CHAPTER 423: CHAPTER 423 COLD-HEARTED QI XINZHU

Although he had no idea how Lu Luo managed to achieve such an intimidating aura that could make people dizzy, it was clear that his strength was not at a normal level.

What was the normal level for the Challenger Group?

Most of them were First Tier scrubs.

There was a small number of Second Tier Transcendents.

Third Tiers here were already considered rare experts, usually standing out.

If it was a Fourth Tier, they were basically guaranteed to be selected.

Although a Fourth Tier ’wild man’ was somewhat weaker than a Fourth Tier Transcendent from a society, they would surely qualify in a place like the Challenger Group, where such individuals gathered.

So the question arose: in the group of fifty people just now, there should have been no ordinary humans.

In an environment mostly composed of First Tiers, fewer Second Tiers, and even some Third Tiers, Lu Luo had released his aura just once and caused an instantaneous wipeout of the entire field.

So, how strong must he be?

Fourth Tier? Unlikely.

Fifth Tier? That would also be very hard to achieve.

Then, if he were any stronger, would someone like that even need to participate in the Challenger Group competition?

The so-called Challenger Group was nothing more than an outlet for some low-skilled individuals to vent.

The old man, Code 113, took out his Sequence disc.

This somewhat antiquated disc was a keepsake from his retirement from the main Inspection Department.

After he transferred to the Shadow Department, the Inspection Department, mindful of his past contributions, had not recalled it.

At this moment, the old-fashioned Sequence disc did not rotate, which slightly relieved the old man.

At least, this person is not one of those dangerous Sequencers.

"Hey, old man, we meet again."

The sudden voice startled the old man; he hadn’t even noticed when Lu Luo had come to his side.

Gazing at Lu Luo with a deep and uncertain look, the old man resumed his previous demeanor.

"Don’t think you’re so great just because you’ve beaten a few weaklings. The intensity of the competition here can’t compare to an official Society Congress at all."

"Thanks for the reminder, old-timer. I’m well aware."

The old man turned and left, and Lu Luo didn’t bother him further.

Watching the man’s retreating figure, Lu Luo smiled softly.

A vile character, a hot temper, and distasteful language—it’s quite the formidable disguise.

Lu Luo knew someone else was watching him.

This person was very likely from a department similar to the Inspection Department.

Lu Luo recognized the Sequence disc in the man’s hand; although it wasn’t quite like the one he had seized, the overall design seemed to confirm it was of the same type.

Are there places within the Inspection Department that Zhang Changming can’t control?

Lu Luo was certain; he had just clashed with Zhang Changming.

The game between them was profound—at least, it would seem so to these ordinary Transcendents and regular members of the Inspection Department.

Knowing Zhang Changming’s methods, he wouldn’t have sent such a person to disturb him.

This could only mean that the old man likely wasn’t one of Zhang Changming’s people.

Is there any need to hide my strength? Probably not. After all, this guy has already noticed me.

With that mindset, Lu Luo began to observe the competitions in other groups.

These people’s battles were much more chaotic.

It was a chaotic melee with no discernible rules. In Lu Luo’s eyes, some of their actions were almost indistinguishable from common street brawls.

The caliber of these fighters was even lower than that of the Wasteland Alliance Scavengers.

Scavengers at least had some fighting experience with Exotic Species, but these people were purely scrubs, complete scrubs.

Forget it, let’s just keep watching! There’s nothing else to do before the finals anyway.

Compared to the bored Lu Luo, Qi Xinzhu’s battle was much more exciting.

Deliberate - Thunderous Punch.

Her domineering punch shattered both her opponent and the window behind them. Qi Xinzhu had once again achieved a triumphant one-hit kill.

Beneath her beautiful facade lay an unprecedented sense of oppression.

Qi Xinzhu lowered her fist and turned to the referee. "Do we need to continue?"

Only then did the dumbfounded referee belatedly announce, "The victor: Cain Secret Cultivator Society—Qi Xinzhu!"

Under everyone’s gaze, Qi Xinzhu slowly walked out of the competition area.

As all contestants were elite members of their respective societies, Qi Xinzhu’s first two opponents had been Third Tier Transcendents from other societies.

Although they were relatively weak, their skills, system, and combat awareness were all up to par.

This also gave Qi Xinzhu a preliminary understanding of the strength of these elite society members.

Returning to the Cain Secret Cultivator Society’s designated area for the Society Congress, she sat in the lounge. The surrounding contestants occasionally glanced at her and whispered amongst themselves.

"This woman is amazing."

"The new genius recruited by the Cain Secret Cultivator Society."

