Chapter 497

Cui Huayu leans on her maid, looking frail and sickly. A flush of illness occasionally sweeps over her pale face, her hand idly tapping on Emperor Zheng’s shoulder.

“What’s the deal with this Chosen Battle? I heard about it while I was enjoying myself in Luo State and thought I’d check out the excitement,” she says.

“It’s like this…”

Emperor Zheng hastily recounts the whole events to her,

including Xu Yan’s sudden rise, his obliteration of the Dai Family, his stewardship over the Jade Spirit Sect, and the unexpected emergence of some mysterious loose cultivator force.

“Young Master Cui, do you intend to intervene, to suppress these loose cultivators?”

Emperor Zheng finally asks.

“This Xu Yan is quite interesting. As for the loose cultivator power, it’s not a big deal, just a toy to squeeze for the Jade Spirit Sect and the wastrels like that.

“I’ve always believed that the Spirit Sects of such low quality shouldn’t even be called Spirit Sects.”

“Oh well, since the rules of the Spirit Realm have already been set, there’s no use changing them now. I don’t have the time or inclination.”

“This Lu Xinting, he does have some power. Let’s see if he gets killed this time; if he does, the Red Darkness Sect is in for some fun.”

Cui Huayu seems to be looking forward to the spectacle.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Zheng lets out a sigh of relief. Zheng Country had always maintained a stance of non-intervention in martial arts disputes, never getting involved in any conflicts.

They only followed the commands of the Transcendent Spirit Sect.

And the Transcendent Spirit Sect had never made a move to involve Zheng Country in any conflict.

The last thing he wants is for the unpredictable Cui Huayu to take an impulsive action and order Zheng Country to intervene, which would be quite distressing.

Zheng Country would have no choice but to obey, as this would be considered a command from the Transcendent Spirit Sect.

“Old Zheng, what do you think are Xu Yan’s chances of winning?” Cui Huayu suddenly asks.

Emperor Zheng feels a bit uneasy. He doesn’t know what Cui Huayu’s intentions are. Does she want Xu Yan to win or to lose?

“According to my judgment, Xu Yan is pretty strong too. I would say it’s fifty-fifty,” he answers after some thought.

“A bit low, isn’t it?”

Cui Huayu strokes her chin looking thoughtful. She turns towards one of her maids, “Bring out that sword.”

“Yes, Young Master!”

From a storage bag, the maid pulls out a sword.

Cui Huayu tosses the sword to Emperor Zheng, “This is a top-grade spiritual artifact. Xu Yan as a loose cultivator may not have a good sword. He will be at a disadvantage against Lu Xinting.

“Give him this sword and tell him to go all out to kill Lu Xinting.”

Emperor Zheng is surprised. Cui Huayu, as a true disciple of the Transcendent Spirit Sect, should be supporting Lu Xinting.

After all, they’re both of the same Spirit Sect faction.

Why does it seem like she’s supporting Xu Yan, the loose cultivator?

She truly is unpredictable!

“Yes, yes. I’ll be sure to let someone deliver the sword immediately,” Emperor Zheng says quickly.

“Hmm.” Cui Huayu nods, a smile spreading across her face, “The spirit realm is not lively enough. It should be more exciting if Lu Xinting is killed by a loose cultivator, right?

“Heh, I do love a good spectacle!”

A look of anticipation fills Cui Huayu’s face.

“Young Master Cui, unless you have other instructions, I’ll make arrangements to get the sword to Xu Yan,” Emperor Zheng hesitatingly asks.

“Yes, go ahead!”

Cui Huayu waves her hand dismissively.

Emperor Zheng departs in a hurry. He quickly orders his son to attend properly to Cui Huayu. His son’s face turns green.

A mishap while serving Young Master Cui could result in death!

“Don’t forget, if you can win the favor of Young Master Cui, you understand the vast benefits you stand to gain. Though the risk is great, the rewards are also massive,” Emperor Zheng says gravely.

“Yes, Father!”

He grits his teeth, bows, and enters his father’s sleeping quarters to serve Cui Huayu.

…

Outside, the Chosen Battle is causing a stir. Myriads of martial artists are gearing up to witness the showdown.

As for the outcome, due to their entrenched views, the majority believe that Lu Xinting will inevitably triumph and Xu Yan will undoubtedly fall!

Meanwhile, in a mansion located outside the capital city of Zheng Country, unnoticed by anyone, the atmosphere is strangely devoid of tension.

Xu Yan is engrossed in his cultivation, as always. Su Lingxiu is engaged in alchemy.

Meng Chong and Fang Hao are discussing how to refine a treasured sword.

None of them gives the Chosen Battle a second thought. As far as they’re concerned, Lu Xinting is already a dead man walking.

“Junior Brother, allow me to remind you, the size of the blade you refine could be either big or small. As you are aware, when I execute the Myriad Gold Body technique, if this blade doesn’t have ability to change size accordingly, I will be left without a weapon for use.

“Having a blade in my hand when executing blade techniques will undoubtedly improve my power,” Meng Chong says.

“Second Senior Brother, I understand your request. It’s quite simple to let a blade resize according to one’s height. However, for you, such a blade would obviously be inadequate.

“Let me think about refining a more effective weapon instead of a simple size-changing blade,” Fang Hao replies.

“Thank you for your trouble, Junior Brother,” Meng Chong nods, indicating that he clearly understands a simple resizing blade won’t be much use.

“The final battle is tomorrow. Big Brother, how many swords do you reckon it will take to kill Lu Xinting?”

That night, the brothers and sister gather, and Su Lingxiu asks curiously.

“I haven’t seen him, so I wouldn’t know,” replies Xu Yan, shaking his head.

Lu Xinting is at the peak of the Great Heaven stage, one stage higher than his own. Not to mention, his fame rings throughout the Spiritual Realm as a chosen disciple of the Red Darkness Sect. His power must indeed be remarkable. Although Xu Yan feels sure he can defeat Lu Xinting, it’s hard to say how many attacks it would take since he has yet to face him.