Chapter 83: Suppression

Bai Yue Ning’s successive victories over formidable opponents—especially the display of her formidable power and uncanny sword energy in the battle against Wu Hao of the twelfth level of Qi Refinement—had, for a time, made her the most dazzling dark horse in this selection tournament. Many who had previously underestimated her or regarded her with ulterior motives were now compelled to reevaluate this seemingly aloof new inner disciple.

However, just as the crowd was abuzz with speculation over whether she could continue her meteoric ascent, the new round’s matchups were announced.

Seeing that Fahai was stubbornly refusing to come out like a turtle clinging to a weight, Shen Gongbao cursed a few more times before losing interest and falling silent.

Qin Zhan was the first to respond to the call, even uploading a selfie—come to think of it, it had been a long time since he’d last played around with selfies.

Below the stone platform, Lin Dong watched the two dueling figures with indifferent eyes. Their moves, so intricate and refined to their peers, were riddled with flaws in his eyes—utterly vulnerable, incapable of withstanding even a single blow.

Liu Ye knew she had to end this topic. The best way was to take the initiative herself, drawing all three of them into the conversation.

Zhuo Jingning, sensitive to subtle cues, needed no further prompting after Xu Qingmo’s words—he already knew how to address him.

On the Celestial Mechanism Plaza, Meng Xiaocheng and the other disciples looked solemn as well. Though they wanted to refute the rumors echoing around them, the words caught in their throats and could not be uttered.

Harboring resentment, and with the life and death of his own son at stake, what else could he do but stake everything on one desperate gamble?

One guard’s chest was pierced by a jet-black tentacle extending from the mouth of the forest anaconda, lifting his entire body two meters into the air.

Liu Ye’s guess was accurate, but she didn’t care. Sooner or later, her name would spread throughout the academy, and by then, no matter what happened, Elia would hear of her.

Su Luoluo’s heart raced, their breaths fell half a beat behind, and the subordinate at the door scrutinized them but seemed not to sense anything amiss.

“All right.” Su Ying named a price, and under Wu Long’s menacing gaze, her teammates dared not bargain.

At that moment, Su Luoluo’s phone rang. After answering, she looked apologetic, a flicker of urgency flashing in her eyes.

Perhaps she could seize the national medical competition’s championship in one fell swoop and obtain those four supreme and rare miraculous medicines.

“How could this possibly be Sister Mei’s jade bracelet? I remember it clearly bore a crack after it was broken, but this one is flawless. If you don’t believe me, you can ask Sister Mei herself—she would know her own bracelet best.” Consort Ying smiled as she returned the jade bangle to Chu Jinghan.

Already well acquainted with Lu Xingzhu’s temperament, Shen Xiaobai had grown used to it. “The Hou family is in no way inferior to the Shen family,” she thought.

Mo Zhi pondered in silence, “Could this be some demonic technique? By rights, if one coughs up blood day and night, their life would be measured in moments—how, then, can there be resurrection? And what could explain such a profound change in temperament?” Unable to unravel it, he dared not speculate further.

Lin Pingzhi had narrowly escaped death, still shaken to the core, his body drenched in cold sweat. He pulled out the simple first-aid kit he’d prepared, staunched the bleeding, and dressed his wounds. Unsure whether the sword injury was poisoned, he swallowed two Nine-flower Jade Dew Pills as a precaution.

“The humble servant thanks Young Master An on behalf of the people of Great Chu—for your greatness and compassion.” Eunuch Liu knelt in gratitude after I accepted the jade token.

They always had people watching the master’s courtyard, and the breakthrough to Semi-Saint was so momentous that if anyone really advanced, there’s no way they wouldn’t know.

Looking down from the mountain heights, Cheng Donglin was instantly overcome with dread—especially at the sight of the hills crawling with twin-headed serpents, which chilled him to the marrow.

Jianjian looked like a fierce fighter, rushing forward to seize Lin Ling by the hair, slapping her across the face, and pinning her to the ground.

The moment Cheng Donglin hit the water, he regretted it. Suspended above the bottomless pool, his whole body turned icy. The water was frigid as knives; in that instant, he felt as though ten thousand needles were stabbing into his flesh.