"Now, I announce: First place in the family grand competition, Zi Lingling, is rewarded with one Marrow Cleansing Pill, one spiritual artifact, and five days in the Scripture Pavilion."
"Second place, Zi Hanxiao, is rewarded with one Spirit Gathering Pill, one precious artifact, and three days in the Scripture Pavilion."
"Third place, Zi Nan, is rewarded with one Qi Guiding Pill, one precious artifact, and one day in the Scripture Pavilion."
"After the ceremony concludes, the three individuals may proceed to the Merit and Demerit Hall to collect their rewards."
"Next, we shall commence the exchange matches. Young disciples from other families or sects may choose to spar with the Zi family disciples."
"Remember, exchange matches should stop at a point of mutual understanding, and malicious injury is prohibited!"
As Zi Yangchun finished speaking and was about to step down, a cold voice rang out.
"Second Elder Zi, your words are inaccurate! In exchange sparring, blades and swords have no eyes. Injuries are bound to occur, so how can there be talk of malicious injury?"
"Furthermore, some spiritual arts and techniques possess formidable power, the results of which even the caster cannot foresee. If one fears causing injury and thus cannot fully unleash these arts and techniques, what is the point of exchange sparring?"
The speaker was none other than Xie Lianhua, the Palace Master of the Hundred Flower Palace. Su Dan Novel Network.
The saying "those who come with ill intentions are evident" perfectly described her.
Her sister, Xie Shenghua, had entered the Misty Forest and after half a month, her soul tablet had shattered, and she had tragically passed away.
In her grief, she had investigated thoroughly and discovered that all leads pointed to the Zi family's waste, Zi Lingling.
Therefore, her visit to the Zi family today was twofold: to observe the ceremony and to force the Zi family to hand over Zi Lingling and reveal the truth.
However, she had not anticipated that the so-called waste was not only not a waste but possessed astonishing talent.
What shocked her even more was Zi Lingling's close relationship with the King of Hell.
This cemented her conviction that her sister's death was heavily connected to Zi Lingling.
As such, her previous plan was no longer feasible.
Thus, she intended to use the exchange matches to have her most accomplished disciple kill Zi Lingling.
On the martial stage, life and death were uncertain.
At that point, even the King of Hell, Ye Lingyuan, would have no grounds to object.
Now, with Zi Yangchun, that old fool, stipulating that no one should be injured, how could she avenge her sister?
This was precisely why she had stepped forward to object.
"Palace Master Xie's words are not without merit!"
Hua Wuchen, the patriarch of the Hua family, chimed in with a smile.
Though he smiled, the schemes and malice in his eyes were palpable.
Hua Wuchen had always been adept at scheming, and the Zi, Bai, Meng, Gao, and Yang families had all suffered greatly at his hands.
The reason the Luo family was not included was that the patriarch of the Luo family, Luo Chuan, was a complete hypocrite, and his calculations were on par with Hua Wuchen's.
The two had clashed openly and covertly dozens of times, each time ending in a stalemate, with neither gaining an advantage.
At this moment, with Hua Wuchen suddenly speaking up, Luo Chuan could naturally not remain silent.
He said with a smile, "Palace Master Xie's concerns are indeed valid."
His smile, though seemingly harmless, sent a chill down one's spine.
Bai Tao, Meng Youyu, Gao Ao, and Yang Dezhi all frowned, inwardly on guard.
They had all fallen prey to Hua Wuchen and Luo Chuan before, and they knew that these two were masters of subtle manipulation.
Now that both of them had spoken out, it made them suspect something was amiss.
Zi Yangchun looked at Zi Wenchang with a troubled expression.
After all, Zi Wenchang was about to inherit the position of family head, and such matters naturally fell to him to decide.
Zi Wenchang hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, "Since that is the case, then the restrictions will be lifted!"
Upon hearing this, Xiong Tai, Li Luo, and Fu Liuyun all shook their heads in disappointment, cursing inwardly, "Fools!"
