Dong dong dong——!
The sound of drums echoed constantly on the Royal Training Grounds of the Holy Yuan Empire.
The expansive Royal Training Grounds, where the Forbidden Guard of the Holy Yuan Empire usually trained, accommodated up to a hundred thousand troops for daily exercises.
A few days ago, the training grounds had been newly arranged, with six massive arenas rising from the ground.
Even if fifty people were competing at the sa ti on the arena, it wouldn’t feel crowded.
The closest position to the center of the six arenas was also built into a high platform, equipped with seats and fruits, resembling a viewing area.
The high platform was filled with the military flags of the Holy Yuan Empire, while the six arenas were each adorned with the flags of the six countries participating in the first round of the competition.
They were the second-class countries Di Country, Yu Country, and Rong Country, and the third-class countries Qin Country, Li Country, and Yu Country.
Half an hour before the competition was set to begin, the three second-class countries had already arrived at the training grounds, standing before their respective arenas waiting.
The three third-class countries, however, were nowhere to be seen.
After waiting a while, the Rong Country envoy impatiently said, "What are these third-class countries up to? Could they be too afraid to show up?"
Emperor Yuan, Huangfu Haotian, looked down with an inscrutable expression and said, "Be patient; there’s still so ti before the competition begins."
With his words, the Rong Country envoy had to fall silent.
On the central high platform sat the factions not needing to compete; in the first row, naturally, sat the Emperor and the Crown Prince of the Holy Yuan Empire. In the second row were representatives from three forces on the Linchuan Continent.
Hei Mu and Lou Xuantie exchanged a look in secret, then parted without a trace.
Yet, at such an important occasion, Taishi Gao was nowhere to be seen.
The four major families of Tiandu sat in the third row, but the younger generation was absent. There was also an empty seat likely reserved for Empress Jiang of the Ancient Witch Country.
As the competition ti approached, it was only at the last mont that Mu Qingge arrived leisurely with the people from the third-class countries.
She walked alongside Zhao Nanxing and Feng Yufei, each followed by fifty people. On half of their clothes was written the word ’defense’, and on the other half ’attack’.
The three walked to the front of the high platform and saluted Emperor Yuan, Huangfu Haotian.
"Emperor Yuan, we’re not late, are we?" Mu Qingge asked.
Huangfu Haotian smiled and said, "A bit later, and you would have been."
Mu Qingge smiled slightly, turning to look at the fifty Dragon Tooth Guards standing behind her. Their cold and composed deanors pleased her. Her gaze shifted lightly to Zhao Nanxing and Feng Yufei. After a slight nod to them, she led the people of Qin Country to their arena.
After she left, Zhao Nanxing and Feng Yufei also led the elites selected from their respective countries toward their own arenas.
Mu Qingge had suggested using Dragon Tooth Guards in place of their people for the competition. However, her proposal was unanimously refused by them both.
Their reasoning was well-founded, making it difficult for Mu Qingge to argue.
Zhao Nanxing said it was a rare opportunity to exchange skills; if not cherished, the trip would be in vain.
Feng Yufei said that since it’s a point-accumulating competition, there was no need for Mu Qingge to take action all the ti; the first round was crucial for training, and the points would eventually co.
Since both insisted, Mu Qingge naturally wouldn’t force it.
The Dragon Tooth Guards were her trusted aides; they shouldn’t have been on the stage. Those on stage should be the Qin Country soldiers who ca with her. However, even the thousand people Qin Jinchen assigned to her were considered Qin Country elites, yet they could not contend with the elites of the second-class countries; their role was more to make up numbers.
Mu Qingge was confident that if these people got on the stage, they would face disqualification frequently. And Qin Jinchen’s goal for her was to ensure Qin Country secured a place to enter the Ancient Ruins.
Since the goal was set, she had to win.
Since Qin Jinchen’s people were inadequate, she used her own; after all, they were all Qin Country soldiers, weren’t they?
Mu Qingge led her people to the front of the arena, and Jiang Li also arrived leisurely.
Upon her arrival, instead of heading to the high platform, she walked toward Mu Qingge.
"You don’t need to personally compete in this round, do you?" Jiang Li asked Mu Qingge.
Mu Qingge nodded.
Jiang Li imdiately smiled, her golden eyes gleaming like a crescent moon: "Good, then accompany to sit. Otherwise, facing that crowd for seven days and nights would bore to death."
