Jiang Li was about to say something, but she saw Mu Qingge already bringing people over, so she swallowed her words. She glanced at Huangfu Huan and then walked towards Mu Qingge.

Huangfu Huan kept a smile on his lips, watching Jiang Li leave.

He did not stop Jiang Li from leaving, nor did his noble eyes show any sign of jealousy. What was there was just a bit of loss, plus a bit of envy.

Nearby, footsteps sounded.

Huangfu Huan did not look to see who it was, seemingly able to guess.

Shen Bicheng walked to Huangfu Huan’s side and stopped, following his gaze, he saw Jiang Li’s back.

He seemed to think seriously for a while before looking at Huangfu Huan and affirming, "You like her."

Being exposed by Shen Bicheng, Huangfu Huan did not feel embarrassed but nodded honestly. "Yes, I think I’ve started to like her."

"Why?" Shen Bicheng frowned and asked.

He rarely pays attention to other people’s affairs, especially personal emotions. Only when it came to Huangfu Huan did he act closer. Maybe it was the fate of both longing for disciples at Li Palace?

Huangfu Huan smirked, not knowing how to answer Shen Bicheng’s confusion. "Matters of love, if they could be explained clearly in a few words, wouldn’t be called love."

Shen Bicheng was silent for a moment, shaking his head, "I don’t understand."

Huangfu Huan finally moved his gaze from Jiang Li because Jiang Li was already talking with Mu Qingge. He didn’t want Mu Qingge to think his gaze was too intense and honest.

He looked at Shen Bicheng seriously, "It’s normal for you not to understand."

Shen Bicheng didn’t feel Huangfu Huan’s answer was disrespectful to him, instead, he nodded in agreement. But he added, "But she’s Mu Qingge’s woman."

This addition made Huangfu Huan’s heart ache a little. He frowned helplessly, raised his hand to rub his chest, and said to Shen Bicheng, "I know, everyone competes fairly."

"Are you hurt?" Shen Bicheng’s gaze fell on Huangfu Huan’s hand rubbing his chest and asked.

Huangfu Huan laughed silently, lowering his hand. "I’m not hurt. But let me ask you, if you were to like a woman, what kind of woman would you like?"

Suddenly, he felt caught in Shen Bicheng’s gossip.

Under Huangfu Huan’s curious gaze, Shen Bicheng’s expression remained cold as a knife, "I wouldn’t like any woman."

"Don’t be so certain. You spend all your time obsessed with cultivation, probably haven’t seen more than ten women." Huangfu Huan smiled.

Shen Bicheng thought seriously for a moment, then shook his head, "Women are troublesome."

Huangfu Huan’s mouth twitched, thinking asking this Shen lunatic about women was surely a mistake. Such a blockhead could not understand the flirtation between men and women.

However, he didn’t know why he still couldn’t give up and asked, "If you had to choose someone from the people you know, what’s your type?"

Shen Bicheng’s thick sword-like eyebrows furrowed, his gaze moving from Huangfu Huan to Mu Qingge still talking with Jiang Li. "I choose him."

"Ahem." Huangfu Huan almost choked on his answer. He thought Shen Bicheng would choose a type from the women he knew, but did not expect him to choose a man.

Though, he admits this man is indeed outstanding, talented, and demonic in appearance.

But, after all, he’s a man!

With a surprised expression, Huangfu Huan asked, "Why choose him?"

Shen Bicheng did not feel there’s anything wrong with his answer, looking calmly at Huangfu Huan, he replied, "Because he’s very strong. I can’t beat him!"

"..." Huangfu Huan was dumbfounded by Shen Bicheng’s criteria for choosing a partner. Because he’s strong, because he can’t beat him, so he likes him? What logic is this? Could it be that Shen Bicheng, this iron man, is a masochist at heart? Wanting his future wife to be stronger than him?

Huangfu Huan finally managed to digest this information.

He admitted it was his fault for being nosy. He shouldn’t have asked Shen Bicheng such a difficult question.