"The Cain Secret Cultivator Society? I don’t remember them being that strong."

"They’re okay, I guess. Can’t say they’re particularly strong, but not weak either."

"Now that such an expert has appeared, it’s going to be troublesome."

Their whispers weren’t quiet, and Qi Xinzhu naturally overheard them.

However, she paid them little mind. She was confident in her combat skills against any Transcendent of the same Tier.

Just as Lu Luo had told her, the only ones she needed to be wary of now were Fifth Tier experts, or those who possessed special Transcendent artifacts.

The biggest difference between the people of the Wasteland Alliance and the Empire lay in their Transcendent artifacts.

"How are you feeling?" Sola asked with a smile.

Qi Xinzhu was strong, a fact Sola had known for quite some time.

She still didn’t quite understand what level Qi Xinzhu’s final strength could reach.

But none of that mattered. As long as Lu Luo was present, the Society Congress was merely a plaything for their Circle Company.

"They’re alright," Qi Xinzhu replied. "These people are quite capable, almost on par with the company’s employees."

Company employees? Almost? That assessment seemed a bit inflated!

Sola didn’t know how many employees Circle Company had, much less how many of them could reach Third Tier.

In any case, Circle Company was definitely a more powerful entity than the Cain Secret Cultivator Society.

Just stick close to Circle’s coattails.

"Would you like something to drink?" Sola asked. "I’m afraid we can’t eat yet."

"Just give me some dessert, anything will do."

"Sure."

The relaxed ease between Qi Xinzhu and Sola exerted an even more intense pressure on those nearby.

More ironically, Luo Muqing of the Sunset Association was also in the same group as Qi Xinzhu.

But given Qi Xinzhu’s earlier performance, he had no confidence at all—if they met, he would undoubtedly lose!

It’s impossible, how can she be so strong?

Luo Muqing’s mouth trembled. The Sunset Association instructor beside him sensed his anxiety and gently patted his shoulder.

"Luo Muqing, calm down."

"Instructor?"

"The outcome of a battle isn’t just determined by strength and techniques, but also by equipment and artifacts."

"What do you mean, Instructor?" Hope gleamed in Luo Muqing’s eyes.

The Sunset Association instructor took out a small black box and gently opened it.

A brief flash of cold light was visible before he quickly closed the lid again.

"What is this?" Luo Muqing was startled.

"This is the Wu Qian, also known as the Wu Needle. It can be deployed with a press and is incredibly fast. Each time it penetrates a body, it expands and releases poison. Because it’s extremely fine and small, it’s truly an artifact that kills without a trace."

Extremely fine and small? Kills without a trace?

"Isn’t this a bit too cruel? Miss Qi Xinzhu, she..."

"Luo Muqing, you must understand. Everything you’ve achieved today, beyond your own efforts, is due to the society’s support. What the society needs is your ranking in this Society Congress. Mercy is not the way of the Sunset Association. Besides, even if you use something like the Wu Needle, do you really think anyone will find out?"

Luo Muqing’s fingers trembled slightly. He was known for his honorable and straightforward style; he had never used such despicable hidden weapons before.

But this time, for victory...

"Alright. I understand."

Quietly stowing away the Wu Needle, Luo Muqing felt a sliver of confidence return.

With this, he at least stood a fighting chance against Qi Xinzhu.

Time ticked by, and the matches proceeded one after another.

Fewer and fewer Transcendents remained in their group, but Luo Muqing had still not been matched against Qi Xinzhu.

By rights, all of their group’s matches for the day should have concluded.

Could it really be such a coincidence that they were the final match?

When only Qi Xinzhu and Luo Muqing remained in the venue, Luo Muqing finally stood up.

He seemed to have overcome his nervousness as he slowly approached Qi Xinzhu. "Miss Qi Xinzhu, we meet again."

"Hello, Mr. Luo."

Qi Xinzhu was as polite as ever, while Luo Muqing, upon facing Qi Xinzhu directly, tensed up once again.

All those unrealistic fantasies he once harbored now seemed to be just that—fantasies.

He couldn’t even begin to compare with Lu Luo, let alone Qi Xinzhu. He wasn’t in her league.

But he had to try to complete the task given by the society. So, should he really use the Wu Needle?

"It looks like we’re going to be opponents."

"Opponents? Yes, it seems so."

To be honest, Qi Xinzhu didn’t really consider Luo Muqing an opponent. However, since he put it that way, she still had to give him some face.

"Then... shall we?" Luo Muqing gestured towards the arena. Although the referee hadn’t yet announced the next contenders, they were the only two left in this section of the venue.

"Alright."

