Chapter 513
"This life has been worth it."
"No wonder Li Shaoxia threw caution to the wind and took over Wanchun Pavilion. If I had that kind of power, I'd borrow money just to do the same."
"Wait a minute, I run a teahouse right across from Wanchun Pavilion, and Li Shaoxia has been coming here for tea regularly..."
The atmosphere was electric, the entire imperial capital seemed to be boiling over, with voices buzzing all around.
The scene was somewhat chaotic; despite the efforts of the Xun Tian Wei and the Yu Lin Army to maintain order, it was like trying to stop a pot from boiling over.
After all, those tasked with keeping the peace were likely not focused on order themselves...
Meanwhile, on the inconspicuous third floor of a teahouse, the entire building had already changed hands.
The masked leader of the Blood Refining Hall, the Beast Hall master Luo Yexian, and the Yin Yang Hall master were seated at a tea table, squinting at the scene before them, their expressions grave.
The members of the demonic sect were unusually serious, as if they were engaged in some crucial business.
"I believe that Wang Ning can be considered the pinnacle of a small family beauty; she shouldn't just be rated at ninety-eight."
"Nonsense! What about Yu Shiyao, who came before her? Cute doesn't hold a candle to sexy!"
"Tu Yan is the real deal; sexiness means nothing in the face of skill!"
The members of the demonic sect were arguing fiercely.
As everyone knew, those who walked the demonic path had fiery tempers, and a disagreement could lead to them turning on each other, nearly coming to blows.
*Smack!*
The leader of the Blood Refining Hall slammed his palm down on the table, making a loud noise:
"We're here to serve the Ancestor God, for the greater cause of our sect. Deputy Sect Master Yuwen is risking his life, and look at you lot—you're like mud that can't be propped up! Just a few women have you forgetting your own names, your eyes practically popping out!"
"Later, when we face life and death, we all need to keep our heads on straight!"
As he spoke, he discreetly tucked away a projection wall from his sleeve.
"I..."
"Ahem, Master, keep your voice down, or you'll attract the Xun Tian Wei."
"We need to blend into the Hundred Flowers Festival. It has to look natural, so we won't be easily spotted. Anyone who isn't looking straight ahead will raise suspicion."
"The great matters of the Ancestor God must never be forgotten!"
The sect members all looked ashamed, some starting to defend themselves.
The leader of the Blood Refining Hall snorted coldly and began assigning the next tasks:
"Once we infiltrate, as soon as the Deputy Sect Master makes his move, we need to create chaos together. Do you know how to create chaos?"
"Kill someone?"
"Set something on fire?"
"Steal the offerings from the ancestral hall?"
The sect members were throwing out their specialties.
"So, you’re all just a bunch of shortsighted fools."
The leader of the Blood Refining Hall scanned the crowd, mocking them:
"Since it's the Hundred Flowers Festival, the best way to stir up chaos... is, of course, to snatch the women from the Hundred Flowers List!"
"!!"
At this, the sect members looked as if they had been struck by lightning, their eyes wide, gradually revealing a spark of understanding.
A light bulb moment!
Yes! They could snatch women!
"Into the Hundred Flowers, snatch the women!"
"Into the Hundred Flowers, snatch the women!"
"Right, let’s go for the beautiful ones, the famous ones!"
The Yin Yang Hall master was also caught up in the excitement of the sect members, waving his hand and making grand declarations.
"Hey, you go for that one!" Suddenly, one of his subordinates pointed out the window.
"Hmph, if I make a move, I reckon..."
The Yin Yang Hall master followed the direction of his subordinate's finger, and his words abruptly stopped.
After a moment of silence, he slapped his subordinate on the head.
"That’s the Empress!"
The subordinate looked a bit aggrieved; wasn't that exactly up to your standards?
In front of the Wu Gate, a phoenix carriage rolled down the long street. No one expected Empress Chuge to pass through the Wu Gate; it was unclear whether it was a whim or a deliberate act.
As Empress Chuge arrived in her phoenix carriage, people lowered their heads, but a flash of realization struck their hearts.
Wait a minute...
The Hundred Flowers List just mentioned the second place.
So who was the first?
