When I woke up, I wanted to go home.

Zhu Chongjiu and Xiao Tian's five attendants stood at the gate of a city called Swamp City.

Looking out, on the fertile land that was covered in scorched earth, a massive city wall stretching for hundreds of miles and as black as ink appeared before my eyes.

It was as if a giant black dragon was crawling in front of him!

Although the city wall is made of earth, Zhu Chongjiu could still sense its weight and solidity through his divine sense.

The city wall, about 100 meters high and 100 meters thick, stands like a monster rising from the earth, guarding the people of the Houtu Continent.

Zhu Chongjiu discovered that this was the case in every city bordering the restricted area.

It requires enormous manpower and resources to build solid barriers to defend against the terrifying monsters within the restricted area.

After looking at the colossal object before him, Zhu Chongjiu looked up at the fake sun and thought to himself, "This Flame Empire is no good either. Every time they send so many Emperor-level experts and collect massive amounts of resources from the Hou Tu Kingdom, they end up with this kind of monstrosity."

It lacks both brightness and temperature, like an old-fashioned tungsten filament light bulb hanging in the sky.

Feeling drowsy and chilly.

The reason why Zhu Chongjiu now looks down on the sun in the sky is because his understanding of the source of fire has greatly improved while he is inside the sacred mountain.

Just as Zhu Chongjiu was observing his surroundings, one of his attendants stepped forward, took out a token, and handed it to the soldier guarding the city.

After glancing at the token, the city guards respectfully allowed Zhu Chongjiu and his entourage to pass.

After Zhu Chongjiu followed them into the city, this was the first time he had spoken to these five attendants in the past three months, apart from chatting with Xiao Hei. "Here, I will part ways with you temporarily. I want to explore this Hou Tu Kingdom."

"Come see me again after some time, once Xiao Tian has recovered."

As Zhu Chongjiu spoke, he glanced at Xiao Tian, ​​who looked like a vegetable.

After saying this, Zhu Chongjiu asked the five people for tokens that would allow them to move freely in the Houtu Kingdom and some currency before leaving.

The five of them glanced at Zhu Chongjiu's back, then at Xiao Tianhou, and walked away into the distance!

After the five people left, Zhu Chongjiu had previously considered following them secretly in order to find their main base in Houtu Kingdom.

However, after thinking it over, Zhu Chongjiu realized that even if he didn't go looking for him, Xiao Tian would definitely lead him to their home base in Houtu Kingdom.

Moreover, even if Zhu Chongjiu secretly followed them, he couldn't be certain that the five people were heading to the Peace Chamber of Commerce's headquarters in Houtu Kingdom.

After all, even a cunning rabbit has three burrows, let alone a top-tier power like the Peace Chamber of Commerce that specializes in underhanded tactics!

At the same time, Zhu Chongjiu demanded passage tokens from them, unafraid that they would know his whereabouts.

Even though I'm far away in the Flaming Mountains, people across a continent can know everything I do.

Trying to guard against this is tantamount to inviting humiliation.

Zhu Chongjiu carried Xiao Hei as they walked down the bustling street, observing the conversations of the passersby while silently sensing the rich earth element in the air.

After Zhu Chongjiu passed by a restaurant, he was attracted by the aroma inside!

Zhu Chongjiu stopped and slowly walked inside!

After entering the restaurant, Zhu Chongjiu found a seat under the guidance of the staff, ordered a few signature dishes, and began to eat quietly.

Through his observations along the way, Zhu Chongjiu discovered that the humans on the Houtu Continent, apart from being a bit taller than him, were basically similar in appearance to him.

The clothes he wore were made of materials similar to those of the ancient people in his previous life.

Those who lived a simpler life wore coarse clothes and linen.

Wealthy merchants were those who owned brocade and silk.

Except for the fake sun hanging in the sky, Zhu Chongjiu now truly believed that he had traveled back to ancient times.

Just as Zhu Chongjiu was lost in thought, his thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a conversation between two people in a private room on the second floor of the restaurant.

Even in the private room, one of them whispered to the other, "Do you know what?"

According to the news circulating above, the thousand-year agreement with the Flame Empire was due five years ago, but this time, the Flame Empire did not send anyone.

And five whole years have passed, and there's still no news. I wonder why?

Another person whispered to him, "As far as I know, the Flame Empire has encountered great trouble in the last fifty years and is too busy to take care of itself, which is why it hasn't sent anyone here again!"

Oh, what big trouble?

That remains to be seen; my information may not be accurate.

Alas! The sun grows dimmer and the temperature grows colder year by year. If another ten years or so pass, Houtu will probably be plunged into endless darkness.

Indeed, in the current environment, the growth of food is almost stagnant.

Who can argue with that? Hopefully, the king will find a way to resolve this, after all, there are still people in the country to worry about!