Huangfu Huan collected his emotions, earnestly asked, "How did you lose that day?"

Speaking of the competition three days ago, Shen Bicheng, despite losing, was not evasive. When Huangfu Huan asked, he simply replied: "His spear struck my vital spot."

"But, wasn’t that spear shattered?" Huangfu Huan asked in confusion.

Shen Bicheng nodded, a trace of admiration in his eyes, and said: "His control over power is very precise. He predicted the spear would shatter when it hit me. So, he thrust it without hesitation. His courage is immense, but more importantly, he has the ability to support his audacity. Towards the end of the match, he nearly predicted every move I made. It’s safe to say I was playing according to his rhythm, so even if we continued, I would still be the one to lose."

Huangfu Huan was dumbfounded, listening to Shen Bicheng’s explanation. It took him a moment to react and then said: "This is perhaps the most you’ve spoken since I’ve known you. Also, it’s the first time I’ve heard you speak so highly of someone."

"He is indeed a rare opponent," Shen Bicheng calmly replied.

"However, this rare opponent might face trouble," Huangfu Huan suddenly said.

Shen Bicheng looked at him, puzzled.

Seeing his expression, Huangfu Huan realized this fellow, who only knows the pursuit of martial arts, really had no idea about anything else.

Huangfu Huan kindly explained: "Before arriving in the Holy Yuan Empire, it seems Mu Qingge already had grievances with the Myriad Beasts Sect and the Refining Tower. Based on my investigations, these two forces had once jointly pursued him in alliance with the government of Rong Country, and many from both forces died at his hands. The Refining Tower branch located in the Ancient Witch Country was destroyed by him. And now, he has offended the Lan Family, and you should know about the temper of the notable member from that family, even if you’re oblivious to everything else. Empress Jiang is worried about these factions uniting against him."

"They are not his match," Shen Bicheng said casually.

Huangfu Huan nearly imperceptibly nodded, "Mm, I think so too. Among the younger generation, aside from you, no one is the match of Mu Qingge. However, Empress Jiang seems a bit worried, and has even decided to enter the Trial Space alongside him. In any case, if you wish this rare opponent not to be schemed against and lose his life, you’ll need to help look out for him. Of course, if possible, also help care for Empress Jiang."

Shen Bicheng turned to look at him.

Huangfu Huan wryly smiled: "You know the rules. To balance the power of various factions, members of the Huangfu Imperial Family are allowed annually to enter the Trial Space for training, but during the Linchuan Conference, they are not permitted to enter."

"I understand." Shen Bicheng said flatly, turning to leave.

Huangfu Huan watched him depart, murmuring: "Take good care of Mu Qingge, at the Holy King’s behest, you won’t lose out."

...

"I’ve inquired, and it’s about the Trial Space," Jiang Li said to Mu Qingge.

Mu Qingge responded with interest: "I only knew some general details before, what did you find out?"

"The Trial Space was brought by the Holy King with great magical power. It is vast and filled with many ferocious Spirit Beasts, which you must already know," Jiang Li said.

Mu Qingge was aware of this, so she nodded.

Jiang Li lowered her voice and said: "After the Trial Space was acquired by the Holy King, it was handed over to the Holy Yuan Empire. It was merely hinted that those who fail in the Trial Space should not venture into the Ancient Ruins to die. From then on, the management of the Trial Space was jointly decided by the four major families and the Imperial Family."

"What is it?" Mu Qingge asked.

Jiang Li disclosed her findings: "There are five keys to open the Trial Space. One is held by the Imperial Family, while the other four are held by the four major family patriarchies. The key owned by the Imperial Family can open a small space on its own, whereas the other four cannot. Only by combining all five keys can the entire Trial Space be opened. The entrance to the Trial Space is located within the Imperial Palace, and due to the unique nature of the key held by the Huangfu Family, the agreement among the five factions is that annually the Imperial Family has one opportunity to send people into a small space for independent training. However, during the Linchuan Conference, when the full space is opened, members of the Huangfu Family cannot enter. Additionally, in the fixed quota for entries into the Ancient Ruins by the Huangfu Imperial Family, half must be allocated to the four families. Each faction can send in eight people, so during each occasion, the Holy Yuan Empire’s quota includes four members from the four families. This is a form of power balance, also a compromise by the Imperial Family."

