novelraw Chapter 543 - 187: Innate Spirit Root, Third Stage!
Chapter 543 - 187: Innate Spirit Root, Third Stage!
The flames dispersed, and the illusion barrier retreated.
The scene that entered the eyes of everyone on the mountain corridor remained the two people standing opposed within the cage...
In the end, who won and who lost?
All around, it seemed to become quiet. The people sitting in the corridor were more nervous than the two inside the cage, even slightly leaving the comfort of their chair backs.
Outside the cage, the others who couldn’t see what was happening inside were all gathered in front of the mystic iron gate.
Everyone tacitly maintained silence, holding their breath, waiting for the moment the mystic iron gate would open.
"The curved saber slipped, the black gun shattered. In the end, who won and who lost?" In the silence, the Family Head of the Hua Family asked in confusion. Her voice was very low, yet remarkably clear, entering everyone’s ears.
Who won? Naturally, it was Mu Qingge!
A hint of pride rose in Jiang Li’s eyes, her trust in Mu Qingge could be said to be without reason.
Even if Shen Bicheng was exceptionally gifted, creating combat skills at the age of twenty-something, he was definitely not a match for Mu Qingge!
Inside the cage, Mu Qingge and Shen Bicheng stood opposed.
The mountain wind poured in from above, causing their garments to flutter.
"I lost." Accompanied by the mountain wind, Shen Bicheng spoke faintly.
In his tone, there was no disappointment, no discouragement, nor any reluctance. There was only a calm statement of fact.
Mu Qingge did not speak, in fact, anything she said at this moment would seem inappropriate.
Comfort him?
Shen Bicheng clearly did not need it.
Gloat?
She did not have such a twisted sense of humor.
She and Shen Bicheng weren’t enemies, merely opponents in the same competition. Victory and defeat were normal, there’s nothing much to say.
In Mu Qingge’s silence, Shen Bicheng spoke again, "I will seek you out again, next time, I won’t lose."
His hands, rubbed raw by the Shadow Gun, revealed no sign of pain. After saying this, he strode toward his Azure Dragon Roaring Moon Saber.
Standing before the Azure Dragon Roaring Moon Saber, he raised his bloody hands, firmly grasped the hilt, and drew it from the ground. Then, he strode past Mu Qingge, heading for the mystic iron gate.
This kind of calm demeanor made Mu Qingge’s eyes fill with a bit of appreciation.
With a faint smile, she gently flicked the slightly disheveled collar of her robe, and also turned towards the mystic iron gate.
The crowd outside, who had been eagerly waiting, finally witnessed the mystic iron gate slowly being pulled open.
The first to walk out was Shen Bicheng.
"It’s the third young master of the Shen Family!"
"If Shen the Madman came out first, could it be that he won?"
"That’s almost certainly the case, didn’t you see that he wasn’t injured at all?"
"To come out unscathed after two days and nights, besides the third young master Shen, who else could it be?"
"Hehe, I bet that little lord from the third-class country is now lying in the cage, barely hanging on after being beaten by the third young master Shen."
"Not necessarily."
"What do you mean, not necessarily? Now that the third young master Shen has come out first, he must have won!"
As Shen Bicheng appeared, various speculations arose.
Zhao Nanxing and Feng Yufei exchanged a glance, though they didn’t quite believe these speculations, they couldn’t help but worry about the yet unseen Mu Qingge.
Among these speculations, Mu Qingge’s presence emerged after Shen Bicheng.
Her eye-catching scarlet clothes, radiant as the sunset, immediately drew the attention of the crowd outside the cage.
"Eh? That little lord Mu came out too? Judging by his appearance, he doesn’t seem to be injured either!"
"Since neither shows any sign, who won and who lost?"
"I think it’s the third young master Shen."
Someone asserted confidently.
There were also many filled with doubt.
These speculations fell into Mu Qingge’s ears, but she paid them no mind, smiling with indifference.
She had thoroughly enjoyed the fight. Acknowledging Shen Bicheng as an opponent, why should she explain to others who won and who lost?
Seeing Mu Qingge appear, Zhao Nanxing and Feng Yufei both brightened, setting aside their worries.
