Chapter 146: Gathering of Geniuses, the First Day of Battle Begins!
The visitor was Kui Jinling, an elder of the Kui Dragon Clan, a Saint Realm expert, accompanied by her personal disciple. Lu Weishuang remained as cold as ever, her expression indifferent.
“What brings you here?” she asked plainly.
“I’ll skip the formalities. I recall you have a treasure called the Myriad Beast Essence Spirit. Hand it over—my disciple may find it useful,” Kui Jinling demanded.
Lu Weishuang had already given the treasure to Lin Qi’an, so there was no way she could produce it now. Maintaining her composure, she replied, “Why should I give it to you?”
Kui Jinling sneered. “Because your disciple, just like you, is nothing but useless mud that can’t stick to the wall. Hand it over, and perhaps my disciple can bring some honor to the Canglan Dao Domain.”
Tong Xiang, Lu Weishuang’s disciple, was infuriated. “You can insult me, but don’t slander my master!”
Kui Jinling laughed coldly. “A little human waste who barely reached the Celestial Realm in centuries—do you think you can compare to geniuses who achieve the same realm in decades? Your master, always sickly, probably doesn’t have long to live. It’d be better to leave such treasures to those who can actually use them.”
“Nonsense!” Tong Xiang was so angry his face turned red, fists clenched tightly.
Kui Jinling sneered again. “You should be grateful that the Kui Dragon Emperor fancies you, yet you act all high and mighty! Truly clueless.”
Everyone knew Kui Jinling was jealous of Lu Weishuang because the Kui Dragon Emperor favored the latter over her. However, Lu Weishuang, unwilling to get close to any man, lacked support and was subjected to constant suppression. Her disdain for petty conflicts only encouraged more provocations.
“Leave,” Lu Weishuang commanded coldly.
“My, my, you’re actually angry? That’s quite a rare sight!” Kui Jinling smirked. “Are you sure you won’t hand it over? If so, your secret about hiding a man might not stay hidden much longer.”
“You, the so-called noble Saint, keeping a human man in secret—so you disdain the men of the myriad races, is that it?” Kui Jinling taunted.
Tong Xiang shouted angrily, “Enough with your slander! My master’s restraint doesn’t mean you can act however you please!”
“Well, it seems I’ll have to expose you right here,” Kui Jinling declared before walking toward the door.
Tong Xiang’s heart nearly stopped. He couldn’t bear to imagine the consequences. If Lin Qi’an were found, his master would surely defend him, leading to a clash between two Saints. The revelation would bring ruin to her reputation in the Tianhai Dao Domain.
“Stop right there. Who allowed you to enter?” Lu Weishuang’s tone grew sharp, betraying her worry.
“Save your breath, Lu Saint. Your anger only confirms my suspicions. Let’s see what kind of man you’re hiding.” Kui Jinling pushed the door open with a resounding bang and stepped inside.
Tong Xiang’s heart pounded furiously, unable to fathom what would come next. If Lin Qi’an were discovered, the fallout would be catastrophic.
However, contrary to expectations, Kui Jinling found nothing. She paced the room, visibly perplexed. Where was he? She had distinctly sensed a trace of someone’s aura earlier, and there was no other place he could have gone.
Lu Weishuang forced herself to stay calm, her face betraying no emotion even as relief washed over her. “Finished looking? Get out. I won’t say it again.”
Kui Jinling clicked her tongue in irritation. “Fine, consider yourself lucky today. Even without the Myriad Beast Essence Spirit, my disciple will still crush those useless Canglan Dao Domain participants. Let’s go!”
With a sour expression, Kui Jinling led her group away. Only then did Lu Weishuang let out a quiet sigh of relief.
What happened next left everyone in shock. Lin Qi’an emerged from the room.
“You… how?” Tong Xiang staggered back a few steps, looking as if he’d seen a ghost.
“No worries. I used a secret technique to hide. I’ll be on my way now,” Lin Qi’an said with a calm smile.
“Go ahead,” Lu Weishuang nodded slightly, her eyes carrying a rare hint of approval.
Tong Xiang was stunned. His master had never looked at anyone with such an expression before. Instead of feeling jealous, he regarded Lin Qi’an as a role model. Hard work could make up for his shortcomings—he just needed to try harder.
—
The Next Day
The grand event unfolded in an orderly fashion, with all attention on the opening act: the Beast Hunt!
Though just an appetizer to the main battles, the first round’s outcome would decide the participants’ reputations. Especially for the Canglan Dao Domain contestants, who not only faced external foes but also internal rivalries. This year’s opponents were particularly formidable.
Outside Tai’an City, the Autumn Mist Forest stretched across vast lands, serving as the stage for the first round of the hunt. The rules were simple. Previously captured vicious beasts and demonic creatures were imprisoned in the forest, secured by powerful barriers.
The participants had two objectives: capture beasts for the second round’s battles and hunt as many as possible for higher scores. While human conflict was prohibited, with intentional harm being grounds for disqualification, countless recording stones had been placed in the forest to allow the audience to witness the action.
This year’s audience was exceptionally prestigious. The number of Great Emperors present required more than two hands to count. Figures such as the Sword Emperor, Blade Emperor, Tai’an Emperor, and Kui Dragon Emperor all attended, along with numerous Saints and countless experts below them.
Most of their heirs and disciples were competing in the hunt, as participation was a prerequisite for the final “Forbidden Land Expedition.”
“Well, well, the aloof Lu Saint is here too. What a surprise!” Kui Jinling sneered upon spotting Lu Weishuang at the event.
Lu Weishuang ignored the provocation. Her true focus was on Lin Qi’an, like many others. Even the Tianhai Dao Domain powerhouses were curious about the young man who had earned a Saint’s enmity.
The participants entered the forest from different points. Among them were notable figures such as Beiyang’s Lin Qi’an, Xiling’s Divine Son Xi Chao, Tai’an Princess Zhao Yunji, Beidou Divine Sect’s Saintess Lin Liuli, the Destiny Child Ye Yun, Blade Emperor’s disciple Li Xuan, and Kui Dragon Divine Son Kui Xiao.
Thus began the highly anticipated first day of battle.