"What does this imply?" Mu Qingge asked with a frown.

Jiang Li shook her head and said: "It doesn’t imply anything. I am just speculating, if when leaving the Trial Space, the Lan Family suddenly pulls out the key during your exit, what will happen."

Mu Qingge’s mouth twitched, dryly smiling: "According to theory, the Trial Space is not located on Linchuan. Doing so would mean I’d be lost forever in the space-time tunnel. If lucky, just floating till death; if unlucky, shredded by space cracks."

"You’re well aware," Jiang Li chuckled.

"Then what clever strategy do you have?" Mu Qingge humbly inquired.

Jiang Li half-jokingly replied: "I have no good plans, but you might consider grabbing a few individuals from the Lan Family as body shields, so they won’t dare act rashly."

"Thanks for the warning," Mu Qingge replied, speechless.

If the Lan Family truly intends to scheme against her, why would they care about a few juniors from their family?

"All told, although we don’t believe they’ll strike during this Trial, my sense of unease persists, so stay cautious," Jiang Li said seriously.

The previous remarks were half in jest.

Yet these words, she hoped Mu Qingge seriously kept in mind.

Mu Qingge nodded, indicating she had taken it to heart.

"Do you really plan to go in with us? If there’re so many uncertain factors, you might as well stay outside to prevent them from causing trouble out here," Mu Qingge advised Jiang Li once again.

Jiang Li stubbornly shook her head, "Once the Trial Space is opened, it’s hard to open it again shortly after. If I stay outside, even if I know they have some conspiracy against you, I can only worry in vain. So, I’ll go in with you and see for myself, since I haven’t seen what this Trial Space is like anyway."

She spoke casually, but Mu Qingge could feel the seriousness in her words. Feeling a bit touched, Mu Qingge said to her, "You don’t actually have to take such risks for me."

"What if it were you instead?" Jiang Li countered.

Mu Qingge had no words to reply.

The thing she was least good at dealing with was all sorts of emotional issues.

The unplanned encounter between her and Jiang Li, that soul-level understanding, invisibly became a bond of friendship, tying them together.

She didn’t want Jiang Li to take risks for her, but she also understood that if today the person in danger were Jiang Li, she’d probably stand in front of her too, shielding her from open and hidden attacks.

After a moment, she finally said to Jiang Li, "Safety comes first in everything."

Jiang Li smiled at her, "Let’s hope we’re just overthinking and nothing will happen."

"Let’s go, it’s about time," Mu Qingge said to Jiang Li.

As they entered the Imperial Palace, Mu Qingge was deep in thought.

Initially, she planned to bind the Third-class Country together, enter the Trial Space, search for the tokens together, and then adjust according to each other’s scores to ensure that all three countries qualified for the Ancient Ruins to the maximum extent.

However, if there truly was danger targeting her in the Trial Space, people from Li Country and Yu Country following her would undoubtedly be at risk. If they parted ways, and if any of them were captured and used as bait to lure her in... the outcome would still be the same.

Suddenly, Mu Qingge felt as though she was dragging everyone down.

This feeling made her uncomfortable, so much so that she furrowed her brow.

Zhao Nanxing seemed to sense Mu Qingge’s pressure and spoke to comfort her, "Qingge, don’t overthink it. Nothing has happened yet, so don’t carry this heavy burden."

Feng Yufei also said, "Little Lord, we came with you to become stronger, not hoping to become your burden. So don’t worry too much about us."

Mu Qingge looked at the two of them and smiled slightly.

Everything was said without words.

The group walked to the Forbidden Area of the Imperial Palace, in front of the passage to open the Trial Space.

Here, it was desolate, with nothing at all.

Even without the ’Forbidden Area’ sign, probably no one would intrude, and even if they did, they’d gain nothing.

