Chapter 77: Petty People in Power

  Under the leadership of the lightly mad, although everyone is in trouble, they have also passed the five days with excitement. Now their goal is no longer herbs and crystal nuclei, but to return to the transmission array as soon as possible, after all, time waits for no man.

  In Death Valley, figures flashed by, everyone closely followed the girl leading the way in front, time was pressing, who dared to stay for a moment?

  "How much longer...?" Ximen Qingfeng's hair was blown onto her face, and she randomly brushed it aside, asking the person beside her.

  "We're almost there, let's speed up." The girl with a firm gaze said, her words leaving no room for doubt.

  A dozen or so figures darted between the trees, leaped over puddles, and ran across the land, not even stopping to catch their breath.

  "Young one, how much further?" He lifted the treasure in his arms a bit higher and gently asked the young one.

  "Less than 10,000 meters left."

  Ten thousand meters? Along the way, they didn't meet anyone else and had no idea whether the more than 400 people who came together initially had returned to the transmission array or died in the Death Valley, or if they hadn't made it back in time.

  As the sun shone on her head, the ten-day limit was about to arrive. She must safely bring these people back.

  However, sometimes the more hurried it is, the more potential factors are added to the chaos. Looking at that group of silver-backed giant apes rushing from the side, the temperature around me dropped instantly.

  "What's the point of being anxious?" With this group of monkeys blocking the way, they will definitely waste their time, and by then it will be too late.

  "Don't bother with them, charge!" He said, and increased his speed again.

  "Wooo... Haha... Hahahaha, hehehe..." The silver-backed giant apes were originally just looking for food, but the sudden flash of many human figures in front of them gave them a fright. Some sharp-eyed apes immediately spotted the leader of the humans - wasn't that the human who had stolen their fruit? She hadn't died after all! Last time they had been unable to vent their anger, but this time they couldn't let her off again. With a loud roar, a large group of them began chasing and killing the humans.

  In front of us were countless jungle obstacles, and behind us were the relentless silver-backed giant apes. As we listened to their loud roars, everyone's nerves were stretched taut.

  You're really something, aren't you? Rubbing your nose in it and still having the nerve to show your face!

  "You go first!" After finishing, she slowed down and fell to the back of the crowd. These guys had been chasing and killing her before, trying to force her to death, now they actually dare to come and find trouble? Then let's settle new and old accounts together!

  What's going on here! Everyone shares good fortune and bad, saying that they can't just abandon her, so they all stopped in their tracks.

  "Aren't you leaving?" Don't these people know that time is running out?

  "Ah, what a light and crazy thing! Aren't they just some hairy monkeys? What's the big deal? We'll have a quick battle and then advance at full speed!" As soon as he finished speaking, Xi Men Lin Xiang directly launched an attack. How could Xi Men Da Shao let these stinky monkeys chase him to such a sorry state? And that smell on their bodies was suffocating him!

  "It's not too late, we should be able to make it. Let's take care of them first." Huangfu Mingbo also agreed with Ximen Xingyun's opinion, and at the same time, everyone else didn't say a word, and they all joined in the fight.

  Seeing them like this, Leng Kong didn't say anything more, his eyes like icy knives shooting towards those ignorant stars. They had bullied her alone before, ganging up on her! This time she also had helpers, and if they weren't beaten until they shone brightly, the anger in her heart wouldn't be vented!

  At this moment of advancing, the others in Death Valley were still rushing back and forth, while the light cavalry was once again trapped in a fierce battle. Originally already very anxious, these apes came to find trouble, so they took action without mercy.

  But the lightly mad one was against that gorilla king again, this time it's really a narrow road! However, when brave warriors meet on a narrow path, the winner takes all. Last time she could burn its fur off, now it's even more unstoppable.

  "Inferno Slash!"

  As the two flames shot out, the gorilla king hastily dodged, this fire was so terrifying, it didn't seem to be burned again. But those two flames seemed to have grown eyes and chased after it relentlessly, wherever it escaped, they pursued, and soon everyone heard the pitiful wails of the frightened creature. Finally, unable to dodge any longer, the gorilla king raised its robust arms to block them, but even with its thick skin, it was still scalded, letting out anguished cries, its fur charred, two long wounds blackened and turned outward, licking its tongue, instantly trembling in pain throughout its body.

