Chapter 778: Lucky Cold Yuexi! The Hidden Card Appears!

This match within the Fox Spirit Guild determines the selection of the new chairman.

So, more than twenty minutes before the 9 a. . start time, the guild building was already crowded with people.

These were the core members of the Fox Spirit Guild, arriving from around the world, each at least a sixth-rank adept.

"Young Master Cold Shu and Young Lady Cold Yuexi—who will be the ultimate heir?"

"I heard Young Lady Cold Yuexi invited Xu Jingming. I wonder if it's true."

"So what if Xu Jingming came? Young Master Cold Shu has Master Wu Xuan on his side. Can Xu Jingming even beat an upper eighth-rank master?"

"True. It seems Young Master Cold Shu has the higher chance of winning."

"......"

Neither Cold Shu nor Cold Yuexi had arrived yet, and during the wait, many whispered among themselves, guessing who would win and claim the inheritance.

Cold Shu, himself an upper-middle eighth-rank Grand Master and backed by the eighth-rank Grand Master Wu Xuan, was naturally favored by many.

Of course, Cold Yuexi also had supporters, though their numbers were slightly fewer in comparison.

"Young Lady has arrived!"

A voice from somewhere caused everyone in the conference hall to turn toward the entrance.

Indeed, they saw Xu Jingming, Cold Yuexi, and Cold Yuechan enter together.

"Young Lady is as beautiful as ever."

"Isn't that true? I wonder which man will end up with her."

"Which man? Xu Jingming came with Young Lady—don't you know who it is?"

"......"

Since the final match would take place in a virtual world, Cold Yuexi wasn't wearing her battle suit—only a simple green long dress.

Yet even so, her slender figure and her striking, coldly elegant face still stunned many in attendance.

The extraordinary aura of Xu Jingming beside her also drew numerous glances.

"This is the top young talent of Great Xia—truly extraordinary!"

"He's only seventh-rank and can already face off against an eighth-rank Grand Master. When he truly breaks through to eighth rank, he'll be even more terrifying."

"Indeed, and he's only twenty this year!"

SS-class Lightning affinity!

A seventh-rank Master at age twenty!

Dual champion of the Talent Tournament!

Each of these titles carries unparalleled glory.

And now, all this glory is concentrated in one person.

This made Xu Jingming, who had just arrived, the most dazzling presence in the hall.

His upright posture and handsome face caused several married women to fix their eyes on him, unable to look away.

"Young Lady."

As soon as they entered the hall, three people—a man, a man, and a woman—approached Cold Yuexi and bowed respectfully.

"Let me introduce you—they're your three teammates for the match."

Under Cold Yuexi's introduction, Xu Jingming quickly learned their names.

The tall, muscular man in black battle armor was Zhao Dehan.

He possessed an A-class Enhancement affinity and was the only upper-middle eighth-rank Grand Master among them.

The slightly shorter man was Jiang Chuan, an eighth-rank lower-grade Earth-element Grand Master.

The woman was Zhao Yan, an eighth-rank lower-grade Enhancement affinity Grand Master.

"Work together in this match and strive to win."

Xu Jingming smiled and shook hands with each of them in turn.

"Of course, of course."

Though Xu Jingming was only seventh-rank, none of them dared to be careless—they responded warmly and eagerly.

After some polite exchanges, they all sat down on the sofas.

Not long after, Cold Shu arrived with his entourage.

Compared to Cold Yuexi's side, his group was undoubtedly far stronger.

One upper-eighth-rank, two upper-middle-eighth-rank, and four lower-eighth-rank Grand Masters.

A total of seven eighth-rank Grand Masters!

As Cold Shu and his group approached, they radiated an unmistakable aura of strength.

"It really is Master Wu Xuan!"

"Young Lady Cold Yuexi is in trouble now."

Seeing Wu Xuan actually appear on Cold Shu's side, some guild members who had supported Cold Yuexi and clung to hope now shook their heads silently.

After entering the hall, Cold Shu led his group straight to Xu Jingming and said with a smile:

"Brother Xu, we meet again. We won't hold back in the match."

"But if you're willing to do more for the Fox Spirit Guild after I become chairman, I'll appoint you to a higher position and grant you more shares."

Cold Shu, an Enhancement affinity adept, was tall and his voice was deep and powerful.

Even before the match began, he was already planning how to utilize Xu Jingming after becoming chairman.