When Mu Qingge and the others arrived, many people were already there.

People from Second-class countries and the younger generation from the four major families, forming a team.

Mu Qingge glanced over and saw that Di Country, Rong Country, and Yu Country each brought 150 people in. While on the side of the four major families, there were the most people, with various garments mingling together, estimated at three to four hundred people.

At this moment, Huangfu Huan came over, stood beside Mu Qingge and Jiang Li, and whispered, "The Lan Family hasn’t arrived yet."

Jiang Li glanced around and also said, "I haven’t seen people from the Myriad Beasts Sect and the Refining Tower either."

Regarding this, Huangfu Huan considered it normal. "Today, we enter the space and won’t come out for seven days. Those of us outside won’t be able to sense what’s happening inside, so coming is just a waste of effort. In past sessions, some forces that didn’t need to compete were also absent."

Jiang Li was silent for a moment and asked, "If the outside world can’t perceive it, what happens if the people inside encounter danger?"

Huangfu Huan smiled mysteriously and teased, "You’ll find out soon enough."

Mu Qingge looked at these two, pondering as she watched the gaze Huangfu Huan directed at Jiang Li with a glimmering curiosity, seeming different, but exactly how, she couldn’t say.

Suddenly, footsteps approached.

Interrupting their conversation.

Everyone standing outside the Forbidden Area turned to look at the newcomers.

Just then, a team of young people in Lan Mansion attire, led by a veiled Lan Feiyue, arrived belatedly.

These people also numbered over a hundred, bringing the total number of people from the four major families to about five hundred. They were the largest team entering the Trial Space among the various forces.

Among the four major families, the people of the Jing Family were led by Jing Tian.

Since clashing with Mu Qingge several times and receiving patient counsel from his father, his previous arrogance had significantly subdued. Now seeing Mu Qingge again, he seemed like he didn’t know her, not sparing her a glance.

The Hua Family’s people were all women, led by Miss Hua Qinxin, who admired Mu Qingge but found no way to pursue it.

Naturally, the Shen Family was led by Shen Bicheng.

Lan Feiyue, leading the Lan Family, exuded a cold isolation, like a solitary cold moon, as she passed by Mu Qingge and the others, heading to the gathering place of the four major families.

As she passed by, Mu Qingge distinctly heard a cold, bone-chilling snort.

Due to their close proximity, Mu Qingge noticed that the hideous scar she had personally inflicted under Lan Feiyue’s veil was no longer there.

Mu Qingge licked her lips, thinking: ’It seems that Jiang Li’s intel was correct, the Myriad Beasts Sect provided a Beauty Pill to the Lan Family.’

Given the special position of the Myriad Beasts Sect, obtaining a Beauty Pill from the Medicine Tower beforehand wasn’t anything extraordinary.

"Her hostility towards you is quite unmasked," Jiang Li whispered in Mu Qingge’s ear.

That cold snort was heard by more than just Mu Qingge.

Mu Qingge smiled indifferently, unconcerned about Lan Feiyue’s attitude toward her.

Similarly, she didn’t feel that she had acted too cruelly against her. If, on that day, her cultivation was inferior to Lan Feiyue’s and she couldn’t beat her, the outcome might have been reversed.

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you; she was merely reciprocating in kind.

When Lan Feiyue stood among the four major families with the Lan Family, all the contestants had arrived.

What awaited were the family heads who held the keys to opening the space, and the appearance of Huangfu Haotian, the Emperor Yuan.

...

Within the four major families, Hua Qinxin glanced at Lan Feiyue standing beside her, smiling charmingly, "Oh, isn’t this Miss Feiyue? Why aren’t you staying in the Li Palace, and instead coming here to endure hardship with us?!"

She deliberately teased Lan Feiyue, eliciting a wave of laughter from the Hua Family’s troop of ladies.

As it’s said, birds of a feather flock together.

Especially since both Hua Qinxin and Lan Feiyue were considered beauties, they naturally never got along.