  The intense pain made it even more ferocious, and when it looked around, its younger brothers were all beaten up with "nose blue and face swollen" and "people overturned horses". At this moment, it let out a loud roar, pounded its chest, and was furious. Just when everyone thought it was going to wreak havoc, they saw it take the lead and run away! The rest of the younger brothers looked at each other, if the big brother ran away, what were they still doing here? They chased after him in a hurry, whizzing by.

  Everyone was shocked. What's going on here? They were the ones who came to provoke us first, and they seemed so spirited, but now why are they slinking away with their tails between their legs?

  "Alright, don't think about it anymore, let's hurry up." Looking at the sun getting smaller and smaller, it was about to hang over their heads, he urged lightly.

  "Yes, let's go!" Now is not the time to care about those apes!

  In this sweltering weather, even if everyone is running and sweating profusely, no one stops.

  The surroundings slowly became familiar, and many people gathered in the distance, hope was just ahead! However, what made them a little panicked was that the person in charge had already started counting down, and others were about to activate the formation.

  "Don't panic! We'll definitely make it."

  Nine!

  "Hey, hey, and us, wait... wait..."

  "Eight!" The person in charge was absolutely not going to wait for anyone, just like he said at the beginning, and the countdown continued.

  "Alas, what to do, what to do..." Ximen Qingxia now wished she could fly, and immediately arrive there. This terminal was right in front of her, but the feeling that it was just a tiny bit out of reach was truly too torturous!

  Six!

  "Hey, wait for us just a moment..."

  Dust flew everywhere, more than a dozen people rushed by in a hurry, all of whom had made their greatest efforts, even though their two legs were already numb, but they still kept running mechanically.

  "Four!"

  At this rate, it's fundamentally too late. Seeing the people around him making an effort to run, he made a reckless decision and had the wooden spiritual energy in his hand explode, directly wrapping itself around the waists of all of them.

  "What are you going to do?" Why tie them up?

  "Come on, let go quickly, try a bit harder..."

  "Yao'er!" The blue veins on his left arm bulged, and with Yao'er's power, under the impetus of the wooden star spirit, Liang Kuang swung his arm in a circle several times, directly flinging them towards the finish line.

  "No, no, no, you're being reckless! What are you going to do? What are you going to do?" Ximen Qingxue struggled with all her might. Was she willing to sacrifice herself for everyone's sake?

  "Two!"

  "Lightly insane..."

  "Awesome!"

  "Lightly insane..."

  Everyone waiting at the finish line watched this bizarre scene with wide eyes and tongue-tied, wondering if spiritual power could be used in such a way. However, their hearts were filled with conflicting emotions - on one hand, they hoped they wouldn't catch up, which would mean fewer opponents; on the other hand, they hoped they would catch up, after all, everyone had risked life and death together for ten days in this Death Valley, striving and making sacrifices, what else was it for? Wasn't it for this trial, for the honor of the academy? Now that the finish line was in sight, if they lost by just a hair's breadth, they would regret it for the rest of their lives.

  Some people were silent, some stood by with their arms crossed, and some had changing expressions. Of course, there was also the straightforward one who shouted loudly, attracting everyone's attention, "Hey! You guys hang in there! We're almost there!" It turned out to be Wu Xiong from Shangwu Academy.

  He took the lead and some people followed suit.

  "Right, it's almost here, let's put in some extra effort!"

  "We're waiting for you right here, come on!"

  "Hey, hey, just wait for them!" Some people softened their hearts and directly pleaded with the person in charge next to them, but what they got was his indifference.

  Watching them perform an aerial acrobat, they can reach the finish line soon, and Qing Xiang's heart finally relaxed. However, if she gave up easily, it wouldn't be her fighting spirit! The spiritual power in her hand didn't relax at all, and she hugged her son, following the direction of that spiritual power, as if the broken kite was flying out again, and her slender body was directly blown away.

  But seeing Qing Kuang coming up behind, Ximen Linfeng and the others finally felt at ease. If it was really because of them that Qing Kuang gave up, then they would be guilty for eternity. Ling Kong looked at the finish line in front of him, almost there, just a little further, 100 meters, 80 meters, 50 meters...

  At this tense moment, everyone is holding their breath and waiting, will it succeed? Will it succeed? Closer, closer...

  "Ah!" As the person in charge's voice rang out, everyone's heart skipped a beat. Was it too late?

  "Bang... Bang!" Two loud sounds shook the ground, and they landed right in the middle of the transmission array. Suddenly, the transmission array emitted a dazzling light, officially activating it, and Qingkuang and his companions barely made it in time for the last moment.

  When you can see clearly in front of your eyes, it means you have already arrived at Nandu.

