Ian Song had just returned to his residence in Yushan Prefecture, only to find Galen Mu waiting inside.
"Commander Mu, what brings you here?"
Ian asked.
Galen Mu laughed heartily. "Haha, the God-Demon Corps headquarters sent an emissary to reward the meritorious defenders of the recent siege. Ian, congratulations! Yushan Prefecture was saved thanks to your efforts. Hurry and come with me—don't keep the emissary waiting!"
"Alright, let's go!"
Ian nodded and followed Galen Mu toward the God-Demon Corps branch.
Soon, the two of them entered a grand hall.
Seated in the place of honor was an elder with green hair, his aura unfathomably deep. Flanking him on both sides stood four God-Kings.
Ian's heart skipped a beat. He had a vague sense of foreboding.
"Ian Song, do you know your crime?"
The green-haired elder suddenly spoke, his tone stern and sharp.
"Sir, I don't know what you're talking about," Ian replied, his expression serious.
Ian's face grew solemn.
"Still trying to argue? If you confess honestly, you might have a chance. Otherwise, I can execute you on the spot!" Greenfiend God-King barked.
"Sir, if you're going to judge me, at least tell me what crime I've committed!"
Ian's eyes flashed as his mind raced. Most likely, the nine God-Kings whose cultivation he'd crippled had been exposed.
"Still trying to argue!"
Greenfiend God-King's face was icy. "The Divine Ability seals in the seas of consciousness of King Tuer and the others have already been broken. You should know what crime you've committed by now, shouldn't you?"
"Just as I thought!"
Ian cursed inwardly. He'd been careless—he should've just killed King Tuer and the others outright.
"I know you carry a supreme treasure, and your formation arts are extraordinary. So, as soon as you entered this hall, someone was sent to capture your family. If you don't want them executed, you'd better surrender quietly!" At this, Greenfiend God-King's lips curled into a mocking smile.
Ian's face instantly darkened. He turned to Galen Mu. "Last time, I spared you over the Brennan Cliff incident. I can't believe you're betraying me again!"
Galen Mu smirked triumphantly. "Just surrender, Ian. You don't stand a chance. Lord Greenfiend is an upper-stage God-King. No matter how talented you are, you're still just an Upper Heavenly God!"
Galen Mu had always held a grudge over the last incident. So now, given the chance, he didn't hesitate to set Ian up.
"Die!"
Suddenly, he stepped forward and vanished from sight!
"Courting death!"
One of the God-Kings standing in the hall moved to attack as well.
"You fell right into my trap!"
Ian grinned slyly. Suddenly, a black divine axe appeared in his hand.
The moment the axe appeared, the God-King blocking Galen Mu's path turned pale, seized by a wave of terror.
"Splurt!"
The lower-stage God-King was cleaved in two by Ian's axe, and the remaining force split Galen Mu's body as well.
In his final moments, regret flashed in Galen Mu's eyes.
"Damn you!"
Witnessing this, Greenfiend God-King was enraged, his eyes filled with disbelief.
Suddenly, he tossed out a strange treasure. It radiated milky-white divine light, instantly enveloping the entire hall.
Greenfiend God-King strode forward. "Your formation arts may be strong, Ian Song, but now, this entire hall is sealed by my Divine Path secret treasure. No matter how skilled you are, you can't use your arrays here. So, I'll give you one last chance—surrender!"
As he spoke, the other three God-Kings each summoned their God-King artifacts, preparing to attack!
Ian remained calm, his mind racing as he assessed the situation.