Chapter 702 696: His Name Is Miracle

In the pitch-black hall, Shen Cheng sat quietly on a meditation cushion, his eyes slightly closed. A dense black qi swirled around him, pulsing rhythmically with his breath.

Suddenly, Shen Cheng's tightly shut eyes snapped open. A tangible glint of light flashed in them and vanished. Before him, a figure completely shrouded in black qi had appeared at some unknown point.

"We have news of Shen Haoran!" the shadowy figure spoke, its voice as grating as nails on a chalkboard.

"Speak!" Shen Cheng commanded with a cold snort, his face devoid of expression.

"Shen Haoran is operating under the alias Leng Feng. He's caused quite a stir in the City of Sin recently. He just killed the eight Martial Artists we had stationed in the Underground Boxing Market. Although he appears to be only a Tier Eight Spirit Aspect, it's estimated that not even a Sixth or Seventh Tier Spirit Emperor would be his match if he unleashed his true power. Rumors are spreading through the City of Sin that he will be the next King!" the figure reported in a monotone voice.

"Hmph, the next King?" Shen Cheng sneered. "There is only one King in the City of Sin, and that is me! Anyone who thinks they can stand above me will die!" he said with contempt, then asked, "Is there more?"

"Yes. Shen Haoran's arrival in the City of Sin seems to have a specific purpose; this is no mere training excursion. The moment he arrived, he was at the Hell Auction House asking about the Ten Thousand Snakes Cave. The night before last, he personally scouted Wanshe Mountain. He seems very interested in the Ten Thousand Snakes Cave. Or to be more precise, he seems more interested in your wedding!" the figure added after a thoughtful pause.

'My wedding?' Shen Cheng's brow furrowed at the figure's words. 'My decision to marry was made on a whim. No one outside the City of Sin could possibly know. If Shen Haoran is here specifically for my wedding, then there can only be one reason… the woman I captured!'

At this thought, Shen Cheng's eyes narrowed. With a stir of his Heart Spirit, the figure before him dissolved into a cloud of black qi and merged back into his body. He turned and walked toward the stone door behind him.

A pitch-black tunnel stretched deep underground. At its end was a cell barely large enough for a single person. Inside, a woman was suspended in mid-air, her limbs shackled in chains.

Her clothes were in tatters, barely concealing her exposed skin. Her long, black hair hung in a tangled mess behind her. Her face was deathly pale and she looked utterly haggard, her aura almost imperceptible. Even so, none of this could hide her perfect features. If Shen Haoran were here, he would have immediately recognized her as the one who always swore to take his life: the Snake Emperor, Xue Ling.

CLICK… With a soft sound, the iron door slowly swung open. At the noise, Xue Ling lifted her head. When she saw Shen Cheng striding slowly down the tunnel, a vicious glint flashed in her eyes before she lowered her head once more.

"Tsk, tsk… I've met plenty of tough people, but you're the first I've met who's this stubborn!" Shen Cheng said, looking at the near-death Xue Ling with a tone of mock admiration. However, Xue Ling completely ignored his words, not even bothering to twitch an eyelid.

"I only asked you to retrieve something for me. I even promised you a great reward. Must you be so obstinate? All you have to do is nod. You didn't have to suffer all this for nothing. I really do have a soft spot for beautiful women, you know," Shen Cheng said as if speaking to himself, his eyes filled with mock pity.

Xue Ling gave Shen Cheng an indifferent glance, remaining silent. The cold killing intent in her eyes said everything.

"Sigh… why must you be so headstrong?" Shen Cheng said, looking into her eyes with a long sigh.

"Hmph. Stop with the fake pity. If you have the guts, then kill me!" Xue Ling said weakly, but the chilling frost in her tone was undisguised.

Hearing this, Shen Cheng shook his head and chuckled. "How could I possibly bring myself to kill you? You're far too useful."

"Don't even think I'll do anything for you. I would rather die than help you!" Xue Ling refused flatly.

"Oh no, you will agree. If you don't, your dear lover will die right in front of you. Unless, of course, you can bear to watch that happen," Shen Cheng said softly, a savage expression creeping across his face.

Xue Ling froze upon hearing his words. 'Dear lover? What does he mean?'

"You don't remember? Then allow me to remind you. I wonder… does the name Shen Haoran ring a bell? Hmm?" Shen Cheng's eyes were locked on Xue Ling, gauging her reaction.

Xue Ling's entire body shuddered violently when she heard Shen Haoran's name. 'How could I ever forget that name? He was the reason I transformed into one of the Human Race. It was him who brutally took my first time. And it was because of him that I learned what it meant to be a true person, what emotions were. My very presence here in the territory of the Eastern Domain Demon Race is because of him. It feels like my entire world revolves around that man and nothing else.'

"So, you do know Shen Haoran. It seems he's come here just for you," Shen Cheng said with a cold laugh upon seeing her reaction. He had only mentioned the name to test her; he hadn't expected it to actually be true.

"What did you say? He's here? In the City of Sin? He's not dead?" After being so listless, Xue Ling's eyes suddenly lit up. A hint of color returned to her pale cheeks, and she looked like a drowning woman grasping at a final straw.

"That's right." Shen Cheng nodded. He stepped forward and lifted Xue Ling's pale chin, his gaze sinister as he stared at her perfect face. "That kid really has all the luck with women, doesn't he?" he said, his voice dripping with jealousy. "I wonder what kind of face he'll make when he sees his beloved marrying me, becoming my woman. Will he be shocked? Or pleasantly surprised? Haha, I truly can't wait to find out!"

"Marry you? Who would want to marry you?! Let go of me!" Xue Ling began to struggle desperately, but Shen Cheng held her chin in a vice-like grip, preventing her from moving at all.

"Don't worry, you'll forget him soon enough. Because he's about to be a dead man! HAHA! After all these years, I can finally wash away that old humiliation! I can finally repay him for all the pain he's caused me! This feeling… it's absolutely exhilarating!" Shen Cheng cackled, his face contorted into a savage grin.

Gazing at the crazed Shen Cheng, Xue Ling gradually calmed down. She stopped struggling and simply stared at him with eyes full of pity.

"What's with that look? Aren't you worried I'll kill your precious lover?" Shen Cheng's brow furrowed when he saw the pity in her eyes.

"Worried? You're the one who should be worried. No one who opposes Shen Haoran has ever come to a good end," Xue Ling said coldly.

"Hmph. This is my domain. I call the shots here, and that includes what happens to Shen Haoran! What right do you have to say something like that?" Shen Cheng sneered with contempt.

"What right?" Xue Ling let out a soft laugh. Then she said calmly, "Because Shen Haoran goes by another name: Miracle. He is a man who makes the impossible possible. And you… you are destined to be nothing more than a stepping stone on his path."