Chapter 38 (Part 2)

Because they lacked an Earth Soul, their emotions were purer.

Once they set their heart on something, they would pursue it with the fervor of moths to a flame, disregarding gains or losses and simply acting on their desires.

But this rare, pure devotion only gave Xiang Feng a twisted sense of superiority. Confident Shanshui wouldn’t leave him, he trampled on her love with impunity.

Yu Zhengzheng felt for Shanshui, but she couldn’t make decisions for her.

With a sigh, Yu Zhengzheng shifted her gaze to the wooden arena built from tree trunks on the flat ground.

The arena was tall, about two stories high, and significantly larger than a standard dueling platform. Surrounding it were hidden traps.

Ten meters out from the arena’s center were dense spikes, their sharpened tips rising from the ground like a forest. The spikes, thin and sharp, bore traces of blood—some fresh, some dried.

It wasn’t hard to guess that this was human blood, likely from frequent warrior tournaments held here.

The priest had explained the rules during their journey: the four of them were to divide into two teams and take turns entering the arena. Defeating the opponents would secure victory in the tournament.

Though everyone except the Ghost King had lost their spiritual power, Yu Zhengzheng wasn’t worried about their safety. The priest had given them a short-acting antidote, and even without their powers, the wild people wouldn’t be much of a threat.

Her only concern was how to obtain Xiao Yuqing’s blood without drawing suspicion.

Yu Zhengzheng didn’t dwell on the matter for long. As the moon climbed the sky, the wild people lit bonfires around the arena, brightening the dark night.

The group began discussing strategies for the tournament. Hengwu Immortal Lord was the first to suggest teaming up with Xiao Yuqing.

No matter what, he refused to pair with Rong Shang.

Given Rong Shang’s obsessive cleanliness, Hengwu knew that if they fought together, Rong Shang wouldn’t just refuse to help but would likely berate him for taking too long to finish the job.

Xiao Yuqing didn’t object. Despite Hengwu Immortal Lord’s limp and blindness, he had once been a guardian deity of the Heavenly Realm and wouldn’t drag him down.

Rong Shang also had no opinion. To him, it didn’t matter who he teamed up with, as he wasn’t going to dirty his hands anyway.

With the pairings quickly settled, the next issue was deciding who would go first.

Hengwu Immortal Lord offered his suggestion. “I’m not very mobile. Why not let the Ghost King go first?”

Xiang Feng immediately objected, his face cold. “What scheme are you plotting this time?”

Indeed, after being deceived by Hengwu so many times, everyone instinctively distrusted him, no matter his reasoning.

Feigning physical difficulty was just an excuse to shirk responsibility.

Yu Zhengzheng, for once, sided with Xiang Feng. She agreed, “The Immortal Lord is crafty. Even if he’s unsteady on his feet, I’m sure he has his ways to cope.”

If the Ghost King and Xiang Feng went up first, leaving An Ning and Xiao Yuqing below, it would be impossible for her to make a move.

She needed to separate one of them to take action against the other.

As long as she acquired Xiao Yuqing’s blood before he entered the arena, she could then figure out how to deal with An Ning once Xiao Yuqing was on stage.

Hengwu Immortal Lord, hearing Yu Zhengzheng’s comment that was equal parts praise and critique, chuckled wryly. “Well, I’m flattered. In that case, I’ll go first.”

The savages had finished their preparations, and the priest led the group over, asking, “Which two warriors will go first?”

Hengwu Immortal Lord nodded slightly. “I’ll trouble the priest to lead the way.”

The priest smiled and signaled for a few others to bring forward trays holding goblets.

Each person had a goblet placed in front of them, even the women.

Yu Zhengzheng glanced at the reddish-brown liquid in the goblets, her skin crawling. “Is this human blood?”

The priest waved his hand dismissively. “No, it’s deer blood.”

“I know you don’t eat human flesh. This deer blood will replenish your strength, ensuring you don’t run out of stamina during the battle.”

Without hesitation, Hengwu Immortal Lord raised the goblet and drained the deer blood in one go.

He indeed needed the energy. Once they entered the next layer of the illusionary realm, forget deer blood—there wouldn’t even be a scrap to eat.

Seeing his decisiveness, the others hesitated, unsure of what to do.

Yu Zhengzheng, however, didn’t think twice before picking up her goblet and following suit.

If Hengwu Immortal Lord drank it, he must have his reasons. She simply had to follow his lead.

The rest followed one by one, except for two people: Rong Shang and An Ning.

Rong Shang didn’t drink because he never touched blood—too filthy for his tastes.

An Ning, on the other hand, appeared deeply repulsed. Despite Xiang Feng’s coaxing, she refused to take even a sip of the deer blood.