Previously, Hua Qinxin refrained from offending Lan Feiyue too much due to her self-proclaimed association with the Li Palace. Now that Lan Feiyue’s dream of entering the Li Palace was shattered, and she was constantly opposing Mu Qingge, how could Hua Qinxin pass up the chance to mock her?

Lan Feiyue glanced at her, and a section of her soft whip slid out from her wide sleeve as she coldly said, "If you want to die, I can fulfill your wish."

Hua Qinxin was taken aback and nodded dismissively, "What, Miss Feiyue, are you going to use the name of the Holy King to suppress us?"

Lan Feiyue sneered as Hua Qinxin hesitated and took a step back.

"How could I find the antidote in time?" she teased.

Everyone watched as the cool and aloof Lan Feiyue walked by, her entire being a chilly fortress, emanating a sense of keep away.

Hua Qinxin looked unimpressed and pursed her lips, stepping back.

Moments later, Huangfu Haotian emerged with the heads of the four families. An elderly man followed them.

Mu Qingge had met that person once. It was the day she fought with Shen Bicheng in the Imperial Palace, attracting Huangfu Haotian, and that person was following behind him.

She remembered Huangfu Huan had introduced that person as a tributor of the Imperial Palace.

"It seems everyone is here." Huangfu Haotian glanced around and spoke aloud.

Those from various factions about to enter the Trial Space were all standing quietly.

Huangfu Haotian nodded, raised his hand to summon a Commander of the Forbidden Guard. The latter held a scroll in his hand. He stood before everyone and slowly unfolded the scroll to read its contents.

"Linchuan Conference, Second Stage, Points Ranking. First place, Qin Country, with a total of 405 points. Second place, Di Country, with a total of 360 points. Third place, Yu Country, with a total of 297 points. Fourth place, Li Country, with a total of 234 points. Fifth place, Rong Country, with a total of 233 points. Sixth place, Yu Country, with a total of 230 points."

After reading out the contents of the scroll, he then retreated.

"How could our Rong Country be ranked fifth?"

"It might be understandable for the Third-class Country Qin Country, after all, they have produced an extraordinary figure. But what about the other two countries? Not only did one country surpass the Second-class Country, but the margins between them are also so narrow!"

"Is this a gathering of Third-class Countries to defy fate?"

"It’s not defying fate, it’s a rise. It seems the feng shui of the Third-class Country boundary has really changed."

"Could there have been an error in score calculation?"

The announcement of the second stage results immediately sparked various discussions.

For a moment, the three countries from the Third-class Country boundary became the focus of the discussions.

Among them, the ones loudly protesting came naturally from Rong Country, which ranked lowest among Second-class Countries.

"Everyone——!" When Huangfu Haotian spoke, all discussions halted.

He stood high above, as the king of the most powerful empire on this land. His words were enough to silence all discussions. Anyone who questioned the authenticity of the results was challenging him.

These, after all, were not the final results.

The margins are so small, there is still a possibility for a counterattack.

So, people from Rong Country kept quiet.

When the surrounding quieted down, Huangfu Haotian nodded in satisfaction and continued, "The third stage is about to begin. This is the last and most crucial stage of the Linchuan Conference. Your final ranking will determine which four countries will earn the qualifications to enter the Ancient Ruins. In the Trial Space, there are a total of one hundred tokens. The faction that can bring out the most tokens will earn the highest points. A hundred tokens receive a reward of one hundred points in total, decreasing in sequence, with each placement deducting fifteen points from the reward. This means the team bringing out the least tokens can only earn twenty-five points. However, since the disciples from the four great families do not contribute to points, you can try to exchange tokens with them. Of course, if they refuse to exchange, the final ranking will deduct the parts they found."

After explaining the competition rules, Huangfu Haotian asked, "Did everyone hear clearly?"

"Heard clearly——!"

A thousand people shouted in unison.

Huangfu Haotian nodded in satisfaction and, with a flick of his hand, several maps flew towards the leaders of various teams.

Mu Qingge reached out and caught the one flying towards her, unfolded it to look. The areas where tokens were located were clearly marked, and some dangerous zones were also indicated.

