"State Preceptor, I believe it's time to execute the plan," Xu Tianran said, leaning back in his wheelchair, eyes half-lidded.
Sunlight bathed him, casting an aura of languid ease.
Yet that warmth couldn't dispel the icy, murderous intent dripping from his voice.
"Of course," Zhongli Wu replied, standing behind him with a slight bow. "How does Your Highness wish to proceed?"
"How?" Xu Tianran's eyes snapped open, sharp as blades. He stared unflinchingly at the blazing sun, undaunted by its scorching rays. "The sun is too bright—demons and ghouls cannot hide. Darkness is better. In the night, all manner of monsters crawl out."
"I understand."
A moonless, wind-swept night for murder.
Xu Tianran produced a list from his sleeve. "These are the names of those obstinate fools. As nobles, they must sacrifice themselves for the empire's future." His finger traced the paper, lingering on certain names. "My brothers are here too. Send them off for me." A single tear slid down his cheek.
Zhongli Wu ignored the crocodile tears, scanning the "Death Note" in his hand—each marked name meant a death sentence.
"Who should we impersonate, Your Highness?"
"Nothing excessive," Xu Tianran's tear vanished, replaced by cold indifference. "How you act is your affair. My investigators will handle the aftermath."
He adjusted his wheelchair to face Zhongli Wu. "Leave traces of the Three Great Empires' involvement. Xing Luo lost yet still lingers—their intentions are treasonous."
A cruel smile played on his lips.
Since Xing Luo refuses to leave, they'll make the perfect scapegoats.
"One more thing," Xu Tianran added suddenly. "Spare my Fifth Brother."
"Oh?" Zhongli Wu raised an eyebrow. "Has Your Highness grown soft? Remember—weeds not uprooted sprout anew with spring winds."
"My affairs need no counsel from you, State Preceptor," Xu Tianran snapped, eyes closing. "Fifth Brother and I share the closest bond. I'll reunite with him… and send him off myself."
"As Your Highness wishes." Zhongli Wu pocketed the list, cloak swirling as he vanished—leaving Xu Tianran alone in the sunlight.
Yet his shadow stretched, black as pitch.
—
Time flew. The quarterfinals loomed.
In one day, the top-eight matches would conclude. After two days' rest, semifinals would commence. Two more days, then the grand finale—and the tournament's end.
The bracket had been drawn by team captains:
Upper Half:
- Shrek Academy vs. Dio Soul Engineer Academy
- Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy vs. Mingdu Soul Engineer Academy
Lower Half:
- Snow Demon Sect vs. Holy Spirit Church
- Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect vs. Xundan Soul Engineer Academy
The matchups sparked immediate tension.
Shrek students taunted the Sun Moon Imperial Academy: "Your luck's run out! No more rigged matches in the semifinals—you'll be exposed!"
The jibe shattered Xiao Hongchen's composure.
But they had no retort.
After all, their group-first place was gifted by the Holy Spirit Cult. The memory alone was humiliating.
Yet the quarterfinals arrived as scheduled!
At dawn, Mingdu erupted in chaos.
Before sunrise, crowds surged through city gates, desperate for prime viewing spots.
All eight matches would conclude in one day—four clashes of titans.
Missing even one would be a lifelong regret.
The streets were swarmed with people.
Though studying opponents was crucial at this stage, Chen Junting, Gu Tianchen, and Huo Yuhao skipped the morning matches.
Not from apathy—but because last night, the Common Alliance delivered urgent news.
They had to investigate immediately.
Fortunately, their match was later, and Shrek Academy was the likeliest finalist. So the trio prioritized the mystery.
What had happened?
Last night, at Qili Garden—
"What did you say?" Chen Junting frowned at Shangguan Wei'er.
After returning from an underground match, Huo Yuhao reported strange unrest in the black market—most notably, the Common Alliance's sudden collapse.
Overnight, they'd been jointly attacked by the Xi Shui (Duskwater) Alliance and Alto Chamber of Commerce.
Sensing danger, Chen Junting rushed to Qili Garden—and learned the truth from Shangguan Wei'er:
The nobles backing the Common Alliance had gone silent.
Why? Entire noble families were massacred overnight.
Panic spread. Nobles hid, fearing they'd be next.
This left the Common Alliance—a wounded deer—to be devoured by vultures. Even their "ally," the Alto Chamber, seized the opportunity without hesitation.
"This reeks of foul play," Gu Tianchen muttered beside Chen Junting.
"Actually…" Shangguan Wei'er hesitated, then confessed under their gazes: "Rumors claim you three are behind the killings."
"Us?" The trio froze. Gu Tianchen exchanged a glance with Huo Yuhao. "If we did it, wouldn't we know? This is outright slander!"
Shangguan Wei'er offered no comment, though she knew it made no sense.
Would the Three Great Empires really target nobles instead of the palace?
Chen Junting studied the list she provided. Names like Dongfang Shuo (Fourth Prince's supporter) and Wang Hao (Third Prince's ally) stood out.
"I think I know who's responsible," he said grimly.
"Who?" ×3
Chen Junting didn't answer. "Old Gu, Yuhao—tomorrow, we investigate these estates."
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