  "Great, great, we made it, we're back!" Ximen Ruxin excitedly hugged her and burst out laughing.

  "Yes, it's all thanks to your quick thinking, otherwise we might not have made it back." Beitang Qimeng stood up, also feeling relieved, but the image of him falling just now probably wasn't too good.

  "Back? Really back?" Zhou Ming looked around in disbelief, until he was surrounded by three circles of people inside and out, then suddenly woke up like a dream, with the corners of his mouth rising higher and higher.

  Looking around, everyone was battered and bruised. And ten days ago, there were four hundred people who went out, but now less than two hundred have returned. This is the rule of this continent: survival of the fittest, only the strong survive, no one will lend a helping hand to those in need, as long as you have the ability to make it to the top, everyone will only admire and envy you. Those who are unable can only fall to the point where no one cares about their life or death, just like now, the people only welcome the triumphant return of the brave warriors, without caring about the lives or deaths of those who did not return.

  Listening to the cheers around her, she tried to minimize her presence as much as possible. She had never liked getting involved in these things. Taking a closer look at her precious son, seeing that he was fine, only then did she feel relieved. She had been worried that when they landed earlier, he might have gotten hurt from the impact on his little arms and legs.

  At the moment when the crowd was making a big noise, the three divine officials and the deans of each college arrived late amidst the cheers of the people. It was still the icy host who spoke first, "Congratulations on successfully passing the trial! Only those who have experienced life-and-death struggles will become brave warriors, respected by all, and you have proven your worth with your own strength! From now on, you will be greeted with countless honors and gazes of admiration! So now take out your achievements for everyone to see, what did you gain in the Death Valley? Use your spoils of war to show off your strength! We will send people to record your achievements one by one, and the upcoming Alchemist competition and Refiner competition are up to you!"

  Even if the people standing here now are exhausted, but when they hear such words, their eyes still shine brightly, and their expressions are agitated, that is their pride!

  Next, countless attendants came to the side of these two hundred people, each holding a notebook and starting to record one by one. The two hundred people who passed the trial also cooperated to show off their gains, and every time a rare herb appeared, there would be bursts of exclamations, and everyone enjoyed being in the gaze of the villagers' admiration, even if they were overwhelmed by that gaze, they didn't mind.

  Looking at the attendant walking over, Qing Kuang also took out the things in her spatial ring. Now she just wanted to have a good wash, eat some delicious food and then sleep beautifully.

  As she took out more and more things, the attendant next to her almost couldn't hold his brush, stuttering as he began to record: "One beauty grass, three pieces of fallen petals, five heavenly heart grass, two eight-angle lotus, one blood sword orchid, six black focal fruit, ten spiritual snake flowers, one illusory divine grass, twenty three-needle firewood, one longevity fungus, two jade Buddha hands, twenty water-edge grass, fifty ice-tear, eight golden magic eyes..." Gululu swallowed a mouthful of saliva, the attendant continued to read out, "One hundred ghost-accompanying grass, eighty fragrant yuan fruit, five pieces of withered wood meeting spring, two ice-skin purple lilacs..."

  As he spoke more and more, people's eyes were gradually drawn over. So many medicinal herbs! Some of them had never even heard of them before, this girl is really impressive! But if they knew that some of it was looted, I wonder what they would think?

  It took a whole half-hour for the medicinal herbs to be sorted out. The attendant wiped the sweat from his forehead, took a deep breath, and fixed his gaze on the small mountain-like pile of demon beast crystals.

  "Two Fire-attribute Sacred-grade Crystal Cores, thirty Earth-attribute Sacred-grade Crystal Cores, gulu... fifty Gold-attribute Sacred-grade Crystal Cores, one hundred Fire-attribute King-grade Crystal Cores, five Wood-attribute Sacred-grade Crystal Cores..."

  One by one, the records were broken, and the little servant's hand began to shake. How many demons would have to be killed?! What a fierce person this must be! Glancing at the lightly arrogant small figure, it was simply unbelievable.

  The harvest on this side is astonishing, and the adjacent Ximen Linfeng's group isn't bad either. Although they started with ordinary herbs and crystal nuclei, after joining forces with Qingkuang, they found many more valuable things, so their results are quite good. As for those who were robbed in the crowded area, there's no need to mention the few unlucky ones with crying faces - just looking at their gloomy expressions says it all.