The two walked to the center of the arena, one after the other. In the stands, the Sunset Association instructor watched anxiously.

When Qi Xinzhu had her back to Luo Muqing, that was the best opportunity to strike.

But Luo Muqing didn’t make a move, wasting a perfect opportunity.

Luo Muqing, this kid, is still too soft-hearted. After we get back, we’ll need to push him harder.

Standing behind Qi Xinzhu, Luo Muqing had considered attacking. However, when he got close to her, a faint halo of light emanated from her body.

This halo wasn’t visible from a distance, but up close, it was quite apparent.

Was it energy protection inherent to her, or some special defensive measure?

Luo Muqing felt that even if he attacked at this moment, it wouldn’t be very effective.

No, since I’ve made up my mind, I need to do it well. This battle, I must win.

Qi Xinzhu turned her head slightly, looking at Luo Muqing who was tightly clenching his fists.

Heh, he’s really fired up!

When the two faced each other, the referee, sensing the moment, promptly announced the start of the match.

"Match, begin!"

The referee’s voice had barely faded when Qi Xinzhu instantly accelerated.

Her speed was so fast that the referee and the scattered audience in the venue couldn’t even react.

So fast! Where is she attacking? The neck? Chest? Joints?

Luo Muqing didn’t panic. In the heat of the moment, he quickly adjusted his physical state, and an energy reminiscent of the setting sun began to swirl around him.

He had expected Qi Xinzhu to employ some tactics or special moves. But the moment she charged at him, Luo Muqing realized he was wrong.

It was that move again, that plain and simple... straightforward punch!

BOOM!

Luo Muqing raised his arms to block, but Qi Xinzhu’s strength far exceeded his imagination.

His arm bones fractured—perhaps not completely broken, but definitely cracked and bent at an unnatural angle!

What kind of monstrous attack power was this?

"Miss Qi..."

Qi Xinzhu paid him no heed, nor did she give him a chance to counterattack.

In an instant, she had repositioned herself in front of Luo Muqing, crouching slightly.

THUMP!

A direct kick sent Luo Muqing flying.

One should not speak during battle; this was a principle Lu Luo had instilled in every member of Circle Company.

The members of Circle Company, unless they needed to buy time or provoke an opponent with words, would never speak during battle!

Suspended in midair, Luo Muqing couldn’t maneuver his body and could only try to turn himself to face the ground.

But just as he turned, he found Qi Xinzhu had already leaped behind him.

This...

"Can you wait a moment!"

The words had barely left his mouth when Qi Xinzhu’s hand-edge, sharp as a blade, pierced Luo Muqing’s chest.

Luo Muqing felt Qi Xinzhu’s fingers tear through his ribs. A sudden suffocating sensation overwhelmed him as his sternum was instantaneously shattered by an energy brimming with a sacred aura.

BOOM!

A large spray of blood erupted in the air as Luo Muqing’s fingers tightly grasped the Wu Needle!

Despair and shock filled Luo Muqing’s heart.

He had considered the possibility of defeat, but he hadn’t expected to fail so quickly, nor had he expected Qi Xinzhu to strike with such ruthlessness.

Completely belying her gentle appearance, Qi Xinzhu’s attacks were as decisive and cold as an assassin’s.

Resolute and chilling, she gave him no time to catch his breath, let alone an opportunity to use the Wu Needle.

Luo Muqing crashed heavily to the ground, blood splattering widely.

All those watching the match had already stood up.

"Could someone have died?"

"I don’t know. It looks like it."

The crowd hadn’t expected Qi Xinzhu, who had seemed so gentle before, to strike so ruthlessly this time.

Her previous fights had been swift and decisive, but in none of them had she been as brutal as she was with Luo Muqing, beating him so severely.

What’s going on? Is there some grudge?

Qi Xinzhu glanced at Luo Muqing, who lay sprawled on the ground. Her ruthlessness wasn’t due to any personal grudge. Rather, it was because Luo Muqing was the only Fourth Tier Transcendent she had encountered so far.

Fourth Tier was a somewhat ambiguous stage of power. If I didn’t go all out and incapacitate him, what if he had a counterattack prepared? Going all out is the best way to prevent an upset.

"Referee, isn’t it about time?" Qi Xinzhu called out. "He’s not dead yet, but if this drags on..."

"Ah, yes! The victor is—"

"Wait! I’m not dead yet!"

Luo Muqing struggled to his feet, his face a ghastly pale. His right hand already tightly gripped the Wu Needle.

Carrying the heavy responsibility of his society, he couldn’t just fall here.

He still had the Wu Needle. He could still turn this around!