ASER - Chapter 153
Chapter 153: Scum
At a moment of intense awkwardness, Song Ling, as the third person aware of the connection between A'Diao and Zhao Ritian, though lacking Xiao Jin's formidable intelligence network, could still piece together some information from recent changes in Kyoto's official circles. Based on this information, she could roughly outline the course of events.
If she could converse with Toilet, they might complete the sequence as follows:
1. After the incident, Baili Huayue and the other individual were detained.
2. With the Lushan Academy assessment imminent, the Baili and Qu families had to intervene to get their people out.
3. The Law Enforcement Department's investigation, based on the deceased's Lie Qin identity, implicated the Lie Qin royalty, leading to reasonable suspicion of political ties behind the two families.
4. Following the Law Enforcement Department's investigation, the Seventh Prince and the Third Prince, hidden behind the two families, surfaced.
5. The Seventh Prince and the Third Prince, out of self-preservation and mutual suspicion, investigated each other. Coincidentally, the Seventh Prince's strategists had A'Diao's father-daughter conversation, which they released using a secret technique to drive a wedge between the Third Prince and the Qu family. The Third Prince's side, in turn, smeared the Baili family, attempting to divert blame. The strategists and advisors on both sides launched attacks against each other.
6. A'Diao deliberately left traces of spilled coffee and the scent of teleportation from the storage ring, linking them to the same person. She then set the teleportation coordinates from the ring to the Crown Prince's inner residence, allowing the Law Enforcement Department's space-type experts to trace it, successfully drawing the Crown Prince into the fray and forming Kyoto's triangular struggle for succession.
If the Crown Prince became the mastermind, the other princes would naturally realize he was still powerful and had begun to move against them. They certainly wouldn't remain idle and would focus their main efforts on dealing with the Crown Prince and other princes. Simultaneously, families like Qu and Baili, who had taken sides, would find it difficult to extricate themselves.
7. Initially, exposing Zhao Ritian was a move to actively enter the game and reduce the risk of being counter-attacked by the escaped Star Realm master. However, A'Diao connected this to the Duanmu family and the Crown Prince, realizing she could exploit it. Coincidentally, the imperial kinsman Dantai Yu was also at the auction house and could be dragged in as well.
In truth, she didn't care about the true identity of this master. She simply dragged all conceivable suspects into it, ensuring no one could escape. Once this Star Realm cultivator tried any tricks, they would be exposed. Furthermore, A'Diao had already revealed that the guarantor from Lushan was not present. Even if they pointed her out as Zhao Ritian, it would be useless, as even the more concrete evidence from surveillance cameras hadn't managed to do anything to him. Seeing this, the other party naturally wouldn't dare to step forward.
8. A'Diao was certain the Law Enforcement Department wouldn't dare to investigate further, and the matter could only end inconclusively. Currently, all clues were mutually incriminating, trapping everyone involved. The Law Enforcement Department dared not interfere and could only close the case. After all, the deceased were foreigners, and two were Qu family disciples. The Qu family, wanting to extricate themselves, dared not get involved and wouldn't pursue it. So, it would end there. However, Lan Shan needed a plausible pretext, which led to the preceding scene.
The Law Enforcement Department also set a trap, using one trending topic to suppress another. However, the biggest difference between the two traps was:
In the first trap, A'Diao used the most authentic facts to fabricate connections, stimulating the already existing succession struggle. She utilized its inherent risks to force the Law Enforcement Department to close the loop. From specifically having Zhao Ritian select individuals with Lie Qin identities to the masks proving recent, live deaths, everything was meticulously prepared.
And by exploiting Baili Huayue and Qu Hanzhou's need for resources, she amplified the allure of this fake identity's immense wealth, luring them into an assassination attempt for treasure. The plan began the moment that waiter entered the private room. In any case, they were the ones who initiated the robbery; they couldn't deny it. This too was real, as were the princely factions they each backed.
Because it was too real, the Law Enforcement Department dared not investigate.
In the second trap, Lan Shan used non-existent rumors and conjectures, using the almost defunct past engagement between Zhao Ritian and Duanmu Qingyang to entangle their respective social networks, essentially having them "cuckold" each other. But the unexpected bonus was that Xie Jingyu and her husband happened to be present.
Thus, the filtering (green/cuckolding) net expanded.
Basically, from arranging the Lie Qin identities through Zhao Ritian, to setting the trap with Chen Ran's conversation, and finally completing the interlocking scheme, A'Diao had accomplished her design. Even with the hidden threat of the Star Realm cultivator, it was suppressed. As long as it didn't come to light, there was still a chance to lure the person out and kill them.
But she hadn't expected that before this step was fully realized, she would be ensnared by Lan Shan in this cuckoldry-fueled melodrama.