  "Afternoon, it's not easy to finish all the statistics. The icy-faced host finally spoke up, 'You're all doing great, and the results are amazing! Now, let me announce the trial results. Based on the quantity and quality of the herbs and crystal nuclei, the ranking is as follows: First place goes to Imperial Academy, second place to Star Cloud Academy, third place to Towering Academy, fourth place to Cloud Comfort Academy, fifth place to Martial Virtue Academy, sixth place to South Spirit Academy, seventh place to Rising Star Academy, and eighth place to Martial Soul Academy! As expected of the Imperial Capital Academy, they've been steadily in first place from start to finish. I hope other academies will strive to achieve better results. I declare that three days later, we'll be holding a Dan Master competition, where all materials can only be chosen from the herbs obtained during this trial. Now, let's give these brave contestants a break and let them rest!"

  The current ranking situation was announced, and amidst the cheers of the crowd, these somewhat disheveled examinees all wore joyful expressions as they slowly moved forward with the crowd.

  She sniffed at the smell on her body and felt that she was almost sour. She found a place with relatively few people and slipped away directly.

  Back to the yard, take off the clothes on her body, smell her hair again, and frown in disgust. It's better to wash it properly! She was covered in dust all the way, almost dirty to death. Looking at her precious son again, yeah, let's wash him together too! They were washed clean and smelled fragrant.

  "Xiao Er, want to take a bath with Mommy?"

  "Good~" Compared to everyone, the cleanest one is Xuan Xi. He doesn't even get his feet dirty and just watches from the side when they're fighting. Except for not eating well, he's in the best condition. However, looking at that thin little face makes Qing Kuang heartbroken. Pinching him, there's almost no meat left. He must be fattened up!

  She picked up the little guy and put him in the bathtub, gently scrubbing him all over, finally even applying a layer of her homemade "shower gel", until both of them were smelling sweet. Only then was she satisfied, took him out to dry off, changed into a new set of clothes. Mmm, no matter how she looked at him, she felt that her son really looked good. She kissed him fiercely twice, and smiled warmly, as if the fatigue of the past few days had vanished without a trace.

  "Xiao'er, are you hungry?" In the Death Valley, they hadn't had anything good to eat, every meal was a mess, now she must make something delicious to comfort her baby.

  "Mom, take a rest first." He can eat later.

  "It's okay, mom, just a moment, you wait." She dried and tied up his hair, was about to go find the kitchen, but thought better of it and decided to bring Xuan'er along instead. She didn't feel at ease leaving him alone in the house.

  I don't know if they all went to watch the excitement, but the yard is very quiet, which also makes it convenient for Light Crazy!

  Ying'er had just stepped into the courtyard, so as not to get the smell of oil smoke on her after just finishing her bath. She walked lightly into the kitchen, and through the window, she could see her son's smiling face. Only then did she start picking out ingredients from the kitchen and begin cooking.

  Made a tofu dish, a roll with fillings, an omelette, and then a dessert after the meal, a fruit platter. Just make these simple dishes for now! Then take a good rest. After everything is ready, carry them to under the tree in the courtyard, gently hold the little one in my arms, test the temperature, and feed him bit by bit.

  "Mom, eat too!" The little mouth was still chewing, and she didn't let go of reminding her. Two legs were swaying back and forth, knowing that she was happy!

  "Okay, mother will eat too." It's been a long time since I've had rice, and indeed the flavor of rice dishes is still good!

  Under the cool tree, mother and son took turns eating happily, completely unaware that someone was still anxiously searching for her!

  "Dongfang, Beitang, have you guys seen Qingkuang?" Ximen Linfeng looked around back and forth, there were too many people here, how could Qingkuang disappear the moment he turned his head?

  "I didn't see it!"

  "I didn't see her either, but I think she must be fine, you know she doesn't like this kind of noisy scene, probably left early!" Beitang Qimeng speculated as he looked around.

  "It's really infuriating! I was thinking of ending it soon and treating her to a good meal, but who would have thought that she'd disappear!" Ximen Rongfeng huffed angrily.

  "Alright, alright, let's just take care of ourselves first! At worst, we can look for her again tonight."

  "Right, I'm going to take a bath and have a big meal!" With a heroic wave of his sleeve, Ximen Qingxue immediately dispelled the unpleasantness from just now.

  Just been scolded by Ximen Qingxue, Zhenzhen touched her son's belly and fed him some fruit, rinsed his mouth, then took him back to their own room to rest.

