Started out getting scumbags, but then invested in the invincible Empress.

Chapter 43 You want to trap me like a turtle in a jar? I'll play dumb and eat the tiger!

"Ah...so much..."

The woman looked troubled. “Recently, many people in the dynasty have noticed something amiss and are thoroughly investigating this matter. Abducting so many children at once will be difficult to suppress, even with the Emperor’s protection. I fear that the world will descend into chaos.”

"What are you afraid of? The plan is nearing completion. Before long, the Xuantian Sect will fall into my hands. At that time, I will make the Great Chu Dynasty a hundred times more prosperous than it is now, and you will become the future sect leader's wife!"

Wu Shaotian spoke with conviction, exuding confidence and using persuasive language, saying:

"And all of this depends on my innate demonic body being successfully cultivated, so that I can have a greater say. You should understand this, Xin Hui."

After pondering for a moment, Chu Xinhui gritted her teeth and agreed, "Alright, I will do my best to persuade Father Emperor."

Compared to future power and status, ten thousand boys and girls are nothing to be unwilling to give up.

.........

At the foot of Misty Peak.

As soon as Li Wudao arrived at the foot of the mountain, he saw Deng Lin pacing back and forth, looking somewhat anxious.

"Senior Brother Li, we've finally waited for you! Something terrible has happened!"

Deng Lin spotted him and quickly went over to him.

"What... could it be that Ruan Fei has made some move?"

Li Wudao's heart stirred.

He had Tang Yi and Deng Lin lie in wait around Ruan Fei so that he could know the latter's movements in advance and take appropriate action.

"It wasn't him, it was someone else."

Deng Lin shook his head, his face grave, revealing a shocking piece of news: "Senior Brother Li, someone wants to kill you!"

"Who?"

Li Wudao's eyes immediately turned cold.

Given his current status, how could anyone still harbor murderous intent towards him?

"I really don't know what that person's name is."

Deng Lin frowned and thought back, saying uncertainly, "But I heard someone call him the Seventh Prince."

"Could it be him...?"

Li Wudao's eyes narrowed, and it was hard not to think of Qi Xingyu.

After all, the latter did have some grudges against him, and was also the seventh prince of the Great Qi.

"Tell me in detail what exactly happened."

Li Wudao asked in a deep voice.

"This morning I was having lunch at Zuiyulou Restaurant when I vaguely heard Senior Brother Li's name in the next private room, so I paid attention..."

Deng Lin knew this was no small matter and dared not hide it, so he told the whole story.

"It doesn't matter if they don't listen. I leaned closer and overheard them planning to ambush and kill Senior Brother Li in some secret realm."

Listen.

Li Wudao became increasingly certain that the person who wanted to kill him was Qi Xingyu!

When the idea was confirmed, he remained silent for a few breaths.

They underestimated Qi Xingyu's character.

Unexpectedly, these few frictions led the other party to harbor murderous intent, completely disregarding sect rules and camaraderie.

"You just said 'they,' do you know how many people there are? Are they all disciples of the Xuantian Sect?"

Li Wudao captured very important information.

"There are at least five or six people. Judging from their tone, they seem to be from the same place. It's hard to say whether they are disciples of the Xuantian Sect."

Deng Lin frowned as he recalled.

"It's nothing, I'll head back now. Senior Brother Li, please be careful these days."

"Wait a minute, take these and use them for your cultivation."

Li Wudao called out to him and casually took out a thousand low-grade spirit stones and gave them to him.

"This... is too much. I just happened to overhear it. Senior Brother Li, there's no need for that."

Deng Lin was very tempted, but after hesitating for a while, he ultimately didn't have the heart to take it.

"You did a good job today. This news is very important. Since you've helped me, I won't let you work for nothing. Here you go."

Li Wudao was never stingy with those who helped him, especially since this news was so important.

[Ding! Congratulations, host, your investment has been successful. Investment method: 1,000 low-grade spirit stones]

[Reward feedback in progress........]

[Congratulations, host, you have obtained: 2000 low-grade spirit stones]

I listened to the notification sound in my mind.

Li Wudao remained silent.

You won't lose money, you absolutely won't lose money.

Others may make a small profit, but he will never lose!

"Alright then, thank you, Senior Brother Li."

With Li Wudao's words in mind, Deng Lin carefully put it away, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

These spirit stones were a huge sum of money for him, enough to live a carefree life for a while longer.

If his attitude towards Li Wudao was one of awe before, it has now quietly turned into trust and following.

Following such a prodigy, even a pig would find it hard not to become stronger.

After Deng Lin left, Li Wudao walked back to Misty Peak while pondering.

All that is known at present is that Qi Xingyu attempted to kill him in the secret realm by joining forces with others.

We are unaware of any other details.

"It seems he's convinced I'm strong enough to enter the top ten of the competition..."