Judging by the map, this Trial Space indeed looked vast.

One wonders how Si Mo managed to capture it in the beginning.

Zhao Nanxing and Feng Yufei each held one as well; the three compared theirs and found the maps were identical, without any differences.

Huangfu Haotian’s voice echoed again: "The maps in your hands all mark the regions you’re allowed to operate in. Those designated as forbidden zones have Spirit Beast levels at the Purple Realm and possess a violent disposition, so don’t approach them lightly. Remember, your goal is to find tokens. Avoid stirring up additional trouble. If you encounter dangers beyond your ability, you can crush the teleportation talisman you hold; this talisman will bring you out. But once you’re out, you can’t go back in. Did everyone remember?"

"Teleportation talisman? There’s actually such a thing." Mu Qingge said in surprise.

Her voice was very light, not attracting anyone’s attention.

Huangfu Huan beside her explained, "This method was passed down by the Holy King, jointly guarded by the four great families and the Imperial Family. Each time a teleportation talisman is made, it is completed by these five forces together."

Mu Qingge nodded in understanding.

Shortly after, several people came down to distribute the teleportation talismans one by one.

The person responsible for distributing to the people of the Third-class Countries, whether due to the presence of Crown Prince Huangfu Huan, was trembling slightly during the process.

Once finished, he left, with Mu Qingge and Jiang Li among others watching his departing figure.

"Is he from the Imperial Palace?" Mu Qingge fiddled with the teleportation talisman in her hand, suddenly asked Huangfu Huan.

Huangfu Huan nodded naturally and told Mu Qingge, "Those able to participate in the Linchuan Conference are veterans of the palace, and are considered direct lineage of our Huangfu Family."

His explanation lowered Mu Qingge’s gaze as she continued to examine the teleportation talisman in her hand.

After playing with it for a while, she suddenly tossed it to Huangfu Huan. Huangfu Huan hastily caught it, checked it carefully, and asked in confusion, "What’s wrong?"

Mu Qingge flashed a grin, retrieved her teleportation talisman from his hand, "Nothing. Perhaps I was just overthinking."

The attitude of the waiter had aroused her suspicion. Yet Huangfu Huan’s response made her feel she might have been overthinking.

If there was an issue with her teleportation talisman, then Huangfu Huan, already having held it, should have noticed something amiss. After all, following their customs, the Huangfu Family had opportunities to send people into the Trial Space each year, and as Crown Prince, Huangfu Huan should have contacted such teleportation talismans more than once.

"They’re about to open the space." Jiang Li suddenly reminded.

Mu Qingge composed herself and looked up at the five individuals including Huangfu Haotian.

The family heads holding keys respectively.

The five of them formed a circle, seeming to hold a peculiar gesture in their hands. Huangfu Haotian first took out his key and tossed it into the air.

Once the key reached the air, as if drawn by something, it suspended itself, continuously rotating and emitting a gentle luster.

Huangfu Haotian shouted loudly, flooding the key in the air with intense purple spiritual power.

At this point, everyone realized that the Emperor Yuan of the Holy Yuan Empire was also a Purple Realm Peak master.

Arriving in Tiandu, Mu Qingge suddenly felt that Purple Realm masters seemed more abundant than she had imagined.

Emperor Yuan is a Purple Realm Peak master, so the other four family heads...

As if answering Mu Qingge’s doubts, after Emperor Yuan exerted his power, the four family heads successively took out their keys, infused their spiritual power, and sent them into the air.

These four were also Purple Realm masters, differing merely in their levels.

Among them, the Hua Family head was the weakest, with pale purple spiritual power symbolizing the Initial Rank of the Purple Realm. The Jing Family head was the strongest, like Emperor Yuan, at the Purple Realm Peak. However, his purple hue compared to Emperor Yuan’s was slightly lighter.

These four keys were respectively green, white, black, and yellow, seemingly symbolizing Heaven and Earth.

The four keys were slightly smaller than Emperor Yuan’s key, although their designs were the same.

