42. The Curtain Rises
Shangguan Lingyue, being a straightforward person, wouldn’t challenge the master after being defeated by the disciples.
However, the arena, severely damaged by her own attacks, required professional repairs, temporarily halting the matches on her side.
Everyone’s attention turned to Shangguan Yaochang.
Unlike his sister, he was a cunning strategist.
He wouldn’t engage in direct combat, but used long-range techniques to suppress his opponents, gradually cornering them.
Due to his fighting style, the average scores in his group weren’t low. A pair of twin sisters even reached a score of 150 each, rivaling the First Prince and Xuli.
After Shangguan Yaochang finished his matches, the rankings remained largely unchanged.
But when he glanced at the scoreboard, he almost couldn’t believe his eyes.
“A thousand points!?”
To achieve a thousand points using the original method, one would have to last at least half an hour, and that was the total team score, not an individual score.
With an individual score of a thousand, and a total team score of two thousand two hundred and fifty, Shangguan Yaochang couldn’t comprehend how his sister had calculated the scores.
Until someone told him that Shangguan Lingyue had actually lost!?
“Your disciples are truly exceptional, Immortal Master, intelligent and talented.”
The flattery arrived.
“You’re too kind, Prince Changning.” Gong Yiling, stroking Lu Xinyao’s tail with a satisfied expression, asked casually, “Have you figured it out?”
“Figured out what?”
“I cured Emperor Shangguan Long’s poison. I’m also aware of the demonic cultivators infiltrating Yanlie City.”
Gong Yiling didn’t hide anything. There was no point.
He would eventually target her anyway.
“We are eternally grateful for your kindness towards the Shangguan family.”
“I was paid for it. No need for gratitude. Instead of wasting your time on me, you should focus on finding those demonic infiltrators.”
Gong Yiling casually replied, then scanned the crowd, her gaze finally landing on the twin sisters.
They seemed normal at first glance, but she couldn’t sense any vitality from them.
Others might think they were just expressionless, but Gong Yiling knew it was a special demonic technique.
By using a specific method to nurture twin siblings, they could utilize righteous cultivation techniques with the demonic cultivator’s power.
Of course, this method was incredibly cruel. Those nurtured this way lost their emotions, becoming puppets.
Some high-ranking members of each demonic sect knew this technique, and the information was highly classified. Even now, the righteous cultivators were unaware of it, which would cause great trouble for the Heartflame Empire in the future.
However…
She wasn’t familiar with these twins.
She remembered the two pairs of twins who acted as spies during the Heartflame Empire’s final battle. They were in their twenties.
Not these seemingly harmless teenagers munching on apples.
“I already have some suspects in mind, Immortal Master.”
Seeing that Gong Yiling wasn’t looking at anyone he knew, Shangguan Yaochang wasn’t worried.
“Whether you do or not is none of my concern.” Gong Yiling sneered. “But I know my two disciples were wronged in the forest. Is Prince Changning aware of this?”
Shangguan Yaochang immediately cupped his fists. “I’ve received the report and have launched an investigation.”
“However… the assassins’ bodies were apparently torn apart by demonic beasts in the central area. There’s no way to identify them. I only have their heads. The investigation is slow, please forgive me.”
Sending assassins and then investigating them himself… what a convenient way to cover things up.
Even if she took over the investigation, it would be fruitless.
These assassins were clearly expendable. With Shangguan Yaochang’s methods, he wouldn’t leave any traces.
Although Miss Gong practically had an omniscient cheat, she needed sufficient evidence to accuse him.
Otherwise, even if Shangguan Long suspected his brother and son of plotting something, he could easily talk his way out of it.
What she truly needed to prepare for…
Was the upcoming confrontation with the Myriad Demons Palace.
—
—
The third round, unsurprisingly, was a one-on-one duel in the main hall of the imperial palace.
The twenty finalists from the second round would engage in a final tournament.
Qiu Shui’s team, the First Prince, Young Master Xuli, the strange twins, some renowned young geniuses, and a few unknown dark horses were among the twenty.
As for the demonic infiltrators, they were among the unknown contestants, confirmed by Shangguan Lingyue and Shangguan Yaochang.
So, Emperor Shangguan Long had his imperial guards and Prince Changning’s troops hidden among the officials watching the competition.
And the Grand Elder, supposedly recuperating from his injuries, had actually recovered most of his strength and was also hidden among the crowd.
Everything was in place, waiting for the demonic cultivators to act.
Of course, before the official competition began, there was a rousing speech.
After days of recuperation, Shangguan Long looked perfectly healthy.
Wearing his crown and robes, he spoke of the Heartflame Empire’s future and his expectations for the participants.
After his long-winded speech, a carriage slowly entered the inner city.
Gong Yiling, disembarking, glanced at the familiar palace and said to the two girls behind her, “Let’s go.”
She looked at Lu Xinyao and asked, “Are you ready?”
“Yes, I’m ready.”
“Then…” Gong Yiling looked at the main hall, her eyes narrowing slightly.
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