This was a gamble.

A gamble staking everything on Chen Xingzhou and Lei Yaoxing.

Decided by a leader beyond the clouds, witnessing the entirety—from the moment that disruptive bullet was fired, the game had already begun.

There was no room for tricks, disguises, or acting.

Either you die in a laughable manner, or you crawl out of Hell alive, reaching out to seize everything you desire!

That was the verdict the leader had passed on Chen Xingzhou in advance, for his selfish attempt to push Cliff City's Desert Market into the line of fire, a crime deserving of death.

From that bullet onward, there were only two outcomes for Cliff City's Desert Market.

The first was Lei Yaoxing overpowering everyone, surpassing Lei Wuye in tactics and power to ascend to the throne, in which case Chen Xingzhou would be nothing but a jumping clown, not worth a snicker.

The second, overwhelmed by collective rage, found Lei Yaoxing with no way forward, no path to retreat, unable to seal the deal with a final strike or control the situation, thereby endangering everyone's safety.

Once the tacit understanding and balance were shattered, Chen Xingzhou, returning from death, represented all other participants to settle all accounts.

Now, the victor was finally decided before the spiritual presence.

Lei Yaoxing after all lacked the ability to control the Desert Market or reshape the wilderness.

Or perhaps, under Chen Xingzhou's interference and guidance, one misstep led to another, too far gone to return, resulting in a complete collapse of the situation.

Whereas Chen Xingzhou, originally overlooked, upon opening his eyes... in just one short night, through promises, intimidation, negotiation, and intrigue, had reassembled the scattered pieces once more.

The long night had ended.

After today, Cliff City's dark side will never revert to its former state.

Lei Wuye is dead, and the last traces of him will be completely erased from the Desert Market; the stagnant waters of yesterday's checks and balances and stand-offs will never return.

No, perhaps when Lei Wuye had deliberately let the wilderness sink into rigidity and decay to extend his own status and power, he had already invoked the disdain and contempt of White Deer.

Tian Yuan cherished balance and stability, but White Deer sought only the elimination of the weak by the strong, the cycle of the survival of the fittest.

Cliff City's stagnant waters had been rotten for too long.

And in this short half-month under Chen Xingzhou's push—the battles they should have fought, the prizes they should have presented, the struggles they should have faced, had already been fully repaid to White Deer...

Even with plenty to spare.

These were sacrifices willingly offered to the wilderness by everyone.

For profit, for ambition, for hatred or something else...

And as the old and inept fools fell, new seeds in the spreading bloody waters were already receiving White Deer's grace.

Ambition and desire sprouted anew upon the wasteland; the young beasts, ravenous, strutted about arrogantly, eager to challenge everything.

The transition from old to new, was already complete.

From now on, everything would be different from yesterday.

"Give up, Young Master Xing, no one will follow you."

Chen Xingzhou sighed lightly, showing the supporters behind him: "Your uncles and bosses won't support you, no one stands by you, even if I died, do you really think you could ascend to the throne? Who would believe your promises and guarantees?

The seat of authority is beyond your reach."

He said, "Leave Cliff City by this afternoon, and the Desert Market will still have a place for you."

Boom!

A bolt from the blue, unheralded.

Suddenly, Elder Lin from outside the door swooped in, positioning himself in front of Chen Xingzhou, his palms swirling with fire and smoke, revealing a sinister outline, blocking the Invisible blade cleaving through the air.

The entire spiritual hall shook thunderously, flowers caught in the tempest took to the air, withering as they fell, creating a chaotic mess.

"You say it can't be done and that's that? Chen Xingzhou, just who the hell do you think you are?"

Lei Yaoxing's eyes blazed crimson as he glanced disdainfully at him and the group of people behind him, "Do you really think that with a bunch of lowly hens and mangy dogs, you can beat me?

This is not your place to call the shots—If the Chosen One wants my life, let him come and say it to my face!

If you want my life, try to take it yourself!"

