21. Turbulent Undercurrents
“There’s nothing wrong with the number cards,” Shangguan Yaochang announced, silencing those who were about to question the distribution.
The prince’s words were final. The low-value cards were intentional.
“The fifteen minutes for questions are over. The teams I call will enter now. If you don’t enter, you’ll be considered withdrawn.”
“First group: Shangguan Qingyun, Young Master Xuli.”
The first group called was actually them.
As if they knew about the number cards beforehand, they immediately entered the forest and disappeared.
This made Gong Yiling frown.
She thought the First Prince and Prince Changning should have communicated beforehand.
And as the strongest team, they should have waited for the group with the number 9 to enter and robbed them immediately. That would make more sense.
This meant…
Gong Yiling suddenly had a realization.
Could the low value of the number cards be because there were higher-value items hidden within the forest?
The organizers never said that stealing from others was the *only* way to obtain number cards.
If there were high-value resources available, it would also spark conflict, and the elimination rate would be much higher than simple one-on-one battles.
“Qiu… ahem, you two,”
Gong Yiling said to the two girls after figuring things out, “I suggest you don’t bother fighting others. Focus on searching the forest for resources. The people here only have 1s or 2s. Stealing from them is pointless.”
Although the two girls didn’t like this woman, her words made sense.
Their current cards were practically worthless.
It was better to focus on searching for treasures in the forest.
But this strategy… sounded like something their own master would come up with.
“It seems you two have no objections,” Gong Yiling continued. “Then let’s agree on a meeting point. I suggest you two stick together, but if you separate, meet back there every hour and a half.”
Qiu Shui didn’t see any problems with this and agreed.
Just then, Shangguan Yaochang called their team’s name.
As they entered, Gong Yiling noticed Prince Changning glancing at Qiu Shui with a cold expression.
Hmph.
Having this man supervise the competition, she had anticipated him making a move.
There were many spies in the palace. The news of her curing the Emperor might have already reached him.
Villains, unable to deal with the master, often targeted the disciples.
And since Qiu Shui and the others were staying at Shangguan Lingyue’s manor, Prince Changning had no opportunity to act.
Now was his best chance to send a warning.
—
—
Following Lu Xinyao’s instructions, the three arrived at a pond in the outer area. A giant tree, much taller than the surrounding trees, stood to the left of the pond, a perfect landmark for their meeting point.
“And…”
Lu Xinyao took out a small shovel and dug at the base of the tree, unearthing some buried fruit.
“These are the fruits of the Qiongling Tree. They fall and bury themselves in the soil when ripe.”
She handed a fruit to Qiu Shui, then hesitated before handing another to Qiu Shui for Gong Yiling, quickly hiding behind Qiu Shui.
“This fruit… one can keep you full for a day… and restore true essence and heal injuries.”
“Thanks, kid.”
Gong Yiling took the fruit, ate it down to the core, and let out a loud burp.
Then, she kept her promise and headed in a different direction, using her Blood Orchid Demonic Art to search for treasures.
Not far away, she actually found a patch of spiritual herbs.
A hidden, two-colored flower, seemingly a young sprout of the Other Shore Twin Flowers.
Normally, upon finding such a sprout, it was best to mark the location and leave it undisturbed.
After all, its potency was less than a tenth of a mature plant, and it couldn’t be transplanted. Taking it would be a waste.
However, Gong Yiling dug it up and tossed it into her Universe Ring, wanting to confirm her suspicions.
—*Thud.*
A sound of something hard hitting something hard.
She dug further and unearthed the object, confirming her guess.
It was a number card with the digit “6.”
“So that’s how it is…”
Gong Yiling cleaned the card and tried to put it in her Universe Ring, but it was rejected, just like her “1” card.
This surprised her.
According to Gong Youyuan’s setting, spatial storage items could hold anything except living beings.
Could this card… be a living being?
But she didn’t dwell on it.
She tucked both cards into her clothes and returned to the meeting point.
She couldn’t just leave the two girls alone in this dangerous environment.
As their master, she had to be responsible.
—
—
Meanwhile, in the central area of the Yanxing Great Forest, a giant python slowly emerged from the swamp.
An ominous aura emanated from it, and wherever its poisonous mist spread, all living things withered and decayed. Only venomous insects, monsters, and plants could survive here.
They formed a grotesque and twisted landscape.
“This scent…”
The python’s vertical pupils flickered with a strange light. “The bloodline of a phoenix… and a unique celestial fox aura…”
Its body swayed with excitement. “Interesting, very interesting.”
“Phoenix true essence, such a nourishing delicacy. It will greatly enhance my cultivation.”
Its voice was filled with anticipation and suppressed rage.
“Gong Muzhi—”
It remembered the woman who trapped it here. “Once I escape this place… I will have my revenge on you, you vile woman!”
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