Standing outside the mystic iron gate, Shen Bicheng’s honest eyes calmly surveyed the surroundings.
Under his gaze, the disorderly discussions quieted.
"I lost!"
This was the second time Shen Bicheng uttered this phrase.
The first time, he acknowledged to Mu Qingge. The second time, he acknowledged to everyone.
"What?! Shen the Madman actually lost? Is there a mistake?"
"What a joke! Shen the Madman has been dominating Tiandu for many years, undefeated among his peers, the acknowledged strongest of Linchuan’s younger generation, and now admits defeat himself?"
"This can’t be! Unless his opponent used some underhanded trick?"
"Underhanded trick? Would our little lord use such despicable means?" Feng Yufei couldn’t help but retort.
Zhao Nanxing also immediately stated proudly, "Indeed. If the victory weren’t honorable, would Shen Bicheng admit defeat? Do you all take him for a fool?"
This veiled threat effectively quashed the skeptical voices.
Revealing the outcome of the duel, Shen Bicheng didn’t bother with the crowd, nor the other members of the four families, and left the valley in large strides.
Once Shen Bicheng left, everyone’s focus turned to Mu Qingge.
Few had witnessed Mu Qingge and Shen Bicheng’s initial battle in the Holy Yuan Empire Palace, and even after the stories spread, much diverged from the truth.
Even if they said that battle ended in a draw between Mu Qingge and Shen Bicheng.
However, for the geniuses of first-class and second-class countries, they’d rather see an enduring genius win than witness Mu Qingge, a dark horse rising out of nowhere, victorious.
That mentality was quite twisted, yet there was a rare sense of shared enmity.
"Did he really defeat Shen Bicheng?"
"Though I don’t want to believe it, Shen Bicheng said it himself, could it be false?"
"Heavens! What kind of monster came from the third-class country? With him around, the rest of us are just left in the shadows."
"Is luck turning for the third-class country? Maybe I should find time to visit that place."
"Invite me along when you go, I’m curious about the feng shui of the third-class country too."
Zhao Nanxing and Feng Yufei approached Mu Qingge, and before they could ask, Mu Qingge said, "Is the match over?"
She was, naturally, referring to the entire second phase.
Zhao Nanxing nodded, "It’s already over. The results will be announced in three days before the start of the third phase."
"In that case, let’s go." Mu Qingge nodded almost imperceptibly.
Her decision was one Zhao Nanxing and Feng Yufei had no reason to oppose.
Without greeting the people on the corridor, Mu Qingge directly led her people back to the post house.
After she left, the spectators on the corridor also planned to disperse.
The news obtained today had an impact on each of their families.
Especially for Hei Mu and Lou Xuantie.
Shen Bicheng had long been famous among the first-class and second-class countries, and they were familiar with him. However, to their surprise, he, being so young, could create his own combat skills, which were not weak.
This alone was enough to make them take notice.
However, even after Shen Bicheng revealed all his trump cards, he still lost to Mu Qingge.
This made them reevaluate Mu Qingge’s battle strength.
The two exchanged a glance in secret, with clear vigilance in their eyes.
As they were about to leave, Jiang Li’s gaze fell upon them. At this time, the female official she had sent to gather information returned and reported to her ear.
However, the information found made Jiang Li very dissatisfied.
"Nothing can be found?" Jiang Li frowned, her voice gaining a few degrees of coldness.
The female official bowed her head, saying anxiously, "Yes, Your Majesty. I have sent out all our Ancient Witch Country’s spies in Tiandu, but they returned with nothing."
Jiang Li’s eyes narrowed slightly, the glimmer from them growing colder. "Keep investigating. The more we can’t find, the more suspicious they are. Keep a close watch on them and report any movement to me immediately."
"Yes, Your Majesty." The female official bowed her head and withdrew.
Jiang Li stood up. With the match over and Mu Qingge gone, she naturally had no reason to stay.
Moreover, the report just now left her in quite a foul mood.
Not being able to find anything magnified the vague unease in her heart. That unaccountable sense of danger seemed to warn her.
Jiang Li raised her hand, gently covering the spot over her heart.
Inside, the heart beating had bloodlines of different races, with the divine beast’s premonition for crisis always being sharper than that of humans.
