Wen Daire did not get angry at all. Her enchanting eyes looked at him like silk threads, and her red lips parted slightly: "Okay, Crown Prince Chu, I'll be waiting for you to propose. Don't break your promise."
Damn it, this seductive look was incredibly potent.
As expected of the first Heavenly Maiden of the Six Desires Sect, with her curvaceous figure, exquisite and beautiful face, and voice like a celestial melody... Chu Tianshu's heart pounded, he was completely unable to resist and could only turn away with a sullen face, ignoring her.
No one knew how Su Luo had persuaded Chu Tianshu, but it was enough that he had returned.
The night passed without incident.
Dawn broke. Everyone woke up, ate their fill, and the remaining few hours passed without any further mishaps.
Su Luo seized the opportunity to eliminate the Netherfire. With Li Tianjue protecting her and assisting, her positioning bead's number also climbed steadily. By the time they were about to leave the ancient mine area, it had reached 4568.
"But what about him? Senior Brother, we can't take him back!" As time was running out, Qin Yuanshu pointed at Fantian in the group.
This was a major problem.
Taking Fantian back would definitely lead to him being recognized. They still had important matters to attend to, and with Fantian, a ticking time bomb, present, it would be troublesome if unforeseen complications arose.
Li Tianjue did not make a hasty decision but let Su Luo decide.
"I think it's best to leave him here."
Su Luo pondered for a moment and then said, "The ancient mine area shouldn't have anyone coming for now, so leaving Fantian here is most suitable. However, in his current state..."
Before she could finish, Fantian said pitifully, "Sister, don't leave me..."
Looking at the young master of the Demonic Sect, who was like a little tail, Su Luo felt a headache coming on. "Don't make trouble. I won't leave you for now, nor can I let you stay here. Don't worry, I will definitely come back for you after I've dealt with things."
Fantian was still unwilling and pleaded, "Please, Sister, I want to follow you..."
Su Luo knew very well the terrifying nature of Fantian's alternate personality. She did not let her guard down just because his current personality appeared harmless. She said seriously, "If you want the Sand Vein Heart back, then stay here obediently and don't go anywhere. I'll come back to pick you up."
"Remember, Sister only likes obedient little puppies. If you're disobedient..."
"I'll be obedient! I'll wait for Sister to come back."
Fantian immediately nodded. Although he looked around with apprehension, he agreed.
His obedience and docility were evident. The crystal spots on his body from the burns were almost healed, making him look handsome and stylish, with red lips and white teeth, truly like a universally adored little puppy.
But Su Luo knew that Fantian was no little puppy; he was a terrifying, obsessive killer.
Soon, everyone left the Netherfire Swamp. Leaving Fantian at the entrance, they returned to the Sun Moon Plaza via the teleportation bead.
One by one, figures appeared. In a short while, the plaza was filled with geniuses from various families. Some were injured and covered in blood, some were spirited and confident, and others were dejected and silent.
As soon as Su Luo and the others returned, they immediately sensed something was wrong.
The atmosphere in the entire venue was heavy. Apart from the returning participating geniuses, almost no one was making noise. The observing forces silently watched the geniuses appear one after another without cheering, which was unlike a grand competition.
Subsequently, Su Luo and her companions saw the Sect Master of the Primordial Holy Land, Shui Han Yi, as well as Shui Qing Yue and Shangguan Han Yu, who had escaped back earlier. Their faces were grim and malevolent, as if they had been waiting for this moment.
When Shui Han Yi saw Shui Xuan Mo, whose arms were severed and who was half-dead, being supported by two disciples of the Qingxu Heaven, he could no longer contain himself. With a roar, he exclaimed, "My son! You actually... Li Tianjue, you are so vicious! Your Majesties, look, this is the evidence I spoke of!"
Shui Han Yi's voice echoed throughout the venue, stirring up a storm of anger. "The Qingxu Heaven not only colluded with the Demonic Sect but also harmed my son and plotted against the disciples of our Primordial Holy Land. Today, the evidence is conclusive, and I demand their lives as compensation!"
The two elders of the Qingxu Heaven immediately shouted, "Nonsense, Shui Han Yi, stop slandering my Qingxu Heaven! I say it was you who colluded with the Demonic Sect!"
"It must be that Tianjue discovered your conspiracy, which is why he resorted to killing. You're crying wolf..."
The silence was instantly shattered, and the entire venue erupted in uproar.
Yesterday, the emperors of the four great empires, along with hundreds of major and minor forces, had simultaneously witnessed Shui Qing Yue and others fleeing back in disarray from the ancient mine area. They then revealed a fact that shocked and disbelieved everyone, causing a sensation throughout the venue!
The Qingxu Heaven had actually colluded with the Demonic Sect, intending to harm all participating geniuses!
Listening to the surrounding discussions, Shang Xie Shao Qing was dumbfounded.
What had happened?
He had searched for Su Luo in the ancient mine area for three days without success. When he returned, he heard about this?
Shang Xie Shao Qing did not believe a word of it. Impossible!
Li Tianjue, Su Luo, and the others remained silent, standing quietly in the center of the plaza.
With the human and physical evidence in hand, they were not worried. Even when Shui Han Yi questioned them publicly, they remained unfazed, a hint of a cold smile playing on their lips as they waited for the show to begin.
For a moment, the entire venue was filled with discussions and boiling emotions.
Furthermore, participating contestants who had returned earlier spoke of assassination attempts, poisonous flowers and grasses, and exploding spiders they encountered in the mine area. These facts, coupled with various suspicions and speculations, pushed the veracity and seriousness of the matter to its peak.
The four emperors intervened in time, and the various forces temporarily calmed down.
This matter involved the safety of the entire continent. The number one sect of the righteous path, Qingxu Heaven, colluding with the Dark Demon Ridge was a grave offense. Without absolute proof, no one dared to draw conclusions.
"Silence, silence!"
The majestic voice of Emperor Hong Yue echoed throughout the venue. "Due to the sudden incident, the outcome of the Heavenly Pride Competition will be put aside for now. Once the matter is resolved, a judgment will be made. Now that everyone has returned, let the Qingxu Heaven and the Primordial Holy Land confront each other in front of everyone present and explain the course of events and details, including all human and physical evidence, and hand it all over."
As the whispers resumed throughout the venue, Emperor Hai Yao immediately said, "The Heavenly Pride Competition is one of the most important events on the entire continent. It is fair and authoritative and cannot be disrupted by anyone. Furthermore, no one is allowed to collude with the Demonic Sect and attempt to harm others of the righteous path. Once confirmed, no matter who it is, they will be severely punished!"
His voice boomed, resounding throughout the venue, tightening everyone's hearts.
Whether it was the Qingxu Heaven or the Primordial Holy Land colluding with the Demonic Sect, it was unimaginable, and the consequences would be extremely severe, with extremely vicious methods!
Today, they had to find out the truth!
Emperor Bei Ming glanced at his son in the arena, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes, and said solemnly, "Since this matter was first discovered by the Primordial Holy Land, let Saintess Shui Qing Yue explain the course of events again."
Shui Qing Yue had been waiting for this moment.
She had already changed out of her dirty long dress and was dressed immaculately, appearing ethereal and exceptionally beautiful.
"Yesterday, my brother, myself, and several fellow disciples encountered people from the Qingxu Heaven in the Netherfire Swamp. To our astonishment, we discovered that they were with the young master of the Demonic Sect, Fantian, plotting to slaughter all the participating geniuses..."