"A grand event?" Xiang Laner obviously had questions, "What kind of grand event?"

Feng Chi answered solemnly, "The reason is that Shengshen Continent has long been planning to construct another batch of 'Xun Gates.' Preparations have been going on for years, and they're nearly complete. However, deciding on the locations has become a point of active contention among the various states within the realm, as they all hope to have more gates within their own territory."

Xiang Laner could understand this; Xun Gates were portals through the void, and having one more gate in a territory meant greater convenience for travel. It was natural for the states within Shengshen Continent to compete for them.

"The most fair method would naturally be to distribute them equally, but the problem is, after dividing the total number among the states, there are still dozens of 'Xun Gate' spots that cannot be evenly allocated. Determining where these remaining gates should go has become a difficult issue. Coincidentally, some 'Insect Extreme Crystals' are still lacking as materials for creating the 'Xun Gates.' After consultation, it was decided to use this as a test and set up a competition where representatives from each state would explore and collect them. The allocation of the remaining 'Xun Gate' spots will be based on the amount of 'Insect Extreme Crystals' contributed by each state.

The specific details haven't been settled yet, but the higher-ups have said that Wukang Mountain has the advantage of talismans, making it a strong contender in the competition. This time, it's unavoidable, and they must send participants. The higher-ups will maneuver to include you among the selected contestants."

Xiang Laner harbored doubts, "How could Wukang Mountain possibly let us represent it in such a grand event?"

Feng Chi replied, "I'm not sure about that. If the higher-ups dare make such a decision, they naturally have a way to handle it. The issue of your status on Wukang Mountain will need to be resolved sooner or later. They've decided to use the event to address this matter in advance. Once you return with honors, everything will be easily resolved. On the other hand, suddenly transferring Shi Chun and the other to a different environment gives you a chance for close, long-term interaction, which is advantageous for discernment and alliance building."

Xiang Laner asked, "Will those two agree?"

Feng Chi said, "I have many questions as well, but the response from above was that it's not for you to worry about; there are arrangements in place. They just wanted to give you a heads-up so you can prepare. The rest will be communicated to you once everything is confirmed."

Alright, since that's the case, Xiang Laner had no more to say, and changed into a new set of clothes before leaving…

After being confined in the cell for several days, Shi Chun and his companion were released again, this time receiving special treatment. Upon returning to the Punishment Court, Elder Xia had assigned someone to watch over them.

Like Wu Jinliang, Pang Tiansheng was not faring well either.

Pang Tiansheng, who now had a sullen look on his face, had learned his lesson; after taking custody of Shi Chun and his companion, he didn't say a word and directly handed them over to Zou Xingbao and Duan You for arrangements.

On the surface, it appeared this way, but in reality, Pang Tiansheng had already instructed Zou and Duan on how to handle things.

Once again, two baskets were placed into the hands of Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang, with Zou and Duan accompanying them to instruct.

After seeing the group off, a limping Pang Tiansheng's face twisted into a savage smile. He may have been no match for those two scoundrels, but others could win against them. It was widely known that Weiying, his junior sister, harbored a grudge against those two. She specifically assigned them the task of carrying water to her residence, and her intentions were clear.

On the way down the mountain, Zou and Duan accompanied the two, making sure they reached the water source and then assisting them all the way back to Wukang Mountain with their load. They were fearful of another escape attempt since the last incident had caused them both great damage. Being lazy and not accompanying the duo had led them to punishment, and their term with the Punishment Court was extended by another year.

After delivering the water to the designated spot, Shi Chun and his companion also noticed they were taken to a new destination; moreover, they had both been directed to deliver water to the same courtyard.

Once the water was poured into the tank, a Wukang Mountain disciple presented them with two silver talismans.

After leaving the courtyard, Zou and Duan asked if the two remembered the route to the new location. Once confirmed, their task was considered complete, and they left instructions for Shi Chun and his companion before departing; it wasn't feasible for them to run back and forth every time.

After parting ways, Zou Xingbao muttered softly, "That's Weiying's residence; that fatty Pang Tiansheng has ulterior motives."

Duan You responded, "It's none of our business, and we can't change anything. Pretending we don't know anything is the right thing to do."

Zou Xingbao sighed and shook his head, seemingly already guessing the miserable fate awaiting the two men.

Unaware of the intrigue behind their task, the two men carrying water down the mountain hadn't undergone a change of heart, but at least for the moment they had no intention of causing trouble again. By putting Pang Tiansheng in his place, they had achieved their goal. Who would want to constantly stir trouble and get beaten up for no reason?

They dutifully carried water, hurrying to save time.

After the strenuous climb up the mountain, they headed straight to their destination. They poured the water into the tank, and a beauty handed them silver talismans, leaving both men dumbfounded.

They were familiar with this beauty; it was Weiying, from the great City Lord's side.

"Don't you know this is where I live?" Weiying asked with a smile, her tone full of overt mockery.

The faces of Shi Chun and his companion immediately darkened, realizing that the fat Pang Tiansheng was far from finished with them, and he was really out to get them.

They would deal with the fatty later, but the current situation made them uneasy. Instinctively, they scrutinized their surroundings, convinced that Weiying was looking for revenge.

