Pseudo-divine artifacts were rare, with each nation using them as secret weapons, much like nuclear bombs in the normal world, never to be used lightly.
When someone like Chu Luoyan wielded a divine artifact against others, how could they not be feared? Therefore, those who knew Chu Luoyan would instinctively keep their distance. Such individuals were too terrifying, and normal people dared not offend them.
Because pseudo-divine artifacts were so precious, the Mie Jiao Alliance was reluctant to use them as the core of their formation. If anything went wrong, they could not afford such a loss.
The value of pseudo-divine artifacts was immense, let alone true divine artifacts.
Thus, with the unanimous agreement of everyone, the Mie Jiao Alliance prepared to execute a decapitation strike against Zhou Yan, intending to eliminate him while he was on the Canglan Continent.
"I believe we should eliminate him before the award ceremony of the Four Great Academies in the Divine Dragon Kingdom. Without Zhou Yan then, how will they present the awards?"
"Once Zhou Yan dies, it will inevitably cause a huge uproar. If they unleash their fury then, they might quickly trace it back to us. I don't agree with acting on the Canglan Continent."
"Then have you found Zhou Yan's location on the Lord's Continent?"
"When Zhou Yan dies, the people of the Divine Dragon Kingdom will surely grieve. That scene will be quite a sight."
"I also think that would be a very good scene."
"Then, from now on, everyone must bring out the spies they have arranged in the Divine Dragon Kingdom, and let us work together to complete this Mie Jiao plan."
"Naturally."
"Happy cooperation. I hope no one makes any mistakes."
...
Zhou Yan was completely unaware that the Mie Jiao Alliance was preparing to act against him on the Canglan Continent. With people from dozens of countries acting in concert, their combined strength would be formidable. Whether Zhou Yan could evade them remained unknown.
As the competition among students of the Four Great Academies, from sophomore year and above, grew more intense and spectacular, a hidden undercurrent began to surge in the outside world, a grand plan being meticulously crafted.
Upon learning of the Mie Jiao Alliance's actions, the people of the Ancient Imperial Empire laughed heartily. "Since they wish to act on the Canglan Continent, let us lend them a hand. However, merely killing Zhou Yan will not satisfy my ambition."
"Marshal An Yu, in that case, why don't we eliminate all the students participating in the Four Great Academies?" Qian Liu suggested.
"You have clashed with these people numerous times; you should know their methods are not so simple. Eliminating all of them is out of the question, but attempting to eliminate a portion might be feasible," An Yu replied.
"Marshal, how should we proceed this time?" Qian Mian Hu asked.
"We can ignore the others for now. Our primary target remains Zhou Yan. Once Zhou Yan is dead, everyone else is secondary," An Yu stated.
"Yes."
Following this, An Yu began to arrange for Qian Mian Hu and Qian Liu to assist the Mie Jiao Alliance. Their objectives were the same: to eliminate Zhou Yan.
Furthermore, An Yu contacted several other factions that held grudges against Zhou Yan.
Zhou Yan's situation grew increasingly perilous. He was now facing an unprecedented plan for his annihilation.
...
The competitions of the Four Great Academies were in full swing. Spies hidden amongst the millions of spectators had received orders from their respective countries.
They were to complete their missions at all costs. Some had been trained as spies since childhood, and many were deeply entrenched, only revealing themselves at critical moments.
At this moment, they all nodded in unison, determined to complete their task by any means necessary.
Meanwhile, at the peak of the competition, the Mie Jiao Alliance, using special means, began to infiltrate the Dragon Green Academy of the Divine Dragon Kingdom with their experts. This time, they employed sophisticated tactics, determined to eliminate Zhou Yan at all costs.
Coupled with the intervention of the Ancient Imperial Alliance and several other hidden forces, under the combined efforts of so many factions, the senior echelons of the Dragon Green Academy, while sensing something amiss, did not detect any significant danger.
However, the powerful individuals of the Dragon Green Academy did sense something. A voice echoed into the ears of Zuo Jianyuan, the principal of Dragon Green Academy, conveyed by a half-god level powerhouse of the academy.
The half-god expert reported that several powerful and mysterious presences had entered the Dragon Green Academy.
Zuo Jianyuan immediately declared, "Level One Alert! Someone is attempting to disrupt the competition!"
"What!"
"Impossible!"
"These scoundrels have such audacity!"
"Quick, quick, prepare!"
The senior officials of the Dragon Green Academy immediately sounded the alarm. However, there was no audible disturbance throughout the venue. Nevertheless, a powerful barrier array was activated, encompassing the entire competition grounds.
No one could breach the entire venue, nor could any spy escape. Furthermore, a large number of experts had entered the competition area, ready to strike forcefully against anyone who dared to make a move.
The hidden half-god powerhouses of the Dragon Green Academy also began to take action. Anyone who dared to disrupt the Dragon Green Academy would face their wrath.
Suddenly, the entire Dragon Green Academy was filled with a tense atmosphere. The Dragon Green Academy, as the foremost of the Four Great Academies, undoubtedly boasted unparalleled strength and numbers worldwide.
However, the powerful individuals present were sent by dozens of countries from around the world. Their true objective was not to disrupt the competition of the Four Great Academies, but solely Zhou Yan.
Yet, the senior leadership of the Dragon Green Academy did not initially grasp this. Their immediate assumption was that the opposing side intended to sabotage the competition of the Four Great Academies.
Anyone would have thought the same. Even the teachers from other academies felt a sense of intense tension and unease. They observed the surrounding Dragon Green Academy guards and felt a strange sensation.
"Assemble everyone!" Chu Luoyan instructed the students who had been eliminated to gather. Then, she addressed them, "Take them to the resting rooms, set up formations, and no one is to leave without my permission."
"Yes!"
"Did something happen?" Leng Yue and the others also sensed a strange, oppressive aura.
"Someone is probably impatient. Let's be cautious," Chu Luoyan said.
"Quick, go inside." The elders of Ziwei Academy immediately led the students into the temporary resting area and activated the formations, placing them all under protection.
The students also felt a strange sensation. Although they didn't know what was about to happen, they had a premonition that something major was on the horizon.
Everything appeared calm, yet the students eliminated from the Four Great Academies were all escorted away by their respective academy teachers and placed under protection, clearly having received Zuo Jianyuan's notification.