At that moment, along with Lei Yaoxing's words, many in the spiritual hall suddenly stood up, no longer concealing their spiritual fluctuations, exuding ill intent with a dreadful presence, looking towards Chen Xingzhou and his group.

Situations? Strength? The gaze of the masses?

For wild beasts, those are useless things, not worthy of a sneer. Even a cornered beast knows to fight with its back against the wall. Who gets to be in charge? A fight will tell.

Even if the living one may not have won, the dead one certainly can't!

"Very well, things have come to this point, I have nothing more to say."

Chen Xingzhou sighed softly, finally saying, "I leave it to you."

With that, he turned back to look at Ji Jue.

"Huh?"

Ji Jue was stupefied and bewildered, almost failing to hold onto his sunflower seed. From everyone's gaze, his mind buzzed—What the heck? What's going on? What use is handing it to me!

I'm just here to watch the drama unfold; what does this life-and-death struggle of you White Deer have anything to do with me!

But then, a soft voice rose from behind him.

"Okay," she said.

When Ji Jue turned around in astonishment, he almost thought that An Ning had also come to the scene.

But it wasn't An Ning, it was another figure that he had just bidden farewell last night…

—An Ning!

Unbeknownst to Ji Jue, she had brought a stool over at some point and sat behind him, yet Ji Jue hadn't felt any presence or movement.

Even during the monotonous wait, she had casually braided three small braids onto the back of Ji Jue's head.

And all along, Ji Jue remained totally unaware…

Now, as the girl stood up and moved towards the unfolding conflict, no one could ignore her presence any longer.

In her eyes, which once shone like a cluster of stars, all light had vanished, leaving only the bottomless darkness of the night.

Gone was the soft, sweet smile, replaced by a calm indifference and detached coldness.

After waiting for what felt like an eternity, and enduring many unexpected episodes, the task that belonged to her finally began.

All of her distinctive features had disappeared from her person; when An Ning actively erased all color, what walked towards the spiritual hall was nothing but the executor of the Chosen One's will.

Just like an embodiment of the Desert Market.

The White Deer Hunter approached the conflict.

Thus, she lifted her right hand towards all present, showcasing the thin, blood-crimson glove worn upon it.

The pitch-black White Deer Emblem shone with light.

"Today, I am here to convey the Chosen One's decree—"

She gazed upon the many enraged or frightened beasts and announced impassively, "The dispute over Cliff City ends here, cease any further strife. The incapable shall be expelled, and those who disobey shall die."

After a brief pause, the White Deer Hunter finally posed the question:

"—Now, the Desert Market inquires here, do any of you wish to rebel against the Chosen One?"

In a moment of deathly stillness, everyone except Chen Xingzhou and Lei Yaoxing had taken a synchronized step backward, their faces betraying their shaken convictions. Soon, the previously ferocious spiritual fluctuations had entirely dissipated.

Even some people voluntarily laid down their weapons and pistols, retreating time and again.

Old Lin remained immovable as a mountain.

Behind Lei Yaoxing, amidst the many silent supporters, some wore changing expressions, clenched their teeth, withdrew their hands, and hurriedly left; others hesitated before stepping back.

In the end, even the closest aides and subordinates, under the gaze of the White Deer Hunter, subdued and bowed their heads. But upon seeing the still-standing and fierce Lei Yaoxing, they couldn't help but whisper in advice:

"Brother Xing, it's better to retreat and preserve the strength to fight another day..."

"Brother Xing!"

Lei Yaoxing remained silent, ignoring the tugs of those around him.

His face was ashen.

His cold gaze met those around him who had given way, then finally rested on An Ning, his murderous intent erupting like a trapped beast, shackled by invisible chains, struggling to break free.

He just gritted his teeth, bearing the pressure, refusing to bow his head.

"People from the An Family, huh..."

He squeezed out a cold chuckle through clenched teeth: "Heh, it's been a while indeed."

An Ning simply tossed over a box: "Before I came, my grandfather said, to honor the slight acquaintance with Lei Wuye, he asked me to bring you something."

She said, "I hope you make the right decision."

