335: Let Ah Zhen be the main character!

Early the next morning, an edict that was enough to make the entire Holy Dragon City boil with excitement was issued from the Dragon Emperor Palace.

"By the decree of His Majesty the Dragon Emperor:

To celebrate the prosperity of the Demon Domain, reward the loyalty of all departments, and also to ensure that all visiting envoys depart thoroughly entertained, starting today, Holy Dragon City will host a ten-day 'Myriad Races Celebration Festival'!

During this period, city districts will have no curfews, taverns will stay open all night, a hundred arts will be performed, and all races, regardless of status, may participate!

Gambling houses such as the Thousand Gold Workshop are permitted to add 'Celestial Class' high-stakes halls. His Majesty will personally bestow prizes to enhance the festive mood!"

The news spread like the wind, instantly reaching every corner of Holy Dragon City.

All the Demon Kings, Cave Masters, Elders, and even their attendants and guards couldn't help but take notice.

At such a sensitive time, did the Dragon Emperor really have such "leisure"?

Inside the Dragon Perching Garden, however, the atmosphere was completely different from the clamorous excitement in the city.

Long Yun was the first to receive the news and hurried over, her pretty face full of gravity.

Following closely behind her, Pei Shuyun's delicate eyebrows were slightly furrowed.

Chu Chunqiu, for once not clutching his wine gourd, strode into the courtyard with large steps, a sharp light flickering in his eyes.

"Shengyuan!" Long Yun couldn't help but speak as soon as she entered, "His Majesty is... is it starting?"

What she was referring to was clear to everyone present.

Li Shengyuan was sitting by the stone table in the courtyard, calmly sipping tea. Hearing her words, he set down his cup and smiled faintly. "Don't be anxious, Xiao Yun. This is merely... the appetizer."

"The appetizer?" Long Yun was taken aback.

Chu Chunqiu plopped down, took a fierce swig from his wine gourd, smacked his lips, but his eyes held a fighting spirit. "Appetizer or main course, who cares! Shengyuan, old buddy, just tell us straight. How many do we need to kill in this fight? This old brother's gourd has been parched and eager for a long time!"

Pei Shuyun quietly walked to Li Shengyuan's side and gently took his hand. Though she said nothing, her concern was palpable.

Li Shengyuan gave her hand a squeeze. His gaze swept over everyone present, finally landing on Song Zhen, who stood in a corner looking utterly bewildered.

He chuckled lightly, his tone calm yet carrying a reassuring certainty. "It was somewhat difficult originally, but now I'm sure you'll get your fill of killing!"

"Have you and His Majesty already devised a perfect strategy?" A gleam of pleasant surprise flashed in Long Yun's eyes.

"Mm," Li Shengyuan nodded. "However, the true lead actor in this grand play is neither you, nor me, nor His Majesty."

He paused, then raised his hand and pointed at Song Zhen, who was intently studying the patterns on his teacup, completely unaware he had become the center of attention:

"It's him."

"Huh?" Song Zhen abruptly looked up, nearly dropping his teacup, his face a picture of confusion. "Me? Brother Li, you... you must be joking! With my meager cultivation, not even at the Fourth Grade, what use could I possibly be?"

Long Yun and Pei Shuyun both froze simultaneously, their gazes sweeping over Song Zhen's face, filled with astonishment.

This youth, who just yesterday lost everything at the Thousand Gold Workshop and looked utterly harmless, could be the lead actor in this storm?

Chu Chunqiu, however, fell into rare silence.

He stared at Song Zhen, his gaze gradually deepening, his brow tightly furrowed as if he was recalling something, or perhaps pondering something.

Others thought Junior Brother Song Zhen's Aptitude was mediocre and he seemed very ordinary.

But as the senior brother who had been taking him everywhere, Chu Chunqiu knew well the extraordinary aspects of this Junior Brother.

Yet, whenever he tried to think about it carefully before, he could never quite figure it out, always feeling as if his thoughts were being diverted.

Now, with Li Shengyuan himself speaking up, it suddenly gave him a sense of enlightenment.

"Shengyuan, old buddy..." Chu Chunqiu's voice was low, uncharacteristically serious. "Are you thinking... of having Ah Zhen gamble?"

Li Shengyuan met his gaze and slowly nodded. He sent a voice transmission to the other three, excluding Song Zhen: "Correct. Not just gamble, but to have him... 'win' over all the Luck of those in Holy Dragon City who harbor sinister intentions."

As these words fell, the room fell into complete silence.

Song Zhen, meanwhile, scratched his head in confusion, looking at the others. He had a strange feeling about the way everyone was looking at him, but didn't feel it appropriate to ask.

Long Yun and Pei Shuyun exchanged glances. Beyond their shock, they faintly understood something.

Chu Chunqiu remained silent for a long time. Suddenly, he picked up his wine pot, took a fierce gulp directly from the spout, then set it down heavily with a dull thud, letting out a deep sigh.

"The teacher once said that Ah Zhen's Fate, if used well, is a world-shaking Sharp Weapon. If used poorly, it's a double-edged sword that harms both others and oneself."

He looked at Song Zhen, his eyes filled with complexity. "I obeyed the teacher's order, taking Ah Zhen with me wherever I went, yet I've always kept a close eye on him, fearing he might be exploited by those with ulterior motives... I never imagined that the first to wield this 'Sharp Weapon' would be me."

He raised his head and looked at Li Shengyuan, his gaze so solemn it was almost reverent. "Shengyuan, old buddy, what are the odds you can protect him?"

This wasn't a question about the chances of victory, but rather:

What are the odds you can prevent my Junior Brother from suffering a Backlash because of this?

Li Shengyuan met his gaze without evasion and answered earnestly, "As long as I am alive, I will not let anything happen to Junior Brother Song."

It was a simple statement, but Chu Chunqiu nodded upon hearing it and asked no more.

Song Zhen looked back and forth between his two Elder brothers, his eyes filled with confusion, but he did not voice his questions.

He just had a vague feeling that he, too, was about to do something big!