Chapter 251: Means (Third Update)

Chu Liuyue had actually managed to crack the final stage at the very last moment! She became the only person to clear the competition in the Mystic Master division!

Looking at those five shimmering streaks of starlight, the crowd reacted in various ways.

Some were shocked, some were surprised, some were joyful, and some were vexed.

But in their hearts, they all shared a sense of disbelief regarding Chu Liuyue's feat.

—One must realize, from the moment she rushed halfway through to join the competition until its conclusion, she had used only a single hour to unravel five Mystic Arrays!

Even those who had previously harbored various doubts about her were now forced to admit that Chu Liuyue's talent on the path of a Mystic Master was indeed rare!

Chu Liuyue stood up and gave Su Bai a polite smile

"You let me win."

Su Bai gave a bitter smile.

How had he "let" her win?

"I admit defeat. I am thoroughly convinced."

Su Bai was quite candid. He took a deep breath and cupped his hands in a salute.

In truth, he had already lost the moment Chu Liuyue had successfully protected that chessboard in its entirety.

Chu Liuyue was even stronger than he had imagined!

The crowd watched this scene in a daze.

Sun Zhongyan was the first to react, his heart pounding with excitement

"I hereby declare the first place Mystic Master of this year's Qingjiao Assembly—Chu Liuyue of Tianlu Academy!"

A similar sentence had already been heard by everyone yesterday.

But no one expected that after claiming first place in the Martial Artist division, Chu Liuyue would actually go on to seize first place in the Mystic Master division as well!

"That freak really doesn't leave any living room for others, does she!"

Si Yang let out a long wail.

He had a premonition that the gap between him and Chu Liuyue would only grow wider and wider in the future!

It wasn't just him; it was everyone else here as well!

Was this kind of person born just to make others feel envy, jealousy, and hatred?!

Mu Hongyu and the others finally breathed a sigh of relief, cheering with excitement and joy.

Up to this point, in both competitions of the Qingjiao Assembly, their Tianlu Academy had taken first place!

And crucially, it was all thanks to Chu Liuyue!

This time, she had truly become the sole standout of the Qingjiao Assembly!

In contrast, the atmosphere at the other two academies was somewhat cold and heavy.

When Sheng Yiming heard the words Sun Zhongyan announced, he finally could no longer endure it. His blood surged, his eyes rolled back, and he completely fainted.

Xi Wanwan hurriedly supported him

"Yiming! Yiming! What's wrong with you!?"

Fu Yunshan glanced at him, feeling somewhat irritated and disappointed.

"He merely fainted from being unable to handle the blow. Just take him back and let him rest properly."

It was one thing to lose in public, but to go to such an extreme was simply too embarrassing!

Sheng Yiming's temperament really needed a serious correction...

"Oh, oh! Right! This student will take him back immediately!"

Xi Wanwan's mind was entirely focused on worrying about Sheng Yiming, so she failed to notice Fu Yunshan's dissatisfaction.

She waved to the people nearby, asking them to help carry Sheng Yiming away.

However, just as she turned around, she heard a somewhat familiar voice call out.

"Please stay a moment—"

Xi Wanwan's heart skipped a beat. She instinctively stopped and looked back.

Chu Liuyue was standing there with her arms crossed, looking at her with a smiling face.

However, that smile only made Xi Wanwan feel increasingly uneasy.

She avoided Chu Liuyue's gaze out of guilt and asked with some uncertainty

"Are you calling me?"

Chu Liuyue nodded with a light laugh

"Naturally. There is something here I would like you to explain."

Xi Wanwan's heart instantly panicked.

Was Chu Liuyue going to expose that matter in public?

No!

She had done it so stealthily at the time that no one noticed, and besides, that thing left no evidence behind. Even a Level 5 Mystic Master like Sun Zhongyan would never be able to detect any abnormality!

Even Si Ting could only accept his loss, couldn't he?

Xi Wanwan felt a bit more settled and forced a smile.

"Oh? I wonder what it is? If it isn't urgent, perhaps we can discuss it later. Yiming has fallen unconscious, and we must get him back as soon as possible—"

"It's nothing major; it will be over quickly."

As Chu Liuyue spoke, she suddenly looked toward Si Ting.

"Si Ting, your competition was going perfectly fine just now. Why did the chessboard suddenly disintegrate?"

Si Ting was stunned; he hadn't expected Chu Liuyue was here for this.

He pursed his lips.

If there was no evidence, accusing him directly like this would be useless; instead, it would only drag Chu Liuyue down with him.

Hearing Chu Liuyue call Si Ting's name, Rong Xiu's thin lips curled slightly into a half-smile.

The little thing actually wanted to stand up for someone...

Yan Qing inexplicably shuddered, feeling his master's aura turn icy in an instant.

He immediately lowered his gaze, focusing inward to minimize his presence as much as possible.

Chu Liuyue had already picked up the chessboard that Si Ting had used during his competition.

"I find that this thing seems a bit off."

A thought suddenly flashed through Si Ting's mind: *Could Chu Liuyue have evidence?*

He took a step forward and said in a heavy voice

"My chessboard disintegrated earlier because Xi Wanwan tampered with it."

"Si Ting! You can't just say things recklessly!"

Xi Wanwan was like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, her voice immediately rising an octave.

"So many people are watching! How could I possibly do such a thing!?"

"Indeed, with so many eyes watching, to dare do it so openly... your psychological fortitude is quite extraordinary. Even I am somewhat impressed."

Chu Liuyue offered her praise with total sincerity.

It looked as though, if she weren't holding the chessboard, she would have applauded for Xi Wanwan.

Xi Wanwan's face turned red with anger. Seeing Chu Liuyue's certain expression, her previously settled heart began to waver again.

Could it be... could Chu Liuyue really have a way?

"Liuyue, what did you discover?"

Sun Zhongyan asked with a frown.

He also knew that Si Ting's previous elimination was inexplicable, and he had not been without suspicion toward Xi Wanwan.

However, since he hadn't found any clues, he hadn't pursued it yet, intending to ask Si Ting in detail after the event concluded.

He hadn't expected Chu Liuyue to beat him to it.

"It's nothing much. I just happened to notice that there seems to be something extra on this chessboard."

As Chu Liuyue spoke, she tapped her finger on the board.

Xi Wanwan's eyes were fixed intently on it.

On that smooth and clean chessboard, there was nothing!

Chu Liuyue was clearly bluffing!

She let out a cold laugh, gaining a bit more confidence.

"Chu Liuyue, you say there is something extra on here. I wonder what exactly it is? To my eyes, there is nothing at all."

The others also looked bewildered, not knowing what Chu Liuyue was referring to.

Chu Liuyue's smile was profound.

"You will know very soon."

Having said that, her fingertip flickered, and a silver stream of light suddenly emerged.

Then, her finger lightly traced across the surface of the chessboard.

A shallow mark was left upon the board.

Her finger moved lightly, as if sketching something.

On the originally plain and unremarkable chessboard, a pattern gradually began to light up.

The flowing light overlapped, becoming clear and brilliant.

Sun Zhongyan's eyes widened slightly.

That was...

That was actually the final Mystic Array on the chessboard!

Chu Liuyue had actually re-repaired and traced that Mystic Array!?

(End of Chapter)