"So," Li Changzhou couldn't help but smile, "this otherworldly place, it's kidnapping a bunch of people from Earth to duel with us?"
"One of us," Turquoise Pool laughed as well.
"Why bother," Li Changzhou sighed.
He personally had no interest in 'locking worlds' or 'adventure guild registration'; he neither wanted nor had the time to participate, yet this otherworldly realm was keen on challenging him to a duel.
"I'll go," Yang Qinglan suddenly said.
"Hmm?" Li Changzhou looked up, puzzled at her.
Yang Qinglan smiled slightly, "You killed so many people on Four Seasons Star, it's my turn this time."
"Is there actually a need to take turns with this kind of thing?" Li Changzhou couldn't help but laugh.
"It's not about taking turns, just sharing weal and woe."
Li Changzhou was happy inside, but after thinking it over, he still said, "Never mind, we can share weal and woe facing life and death, there's no need to kill people; I'll go, quick battle, quick decision."
"That sounds good," Yang Qinglan nodded unceremoniously, "I didn't want to kill people anyway."
Li Changzhou laughed louder, feeling even happier.
Yang Qinglan's straightforward demeanor was a testament to their close relationship, and the fact that she didn't want to kill people yet spoke of enduring adversity together made it a pleasant affair.
Besides, her candid way of speaking was endearing.
"Here's the Qi Radiance collected this month, carry some with you," Turquoise Pool tossed over a Storage Bag.
The private conversation between Li Changzhou and Yang Qinglan didn't make her feel awkward.
She seemed to have already succeeded, waiting calmly on the side as part of the family, also naturally advising him.
Li Changzhou, on the other hand, felt somewhat uneasy at her words.
They had previously agreed to divide the Qi Radiance among four people; now, with her saying this, he was in a dilemma whether to accept it or not.
"Just take it," Yang Qinglan didn't mind these things.
"Then I'll make a quick trip," Li Changzhou secured the Storage Bag.
"Be careful," Turquoise Pool said, "if they dare to challenge you, they must be somewhat confident."
"Got it, got it."
"Mmm," Turquoise Pool nodded with a smile, "kind of feels like an old married couple."
"...Talking to you is more exhausting than taking a bath on Jupiter." Li Changzhou looked towards Earth beside him, aimed at Japan Island, and plunged into the atmosphere.
To avoid another incomprehensible and time-wasting duel with an Immortal, he slightly released a bit of his Qi.
◇
Japan, Shinagawa Prefecture.
Though the portal had already closed, representatives from various nations still gathered here.
Today's Shinagawa Prefecture was experiencing a heavy rain, pattering on cars, glass, trains, and iron sheds, sounding like countless dried peas being scattered from the sky.
A patrolling soldier, turning on the windshield wipers, watched as the wet rain blurred the city into neon-colored patches.
Feeling stuffy and distracted, he stared at the windshield wipers as his head got dizzier, and the neon colors began merging together.
Thump, the soldier passed out.
The military vehicle moved slowly in the rain, drifting off into the nearby green belt, coming to a stop as if it were asleep.
Pedestrians with umbrellas on the road clutched their chests in pain and collapsed one after another.
"Attack! Attack!"
The barracks boiled into chaos, everyone on high alert, but they found themselves unable to move.
The feeling was as if the air had solidified, burying them "alive."
Dizziness, stifling sensations, and a persistent heavy feeling in their hearts enveloped them.
Intuitively, it felt as though dark clouds were looming, and some terrifying, formidable presence was about to descend.
The clouds dispersed, a majestic Five-Colored Immortal Light pierced the heaven and earth, shining over Shinagawa as Li Changzhou emerged from the radiance.
At this time, Shinagawa was eerily silent, except for a few people in the barracks, the rest were unconscious.
Outside Shinagawa County, all over Japan, everyone felt oppressed and anxious, their hearts as restless as ants on a rainy day, feeling a catastrophe was imminent.
"Gurgle!" The few awake in the barracks stared at Li Changzhou in front of them.
The Five-Colored Immortal Light draped over him like the remnants of a sunset.
In the midst of the Human Tribulation, Li Changzhou had already driven them to despair, and now, merely gazing at his true form, they felt no inclination to resist; even if he pointed a sword at them, they could only passively accept it.
"King of Black Fog." They spoke with trembling reverence in their voices.
Li Changzhou nodded: "The Teleportation Talisman?"
The representative from Japan hastily brought out the Teleportation Talisman, bowing and presenting it with both hands.
Li Changzhou tapped the talisman, a softly glowing light barrier unfolded, and he was about to step in when the representative from Xia Country suddenly spoke, "Mr. Li, how do you plan to deal with the otherworldly realm?"
Li Changzhou glanced at the few people present: "What do you think?"
The representative from Xia Country sighed, "Those who lag behind get beaten; no one understands this better than Xia Country."
"Understood."
Li Changzhou stepped into the teleportation gate.
◇
An endless expanse of snowy wasteland, numerous adventurers, soldiers, and magical beasts gathered here.
A month was enough to turn it into a makeshift city with weapon shops, pharmaceutical stores, butchers, and fruit stalls all in a row, bustling with activity.
The lively tavern suddenly quietened down as five beautiful girls walked in.
Each girl had distinct features, and men from all over the world could find something they liked in each of them, just as women from all over the world could see the features they dreamt of in them.
"Nice to see you again." Vire raised his glass to the girl in red light armor.
Li Qianxia nodded, returning a smile.
At that moment, noise gradually returned to the tavern.
"What can I get you?" The tavern server approached, his eyes still lingering on Beia's exposed fair thighs.
"Give me a 'Blazing Flame.'" Nearly a month of adventurer's life did lend an air of casual elegance to Beia's tone.