court.

Maybe just a handful of high-ranking individuals.

Maybe they already make up a significant portion.

There's even an outrageous possibility—that the Judgement Court itself *is* The Order of the Hidden!

Of course, rationally speaking, this probability is quite low.

"Should we go all out?"

Tang Ling spoke each word deliberately. Her vermilion hair had already loosened, cascading down her back like a waterfall. Within her scarlet eyes burned a ruthless determination, while the glimmers of steel-like hues flickered faintly across her snow-white skin.

She was straightforward.

If they were to unleash their full strength, their identities would undoubtedly be exposed.

At present, there was still no concrete evidence proving Councilman Zhang's affiliation with The Order of the Hidden.

Even if there was, who knew how many more people in the Judgement Court were connected to The Order of the Hidden.

If they sought to destroy the Judgement Court, it would nearly be an impossible feat.

Because the Judgement Court's ruler was Vice President Rhein.

And he was already marked as the next President!

Even if they were to kill Councilman Zhang now, doing so would likely provoke a hunt from the Saints.

If this task failed, their eventual fate might truly be eternal damnation.

Their teacher, perhaps, could manage to protect them.

But those connected to them?

Wouldn't be so lucky.

At that moment, Councilman Zhang moved like a fleeting ghost, holding a long, slender tachi. He appeared behind the girl without warning, ruthlessly slashing at her neck, aiming for a single strike to sever her head!

This was Fifth Rank-level Divine Speed Force, a swiftness almost impossible to catch.

Coupled with Space Jump and the impenetrable Dimension Slash, his assassination skills were pushed to the absolute limit!

At the very brink of catastrophe, Gu Jianlin raised his hand and unleashed the Ghost Curse Technique as his body visibly weakened at an alarming pace. His voice was cold and hoarse: "Kill him. At any cost."

The curse took effect instantly across the void, causing Councilman Zhang to bleed from all seven apertures, reeling from agonizing pain.

That strike, naturally, couldn't land.

Tang Ling retreated swiftly, avoiding the blow. Frost-white horns sprouted atop her head, while faintly glowing ethereal wings flickered behind her. She entered the evolutionary state of the Bai Ze Venerable bloodline!

The Sword Sect Path at zero-tier grants the ability of Sword Qi and Sword Bone.

The former transforms intent into Sword Qi, while the latter uses the blade as a bone, providing extraordinary defense!

First Rank Sword Master, the next level, harnesses Sword Momentum—a technique to borrow the force of all things while striking, massively enhancing the lethality of attacks.

Second-order Sword Cultivators attain the ability of Heart Eye at this stage, enabling them to foresee innumerable possibilities and strike with nearly infallible precision—though a slim chance remains to evade through other means.

Third-Order Sword Obsession allows one to accumulate Sword Intent, with prolonged charge yielding exponentially devastating power.

Fourth-Order Sword Spirit permits the explosion of Sword Intent outward, Sword Qi sweeping across the battlefield like a raging storm.

All abilities are utterly enhanced!

"Divine Servant? No… this is autonomous evolution!"

Councilman Zhang's gaze turned chilling, his skin revealing strange markings of countless child boys and girls. Words materialized on his tongue as he spoke, sending an inexplicable wave of dread through the air!

Jiu!

At the same time, he reversed his grip on the blade, adopting a solemn, bloodthirsty stance, preparing to unleash a powerful draw-cut!

"Buy me some time!"

Tang Ling tightly gripped the Extreme Thunder Great Sword. Sword Intent swirled around her like the roaring currents of a sea tide, brewing a catastrophic energy that caused the entire altar to shudder violently. A piercing, razor-sharp aura soared skyward!

The white cloth wrapping the Extreme Thunder Great Sword was torn apart, its cracked blade shimmering with brimstone lightning!

Meanwhile, Gu Jianlin stepped in front of her, his forehead alight with pitch-black Ghost Fire. Four golden flames bathed Ghost Hands roared into existence, gathering dark particles to erect the Qi Realm!

Black horns of nobility emerged atop his head, with ink-black, eerie markings upon his face—a clear evolutionary state!

Rumble!

It sounded like a thunderclap.

"So it's you two? Is living too dull for you?"

Councilman Zhang's pupils flickered with a trace of astonishment, which swiftly morphed into venomous bloodlust as he sneered, "I didn't expect the ones who killed Director Li to be you. It seems we underestimated you. You really managed to uncover this place. But what difference does that make? It's no better than a mayfly trying to topple a tree."

His gaze, filled with killing intent, carried blatant scorn: "Even if you escape, it's pointless now."

He knew the secret the two harbored—autonomous evolution.

Once exposed, the Ether Association would no longer offer them refuge.

On the other hand, he possessed countless ways to silence them.

After the shock came realization, and finally it all transformed into unrelenting murderous intent!

As his voice faded, silence descended.

Time sank into the quagmire-like quietude, as the world plummeted into the abyss without a whisper. An ominous grayish-white haze spread across the realm, freezing everything it touched within an invisible domain!