This fact, Jiang Li had known since childhood. So, if her heart told her danger was approaching, she had to follow her intuition and investigate thoroughly.
"Empress Jiang." Suddenly, Huangfu Huan approached Jiang Li.
Jiang Li calmly lowered her hand, looking up at the noble man walking toward her.
Given Huangfu Huan’s status, it’s not excessive to say that he’s the most esteemed man among the younger generation of Linchuan. If it were a different time and encounter, Jiang Li might greet him with a smile.
But now, with her worries unresolved, where would she find the heart to discuss love with Huangfu Huan?
"Empress Jiang, the second stage of the competition has concluded. There will be a three-day rest now, may I ask what the Empress plans to do during these three days?" Huangfu Huan proactively extended an invitation.
It seemed, since his confession, his actions and words had become bolder and more straightforward.
Jiang Li curled her lips into a cold smile, "Apologies, Crown Prince. My dear Qingge has just stepped out of her cage, and I need to stay by her side during these three days, not wanting to go anywhere."
"In that case..." Huangfu Huan was not surprised by Jiang Li’s words. He wasn’t angry either, maintaining his smile as he said to Jiang Li, "Then, Huan shall not disturb. When Your Majesty is free, Huan will invite Your Majesty again."
After speaking, he turned and walked away without any hesitation.
This frankness was somewhat admirable.
Watching Huangfu Huan leave, Jiang Li also left the competition valley. She didn’t return to her own post house, but instead headed toward the post house where the third-class country resided.
...
Upon returning to the post house, Mu Qingge didn’t speak much to Zhao Nanxing and Feng Yufei and immediately went into her room.
Closing the door, Mu Qingge vanished on turning around, entering the space.
In the space, everything seemed no different than usual. Yuanyuan was still playing outside among the reeds on the grass. Yin Chen was quietly cultivating.
The only thing missing was Mengmeng’s figure.
"Boss Mommy!" Seeing Mu Qingge appear, Yuanyuan immediately pranced over to her joyfully.
The little dumpling dove into her arms, with Mu Qingge quickly extending her arms to catch him.
Having eaten the Eight Desolations Void Flame, Yuanyuan now looked like a three or four-year-old child. His sudden leap still made Mu Qingge’s arms sink.
"Boss Mommy, Yuanyuan missed you. Why did you take so long to come?" Leaning against Mu Qingge’s chest, Yuanyuan nuzzled her clothes affectionately, the scent from Mu Qingge making him comfortably close his eyes.
Mu Qingge actually didn’t have much experience with children.
Interacting with children was even rarer for her.
Even though Yuanyuan is not an ordinary child, he is an Abnormal Fire. The Mixed Element Heavenly Extreme Flame, ranked first on the Linchuan Realm’s list of Abnormal Fires.
But now, he looked just like a little brat, and a rather precocious one.
Feeling Yuanyuan rubbing against her chest, despite having an Illusionary Artifact on, still made Mu Qingge’s face flush. She grabbed Yuanyuan by the collar and unceremoniously tossed him away, deliberately asking with a stern face, "Where’s Mengmeng?"
Yuanyuan pouted, getting up from the ground and rubbing his plump behind, "She knew Boss Mommy was coming and hid away."
Mu Qingge’s mouth twitched slightly. She headed towards the Thunder Pool, leaving behind a sentence: "Tell her to meet me at the Thunder Pool, or she’ll bear the consequences."
After her battle with Shen Bicheng, her body was fatigued, making it the best time for Body Refinement, which she would not miss.
Entering the Thunder Pool, Mu Qingge submerged her whole body, letting the Power of thunder and lightning within the pool constantly surge over her, emitting crackling sounds, tempering her skin, flesh, and bones.
Mu Qingge immersed herself in cultivation. When a cycle completed within her body, she opened her eyes, two beams of tangible Power of thunder and lightning shot out from them.
At the corner of the Thunder Pool’s bank, Mengmeng crouched, holding a small stick, poking the ground incessantly.
"Mengmeng." Mu Qingge called out upon seeing her.
Suddenly hearing Mu Qingge’s voice, Mengmeng was so startled that she dropped the stick in her hand, hurriedly standing and hiding her hands behind her back.
