In an instant, her foolish infatuation returned.
"Find a stronger slave to test her abilities," Zhuo Yu commanded.
The guards withdrew, relaying the order to the middle-aged man.
Before long, an unexpected person stepped onto the arena, standing opposite Fang Tianhui.
"Your Majesty, the person is here," a guard announced with a bow.
Qin Mu Bai and Fang Tianhui stared at each other on the stage, quite awkwardly.
"This..." Qin Mu Bai blinked. What should he do?
How could it be such a coincidence? To place him and Fang Tianhui on the same stage?
The arena of life and death continued until one party died or was no longer able to fight.
But the opponent before them was none other than him/her...
Time ticked by, yet neither of them moved.
"What is going on?" Zhuo Yu asked impatiently.
Fang Tianhui's hand, gripping the fan, was already sweating with nervousness. It was really going to be exposed...
What should she do...
"Attack him/her with all your might." At that moment, Bai Ran's telepathic message reached both of their ears simultaneously.
It was Bai Ran! Bai Ran was here! Both of them were overjoyed.
Fang Tianhui tightly gripped the fan and swung it, a hurricane rising to the sky and roaring towards Qin Mu Bai with immense force.
Qin Mu Bai did not hesitate, spinning his spear and meeting the attack head-on.
The two fought fiercely, both using their full strength.
Zhuo Yu's gaze fixed on them grew more fervent, his face almost pressed against the glass.
These two had actually learned cultivation techniques!
Zhuo Yu eagerly called the middle-aged man over, "I want both of them!"
Such talent, how could it belong to mortals...
"Certainly!" The middle-aged man's face split into a grin like a blooming chrysanthemum. He immediately walked into the arena.
"Stop!"
Qin Mu Bai and Fang Tianhui, panting, ceased their movements and looked at the middle-aged man with confusion.
"You have both caught the Emperor's eye. Prepare to enter the palace!"
The plan was successful!
Qin Mu Bai and Fang Tianhui exchanged glances, seeing excitement in each other's eyes.
Although the process had been bumpy, their ultimate goal of entering the royal family had been achieved.
As they descended from the arena, they encountered Zhuo Yu approaching.
"Your Majesty," both bowed.
"No need for formalities," Zhuo Yu said warmly. "I am very interested in your cultivation techniques."
"May I ask where you studied?"
Fang Tianhui glanced at Qin Mu Bai, unsure how to answer. She couldn't possibly say it was from Sister Bai.
Qin Mu Bai caught Fang Tianhui's gaze.
He scratched his head and said with a chuckle, "Your Majesty, you may not know, but we acquired these techniques by chance. We have no master."
"Then are you willing to follow me?"
Qin Mu Bai's smiling mouth froze mid-utterance.
"Your... Your Majesty..." Qin Mu Bai stammered, looking at Zhuo Yu. "This..."
Fang Tianhui frowned, watching Qin Mu Bai nervously.
"Agree to him," Bai Ran's voice echoed again.
"Isn't this our honor!" His expression changed faster than flipping a book, and he smiled even more brightly.
Fang Tianhui's mouth twitched uncontrollably at his display.
It would be a waste if he didn't go into acting.
"Hahaha! Excellent, excellent!" Zhuo Yu patted Qin Mu Bai on the shoulder.
"Then I shall await you in the palace!"
Only after Zhuo Yu had walked away did the two of them breathe a sigh of relief.
"Why does Bai Ran keep sending telepathic messages? Where is she?" Qin Mu Bai asked.
"I don't know where Sister Bai is, but she can definitely hear what you're saying," Fang Tianhui said, glancing at the languid Qin Mu Bai.
Right! If she could send telepathic messages, it meant she could see their actions!
Bai Ran was not far from them!
"Could it be..." Qin Mu Bai suddenly conceived a bold idea.
"Then Yan Xue..."
He remembered Yan Xue's unusual behavior, ignoring him previously.
"Stop talking nonsense! How could Yan Xue be Sister Bai!" Fang Tianhui exclaimed angrily, wishing she could hit Qin Mu Bai on the back of the head.
"I was just saying it casually." He himself didn't believe Yan Xue was Bai Ran.
"That dog emperor wants us to go, there's surely no good intention," Fang Tianhui's brows furrowed in worry.
Qin Mu Bai waved his hand, "We'll deal with whatever comes. Why the rush?"
Fang Tianhui looked at him in surprise. Had the dog finally spoken words of wisdom?
Qin Mu Bai knew from her gaze that she was cursing him in her mind again.
"Let's go, it's time to attend this banquet of Hongmen," Qin Mu Bai said, stretching.
In the evening, after packing their belongings, the two headed for the imperial palace.
In the grand hall, with banquets and revelry, it was truly befitting a corrupt ruler...
Their seats were arranged not far from the Emperor.
Dozens of dancers displaying their poses before them made Qin Mu Bai wish he could gouge out his own eyes.
"This Emperor... lives up to his reputation..." Fang Tianhui said with utter disdain.
"Indeed," Qin Mu Bai could only agree.
Yan Xue, sitting beside the Emperor, saw their disgusted expressions and covered her mouth, chuckling softly.
"The purpose of today's banquet is to welcome new members into the royal family," Zhuo Yu stood up, swirling his wine cup.
The guests below sat timidly, like rows of quails.
Receiving the Emperor's gaze, Qin Mu Bai and Fang Tianhui stepped into the center of the hall.
"Today! I bestow upon these two the rank of First-Rank Guards!"
Zhuo Yu declared with pride, but the guests remained silent, offering no congratulations.
"What? Do I need to kill more people before you will comply?" His face instantly turned grim.
Sparse applause gradually arose, and only then did Zhuo Yu's expression improve slightly.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Qin Mu Bai and Fang Tianhui bowed, their inner disgust almost irrepressible.
As the banquet concluded, the guests fled as if escaping.
Only Yan Xue, Zhuo Yu, and the two of them remained in the hall.
"Xue'er, you should go rest. I still have some matters to attend to," Zhuo Yu said gently, and Yan Xue obediently departed.
The Emperor descended from his raised platform and slowly approached the two.
As Zhuo Yu drew nearer, their bodies tensed more and more.
The Emperor would not be so kind as to make them officials; there must be some unspeakable secret.
"I'll give you a choice."
The inexplicable words left them bewildered.
"What does Your Majesty mean?" Qin Mu Bai asked.
"Are you willing to give up your human identity?" Zhuo Yu smiled, but his expression was venomous.
Give up their human identity! This Emperor was not human!
Their expressions instantly became grave, their hearts pounding violently.
At that moment, countless guards swarmed in, surrounding them completely.
If they said the wrong thing now, their heads could roll at any moment...
The atmosphere grew extremely tense, the air filled with a sense of danger.