70: Section 70

“Reporting to Your Majesty, the news of recruiting a Royal Consort for the Third Princess has been fully disseminated.”

Yu Emperor calmly and composedly looked at the book in his hand.

“Have there been any traces of the fragment found within the city these past few days.”

Hong Shan shook his head: “Reporting to Your Majesty, your subordinate found nothing, not even a trace of Qi could be sensed.”

Yu Emperor uttered the word 'fragment,' and a faint, flickering light could be seen.

“It must still be within the city. This time, This Emperor deliberately released the news about the fragment to lure out the mysterious person holding the other fragment piece.”

“He will definitely participate in the competition for the position of Royal Consort.”

“Hong Shan, you should go participate too. Hand over your current duties to Mo Ze. Other forces are also coveting the demon emperor fragment and will surely send powerful experts to compete for the position of Royal Consort.”

Hong Shan bowed with cupped fists: “Yes... your subordinate obeys the command.”

Knowing full well that the other demon emperor fragment was in Misty Cloud City, yet with hundreds of thousands of members of the Yu Race inside, searching them all would be extremely difficult.

Yu Emperor could only adopt this method of 'casting a brick to attract jade,' luring the snake out of its hole.

However, the bait he used was indeed quite large: using his most beloved daughter as a stake. He firmly believed that anyone holding the demon emperor fragment would spare no effort to compete for the Royal Consort position.

At that time, the scope could be narrowed down to this group of competitors, and after gradual screening, finding the fragment holder should not be difficult.

Three days later, registration closed, and there were over a thousand contestants, an unprecedentedly large number.

This result surprised Yu Emperor greatly. All contestants were summoned to the plaza.

Yu Emperor stood atop the high platform, wearing a golden mask. A pair of golden wings on his back symbolized the power of the Golden-Winged Roc clan. Standing rigidly beside him was a row of Imperial Guards armed to the teeth.

“Greetings to Your Majesty Yu Emperor.”

The sound of cheering, like mountains calling and seas roaring, echoed throughout the venue.

“Welcome to this Marriage Recruitment Competition. This Emperor's future worthy son-in-law and Royal Consort will be chosen from among you.”

Yu Emperor summoned an official to read out the rules of the marriage recruitment: contestants would be divided into groups by drawing lots, winners would advance directly, and then draw lots again for the next match.

“Alright, since everyone has no objections to these rules, let us begin! I look forward to your excellent results.”

Yu Emperor also wanted to take this opportunity to observe the strength of the younger generation within the clan, so he could better utilize them.

While the drawing of lots was taking place, the competition areas were already being divided. A total of twenty small areas were set up for simultaneous strength competitions.

Mo Peng lightly patted Xiao Bai: “Big Brother, luckily we weren't put in the same group.”

“Many experts from the Demon Race and the Ghost Race have arrived. Representatives from the Yao Race and the Human Race of the Xuan Tian Continent have also been sent to participate.”

Xiao Bai glanced at the Demon Race and the Ghost Race; they were very mysterious, their true faces were mostly hidden, and their attire was bizarre.

The Ghost Race, in particular, appeared as masses of black shadows floating in mid-air, making it impossible to see where their feet were.

The appearance of the Demon Race was also chilling. Some were entirely blood-red, others were purple, making them uglier than ordinary monsters.

“What are their power levels?”

“It's hard to say. It's still the Preliminary Round stage; we'll only know after they start fighting.”

Mo Peng rolled his eyes: “Looking at how determined they are to get the demon emperor fragment, their strength must be considerable.”

The first day featured the Preliminary Round matches, which were largely without suspense. Xiao Bai and Mo Peng both advanced.

More than half of the contestants were weaker, their Cultivation not even reaching Level 1 Demon King, so their elimination was normal.

After the daytime matches concluded, Mo Ze disguised himself and secretly went to the inn where the Demon Race was staying.

“Since you've come, don't hide yourself.”

Mo Ze slowly removed his black hood, revealing a Bird Beak like that of Lei Gong.

“I still couldn't escape the Dharma Eye of the Ninth Prince. I brought some local specialties; please accept them.”

Mo Ze gently clapped his hands, and capable subordinates escorted in nine women of the Yu Race.

“These were born on an ominous month, ominous day, and ominous hour. The Ninth Prince should like them.”

Mo Wuliang, the Ninth Prince of the Demon Race, sniffed with his nose. He used a blood-red fingernail to lift the chin of a Female Demon.

“Then thank you, Royal Consort. You put in a lot of effort, knowing that This Prince Cultivates the Blood Demonic Path.”

*Swoosh!*

Mo Wuliang lightly swiped his sharp nail, and the throats of all nine Yu Race women were cut.

He took a forceful inhale through his nose, and all the fresh blood was sucked into his nostrils. The nine Yu Race women were all reduced to mere swan skins.

“Ah...”

Mo Wuliang's expression was one of extreme enjoyment, and his voice was slightly effeminate.

“Such pure fresh blood. This Prince truly loves it.”

“Royal Consort, you are so courteous; I genuinely want to be friends with you.”

Mo Ze bowed: “Thank you for the favor, Your Highness Ninth Prince.”

