Chapter Fifty: Reactions from All Sides

"The match is about to begin!" Zhou Xunchuan announced. Raised with royal education from a young age, he wasn't the oldest among them, yet he always carried the air of an elder brother.

"We must witness firsthand the unparalleled grace of the Crown Princess of Qin!" Gu Feng commented with a smile. Unlike his father's calm and steady temperament, he was lively and spirited—perhaps due to his youth.

"Then let's stay here and watch. It's never comfortable lingering among the elders, so Zhou Tian, you'd better not drive us out..." Zhou Zui lounged contentedly in his chair. In his younger days, the King of Carefree was a notorious troublemaker, yet now he governed his son with strict discipline, though it seemed to have little effect.

"I couldn't wish for anything better..." Zhou Tian responded with a laugh. This group was truly interesting. Though he was incapable of cultivation, none of them looked down on him for it. Their relationships were genuine, and he was quite pleased with it. After all, he was just a layabout; turning over once in a while was fine, but he couldn't stand constant scheming.

The beat of the war drums grew ever more urgent, echoing like the morning bell and evening chime across the heavens, yet seemed perfectly measured in each listener's ear.

Despite the intensifying drums, the audience's voices gradually faded.

Boom!

With the final, soul-stirring beat, the glyphs on the walls of the building became more pronounced, almost tangible. They depicted beast kings of bizarre appearance, exuding overwhelming ferocity—though painted as glyphs, they appeared almost alive, vivid and lifelike...

A horn sounded from the vast expanse, and two beams of divine light shot from the arena, connecting the preparation room to the competition grounds, forming a bridge of rainbow light.

Two figures ascended this divine bridge, walking slowly toward the stage.

To the south stood Tian Ling, petite in stature, her elegant hair tied behind her, revealing a fair and delicate face. Her autumn-water eyes shone with determination. In her hand was a long sword, reflecting rays of light—not the sacred artifact, but a weapon of the Three-Treasures rank, for the sacred artifact drained too much energy with each strike.

To the north was that wanderer recruited by the Da Luo Academy, named Zhang San—a common name, with ordinary looks. He wore a gray battle robe and wielded a bright silver spear, his expression tinged with excitement, for he had never set foot upon such a stage.

His gaze was ferocious as he stared at Tian Ling opposite him. The great figures had told him: as long as he injured that woman, he would rise to prominence, becoming a man above others!

In Zhou Tian's room, the laughter faded. All eyes fixed on the pair at the center. The drama was about to begin!

Within the ring-shaped VIP suites, reactions varied from person to person.

"So it's this young girl who caused the third son of the Yi family to make such a fuss?" General Yu Gu of the Northern Frontier grumbled softly in his suite as he watched Tian Ling, grabbing exotic fruits nearby and stuffing them into his mouth, his bone armor creaking.

"I didn't expect Zhou Tian to be such a romantic, willing to settle down for this woman," remarked the King of Carefree's wife in their suite. She sat on the sofa, her skin smooth as porcelain, her graceful figure and lovely face brimming with spring, mature allure unmasked, her autumn-water eyes glistening. Only the King of Carefree, perched on a small stool beside her, could witness such beauty, though he acted like a scolded little beast.

Hearing his wife's words, the King of Carefree muttered quietly, "Who isn't?"

"You dare say that!" she snapped, her beautiful eyes flashing, brows arched with anger. "Look at Zui'er—how have you raised him? Liuyan is such a fine girl, yet he's too timid to make a move!"

"Too much motherly love spoils the child. Who's responsible—have you no sense?" he grumbled under his breath.

"You—"

...

"Is it because of Zhou Tian? Even Tian Ling's fortune now appears muddled and obscure..." In the suite of the Imperial Preceptor, a white-robed youth with an immortal air floated in the air, his forehead opening to reveal a third eye, its pupil golden and swirling with profound runes. Upon close inspection, spiderweb-like cracks could be seen deep within.

The divine eye slowly closed as the Preceptor shut his own eyes, murmuring softly, "Zhou Tian, Zhou Tian, what heaven-defying fortune have you obtained?"

At that moment, he recalled the indescribably majestic aura he glimpsed in the depths of Zhou Tian's soul days before. In that instant, his exquisite divine eye was nearly destroyed. Fortunately, the Emperor of Qin had instructed him to look, and provided many divine medicines, allowing him to slowly recover.

"Your Grace, I didn't expect you'd be interested in the affairs of these youngsters..." In another VIP suite, two men sat. One had graying hair, a face lined with wrinkles, yet sat upright like a sword piercing the heavens—none other than the Duke of the Heavenly Qin Empire.

Opposite him was a middle-aged man with black hair, dressed in blue robes, his face full of smiles. He was the Prime Minister Liu of Heavenly Qin.

The Duke listened to his words without a flicker of emotion, replying mildly, "This is no mere matter between juniors. If handled poorly, it could spark conflict between two great powers..."

"It's not that serious, not that serious. It's just a matter between the youngsters!" Liu replied, his smile gentle as spring breeze, though his tone carried more weight.

"The Yi family's boy has clearly been employing lethal tactics these days. Surely you don't fail to notice, Liu Xiang..." The Duke frowned slightly, looking at Liu. Zhou Tian's methods were crude, and these old foxes saw through them immediately. The other side was a regional power; blindly protecting their own would only incur greater costs.

"Ah, Your Grace... Don't underestimate these young ones. Their tricks may be rough, but if they work, that's all that matters. Who knows what secrets these kids might hide? We elders just need to support them from behind..." Liu's smile never changed.

"Did Zhou Yi share his intentions with you?" the Duke asked.

"Heh heh..." Liu replied with a mysterious grin, saying nothing more.

Seeing that smile, the Duke was furious, wishing to draw his sword and cleave this sly old fox, but he closed his eyes, out of sight, out of mind.

The other regional powers reacted differently. This was not their stronghold, but the imperial capital of Heavenly Qin. Their information networks were limited here; they could only rely on rumors, guessing that the Da Luo Academy seemed to be at odds with Heavenly Qin. Thus, they had come merely to watch the spectacle.

In the Da Luo Academy's VIP suite, Scholar Li's face was so dark it seemed to drip water as he suppressed his anger, shouting at the people before him, "Who gave you permission to act on your own? Do you not know where we are? You're courting death!"