Chapter 140: Because I Am Young Master Chen's Person

"Shatter!"

With a furious roar, Murong Lan aimed the blood-red arrow at one of the magic gates and unleashed it with all her might.

"Boom!"

The blood arrow pierced the gate, and the resulting explosion of energy shattered it into smithereens. Only one magic gate remained. The five drops of blood essence left behind by the five generations of ancestors of the Divine Moon Holy Kingdom had been completely exhausted by Murong Lan.

"Hoo..."

Stepping on the moon, she let out a soft breath, her eyes locked on the final gate. "Now, I have no choice but to outlast Xiahou Liang."

The great bow in her hand had returned to its original silver hue.

"Murong Lan, you bitch, go to hell!"

Xiahou Liang suddenly burst forth from the remaining gate. In an instant, he was upon her, gripping his battle sword with both hands and swinging it down viciously. Having had five of his six magic gates destroyed, Xiahou Liang was livid, desperate to tear Murong Lan limb from limb.

The violent sword intent surged like a raging sea. Murong Lan felt a chill in her heart and hurriedly raised her silver bow to parry.

"Clang!"

The battle sword struck the bow, sending a spray of brilliant sparks into the air. Murong Lan’s arms went numb, and a terrifying force slammed into her, sending her flying backward.

Just then—

"Skree—!"

A phoenix cry echoed from behind. Donggong Qianxue flapped her wide wings, swooping down to catch the recoiling Murong Lan.

"Murong Lan, are you alright?" Donggong Qianxue asked in a deep voice.

Murong Lan’s body trembled slightly, then she was overcome with wild joy. "You... you killed that wretch Mo Yingyue?"

"I did."

Donggong Qianxue released Murong Lan, her massive, seven-colored phoenix form streaking forward to strike at Xiahou Liang.

"Damn it!" Xiahou Liang’s expression changed in terror.

Suddenly, to everyone’s surprise, he shouted at the top of his lungs, "I surrender! I forfeit this final trial!"

What? He was forfeiting the final trial? Was this real? The crowd was stunned. Donggong Qianxue, in the middle of her assault, stopped abruptly, unable to believe her ears that Xiahou Liang would concede so easily. Murong Lan was equally stunned.

Xiahou Liang stood before the final gate and shook his head. "You heard me correctly. I am forfeiting the final trial!"

He was down to his last gate. He might have been able to tangle with Murong Lan alone, but with Donggong Qianxue having arrived, there was no point in fighting. To continue would be suicide.

In full view of the crowd, Xiahou Liang gestured, and the final magic gate returned into his body. Without hesitation, he flew to the stands of the Cangxue Holy Kingdom and bowed to the Holy Emperor, Xiahou Batian. "Father, I apologize. Your son is incompetent; I failed to secure the spot as the Holy Emperor candidate."

Xiahou Batian’s face remained expressionless as he nodded faintly. "It is fine. You did your best."

Everyone present had witnessed the battle. It was not that Xiahou Liang was weak, but that Donggong Qianxue and Murong Lan were simply too strong. It was fortunate he hadn't been killed on the spot.

"Let us go." Xiahou Batian gestured, and he rose into the air, departing.

Whoosh! Xiahou Liang and the other experts of the Cangxue Holy Kingdom followed. The onlookers were dumbfounded. No one had expected the people of the Cangxue Holy Kingdom to leave immediately without lingering.

"Very well. As of now, of the four princes and princesses from the four great holy kingdoms, only the princesses of the Spring and Autumn Holy Kingdom and the Divine Moon Holy Kingdom remain," the Ancient Emperor announced from the podium. "The next battle will take place between them."

"No." Donggong Qianxue had returned to her human form and touched down. She shook her head at the Ancient Emperor. "I, too, will forfeit this final trial."

"What? The princess of the Spring and Autumn Holy Kingdom is also forfeiting? Why? Her strength is undoubtedly the greatest."

"Damn, what is this act? She clearly had the best chance of winning, yet she just gives it up? Isn't she just handing the spot to the princess of the Divine Moon Holy Kingdom?"

"Heaven, the relationship between the two princesses must be incredibly close. She is clearly helping the Divine Moon princess win the spot."

A roar of noise erupted around the arena. Everyone was left speechless.

Murong Zhenhai and the experts from the Divine Moon Holy Kingdom were ecstatic. This was wonderful! The spot for the Holy Emperor candidate now fell directly to their princess. Although they had spent five drops of the ancestor’s blood essence fighting Xiahou Liang, obtaining the candidacy made it well worth the cost.

On the podium, the Ancient Emperor was slightly surprised to hear Donggong Qianxue’s words. A faint smile appeared on his aged face. It was confirmed: Young Master Chen must possess the method to ascend the Heavenly Path. Donggong Qianxue was clearly planning to follow him to that legendary world of gods and immortals, which was why she would give up such a precious candidacy to Murong Lan.

"Very well. Since the princess of the Spring and Autumn Holy Kingdom forfeits the remaining battle, the candidacy for the Holy Emperor automatically falls to the princess of the Divine Moon Holy Kingdom," the Ancient Emperor said pleasantly. He cast a meaningful glance at Chen Changsheng. This Young Master Chen was indeed a fascinating individual; no wonder the entire demon race treated him with such reverence. Yet, a trace of confusion remained in his heart: how did this man, who appeared to be an ordinary person, know the way to ascend the Heavenly Path? It was unfathomable.

"Haha, many thanks to the princess of the Spring and Autumn Holy Kingdom for your grace!" Murong Zhenhai laughed heartily, his spirits soaring. The others from the Divine Moon Holy Kingdom were wild with joy. If they had fought, the princess would likely have lost to the Spring and Autumn princess; nobody expected her to simply forfeit. This windfall was so large it left them feeling dizzy.

"Donggong Qianxue, thank you!" Murong Lan was overjoyed, her cheeks flushed with excitement as she thanked her sincerely.

Donggong Qianxue shook her head calmly. "No need for thanks. I told you before, I was fighting this final trial for you."

"Yes." Murong Lan nodded, then paused, asking with confusion, "I just don't understand... why?"

Donggong Qianxue tilted her beautiful face slightly, a trace of pride appearing on her countenance. "Because I am one of Young Master Chen’s people."

"One of Young Master Chen’s people?" Murong Lan was even more confused. Being his person was enough to make someone forfeit a spot as a Holy Emperor candidate? Was he really that influential?