After all, he was an SS-class Awakened, and if Xu Jingming became active within the Fox Spirit Guild, the entire guild would benefit.

The title "Number One Talent of Blue Planet" wasn't just for show.

Many deals that might have been impossible to close would become much easier with Xu Jingming's involvement.

"Wait until you win first," Xu Jingming said, lifting his eyelids slightly, his tone indifferent.

He hadn't even become chairman yet and was already thinking about exploiting his value.

What would happen if he truly became chairman?

"If Cold Shu becomes chairman and Sister Xi can't hold out, I'll just leave the Fox Spirit Guild."

Xu Jingming thought silently.

He had agreed to join the Fox Spirit Guild in Myanmar only because of Cold Yuexi's invitation—out of courtesy.

Now, Cold Shu clearly intended to stir up trouble once he took power, possibly pulling some underhanded moves.

It would be better to leave early.

He'd already obtained the SS-class resources and repaid Cold Yuexi's favor.

"True."

Cold Shu smiled, unconcerned, then turned to Cold Yuexi with a cheerful expression:

"My dear sister, we'll see you in the match."

Without waiting for her reply, he turned and led his group to the other side.

Almost half the hall immediately followed him over.

Suddenly, Cold Yuexi's side looked lonely and empty.

"That brother of hers really thinks he's won already?"

Cold Yuechan gritted her teeth, arms crossed, clearly displeased.

Their father, Cold Cang, had many children—Cold Shu wasn't even his first son.

He was called "Big Brother" only because he was the strongest.

Just like her sister Cold Yuexi—she wasn't the first daughter, but was called "Young Lady" because of her strength.

"Don't be angry. Just give your best in the match," Cold Yuexi said calmly.

At this point, she had accepted whatever outcome came.

Winning would be best; losing wouldn't hurt—she'd already secured so many shares.

Time passed swiftly—it was exactly 9 a. .

Cold Cang, seated in a wheelchair, was wheeled into the conference hall.

Despite constant treatment from the eighth-rank Healing Grand Master Xie Shi, he was noticeably weaker than half a month ago.

Even an eighth-rank Healing Grand Master wasn't omnipotent—forcing life extension couldn't change the inevitable.

He had at most two more months before even forced life extension would fail.

Even a master of healing arts isn't omnipotent; forcibly prolonging life cannot change the outcome.

Everyone immediately rose from their seats to greet him.

"Cough... cough, sit down."

Cold Cang coughed twice; behind him, Xie Shi increased his aura output, and the milky-white light enveloping him flared brightly.

Cold Cang regained a little strength and continued:

"Today is the day the Fox Spirit Guild chooses its heir. Thank you all..."

The Fox Spirit Guild had nearly a hundred branches across the Blue Planet, and its core members rarely gathered together.

Seizing this opportunity, Cold Cang also wished to convey some final instructions.

He chose not to meet virtually because he wanted one last chance to see the guild's elders.

After all, this meeting might be the last he ever had.

As for why they didn't just meet directly in the virtual world, it was to take this final chance to see the guild's elders.

After all, this meeting might be the last time he ever sees them.

"Your father's injuries are this severe? Even an eighth-rank master of healing couldn't cure him?"

Xu Jingming asked, puzzled, from his seat.

"No cure."

Leng Yuexi shook her head and sighed. "The ninth-rank Martial Saint from the Sect of Heavenly Fate is immensely powerful.

He damaged my father's entire network of meridians at once, and even left an unknown poison inside him.

His meridians have been repaired, but the poison cannot be expelled—only barely sustained.

"Is that so? I gathered two SS+ grade Huang Ruihua during my expedition in the Wild Zone—wonder if they'll help."

Xu Jingming mused.

With the strength of the Spirit Fox Guild, obtaining an SS-grade healing drug shouldn't be too difficult.

But since they failed before, his Huang Ruihua might not work either.

"SS+ grade Huang Ruihua? Two of them?"

Leng Yuexi's eyes widened; after a long moment, she reacted, her expression strange.

"Are you always this lucky?"

SS+ grade rare herbs are extremely rare.

The Spirit Fox Guild has existed for over a century.

Even now, its warehouse holds only fifteen SS-grade rare herbs.

Only three are SS+ grade.

Yet Xu Jingming had never been to Nixi before.

He went to the Wild Zone once—and gathered two SS+ grade herbs.

