CHAPTER 49: CHAPTER 49: THE SEVENTH PRINCE’S PROFOUND SCHEMES (FIRST UPDATE)

Zhou Yuntong snapped back from his shock and quickly calmed himself. He knew that the Seventh Prince before him was the most talented individual in the entire Imperial Family. How could such a person become despondent just because his Martial Arts had been disabled? Now, the Seventh Prince had returned to the First-Grade Martial Artist Realm. In his eyes, this seemed entirely normal. If this news were to spread back to the Capital City, it would surely keep many people awake at night. The Seventh Prince, whose Martial Arts had been disabled, had recovered his original power in just over a year. This news was enough to make those people restless.

Moments later, his gaze fell upon the Blood Demoness. This Elder of the Blood Demon Sect, one of the Five Great Elders, appearing at the Seventh Prince’s side surely meant she had some purpose. He had to address this.

"Seventh Prince, this woman is one of the Five Great Elders of the Blood Demon Sect, a major fugitive our Imperial Court seeks to apprehend!" Zhou Yuntong declared coldly, one hand resting on the hilt of his Xiu Chun Saber at his waist. "Her presence by Your Highness’s side must have another purpose. Your servant will assist Your Highness in slaying this demoness now!"

A Grandmaster Realm aura completely overwhelmed the area, causing Xu Nian to frown involuntarily. Even though he had advanced to the First-Grade Realm, he still felt somewhat lacking when faced with a Grandmaster. The opponent’s terrifying pressure made him feel a little unsteady.

"There’s no need! She is one of my people," Xu Nian explained calmly. "Her going to the Blood Demon Sect was also my arrangement. It is enough that you alone know of this; I do not wish for anyone else to learn her identity."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yuntong was stunned. The Grandmaster’s aura completely receded, and he looked at Xu Nian, his face etched with astonishment. The Blood Demoness was an arrangement of the Seventh Prince? When did this happen? Why had no one ever mentioned this to him? He recalled that in the past, he had pursued the Blood Demoness. Although she had managed to escape, he was indeed at odds with her. However, considering Xu Nian’s past power, he also understood that the majestic Seventh Prince wouldn’t solely possess talent in Martial Arts. Which member of the Imperial Family was truly simple-minded? Ridiculous! It seemed this Seventh Prince was not simple either, having laid plans involving the Blood Demon Sect long ago. Even an Elder of the Blood Demon Sect was his subordinate; just how many people in the Jianghu could be allied with the Seventh Prince? How could the other princes possibly compete with this Seventh Prince, who had returned to the First-Grade Realm?

"Your servant understands! Assuredly, no fourth person will learn of this matter!" Zhou Yuntong hastily knelt, his expression respectful as he gave his promise. At this moment, he realized he had seemingly been forced to side with the Seventh Prince. He knew he shouldn’t meddle in the affairs of the Imperial Family. Yet it seemed he now knew something he shouldn’t—information that could plunge him into an abyss. If the other princes were to learn that he stood with the Seventh Prince, his own family... At this thought, Zhou Yuntong decisively pushed the information he had just heard from his mind. His purpose in coming here was solely to meet the Seventh Prince and discuss the affairs of the Jianghu in Fengxiang Prefecture; nothing else of significance had occurred.

"Alright, you may leave now." Xu Nian waved his hand, dismissing him.

Tonight was destined to be a sleepless one. The Reward he had obtained this time was simply too bountiful; the excitement stirring in his heart made sleep impossible. A First-Grade Martial Artist! He was now a First-Grade Martial Artist and possessed fifty years’ worth of Internal Energy. With this Internal Energy supporting him, his Eight Gates Escape Armor could undoubtedly advance further. It wouldn’t even be impossible to kick a Grandmaster to death!

"Your servant takes his leave!" Zhou Yuntong cupped his fist in a bow and then hurried off down the dark mountain path.

Watching him depart, the Blood Demoness finally let out a sigh of relief. She had truly feared that Zhou Yuntong might suddenly attack her. After all, capturing an Elder of the Blood Demon Sect was an achievement significant enough to grant a person a lifetime of glory and wealth.

"Why did you save me?" the Blood Demoness, standing behind Xu Nian, calmly asked.

"You are a member of my Profound Yellow Sect. Isn’t it natural for me, the Sect Leader, to save you?" Xu Nian turned back and smiled. Beneath the flickering candlelight, his smile was as warm as a spring breeze. Even the Blood Demoness, a woman who had always been wary of men, felt a flicker of gratitude in that instant. If Zhou Yuntong had captured her, she would have undoubtedly faced certain death. But Xu Nian’s words today had effectively given her a life-saving talisman. She was now considered one of the Seventh Prince’s people! That status alone was enough to make the Brocade Guard hesitant to target her again!

"Thank you," the Blood Demoness spoke calmly, then stepped out of the doorway and walked slowly towards a distant tree. The seductive charm she typically exuded had vanished completely, replaced by an indescribable coldness. It was as if she had transformed into a completely different person.

Xu Nian paid her no further mind. After all, he was no longer afraid of the Blood Demoness and would be able to control this vixen even better in the future.

The Task had been completed so flawlessly this time, largely thanks to the Players. In less than ten days, the Players had completed the Task. This was a massive profit. "Should I increase the Players’ Reward?"

Xu Nian touched his chin and murmured to himself. "Forget it. Rather than wasting Contribution Points, I’ll just release the Equipment Atlas and let the Players start forging their own Equipment." Equipment forging templates had already been enabled, but without an atlas, the Players couldn’t forge anything. Now that the Profound Yellow Sect had made a name for itself in Fengxiang Prefecture, it was time for the Players to settle down a bit. Enhancing the Players’ power might be the next step. It all depended on how the Players would choose.

「The Next Day.」

Upon logging in, the Players received notifications that the Task was complete. A one-month deadline. They had completed it ahead of schedule, and flawlessly at that. How could such news not excite the Players?

"Five hundred Contribution Points! I, Hu Hansan, finally have my day in the sun!"

"Awesome! I’m heading back to the Sect right now."

"Someone kill me and give everyone a thrill, eh!"

"How about we kill each other? Then we can undergo Reincarnation together and get a head start!"

"Damn, brother, you’re a genius!"

The Players seemed to realize that returning to the Profound Yellow Sect could take one to three days. Wasting that much time wasn’t worth it when they could just undergo Reincarnation. After all, with at least five hundred Contribution Points each, undergoing Reincarnation once was no big deal. Being rich means you can do whatever you want!

Suddenly, Players all across Fengxiang Prefecture were either killing each other or slitting their own throats with knives. Such behavior dumbfounded the Jianghu People of Fengxiang Prefecture. What’s with these Profound Yellow Sect Disciples? Why are they all committing suicide? Weren’t they just acting like they were ready to drag their enemies down with them moments ago?

This news sent a wave of panic through the Jianghu People of Fengxiang Prefecture. These Profound Yellow Sect Disciples were clearly a bunch of lunatics! Who in their right mind would just commit suicide like that? And they were doing it with smiles on their faces, laughing as they died! Smiling in the face of death? Content to die?

But at this moment, everyone in the Jianghu of Fengxiang Prefecture came to understand one thing: Profound Yellow Sect Disciples were not to be trifled with!