Xiang Feng assumed she was scared and eventually stopped pressing her.

When Hengwu Immortal Lord and Xiao Yuqing set down their goblets and prepared to follow the priest, a sharp scream suddenly pierced the air.

Startled, they turned toward the source of the noise to find it was Yu Zhengzheng.

Her expression was panicked, and her movements seemed frantic. “A huge venomous bug! It’s spotted and can fly—everyone, step back!”

Alarmed, the priest called out, “That’s a spotted bug! It’s poisonous. Be careful not to get bitten…”

Before the priest could finish her sentence, Yu Zhengzheng shouted, “Brother Xiao, don’t move! The bug’s landed on your face!”

Xiao Yuqing froze, not daring to move an inch.

Yu Zhengzheng rushed over, raising her hand high. Before he could react, her hand landed squarely on his face.

Or more precisely, it smacked his nose.

The nose is a delicate spot, and a single hard slap can make it bleed. It wouldn’t arouse suspicion, and it would also allow her to collect the blood she needed—a plan that killed two birds with one stone.

Sure enough, as her palm struck, blood streamed from his nostrils in twin rivulets. Xiao Yuqing, stunned, was left momentarily speechless.

Feigning shock, Yu Zhengzheng hesitated before shakily lifting her hand. She pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve and dabbed at his nose with an apologetic expression. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to…”

Xiao Yuqing wasn’t angry. Instead, he smiled warmly. “Did you get it?”

Yu Zhengzheng paused before bending down and searching the ground. She then held up the corpse of a spotted bug. “I’m not sure if this is the one.”

It was a bug she’d caught in advance. These insects were everywhere in the woods, and she had no idea if they were actually venomous, but she’d grabbed one just in case.

His smile didn’t waver. “As long as you got it.”

Feigning gratitude, she watched him carefully, scrutinizing his subtle expressions.

Seeing no hint of suspicion on his face, Yu Zhengzheng finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Hengwu Immortal Lord and Xiao Yuqing followed the priest, and without Hengwu Immortal Lord’s chatter to liven the atmosphere, the previously lively table fell silent.

Yu Zhengzheng wanted to strike while the iron was hot but worried that acting too quickly might arouse An Ning’s suspicions—especially with Xiang Feng present, making it harder to move unnoticed.

She was mulling over her options when she noticed An Ning awkwardly clutching her sleeve, whispering something softly to Shanshui.

Yu Zhengzheng frowned. “What’s the matter, Miss An Ning? Can’t you say it openly?”

An Ning hesitated, her face turning crimson. “My stomach’s feeling a bit unwell… I was asking Miss Shanshui to accompany me…”

Though she trailed off, everyone understood—An Ning needed to relieve herself but was too embarrassed to say so outright.

There were no proper toilets here. If anyone needed to go, the woods were the only option.

Xiang Feng looked worried. “It’s not safe here. You and Shanshui can’t go alone.”

An Ning lowered her head timidly. “It’s okay. I won’t go far…”

Xiang Feng wanted to argue further, but he stopped himself.

As a man, he couldn’t accompany her anyway.

“I need to go, too. I’ll join them,” Yu Zhengzheng interjected with a scoff. “With so many people around, what could possibly happen to her?” Without waiting for Xiang Feng’s approval, she grabbed An Ning and Shanshui and headed into the woods.

She needed a chance to act.

And this was perfect timing.

Xiang Feng started to follow, but Rong Shang called out, “Sit down and wait.”

Xiang Feng hesitated. “But…”

Rong Shang shot him a cold glance. “Don’t make me repeat myself.”

After a moment of silence, Xiang Feng reluctantly sat back down.

The three women didn’t go far. They found a patch of grass not far from the woods that offered enough cover and stopped there.

Shanshui, who didn’t need to go, told them she’d wait outside to keep watch and ensure no one stumbled upon them.

An Ning seemed desperate. As soon as they reached the spot, she quickly lifted her skirt and squatted down.

Standing behind her, Yu Zhengzheng quietly pulled a dagger from her sleeve.

It was a knife the savages had used to cut meat. She had slipped it into her sleeve earlier, intending to use it on An Ning.

She swiftly smeared blood onto the dagger. At this moment, An Ning was completely unguarded, seemingly unaware of the danger lurking behind her.

Yu Zhengzheng slowly approached An Ning, her arm tensing slightly as she raised the dagger in her hand.

Author’s note: Rong Shang is a descendant of the divine race. His hands cannot touch living beings because they cannot withstand his divine power. So every time he touches Zhengzheng, it’s always through clothing~ However, kisses, hugs, and expressions of love are perfectly fine~