  The lanterns have just been lit, and tonight's Nandu is particularly lively. Every inn and tavern is packed with people, making a fortune for each household's boss. The common people are still discussing the trial, saying things like "I think so-and-so will win!", "Today I saw some good herbs", "So-and-so has great abilities and looks good too..."

  When Ximen Qing and the others returned, full of food and drink, they saw that the Light Pavilion was still dark, and thought she had not come back. Only when they listened carefully to the sound of breathing inside did they realize she had already fallen asleep.

  "Alright, since she's asleep, let's not disturb her." Beitang Qimò said in a low voice to the others.

  "I see, I'm just worried about his safety." Ximen Ruxue also put away her usual smiling face and said softly.

  Huangfu Mingbo beckoned everyone to leave, and only spoke up when they were far away. "The most tired person these past few days is probably her. With her arrogant strength, she could have easily survived on her own in the Death Valley, yet she took us as her responsibility too. It's really hard for her."

  "Yes! Several times, it was she who reminded us of the dangers between us, reminding us to pay attention to this and that. If not for her, we would have suffered even more." Beidong Qimò looked at them nodding in agreement, clearly agreeing with what he said.

  "It's really not easy being a genius!" Dongfang Jie, who was usually taciturn, couldn't help but sigh.

  "Yes, at such a young age, she understands more than us, I don't even know if her experiences are from personal practice, if I had half of what she has, that would be great. Hehe, thinking about the young masters of our families, and even the prince and princess can't compare to this 14-year-old girl, why does my heart start to feel bitter?" As he said this, Ximen Linfeng's eyes began to redden, his heart filled with a sour feeling.

  Yes! I really don't know how she developed that quick wit and astonishing vigilance, I suppose she must have gone through some hardships.

  "And what about the child! So young and already having to take care of a kid, with no one else around. How can she be so mature at 14? I'm clearly four years older than her, yet I always need her to take care of me... just thinking about it makes my heart ache." Beitang Xiner had indeed become more mature and stable after this trial, but upon mentioning Qingkuang, she began to sob quietly.

  Even thinking about the past made these men's eyes redden, and the atmosphere suddenly became somewhat oppressive.

  "She's so crazy... treating us like friends!"

  They will only stand up for you when they consider you a friend, they will generously offer you priceless medicine, and they will risk their lives to rescue you when you are in danger. Having such friends is enough to make life worthwhile!

  "Alright, alright, let's not be so gloomy here. Everyone is tired, isn't that right? Go back and get some rest!" Seeing the heavy atmosphere, Huangfu Mingbo dispersed them all.

  As soon as she heard the footsteps, Qingkuang woke up. When she heard it was Ximen Ruxue and others, she put down her guard and lay back down. Seeing that they only said two sentences before leaving, she didn't call out to them. Looking at her son's tightly furrowed brow, she gently patted him and pulled him into her own arms, closing her eyes again to rest.

  However, at this quiet and peaceful hour, there will always be some discordant factors. In the dimly lit room, faint voices can be heard coming from afar.

  "Did they all come back alive?"

  "Yes, Your Highness!" The black-clad man kneeling in front of him began to tremble.

  "Go and get your punishment yourself." The careless words spoken had a bloody tone.

  "Thank you, Your Highness, for sparing my life!" The black-clad man was relieved, glad to have kept his life intact.

  "I heard that this time Imperial College got first place again?" The figure behind the screen drank a mouthful of tea, asking casually.

  "Yes, Your Highness, the Imperial Academy has retrieved a large quantity of medicinal herbs and crystal nuclei, with very high grades..."

  With a "bang", the figure directly smashed the teacup and the man in black immediately fell silent.

  "I don't want to see Imperial College win again, what can be done about it, you know, otherwise..."

  "Yes, Your Highness, I will definitely accomplish it!" This is the last chance, Your Highness has already made up his mind to kill.

  "Go ahead!"

  As the man in black departed, the flickering candlelight illuminated the face behind the screen. Who else could it be but Nangong Taizi?

  On the second day, I woke up early with a light and crazy spirit, full of energy. I picked up the little ball of meat beside me and gave it a big kiss before getting out of bed and dressing. Just as I finished dressing, I was startled by someone bursting in through the door.

  "Western Frost!"

  Looking at the belt that hadn't been tied properly, and hearing the gritting of teeth, Ximen Ruxue's heart suddenly skipped a beat. She quickly turned around, stuttering: "Cough, that, that, I didn't see... anything..."

  "Mind your own business!"

  Pick up the dazed baby boy, put on his clothes one by one, and speak to him in a gentle but not very kind tone.