For those who had long been in the imperial capital, this question was not hard to answer.
In an instant, a name sprang to mind.
"Is the first... Ying Bing?"
"Wow... the ranking from Yantian Sect is so straightforward this time. Aren't they afraid of offending anyone? After all, the Crown Prince lost to Li Mo, and everyone saw that. But beauty isn’t like martial arts..."
"Exactly! For instance, I think no one is as beautiful as my wife. Right, dear? Be gentle, my ear is about to fall off..."
People felt a bit strange.
It wasn't that they thought Han Xianzi was less than Empress Chuge.
After all, Han Xianzi had a high level of musical talent and profound martial arts skills, and she was about to reach the prime of her life...
But the latter was, after all, the one who held the world in her hands, making her the most reasonable choice for the top spot.
Unless the difference in beauty was so great that even a blind person could see it.
Was it really that significant?
---
Chapter 580: When Light Takes Shape...
In the seating area of the major sects, they were now very close to the Jinlong Palace.
Few who passed this way, whether nobles or scoundrels, or even prominent figures from the martial world, would not pay their respects.
The one being honored was a silver-haired old woman, her attire clearly not of this world, her eyes shimmering with a faint golden hue, exuding an aura that seemed otherworldly.
"Achoo!"
The woman beside her, Tian Miao, sneezed and curiously scratched her chin.
"Someone's talking about you."
It took the old woman a moment to respond.
"Who could possibly be thinking of me? Li Mo? We've already helped him; he wouldn't bother, would he?"
Tian Miao looked into the distance and spotted Empress Chuge just passing through the Wu Gate.
She asked, puzzled:
"Master, why did you rank the Empress second this time?"
"Who do you think is superior?" the old woman countered.
"Of course, it's Miss Bing... but the Empress has a noble status," Tian Miao still seemed confused.
"No."
The old woman stroked her cane, squinting her eyes, her voice softening:
"In the nine heavens and ten earths, none can surpass her in nobility."
"Huh?"
Tian Miao was taken aback.
None can surpass her? Who exactly is that?
The Master didn’t clarify, but she had another way to verify.
Recently, she had made breakthroughs in her divination skills, allowing her to see more of the future, so...
She could take a look at both Miss Bing and the Empress, and whoever made her spit blood more would be the one the Master referred to...
But after thinking it over, she ultimately decided against acting out of curiosity; wandering around the imperial capital could lead to unpredictable consequences.
Just as the crowd was buzzing with chatter, the bronze carriage slowly moved forward, and Li Mo was the first to emerge, jumping down from the vehicle.
Everyone knew that Li Mo was not the most beautiful in the Hundred Flowers.
But he certainly wasn’t alone in that carriage.
Countless gazes converged on the bronze carriage, eager to catch a glimpse of the woman who could overshadow the Empress of Dayu.
A delicate hand pulled back the carriage curtain, and the person inside stood up to greet the sunlight. The dress she wore, unique in its elegance, could not overshadow her beauty; instead, it served as a mere backdrop to her cold yet noble visage.
Her nobility emanated naturally, unrelated to her status.
When the Tyndall effect appeared, light took on a shape.
When she stood there, beauty became tangible.
Especially when she reached out to take Li Mo's hand, her ethereal aura gained an added vibrancy.
Dingling—
The sound of wind chimes at the edge of the carriage was particularly crisp.
Suddenly...
From nowhere, flowers began to rain down like a celestial shower, cascading gently, as if the west wind had swept up a thousand piles of snow.
Indeed!
"We've come this far."
Li Mo murmured, clutching the Shinying Divine Pearl.
So what if the Empress had a grand entrance?
We can add special effects!
Ying Bing shot him a glance, both amused and a bit helpless.
Let him be...
For a moment, the crowd was left speechless, feeling that witnessing this scene made their lives worthwhile.
"My dear, I have to say, she really is more beautiful than you. Even if you pulled my ear off, I’d still refuse to yield!"
"Why does it feel like her beauty has changed in some way, yet is still somewhat different from before?"
"Will she perform today? I still vividly remember the sword dance from the Armament Conference."
"Clearly, she won't."
"Why not?"
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