The box landed at Lei Yaoxing's feet.

He bent down silently, picked it up, and opened the box; inside, cushioned between luxurious velvet and the protective layer, was a plain porcelain chicken bowl that could be found anywhere.

Seemingly used for many years.

The chicken figurine on it was discolored and dull, marked with numerous scratches.

"White Deer is the law of the wilderness, the survival of the fittest is the natural order, but the wilderness also has its own rules. Anyone who wishes to cut off water sources and endanger the wilderness becomes the enemy of all beasts.

Half a month's time, and you haven't united Cliff City or tamed the dissidents. If you still don't know when to advance and when to retreat, persisting in a futile struggle, then you become a source of calamity."

An Ning said, "The wilderness won't tolerate you anymore, you must leave the wilderness and seek your own path.

This is his promise to you."

A rice bowl is naturally used for holding rice, even one from the Desert Market.

As long as someone has a rice bowl, they have a meal to eat; as long as the bowl remains, no one can take that meal away.

As long as a person has food, they can continue to live.

This is the grace given by the Desert Market.

Leave Cliff City, and seek a new life.

If you have ambition, one day, you could come back and regain the position of the one in charge.

Life and fate are in your own hands.

"Now, I'll ask you once more on behalf of the Desert Market, Lei Yaoxing—"

Out of the silence, An Ning posed her final question, "Will you follow the Chieftain's command?"

Lei Yaoxing didn't answer.

He just silently stared at the bowl in his hand, a mocking smile appearing on his iron-gray face, mocking in such a way that one couldn't tell if he was mocking others or himself.

But when he finally lifted his gaze, saw his own empty surroundings, and then looked towards Chen Xingzhou amidst the crowd, his twitching expression gradually calmed.

In the end, all that was left was weariness and numbness.

"Heh, a complete and utter defeat."

He sighed, raising the bowl towards An Ning with whitened knuckles: "Thank you for the lifesaver the Elder of the An Family has provided."

With that, he smiled indifferently, with a casual calm.

"Such a pity."

Lei Yaoxing said, "A life begged for on my knees, I don't want it!"

Crack!

From his swinging hand, the Desert Market's final act of mercy was released, shattered on the ground.

The clear sound was like thunder, shocking everyone.

Then came the sound of blood flowing.

Onto the ground.

"Heh... heh..."

Lei Yaoxing's eyes widened, and as he listlessly raised his hand, touching his own throat, he felt the coldness there, the sharpness slicing his fingers.

As the coarse porcelain bowl hit the ground and shattered, one shard leapt lightly from the earth.

As if by coincidence, it pierced his throat.

Even the dynamic eyesight of the Chosen One could not detect it, nor could the recovery abilities of the Rebirth Rank exempt it.

Unavoidable, inescapable, and unforeseen.

Like destiny.

Bowls are for eating from, but when the bowl is smashed, there's no more food to eat.

And thus, people die.

This was the dead end that Lei Yaoxing chose for himself.

.

In that instant, beyond Cliff City, deep within the wilderness's distant mountains, and among the dense woods, startled birds took flight.

An old man, basking in the warmth of the sun in his chair, seemed to sense something, his eyes narrowing slightly.

But quickly, he lost interest and looked away.

What a pity.

He had learned Lei Wuye's pride of not submitting even in the face of death, but had not learned his forbearance in enduring humiliation.

He could have soared to the heavens given time; alas, he failed to cross the Dragon Gate.

Ultimately not destined for greatness.

No, perhaps he had chosen to give up because... above the clouds of the nine heavens, the spot had long been occupied!

Constantly changing in size, disappearing and appearing at will.

So lofty, it drove him into complete despair.

And yet... the giant serpent that now rises with the tides, that commands the wind and rain, what will it show itself to be when it reveals its true form someday? Dragon or snake?

The old man gazed towards the distant clouds that were drifting over, lost in thought.

For a long time, he waved his hand.

Then closed his eyes for a brief nap.

Clouds dispersed, and the sky was clear.

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