"Alright." Mu Qingge agreed without refusal.
After arranging her fifty people, she followed Jiang Li up to the viewing platform.
Although Zhao Nanxing and Feng Yufei refused her assistance, since she brought them here, she naturally helped where she could. Her order for the attacking Dragon Tooth Guards was that if the second-class countries oppressed Li Country or Yu Country, have them suspended for a cycle.
Mu Qingge followed Jiang Li up the platform, drawing nurous gazes.
Since returning from the Li Palace that day, she hadn’t left her chambers.
The past few days, invitations from various families had been continuously sent to the third-class country post houses, but without response.
Seeing Mu Qingge today, the heads of the other three families, except for the Lan Family, smiled at her kindly.
Mu Qingge slightly nodded, following Jiang Li to the seat of the Ancient Witch Country.
As soon as they sat down, Jiang Li asked, "I heard the younger generation from the four major families will form a team to join in this ti?"
Mu Qingge nodded.
Jiang Li frowned slightly, "What madness drives them?" She looked around but did not see the disciples of the four families and asked curiously, "Where are they?"
Mu Qingge explained, "They’re participating in the second and third rounds, not the first."
Jiang Li blinked, comprehending and nodded.
As they conversed, the competition on the arenas had already begun.
The attack and defense sides comnced their respective duties.
Mu Qingge watched for a while and felt that the Qin Country side shouldn’t have any problems.
After all, the current Dragon Tooth Guards were not what they used to be. Initially, they were at the Red and Orange Realms, but now they had advanced to the Green and Blue Realms, and so have even entered the Purple Realm.
With such strength, battling the second-class country’s Green and Blue Realm individuals shouldn’t pose any issue.
However, while Qin Country had no concerns, it was different for Li Country and Yu Country.
The second-class country people had more at the Green Realm, fewer at the Blue Realm, with occasional Blue Realm individuals.
On the other hand, Li Country and Yu Country had more at the Blue Realm, fewer at the Green Realm, and none at the Blue Realm.
The difference in realms, coupled with the martial arts levels practiced, dood these two countries to a particularly tough seven days.
Yet, if they managed to endure these seven days, the participants in this competition would receive a qualitative leap in growth.
"Why don’t you let your people substitute for Li Country and Yu Country in the competition?" Jiang Li asked.
Mu Qingge’s lips curled slightly, "They refused."
Jiang Li’s eyes brightened, and her golden gaze laughed like a crescent moon: "They’ve got so spirit, it seems."
The competition continued on the arenas, and ti ticked away.
By noon, most people in the stands had gotten up and left. The seven-day and night competition didn’t require their constant presence.
Jiang Li reached out and poked Mu Qingge on the arm, suggesting, "Shall we go grab sothing to eat first?"
Mu Qingge’s gaze swept over the solemn Zhao Nanxing and Feng Yufei standing at the edge of the arena, slowly shaking her head, "I won’t go."
Jiang Li was about to say sothing, but at that mont, she sensed soone approaching them.
Mu Qingge and Jiang Li simultaneously looked up. Upon seeing the visitor, they were sowhat surprised—Xue Qiong had co.
Xue Qiong stood before them, smiling, with a refined and handso deanor. "Empress Jiang, Lord Mu Qingge, would you do the honor of letting Xue Qiong host you for an evening?"
Mu Qingge’s clear eyes slightly flickered, and she readily stood up, "Alright."
Xue Qiong would never seek her out without a reason, perhaps it was related to her aunt. With this thought in mind, Mu Qingge accepted Xue Qiong’s invitation.
Since Mu Qingge agreed, Jiang Li naturally did not object.
Upon leaving, Mu Qingge gave Zhao Nanxing so instructions before departing with Xue Qiong.
Xue Qiong did not take them to any lavish place; he instead chose a nearby, quietly elegant restaurant in the marketplace nearest to the training ground and led them into a private room.
Upon entering the private room, Mu Qingge and Jiang Li saw the table filled with dishes.
The dishes were exquisite and mild, fitting the taste of the people of Yu Country. However, for soone like Mu Qingge, who prefers spicy food, they seed sowhat bland.
Upon seeing the table full of dishes, Mu Qingge realized that Xue Qiong’s invitation was not a spur-of-the-mont decision.