Her behavior made Mu Qingge raise an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at the corners of her lips, "What are you nervous about?"
"No, nothing!" Mengmeng’s eyes darted around, not daring to look towards Mu Qingge.
Her guilty demeanor made Mu Qingge’s heart sneer. She collected her expression, asking in a deep voice, "I ask you, when I was fighting with Shen Bicheng, what did you mean by saying innate fire spirit root?" If she remembered correctly, when she first arrived in the otherworld, using her Thunder Ability, Si Mo also saw it and exclaimed about a Thunder Spirit Root.
"Ah! I didn’t say anything, maybe Master heard wrong? Baby didn’t say anything." Mengmeng shook her head vigorously.
"Really didn’t?" Mu Qingge’s eyes dangerously narrowed. "Fine, then I will also stop supplying you Elixirs."
"No—!" Mengmeng let out a piercing cry.
Although, consuming Elixirs doesn’t improve her strength, once addicted to something, it sticks like a barnacle, impossible to shake off or give up. Losing them feels like a life-ending catastrophe.
With a mournful face, lips pouted, Mengmeng exclaimed, "Master’s so mean! Always threatening such a lovable baby like Mengmeng!"
Mu Qingge raised a hand, a thin snake-like arc of electricity flowing through her fingers and landing at Mengmeng’s feet, creating a small crater. Mengmeng jumped back in fright to avoid the danger.
She looked at Mu Qingge with a face full of terror.
Yet Mu Qingge remained indifferent, stating, "Many things you always refuse to tell because you feel my cultivation isn’t enough. But understand one thing, I am your master, you must follow my orders. What benefits or harms me, the judgment is mine to make, not yours."
"Master..." Mengmeng gazed at Mu Qingge blankly.
This side of Mu Qingge, she had never encountered before.
Mu Qingge slowly stood up from the Thunder Pool, walked to the bank, looking down at Mengmeng: "Now, I ask you, what is the innate fire spirit root."
A shadow cast over her face. The expression between her brows was as icy cold as frost.
Mengmeng stood frozen, looking up at Mu Qingge.
She always thought Mu Qingge was merely growing, even though she was not considered weak now, she was still a little shrimp. Yet at this moment, she felt Mu Qingge’s incomparably powerful heart.
’Perhaps, Master’s power isn’t enough. But her heart is unmatchedly strong!’ Mengmeng said in her heart.
"Innate fire spirit root is considered a person’s fortune. This fortune dictates the heights they can reach in the future." Mengmeng finally spoke up.
Sure, here is the translation:
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This time, as she spoke, she reined in her usual playful image and became a bit more serious.
She looked up seriously, staring at Mu Qingge standing in front of her, shrouding her in shadow, and spoke like a little adult: "In Linchuan, it’s almost impossible for innate spirit roots to appear. The master is an exception, and so is Shen Bicheng."
Mu Qingge squinted her eyes slightly, mulling over Mengmeng’s words in her mind.
She asked, "What’s the difference between the innate fire spirit root and Han Caicai’s fire element bloodline?"
Mengmeng furrowed her brows and tilted her head, seemingly thinking about how to answer Mu Qingge’s question.
After a moment, she said, "You could understand it this way: a person with an innate fire spirit root, once their root awakens, can control all the world’s flames. Even their blood is fire. Whereas those with a fire element bloodline, it can only be said that they have a natural affinity with fire. Even among ten people with a fire element bloodline, not one might possess a fire spirit root."
Mu Qingge furrowed her brows slightly, pursing her lips in silence, seemingly digesting Mengmeng’s words.
Mengmeng noticed the confusion in her eyes and added, "Master, you can understand it like this. A person with an innate spirit root has the qualification to become a deity."
A deity!
A deity again!
Mu Qingge’s eyes suddenly narrowed.
"A person with an innate spirit root has the qualification to become a deity," Mu Qingge silently recited this sentence.
Mengmeng nodded vigorously, "That’s right! Opportunities are determined from birth. A person with an innate spirit root is like a favorite of the heavens, their talent is extraordinary, with the potential to become a deity. Those with only special bloodlines, even if their talent is monstrous, can only stop at being a deity. That threshold is not something that can be crossed with effort alone. For those without special bloodlines, it’s even lower; they can’t even touch the fringe of divinity."
