Ian Song! I'm going to kill you!
Victor Ward, suspended in midair, erupted in radiant light, stabilizing his retreating figure before transforming into a streak of afterimage—his fury blazing sky-high—as he charged straight at Ian Song.
At this moment, he'd almost lost all reason; his mind held only one thought: kill Ian Song. He had just defeated Ethan Tian, seized the top spot on the Hidden Dragon Ranking, and become the leading figure of the younger generation in the Sky-Sun Region—he should have been basking in glory.
At a time like this, he should have been worshipped by thousands and enjoying unmatched glory—but Ian Song had slapped him, and in front of everyone.
How could he possibly endure that? Old and new grudges surged together; in this instant, he snapped—his only thought was to kill Ian Song.
"Scram!"
Ian Song spat out a single word, then met Victor Ward's charge with another slap.
"Smack!"
Blood splattered, mixed with something unidentifiable.
Victor Ward was sent flying again, crashing down thousands of meters away.
"What...?!"
Seeing this, everyone's cheeks twitched unconsciously. Late Saint Sea Realm strength was supposed to rival a Demigod, yet the newly crowned Hidden Dragon no.1 was so helpless before Ian Song.
Just how strong was this Ian Song?
But he was clearly only at late Law-Phase!
The next moment, Victor Ward staggered up from the ground, glaring viciously at Ian Song—his eyes blood-red, like a beast that might devour someone at any moment.
"Ian Song, today it's either you or me—one of us dies!"
Victor Ward's voice sounded strange, since his teeth were whistling—yes, Ian Song's slap had just knocked out one of his front teeth.
Ian Song only grinned playfully and said, "Little Qilin, you're getting naughtier and naughtier. But don't worry, since we're master and servant, I won't kill you—at most I'll break a few bones."
"Hahaha!"
That line drew uproarious laughter from the entire Vermin Squad.
"Boom!"
Flames erupted all around Victor Ward, instantly turning the area into a sea of fire. From within the inferno came the roar of a Fire Qilin, and then a massive beast burst out, jaws wide open, lunging straight at Ian Song.
"Heh heh!"
Ian Song let out a weird chuckle, stepped forward, intercepted the Fire Qilin in midair, and—just like before—delivered another slap!
"Bang!"
The Fire Qilin was left dizzy, tumbling through the air for hundreds of meters before it finally managed to steady itself.
But just then, Ian Song appeared again, and—meeting the Fire Qilin's terrified eyes—slapped it right across the mouth.
"Awooo!"
The Fire Qilin howled in agony, several teeth flying out of its gaping maw.
What followed was Ian Song's personal showcase—the Fire Qilin was slapped flying again and again, its screams never-ending. After several slaps, every tooth in its mouth had been knocked out, saliva and blood streaming, its misery reaching a whole new level.
Then Ian Song simply climbed onto the Fire Qilin's back and hammered away with his fists. After a few solid punches, the beast passed out cold.
Ever since the Body of Ten Thousand Stars broke through to its fourth layer, Ian Song's physical power alone could kill Human-Immortals—so even with Demigod-level strength, Victor Ward was nothing in his eyes.
If he didn't temporarily want to avoid tearing things completely with the Ward Clan, he would've slapped Victor into paste ages ago.
"Let's go!"
Ian Song flickered back into the Vermin Squad, waved his hand like nothing had happened, and led everyone away in broad daylight.
Soon, the whole incident began to ferment across Dragonskull City.
Originally, the top spot duel was supposed to be between Victor Ward and Ethan Tian, but this time, Ian Song stole the show and instantly became the brightest star.
All those prodigies who'd wanted to challenge Ian Song secretly felt relieved—thank goodness they hadn't sent out challenge letters, or they'd be laughingstocks by now.
"Brother Song, you really are too impulsive!"
Less than an hour after Ian Song returned to Dragonskull City, Gavin Ward arrived at his manor as messenger, telling him to meet with Elder Sean and Elder Miles.
Ian Song just curled his lip dismissively. "Victor Ward's got a crooked backside—doesn't he deserve a spanking?"
Gavin Ward had been at the scene, so he knew the truth: "He definitely deserved it, but these are sensitive times. You've got to think of the bigger picture—beating up Victor makes the rest of us look like a joke. Elder Sean and Elder Miles are both furious, so be careful!"
"Thanks for the heads-up, Brother Ward!" Ian Song replied with a grin.
"Haha, honestly, I can't stand Victor either. Seeing you teach him a lesson was pure catharsis!" Gavin Ward laughed heartily.
"Then you owe me a drink!"
"Deal! Once you get past Elder Sean and Elder Miles, drinks are on me!" Gavin Ward teased.
A quarter-hour later, Ian Song met with Elder Sean and Elder Miles, both of whom looked dark and none too friendly.
Ian Song met with Elder Sean and Elder Miles, both of whom looked dark and none too friendly.
The next moment, Elder Sean barked in a stern tone, "Ian Song, do you know what you did wrong?"
He asked if Ian Song knew his mistake, not his crime—so Ian instantly understood: these elders had summoned him mostly for show. Since that was the case, he might as well play along.
So Ian Song deliberately put on a flustered look, bowed, and said, "Elder Sean, Elder Miles, this disciple knows his mistake. I shouldn't have fought with Victor Ward in front of outsiders and damaged the Ward Clan's reputation. Please punish me, elders!"
The two elders were just putting on a show to begin with. Seeing Ian Song so tactful, their expressions softened quite a bit.
After that, Ian Song received a heartfelt lecture from both elders.
When he finally stepped out of the room, his face was full of bitterness—a scene that didn't go unnoticed by many of the Ward Clan's entourage.
"Let's go, Brother Song! Drinks on me!" Gavin Ward called out.
"Sounds great—let's hit Mountain Sea Pavilion!"
Ian Song's smile returned; that bitter look just now was all for show, for the benefit of the other Ward Clan members.
Several days flashed by in a blur.
Two days ago, Gavin Ward fought Serena Sima and won decisively.
Yesterday, word finally arrived: Princess Wanshang would be arriving in Dragonskull City today. Instantly, the whole city was abuzz, preparing for the royal visit.
As the hour approached eleven in the morning, a surge of magical energy rippled through the void ten thousand meters away.
Moments later, a group of riders appeared in everyone's sight.
"It's the Wanshang Army!"
Escorted by hundreds of thousands of Myriad‑Phenomena Army soldiers, a dazzling crimson carriage came into view. It looked as though it had been painted with fresh blood, and pulling it were three mighty Dragon Steeds, each bearing the bloodline of a true dragon.
With slightly raised foreheads, crimson pupils, and an aura that radiated untouchable majesty from head to toe—these were Dragonhorses.
The procession moved swiftly, and in the blink of an eye was only a thousand meters away. Then it slowed, descended from the sky, and landed on the ground. Instantly, everyone tensed up, their gazes fixed solemnly on the crimson carriage.
When the carriage was just ten meters away, everyone bowed in greeting, voices rising in unison: "Greetings, Princess Myra Vance! May the Princess enjoy peace and prosperity!"
"No need for such formality, everyone. Please, rise."
A slightly hoarse voice came from within the crimson carriage. The door opened, a staircase extended to the ground, and then—a beautiful woman in white palace robes stepped out.