Chapter 28 – No Rush, Let Them Finish Fighting Before We Step In

Early in the morning, the two woke up and hastily dressed. Remembering last night’s intimate moments—their lips intertwined, their love lingering, and the faint crimson stain left on the bed—they both felt shy.

Yun Shang blushed, her eyes darting away: “It’s… it’s all your fault… My waist hurts… and my legs are so sore…”

Su Ming was also a bit embarrassed: “But last night… you were the one who was so forward…”

Yun Shang patted Su Ming’s chest, surprised that she had fallen for someone in just a few days and had already shared a marital bond…

But the most exasperating thing was the Ghost Immortal System. Su Lin, Black-Robed Man, what do we do? Our princess is dating a girl now—what happens from here?

Black-Robed Man asked the Ghost Immortal System: “I think we should let Qingmei continue living as a male…”

The Ghost Immortal System finally relented: “Fine, but today you’ll need to destroy his male body. I’ll rebuild him one that can function normally for reproduction. We’ll see what he chooses later.”

Black-Robed Man: “It shouldn’t affect his soul, right?”

Ghost Immortal System: “I’ll protect him. And for the trip to Half-Ghost City, he’ll need to become a girl to protect his identity…”

That night, while Su Ming and Yun Shang were being intimate, Shi Zhanlong, Zhao Pei, and Guo Dong reached an agreement to jointly unleash Su Ming’s soul interrogation during the match. So Zhao Pei directly handed the soul-binding ghost to Guo Dong.

To secure the cooperation, Zhao Pei gave Shi Zhanlong a million in cash, which was how Zhao Pei and Guo Dong got connected. However, Black-Robed Man still skimmed off five hundred thousand in cash, promising to force Vermilion Bird out when the time came.

The military strategist’s message to Su Lin was that Li Xiang’s troops would not provide immediate support. The reason given was that he believed the Heavenly Saint Sect and the Security Bureau could definitely handle things, so he wouldn’t wade into those troubled waters.

Su Lin was skeptical, but he did notice that it would take a long time for the troops to arrive. Though he didn’t understand why, he reminded the strategist not to expose anything if something unexpected happened.

The principals of the Four Great Academies met with Su Ming before the match and noticed that Su Ming seemed to be in especially good spirits—though her body seemed a bit weak.

Principal of Vermilion Bird Academy: “Student Su Ming, what were you doing last night?”

Su Ming was a bit embarrassed, since last night she had been conducting business worth billions…

Principal of White Tiger Academy wanted to figure out right away what Su Ming had been up to, so he helped change the subject:

“Student Su Ming, there’s something you need to know. Unfortunately, of the twenty students our academy sent out, you’re the only one left.”

Su Ming: “Well… I didn’t expect that either…”

Principal of Vermilion Bird Academy: “There are still three hours before the match starts. We discussed yesterday whether we should find you an extra ghost or beast for support. I heard that the Azure Dragon and White Tiger on the opposing side are both very strong. I’m not sure if your Sword Ghost can hold up.”

Su Ming: “Do we have any intelligence on the enemy’s strength?”

Principal of Vermilion Bird Academy: “Based on yesterday’s performance, White Tiger is at the Seventh Realm, and Azure Dragon hasn’t appeared yet.”

Su Ming thought carefully—this was indeed troublesome. White Tiger’s strength had risen again in a short time, and her own Blood Soul Ghost, Ice Crystal Turtle, and Chef Ghost Leader probably wouldn’t gain any advantage this time.

Vermilion Bird volunteered: “I’ve recovered to the Eighth Realm now. I think I can fight!”

Su Ming: “Don’t forget—if you make a move, I’ll be taken down immediately.”

Principal Vermilion Bird noticed Su Ming deep in thought and patted her on the shoulder. “You were just unlucky to run into him in the semifinals. The other two definitely aren’t as strong as you. Let’s just aim for third place this time.”

Su Ming asked, “The match rules don’t seem to prohibit using the ghost domain, right?”

Principal Vermilion Bird reminded her, “That’s true, but pulling someone into the ghost domain is extremely difficult. With his strength, if he doesn’t agree to it, it’s nearly impossible to do.”

Su Ming thought carefully. “I still want to try when the time comes.”

Principal Vermilion Bird said, “Then do your best. In any case, just make sure you stay alive.”

After saying this, the four principals each gave Su Ming some cultivation resources, hoping she could improve before the match.

Su Ming shamelessly accepted them all, but she knew the effect would be minimal and probably useless.