Li Wudao's eyes flickered.

Qi Xingyu's observation of him was quite thorough, and it's estimated that he has already gained a preliminary understanding of his strength.

To ensure absolute success, they even devised a plan to have someone ambush and kill him in a secret realm.

It must be said that this seventh prince is truly insidious.

According to Xiao Jiang's information, the secret realm includes the Xuan Tian Sect, and there are three top-tier sects that can enter it.

If someone is killed in a secret realm, as long as they didn't witness it with their own eyes, there's always an excuse they can use to cover it up.

"Since you're going to kill me, don't blame me for not showing any sympathy for my fellow disciples!"

A smirk of satisfaction crept across Li Wudao's lips.

He who kills will be killed in return; he had no qualms about it.

With the information provided by Deng Lin, he felt even more confident and had even come up with a countermeasure.

"You want to lure me into a trap, to catch me like a turtle in a jar, right? Then I'll play along and pretend to be weak while I'm strong!"

Li Wudao's face radiated invincible confidence, his killing intent surging like a tide.

When it comes to setting up schemes and acting, he has never lost to his peers.

The sun rises and the moon sets.

Before we knew it, the day of the newcomer competition arrived.

This competition is limited to the 3,500 disciples who have just joined the sect.

There are two purposes: one is to find out the disciples' backgrounds and how well they are progressing in their cultivation.

Secondly, through competition and reward mechanisms, we encourage newly initiated disciples to practice diligently and not to be complacent.

The competition venue was chosen to be the square where the entrance examination was held.

There are too many disciples participating in this assessment, and the training ground cannot support so many disciples competing at the same time.

Around 7:00 AM.

With the attention of numerous new disciples, and more than half of the sect's high-ranking members, including the sect leader and the six peak masters, present, the importance the sect places on the newcomers is evident.

As for Xia Gucheng, the leader of Misty Peak, he had not yet returned and therefore did not attend.

Having not seen his father for nearly two months, Li Wudao was still somewhat worried and expressed his concern for two breaths to show his filial piety.

On the stands, the elders were announcing the competition rules.

"To ensure fairness and efficiency, participants will be divided into two groups based on their status: one for outer disciples and one for inner disciples. Each group will compete separately, using a random draw..."

"The competition consists of four rounds. True disciples do not need to participate and will directly enter the final round."

"First round: 200 outer disciples and 300 inner disciples will advance."

"The second round: these 500 disciples will be grouped together to compete, with 100 people advancing."

"The third round: one hundred disciples will compete, and fifty will advance."

"Round Four: A defending-the-stand mode will be adopted. Each of the ten true disciples will defend a separate arena and must accept any challenge from these fifty disciples without refusal..."

After hearing this, Li Wudao's mind began to race.

This rule is quite interesting. True disciples go directly into the finals, saving time on selections, which is convenient.

However, this is a bit harsh on outer disciples.

Of the three thousand outer disciples, two thousand eight hundred will be eliminated in the first round. This is no less than a carp leaping over the dragon gate; the elimination rate is too high.

Soon,

Under the guidance of the elders and deacons, the outer and inner disciples were divided into two main areas.

The competition officially begins.

Since Li Wudao is the true disciple, we only need to observe for the first three rounds.

At that moment, the sounds of fierce fighting gradually rose from the various arenas.

Li Wudao gazed into the distance, watching those young figures sweating and fighting hard, his eyes gradually becoming blank.

These disciples had to go through three rounds of fierce battles before they could stand before him and be qualified to issue a challenge.

Then, it will pass by briefly like a shooting star, without making a ripple.

Years later, this gap will widen, and it will be hard to say whether we will even be able to see them at the Xuantian Sect.

So, which is most important: hard work, perseverance, talent, or luck?

Looking at those energetic young people,

Li Wudao shook his head and chuckled. Anyway, he was cheating, so why think so much?

at this time,

His gaze swept across the room, and he caught a glimpse of Qi Xingyu out of the corner of his eye.

At this moment, the latter was sitting to his side, his gaze occasionally falling on him, a playful smile on his face.

Upon seeing this guy, Li Wudao immediately lost his mood.

It feels like being targeted by a spider or centipede—it's disgusting.

"That kid's smile is so sinister, he's definitely up to no good, he's probably already thinking of ways to kill me."

Li Wudao sneered.

If it weren't for the occasion, I would love to go up and give him a good beating to teach him a lesson.

He originally planned to win first place in this competition and teach Xiao Jiang a lesson.

But now, because of Qi Xingyu, that scoundrel, he suddenly changed his mind and decided to play dumb to take advantage of the situation.

"You little trash, all you like to do is scheme and ambush people from behind. Once we enter the secret realm, it's hard to say who will kill whom. I'll make sure you get screwed over, you stupid dog!"

Li Wudao cursed inwardly, having already added Qi Xingyu to his kill list.