The choice is made; the show begins.

Guanxin Tower in Hidden City, Yuan Prefecture.

It was packed with people.

Because of this event, even several surrounding streets had become bustling.

Various vendors had also appeared.

Inside Guanxin Tower.

The private booths and the main hall were already filled with people.

Everyone was looking down at the massive arena in the center.

This was where the two of them would compete.

Tea tables, desks, and chairs were placed on both sides of the arena.

Writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones were all prepared.

"Who do you think will win this time?"

"Is there even a need to ask? Qinglu Academy, of course."

"Wanjin Tower even opened a betting pool because of this event."

"I heard about it too. If Chu Xinghe wins, it's five to one; if Ning Xiuchi wins, it's one point two to one."

"I've bet my entire fortune on Ning Xiuchi."

"Me too."

"Same here."

In a private booth above Guanxin Tower.

Wen Rushui gazed calmly down at the arena.

There were people in the other booths as well.

This time, even Linglong Yunyou from Linglong Pavilion had come.

She already knew that the one who had schemed against Linglong Pavilion last time was that Chu Xinghe.

However, that Chu Xinghe was one of Zhongli Qingmeng's people.

Later, when she heard that Chu Xinghe was dead, she had been happy for many days.

Who would have thought that the person who signed the contract was also named Chu Xinghe?

She had also been there when the bet was made.

She felt that this Chu Xinghe didn't give her the same feeling as the deceased one.

Of course, more importantly, she had come this time for the bet.

She had wagered quite a lot at Wanjin Tower.

She had even brought out her private savings from over the years.

In another private booth.

Zhongli Qingmeng looked down.

Are you him?

The crowd was boisterous, and discussions surged like a tide.

Under the expectant gazes of the crowd.

Ning Xiuchi walked over under the gaze of the multitude.

Xingxi accompanied Ning Xiuchi.

"Junior Brother, are you sure there won't be any problems?"

Xingxi was still a bit worried.

During these past three days, she had people investigate Chu Xinghe's background.

They hadn't found anything.

It was better to be safe than sorry.

Who knew if any other accidents might occur?

There was only confidence in Ning Xiuchi's eyes.

"Senior Sister, do you still not trust my abilities?"

Xingxi chuckled.

"I was just overthinking. Go ahead."

Ning Xiuchi stepped onto the arena.

Chu Xinghe hadn't arrived yet.

He took out the paper where the bet had been signed.

Chu Xinghe had already arrived outside Guanxin Tower.

He hadn't been idle these past three days either.

He had prepared a grand gift for the Child of Destiny.

He just didn't know if the Child of Destiny could handle it.

Of course.

There was one more very important thing.

And that was the wager at Wanjin Tower.

He had bet quite a few things.

As soon as Chu Xinghe appeared, it caused a massive stir.

"I didn't expect him to actually show up. I thought he'd back out."

"He'll definitely come. The bet is right here, and it was made with a Blood Contract, which is equivalent to an oath."

"I'm really looking forward to it. I actually hope this Chu Xinghe can win."

"Brother, why do you say that?"

"I've bet my entire net worth on Chu Xinghe's victory."

"Brother, you're a real fool. Ning Xiuchi is bound to win."

"I just acted on impulse. I thought Chu Xinghe's odds were higher, so I decided to take a gamble."

Chu Xinghe looked at Ning Xiuchi, who was sitting on the high platform.

"Enough talk. Let's begin."

Ning Xiuchi opened his mouth; he wasn't even allowed to speak.

"Fine, let's start then."

"Let's choose the person to set the topics."

Ning Xiuchi looked at Chu Xinghe.

"Why don't you choose first?"

Chu Xinghe shook his head.

"You start first."

Ning Xiuchi didn't decline.

He crumpled a piece of paper from the table into a ball, turned his back, and threw it randomly.

It hit an elderly grandmother.

"Grandmother, please set a topic for us."

The old woman hadn't expected to be hit, and she looked a bit nervous.

"I don't know how to do that. Let someone else do it."

Ning Xiuchi smiled.

"Grandmother, just pick anything."

The old woman wanted to refuse again.

Many people were eager to try.

"The moon, then. When I miss my hometown and my family, I like to look at the moon."

Ning Xiuchi's eyes lit up when he heard the word "moon."

"Alright, the moon it is."

"Wait," Chu Xinghe suddenly spoke up at this moment.

Both Ning Xiuchi and the old woman turned to look at Chu Xinghe.

"The first topic is the moon. Next is the second topic; it's my turn to choose."

"How about we pick all three topics now, and we only have the duration of one incense stick to think?"

Hearing Chu Xinghe's words, many people present were stunned.

It was the first time they had seen someone increase the difficulty for themselves like this.

There was surprise in the depths of Ning Xiuchi's eyes.

Xingxi had a bad premonition.

Something was off about this Chu Xinghe.

Could it be that he had other tricks up his sleeve?

Why was he so confident?

Chu Xinghe remained unmoved by the gazes of others.

However, those few obscure gazes made him thoughtful.

Some of them belonged to old acquaintances.

Shui Nianji's and Madam Zhen's.

He had killed Gongsun Wuji before but hadn't killed them yet.

He hadn't expected them to actually deliver themselves to his doorstep.

There were also several obscure gazes from the private booths above.

Zhongli Qingmeng's, Wen Rushui's, and Linglong Yunyou's.

And several other familiar people.

This time, it seemed even people from the Great Yu Imperial Dynasty had come.

It looked like they were here to confirm whether he was still alive.

Inside a private booth.

Wen Rushui looked at Chu Xinghe, her brows furrowed.

There was a faint dao rhyme in the depths of her eyes.

Could it be just a coincidence of names?

In another booth, Zhongli Qingmeng looked down at Chu Xinghe.

The expert beside her had already told her.

This wasn't that Chu Xinghe.

Disappointment filled Zhongli Qingmeng's eyes.

"Since it's not him, then proceed according to the plan."

The person behind her nodded and vanished from the booth.

Chu Xinghe had already hit the second person.

"Come, state your topic."

The woman was finely dressed and had delicate eyebrows.

Her brows were knitted; she clearly had something on her mind.

She was a bit incredulous when she saw the paper ball hit her.

"I want a poem about being reluctant to part with one's husband, preferably from a woman's perspective."

Chu Xinghe raised an eyebrow.

Hearing this, Ning Xiuchi already had some ideas in mind.

Next was the selection of the third person.

Many people began to look forward to it.

Ning Xiuchi and Chu Xinghe glanced at each other.

"You choose."

Chu Xinghe spoke first.

"No, in a poetry competition, I already have the advantage. You should choose the third one."

Chu Xinghe didn't stand on ceremony either.

Three paper balls appeared in his hand.

He threw them in three different directions.

Before long, three people emerged.

"Choose one from these three people."

Ning Xiuchi was stunned.

He hadn't expected Chu Xinghe to come up with such a method.

This was truly fair and just.

Ning Xiuchi sized up the three people.

Finally, he chose a man with a square face and a scar on it.

"Big brother, you shall set the final topic."

The square-faced man didn't refuse.

"Write a frontier poem."

Hearing this, the corners of Ning Xiuchi's mouth curled up.

Chu Xinghe remained unfazed.

Ning Xiuchi looked at Chu Xinghe.

"Since it's poetry, there must be a winner. How about everyone in the audience acts as a judge?"

Chu Xinghe naturally wouldn't refuse.

It was just a formality anyway.

The incense stick was lit.

Everyone present held their breath, not daring to make a sound.

Soon, the incense stick had burned down completely.

Everyone present took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.

Their eyes gleamed with excitement.

The show had begun.