Her fiancé was in love with her prospective sister-in-law?
No problem, the fiancée immediately had a marriage alliance prospect, and was even coveted by the Crown Prince.
But then the fiancé suddenly stopped loving the sister-in-law and hooked up with a troublesome, foxy little sister. Oh, he liked her so much, they talked about formations all night, and he even sent milk tea and breakfast the next day.
No problem, the fiancée had two suitors, one of whom even wanted to marry into her family.
But then the fiancé suddenly had a new sweetheart, and it was that same sister-in-law?
Now, with the ultimate white moonlight, the sister-in-law, right in front of them.
Duanmu Qingyang's expression... well, she didn't have much of an expression, but all the green on the branches of the Baili peach wood couldn't match the saturation of chlorophyll on her person.
The atmosphere was truly awkward; mainly because no one dared to casually interject, fearing they might offend someone.
It was either the Duanmu family, the Zhao family, or these ducal and marquis manors. Who the hell could afford to offend them?
At this moment, Wen Shaoyao looked at Lan Shan, who had planted a field of melons nearby and was waiting to enjoy the drama, somewhat bewildered: Um, when will they ask about us three? Do they even need to ask? Are we just tool characters with no lines?
Toilet was truly not attending to its proper business. Compared to the murderous shuraba, it was clearly more interested in the subsequent entanglements.
"Aiya, this Duanmu Qingyang girl is so pitiful. Surrounded by scumbags, and one of them has been tied to her since childhood."
The insinuation was palpable.
A'Diao: "..."
The situation was so awkward, what to do?
Was she the third party, or was he?
At that moment, all the nerve fibers in A'Diao's brain began to twitch. Various excuses tangled together. She opened her mouth, starting with a modulated tone...
She had a plan. The "late-night script session" couldn't be cleared up. What kind of indirectly related, newly recognized brother and sister would spend a night in the same house? Her initially perfect plan to ride the coattails of the Zhao family's prestigious CP had hit a snag against this fated, childhood-sweetheart, super-elite fiancée. So, she decisively chose the method that would best mitigate the consequences.
—At the very least, she had to neutralize the hostility from Duanmu Qingyang and the Duanmu family. After all, this girl was certainly doted upon in the Duanmu family, and in a sense, the Duanmu family was definitely stronger than the Qu and Baili families. That was why the esteemed Crown Prince had his eyes on her, wanting to augment his power by marrying her to suppress the other princes.
So, A'Diao had it all figured out, and then she spoke.
"Um, can I still have all your breakfasts?"
She asked pitifully, a stroke of genius. The atmosphere of the conversation inexplicably shifted.
Never mind the third-party business, it seemed she didn't take Zhao Ritian seriously either.
What time was it to still be thinking about breakfast?
Everyone: "?"
Cao Juanzhi: "..."
I treat everyone equally, showering favors evenly.
You eat breakfast, showering favors evenly.
He really hadn't seen this side of her at the Buddhist temple that day.
Then, A'Diao paused dramatically.
"Ah, don't misunderstand. It's not for me."
Everyone: "?"
A'Diao: "Actually, it's for my first love from my youth."
So, he was here? Was this a confession? Publicly snatching a man from Duanmu Qingyang?
Duanmu Qingyang, with a cool expression, seemed uninterested and turned to leave.
Just then.
A'Diao: "Today is the anniversary of his death."
???
Even Duanmu Qingyang froze, stopping to look. Everyone once again looked at Zhao Ritian, then at A'Diao, then back at Duanmu Qingyang.
Xie Jingyu had been quite angry when she first arrived. She didn't know this A'Diao person, but she knew this was Qu Jiangnan's disciple. She hadn't expected her own best friend to bring her such a huge surprise...
A third party? Had you ever seen such a ruthless third party?!
To avoid being the third party, give her a pen, and she'd write the person to death!
Zhao Ritian seemed stunned for a moment, then suddenly reacted, "Diaodiao! You actually... actually really... Don't tell me you only see me as a substitute?!!!"
A'Diao sighed, reached out to touch his brow, and delivered a classic line from substitute-themed literature.
"Don't frown. When you frown, you don't look like him anymore."
Everyone: "?"
Xie Jingyu felt a strangely familiar toxicity. She subconsciously glanced at Xiao Jin, only to see that notorious black-hearted, top-tier gossip monger from their school days watching with bright eyes.
This... was strikingly similar to how she watched Zhao Ritian create his own scandal that day.
So?
Xie Jingyu, lost in thought, picked up her phone and sent a message to Qu Jiangnan: "What's up with that disciple of yours?"
Qu Jiangnan: "?"
Xie Jingyu was about to send another message when she was stunned by the scene before her.