  "Oh no, oh no! Something big has happened! What a huge mess! What to do, what to do?!" Ximen Ruxiang suddenly remembered something important and hurriedly bustled about like an ant on a hot skillet.

  "Speak properly!"

  "Lightly insane, you don't know! This time something big really happened! Even City Master was attacked by someone, I heard the situation is very serious, let's go take a look!"

  "Linked cities?"

  "Yes! Yes! She was just carried back this morning, and I don't know what's going on yet. Hurry up and get dressed, let's go take a look." Just as he was about to hastily pull her arm, but then again didn't know if she had finished dressing, Xi Men Rui Xiang could only stand there stamping his foot impatiently.

  Pick up the son who is still sleepy and walk out first, "Let's go! Take a look."

  "What? Oh, okay, you wait for me." Rushing hastily to catch up, didn't even bother to close the door.

  All along the way, I could see many people rushing anxiously in that direction. When I arrived at Lian Cheng's courtyard, it was already packed with people and she couldn't even get in.

  "What are you all blocking the way for? Get out of my way!" Ximen Qingchuang, who came later, saw so many onlookers and pushed them open one by one, forcing a path through to Li Qiang.

  As they watched the two of them, everyone looked at me, I looked at you, and we all made way for each other.

  It was not easy to get into the house, and the hall was already packed with people. Dongfang Ji, Beidong Qi Mo and many other instructors she didn't know were there, even Principal Shen Jun was sitting at the top, looking serious. The atmosphere in the room was heavy, and no one spoke, but everyone's face looked unpleasant.

  From left to right, I looked around in a circle, but didn't see Lian Cheng. Instead, I saw an unexpected person - Jing Wu Shang! His eyes were red and swollen like peaches.

  "What about Lian Cheng?"

  "Ah...... little guy, you're here." A heavy sigh broke the silence, and Shen Jun's words drew everyone's attention to her.

  "It's him..." The tears in her mirror-like eyes flowed again.

  "What about Lian Cheng?"

  "Wuuu... wuuu... in the inner room..." She had obviously cried herself out, and Jing Wuxin was still sniffling.

  Walking to the door, listening to the suppressed gasps inside, Lian Cheng said with a light tone that shocked everyone, "Lian Cheng, are you going to open the door and let me in yourself, or do I have to kick it open and enter by myself?"

  Some mentors immediately stopped, originally everyone was hurt like that, and still said something annoying, what's the intention?

  "How dare you speak like that?!" The city guide's mood... was stared at fiercely, and the second half of the sentence was swallowed back into his stomach. This gaze is so terrifying, sinister as if it would swallow him alive.

  "Not answering? Means you chose the second one?" Without waiting for everyone's reaction, he kicked open the door and entered directly.

  All that could be seen was a wretched person lying on the bed, covered in bloodstains and dirt, with hair full of dust, and one arm still covering his eyes. He clearly didn't want to talk or interact with anyone. Following the direction of his arm, it wasn't until then that his hands were noticed to be wrapped in thick layers of gauze, resembling a plaster cast.

  "What's wrong?"

  The "corpse" on the bed didn't move at all.

  "You know I don't have much patience." Sitting on the edge of the bed, looking at the already awake baby, he asked softly, "Hungry?"

  Xuan Xi shook his head, having just woken up and not feeling hungry.

  The people sitting outside saw her enter in such a violent manner, and they thought they would hear the sound of scolding, but contrary to their expectations, it was eerily quiet inside, with only two sentences of questioning coming out. Just as they were pricking up their ears to listen, whoosh, the door opened, and the girl's face didn't look very good.

  "Can anyone tell me what's going on?!" Looking at the crowd outside, Liang continued, "No matter how big a deal it is, look at the state of things now! The house is packed inside and out, waiting for a show? Is the dean dead or having a baby? Why are they all gathered here? Trying to give others something to talk about?"

  "You, you, you, at such a young age, how can you speak like this?" A mentor-like person carefully glanced at the dean and sternly reprimanded her.

  "Shut up! The dean hasn't even spoken, what makes you think it's your turn?" A sharp glance flew over, and the instructor was about to argue when he was cut off.

  "Alright, alright, let's just say a little less! Director Wang Peng, why don't you go and disperse the people outside? It doesn't look good to have them all crowded around here."

  The onlookers were chased away, and only then did Liang Qian turn around to enter the house. The mirror beside him also quietly followed him in, and soon everyone else also entered.

  Looking at the crowd coming in, Liang Ke asked again with a hint of arrogance, "What's going on? Tell me."