Spirit root, bloodline...
Mu Qingge felt somewhat shocked in her heart.
What Mengmeng said was indeed beyond the reach of this level in the Linchuan Realm.
Spirit root, she wasn’t sure if her thunder ability counted. She originally had both thunder and space dual abilities. Later, the storage ability of her space ability was devoured by Mengmeng, activating a space that seemed like a small world; she didn’t know if it still counted.
Bloodline, she inherited the artifact refiner bloodline from her mother.
Talent... Her original waste body constitution was transformed by a genetic transformation agent, making her potential ten times that of normal people.
It seems she possesses all these exceptional conditions; what awaits her is merely to walk a path defying against destiny, to step onto the peak.
However, she vaguely felt in her heart that things weren’t that simple.
Are people really divided from birth into different classes? Are those with spirit roots and bloodlines destined to be children of heaven?
Perhaps because Mu Qingge never considered herself nobler by birth, even though she possessed talents others longed for, she still didn’t see herself as a genius.
She just found it strange. If, according to Mengmeng, everything was predestined, wouldn’t people lose their drive to strive?
"Master Silver, there’s no need to think too much right now. There are many things I also find hard to explain to you one by one. When you reach that height, you will naturally understand," Mengmeng’s voice softened again.
Mu Qingge exhaled a breath of turbid air and nodded.
Mengmeng was right, knowing these things now was already enough, at least it made her feel less confused.
"Someone once told me not to casually reveal my thunder spirit root, why is that?" Mu Qingge posed this question again.
She had asked Mengmeng a long time ago, but at that time, Mengmeng refused to answer saying she was too weak.
Now, since this question was mentioned, she asked it again.
Unexpectedly, Mengmeng’s soft and adorable face suddenly became serious, warning Mu Qingge, "Not just in Linchuan, but even if Master enters the Middle Ancient Realm, without absolute self-protection ability, you can’t reveal it." She then corrected herself, "No, it’s best not to reveal it at any time. Once the news of Master Silver possessing an innate spirit root gets out, it will bring untold troubles."
Mengmeng still did not state the reason, but her tone made Mu Qingge aware, fearing that in the Middle Ancient Realm, the matter of spirit roots would be even more taboo.
No longer pressing further, Mu Qingge nodded lightly.
The conversation returned to Shen Bicheng, "So, Shen Bicheng’s future achievements will certainly not be low."
Mengmeng nodded, "That’s the general idea. But it also depends on him, if he doesn’t have the determination to pursue strength, he’s merely an ordinary genius."
"Innate fire spirit root! No wonder he can be so monstrous, able to cultivate to the Purple Realm Peak at such a young age even without cheats. And, he can create his own combat skills," Mu Qingge said enviously.
Mengmeng disparaged, "Please, Master Silver. With an innate fire spirit root, creating combat skills and such is very ordinary! Others’ combat skills are always others’. Only those you create yourself can be truly yours, capable of combining with oneself to unleash maximum power. In this regard, that boy did quite well."
Mu Qingge said, sounding a bit bitter, "I also have the thunder spirit root, why haven’t I created any combat skills?"
In response, Mengmeng gave her a dose of disdain, "Master Silver, can you introspect properly? That boy can create combat skills because from birth until now, he’s immersed himself in cultivation, paying no attention to anything else. What about you, Master Silver? You’re entangled in mundane affairs all day, running everywhere, putting out fires, and multitasking. The main thing is, Master Silver, haven’t you forgotten you only truly started cultivating more than four years ago?"
Mu Qingge blinked her eyes, realizing that what Mengmeng said seemed quite right.
Avoiding Mengmeng’s accusing little eyes, she awkwardly smiled.
Having temporarily resolved her inner doubts, Mu Qingge and Mengmeng stepped out of the Thunder Pool.
As soon as they emerged, they saw Yuanyuan squatting outside with a pitiful look, watching them. Upon seeing her come out, Yuanyuan immediately stood up joyfully, his chubby, adorable face filled with deep longing.