Zhao Ritian: "No, I can't take it! How could you do this to me? Am I not human? Don't I feel pain, don't I suffer?"
A'Diao: "But you were only a substitute, while I found love. Since I'm happy, shouldn't you be happy for my happiness? If you don't think so, then it means you don't really like me either, so how can you talk about suffering? Therefore, I haven't really hurt you, Brother."
Very good, the emotional and moral logic also formed a closed loop.
Zhao Ritian: "You!"
He clutched his heart... staggered back two steps, and finally leaned on Zhao Yi's shoulder.
The latter: "?"
In front of Kyoto's top power couple, this cheap younger brother covered his mouth with his other hand.
Here it comes! The moment Song Ling saw this gesture, her heart twinged.
Retch...
He vomited, a large mouthful of blood.
A large pool of blood on the ground.
From Xie Jingyu +5,333,333!
From Duanmu Qingyang +4,444,444!
From Xiao Jin +4,444,445!
From Song Ling +1,888,888!
From Lan Shan +4,666,666!
From Xu Ye +...
From Xia Sanlu +
From...
Damn, why did the list scroll so much!!!
Others aside, little Song Ling, what's with you?
A sense of satisfaction?
At this moment, 99% of the people present shared one sentiment: Damn, that scumbag, serves him right, ptooey!
A large part of this sentiment stemmed from the fact that many were admirers of Duanmu Qingyang. After all, she was the pearl of Kyoto, admired by many from Kyoto Academy and Kyoto University alone.
A long queue of genius-level admirers could be formed.
Another part was purely due to the unanimous attitude of aunties and uncles when discussing a certain Chen Shimei: Scumbag, ptooey!
Alright, satisfied now.
The self-inflicted injury ploy, perfectly executed...
Just as A'Diao was breathing a sigh of relief.
The Lushan Academy teachers, having finished their share of the drama, came to remind them, "Everyone, the competition is about to begin. Unrelated personnel, please withdraw. All examinees, come over here."
Finally, it was time for the ex—
"Chen Adiao, this."
A deep, magnetic voice sounded. A'Diao turned her head to see the tall, handsome, and powerful Xiao Mieluo descending like Sun Wukong on his seven-colored cloud.
He ignored all the messy rumors and handed her something.
A'Diao was genuinely moved, her eyes red. She reached out... and smoothly took the milk tea that the black-hearted Xiao Jin, engrossed in the drama, hadn't even started drinking from her lap.
Xiao Jin: "?"
A'Diao: "Thank you, Brother Xiao and Auntie Xiao. I'm so touched."
Xiao Mieluo looked at her feigned obedience and inexplicably wanted to laugh. Just as he was about to say something, he saw Madam Xu and others approaching.
"A'Diao, A Ye, come here."
Madam Xu raised her hand, and a servant presented a large pile of food. Neither she nor Xie Yuqing glanced at Zhao Ritian.
The two mothers maintained a united front at this moment.
"A Ye said the exam will last seven days. Don't go hungry."
There were no other words. They then stood on the periphery with the delicate Xie Yuqing and her son, watching the group of examinees gather, waiting to be transported to the exam site.
At this moment, seeing a pile of freshly bought food from Peach Blossom Town, A'Diao subconsciously forgot about the "third party" incident. Just as she was about to go get some, Xu Ye went over and took everything in one go.
Damn!
A'Diao was stunned, but then she saw Xu Ye proactively approach and give her a large portion. As she divided it, she said coldly in front of everyone, "All these nicely packaged ones are for you. I haven't touched them; they're all in the bag. Anyway, since you were little, you've always liked good-looking things, but hated stupid ones, and you especially dislike touching things others have claimed."
These words were meant for others to hear.
Duanmu Qingyang glanced at Xu Ye. In truth, she hadn't taken this matter to heart much.
Men's affairs were ultimately trivial.
But clearly, others were afraid she would hold a grudge against Chen Adiao.
Then, the cool and taciturn Song Ling beside A'Diao also extended her hand, offering a large bag of snacks, evidently prepared in advance. She said in a light, cool tone, "Young and beautiful appearances, who doesn't like them. But you've always been cautious, giving no quarter to those with ulterior motives, glib tongues, and a habit of two-timing. That's why, when I wanted to be friends with you back then, I listened to everything you said."
"It's the same now."
"So, don't lower your standards for me. It's better to be overly tolerant of others."
The two girls usually didn't exchange a word, seemingly keeping a respectful distance from each other. Now, they had joined forces, and with a few words, they had elevated the standards for Chen Adiao's circle of friends to an ultra-high difficulty level.
Young, beautiful, intelligent, loyal, and obedient. The specific reference standard was Song Ling, and one also had to consider the variously outstanding Xu Ye, whom A'Diao disliked... Ask yourself, are you worthy?