After taking their seats, Xue Qiong gestured for the waiter to bring a few more dishes.
These dishes were all sowhat spicy, and they were placed directly in front of Mu Qingge.
"Qin Country favors spicy food, yet I shy away from spicy flavors. These dishes are the only spicy options at this restaurant; I wonder if they suit your taste, Lord Mu Qingge," Xue Qiong explained.
In agreeing to dine with Xue Qiong, Mu Qingge’s goal was not actually to eat.
The type of dishes served really didn’t matter.
Thus, she simply nodded in agreent, politely saying, "Thank you for your efforts, Pri Minister Xue."
Xue Qiong smiled slightly, appearing quite courteous. He then turned to Jiang Li, "The Ancient Witch Country is by the sea, pursuing freshness in cuisine, which is quite similar to Yu Country’s preferences."
Jiang Li, while talkative with Mu Qingge, maintained a sowhat aloof deanor with unfamiliar people.
Xue Qiong’s words only prompted her to glance at him, and she was so sparing that she didn’t even bother to offer a single word in response.
Fortunately, Xue Qiong didn’t mind, inviting them to start eating and personally pouring wine for both of them.
After so casual conversation, Xue Qiong finally set down his chopsticks and got to the point. "To be frank, by the ti I left Yu Country, my family had already received a letter from my seventh brother, Xue Qiao. The letter ntioned his marriage to Lord Mu Qingge’s aunt, as well as the wedding presided over by Empress Jiang in the Ancient Witch Country."
Jiang Li set down her chopsticks, speaking indifferently, "No need to thank ; I did it for Qingge’s sake."
Xue Qiong smiled again but did not respond to that.
Jiang Li’s aning was clear to him—the relationship between her and Mu Qingge was indeed extraordinary!
Mu Qingge also set down her chopsticks, picked up a handkerchief, and wiped the corner of her mouth. She casually asked, "What does the Xue Family think of this marriage?"
Xue Qiong smiled faintly and did not answer imdiately.
He paused as if weighing his words, then eventually said, "Lord Mu Qingge is a smart person; I won’t use ornantal words to obscure the truth. To be honest, when my father first received the letter from my seventh brother, he was furious. Although my seventh brother is not fond of literature, he is a rare genius within the Xue Family, and the family had high hopes for him. But who could have imagined that he would return from his travels with a bride? And this bride not only hails from a third-class country but is a few years older than him."
As Xue Qiong spoke, his eyes subtly swept over Mu Qingge’s expression.
Observing expressions is an essential skill for an official, and he hoped to discern emotion from Mu Qingge’s face. However, he was disappointed, for the first ti doubting his abilities.
Mu Qingge simply lowered her gaze to drink tea, seemingly indifferent to his words, almost as if the woman he was referring to wasn’t her aunt.
A trace of confusion flashed in Xue Qiong’s eyes; he couldn’t fathom Mu Qingge’s current mood.
After a short pause, he continued, "Lord Mu Qingge, do you not worry about your aunt’s future life in the Xue Family?"
Mu Qingge put down her teacup and looked up at Xue Qiong.
The white vapor from the tea cup rose up like smoke, shrouding Mu Qingge’s face. She calmly replied, "My aunt did not marry into the Xue Family; she married Xue Qiao."
Xue Qiong was stunned.
Jiang Li leaned back against her chair, her hands resting on the armrests, her fingertips tapping lightly to make a ’tap, tap’ sound. She lazily said, "Xue Qiao probably isn’t at the Xue Family often, and with Aunt Lianrong following him, she’s probably not there often either. Even if the Xue Family is dissatisfied with her, what can they do? They might even lose a son. Besides, Xue Qiao swore an oath in the Ancient Witch Country, and you should know the consequences of breaking an oath there, right?"
Xue Qiong’s eyes narrowed slightly.
A look of shock appeared on his handso features, "What? Xue Qiao actually made an oath in the Ancient Witch Country?"
Jiang Li said, schadenfreudely, "Yes! He was so enthusiastic, as if he was scared Aunt Lianrong would run away. No one could stop him from making that oath."
ntioning this incident made Mu Qingge’s face darken a bit.
Her aunt’s oath left her with so resentnt.
And her expression made Xue Qiong even more convinced of what Jiang Li said. Xue Qiao was simply thick-skinned and wanted to marry her aunt, not because of so family’s speculation that Xue Qiao had fallen into the Mu Family’s trap.