And they're the most precious healing holy herbs among rare flora.

Where would you even begin to explain that?

"I've always been lucky," Xu Jingming grinned.

Now that I think about it, when he received the mental inheritance in the Sakura Nation, Ling Shuang had said something similar.

But it's not just luck—it takes corresponding strength too.

After all, not everyone can handle an eighth-rank lower-tier King-class beast.

One misstep, and you become its next meal.

"I envy your luck—if only I could be this lucky someday."

Leng Yuexi's face was full of envy.

After a pause, she turned her gaze forward to Leng Cang and returned to the matter at hand.

"Before this, my father already tried two SS-grade healing drugs.

But he never tried SS+ grade rare herbs.

Still, after discovering they had no effect, he stopped attempting further treatments."

Leng Yuexi replied softly.

Most psychic injuries can be healed by healing psychics.

If even healing psychics can't restore the damage, it must be dire.

Only SSS-grade healing pills or rare herbs can help.

But SSS-grade healing items are like a second life to psychics—extremely valuable even to ninth-rank ones!

The Spirit Fox Guild doesn't have any, and they're simply unavailable on the market!

In short, the Spirit Fox Guild is merely an eighth-rank peak faction.

Without reaching ninth rank, it's nearly impossible to find such rare pills.

"Huang Ruihua is a healing holy herb, but whether it works isn't certain.

After the competition ends, ask Master Xie—if it helps, use it; if not, don't waste it."

Leng Yuexi mused.

She and her sister had spent little time with their father, Leng Cang, and their bond wasn't deep.

Yet even so, she couldn't bear to see him perish.

Of course, only if the Huang Ruihua works...

"Alright," Xu Jingming nodded slightly.

Honestly, even if offered SSS-grade cultivation resources, he wouldn't trade an SS+ grade healing holy herb.

After all, with his system, his strength would rise eventually.

But a healing holy herb grants an extra life.

Only because Leng Yuexi's father was dying would he have offered it.

"It's been a long time since we last met—I've rambled too much. Please forgive me."

Six minutes later, at the front of the conference hall, Leng Cang, seated in a wheelchair, scanned the crowd before him.

His expression was filled with nostalgia—he remembered the names of many present, comrades who had risen with him.

Alas...

Shaking his head, Leng Cang suppressed his thoughts and continued:

"Now, enter the virtual world. Let's begin our competition."

Beside each seat was a neural helmet.

As soon as he spoke, Xu Jingming, Leng Yuexi, and all others put on the helmets and entered the virtual world.

Whizz! Whizz! Whizz!...

In the virtual world, on an endless black plain, figures suddenly appeared.

Soon, nearly two hundred people—including Xu Jingming and Leng Yuexi—stood across the black ground.

Soon, nearly two hundred people appeared on the black earth, including Xu Jingming and Leng Yuexi.

Leng Cang's figure flashed into view, hovering midair.

In the virtual world, he was no longer frail; his posture was upright, his eyes sharp and bright.

A faint aura of an eighth-rank peak psychic radiated from him, heavy with overwhelming pressure.

"The following contest will determine the next leader of the Spirit Fox Guild!

There are five rounds—best of five wins.

Whoever wins takes my place!"

His resounding voice echoed through the space, as if shattering the air.

"Now, let's draw for first move in the first round!"

"Now, draw lots to determine the first move in Round One!"

Two fist-sized light points suddenly coalesced in midair.

"Shu, Xiao Xi—you each choose one light orb.

When opened, they'll emit different colors: black means first move, white means second move."

As he finished, Leng Shu and Leng Yuexi stepped forward together before the crowd.

"Sister, you go first?" Leng Shu said gracefully.

Leng Yuexi didn't refuse and immediately chose the orb on the right.

Leng Yuexi did not refuse and directly chose the light sphere on her right.

The orb opened, releasing pure white light.

"It's our second move!" Leng Yuechan's eyes lit up; Xu Jingming nodded slightly.

Second move in the first match means, over the five rounds, they can choose their fighters after seeing the opponent's picks in three matches.

Leng Shu's side only gets that advantage twice—clearly a significant edge.

"Looks like I'm luckier," Leng Yuexi said, a faint smile on her fair, clean face.

Leng Shu's expression darkened as he opened the left orb.

As expected—it was black, signifying first move.

Indeed, it was black, representing the first move.