The Ancient Gods' Whisper

At the same time, Wang Bolin's furious roar echoed from the front: "Zero! Prepare to block!"

Gu Jianlin froze. Weren't there supposed to be twelve captains and vice-captains? How is there a Zero?

Just then, a piercing sound of something breaking through the air resounded from above.

The black sunshade hat was blown away by the wind, revealing a cascade of long, crimson hair, blooming like roses. The unruly strands framed a pair of mesmerizing vermilion eyes on a sharp yet alluring face, emanating pure killing intent.

Tang Ling!

Originally, this girl was the one most suspected of being the traitor, but here she was, acting alongside the twelve captains.

At this moment, the association's arrangements became crystal clear.

Who the real trump card was also became evident.

So that's how it is. This operation was indeed a trial, but it was also a carefully orchestrated ambush.

The so-called rookie team was merely bait, used to attract the enemy's attention.

The real main force was the captains.

And this girl, codenamed Thunder, was the hidden ace among the captains.

"Action Group Agent Zero, codename: Thunder,"

Tang Ling dove downwards and coldly spoke into the miniature communicator on her collar:

"—Requesting deployment of Mythical Weapon·Extreme Thunder!"

At the same time, a commanding and deep voice echoed through the underground palace:

"Authorization confirmed. Deploy immediately!"

Boom!

The seawater was split open again, this time by a colossal, unrestrained greatsword!

It seemed like a sword forged by a giant from the ancient times. Its entire body was rugged and bone-like, covered with ferocious, terrifying cracks. A skull was embedded in the hilt, its hollow black eye sockets emanating searing thunder!

Tang Ling recited an ancient hymn, and mysterious markings began to gleam across the blade, as if runes inscribed by gods had awakened, unleashing radiant lightning!

With a sharp whistle, she used a dagger to slice open her right hand. Blood dripped from her palm as she gripped the hilt.

This blade drank deeply of virgin blood, and tides of plasma churned within its ghastly cracks. A deafening, rolling thunder erupted and was immediately ignited by electric flashes, cutting through the darkness with furious ferocity!

The girl wielded the blade of infinite lightning, raising it high before the surging river of blood and slashing downward with all her might!

In that instant, the darkness was illuminated by scorching electric light.

From the depths of the shadows came angry, resentful roars.

In the ruins, Gu Jianlin felt the soul-stirring roars, and the Black Qilin within his mind trembled slightly.

There was no mistaking it—this was Kui!

Boom!

An immense lightning strike descended from the void, collapsing the entire altar.

·

·

When the lightning dissipated, silence engulfed the underground palace.

Tang Ling gripped the hilt of the Extreme Thunder Great Sword with both hands, panting heavily. Her Mythical Weapon was a millennium-old secret from the Sword Tomb, yet her actual rank wasn't high. But her participation in such a high-stakes mission was proof of her strength.

That's why she refused to act alongside the investigation team.

Most people would simply hold her back.

Of course, the Ether Association had tasked her with more than just this.

Destroying the Sacrificial Ground required her devastating thunder strike.

This was both a trial for her and an opportunity to prove her worth.

Beyond that, she also needed to complete an investigation.

Tang Ling forced her weakened body upright, surveying the misty underground palace. She then pulled a pair of earphones out of her pocket and plugged them in.

"Action Group Agent Zero, this is Headquarters' First Division Minister, Chen Xingli,"

A rigid, monotone voice came through the earphones: "Report your current status."

Thick smoke spread, obscuring the darkness.

Tang Ling fumbled in her pocket again, pulling out a monocle and placing it over her right eye. The lens immediately fogged up with a hazy mist: "Detected strong traces of the Ancient God's Breath. The object within the Qilin Immortal Palace should be above Ancestor-level, with a nine-in-ten chance of being Primordial, but it's currently in a weakened state."

All six Captain Level operatives had already plunged into the shadows, while the remaining vice-captains followed, attempting to kill the unidentified entity. There was no doubt this would be an exceptionally arduous battle.

"Understood."

The voice in the earphones replied: "Time is limited. Investigate the palace ruins!"

Tang Ling gazed toward the deepest part of the Sacrificial Ground, where a massive bronze palace stood, majestic and imposing, weathering the passage of millennia.

This was the thousand-year-old relic Xu Fu had built beneath the sea.

A tomb he had constructed for himself.

The bronze palace had previously been hidden beyond the end of the Stone Statue Trees, its silhouette barely visible.

Now, with the destruction of the Stone Statue Trees, it was finally revealed.

"There is no sign of the Ancient God's Breath within the underground palace. The level of the Ancient God Realm's erosion is above 27%. Although assimilation is proceeding at a slow pace, it will take at least two hundred years to increase by another percentage point."

Tang Ling wiped the fine sweat from her forehead, her crimson hair slowly fading into a frosty white. Her voice, clear and melodic, stated: "Currently, it's almost certain that the Qilin Venerable is not using the Qilin Wedge to invade reality."

She searched the ruins and continued: "Because the concentration of the Ancient God's Breath is insufficient, there are no living corpses here. However, I've found some shattered Pill Furnaces and traces of mercury flowing in the fissures of the earth—undoubtedly remnants of an Alchemy Matrix, dating back approximately two thousand five hundred years."

She followed the Sword Sect Path and could not survey or divine on her own.

She had to rely entirely on the monocle.

The deepest part of the mist concealed a millennia-old tomb. Even after the violent explosions earlier, it hadn't collapsed. The tomb was filled with dust and cobwebs, and at its center lay an enormous bronze coffin.

The massive bronze coffin was empty!