Chapter 277: What a Good Kid

The fourth round of the draw began in relentless succession.

The geniuses who make the top twelve are basically seed contestants from super powers, or dark horses that have surged back strongly.

The gap in strength has become extremely close.

Whether one can win tests one's mindset, on‑site performance, and even luck.

"Who will my opponent be?"

The chance of drawing Nan Gong Ya remains very low.

The result became clear quickly.

"Frostwind Pavilion Fang Ling?"

"This person, in previous contests, never displayed full strength; they practice the path of medicinal insects, so their depth is unreadable."

"They should be counted among the one or two strongest besides Bai Li Ming and Nan Gong Ya."

Lin Chuan had once crossed paths with Fang Ling.

He always felt the girl's gaze at him was different, as if she intended to devour him whole, skin and all,

Each time their eyes met, hers was filled with wildness.

"Who did Nan Gong Ya draw?"

Lin Chuan was even more interested in that outcome.

"Kun Seventeen of the Hidden Studio?"

The Hidden Studio is undoubtedly the most mysterious of the eleven super powers, and the super genius Kun Seventeen from the Hidden Studio is equally so.

Lin Chuan's assessment of Kun Seventeen was—very strong.

His current displayed state is on the same level as Fang Ling; with a slight burst, he could hope to catch up with Bai Li Ming and Nan Gong Ya.

During this period, he also learned a lot of rumors about the Hidden Studio.

The Hidden Studio, named after "Hidden", never publicly recruits disciples.

It is said that all disciples of the Hidden Studio are people the Hidden Studio encountered while traveling the world, emphasizing a fated connection and requiring a match of talent.

The founder of the Hidden Studio once ascended the Immortal Realm and fell in battle in the Star Ring Realm.

His name was simply "Hidden".

The Hidden Studio is divided into eight veins, named after the Eight Trigrams: Qian, Kun, Zhen, Xun, Kan, Li, Gen, and Dui.

Each vein adds a successor, and the vein is then named after the number of its successors.

The name Kun Seventeen indicates he hails from the Kun vein of the Hidden Studio, being the seventeenth successor of that vein.

"I hope his performance can bring some surprise to Nan Gong Ya."

…

Frostwind Pavilion is located in Yun Tai.

Fang Ling is bathing in a tub swarming with poisonous insects; various bugs crawl back and forth over her white, jade‑like skin.

She casually grabs a bug, stuffs it into her mouth, chews, and shows a satisfied smile.

"Crunchy, really tasty."

She licks the corner of her mouth, and a puppet materializes before Fang Ling's eyes.

The puppet's form is identical to Lin Chuan's.

Fang Ling steps out of the tub, naked, pushes the puppet onto the ground, mounts it, her face full of a manic grin,

"Lin Chuan! Finally I've met you."

"I really want to eat you!"

"Quick, let me eat you."

Since the Three Thousand States Genius War began, Lin Chuan's performance has been dazzling, making him a strong contender for the champion.

But Fang Ling does not think she will lose.

She, who excels in the path of medicinal insects, possesses the possibility of creating limitless miracles.

…

Yun Tai of the Azure Abyss.

The elder who had just sent the injured Leng Fang back to the sect hurried back to Yun Tai, and also saw Mo Mo, whose soul damage was even more severe,

as well as the silent, forever down‑cast Nan Gong Ya.

Another elder guarding here sighed, "Sorry, Senior Sister Dan Tai, it was my misjudgment that caused Mo Mo this injury."

"What's happening?"

Elder Dan Tai shouted angrily, "Mo Mo finally metamorphosed, showing extraordinary potential, and you let her get hurt like this?"

"Don't you know when to concede?"

"Would you destroy a super genius just because of a single win or loss?!"

Elder Dan Tai originally suspected that Nan Gong Ya, Leng Fang, and Mo Mo were using some forbidden unorthodox techniques.

But after multiple investigations, there was no result.

After she sent Leng Fang back to the Azure Abyss, the palace master of the Wangxian Realm personally examined Leng Fang's soul and concluded definitively that Nan Gong Ya and the others were not at fault.

It was inferred that the three had encountered some strange fate, attained simultaneous enlightenment, and their use of the Nine‑Colored Divine Light exceeded their realm's limits, making them this powerful.

It proves the three's compatibility with the Nine‑Colored Divine Light is extremely high.

In the future they might each become a Wangxian of a generation, creating era‑shaking miracles.

The palace master personally verified this, so Elder Dan Tai no longer doubted anything, yet he did not want Mo Mo to suffer another severe blow, her soul and Dao foundation badly damaged.

"Elder Dan Tai, this matter… I… I…"

Shrouded by the oppressive pressure from Dan Tai's fan, another protective‑Dao elder trembled.

"Elder Dan Tai, this matter is not Elder Jiu's fault."

Nangong Ya spoke at the right moment, explaining, "Before the competition, Mo Mo voluntarily asked Elder Jiu not to help her concede."

"Mo Mo assured Elder Jiu that she would definitely win."

"We never expected such an accident to occur."

After Nangong Ya pleaded, Elder Dan Tai's expression finally relaxed a bit.

"Even so, one should act according to the circumstances."

Dan Tai Shan glared fiercely at Elder Jiu, "In the end, this is your dereliction of duty. When you return, I hope you voluntarily accept punishment from the Palace Master."

"As an elder, the disciple is clueless; do you not understand either?"

"Don't tell this elder that you still have the youthful arrogance you once had."

After being scolded by Dan Tai Shan, Elder Jiu dared to be angry but not to speak, suppressing his emotions,

"I, as a subordinate, have derelicted my duty; when I return I will definitely accept punishment from the Palace Master."

"Hmph!"

Dan Tai Shan let out a cold snort, turned and left.

Elder Jiu's body trembled incessantly, his head forever bowed, cursing inwardly.

"How dare you?!"

"Just because you are a Fa Zhi Zhang Lao! You press me like this! Truly overbearing!"

"Clearly it was your own misjudgment; why must I, an old lady, take the blame for you? Damn! Damn it!!"

The hysterical roar inside his heart did not dare to surface at all.

Hatred continuously spread and burned in Elder Jiu's heart.

When Dan Tai Shan left, Nangong Ya came over, supporting Elder Jiu's arms, and said with guilt:

"Elder Jiu, it's all my fault."

"If I had been able to properly persuade Junior Sister Mo Mo, the outcome wouldn't have turned out like this; now I've caused you to be punished."

"I'm sorry."

Nangong Ya bowed her head and lowered her eyebrows, her attitude sincere.

Elder Jiu was stunned; such a super genius apologizing to her? It instantly lifted her mood considerably; fortunately, Xiao Ya is a child who can discern right from wrong.

"It's fine, it's fine."

Elder Jiu shook his head repeatedly, and slowly rose with Nangong Ya's assistance.

Their gazes met.

"When we return to Biluoyuan, the disciple will definitely petition the Palace Master; this is not solely your responsibility, I, the senior sister, should be the one most punished."

Elder Jiu was flattered and startled.

Good child!

I didn't expect Xiao Ya to be so understanding; truly a well‑behaved child!

"Um…"

Nangong Ya hesitated, then said, "Elder Jiu, may I ask you for a favor."

Elder Jiu, in a great mood, replied, "What is it? Xiao Ya, just say it directly."

"I… I…"

As Nangong Ya spoke, her eyeballs suddenly fell out, her eyes turned completely black, and something tore her mouth open from within,

"I! I want to eat you!"