Moreover, after he saw Mu Qingge, the abilities she displayed didn’t need to rely on the Xue Family.
"Pri Minister Xue, I would like to hear the current sentints in the Xue Family." Mu Qingge said to Xue Qiong with a cold tone.
Since it was already ntioned that the Xue Family wasn’t very accepting of her aunt getting married, why should she continue to show any pleasantries?
Xue Qiong had a flash of embarrassnt on his face.
The family was greatly shocked upon receiving Xue Qiao’s letter. They quickly sent people to investigate everything about the third-class Qin Country and about the Mu Family.
It must be said that the results of the investigation surprised their family.
The Mu Mansion, such a dwindling family, could actually stir up storms in the Qin Country and even produced a prodigy like Mu Qingge.
In fact, one could say that the Mu Family was the true emperor of the Qin Country. Mu Lianrong’s status was equivalent to that of a princess.
However, the Xue Family was a family to which even the princess of the Yu Country would marry, so how could they care about a noblewoman from a third-class country? Even if her status was akin to that of a princess.
So, the Xue Family was quite resistant to Mu Lianrong’s appearance.
This ti, one of his tasks in the Holy Yuan Empire was to contact Mu Qingge.
To personally experience the Mu Family mbers, and then plan accordingly.
"Marquis Mu, when I left the Yu Country, my seventh brother had not yet brought your aunt ho. After my business in the Holy Yuan Empire is concluded, Xue Qiong would like to invite Marquis Mu to Yu Country, where Qiong will certainly extend my hospitality." Xue Qiong said to Mu Qingge.
Mu Qingge’s eyes flickered slightly, and she slowly revealed a smile, saying to Xue Qiong, "Alright. I will definitely visit the Xue Family in the Yu Country soday."
Upon receiving Mu Qingge’s promise, Xue Qiong stood up and took his leave from the two, "Qiong will not disturb your al further and will take his leave first. I have already settled the bill, and this restaurant has private rooms for rest. If you two feel tired, you can rest here for a while. I’ve asked the innkeeper to reserve two adjacent private rooms for you."
With that, Xue Qiong turned and left the private room, seeming to feel that after his departure, the two of them would enjoy a more pleasant al.
After he left, Jiang Li looked confused and said, "What did he an by that? What does he an by us resting together in adjacent rooms? Why do I feel like he’s hinting at sothing?"
Mu Qingge glanced at her and laughed, "Who doesn’t know by now that you are my woman?"
Jiang Li was stunned, her face showing a bit of grievance, "Mu Qingge, you’ve ruined my innocence, you need to take responsibility!"
"I’ll take responsibility, I’ll take responsibility. If soday you truly can’t get married, I’ll marry you, how about that?" Mu Qingge laughed.
Jiang Li, however, pulled her chair away to keep a distance from her, her voice revealing timidness, "No, you better stay away from . I don’t want to die mysteriously. Your ’him’ could kill as easily as slicing a fish."
"You’re wrong." Mu Qingge said with a smile that was sowhat malevolent, "At most, you could only be likened to slicing a snake."
Jiang Li let the words circle around in her mind and realized. Her eyes widened, and she pounced on Mu Qingge, warning, "Mu Qingge, do you have a death wish?"
After a bout of playful fighting, they cald down, and Jiang Li said to Mu Qingge, "What did Xue Qiong an by inviting you to the Yu Country in the end?"
Mu Qingge’s eyes narrowed slightly as she slowly said, "From his tone, the Xue Family’s attitude is very clear. He wants to go to the Xue Family just to back up my aunt. After all, he is part of the Xue Family, and so things are better said by , an outsider, than by him."
Jiang Li pondered for a mont and then nodded, "It seems he’s had a good impression of you during this ti. He even thinks you have great potential, so he no longer opposes the marriage. However, he feels that words alone are too feeble to persuade his family, so he’s asking you to visit, to settle it once and for all. So, at least he accepts this marriage."
