Chapter 24: Prelude

“Yu Qian? What do you want?” Zhangsun Shenji’s expression changed. A shadow seemed to pass over his usually calm face. He smiled, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes.

Li Yi’s face was expressionless, but secretly, he sensed something was off. He pondered inwardly.

Zhangsun had a peaceful temperament; he rarely spoke coldly, and anger was even rarer. Could it be that the Hyena Gang matter was related to this Yu Qian?

First Zhangsun Shenji, now Su Xuan’er. Based on this, was it all for this Martial Display? But thinking it over, the Martial Display’s rewards were limited. Offending two major clans for this was definitely not a smart move.

“Not much. I have a small proposal I’d like to discuss with a few of you.” Yu Qian smiled, trying to appear friendly. However, with his narrow eyes, thin lips, and a head of fiery red hair, his smile gave the feeling of a lion ready to pounce on its prey.

“Proposal?” Su Xuan’er disliked this kind of roundabout talk the most. Her tone was unfriendly. “Stop beating around the bush. Just say it!”

“Su Xuan’er, always direct. Fitting for a heroine…” Yu Qian gave a thumbs-up, casually flattering her. “When you count it up, the top spot is basically already in our grasp. No one disagrees with that, right?”

Su Xuan’er was silent. Zhangsun Shenji was indifferent. Yan Zhao looked proud. No one spoke, which seemed like agreement.

“However, the rewards for the top three are really shabby. Even if you get them, they’re not very interesting…” Yu Qian’s tone shifted suddenly. “Why don’t we adjust things ourselves?”

“Adjust?” It was Su Xuan’er again, getting straight to the point. “What do you mean?”

“It’s simple. Let’s make a pact: winner takes all!” Yu Qian narrowed his eyes and pointed at the rewards displayed high above. “No matter who is first, they get all three prizes. As for second and third place… what meaning do they hold for the likes of us?”

“This is somewhat interesting. I agree!” A look of interest appeared in Su Xuan’er’s violet-blue eyes. She was the first to speak.

“I agree as well.” Zhangsun Shenji gave Yu Qian a cold look. He paused, then suddenly asked, “But when you say ‘we,’ you mean…”

“Isn’t it obvious? You, me, Su Xuan’er,” Yu Qian was actually a little taken aback. He pointed out a few people, then turned his head, looking at Yan Zhao with an approving gaze. “And also… this Yan Zhao, whose reputation has soared recently!”

Li Yi blinked. His mouth moved a little. He really wanted to raise his hand and say, actually, there’s one more person here.

“However, I’d like to add one more person…” It seemed Zhangsun Shenji understood his expression.

“Who? Xun Ye, or Gao Huanzhang?” Yu Qian seemed to remember something. He smiled, thinking he had figured it out. “I’ve long heard the Xun Clan is close to the Zhangsun Clan. Could it be…”

“Not them!” Zhangsun Shenji cut him off bluntly.

“Then…” This time, Yu Qian was genuinely puzzled.

“Him!” A slender, delicate finger turned slightly and pointed at Li Yi.

“Him?” Yu Qian was first confused. He paused for a moment, then shook his head, a mocking smile appearing. “Of course, of course that’s fine! I’d also like to see this young brother’s skills…”

Calling him ‘young brother’ clearly showed that in his eyes, Li Yi wasn’t even worthy of having his name remembered.

“If that’s the case, I’ll take my leave. I wish you all success in obtaining the top spot…”

Having achieved his goal, Yu Qian walked away casually.

“Li Yi, don’t disappoint me.”

Su Xuan’er, like a proud little chick, dropped this sentence and turned to leave.

Li Yi stroked his chin, a smile of great interest appearing on his face.

This Yu Qian… there was something off about him. If he didn’t have an ulterior motive, why go to all this trouble, making things so complicated?

Could it be that among those three treasures, there was some hidden secret?

“Forget it, I won’t think too much about it.” Li Yi patted his forehead, thinking to himself. “The others aren’t fools either; they’ve probably noticed something too. They likely all think the same thing—no matter what schemes or tricks he has, as long as we win first place, it’s over, right?”

No one noticed, as Yu Qian turned his back to the crowd, a fierce light shot from his eyes, and veins throbbed on his neck.

“Tsk tsk, I’m really not cut out for pretending to be a good person…” He sneered inwardly. “Oh well, for that thing, it’s worth suffering a bit.”

He lowered his head. The earnest teachings of his elder still echoed in his ears.

“Qian’er, that ‘Samsara Shroud,’ though its appearance is coarse, is definitely not ordinary.”