Cao Juanzhi, the master of impartiality, was riddled with insinuations, and even Xiao Mieluo inexplicably felt like he'd taken an arrow to the knee—he wasn't young anymore, but he had only bought breakfast, no, it was Xiao Jin who had asked him to buy it.
As for Zhao Ritian... he was probably riddled with arrow holes.
Honestly, even Tuoba didn't know if these two were helping A'Diao out of a jam or sealing her fate for future relationships.
Would she ever find a partner in the future?
Fortunately, both Zone 13 and Zone 11 had been thoroughly thrashed by A'Diao, so not many people spoke up. Deep down, though... they were quite impressed.
Whether she was a third party or not, if she truly was, snatching a man from Duanmu Qingyang—hailed as the Moon of Kyoto amidst a bevy of Kyoto aristocratic young ladies like Baili Xianyun—was indeed impressive.
A'Diao naturally understood, feeling somewhat complex. So, while Duanmu Qingyang was in the neighboring zones, she said softly, "I know, I know. You all know what kind of principles and character I have."
It would have been better if she hadn't said anything. With her words, the surroundings instantly fell silent. Even Xu Ye and Song Ling said nothing.
A'Diao: "?"
Duanmu Qingyang: "..."
Meanwhile, in a secluded mountain villa in a tranquil water town far away.
Different locations experienced different weather. While Kyoto and Diannan were bathed in bright sunshine, her place was experiencing a light, drizzling rain.
Qu Jiangnan was sitting beside a tombstone, sipping wine. She glanced at the silent private chat with Xie Jingyu on her phone, remained silent for a moment, then switched out. She did, however, see Jiang Zhou's dense voice messages, comparable to a thesis.
All of them were cursing A'Diao for being particularly despicable, inhuman, and causing him to be besieged by other principals.
Qu Jiangnan listened to all the voice messages, then smiled and placed the phone beside the tombstone, playing them from the beginning.
"Sis, this old man is as noisy as ever. I remember how he tried every means to take us as disciples back then. Unfortunately..."
She lowered her head, a deep sadness in her beautiful eyes.
She said no more, as if the rest of the "unfortunately" could not be voiced, because it was meaningless.
What could ever be redone?
Time was the most ruthless of all.
Qu Jiangnan, dressed in a somewhat disheveled manner, gazed at the distant mountains and sea. After a while, her phone beeped with another message.
She glanced at it, raised an eyebrow, and typed a reply.
But she also spoke to the tombstone, as if to herself, "It's Jingyu asking me. She asked why I chose such a despicable student."
"Actually, I don't know either. There were so many students, and she wasn't particularly different at first."
"Later... perhaps because she was outstanding?"
Far more outstanding than she had anticipated, even frighteningly so.
But that wasn't entirely the main reason either.
"Perhaps it was because, because I found the child very cute."
She recalled that time at school when she, bored and idle, had gone to handle something, only to see a little drama queen theatrically falling... and not forgetting to pick up her steamed buns afterwards.
Actually, she had genuinely been amused then. It was probably the first time her perennially gloomy mood had been uplifted in years.
How could someone be so cute?
She propped her chin on her hand. The fine, drizzling rain moistened her and the tombstone. Her expression was faintly like that of a little girl gently cared for by someone, but her tone was exceptionally melancholic.
Once, she too had been such a little girl.
But when that little girl saw her sister, who could have escaped safely, turn back to protect her, only to be brutally murdered... she was no longer that girl.
But her sister had a child.
She lowered her eyes, looking at the wine in her hand, and sneered faintly.
These matters of love and affection, whether real or imagined, or being the sister-in-law's third party, were all trivial.
Everyone's focus was still on the competition. The rumors about a certain someone had provided a wave of amusement, easing much of the tension. But just as people in every zone began to relax, did the teachers activate the teleportation array?
No, they took out tokens, fifteen in total. Infusing them with spiritual energy, the tokens flew up, expanded, and assembled into a massive array diagram. The array diagram flew into the dense fog outside the small town.
The fog billowed and churned.
A faint, heavy whistling sound could be heard, yet it was gentle, creating a corresponding aesthetic beauty with the romantic and picturesque peach blossom forest. But its rolling also formed air currents, causing countless peach blossoms to tremble and shed some petals. They danced out, carrying the fragrance of peach blossoms, drifting over...
In the instant the peach blossoms brushed their faces, when they came to their senses again, it felt as if millennia had passed in the mortal world.
When everyone regained their senses, A'Diao raised her hand to remove a peach blossom petal stuck to her forehead. Looking up, she saw a colossal statue towering thousands of feet high appear behind the dispersed fog.
No, it shouldn't be called a statue, but a giant Buddha-shaped pagoda.
