"Haven't found them yet?"

Pang Cheng stood scowling fiercely in the central courtyard of Luxe District A, glaring at the soldier reporting before him.

Ever since Qin Ling and Liu Xiyun vanished, he’d mobilized troops to lock down the entire district.

The disappearance of the Liu Clan’s young mistress was no small matter in Riversea—he needed answers.

"No, sir. We’ve searched every residence in Luxe A, including basements and parking garages. Every possible clue spot. Nothing unusual found."

"What about neighboring compounds? Search there too!" Pang Cheng stared at the central fountain, worry etching his brow.

If they weren’t found, Jianghai City would erupt.

"The neighboring areas... people had already left when we sealed Luxe A. Tracking them now might yield little."

"Search again anyway. Record everyone who left. Hand the list to Jianghai PD for surveillance."

Pang Cheng slammed a fist against his palm. "I refuse to believe it! In a city this size—with countless cameras and eyes—could they just vanish?!"

"Yes, sir! Orders dispatched immediately."

Watching the soldier retreat, Pang Cheng irritably shook his half-bald dome. *Baldness is strength*, he grumbled inwardly. *And I’m nearly there.*

*Stupid move letting that Liu girl get involved. Asking for trouble!*

"Wait—"

Pang Cheng shot up, kicking the fountain’s edge hard. Ignoring the "DANGER: DEEP WATER" sign, he leaped across the twenty-meter pool to its central platform. Fury blazing in his squinted eyes, he scanned the surroundings.

"Goddamn it! All Qin Ling’s fault!"

"I told him to *discreetly* monitor the place! Instead? He drives *my* BMW straight through the main gate! Lights cigarettes for suspicious guards like they’re buddies! Did he think no one’d spot a Half Step Yellow Rank warrior waltzing in?!"

*Serves the kid right if he’s kidnapped. Hope he vanishes without a trace—saves me the headache.*

Despite his curses, worry flickered in his narrowed eyes. He crouched on the platform, scooped water to splash his face.

"*But*—if you *do* vanish, I’m punching you first."

"And you, Liu girl... don’t you dare get hurt. Your clan’s elders would give me migraines for weeks."

Drying his face, Pang Cheng turned to leave—when Song Xiaoxi’s voice cut through the air.

"Chief! I’ve checked thoroughly. Luxe District A is clean!"

"Clean? Impossible! This came from top-level intel. I even encountered a high-level familiar user here earlier." Pang Cheng shook his head. "Look again. I’ll investigate elsewhere."

He strode toward the edge—then froze at Song Xiaoxi’s next words.

"No—I mean the *residences* are clean. The problem’s right under your feet: this giant fountain."

"*This* fountain?" Pang Cheng’s gaze sharpened.

*Damn!*

Rage over Qin Ling had made him forget his earlier suspicion.

A hundred-meter-wide, luxury fountain in a residential zone? Absurd. Even for Riversea’s elite.

Pang Cheng scanned the pale blue pool floor for traces—

***FWOOSH!***

Blinding golden light erupted from below. He snapped his eyes shut. Song Xiaoxi shielded hers at the pool’s edge.

The radiance lingered. As it faded, an unearthly voice echoed across Luxe District A:

***【I have returned from the cycle of rebirth!】***

***【In my sight, all life holds equal worth!】***

Every resident understood the words—though none recognized the language.

"Egyptian!" Song Xiaoxi identified instantly. "And that light—it came from *under* the fountain!"

"*Western deity...*" Pang Cheng’s eyes narrowed. He barked at Song Xiaoxi, who was rushing toward the pool: "Stay back! Seal all neighboring compounds. Contact the Dragon Squad—*now*. Tell them: 'Major incident at Luxe A!'"

"Understood!" Song Xiaoxi sprinted off.

Alone on the platform, Pang Cheng stared into the shimmering water.

*Which Western god... said those exact words?*