During their conversation, Zhu Chongjiu learned why the fake sun in the sky looked so "worn out".

The reason is that we don't have enough energy!

At this moment, Zhu Chongjiu suddenly had an idea, took out some currency from his storage ring, paid the bill, and left.

After leaving the restaurant, Zhu Chongjiu did not linger. Holding the map of the Houtu Continent that he had obtained from Xiao Tian's five attendants, he walked towards the city gate leading to the inland of the Houtu Continent.

After leaving the swamp city for a while, Xiao Hei jumped out of Zhu Chongjiu's arms and grew larger in the wind.

Then, Zhu Chongjiu rolled over and lay down on Xiao Hei's back, saying, "Brother Hei, let's head straight to the capital of Houtu Continent and go help others."

Xiao Hei turned to Zhu Chongjiu and asked, "Brother Jiu, which direction? How do we get there?"

As soon as Xiao Hei finished speaking, a map of the Houtu Continent floated before his eyes.

Seeing this, Xiao Hei muttered, "I shouldn't have asked!"

Then, a black light flashed across the fertile black soil.

Sitting on Xiao Hei's back, Zhu Chongjiu took out an item from his storage ring that allowed him to communicate with Emperor Huoyan and said, "Huoyan, I have already gone to the capital of Houtu Continent to meet the King of Houtu."

The purpose of this trip is to resolve the millennium agreement for the Flame Empire.

As for the payment, do not send it through the Peace Chamber of Commerce; I will send you a route map later.

If you send a few Emperor-level experts, following the route map I gave you, you can safely cross the Houtu Swamp.

While Emperor Huoyan was dealing with a host of tedious state affairs, he suddenly received a message from Zhu Chongjiu.

He put down his work and quickly answered the call.

As the Emperor of Fire's smile deepened until he burst into laughter, a palace eunuch standing by his side, always ready to obey, cautiously asked, "What joyous occasion does Your Majesty have?"

The Fire Emperor did not directly inform the palace eunuch, but instead instructed the eunuch to issue a decree summoning all officials to the main hall of the imperial palace for a meeting.

Huo Yan had great faith in Zhu Chongjiu, and not only Huo Yan, but most people in the Flame Empire recognized Zhu Chongjiu's abilities.

If the Nine Emperors say they can do it, then they definitely can.

If the Nine Emperors say it's safe, then it must be safe.

The Fire Emperor summoned all the princes and ministers to a meeting. Besides informing them of this momentous occasion, there was something even more important.

How can we acquire more resources from the Houtu Continent?

Looking down at the princes and ministers below, whispering and laughing, Huo Yan thought to himself, "Ninth Brother, you truly deserve to be called a peerless king."

He had barely been crowned when he started working for the Flame Empire.

Moreover, it's a huge job!

At this moment, Zhu Chongjiu was sitting on the back of a small black horse that looked like a black light, listening to Huo Yan's flattery and sycophancy.

At the same time, he looked at the communication device in his hand. Because of the special existence of the continental border barrier, this thing that could transmit information across the continent was really good. Even the Ruixue Kingdom didn't have it.

In fact, Zhu Chongjiu wanted to help the Flame Empire not only because of the matter of the King of the Same Side.

Rather, it's because the Flame Empire needs to go through the Peace Merchant Guild to trade with the Houtu Continent.

Without the Peace Chamber of Commerce, it would be difficult for people from both countries to reach a deal with minimal losses.

This also means that the Peace Chamber of Commerce is indirectly controlling both countries.

In fact, it's not just two countries; all five continents are under the control and surveillance of their managers.

Zhu Chongjiu wanted to take this opportunity to weaken the Peace Chamber of Commerce's control.

Furthermore, since the Flame Empire was now on their side, the Peace Merchant Guild must have taken notice of it.

If I'm here, things are fine, but if I'm gone, then the situation in the Flame Empire will be very difficult.

Not only the Flame Empire, but also the original Ice and Snow Continent!

So, Zhu Chongjiu did the Flame Empire a favor as a way to comfort himself.

Just as Zhu Chongjiu's thoughts were surging like a tidal wave, a strong intuition suddenly surged into his mind—he clearly sensed that a thrilling battle was unfolding right in front of him!

Zhu Chongjiu's heart tightened. He quickly communicated with Xiao Hei beside him using his mind and gave it a command through telepathy: "Xiao Hei, there seems to be a fierce battle ahead. We must be careful."

Once you get close, don't rush in rashly. First, hide to the side and observe the situation discreetly before making a decision!

After receiving its master's instructions, Little Black Heart understood and slowed its pace, no longer rushing forward recklessly as if it were in a hurry.

As the distance drew closer, Zhu Chongjiu was able to capture many details of the battle with his naked eye!

Seven powerful emperors were seen besieging a...?