  "Wu wu, lightly insane, what to do, Lian Cheng's hands were crippled, he almost lost his life... He is an alchemist, in the future if he doesn't have both hands... Wu wu..." As she said this, Jing Wu Shuang cried again.

  When he heard the word "disabled", Lian Cheng's body moved slightly, and was immediately noticed by Qing Kuang, "It's just that his hands are disabled, what's the big deal."

  "Waaah... you don't know... hands, hands, so miserable... can't anymore, can't anymore... *sobs*"

  "Why did I lose both hands? I want to hear what happened."

  "I don't know, I didn't know... Ah, when I saw him, it was just... just like that..."

  "Get up and speak!" Seeing that he still didn't react, Lian Cheng's patience was exhausted.

  "Alright! I have a mysterious device here, it was given to me by my father before I left, its name is 'Yuan Mirror', which means the cause and effect of fate. As long as something has happened, you can see it through the Yuan Mirror. Since Master Cheng doesn't want to say anything, let's take a look ourselves!" Beitang Qimeng took out an ancient mirror from his spatial ring and asked for everyone's opinion.

  "Alright, it's settled then!" Dean Shen Jun agreed with his opinion.

  In the mirror, it can be seen that Lian Cheng had already fallen asleep last night when several black-clad men suddenly broke in, grabbed a bottle of Dan medicine and ran away. Lian Cheng, who was startled awake, changed his face after seeing the bottle, and immediately chased after them. He chased all the way to the outskirts, but encountered an ambush, twenty five-star Ling Saints launched a killing move, clearly intending to put him to death.

  Who would have thought that Lian Cheng is actually a one-star Spirit Saint of the Light System! The truth is indeed hidden from view!

  Then Lian Cheng desperately resisted, but was still no match and was captured. Five men in black pressed him down, while another two men in black, one with a knife, cut off the tendons in his hands and chopped off each of his fingers; the other man used a hammer to smash all his bones. Finally, Lian Cheng's good pair of hands were destroyed, covered in blood and flesh. Even though no sound could be heard, in the video, Lian Cheng was seen struggling violently, his eyes wide open with bloodshot, his whole body convulsing non-stop.

  The mirror beside her had already cried out loud, but she covered her mouth with her hand and endured it silently.

  Those black-clad men didn't let him off even if he was like that. One of them was actually a fire-type cultivator, and on the hand that had turned into "meat pie", he added another flame, burning until both hands were completely disfigured before stopping. Just as the black-clad man was about to deliver the final blow, Jing Wu suddenly appeared in the shadow, only to see her supporting Lian Cheng, flinging out a handful of poisonous insects, and five people died on the spot, while the others fled in panic.

  After seeing what had happened, the atmosphere in the room became even more depressing.

  "That's too much, it's really too much..."

  "Unforgivable!"

  "Really ruthless and cruel, despicable and shameless..."

  Hearing someone curse, Liang Kuang frowned and looked at Jing Wusuo, "How did you end up there?"

  "For the past two days, I've been in the suburbs, searching for medicinal herbs and poisonous insects... Just as I was about to return last night, I encountered..." Listening to her fragmented words, Qing Kuang also understood what she meant.

  "What's being scattered?"

  "My improved tracking spider, if I see those few people... Hmph, they will definitely... definitely..." The girl's eyes were full of malice.

  Looking at Lian Cheng's half-dead appearance, and those hands, his eyes were full of storms!

  "Alas... who would have thought things would turn out like this? It seems our Imperial Academy has been too showy and has attracted unwanted attention!" Shen Jun, having weathered many storms, quickly grasped the root of the problem.

  "But Director, with Coach Liancheng injured like this, what about the match in two days?!" The coaches beside him were all worried.

  "Alas, there's no other way. Although the chances of winning will decrease significantly without Lian Cheng, aren't there others? After all, a genius like Lian Cheng is rare in the entire continent. It's such a pity that the young Medicine Sect has fallen."

  "It can't be helped...". The few of them exchanged a glance and shook their heads simultaneously.

  "Is there really no other way? Won't even dan medicine work?" He asked lightly and recklessly, looking at the people in the house.

  "No, I've already seen it. The bones are all shattered, the tendons are completely broken, and they were burned by a huge fire like that. Even if they can be treated, they can only recover three tenths of their original state..."

  He picked up those injured hands, and Lian Cheng moved slightly, then struggled in despair, apparently not wanting to be touched.