Mu Qingge hadn’t yet spoken when she felt Mengmeng swiftly climb into her embrace by grabbing her sleeve. Grabbing her collar tightly, Mengmeng declared her sovereignty to Yuanyuan in triumph, "Master Silver favors baby the most! The newcomer should queue at the back!"
Mu Qingge’s face darkened, and she said sternly to Mengmeng, "What are you doing?"
Mengmeng blinked her eyes at her and whispered, "Master Silver, baby is engaging in early education. Yuanyuan mustn’t develop an arrogant nature from a young age, thinking everyone has to pamper him!"
Mu Qingge was at a loss for words.
An even smaller Mengmeng, vigorously advocating for early education?
The scene was absurdly humorous no matter how one thought about it.
Her mouth twitched as Mu Qingge pulled Mengmeng down. She turned to the lip-biting, almost tearful Yuanyuan.
Seeing Yuanyuan’s demeanor, Mu Qingge’s heart softened. She took out a porcelain bottle from her embrace and handed it to Yuanyuan.
Yuanyuan immediately switched from a teary face, took the porcelain bottle with both hands, and in a soft, tender voice said, "Thank you, Mother Leader!" Then, he glanced defiantly at Mengmeng.
Mengmeng stood behind them, gritting her teeth angrily.
Mu Qingge turned and tossed another porcelain bottle into Mengmeng’s arms, "Mengmeng, it’s yours."
Instantly, a smile spread across Mengmeng’s face.
At this point, Mu Qingge spoke to both Yuanyuan and Mengmeng, "Since fate has brought us together, we are a family. A family should love each other, align their guns outward, and not fight internally..."
Mu Qingge clattered on with her sermon while the two little ones were sent into a daze, she turned and left the space.
Busy staring at the place where Mu Qingge had vanished, Yuanyuan and Mengmeng exchanged a bewildered look.
Their small eyes accusing each other of—
"What does Master Silver want to say?"
"What is Mother Leader saying?"
...
Fleeing in panic from the space, Mu Qingge stood in her room at the post house, couldn’t help but rub her brow.
Truly, she wasn’t cut out for the job of education.
She intended to teach Mengmeng and Yuanyuan to love and support each other, stopping jealousy. Why did it become like she didn’t even know what she was saying towards the end, ending up in such an awkward escape from the space?
The cultivation in the Thunder Pool had already let Mu Qingge recover from fatigue.
When she opened her room door to go out, she found it was already dark outside.
Feeling the hunger in her stomach, Mu Qingge headed to the front hall.
Before she got close, she caught the aroma of food wafting from the front hall, enticing her footsteps to quicken unconsciously.
"Really smells good!" Mu Qingge followed the scent and upon stepping into the hall, saw three people at the round table enjoying a feast.
Her eyes lit up, and she immediately exclaimed, "Ah! You’re eating something delicious behind my back!"
As soon as she spoke, Zhao Nanxing and Feng Yufei immediately looked her way.
Only Jiang Li, whose face was usually covered by a veil-like mask, had already taken it off and set aside, was focused on contending with the bones in front of her.
The bone was as large as her face, truly an impressive size.
"Qingge, are you well-rested?" Zhao Nanxing smiled and asked.
Feng Yufei also said to Mu Qingge: "Little Lord, you’ve come just in time, we’ve just sat down. Knowing that you needed to rest, we didn’t disturb you."
Mu Qingge walked over and sat down in the empty seat. In front of her, Feng Yufei had already laid out bowls and chopsticks for her.
Seeing Jiang Li so busy she couldn’t spare a glance, Mu Qingge couldn’t help but tease, "What? Did the Holy Yuan Empire not prepare delicacies for the Ancient Witch Country’s post house? Does the grand Empress Jiang have to come to our Third-class Country’s post house to mooch food?"
Jiang Li tore off a piece of meat from the bone with her teeth, chewed it, and swallowed. Only then did she have a moment to look at Mu Qingge. Her uniquely enchanting and bewitching stunning face was exposed before the three, each flashing admiration in their eyes.
Truth be told, Jiang Li’s face is not only breathtaking at first glance, but also pleasantly appealing; the more you look, the more enchanting and beautiful it seems.