Mu Qingge nodded, "Xue Qiong is soone in the officialdom, and he’s not concerned about whether Aunt and Xue Qiao genuinely love each other. What he’s concerned about is whether such a union can bring benefits to the family. Of course, what he values is also what most of the Xue Family mbers care about. After arriving in the Holy Yuan Empire, perhaps he saw the Emperor Yuan’s attitude towards , or he learned of my status as a dicine Tower Elder, or maybe events at the Li Palace made him feel my influence is growing. Rather than saying he accepted my aunt, it’s more accurate to say he’s interested in the benefits I, Marquis Little Mu, can bring."
Mu Qingge’s words made Jiang Li shake her head repeatedly. Not because she disagreed with Mu Qingge, but because she thought that even if Xue Qiong was rumored to be a genius, once he entered the bureaucracy, it would be difficult to maintain the integrity likened to a clean lotus erging unstained from the mud.
...
When Mu Qingge and Jiang Li returned to the training ground, the stands were already empty.
It seems that the first round of competition wasn’t very appealing to the others.
Mu Qingge walked over to Zhao Nanxing and asked, "How is it?"
Zhao Nanxing looked at her and replied, "Currently, Qin Country has twenty-seven points, Di Country has twenty-four points, Yu Country has twenty-one points, and Rong Country has eighteen points. Li Country has eleven points, and Yu Country... eight points."
"Why does Yu Country only have eight points?" Mu Qingge frowned.
Zhao Nanxing smiled wryly, "Failed to defend the challenge, resulting in a one-round suspension. Attempted to win the challenge ten tis, but only succeeded four tis."
Mu Qingge looked at Zhao Nanxing. Though he was anxious and worried about temporarily falling behind, his eyes still burned with fighting spirit. She patted him on the shoulder and walked toward Qin Country’s arena.
At Qin Country’s arena, the Dragon Tooth Guards were handling the defense effortlessly. Since Qin Country was currently leading, Rong Country, Yu Country, and Di Country — the three second-class countries — all targeted Qin Country, hoping to successfully challenge and suspend Qin Country for one cycle.
However, while ideals are beautiful, reality is harsh.
The Dragon Tooth Guards were carefully trained trusted aides by Mu Qingge, and no re arena tournant could defeat them. Therefore, those who challenged continually failed and only ended up donating points to Qin Country.
On the offense side, Qin Country didn’t face much pressure.
This seven-day and seven-night point competition almost turned into a ga for the Dragon Tooth Guards.
After watching for a while, Mu Qingge beckoned the team leader responsible for the challenges.
The person approached Mu Qingge and respectfully saluted, saying, "Little Lord."
Mu Qingge said directly, "Right now, Yu Country’s score is a bit low, pay attention to this."
The Dragon Tooth Guard instantly understood and retreated.
Soon, Qin Country’s challenge team went up to Yu Country’s arena. After exchanging several moves, the Dragon Tooth Guard was knocked off the arena, earning points for Yu Country.
While Yu Country was being targeted, Yu Country was successfully challenged by the Dragon Tooth Guards, forcing a one-round suspension.
The sudden change in tactics made people from other countries curse the Dragon Tooth Guards for being shaless.
But what else could they do?
The Dragon Tooth Guards did not violate the ga rules, they just enjoyed helping their allies score points and defeat bosses. What’s it to you? It’s called the camaraderie between allies!
The people from the second-class countries were grinding their teeth in anger, but this did not affect Mu Qingge’s mood.
She watched for a while and then left with Jiang Li, not like Zhao Nanxing and Feng Yufei, who stayed there without daring to leave.
The seven-day and seven-night point competition was quite dull during the first few days. Probably only in the last day or two, when rankings are determined, will it attract the attention of major figures from various sides.
The first round of competition wasn’t sothing Mu Qingge cared much about.
She cared about the second round.
The second round is an individual ranking match, with each country sending six representatives, and then rewards are distributed according to the ranking order.
The individual match focuses more on personal cultivation and practical experience.
Moreover, the young generation of the four major families will also join.
In the following three days, Mu Qingge did not go to the Royal Training Ground again. She stayed at the post house but actually entered her own space.
In three days, she refined a batch of Spirit Level elixir.
She packed three of them into separate jade bottles and put them away.
Han Caicai had revealed before that there would be a map of West Continent of Middle Ancient Realm at this Wanxiang Building’s auction. She needed to go to the Middle Ancient Realm to find her mother’s family; this map was a must-have for her.
To avoid lacking funds, she specially prepared these three Spirit Level elixirs just in case her money runs out, she can use elixirs.