Weiying playfully swayed the two silver tokens in her hand and asked, "Do you want them?"

Shi Chun tried to reach out and take them, but Weiying quickly withdrew her hand, clearly teasing him.

Shi Chun picked up the pole and decisively said to Wu Jinliang, "Let's go."

Just as they turned to leave, Weiying suddenly said, "I know what you two are here for on Wukang Mountain."

Their figures paused for a moment, then continued on their way.

From this small gesture, Weiying raised her eyebrows and became even more convinced of her own judgment, saying with a smile, "That night, when you killed Wei Bian in front of me, I knew you didn't come for Xiang Laner. I'm a woman who often does men's work...

Someone just out of the Land of Exile who falls for a courtesan at first sight, even though she belongs to another man, and follows her all the way to Wukang Mountain just for a chance to win her favor. Sure, that possibility exists, and I do believe in love at first sight.

But, you shouldn't have killed Wei Bian in front of me under those circumstances. If there is someone you like, and that person is right beside you, you wouldn't be so reckless and inconsiderate.

So, you don't really like her at all. You have another purpose for coming to Wukang Mountain. Usually, those who take risks against Wukang Mountain have only one goal in mind, and that is the immobilization charm. The greater the detour, the greater the possibility, you two are here for the immobilization charm's refining secret method, am I right?"

Halfway through her speech, Shi Chun and his companion gradually slowed their pace, and after finishing, they were completely rooted to the spot, their Adam's apples bobbing with cold sweat starting to form.

Seeing the two of them frozen in place, Weiying's smile grew even brighter, having called them over just to say these words.

At first, she had doubts about her judgment, since she discovered that these two fellows really didn't care about consequences, and killing Wei Bian might have been a spur-of-the-moment act. Now it seemed, her judgment was correct.

She walked over to them leisurely, came around to their front, and said to Shi Chun with a light laugh, "I don't intend to expose the two of you. I'm just curious, with just the two of you, where do you find the confidence to take away the refining secret method from Wukang Mountain's hands? Wukang Mountain makes a fortune and has a considerable backing, and most of their earnings are supposed to be submitted to the East Victory Royal Court.

There are plenty of major forces coveting Wukang Mountain's immobilization charm's refining secret method, and nobody dares to take it by force. Even those who try secretly, once discovered, no matter how powerful their backers are, it only takes a message, and the Royal Court's experts can arrive instantly. I've seen the horrifying scene of annihilation with my own eyes.

My great-grandfather once served under the Royal Court and was rewarded with the refining secret method for his contributions. As long as the Bian descendants are around and have committed no serious offenses, Wukang Mountain will only recognize the Bian family in the eyes of the Court.

Besides, even if outsiders manage to acquire the refining secret method, it's useless without Wukang Mountain.

The secret method is not so easy to obtain; even I do not know its true essence. Currently, only my grandfather and my father know about it in Wukang Mountain. Of course, if I could grasp the true essence of the immobilization charm, I too would have the qualifications to take charge of Wukang Mountain."

The pair was overwhelmed by the sudden influx of information from Weiying.

After mulling it over, Shi Chun roughly understood her meaning; if he could find a way to acquire the true essence of the immobilization charm, he would be qualified to cooperate with her for mutual benefit.

Gradually, Wu Jinliang also came to a realization.

Seeing that they understood, Weiying suddenly shocked them again, "Trying to stay on Wukang Mountain by pursuing Xiang Laner will not get you what you want. I may not be as charming as Xiang Laner, but I pride myself on not looking bad either. If I were to admit that 'cooked rice has been made', would I still be afraid of not being able to stay on Wukang Mountain?"

...

Both Shi Chun and his companion were stunned, understanding that pursuing her was a more profitable deal than chasing Xiang Laner.

They had not expected such a woman to emerge. As Shi Chun was pondering how to respond, Wu Jinliang spoke with solemnity, "It's not appropriate for him to change his pursuit on the fly. How about this, let me pursue you instead."

Weiying immediately rolled her eyes on the spot and disregarded it. She wasn't interested in either of these men. Her suggestion for Shi Chun to pursue her was to help Bian Weikang and Xiang Laner, because she wanted to fight for her interests without resorting to fratricide.

She wasn't foolish. She wanted to fake it with Shi Chun, but this big guy was serious about sleeping with her.

Shi Chun was also at a loss for words, unsure of how to reproach Wu Jinliang. What she said had clear prerequisites; you had to first let her see that you were qualified to partner with her.

Wu Jinliang was also lost for words and wanted to ask, what did the rolling of the eyes mean? Was he not more attractive than the man next to him? He had the physique, the height, and an abundance of masculine charm.

"Lord Bian's words are profound. Please allow us to consider them and allow us to complete our water-carrying task first," Shi Chun found an excuse, which was indeed something to ponder about, as his secret of the right eye was not to be revealed lightly.

With a faint smile on her face, Weiying was in no hurry, as her move had already pushed the other party into a corner with no room for choice. She took the bunch of silver tokens she had held behind her back and handed them to Wu Jinliang before turning to leave and saying, "Take them. I'm going to sleep."

The meaning was clear. She was too lazy to give them one by one, clearly showing a willingness to help them slack off, a gesture of good will.

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