The Thousand-Hand Guanyin Pagoda.
The diameter of its outstretched jade Buddha arms was a full eight hundred meters. Everyone felt dizzy just looking at it, yet it was solemn and majestic, as if gazing down upon the mortal world.
Not to mention the stunned audience outside, even the many well-traveled examinees from extraordinary backgrounds were astonished.
Heavens, this wasn't part of Peach Blossom Island's original scenery, was it?
Was this Lushan Academy's doing?!
"Everyone, this is an extraordinary treasure, a spiritual plant body, belonging to the Headmaster of our Lushan Academy. Transcendent Grade. Today, it will be used for the examination. All examinees, follow us inside."
Such a massive thing was a spiritual plant body? How much spiritual power would it take to control it?
Many hearts trembled slightly: What cultivation level must this Headmaster possess? But everyone was on the same starting line for spiritual energy cultivation. Even with the best resources, the gap couldn't be this enormous, right?
Unless...
A'Diao: "Unless this Headmaster is an old monster who survived from three hundred years ago and never died."
Toilet: "Lushan Academy is strong, oh. Work hard, perform well, strive to make a stunning debut in this round. However, if your aptitude is exposed later, will the people from the Law Enforcement Department suspect you?"
A'Diao: "They will. But he has already closed the case. So, even for self-preservation, he won't utter another word. Besides, what I'm exposing is aptitude, not some critical evidence. Plus, once my aptitude is exposed, Lushan Academy will definitely protect me. He'd have to be brain-dead to get involved in this matter again—judging by his character from the despicable way he protected himself this morning, he's an absolute refined egoist."
She had long seen that the foundation of the court under this Dantai Dynasty wasn't much good. It wasn't that she looked down on the methods of high officials like Lan Shan, but rather, if the upper beam is not straight, the lower ones will go askew. If the ruler is upright, the ministers will be honest. If the ruler is not upright, then... crooked?
Anyway, if those at the top weren't up to par, could you expect the officials below to all be Bao Zheng and Hai Rui?
Looking at why regional warlords like Xiao Mieluo were unwilling to cede power? On one hand, it was human nature's possessiveness of power; on the other, it was because the central authority couldn't command respect. And once military power was surrendered, it was impossible to guarantee the family's safety. Instead, they would most likely be hunted down and exterminated by the imperial clan. So, whether it was the Xiao family or other regional powers, none were willing to relinquish power, preferring to engage in petty squabbles or align themselves with various princes in their factional struggles.
Toilet: "..."
Oh, right.
At this time, Lan Shan indeed hastened to close the case. The Qu family, having lost two disciples, also urged for a swift closure. They had to appease the Third Prince on one hand, publicly show no collusion with the Crown Prince on the other, and prepare to ally with a new prince on yet another.
In short, they were very busy.
As for the Baili family, their family style was more stable. They chose to prove their innocence with a composed demeanor but would absolutely not get involved any further, as there were no actual interests at stake, and they weren't backing the Third Prince.
In this wave, the Third Prince suffered the most. It was unknown how overwhelmed he was now, as he had been warned from above.
Internal strife was already disliked by monarchs, and if it also involved foreign grievances, it was definitely not a good thing for the imperial family...
Once the case was closed, Lan Shan felt much more at ease and also had time to sit down and watch the competition. He might even greet the Xiao siblings, with whom he had some acquaintance.
Speaking of which, he and Xiao Jin were part of the same system, and their official ranks were similar.
However, there were truly many high-ranking officials present today. Before the three of them could exchange more than a few words, flying vessels arrived one after another.
Soon, they saw that nobles such as the Qu, Baili, and Duanmu families had arrived, as had representatives from the high official echelons. Titled nobility and the high official system were two different things. For example, Chen Ran belonged to the high official system, which was why Guang Yunlou held a certain prejudice against A'Diao. From his class perspective, he probably equated A'Diao with the likes of Baili Xianyun. This mentality was quite common, but among commoners or ordinary people, there were many like Wen Shaoyao and her peers, who developed quietly and had a more balanced perspective on such class issues. Because once they rose, they could very well become new nobles themselves.
This was a cycle, perhaps.
The mortal world was just so.
Xiao Jin propped her chin on her hand, silently observing these people. She secretly noted that the family heads hadn't arrived yet; they would probably only show up for the third round. However, second-tier elders and core direct descendants had come, such as Zhao Yi bringing Xie Jingyu, which was a signal.
But looking at core members like Zhao Yi, who were between 25 and 40 years old, whether it was the Qu, Baili, or Duanmu echelons, some individuals in this age group had already entered the Star Realm.
Even if not openly, some had entered it privately.