As members of the other four major powers, they were well aware of Xie Lianhua's true intentions in raising this issue.
However, they did not harbor any concern.
Xie Lianhua's cultivation was on par with theirs, and she was no match for Zi Lingling.
What's more, Zi Lingling had the unfathomable King of Hell of Tianqi backing her.
Bai Tao, Meng Youyu, Gao Ao, and Yang Dezhi all furrowed their brows, then inwardly warned their respective family disciples to be cautious and to concede immediately if their strength was insufficient, not to harbor any侥幸.
Hua Wuchen smiled sinisterly. He directly transmitted a message ordering the Hua family disciples not to participate.
At this moment, winds surged and waves churned; it was best to conserve strength and watch the show.
Luo Chuan continued to smile, but he also sent a message to the Luo family disciples, forbidding them from acting rashly.
A triumphant smile spread across Xie Lianhua's face.
She looked at Zi Lingling, a murderous glint flashing in her eyes.
Zi Lingling frowned and looked back, immediately spotting the Hundred Flower Palace emblem on Xie Lianhua's robes.
She understood, and a smile appeared on her face, but it did not reach her eyes.
If Xie Lianhua had not provoked her, it would have been fine. But if Xie Lianhua, in her ignorance, sought to avenge Xie Shenghua, then Zi Lingling would not hesitate to uproot the Hundred Flower Palace entirely.
Ye Lingyuan raised an eyebrow and glanced at Xie Lianhua with disdain.
He knew that his Ling'er could handle such a character herself, so he naturally didn't need to intervene.
Therefore, his current consideration was whether or not to send someone to the Hundred Flower Palace's mountain gate immediately.
Situ Yunfeng's peach blossom eyes narrowed slightly, and he said softly, "Lingling, do you have an enemy with that old hag?"
Zi Lingling nodded and said faintly, "Yes, sort of!"
Situ Yunfeng raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean, 'sort of'?"
Zi Lingling replied with a placid expression, "I killed Xie Shenghua!"
"Cough cough!"
Situ Yunfeng choked on the wine he had just taken a sip of. He said incredulously, "Are you joking? Xie Shenghua, she was a spiritual cultivator at the late stage of the Yuan Transformation Realm!"
Zi Lingling rolled her eyes, "Who do you think I am? Do I look like I'm joking?"
Situ Yunfeng looked as if he had been struck by lightning, his face full of disbelief. He looked questioningly at Ye Lingyuan.
Ye Lingyuan nodded.
Although he was undergoing tribulation at the time, the intelligence from "Ye Chi" would not be wrong.
Situ Yunfeng was crestfallen.
He asked in shock, "Lingling, may I ask what your current cultivation realm is?"
"Peak of the Spirit Gathering Realm... uh, beyond the peak."
Zi Lingling replied calmly.
The realm of "beyond the peak" was known only to her, hence she did not voice it.
Situ Yunfeng downed three large gulps of wine and said, "Peak of the Spirit Gathering Realm? Thankfully, thankfully, thankfully..."
But then he thought, something was not right!
How could someone at the peak of the Spirit Gathering Realm kill someone at the late stage of the Yuan Transformation Realm?
...Fighting across realms?
His gaze shifted from Zi Lingling to Ye Lingyuan, and then back from Ye Lingyuan to Zi Lingling.
Subsequently, his mouth twitched, and he said with no will to live, "As expected, monsters attract monsters, and evildoers draw in evildoers! I can't afford to offend you, I can't afford to offend you!"
Zi Lingling and Ye Lingyuan exchanged a smile, saying nothing.
Soon, another figure appeared on the martial stage.
"Duan Qing of the Hundred Flower Palace requests guidance from the third young lady of the Zi family!"
The voice devoid of emotion, coupled with her comely figure, made the men's eyes gleam.
"It is rumored that all the women of the Hundred Flower Palace are beautiful, and seeing you today proves the rumor true!"