Having everything prepared, Mu Qingge ca to the seven-colored egg’s side.
Since the last reaction in Ancient Witch Country, it seed to have gone silent for this while, almost like it had fallen asleep.
She had asked Jiang Li.
During their contest, she felt a pressure that made her lose directly.
Jiang Li was serious, but the answer was vague.
She could feel the pressure was directly crushing the bloodline within her, indicating that the beast possessing this pressure was not simple. It must be very advanced!
However, she couldn’t say for sure what it specifically was. Only vaguely feeling a surpassing crush of similar species, or perhaps so kind of serpent-like Divine Beast.
According to Jiang Li’s statent, the seven-colored egg Mu Qingge possessed had already reached the Holy Beast Level.
Whether this was accurate, it depended on when it hatched.
Mu Qingge squatted in front of the seven-colored egg, and flicked its shell lightly. The previously quiet seven-colored egg imdiately wobbled side to side, like a tumbler.
"What exactly are you? When will you break out of your shell?" Mu Qingge muttered to the seven-colored egg.
Unfortunately, besides shaking a few tis, the seven-colored egg did not answer Mu Qingge’s question.
Mu Qingge frowned, "If you don’t co out soon, I’ll boil you and eat you as a hard-boiled egg!"
The seven-colored egg seed to hear Mu Qingge’s threat, and dimd its seven-colored glow for a mont.
Mu Qingge’s eyes brightened, and she smiled, "Looks like you can hear and understand my words. So I’ll give you so more ti, if you still don’t co out, don’t bla for being ruthless with my egg-breaking hands!"
Having thoroughly threatened the seven-colored egg, Mu Qingge stood up triumphantly and headed outside.
On the grass, ngng and Yuanyuan were playing and frolicking together.
For Yuanyuan, he didn’t seem to need special cultivation. As long as Mu Qingge could continuously find Abnormal Fire for him to consu, he would be able to grow and transform.
And ngng... having known her for so long, Mu Qingge had never seen her cultivate.
Asking her about it, she would respond with contempt, saying, ’Master, have you ever seen an Artifact Spirit needing cultivation? My strength depends on you! The stronger you beco, the more you unlock the space seal, the stronger I naturally beco!’
In short, among the quirky beings in her space, aside from herself, only Yin Chen took cultivation seriously.
Mu Qingge walked to where Yin Chen was, saw him curled up, eyes closed, seemingly in cultivation.
She frowned; lately Yin Chen seed to have beco more silent, imrsing himself in cultivation daily. In the past, he would sotis bicker with ngng and Yuanyuan, but now he rarely interacted with them.
This anomaly for so reason made Mu Qingge worried.
ngng had ntioned, for Yin Chen to beco a true Divine Beast and even advance to Holy Beast, he must undergo a Life and Death Tribulation and be reborn anew. Yin Chen’s long-awaited tribulation was still nowhere in sight, and this was sothing Mu Qingge was particularly concerned about.
She didn’t know what a spirit beast’s Life and Death Tribulation entailed, but Yin Chen’s recent odd behavior made her feel the tribulation seed imminent.
Silently watching Yin Chen for a while, Mu Qingge pursed her lips and left her space.
Even after returning to the post house, the frown between her eyebrows hadn’t eased.
Counting the ti, more than half of the first seven-day and seven-night points competition had passed. Only three days remain until the end, and she’s unsure about the current points situation.
Mu Qingge left the post house and headed towards the Royal Training Ground.
Just as she reached outside the training ground, Mu Qingge encountered Shen Bicheng blocking her way.
Looking up at him, Shen Madman expressionlessly said, "In the second round of the competition, you will fight !"
Mu Qingge’s eyebrow raised lightly.
Shen Bicheng, after saying this, walked past her. As he passed, he suddenly stopped and said, "I want a fair competition with you, so the Four Great Families joined the tournant."
After saying that, he coolly strode away.
Mu Qingge watched Shen Bicheng leave with confusion, unable to understand the necessary link between their competition and the Four Great Families participating.
"Hehe." Suddenly, a charming laugh ca from ahead.
Mu Qingge turned her head to see Hua Qinxin from the Hua Family.
"Miss Hua," Mu Qingge’s eyes flickered as she greeted.
Hua Qinxin leaned forward and said to Mu Qingge, "Did Young Master Mu not hear that madman’s words? How about I explain it to you?"