Propelled by spiritual power, they entered the air, seemingly drawn by Emperor Yuan’s key, taking positions at the southeast, southwest, northeast, and northwest, linking their strengths with subtle connections.

Between the five keys, rainbow-like electric spark patterns formed.

At this moment, a powerful force suddenly emerged in the forbidden area everyone was located in, forcing them to step back.

Even Mu Qingge couldn’t help but step back a little, as did Shen Bicheng. Among them, the only one who maintained unchanged footing was the Seventh Tributor.

Mu Qingge noticed his feet seemed like old tree roots gripping the ground tightly.

Wind arose from all directions, blowing people’s vision blurry, garments fluttering.

The five keys suspended in the air appeared to have completed verification. The interwoven rainbow lights combined into a dazzling beam, shooting towards a certain point in the sky.

The tranquil sky seemed shattered at this moment.

In front of countless eyes, a massive vortex appeared in the sky, turning faster and faster, deepening. Space at the vortex’s depth broke, transforming into fragments falling into endless darkness.

A black passage appeared before everyone, surrounded by extremely unstable spatial turbulence.

At the end of the passage, a faint forest scene appeared, seemingly their destination.

"The path has opened, if not now, then when!" the Seventh Tributor shouted, waking up the dazed crowd.

Shen Bicheng took the lead, guiding the Shen Family disciples, and directly leapt into the aerial corridor, disappearing before everyone’s eyes.

After seeing Shen Bicheng and the others enter, the tunnel, like a cave, seemed to swallow, leading the rest to follow inside.

Huangfu Huan turned to Mu Qingge and the others and said, "The space portal can’t remain open for long once activated. You must not waste time; after seven days it will reopen. Besides that, the only way out is the Teleportation Talisman in your hands, so remember not to lose it."

He spoke quickly, wanting to save time.

After speaking, he stepped aside.

Mu Qingge exchanged glances with Jiang Li, turned to the people behind them, and said, "Let’s go."

Then they jumped into the corridor of time and space and disappeared.

In no time, all the participants had entered the Trial Space. The opened portal was slowly closing, and the light of the five keys dimmed.

After confirming everyone had safely arrived, Emperor Yuan raised his hand to recall his key.

The other family heads also followed to recall their respective keys.

The whirlpool in the sky, as vast as a beast’s mouth, gradually shrank.

The Seventh Tributor continuously gazed up at the shrinking vortex until only a black spot remained. His eyes suddenly narrowed, emitting a fierce and icy gaze, and he shouted, "Something’s wrong! Someone has mixed in!"

At his words, Emperor Yuan, who had just relaxed, gasped in shock.

The term ’mixed in’ used by the Seventh Tributor could only mean someone who shouldn’t have entered did. The only ones who shouldn’t enter are experts with cultivation levels higher than the spatial limits!

As he spoke, that black dot in the sky disappeared, and the sky over the Imperial Palace Forbidden Area returned to calm, leaving no trace.

"Seventh Tributor, clarify your words," demanded Emperor Yuan, his face dark, knowing the gravity of the situation.

Someone mixed in?

This news not only startled Emperor Yuan, but also made the faces of several family heads turn grim.

Huangfu Huan’s heart skipped a beat upon hearing it. For some reason, he thought of Mu Qingge in connection with the intruder.

Could it be... the Myriad Beasts Sect, Refining Tower, and Lan Family are so insane as to send someone to infiltrate the Trial Space and kill Mu Qingge?

Huangfu Huan’s eyes narrowed slightly as he swiftly walked to Huangfu Haotian’s side, whispering quickly.

At this time, the Seventh Tributor also said coldly, "Your Majesty, I am responsible for overseeing the cultivation level of those entering the space. At the moment of space closure, I suddenly sensed the presence of a Spiritual Movement Stage expert."

Spiritual Movement Stage expert!

These words caused the faces of the people present to change.

"How could a Spiritual Movement Stage expert enter?" the Shen Family Head asked harshly.