"No wonder several countries have been short on high-grade resources lately. They've probably all been snatched up by them for cultivation."
Xiao Jin transmitted to Xiao Mieluo.
Xiao Mieluo: "The situation over in Lie Qin is very tense. The two strongest princes have already started using force. The Lie Qin Emperor seems to be intentionally selecting the strongest one. However, this is also their country's tradition. A nation founded on the wildness of the grasslands has always considered succession through combat as orthodox. They should stabilize their situation earlier than Tang Song, but this has indirectly intensified the resource shortage—Lie Qin coming to Tang Song to buy resources isn't an isolated incident. But why do I feel these families are so eager to strengthen themselves? Have they received some news?"
Xiao Jin pondered, "I feel the same way, but it's not apparent yet. To be kept so tightly under wraps, it must be related to the old emperor."
Could it be that the old emperor was about to pass away?
The two siblings exchanged a look, both having this treasonous thought.
But what they didn't know was... far beyond this world, at least beyond the dimensional space barrier, three space cosmic starships were soaring in.
The design of the leading ship was different from the two following it, but the latter two were both Tang Song Nation's imperial starships, escorting the one in front.
They were currently passing through a star fragment zone. Because the star fragments formed a terrifying star rain, all three starships had activated their protective shields in advance.
Dangerous externally, but quite safe internally.
Aboard the starship, as vast as a small town, were pavilions, rockeries, and waterfalls.
A young woman walked out of her bedroom. Guards in the distance knelt in salute, then turned their backs, not daring to look further. The woman's bare feet trod the deck, the fluid, soft hem of her dress clinging to her long, graceful legs, trailing slightly. On one ankle, a cinnabar-red, rotating star bracelet was faintly visible. The bracelet seemed to contain liquid, or perhaps jade marrow, and within the jade marrow, were two shrunken fish?
No, upon closer inspection, they looked more like a flood dragon and a silver-scaled python.
What kind of treasure was this?
She had been holding a chubby, ordinary blue cat with one hand. After coming out, she bent down, released it to run and play, and then walked to the front. Leaning slightly, she rested her arms on the railing, gazing at the garden scenery ahead.
She was very quiet, without any superfluous languid stretching movements, as if she had absorbed the brilliant starlight of this space tunnel.
From the maidservant's angle, one could see her mistress's elegant figure, and also the small tear mole by the side of her star-bright, aloof pupils. It was a lustrous crimson, like a speck of stellar cinnabar on white snow, un-melted yet imprinted, as if heaven and earth had marked her.
This was an immortal beauty, unparalleled in this age.
And as she casually looked at the garden, she also saw a man sitting on a stone chair under a sparsely wooded area in the distance.
That was the rest area for the working staff, she knew. She rarely came here; it was only because the cat fancied this spot today that she had come over.
This man wore the work uniform of Tang Song Nation's dispatched personnel. If he were a technician, it would be a green robe with a grey sash, quite common. But this person was somewhat different.
There were some books on the table, scattered about, and manuscripts pushed to the side.
How to put it, his appearance was ordinary, but his physique was tall, slender, and distinguished. He just sat there casually, watching a screen played by a light brain, who knew what he was watching. Occasionally, a smile touched his lips, but he sat with one long leg crossed, exuding an air of refined scholarly elegance, his hands... knitting a sweater.
Knitting a sweater while watching a video, occasionally pushing up his glasses with a finger.
He looked... very different.
Not because he was different at this moment, but because he himself was inherently different.
She knew this person was unremarkable when he first joined the technical department and was even dubbed the only ordinary person incapable of cultivation. But it was this very person who had effortlessly overcome numerous technical difficulties. This morning, he had even gone all out to add some equipment and technology to the starship, allowing it to maintain smooth network connectivity even after entering the turbulent and dangerous space tunnel. This had greatly impressed her people and also earned face for Tang Song, making him known.
Only then did she learn of such a person.
However... the man suddenly looked down at his wristwatch, then stood up and looked towards her. A ripple seemed to pass through his usually clear and handsome eyes.
Their eyes met?
Unlikely. There was a barrier between them; he couldn't see her.
So... he had sensed it too? It was probably that special wristwatch; it had detected the abnormal spatial data.
How perceptive.
The woman raised her hand and tapped her glabella, releasing a thought.
"Enemy attack."
Tang Song Capital, Kyoto. Wen Shaoyao looked up as the flying vessels descended one by one, overhearing some people's discussions.
"The powerful nobles have many people and abundant offspring. Many of their children are in academies or universities. Daoist sects, on the other hand, have fewer descendants. So, like the Zhao family's most outstanding Zhao Yi, he's actually over 25 and missed the opportunity. Conversely, families like Wanqi and He happen to have outstanding descendants in our age group..."
