Chapter 126

The more she reminisced, the paler her pretty face became, her heart felt like it was ripping apart, so she dared not think about it anymore.

When Cheng Guang heard Bai Shuxuan’s words, he pinched her cheek in a soothing manner, “Don’t worry, Old Deng will lose patience soon.”

After speaking, Cheng Guang caressed Bai Shuxuan’s cheek like one would stroke a cat, feeling the smooth touch she brought to his hand, while pondering that since Qiu Zhiman had already revealed himself, he must be the biggest mastermind behind the scenes.

Why hadn’t the system quest indicated that he had completed it?

Cheng Guang closed his eyes and carefully recalled the situation.

This time the system quest had two objectives, one was to find the mastermind, and the other was to give the mastermind a profound lesson.

Although his system was a bit dim-witted, there would be no errors in issuing the quests.

So…

That is to say…

In the eyes of the system, discovering the mastermind and teaching them a lesson were of the same difficulty.

Qiu Zhiman might be part of the mastermind, but he definitely wasn’t the whole picture.

Behind him…

There were more people, or rather, some kind of force.

Once Cheng Guang thought of this, his back was instantly soaked in cold sweat.

Damn it.

Fuck.

Qiu Zhiman, standing at the pinnacle of Great Zhou’s power, could actually be willing to listen to others and betray Great Zhou was already unbelievable.

And now you’re telling me, behind Qiu Zhiman, there’s someone else, or some force.

This is fucked up.

It’s not tangled up with some Sky-Man realm, is it??

Cheng Guang was dumbfounded.

Unconsciously, he seemed to have fallen into a huge vortex once again.

The Princely Heir in the system quest didn’t know anything, surviving in a muddle-headed way, and later even becoming a Heavenly Human was definitely considered incredibly fortunate.

Thinking of this, Cheng Guang suddenly paused again.

That genuine Princely Heir, so immensely fortunate.

But now, with the Princely Heir’s Primordial Spirit thoroughly washed by him, all memories erased, and meridians entirely destroyed, there wouldn’t be any more unexpected developments, would there?

Cheng Guang’s eyelids twitched slightly, and he suddenly had a bad premonition.

Fortunately, Lin Cheng was still guarding the Princely Heir at White Deer Manor; there shouldn’t be any accidents for the time being.

Otherwise, Cheng Guang would really have jumped with fury.

Damn it, I’ll finish him off when I get back.

The Princely Heir’s fortune was amiss; allowing him to live another second was Cheng Guang’s disrespect towards the Princely Heir.

While Cheng Guang contemplated this.

An ancient bell started ringing, deep and profound, permeating the air.

The sound of the bell seemed to be the curtain pull for something significant.

A voice, laden with a rolling Qi, emanated in all directions.

It was Qiu Zhiman’s voice.

“The competition rules for the martial trial between Great Wei Dynasty and Great Zhou Dynasty are as follows.”

“Rule one: Participants are restricted from leaving the island; leaving will result in a declaration of death.”

“Rule two: All students may engage freely in combat, with no restrictions on multiple combatants or team battles; those who faint or exhaust their strength will be deemed dead and removed from the island.”

“Rule three: The trial will last for thirty-four hours; at the end of that time, the competition will end, and the victor will be determined by the number of surviving students from both dynasties’ Martial Academies within the island. The one with more survivors wins; if the numbers are equal, the trial will be extended by one hour until a winner emerges.”

“Rule four: Deliberately lethal attacks are prohibited; violators will be executed on the spot.”

The voices rang out, like invisible ripples echoing across the island skies.

The expressions of the students from the Great Zhou Martial Academy and the Great Wei Martial Academy showed little surprise as they quietly removed the blindfolds obscuring their vision and rubbed their arms.

They knew that within the Capital city, Emperor Zhou and Empress Wei, along with envoys from various minor countries, high officials, and countless citizens, were watching their martial trial.

On this grand stage, exhibiting their skills would instantly bring them fame and recognition.

Many faces revealed expressions of excitement and anticipation.

Simultaneously.

In the Great Zhou Capital.

Within the majestic Imperial Palace, there was tranquility and solemnity.

Exquisitely carved jade columns supported the towering dome, and opulent golden tapestries covered the walls, adding splendor to the entire hall.

