Limitless Evolution: I Have Infinite Potential.

Faced with the mysterious figure's fury, the Horned Demon King was paralyzed with fear, not daring to utter a word of protest.

This wasn't just any opponent—the one before him was one of the true masterminds behind their uprising, an existence upon whom the very survival of the Underworld Abyss races depended. Their clan's fate now rested in this figure's hands.

"All the Underworld clans are mobilizing for the Holy War," the black-robed envoy said coldly. "Yet you, the Ghost King, choose to hide here in leisure. Should I interpret this as the Ghost Clan surrendering already?"

"Absolutely not!" the Horned Demon King exclaimed, his heart pounding as he quickly explained, "I've already sent troops to attack the Great Zhou Dynasty. The Emperor will be forced to act soon. Once that happens, his secrets will be exposed, and I'll have a better chance to bring him down!"

He spoke with urgency. A misunderstanding at this stage would doom their entire plan, and if the Ghost Clan were blamed for failure, the other Ghost Kings would rip him apart in rage.

The envoy let out a cold laugh. "Fool. The 800,000 troops you dispatched have already been wiped out outside the capital. They barely made a dent in the Great Zhou's defenses."

"What?!"

The Horned Demon King reeled in disbelief, his mind going blank.

That force wasn't ordinary—it included dozens of Unity Stage ghost generals, ten Great Ascension Stage Ghost Commanders. If the Great Zhou Emperor hadn't personally intervened, they should have been able to tear the dynasty apart.

And yet, they had been utterly destroyed before even reaching the city walls?

"This dynasty is far stronger than expected," he muttered, face twisted with frustration.

The envoy's voice turned icy. "It wasn't the Great Zhou Dynasty that destroyed your army. It was a passing cultivator. The citizens of the capital called him 'Venerable Ye.'"

"Venerable?" The Horned Demon King froze, then clenched his teeth. An outsider at the Great Ascension Stage had dared to ruin everything? He must be courting death.

Though caught off guard by the man's strength, he believed a mere Tribulation Stage cultivator was still within his reach.

"Take this," the envoy ordered, his voice sharp. "This Underworld Spirit Pill should ensure success. I won't tolerate another failure."

A small purple pill etched with eerie patterns slowly floated down in front of the Horned Demon King.

He understood this was his final chance. Gritting his teeth, he nodded solemnly. "I'll do as the envoy commands!"

The black-robed envoy sneered. His body dispersed into a swirling black mist, vanishing as if he had never been there.

"Hah…" The Horned Demon King exhaled deeply, wiping cold sweat from his brow. Fury surged through him as he thought about how close everything had come to ruin.

Boom!

A violent wave of killing intent exploded from him, shaking the entire mountain peak.

Turning, he reached into the shadows and yanked forward a female cultivator who had been curled up in the corner, her body trembling with fear. Malice gleamed in his eyes.

"You think what just happened was funny? Speak!"

"N-No, I didn't…" she stammered, pale and shivering.

"Liar!"

Bang!

With a furious roar, the Horned Demon King crushed her with one hand, then launched into the sky, his voice booming across the mountain like thunder.

"All soldiers, move out with me!"

"Yes!"

Countless ghostly figures erupted from the shadows, black mist churning around them as they surged toward the Great Zhou.

---

Inside the Heavenly Harmony Hall

Delicate, veiled maids danced in sync with melodies performed by elegant musicians. The atmosphere was warm and refined, fitting for the imperial banquet of the Great Zhou.

Ye Junlin and his companions sat at the head table, enjoying a feast of unmatched luxury.

The ingredients weren't just rare—they were legendary: spirit beasts, divine herbs, and delicacies with immense cultivation benefits. Even an average cultivator could break through a realm after this meal.

Li Wujie lifted a wine jar, downing it boldly, his cheeks flushed as he declared, "Now this is wine!"

Bai Xiaoxi nibbled on a piece of meat, her mouse-like features lighting up with joy. "So good~"

Hong Qianye took only a few bites before setting his chopsticks down. This single action made the Crown Prince tense up.

He leaned forward, speaking cautiously. "Fairy Hong, is something wrong with the food?"

Hong Qianye crossed his arms and closed his eyes, showing no interest in the so-called delicacies before him.

The Crown Prince was clearly embarrassed.

Ye Junlin chuckled. "Don't mind him. He's on a diet."

"Oh, I see. Fairy Hong is very disciplined," the Crown Prince said awkwardly.

"I'm not on a diet, you idiot," Hong Qianye muttered under his breath, twitching with irritation but holding back his frustration.

Trying to shift the mood, the Crown Prince stood and raised his wine cup toward Ye Junlin. "Venerable Ye, it's an honor to host you in the Great Zhou. Allow me to drink in your name."

He downed the wine in one go.

Ye Junlin nodded. "Fair enough."

The real reason he hadn't left yet was because he was still waiting. The system hadn't rewarded him yet, which meant the task wasn't complete. Something was still coming.

Clap, clap.

The Crown Prince clapped his hands, and the maids retreated quietly.

A gray-robed old man with a calm expression entered the hall, carrying a guqin on his back.

"This is Master Nangong Changfeng," the Crown Prince announced. "He's the finest musician in all of Great Zhou. His melodies contain profound Dao insights. It's said a dying Nascent Soul cultivator once traveled from afar just to hear him play—and upon hearing his music, had an epiphany and broke through to the Transformation Stage right there."

Nangong gave a modest bow. "I am Nangong Changfeng. It is an honor to meet you all." His tone was courteous, but his pride was unmistakable.

Ye Junlin rubbed his chin. This guy's definitely full of himself.

"Master Nangong, please begin," the Crown Prince said respectfully.

Nangong Changfeng sat cross-legged, placed the guqin across his lap, and gently strummed the strings.

Zheng~

The melody spread through the hall, gentle and resonant, as if cleansing the soul with every note.

Li Wujie's expression shifted slightly, focusing intently.

Bai Xiaoxi was completely drawn in, swaying softly with the rhythm.

Hong Qianye didn't so much as lift his eyelids.

Ye Junlin, on the other hand, yawned halfway through and propped up his head on one hand, nearly dozing off.

Nangong noticed and his expression darkened.

What is this supposed to mean?

Does he not respect my music?

He had moved countless cultivators with his melodies. And now, he was being used as a sleep aid?

Humiliated, he finished the performance, then stood coldly.

"Crown Prince," he said sharply, "don't bother inviting me again. I refuse to lose face like this again."

The Crown Prince was taken aback. "Master Nangong, what are you saying?"

Nangong pointed furiously at Ye Junlin. "Ask him!"

The Crown Prince turned to Ye Junlin. "Venerable Ye, was the performance not to your liking?"

Ye Junlin scratched his ear. "It was… alright, I guess."

He preferred energetic tunes. This old man's piece had been too slow—and frankly, boring. As for any supposed Dao insights… he didn't care. He relied more on luck than effort for his cultivation anyway.

"Uh…" The Crown Prince's face turned stiff. He had been completely immersed in the music.

He glanced at Hong Qianye, still sitting with eyes closed. See? Even Fairy Hong is immersed!

Nangong Changfeng nearly choked on his own fury. For a master of his caliber, this was an unbearable insult.

"Shut up, you ignorant fool! You don't understand music at all!" he snapped at Ye Junlin.

Boom!

A wave of killing intent burst forth.

"You old bastard, you've got a death wish!" Li Wujie's gaze turned icy. He gripped the hilt of his sword, already halfway drawn, ready to strike.

All he needed was a nod from Ye Junlin—and Nangong would be cut down on the spot.

---