Chapter 221: Open Schemes and Secret Struggles

The prophecy declaring the arrival of “Destruction”… these guys really know how to make a sound, don’t they?

Looking up at Mu Ze standing behind the Holy Lord, Vilyric realized the situation.

From when she learned that the Heavenly Eye had been seized, yet the broadcast screens at the main venue were still operational, she had suspected this might happen. However, their actions were intricately coordinated. Even if she had guessed it, there was no way to respond. It seemed the evil demons had indeed prepared for this operation for quite a while.

The effectiveness of this scheme was obvious.

Unlike the mindless evil creatures that only seek to destroy and wreak havoc, the Ancient Spirit Realm forces, represented by Lingyin Fairy Island and the Four Kingdoms, must maintain public morale and social order while fighting back. The “Four Saints Selection Tournament,” being a highly anticipated grand event, indeed symbolizes wealth and prosperity, but it was also the most vulnerable point of attack.

An incident of this nature occurring at the finals of the tournament would make the public believe that the authorities were weak and incompetent, thus losing confidence in them and causing widespread panic.

Once public opinion started to fester, a few individuals with ill intentions could deliberately stir the pot, driving society into chaos. The Four Kingdoms of the Ancient Spirit Realm would have to allocate more effort into soothing and suppressing riots, naturally weakening their strength to combat the evil demons.

Unless… the authorities could think of a way to regain trust, unify public will, and at the very least, divert the hot topics.

“What’s Lingyin Fairy Island’s stance on this? They wouldn’t really just sit back and do nothing, would they?”

Shangguan Qiuming pondered aloud.

“Prior to this, I had already sent someone to inform the Fairy Envoy of the situation, but there has been no response so far. Even if the Fairy Island is willing to intervene, it is impossible to completely eliminate the negative impact of this incident. To convince the public of the authority’s strength, we will have to show something more direct and tangible.”

“For instance… certain legendary existences.”

The Priestess smiled, not asking but affirming.

“So you need my help.”

The Holy Lord smiled as well.

“Talking to smart people is indeed convenient. Don’t worry; it won’t be for nothing. I once promised that as long as Miss Vilyric wins the finals of Qiguo, I would present her with a grand gift. This guarantee still stands and does not conflict with the rewards on the surface.”

“Furthermore, if this matter is resolved, the Holy Religious Alliance can unconditionally agree to one condition of your choosing within reason. How does that sound?”

“Mm…”

Vilyric secretly nodded.

Such a promise could indeed be considered a significant concession. It seems the Holy Lord is still quite sincere in collaborating.

“So does that mean you intend to continue holding the tournament?”

Without hesitation, Shangguan Qiuming nodded. Despite appearing to be in his early thirties, a unique aura of authority and majesty emanated from him.

“Of course we will, and it has to be even more spectacular and successful! Otherwise, wouldn’t that mean showing weakness to the enemy before even battling? Since these rascals wish to fight, then I shall accompany them! Until they are left with nothing but ruins!”

“Quite the spirited determination…”

After contemplating for a moment, Vilyric thought the time was right, and with a twinkle in her eye, she stated her true purpose for being here.

“I understand your intention. How about this? I can ensure that I will win the championship of this final, and I will create enough momentum to uplift the spirits of the people as you wish, but… there’s also an additional request. Let’s consider it an early fulfillment of that condition, shall we?”

“Oh? Are you that eager… Well, it’s not out of the question. Please, go ahead.”

Receiving the other’s agreement, the Priestess nodded in satisfaction.

“It’s simple. I want to know what you and Lingyin Fairy Island are truly planning, the real purpose of holding this ‘Four Saints Selection Tournament,’ and most importantly, I want to meet that ‘Fairy Envoy’ in person.”

…

In Dongyuanzhi Kingdom, Yide County, deep in the mountains.

Several oddly shaped figures cloaked in long robes were secretly meeting at this location.

“How’s it going over there?”