Ignoring the awe in the trio’s eyes, Jiang Li extended her pink tongue to lick the grease from her lips and looked at Mu Qingge with disdain, "You’re wrong."
"I’m wrong?" Mu Qingge looked at her in surprise.
At this moment, she didn’t notice the trace of awkwardness in Zhao Nanxing and Feng Yufei’s expressions.
Jiang Li picked up a silk scarf to gently wipe her mouth and nodded, "These delicacies were brought by me. If anyone’s mooching, it’s you mooching off mine."
Mu Qingge’s mouth twitched, her clear gaze swept over Zhao Nanxing and Feng Yufei, seemingly saying, ’Are we really eating? Making her lose face like this.’
The two chuckled, avoiding her eye daggers, each picking up chopsticks to reach for their desired dishes.
Well, the interaction between Mu Qingge and Jiang Li is not something outsiders can partake in.
Even initially, hoping they’d make a pair together, Feng Yufei, after spending time with them, realized that the relationship between Mu Qingge and Jiang Li is not as the rumors outside say.
Mu Qingge picked up her chopsticks, calmly grabbing the dish before her, took a bite, and asked Jiang Li, "Why did you come here?"
Jiang Li continued battling with the bone in her bowl, responding, "I’m here to inquire about the current young generation of Linchuan’s top expert, of course!"
"Linchuan’s top young expert?" Mu Qingge looked at her in surprise, forgetting to put the dish on the chopsticks into her mouth.
Jiang Li nodded, but seemed too busy to deal with Mu Qingge, casually gesturing to Zhao Nanxing and Feng Yufei, "Let those two explain to you."
Mu Qingge put down her chopsticks and looked at Zhao Nanxing.
Zhao Nanxing smiled, also put down his chopsticks, and briefly explained to Mu Qingge, "Shen Bicheng was originally the recognized number one among Linchuan youth; now that you’ve defeated him, the title naturally falls to you." Having finished his explanation, he picked up his chopsticks and continued eating.
Mu Qingge was somewhat speechless.
She merely rested for a moment, and how come there was another rumor in Tiandu about her?
Indeed, she really was number one on Tiandu’s street topic list now!
...
After the meal, Jiang Li didn’t leave. Instead, she followed Mu Qingge into her room and poured herself a cup of hot tea.
Mu Qingge looked at her, raised an eyebrow, and asked, "Anything?"
At this moment, Jiang Li gathered her casual demeanor from earlier with Zhao Nanxing and Feng Yufei, her golden eyes focusing on the floating tea leaves on the surface, slightly heavy, she said, "I always feel there’s some conspiracy between Myriad Beasts Sect and the Refining Tower against you."
Mu Qingge’s eyes flashed as she poured herself a cup of tea, lightly took a sip, and glanced at her, "Did you find anything?"
Jiang Li slowly shook her head.
Nothing found?
With Jiang Li’s capabilities, she couldn’t find a single clue?
Mu Qingge lightly furrowed her eyebrows; she had full trust in Jiang Li’s abilities. If even she couldn’t find anything, there are only two possibilities.
The first is that there truly is nothing between Myriad Beasts Sect and the Refining Tower, and it’s all merely their own speculation.
The second is they’re too well-hidden, leaving no trace. This implies their plot is massive, requiring extra caution.
Which is it, the former or the latter?
Gazing at Jiang Li, it was evident that she leaned more towards the second possibility. And Mu Qingge herself also felt that the silence behind the Myriad Beasts Sect and the Refining Tower concealed unseen undercurrents.
Both of them fell silent, as if they were just quietly savoring their tea.
Outside the window, the night wind swept through the little garden in front of Mu Qingge’s room, scattering petals freely in the air. The faint fragrance lingered, under a sky full of stars, it was a beautiful scene.
"I will continue to have people keep an eye on them," Jiang Li placed the teacup she was holding onto the table and said to Mu Qingge.
Seeing her concern, Mu Qingge did not want her to bear too much for her. So she advised, "Don’t push yourself too hard. If they don’t want you to find out, why bother wasting the effort?"
"I won’t be at ease until I figure out what they’re up to," Jiang Li said seriously with a frown.