Mu Qingge thought for a mont and nodded in agreent.
Hua Qinxin drew closer to her, eyes shining as she said, "Originally, the Four Great Families didn’t need to participate to enter the Ancient Ruins. However, Shen the Madman suddenly proposed to Emperor Yuan that he wanted to join the tournant for a fair competition with you. He wanted to know why he knelt outside the Li Palace for a whole year and couldn’t move the Holy King, while you went to the Li Palace just once and succeeded. Originally, it was only his matter. But the Family Heads of the Lan and Jing Families seized the opportunity, stating it was a great chance to train the younger generations of the Four Great Families, so they collectively proposed to Your Majesty that the Four Great Families participate in the second and third rounds of the competition. Of course, the condition was that, regardless of win or lose, it wouldn’t take up the slots belonging to the Second-class and Third-class Countries."
So that’s how it is!
Mu Qingge finally understood why the Four Great Families, who clearly didn’t need the competition to gain qualifications, suddenly got involved in this Linchuan Conference.
It turns out it was because of the repercussions of the Li Palace incident.
Of course, it wasn’t all because of that.
Because there was already a pre-arranged duel between her and Shen Bicheng.
"Young Master Mu, if we et on the stage, please go easy on ," Hua Qinxin suddenly said tenderly and affectionately to Mu Qingge.
Hua Qinxin suddenly leaned toward Mu Qingge, but Mu Qingge gracefully stepped aside to avoid her. Hua Qinxin staggered, steadied herself, turned, and looked at Mu Qingge with eyes full of resentnt.
"Miss Hua, please take care of yourself," Mu Qingge nodded lightly to her and strode away.
"What a clueless fool who doesn’t know how to cherish beauty!" Hua Qinxin stomped her foot, biting her lip, staring at Mu Qingge’s back.
...
After Mu Qingge entered the training ground, she found that many people had already arrived on the elevated stage in the middle.
Jiang Li was also up there and waved at her when she saw her coming.
Mu Qingge gave her a small smile but didn’t go over imdiately; instead, she walked towards Zhao Nanxing and Feng Yufei.
"How are things now?" Mu Qingge asked.
Compared to three days ago, the two seed more relaxed.
Zhao Nanxing joked, "With the Dragon Tooth Guards providing escort, although we’re still at the bottom, at least the gap isn’t too big."
"In the first round, everyone hoped not to fall too far behind others. Now it seems, the goal has been achieved," Feng Yufei added.
Mu Qingge observed intently for a while, confirming this was the case.
It seed everyone had reached this understanding. In this first round, no one showed their true abilities.
"However, you have to be cautious," Zhao Nanxing reminded, "Now Qin Country is far ahead with 197 points, and the second-place Di Country only has 89 points. Besides that, the gap among others isn’t large. I guess in the next three days, the three second-class countries might unite to deal with Qin Country, trying to reduce the gap among each other."
Mu Qingge smiled and generously said, "It’s alright, let them co."
For now, the points Qin Country acquired had t her expectations, so the remaining three days could be spent at leisure.
This first-round competition tested not only endurance but also strategy.
Just like her previous order to the Dragon Tooth Guards to assist Li Country and Yu Country was also a kind of strategy. And now, if the other three second-class countries united against her, it would still be a strategy.
She didn’t know what the Ancient Ruins were, but judging from the rules of these three rounds of competition and how seriously each country took them, it must be a treacherous place.
Not only would they have to face potential dangers within the Ancient Ruins, but they also had to guard against others entering together.
So, the Linchuan Conference tests not individuals, but teams.
And in this aspect, her Dragon Tooth Guards are an absolute formidable presence!
After glancing briefly, Mu Qingge returned to the viewing platform.
As she passed by Xue Qiong, the latter nodded to her in greeting, and she returned the gesture.
She sat down beside Jiang Li, but before they could speak, Huangfu Huan approached. "Little Lord Mu, have you been resting at the Post House these past few days?"
Mu Qingge raised her eyebrows slightly and nodded.
Huangfu Huan pulled a chair over and sat beside them, smiling, "Then perhaps Little Lord Mu is unaware of the two topics currently abuzz in the marketplace."
Having said that, he looked at Jiang Li.
Jiang Li smiled, "Since you co here to curry favor with her, why do you look at ? Just speak your mind, I am too lazy to waste words."