Wen Shaoyao was a little puzzled and asked Yan Fengbai in a low voice, "Doesn't the Zhao family also have a descendant? Zhao Foshou?"
Yan Fengbai, a steady and low-key person, lowered his head and said to the petite Wen Shaoyao, "That's him. This person doesn't have a good reputation among the Daoist sects, apparently because..."
As the two were talking, they saw this very person sidling up to Chu Daise from Zone 5, fawning over her. And he opened his mouth with: "Miss Chu, would you like some breakfast?"
Chu Daise had just finished enjoying the drama involving the Zhao and Duanmu families. Now, seeing a man from the Zhao family made her a little wary. Thoughtfully, she said, "The day before yesterday, I think I saw you offering breakfast to Shen Huajing in the Heaven on Earth's internal restaurant. She didn't want it. Today, you even specially delivered it to her residence door... What, am I another boat for you to ride now?"
Zhao Foshou was instantly embarrassed and subconsciously looked towards the green-robed woman in Zone 1.
The other party seemed not to have noticed the conversation here, currently looking down at an advertisement flyer from Peach Blossom Town, her dark hair slightly brushing her profile, obscuring her features.
"No, I didn't..."
"Do a split for me. If you succeed, I'll eat your breakfast."
"..."
Zhao Foshou, with his slightly plump and festive appearance, was stung into a hornet's nest by the beautiful Chu Daise, while the people in Zone 5 and Zone 6, finding it nothing unusual, just muffled their laughter.
People are often attracted by beauty. Within the 15 zones, aptitude was naturally the standard for prodigies, but some exceptionally beautiful women also attracted attention.
Among them, Shen Huajing from Zone 1, Nie Yuanyuan from Zone 2, Shi Qing from Zone 4, Liu Shiqi from Zone 6, Duanmu Qingyang from Zone 8, and Xu Ye, Han Zhuo, and Song Ling from Zone 13 were the most striking.
But in terms of popularity, the three from Zone 13, despite their outstanding looks, were not as prominent as the others due to their scores and reputations not being as formidable, and also because they came from more remote coastal prefectural cities, not within the mainstream.
The majority of examinees within the 15 zones still focused on the more prominent individuals. However, Duanmu Qingyang had the highest popularity within the noble districts. After all, her background was too good, creating a distance from ordinary people. She didn't socialize much and wasn't very down-to-earth.
But Shen Huajing was universally adored. She had been highly regarded by the entire nation since the last literary exam.
Why? Probably because of her good temper, gentle aura, and relatively amiable attitude towards other examinees. She neither haggled over trifles nor was overly enthusiastic. Moreover, before the resurgence of spiritual energy, this young woman was already a renowned young artist within the three nations, ranked among the masters of painting in her early twenties. She already had a foundation of fame, so her popularity was now sky-high.
In other words, if A'Diao's popularity was infinitely negative, then this young woman's was infinitely positive.
But even such a person could be targeted by scumbags.
Xie Jingyu, thoughtfully, asked Zhao Yi, "Is your family hereditarily predisposed to scumbags? I heard your third uncle also... well... you know."
Zhao Yi: "..."
Less than twenty minutes here, and already two pots of blame dumped on him.
Was he a gas stove or something?
"My third uncle is just a gluttonous, lecherous, lazy old dandy, not a scumbag." Zhao Yi, also an oddball, actually explained seriously to his nominal wife.
Xie Jingyu, whose family members were all self-disciplined elites: "?"
Now, 13,000 people were in the square, still divided into different zones. There were too many people, and few bothered to observe other zones unless something stirred, like A'Diao's romantic escapades. But soon, as the teachers retrieved their tokens, everyone's attention returned.
"Follow us."
Teacher Green Pepper stepped onto a flying device, and everyone followed suit.
Streaks of light flew over the hundred-li peach blossom forest. As they left, the audience in Peach Blossom Town took their seats, waiting for the screen broadcast.
At this time, A'Diao, the "local ruffian," flying above the peach blossom forest, looked down at the endless expanse of pink and white peach blossoms below, thoroughly delighted. She took photos continuously, looking like someone who had never seen the world.
However, she indeed hadn't. She had never traveled in her entire life, from childhood to adulthood.
One had to know, even children from ordinary families usually got to travel a few times a year.
She hadn't, not even once.
So, every time she saw these tourist attractions, she was always very happy, her eyes smiling.
This smile was very pure, making people puzzled.
How could a person be like this?
Sometimes cunning and ruthless to the extreme, sometimes pure and clear as water.
Incomprehensible.
After passing the peach blossom forest, the emotions of the crowd began to fluctuate wildly.
Because the Thousand-Hand Guanyin Pagoda before them was truly too breathtaking.
Not just because of its size, but because its solemn majesty targeted the soul.
