The five girls remained silent, their gazes fixed firmly on Lu Nianjiao.

Feeling their determined looks, Lu Nianjiao nodded in satisfaction. "Very good. The opportunity has been given to you, as has the right to choose. I hope you won't regret this decision."

"The rules of the Shi Wu Great Reef are simple. The first round is survival. While trying to survive in the harsh environment of the Lop Nor Secret Realm, you must also stop at nothing to snatch the competition badges from the Martial Artists of other countries, as well as any and all cultivation and survival resources."

Hearing this, the five girls looked at each other before turning their gazes back to Lu Nianjiao.

Lu Nianjiao said calmly, "Don't be surprised. This is the cruel way of life in the world of Martial Artists. It's precisely for this reason that the events of the Shi Wu Great Reef are not broadcast to a national audience."

"If you advance to the second round, you will enter the core area of the Secret Realm, a prehistoric ruin filled with all sorts of unknown dangers, but also with various great Dao opportunities."

"The objective of the second round is to survive there while using your own skills and comprehension to find those opportunities, which could be Magical Treasures, martial techniques, Taoist Arts, Spiritual Medicine, and so on. In the end, these items will be collected and tallied, and the team that obtains the best opportunities will advance to the third round."

Zhang Yi raised her hand. "So, the Magical Treasures and martial techniques we find… will they be returned to us afterward?"

Lu Nianjiao answered, "They will all be turned over to the nation."

"Uh..."

All five girls' expressions fell.

Lu Nianjiao continued, "To be exact, they are turned over to the Martial Alliance. The Martial Alliance will then take charge of them for unified management and fair distribution, investing them into the war effort."

"Understood!" the five girls responded in unison.

Lu Nianjiao went on, "The third round consists of trials from the Sky List Strong Ones, after which the champion will be decided. You'll get more detailed rules when you arrive at Lop Nor; someone will hand out manuals to you. Now, compose yourselves. Long Shuai is waiting for you outside."

...

Shortly after, the five girls arrived at the training grounds outside.

Lin Jianlong said with an expressionless face, "Treat me as your most hated enemy and strike with the intent to kill. Come on!"

The five girls exchanged glances, then unleashed their full cultivation and charged at Lin Jianlong. A few minutes later, all five of them were rolling on the ground, wailing in pain.

But Lin Jianlong showed no sign of stopping. His gaze locked on Lin Xiyue as he reached into the void and grabbed. An invisible force immediately flung Lin Xiyue into the air. The next moment, he flashed toward her and mercilessly beat her.

"Henghai's wealthiest, the ice-cold CEO… Let this Marshal see if you're really as delicate as they say!"

Seeing Lin Jianlong deliberately targeting Lin Xiyue, Ye Ningxue and the others gritted their teeth in anger.

"How despicable! Why does he have to pick on Sister Xi Yue?" Zhang Yi snarled. Unable to bear it any longer, she endured her pain and charged forward again.

The other three girls quickly followed!

"Xi Yue, we're coming to save you!"

However, the next moment, the four of them found their movements slowing, as if space had solidified or time itself had been decelerated.

Xu Qianqing said urgently, "I heard from my grandfather that this is Long Shuai's 'Leisurely Fish and Dragon Dance'! Time slows down for anyone within his range. Everyone, be careful!"

「In the blink of an eye, night fell.」

The five girls lay in their dorm room, cursing.

"This Long Shuai is the worst! He has no idea how to be gentle with women. He's practically trying to beat us to death!"

"I used to think he was a cool, handsome uncle, but now I realize he's just a scumbag!" Zhang Yi kicked her blankets in a frenzy, a stream of complaints pouring from her mouth.

Rubbing her lower back, Xu Qianqing winced. "But this also proves that in his eyes, there's no distinction between men and women. He treats everyone the same."

Su Shanyue nodded. "And on a real battlefield, your enemy won't care if you're a man or a woman."

"That makes sense," Ye Ningxue said calmly.

Suddenly, the four of them heard faint sobbing. They all turned to look at the large bed where Lin Xiyue was lying. With her back to them, Lin Xiyue was hidden under her blankets, crying softly. Her sobs were filled with a profound sense of grievance.

"Xi Yue, don't cry… I think Long Shuai singles you out not for any other reason, but because he holds you in high regard," Su Shanyue said, walking over to pat Lin Xiyue's shoulder in gentle consolation.