Jiang Li’s concern left Mu Qingge in silence.
She couldn’t reject Jiang Li’s goodwill.
Just as now, if she were in Jiang Li’s place, she would plan everything for her just the same.
"So far, I’ve only found out that after you injured Lan Feiyue, they went to the Lan Mansion. Officially, they claim it was to deliver medicine to Lan Feiyue. But they have no relation with the Lan Mansion—under what pretext did they curry such favor? Moreover, the Lan Mansion and you have enmity nowadays. Them gathering together is definitely up to no good." Jiang Li said in a low voice.
"Knowing they’re up to no good is enough," Mu Qingge remarked, holding the teacup in her hands, her eyes downcast.
Her long eyelashes shielded the emotions in her eyes, making it difficult to see what she was thinking.
Jiang Li countered, "That’s not enough. We still don’t know what their plan is, how they intend to strike, or when they’ll make their move against you."
Her voice suddenly became agitated.
Mu Qingge reached out and held her hand on the table, speaking deeply, "Jiang Li, calm down, don’t panic. This is the Holy Yuan Empire, not the Ancient Witch Country. If they intend to conceal it, even the Huangfu Clan might not uncover it, so how could you? As a queen, do you not know that controlling a nation is not as simple as it appears on the surface? Many things are hidden too deep, impossible to see."
Jiang Li looked up at her, her golden eyes showing a hint of stubbornness, "My intuition tells me danger is nearby. This kind of instinct has never been wrong, so I can’t let my guard down. However, there’s one thing I can’t understand. The Holy King has left you alone in the Li Palace, implying to everyone that you’re unique to him. Provoking you is bound to offend him. For you, that should be a life-saving talisman walking in Tiandu, so why do they dare to take the risk?"
Mu Qingge released Jiang Li’s hand, her expression calm. "Sometimes, greed can drive people insane. A fluke can embolden them beyond measure."
She had long understood Si Mo’s intentions.
Aside from arranging for the Huangfu Family to care for her in secret, he deliberately staged this show, knowing her enemies were many, to ensure her safety in his absence.
However, the human heart is the hardest to fathom.
The greed, hatred, and resentment in people’s hearts can infinitely amplify their courage.
Jiang Li had calmed down again, looking at Mu Qingge, she asked, "Are we just going to wait passively like this?"
Mu Qingge smiled frankly, "So what if we do? If they want my life, they must come prepared to die!"
Seeing her demeanor, Jiang Li inexplicably felt a bit of relief from the turmoil in her heart.
After the second round of competitions ended, during the three days of rest, Mu Qingge remained at the Post House. Jiang Li continued to investigate the situation concerning the Myriad Beasts Sect, the Refining Tower, and the Lan Family.
Three days later, the final stage was about to commence.
At dawn, the sky was dimly lit.
Mu Qingge, accompanied by three hundred Dragon Tooth Guards, and joined by a hundred warriors from Li Country and Yu Country above the Green Realm, left the Post House together, heading for the Holy Yuan Empire Palace.
The entrance to the Trial Space lay within the forbidden area of the Holy Yuan Empire’s palace.
So, they all needed to assemble at the palace.
Besides entering the Trial Space and starting the third phase of the competition, they would also announce the rankings of the various countries after the second phase.
Jiang Li had arrived outside the palace early, waiting for Mu Qingge and her group.
She hadn’t been there long when Huangfu Huan came over to her and said, "These past few days, I’ve had people keeping a close watch on the Lan Family, and found that they indeed have secret dealings with the Myriad Beasts Sect and the Refining Tower, possibly posing a threat to young Lord Mu. Within the Trial Space, there are realm restrictions, with young Lord Mu’s skills, there shouldn’t be too much danger. I suspect they’ll make their move after the competition, when young Lord Mu is physically and mentally tired."
Jiang Li looked up at him, a couple of days ago when Mu Qingge was cultivating, she had sought help from Huangfu Huan.
Now, the information he brought gave her a bit of relief. Hence, she sincerely thanked Huangfu Huan, saying, "Thank you."
Huangfu Huan smiled, "I didn’t expect your first words of thanks to me would be for young Lord Mu."