“Yes, ‘No-Eye’ just sent word. It has successfully destroyed all the eyes spread across the external world by the Ancient Spirit Realm’s four kingdoms and has demonstrated the prophecy to the public as planned. Chaos has already erupted; those guys definitely won’t have the time to interfere with our actions now.”

“Very good… The high walls are about to crumble, and the great moment of our master’s return is almost here. Before that, we must prepare well and clear the way as much as possible.”

“This node must be destroyed. If convenient, eliminate the guards as well. Do not worry about exposure; it won’t be long before we go public.”

“No problem. So when do we strike?”

“Just wait a bit longer. It’s about to be night. An environment thick with yin energy is more beneficial for…”

“Unfortunately, you won’t reach nightfall!”

“……Who!!!”

A crisp voice, entirely different from the odd figures, unexpectedly echoed through the forest. The figures trembled slightly and immediately became alert, scanning their surroundings.

Flames began to flicker continuously from the woods, illuminating the fading daylight. A group of young men and women with black hair and white clothes, sporting triangular fox ears atop their heads while carrying torches, emerged from the depths of the woods, surrounding the odd figures in the center.

“You’re the ones we hate the most and fear the most.”

Upon seeing the fox-eared youths, the strange figures instinctively hunched down, baring their teeth like wild beasts about to pounce.

“The filthy foxes from Lingyin Fairy Island? Impossible! That broken island clearly hasn’t completely unsealed, how could you be here?!”

The leading fox-eared girl smiled slightly, drawing out a white jade flute from her waist. She skillfully twirled it between her fingers.

“Since we’re on the brink of life and death, it seems unnecessary to explain to you, right? So what will it be? Will you kneel and accept your fate, or do you want us to give you a hand?”

“Roar!!!”

Amidst the fierce and wild beast-like roars, the strange figures tore off their outer robes one after another, revealing even more bizarre and terrifying bodies beneath!

“Let’s fight them!!!”

“Hmph, activate the formation! Exterminate the evil demons!!!”

“Buzz!!!”

A complex and splendid array of mystical lights enveloped the mountains and forests, and a death battle erupted.

…

At the same time, in Xingyuan City.

Although Shangguan Qiuming initially seemed hard to talk to, once negotiations were concluded, he immediately showed great willingness to cooperate, genuinely meeting Miss Vilyric’s request to see the Fairy Envoy who was responsible for assisting in organizing the “Four Saints Selection Tournament” within the borders of Qiguo, who had only publicly appeared once during the opening ceremony.

Of course, the so-called Fairy Envoy was actually a member of the Lingyin Ethnic group, and she wasn’t as cryptic as Vilyric had imagined. After some exchange, Vilyric learned a lot of information that wasn’t too secretive but still rarely disclosed.

“You mean… the Fairy Island doesn’t want to intervene but is bound by something, unable to send many people to the Ancient Spirit Realm? What does that mean?”

In a quiet room, the noble Fairy Envoy girl, with her face covered in white gauze, nodded as she sat across from the Priestess.

“Quite literally. Actually, for most of the time, Lingyin Fairy Island has been isolated and sealed off from the world. We can only send a small number of our people occasionally through narrow passages into the outside world, which in terms of the overall situation of the Ancient Spirit Realm, is like a drop in the bucket.”

“Thus, Lingyin Fairy Island has always adhered to a policy of guidance and education, allowing the living beings of the Ancient Spirit Realm to develop and grow on their own while staying hidden from the world as much as possible without interference.”

“However, this situation is not absolute. Occasionally, we can… loosen our hold for a bit, unseal parts of the blockade, and invite outsiders to visit our island.”

“The Fairy Island takes advantage of such opportunities to impart as much knowledge and techniques as possible to the relatively backward lower realms, helping them to develop, and tentatively selecting some outstanding talents to create organizations to assist us in monitoring certain unstable factors within the Ancient Spirit Realm.”

“This is the original intention of holding the ‘Four Saints Selection Tournament’.”

   

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