22. Murder in the Forest
Even with over three hundred people, the chances of encountering others in the vast forest were slim.
Qiu Shui and Lu Xinyao followed Lu Xinyao’s knowledge of the forest, searching for rare herbs and adjusting their route based on the time.
They encountered two teams. One team recognized them and quickly retreated, while the other was scared off by Qiu Shui’s spiritual arts.
Coincidentally, while encountering the second team, Qiu Shui’s plant manipulation accidentally unearthed a number 7 card.
“This is…”
Recalling the other woman’s suggestion, Qiu Shui suddenly realized something.
Could this be the true meaning of this test? The number cards on them were just a distraction. The real key to victory was the hidden items within the forest…
“What’s wrong, Qiu Shui?”
“Look at this.” Qiu Shui handed the number card to Lu Xinyao. “Perhaps that woman really is a good person.”
Gong Yiling, inexplicably friend-zoned, chuckled awkwardly in the distance.
“This is…?”
“She must have guessed that there are other number cards hidden in the forest, so she suggested we split up to search, so she wouldn’t know our scores.”
Lu Xinyao examined the card, muttering, “Actually, that woman…”
“That woman?” Qiu Shui turned around, looking at her curiously. “What about her?”
To Little Heehee’s senses, that woman carried a faint scent of Big Sister.
As a demonic beast, her instincts were sharp.
But Big Sister… shouldn’t be here, right?
“Nothing.” Lu Xinyao shook her head, smiling. “It must be my imagination. Don’t worry about it, Qiu Shui.”
“Okay, then let’s continue searching for these cards.”
“Alright.”
The two were quite efficient together.
Lu Xinyao knew the locations of the forest’s treasures, while Qiu Shui could communicate with plants, sensing the presence of number cards nearby.
After confirming their locations, all they had to do was dig them up.
With this cooperation, they found six number cards in just one hour.
The numbers were mostly mid-range, adding up to almost 30.
Since they could only keep three cards, they had already completed the task.
“It’s almost time.”
They calculated the time and decided to head back instead of venturing further.
However, just then, they heard rustling sounds from the bushes ahead, as if someone was approaching.
As the bushes parted, Qiu Shui sensed a surge of anger from Lu Xinyao.
Standing before them were Shangguan Qingyun and Young Master Xuli.
It was them…?
Qiu Shui’s heart sank. She instinctively pulled Lu Xinyao behind her and addressed them, “Your Highness.”
Shangguan Qingyun glanced at them, his gaze lingering on the hostile Lu Xinyao. “I heard your master cured my father’s illness?”
Lu Xinyao had visited the palace a few times, so it was normal for the First Prince to recognize her.
“Yes…” Lu Xinyao suppressed the urge to transform into Little Heehee and unleash her fury, nodding silently.
“In that case, I’ll give you face.” The First Prince said, “I won’t do anything to you in this forest. Let’s not interfere with each other. Please.”
His words were strange.
Coming here just to say such pointless things, what was his purpose?
And after saying this, he actually turned and left.
Young Master Xuli, however, looked at Qiu Shui and Lu Xinyao with lecherous intent.
But he didn’t say anything and quickly followed the First Prince.
“What was that about…?”
Lu Xinyao and Qiu Shui exchanged glances.
This interlude was both sudden and strange. They didn’t dwell on it and continued towards the meeting point.
But…
The closer they got, the more unsettling the silence became.
Even the wind rustling through the leaves seemed muted… this was definitely not normal.
Suddenly, the surrounding bushes rustled violently.
A group of men in black, armed with weapons, emerged, surrounding them. And their target… seemed to be Lu Xinyao.
“Assassins in the competition grounds?”
Qiu Shui didn’t hesitate. She channeled her true essence, summoning dozens of towering vines, sweeping them towards the attackers.
Lu Xinyao was also puzzled. Even the Grand Elder couldn’t see through her disguise. Why were these assassins targeting her?
But…
Confusion aside…
She didn’t hesitate either.
Several fireballs ignited Qiu Shui’s vines, turning the surrounding forest into a sea of flames.
Taking advantage of the spreading fire, they slipped away unnoticed.
But these assassins weren’t pushovers.
Within seconds, a cultivator with water-type spiritual arts extinguished the flames.
Having only traveled a short distance, they couldn’t escape the assassins’ notice.
However, just as the assassins were about to attack again, a blinding flash erupted before them.
Far brighter than staring directly at the sun, it stunned the assassins.
When their vision cleared, the two girls were gone.
Only a talisman, slowly fluttering to the ground, remained.
“Now what…?”
The assassins exchanged glances.
They had just received orders from their employer, and now this…
Their employer wasn’t known for his patience.
“I knew this wouldn’t be easy.”
The First Prince’s voice suddenly rang out as he appeared.
He glanced at the assassins and sneered. “Prince Changning has truly raised a bunch of useless fools, unable to even handle two girls.”
“Your Highness… we have failed you!”
“No need to tell me that.” Shangguan Qingyun glared at them coldly. “I have a way to find them. If this happens again, you know the consequences.”
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