The Hua Family Head, unwilling to be outdone, demanded, "Isn’t there a realm limit in the Trial Space? How did a Spiritual Movement Stage expert get in?"

"Seventh Tributor, are you sure about your sensing?" the Jing Family Head followed up.

Each of them had outstanding family juniors inside, and if a Spiritual Movement Stage expert really infiltrated with bad intentions, no family could bear the consequences.

The Seventh Tributor confidently said, "That was indeed the aura of a Spiritual Movement Stage expert. I could not be mistaken. They must have used some special means to cover their cultivation level to sneak in."

"We must immediately restart the space and find the intruder," suggested the Hua Family Head.

However, everyone knew this was impossible. Every space activation requires a cool-down, which is a cycle of seven days.

No one knew what the infiltrated Spiritual Movement Stage expert would do in those seven days. If they fought randomly inside, the Trial Space might ultimately collapse, leaving no survivors.

"Lan Family Head, why aren’t you speaking?" Suddenly, Huangfu Haotian asked the silent Lan Family Head.

His words turned everyone’s gaze onto him.

Lan Family Head’s calmness raised suspicions among the other family heads.

The Hua Family Head’s voice was piercing: "Lan Family Head, doesn’t your Phoenix also participate in this? Aren’t you worried at all?"

Lan Family Head sneered: "Why should I be worried? Has Feiyue offended anyone?"

"What do you mean by that?" Huangfu Haotian pointed accusingly at him and asked sharply.

The Lan Family Head casually said, "What do I mean? You’ll soon find out. Let’s go, in seven days everything will be clear."

"You!" The Hua Family Head was furious.

Jing Family Head and Shen Family Head exchanged glances, with the former asking, "Lan Family Head, are you involved in this matter?"

With a usually arrogant smile, the Lan Family Head responded, "Do you have evidence?"

Evidence? If they had evidence, would they tolerate this Lan person being so presumptuous here?

Looking at each other’s difficult expressions in silence seemed to amuse the Lan Family Head. He mocked, "To open the Trial Space, unless you request the Holy King at the Upper Li Palace to intervene, or wait seven days. But now, nothing has happened yet. Are you sure you want to disturb the Holy King with such a trivial matter?"

With that, he curtly left.

"This must have something to do with him!" the Hua Family Head gritted his teeth, watching Lan Family Head’s back.

Huangfu Haotian solemnly said, "Huan’er just told me, during this period, the Lan Family has been secretly colluding with the Myriad Beasts Sect and the Refining Tower. This might be a conspiracy for revenge against Mu Xiaojue."

The other three family heads’ expressions changed instantly.

If this was true, when dealing with Mu Qingge, would the infiltrated Spiritual Movement Stage expert do nothing?

This is obviously impossible!

If he retaliated, with his combat power, it would definitely be an earth-shattering battle. Meanwhile, could the Trial Space withstand it?

If it can’t endure, then...

The consequences were beyond imagination for the three family heads.

"Your Majesty!"

"Your Majesty!"

"Your Majesty!"

All three family heads looked at Huangfu Haotian.

Huangfu Haotian immediately decided, telling the Seventh Tributor, "Seventh Tributor, take Huan’er to the Upper Li Palace at once, and make sure to see the Holy King. Tell him everything that happened here in full. Now, he is the only one who can set everything right."

The Seventh Tributor nodded in silence, and with Huangfu Huan in hand, disappeared from the sight of the group instantly.

"Can we only wait now?" the Hua Family Head asked with concern.

Huangfu Haotian sighed, "Now, we can only hope that if a crisis arises, they can use the Teleportation Talismans to escape."

...

The sky, like a mirror, was a pure blue without a trace of impurity.

The ground was covered in lush green grass, swaying with the wind.

Here, the scenery was as beautiful as a paradisiacal retreat, with vast grasslands stretching as far as the eye could see, and a few Spirit Beasts grazing in the distance.

Standing amidst the green grass, Mu Qingge felt the refreshing air and sighed inwardly: ’So this is the world of the Trial Space!’