“I have looked into it. Its origin traces back to a Saint-level physician who held titles like ‘Pioneer of Surgery,’ ‘Divine Needle of Anesthesia,’ ‘Master of Dissection’—Hua Tuo!”

“Hua Tuo spent his life seeking the secrets of bloodlines and the mysteries of life. He dissected nearly ten thousand corpses! Most were human, over a thousand were Outer Realm beings like prison demons, star-seeds, angels, and there were even over a dozen Ancient Dragons! It can be said he was the person closest to the origin of life!”

“If he hadn’t been so bold, coveting the bodily secrets of a Heaven’s Revelation level expert, and intending to open the skull of the ‘Soul Singer’ Cao Cao, it’s possible he could have reached that ultimate step…”

“This ‘Samsara Shroud’ was the cloth used on Hua Tuo’s operating table, and when Hua Tuo died, he was wrapped in this cloth and placed in his coffin! Nine times out of ten, it definitely contains hidden secrets! If you can uncover them, it will benefit you for a lifetime!”

“I used a little trick, greased some palms, to have this item included as a Martial Display prize…”

“Qian’er, don’t let me down!”

“Grandfather, I not only want the Samsara Shroud,” Yu Qian slowly let out a turbid breath, expelling the killing intent he had suppressed for so long with it. “I also want that top spot! The prestige of our Yu Clan must not falter!”

…

At the peak of the Star Radiance Tower sat a deep blue magic table. This table was like having the sky itself for a tablecloth, with shifting, strange lights and endless mysteries.

On the shorter side of the long table was an empty, giant seat. This place was called the Dawn Throne. It was the seat of the Manor Lord.

Along the long sides, four on the left and five on the right, were nine mithril seats with ancient patterns. They symbolized the nine Great Elders.

And at this moment, on these nine seats, three were actually occupied, one after another.

This was extremely rare.

Mages, especially high-ranking ones, saw cultivation as sailing against the current—if you don’t advance, you fall back.

Therefore, their time was precious. Generally, if they weren’t in seclusion meditating, they were out exploring.

Yet a mere Martial Display for Outer Manor Disciples had actually attracted three of them at once. It could be called a luxurious lineup.

The reason, of course, was the few Heaven’s Pride individuals among this year’s group.

On the second seat from the left sat a gaunt old man. He looked listless, his eyes muddy, as if he could barely keep them open.

Judging by his appearance and manner, it was hard to tell that this old man actually held titles like “Phoenix Flame Manipulator,” “Deep Prison Hunter,” “Death Tidal Wave,” and ranked among the top five of the nine Great Elders—Gu Yan.

Beside him stood a graceful woman with an enchanting figure, especially her impressive, towering jade peaks.

Needless to say, with such magnificent ‘endowments,’ this was naturally Gu Yanran.

“Are the people this year really that outstanding? Even you, uncle, are interested? I remember clearly, when I joined, you didn’t come…”

Gu Yanran was half curious, half coquettish. Only by her uncle’s side would she shed her icy shell and return to her true girlish nature.

“You, you…” Gu Yan didn’t say much, just dotingly patted her head. At that time, as a close relative, he naturally had to avoid any appearance of favoritism. How could he go?

“Elder Gu, that matter I discussed with you, have you considered it?” From across the table, a hoarse, unpleasant voice cut through the air. “Whether in status and bloodline, or in natural talent and cultivation, my son and your niece are a perfect match…”

“Elder You, matters of love require mutual willingness,” Gu Yan’s brow furrowed slightly upon hearing this. He spoke without much warmth. “I naturally must ask my niece’s opinion.”

“Then, what is niece Gu’s meaning?”

Gu Yan already showed signs of impatience, but the man surnamed You across from him had no sense of tact and pressed on relentlessly.

“Me? I believe he’s about ten years older than me?” Gu Yanran was also a bit displeased. She spoke lightly.

“What does it matter if a man is a little older?” The person opposite didn’t think it was an issue.

“But, being ten years older than me, his cultivation level is only just on par with mine.” Gu Yanran spoke cleverly and charmingly, pretending to hesitate. “That’s a bit… I’m just a girl. I like men I can look up to.”

Silence fell from across the table for a moment. The voice turned cold and sharp.

“I hope niece Gu won’t regret this in the future…”

“I never regret anything.” Gu Yanran smiled, very fittingly.

A soft snort came from across the room. From the shadows emerged a figure. The voice was hoarse like a man’s, but it was a vicious-looking old woman.