Jiang Li’s unceremonious words made Huangfu Huan shake his head and smile wryly, yet he still thanked Jiang Li, "Thank you, Empress Jiang, for allowing ."
Only then did he speak to Mu Qingge, "The two matters that are the talk of the town now, one is the auction that Wanxiang Building is holding in six days. The other is the matter of the Lan Family, which, speaking of, has so ties to you, Little Lord."
Mu Qingge curled her lips into a smile, her tone tinged with amusent, "I know about Wanxiang Building’s auction. But what has happened with the Lan Family, and how are they involving ?"
Huangfu Huan smiled, "For so reason, Lan Feiyue was expelled from the Li Palace, and rumors of the Holy King abandoning her have spread. Now, Lan Feiyue is under such public attack she dares not show her face. She was once highly praised, and now she’s under heavy suppression. And there’s also the matter that you were favored by the Holy King and t with him alone in the Li Palace, which has been circulating. Now everyone in Tiandu is guessing what kind of person you are, Little Lord, and why you garner the Holy King’s favor. So people even compile your deeds into ballads to sing in the teahouses."
Mu Qingge listened in amazent, unable to fathom how such changes unfolded in the world after three days of her seclusion.
What one calls a day in the mountains is a thousand years in the world, she truly felt it firsthand.
"Ahem, what purpose do you have in telling all this, Crown Prince?" Mu Qingge feigned a couple of coughs and asked Huangfu Huan.
Huangfu Huan, hiding his intent, glanced towards the people from the Lan Family, then at Mu Qingge, a smile full of aning on his lips, "Perhaps, Little Lord, you should ask Empress Jiang about the latest rumors."
Hmm?
Mu Qingge turned to look at Jiang Li.
Just then, Huangfu Huan stood up and took his leave.
Watching his retreating figure, Jiang Li said venomously, "He’s a sly one! Says the pleasant things, leaving the unpleasant for to say!"
"Unpleasant?" Mu Qingge’s eyes narrowed as she looked at Jiang Li.
Jiang Li snorted coldly, disdainfully saying, "What else could it be? Originally beneficial rumors for you, under the manipulation of so, now portray you in the storybooks as a courtesan serving with charm."
"Serving with charm?" A cold gleam flickered in Mu Qingge’s slitted eyes as her smile beca increasingly mocking.
Jiang Li remarked calmly, "In a different version of your story. Your service with charm is not the first ti, but back when you were in Qin Country, even as a supposed waste, your extraordinary beauty could allure the Qin Imperial Family, causing strife among the princes over you. Ultimately, the Mu Family beca the biggest beneficiary, and the winning Prince Xian was even said to be your close ally. Now, ssing up Qin Country isn’t enough, you’re here to beguile the Holy King for ancient tricks, seeking to eliminate opposition and control all Linchuan."
Mu Qingge listened, her smile gradually cooling. "Control all Linchuan? Whoever spread these rumors really overestimates . This version’s portrayal makes seem like a fem fatale deserving everyone’s condemnation."
"After these rumors surfaced, the Huangfu Family imdiately sent people to quell them, and I did too. But the effects were minimal; it seems the force behind these rumors is more than one. Oh, I discovered when I sent people to investigate that Wanxiang Building is also involved." Jiang Li said, throwing a flirtatious glance at Mu Qingge, smiling, "Looks like that Young Master Han is quite attentive to you."
Attentive? Not stabbing soone in the back would already be comndable.
Mu Qingge felt she knew all too well Han Caicai’s awful character.
"Have you found the source?" Mu Qingge asked Jiang Li.
Jiang Li shook her head, "Not yet, but Huangfu Huan’s earlier words seed to imply this might be related to the Lan Family."
Mu Qingge fell silent, her gaze coldly sweeping over to the Lan Family’s location. She withdrew her gaze blandly, saying, "When I ca in, I didn’t sense anything unusual."
Jiang Li laughed, "Naturally. Those rumors are only believed by the ignorant commoners outside; everyone here knows a bit about your capabilities, so how could they easily believe them?" She continued, her gaze becoming sharp, her voice grave, "However, I’m curious, what’s their purpose in saring you? Is it simply to divert public attention from Lan Feiyue?"
"I’m curious too." The smile on Mu Qingge’s lips turned playful.
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