  However, Qing Kuang was even more stubborn than him, and he forcibly pulled over those hands, unwrapping the gauze circle by circle. Cheng closed his eyes, furrowed his brow, and even if he wanted to ignore it, after all, his fingers were connected to his heart, and he still trembled with pain.

  "You're crazy! What are you doing?! I just finished bandaging it!"

  "Let me take a look." As the gauze was unwrapped, when he saw the wound with his own eyes, he couldn't help but gasp in shock and couldn't bear to look anymore. The Mirror of Sorrow beside him had already begun to cry.

  Yes, it's indeed heavily injured. Smelling the medicine aroma, they are all top-grade medicinal materials. However, this is still not enough. If her Life Spring Water and Life Fruit were used, there might still be a chance to save it.

  "Lian Cheng, where is your calmness? Where is the ease of your past? Has this little setback defeated you? Sit up and look at me." Everyone turned their eyes to her, but it was no use, he had already given up on himself.

  "Lian Cheng, look at me!" Qing Kuang called out his name in a gentle yet firm voice, but he still didn't move.

  "Lian Cheng, I thought you were the kind of person who doesn't take joy in material things and isn't saddened by personal losses. So, sit up and look at me!"

  ……

  "Lian Cheng, you wouldn't have been pretending all along, would you?! What a hypocrite! I was actually taking you for some kind of immortal before, but it turns out you're just like this - a coward and a scoundrel!"

  ……

  The house again heard a few sighs, this gentle policy, even the law enforcement did not work, they also did not know what to do.

  "Lin Cheng, your hands can still be saved, I say you can still be saved."

  The decadent body was stunned.

  "Lian Cheng, do you believe me?" Squatting at the edge of his bed, lightly and fearlessly.

  The body slowly began to shake, and a beast-like wail came forth.

  "Get up, Lian Cheng, and look at me!"

  Little by little, I opened my eyes, but my double pupils still couldn't focus.

  "I'm making you sit up and look at me, did you hear that!" he bellowed, startling everyone.

  Everyone held their breath and waited for a long time, only to see him slowly move, finally sitting up, but still not saying a word, just staring blankly at his own hands.

  Gently stroking that lifeless face, she carefully comforted him, "It's nothing, Lian Cheng, you have to believe me. Have you forgotten when we picked herbs together? You should know I'm very familiar with medicinal plants. Even if they can't cure it, you still trust me, right?"

  Lian Cheng raised his eyes and looked at those bright eyes. They were so clear, firm, full of hope, and could calm people's minds.

  "Lian Cheng, I want to hear you say that you believe in me. As long as you believe in me, I guarantee that I will definitely cure your hand. You can still pick herbs in the forest and refine your favorite elixirs, just believe in me!"

  "Cut it out, don't spout nonsense. So many Medicine Sects and even the Medicine Saint couldn't cure him, what makes you think you can? Don't give people false hope only to let them fall into despair again." It was still that instructor Wang Peng who couldn't find anything better to do.

  "Shut up! Say one more word and I'll poison you to death!" She turned around, glaring at the man with a fierce gaze.

  "Can... I... trust... you?" Cheng's voice was hoarse from shouting and a night of not speaking.

  "As long as you trust me, I will definitely cure your hand, now it's up to you."

  The two of them stared at each other, neither breaking the atmosphere between them. Even if the treatment didn't work, it could still give him a glimmer of hope to live on; otherwise, who knows how much more decadent he would become?

  He stared at those eyes, staring at the reflection of himself in those eyes, decadent, bewildered, drifting with the tide, was that still him? Terrified, he lowered his head, and after a long while, stammered, "I... believe..."

  Even if the voice was small, everyone heard it and collectively let out a sigh of relief.

  "I won't betray your trust, as long as you believe in me, I guarantee that I will cure you."

  She hesitantly raised her head, then immediately lowered it again, softly replying, "......uh-huh......"

  "Alright, now that one thing is settled, let's talk about another!"

  Anything else? Is there anything else?

  "The Alchemist's competition, Lian Cheng can't go, I'll go in his place!"

  Wow, this statement has left them utterly stunned! Previously, they could have taken it as a comforting phrase to listen to, but participating in the Alchemist Competition was simply a pipe dream!

  "You..."

  "You dare to open your mouth, I'll make you speechless!" With a flick of her slender hand, Instructor Wang Peng was so frightened that he barely closed his mouth. She's in a terrible mood now, and if anyone dares to add fuel to the fire, she'll find a way to "ease her mind"!