At that moment, Lin Xiyue was covered in bandages, her face a mess of bruises.

Trembling with rage, Ye Ningxue bit her lip and said, "If Master finds out Mistress has been bullied like this, he'll definitely slaughter that Long Shuai!"

At her words, the other girls fell silent, their thoughts involuntarily turning to Luo Xiu. Given Luo Xiu's temper, he was indeed capable of such a thing. Xu Qianqing, in particular, was reminded of the time Luo Xiu had annihilated the entire Ye Family, alone and with a single sword.

KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.

A knock echoed from the door. A short while later, Di Jiao entered the room. Seeing the five delicate young women beaten so badly, she felt a pang of heartache. But then she recalled her own youth. The path she had walked, the Martial Way, had been far more arduous than what these girls were now experiencing.

"All of you, get undressed and prepare for a medicinal bath. It will help your injuries heal," she instructed.

"Yes, Elder Dijiao."

Then, Di Jiao walked over to Lin Xiyue's bed. "You have a powerful medicinal power within you that has yet to be digested," she said. "You possess the cultivation of a Spirit Gathering Great Perfection master, but it is not properly integrated with your body."

"Although Long Shuai's methods were somewhat rough, he was trying to help you digest that medicinal power. And he thinks highly of you. After all, you are both members of the Lin Family. Instead of wasting time crying here, you'd be better off getting up to channel qi and digest the medicinal power."

Hearing this, Lin Xiyue wiped her tears, sat up, and said, "Thank you, Elder."

Di Jiao gently shook her head, looking at her with heartache. "Go take your medicinal bath. After the bath, get a good night's sleep, and you'll be recovered by tomorrow. You have the day off tomorrow, so you can go out and have some fun."

...

「The next day.」

The five girls woke up early and left the Imperial Palace as a group to enjoy their day off. Di Jiao had told them to rest and do nothing but relax. The five stunningly beautiful women turned heads everywhere they went.

They spent the morning getting their nails and hair done, had a large feast for lunch, went shopping in the afternoon, and then went to a KTV to sing and drink in the evening. They had a wonderful time.

「The third day.」

Early in the morning, the five girls used the Formation in the depths of the Imperial Palace to transfer directly to the Lop Nor border.

Just as they departed, Luo Xiu arrived in the Capital City at noon, having just missed them. Unfortunately, the Formation could only be activated once a day, so Luo Xiu had to wait until the next day to follow.

...

Luo Xiu stealthily climbed over the courtyard wall and slipped into Lu Nianjiao's luxurious private residence. But Lu Nianjiao was buried in official duties, with piles of documents to review and approve, and really had no time for any funny business with Luo Xiu.

"Third Sister, I have something to tell you," Luo Xiu said, leaning on her desk. He stared at her serious, working face as he playfully toyed with a strand of her hair.

"Go away. I'm on my period."

Luo Xiu looked aggrieved. "Do you really see me as someone who only thinks about indecent things?"

Lu Nianjiao rolled her eyes. "What else?"

"Sigh." Luo Xiu sighed, then changed the subject. "Speaking of which, where's Elder Sister? I haven't seen her. Since you're ignoring me, I'll go find her to play with."

Hearing this, Lu Nianjiao paused, then reached out to ruffle Luo Xiu's hair. "Elder Sister is out on business. She'll be back soon."

Luo Xiu asked curiously, "What kind of important business requires her to go out personally?"

"It's classified. No comment."

Luo Xiu shrugged. "Fine, don't tell me. I'm not interested anyway."

「Meanwhile.」

At the training grounds.

Lin Jianlong asked Di Jiao, "I heard the substitute named Chen Shuisheng has arrived?"

Di Jiao's expression was a bit strange. "Is Long Shuai thinking of having him test his skills?"

Lin Jianlong stated, "Even as a substitute, he is representing Hua Country in the competition. Since I promised the Medic Immortal I would be the coach, I must be diligent in my duty!"

Di Jiao chuckled awkwardly. "I just remembered I have something to attend to, so I must be going." With that, she fled as if escaping.

She knew, of course, that the substitute player "Chen Shuisheng" was none other than "Luo Xiu." She would never dare to coach the terrifying individual who had annihilated the entire Ye Family with a single sword, nor was she qualified.

Lin Jianlong waved his hand, and a Palace Maid hurried over.

"What does Long Shuai require?"

"Go bring that substitute player here. This Marshal will wait for him at the training ground."

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