"Do not look at the eyes of the Guanyin statue! It is a transcendent spiritual plant body. Even Star Realm cultivators would find it hard to withstand its pressure. The Guanyin statue's eyes are spiritual pupils that will directly enter your soul. Your mental bodies may not be able to bear it. Remember this, remember this!"
Forewarned, everyone immediately avoided looking up, but they could still see the body of the Guanyin statue. The hem of its skirt formed the eaves of a pagoda, and its thousand outstretched hands were covered in dense, ancient, and mysterious runes.
A so-called transcendent spiritual plant body was a treasure that only Grandmaster and King Realm cultivators from the initial era could wield. Those below that level would be turned to ash upon contact.
So, this Headmaster was indeed at least a Grandmaster.
A'Diao marveled inwardly. Soon, Teacher Green Pepper and the others flew down.
"We've arrived. All examinees, follow."
Below was a body of water. This Thousand-Hand Guanyin statue stood in the sea area outside Peach Blossom Island, with an entrance at its base.
As the 15 teachers led the way into the entrance, the 13,000 people rustled and followed. A'Diao was quick at snatching money, but she was quite slow in matters like this, trailing at the very back.
But as soon as she entered, she saw the other examinees looking shocked, also appearing as if they had never seen such a sight. And upon entering, A'Diao quickly felt her body... sealed! Confinement!
All her powers were completely sealed, including her mental body.
The aptitude test doesn't require fight—
A'Diao was suspicious, her gaze sweeping over several teachers.
...She knew why these teachers were still carrying backpacks.
Inside, it was fiery red, with high temperatures, and ferocious statues and murals everywhere. Moreover, in the spacious area, there were four staircases spiraling upwards along the walls.
An examiner looked at the time and said, "It is now 8:58 AM. I will explain the examination rules. The aptitude test is divided into five stages. The assessment locations are on the five pagoda levels above. The first stage is the simplest equipment-based detection of A, B, C aptitudes. The second stage is bloodline. The third stage is mental body. The fourth stage is a buffer stage, the Nurturing Pool. This stage is extremely important, as it prepares for the fifth stage, which accounts for the most points. The higher your nurturing level, the more your aptitude can be excavated, and the better your score in the fifth stage will be. There is no time limit for each of the five stages, only a total assessment time of seven days. You are free to allocate your time as you wish, test however you want. In any case, the final fixed scores for the five stages within seven days will be the standard."
"Also, as you've felt, the interior of this Thousand-Hand Guanyin Pagoda is a confinement space. You cannot use any internal or external powers."
"Alright, it starts at nine o'clock. There is still one minute left!"
After he finished speaking, the atmosphere instantly quieted. The examinees present were all talents screened from across the nation; they all possessed independent thinking abilities. They quickly surmised—the longer spent in the Nurturing Pool in the fourth stage, the better. The preceding assessments for fixed aptitude and bloodline didn't need much time wasted on them.
So...
One minute passed. 9:00 AM sharp.
Swish!
More than 12,000 out of the 13,000 people rushed towards the four staircases almost simultaneously.
And in the audience stands of Peach Blossom Town outside the examination site, Chen Yang had just taken out a bag of potato chips and opened it. Pop, the chip bag was torn open by him, but he seemed to hear something. He subconsciously looked up and saw a certain Lushan Academy teacher on the screen being kicked over by someone!
Smack!!!
The sturdy man was kicked over by a slender, tall girl, pinned to the ground, and before he could react... swoosh, his bulging backpack was snatched away, and then she ran.
Ran away.
Faster than a ghost.
The other teachers were stunned. Teacher Green Pepper realized something and turned to flee.
The remaining thousand students who hadn't moved yet were also stunned. But seeing Teacher Green Pepper run, other students quickly reacted—Damn, this is also allowed by the rules!
Quick, quick, quick... Someone else reacted second fastest, and two figures made their move.
"Damn! Such audacity!"
"Xia Sanlu, Quan Lie!!! You just wait!"
After successfully tripping a teacher from another zone with a leg sweep and pinning him down with his body, Xia Sanlu gave a shout. Quan Lie pounced and snatched the backpack, like a mountain bandit whose eyes lit up at the sight of money. Then the two of them scurried away.
Evidently, these two scoundrels had formed an alliance.
Duanmu Qingyang watched, wide-eyed, as this teacher was kicked right in front of her... robbed by the legendary "third party" Chen Adiao. Then she saw another teacher being taken down and robbed by her own suitor who wanted to marry into her family.
???
Was she surrounded by a bunch of scum?
The audience in the stands was also a bit dumbfounded.
Plop. The bag of potato chips fell to the ground. Chen Yang was stunned.
This... this is also allowed?
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