Blood Soul Ghost said, “If only I could break through to the Sixth Realm.”

Su Ming replied, “It’s fine, just do your best. Besides, this match probably won’t even finish—my father is about to stir up trouble on his end.”

Chef Ghost Leader asked, “You mean you’re planning to use the ghost domain? Then what about my brothers?”

Su Ming said, “We’ll act according to the situation when the time comes. There aren’t many people on the other side, so it shouldn’t be a big deal.”

Su Ming suddenly remembered something—before she obtained Vermilion Bird, when Flood Dragon fought Guo Dong, Flood Dragon had mentioned that Guo Dong’s beast had no consciousness and couldn’t unleash its true strength.

Su Ming asked Blood Soul Ghost, “Is there any chance of directly severing the connection between Guo Dong and his pseudo-sacred beast?”

Blood Soul Ghost replied, “No. A pseudo-sacred beast without consciousness has one hundred percent loyalty, which doesn’t meet the conditions for severing. Not to mention his strength is already higher than mine.”

Su Ming recalled that Guo Dong also had a system. How infuriating—why did everyone get cheats, but why did his cheat have to be stronger than hers… (ó﹏ò｡)

The match began. There were only two groups this time: Su Ming vs. Guo Dong, and Yun Shang vs. Qing Yun.

Su Ming and Guo Dong stared at each other, while the four principals and Shi Zhanlong all watched the battle closely.

What Su Ming and the four principals didn’t know was that Shi Zhanlong had already set up an energy amplification formation beneath the stage under the guise of inspection—and this formation was unidirectional, pointing toward Guo Dong.

Guo Dong transmitted his voice with a fake smile. “I heard you and Yun Shang were deeply entangled in love last night.”

Su Ming looked unfazed. “What, jealous?”

Guo Dong said, “I think that match over there will end soon. I sent people to ambush Qing Yun last night. With his injuries, he shouldn’t last much longer.”

Su Ming asked, “What do you want?”

Guo Dong said, “I want Yun Shang to witness your defeat with her own eyes, to prove that I’m worthy of her.”

Su Ming breathed a sigh of relief—at least Yun Shang would be able to leave soon, because as they had discussed earlier, no matter how the fight between her and Guo Dong went, Yun Shang had to leave first. Once delayed, things would get troublesome.

Time passed minute by minute, and ten minutes flew by in an instant. In that brief period, Qing Yun engaged in a breathtaking duel against the Pseudo-Black Tortoise and Turtle Sister.

Qing Yun’s strength was formidable—every move and technique he used carried boundless power. However, facing the combined assault of the Pseudo-Black Tortoise and Turtle Sister, he gradually felt himself running out of steam.

The Pseudo-Black Tortoise’s defense was as solid as rock. No matter how ferociously Qing Yun attacked, he could hardly leave a single mark on it. Meanwhile, Turtle Sister had encased herself in thick layers of ice for protection, making Qing Yun’s decapitation plan completely impossible to execute.

Qing Yun was anxious inside, but he did not give up. He kept changing his tactics, trying to find a flaw in the Pseudo-Black Tortoise and Turtle Sister’s defenses. However, no matter how hard he tried, he simply could not break through their line of defense.

In the end, after a long and grueling battle, Qing Yun was reluctantly forced to concede defeat. His body was exhausted, and his spirit had taken a tremendous blow.

Although Qing Yun was strong, in this battle of vastly mismatched strength, he ultimately could not overcome the Pseudo-Black Tortoise and Turtle Sister. Still, he did not feel discouraged by this—after all, he was only ever a pawn to begin with.

Losing this battle, for Qing Yun, at most meant being scolded by the sect master for a couple of days and skipping a couple of meals.

At worst, he could simply leave the Heavenly Saint Sect and wander the world, since he didn’t owe the Heavenly Saint Sect anything anyway…

Su Lin watched Qing Yun’s state and knew that if he tried to recruit him now, there might be a chance. But there was no way to do so at the moment—besides taking the few members of the Mo Family, he also had to take the refugees from the Zhu Kingdom, as well as Guo Dong’s True Black Tortoise and Pseudo-Azure Dragon.

At this moment, everyone’s gaze was fixed on the duel between Su Ming and Guo Dong. Although it was the semifinals, Su Ming was the sole hope of the academy, while her opponent was the strongest of the sect.

Whether the sect was stronger, or the hope of the academy would prevail—the weight of this battle was no less than that of the finals.