In the morning, as the first rays of sunlight hit the colored glass windows of the grand hall, envoys and dignitaries from all over the Great Zhou Capital began to arrive in droves.

The martial trial between Great Wei and Great Zhou was an event they could not afford to miss.

This was not merely about watching the excitement.

It was also an opportunity for them to observe this martial competition and assess the strength of the young generations of Great Wei and Great Zhou.

The strength of each generation, in a sense, represented the future power of the two great dynasties.

Looking up and reflecting on what was witnessed, it could dispel unwarranted thoughts some people back home might harbor.

Being a vassal state in good order was quite acceptable.

Many envoys, having spent a long time in Great Zhou, couldn’t help but think this way.

Emperor Zhou sat on his jade throne, dressed in a dragon robe and wearing a golden crown, his face not wearing a smile, as his awe-inspiring gaze swept over everyone, calmly accepting the salute of the envoys and nobles from various countries.

Step, step, step.

At that moment.

Sounds of footsteps came from outside the hall.

The eunuch’s high-pitched voice rang out.

“Empress Wei has arrived!”

As the voice fell.

Empress Wei proceeded slowly.

She wore an elaborate purple-black long gown that was meticulously tailored to perfectly outline her slender figure.

The complex golden embroidery on the robe shimmered in the dazzling sunlight, adding a mesmerizing beauty to her.

Her face was as beautiful as the moon, breathtaking in its beauty. Her long hair flowed naturally like a black waterfall over her delicate shoulders, complementing her profound eyes.

In those eyes, purple-black ripples shimmered like the starry sky on a dark night, deep and enchanting.

Supreme in stature, her nobility need not be spoken.

Empress Wei looked directly at Emperor Zhou, her young and stunningly beautiful face showing no trace of fear.

The rulers of the two great dynasties, meeting for the first time, simply gazed at each other so calmly.

Emperor Zhou sized up Empress Wei; initially, he had looked down on this woman, but as he watched Empress Wei approach, he suddenly realized that this overly young woman seemed to be somewhat different from what he had initially imagined.

Within her young and pretty frame seemed to reside a strength not inferior to his own.

A Sky-Man?

A hint of surprise flitted through Emperor Zhou’s majestic eyes; it was clear that he had not expected this Empress Wei, no more than twenty years old, to have cultivated to the Heavenly Human Realm.

If she were indeed a Sky-Man, then she would indeed be capable of controlling the Great Wei dynasty.

Emperor Zhou pondered inwardly, his expression icy, his surface demeanor revealing none of his inner thoughts.

The two rulers looked at each other, and the air seemed to freeze for a moment.

The once noisy hall instantly fell silent.

The officials clamped their mouths shut.

Only the envoys of Great Wei, looking at their Empress, straightened their backs slowly.

Proud of their Empress.

A Sky-Man in her twenties!

Have you ever seen one?

Our Empress is just that!

That’s probably what they were thinking.

Quite a few envoys from Great Wei attracted many clenched teeth and envious glances.

After a long while.

Emperor Zhou slowly raised his hand and pointed to the side, “Sit.”

Empress Wei walked leisurely to the side of Emperor Zhou and seated herself smoothly.

Following this, Emperor Zhou didn’t let his gaze linger on Empress Wei, did not engage the young woman who could lightly hold the power of Great Wei in any further conversation, nor did he show any obvious neglect.

After his awe-inspiring gaze swept around the circle.

It seemed the time had come.

He lifted a hand, took out a crystal-like stone, placed it next to him, and gently tapped it.

The crystal emitted a clear ringing sound.

The bright sun shone through the crystal, refracting a rainbow of light.

Above the great hall, beams of golden light began to appear out of thin air, coalescing into the form of a scroll.

The scroll slowly unfurled, and a projected image appeared within it.

It was Crane-Crying Island.

From it came the elderly yet gentle voice of the head of the Martial Academy of Great Zhou, explaining the various rules.

Many envoys, hearing this voice, couldn’t help but sit up slightly and look towards the projected image in the air.

Anticipating.

Wondering whether the disciples of the Martial Academies of Great Wei and Great Zhou could stand out in this martial arts competition.