Chapter 490: Mysterious Youth (First Update)

The people nearby exchanged glances, all feeling somewhat strange.

Was it because of the strength Chu Liuyue had displayed, which far exceeded her level?

But it didn't seem to be that simple.

When the Eldest Young Master first saw Chu Liuyue just now, his reaction had been quite unusual.

Despite these thoughts, none of them showed any abnormality, instead lowering their voices respectfully

"Yes!"

After dismissing the thoughts in his heart, Jiang Yucheng shifted his gaze elsewhere.

Hundreds of matches were being held simultaneously on the plaza, and among them were many that were even more outstanding than the match between Chu Liuyue and Zhao Junzhi just now.

But for some reason, he found himself unable to focus on the other matches; instead, he would look back at Chu Liuyue from time to time.

Every time he realized he couldn't help but look at her again, Jiang Yucheng would silently warn himself in his heart that this was the last time.

However, time and time again, it was as if he were beyond his own control.

Even when he forced himself not to look at her, the smile he had seen at first glance kept resurfacing in his mind.

Bright, brilliant, pure, yet imbued with spiritual intelligence and a hint of cunning.

Even if her features were only thirty percent similar, that single smile possessed fifty percent of the charm of that woman from years ago.

Jiang Yucheng pinched the bridge of his nose in some irritation.

No, this wasn't right.

He had come today to secretly observe these Earth Meridian Original Vein cultivators; he could not allow his mind to be disturbed by other matters.

Only after repeating this to himself several times did he let out a heavy breath.

Chu Liuyue was naturally unaware of the myriad conflicts within Jiang Yucheng's heart.

On the contrary, she had already completely calmed down.

Before coming to Xiling, she had made thorough preparations, so after a brief moment of surprise and unexpectedness, she had quickly accepted the situation.

The most pressing matter now was to find out exactly what they intended to do by holding this Wan Zheng Assembly.

She didn't believe a single word of Elder Qiu Xi's previous explanation.

Shangguan Wan and Jiang Yucheng definitely did not possess such vision or breadth of mind.

They clearly had other motives.

Additionally, she needed to quickly investigate the current state of the imperial court.

Who exactly had conspired to betray her back then, and who had remained by her side all this time!

Chu Liuyue leaned back lazily in her chair, resting her chin on one hand as she fell into deep thought.

She was currently alone and weak; she indeed needed to find some reliable people to help her...

Suddenly, a commotion erupted on the plaza.

Chu Liuyue looked up and saw that another match had ended.

On the black jade slabs, another name disappeared.

Shortly after, two names disappeared almost simultaneously.

After her match ended first, the other contestants on the plaza seemed to have been somewhat stimulated, and they all began to accelerate the pace of their matches.

The competition became even more intense in an instant.

Of course, this also led to more and more matches reaching a conclusion.

As time passed bit by bit, more and more names vanished from the jade slabs, and the cultivators being carried off the field were almost continuous.

Because the opportunity was rare, everyone was fighting desperately to win, so they all unleashed their signature techniques, making the injuries exceptionally gruesome.

Some who were unwilling to admit defeat were even beaten until they were covered in blood and fell unconscious.

The plaza was littered with messy bloodstains.

The crowd in the spectator stands grew increasingly excited, even beginning to roar and cheer with flushed faces.

Many people had already taken their seats around Chu Liuyue.

Seeing this scene, those from the Tianling Empire were one thing, but those from outside the Tianmu Realm were all more or less shocked.

Chu Liuyue was unfazed by it.

Gradually, the people nearby seemed to start chatting with one another.

Whether they wanted to make friends or test each other, everyone had their own motives, and for a time, things became somewhat lively.

However, no one proactively spoke to Chu Liuyue.

Chu Liuyue didn't mind; she watched the matches on the field leisurely, occasionally glancing at the names on the jade slabs.

"Ah! Are you insane?!"

A hysterical scream suddenly erupted from the plaza!

Chu Liuyue narrowed her eyes and looked over, finding that the one screaming was a young man.

Furthermore, she wasn't unfamiliar with this person; he was one of the Lingyun Sect disciples who had been gathered with Zhao Junzhi earlier.

At this moment, he was clutching his bleeding arm, looking at the youth before him with panic and rage.

"Are you a beast?! You're actually eating human flesh!?"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone was shocked.

The youth looked to be about sixteen or seventeen years old, wearing an ill-fitting, grayish-white hemp short shirt. Perhaps because it was too worn out, the original appearance of the clothes could no longer be discerned.

Although he was not short, he looked skin and bones, his frame swaying within his clothes like someone draped in a burlap sack.

He had short golden hair, soft and lustrous, reflecting a faint light under the sun.

His hair covered most of his face, but one could still see a face that still carried a hint of adolescent youth, with a pointed chin.

At this moment, he was biting into a bloody chunk of meat—the very piece he had just torn raw from the young man's arm opposite him!

He expressionlessly spat out the mouthful of meat and coldly uttered a single word

"Stinks."

His expression and tone were so calm and indifferent, as if he were talking about something that had nothing to do with him.

But it was precisely this manner that sent a chill through people's hearts.

The young man standing opposite him choked, not even daring to ask where that "stinks" was coming from.

He had an intuition that he did not want to know the answer!

The onlookers also unconsciously fell silent for a moment.

Anyone could see that this youth... was not simple!

He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his brow furrowing slightly as if in disgust.

The young man's heart involuntarily skipped a beat! A sense of unease rapidly spread through his heart!

"W-what do you want to do!?"

He asked with feigned bravado, his voice trembling slightly.

However, the blond youth did not speak; he merely tilted his head and glanced at him.

Immediately after, his figure suddenly retreated half a step, his waist arching, his entire body filled with startling tension!

In the next moment, his figure lunged forward like a lone wolf on the plains!

This time, he raised his hand, his calloused hand transforming into a claw, and gripped the young man's throat tightly!

His speed was so fast that before the young man could even react, he had already been tackled to the ground!

"I—cough—I con—concede—cough—"

The young man looked up and met those cold brown eyes beneath the golden hair; he shuddered and conceded without hesitation!

A flash of regret actually passed through the blond youth's eyes, as if he were disappointed that he couldn't continue fighting.

But in the end, he let go.

Even though he had won the match, his expression remained unchanged. After looking around, he walked off the stage.

Then, he actually walked straight toward Chu Liuyue!

(End of Chapter)