“Yu Emperor said that the other demon emperor fragment is also in Misty Cloud City.”

Mo Wuliang's eyes lit up. His main goal for this trip was to obtain the demon emperor fragment.

The two of them found common ground and reached a strategic cooperation.

Chapter 93: So it was you causing trouble

Mo Ze used his power within Yu Country to facilitate Mo Wuliang's path, helping him seize the position of Royal Consort and obtain the demon emperor fragment.

In turn, Mo Ze would receive the support of the Demon Race and become the new generation's Yu Emperor.

After five days of competition, only thirty-two contestants remained, all powerful experts from various forces.

Yu Country, led by Commander Hong Shan, had only six elites remaining. Hong Shan was a Level 7 Demon King in strength and definitely ranked in the top ten; the remaining five were all mid-to-low tier in strength.

Hong Shan handed the compiled list and information to Yu Emperor.

“Reporting to Your Majesty, the list of thirty-two contestants has been released, and the important figures have been marked.”

Yu Emperor looked at the list of ten marked individuals. Most were within his expectations, but the name Bai Xiao seemed particularly abrupt.

“The elites from other realms are familiar faces. What is the background of this person named Bai Xiao?”

Yu Emperor was very curious about this unfamiliar name.

Hong Shan shook his head repeatedly: “This person named Bai Xiao, judging by his appearance, should be a member of the Yu Race. Nobody has seen him before, and we don't know where he popped up from.”

“Among the thirty-two advanced contestants, his Cultivation only ranks at the bottom, but his Cultivation Technique is extremely bizarre. Even a Level 5 Devil King doesn't want to be grouped with him.”

Yu Emperor asked curiously: “Which elites from our Yu Country have fought him? Have them come over and give a detailed report.”

After a round of questioning, no more information was gleaned; everyone looked confused.

“Hong Shan, you personally keep a close eye on him. If he makes it into the top sixteen, the referees will put you two in the same group. This kind of uncertain factor must be nipped in the bud.”

“Yes... Your Subject obeys the command.”

At this moment, Xiao Bai and Mo Peng were in the inn, discussing their next plan.

Based on Xiao Bai's observations, he had sketched portraits of the remaining thirty contestants.

“Big Brother, why did you use the fake name Bai Xiao to participate? They don't know who you are anyway.”

“Caution is the parent of safety. Don't blow our cover.”

Xiao Bai picked up a red pen and circled about ten important figures, including Mo Wuliang of the Demon Race, Great Commander Hong Shan of the Yu Race, and Guizuka, the young prodigy of the Ghost Race.

The representatives of the Human Race and the Yao Race from the Xuan Tian Continent were not worth fearing; their strength was not great, they were just there to make up the numbers.

Mo Peng sighed: “I won't last long. Don't count on me to win the championship and marry the Third Princess.”

“If I can make it into the top sixteen, I'll thank heaven and earth.”

“Just do your best. Anyway, I'm going to marry the Third Princess, just for her sauciness.”

Mo Peng was full of admiration: “As expected of my Big Brother, always going after beautiful demons! Everyone else is aiming for the demon emperor fragment, but only Big Brother is pure, never forgetting his original intention and keeping his mission in mind.”

“Enough, stop flattering me! Rest well these two days, don't go anywhere, and don't get ambushed by malicious people.”

Xiao Bai opened a small gap in the window. Yu Race guards were patrolling outside, forming layers of encirclement. This area was where the contestants were concentrated for rest.

Late at night, after Mo Peng had fallen asleep, Xiao Bai transformed into a mosquito and flew toward the rooms to scout them out.

Mo Wuliang and Guizuka were relatively strong, and Xiao Bai didn't know what peculiar Cultivation Techniques they had mastered. He dared not enter rashly, fearing exposure.

So he decided to go to the West Palace to visit Yu Yan.

“Damn it, how long do they plan to keep This Princess locked up?”

“Hey, you ugly, black, disgusting bird, hurry up and let This Princess out.”

“Also, you better return my Little White Snake. I know you're the one causing trouble behind the scenes.”

The room was enveloped by an Energy Shield; not even a mosquito could fly out, let alone fly in.

*Bang!*

Xiao Bai's head buzzed; it was like he had crashed into an iron plate.

A black energy sphere appeared before him, enveloping the entire house. Even flying above it was useless; it was all-encompassing, with no blind spots.

After learning that Yu Yan was under house arrest, Yu Wei rushed over that night to visit. She had been kept in the dark these past few days and only found out when a Maidservant accidentally let it slip.

“Greetings to the First Princess.”

The guards patrolling outside the house respectfully saluted.

Yu Wei ignored them and walked straight inside, but was blocked by a black Energy Wall.

“Bastards, you dog servants! Open it immediately! If anything happens to Third Sister inside, I will have all of you beheaded.”

The Guard Squad Leader bowed subserviently and smiled ingratiatingly: “First Princess, please don't make things difficult for us. This is the Royal Consort's instruction.”

“As long as the Royal Consort permits it, we will certainly let you in.”

Yu Wei, who usually had a very good temperament, was truly enraged this time.

She knew she had been used as a pawn by Mo Ze, and that this whole situation was a trap set for her.