Reborn as a Hatrack in the Mystical Land-Chapter 730 - 187: Unknown Secrets

The palace’s eaves tower deeply, a crescent moon hangs upside down like a hook.

Within the Imperial Study Room of the Wo Hua Imperial City, Princess Long Xue put down the brush in her hand.

Ever since she was attacked last time, Zhan Tian had always been guarding inside her Imperial Study Room, often silent throughout the night, one reviewing documents, the other standing by attentively.

This night was somewhat unusual, as the normally reticent Zhan Tian opened his mouth to speak several times but held himself back in the end.

Eventually, it was Princess Long Xue who could not restrain herself and spoke first.

"Zhan Tian, do you have something you wish to ask this princess?"

"Princess, this servant is puzzled, why would you recommend Yue Minzhi and several others to participate in the Xuyang Trial this time?" Others might not be aware of Yue Jinghua’s capabilities, but Zhan Tian understood that her talents far exceeded Yue Minzhi’s. At such a young age, Yue Jinghua had Initial Involvement with her Domain, and if she was to be diligently nurtured, her future would be boundless.

Moreover, in a contest like the Xuyang Trial, strength is not the sole crucial factor. Many unknown elements or relations between countries and organizations could likely affect the final results.

Furthermore, this time the Xuyang Trial was merged with the Mercenary Newcomer King Competition, greatly increasing the potential disturbances from various factors.

Therefore, Zhan Tian believed that letting the sincere and straightforward Yue Minzhi represent the Empire in the contest was far less safe than allowing the cunning as a fox Yue Jinghua to do so.

"Zhan Tian, it’s not that this princess does not wish for her to compete, but there are those who do not want her to," Princess Long Xue revealed a rare expression of helplessness.

"Do you mean someone has made arrangements in advance to prevent Yue Jinghua from competing? This goes against the rules of the competition and does not align with the usual style of conduct for you, princess," Zhan Tian was greatly astounded. He had not anticipated that before the start of the Xuyang Trial’s competition, hidden powers had already begun to influence the selection of participants.

"It goes against the grain, but it must be done. Not wanting the Empire’s most likely candidate to victory to partake in the competition is not my desire. Remember that in the last Xuyang Trial, Long Jiuzun came out on top, and the Dragon War Empire was in its prime. But this time, we can’t claim the championship again," Princess Long Xue rubbed her temples, showing a face full of fatigue.

The common folks all think that since she was born of high stature, her life is one of doing as she pleases. But who knows that it is exactly someone of her high position who is in the most turbulent and dangerous place on the continent.

Yue Jinghua offended an enormous and unnamed power, which explicitly forbade her participation in the Xuyang Trial. Coupled with the fact that Yue Jinghua herself had previously rejected the Mercenary Guild’s recommendation, this could only be regarded as her missing out on a great opportunity to make a name for herself in the world.

In fact, the gains from the Xuyang Trial are not limited to fame alone. The contest that attracts the world’s most promising young Dark Practitioners obviously enriches anyone merely by participating in the elimination rounds.

After all, compared to famous experts who are already well-known, what young people lack the most is practical combat experience and various forms of tempering. The competitive Xuyang Trial and the Mercenary Newcomer King Competition undoubtedly provide them with the most suitable venues.

"As you’ve said, does it mean that the Dragon War’s recommended candidates have no chance of coming out on top in this Xuyang Trial?" Zhan Tian could not believe that not only was Yue Jinghua’s participation in jeopardy, but even the results of the Xuyang Trial seemed to have been predetermined.

"It can be said so, and that’s also why I agreed not to recommend Yue Jinghua. Zhan Tian, based on your understanding of the Yue siblings, if it were for the needs of the Empire, and they had to withdraw from the competition or forfeit at the last moment, would they compromise?" Princess Long Xue, who had the Tian Family’s royal blood running through her veins, understood that sometimes the best subjects are not necessarily the smartest or most talented. Instead, what she needs are those who can make the right choices at crucial moments, considering the broader interests of the state.

Princess Long Xue’s rhetorical question had already answered all the reasons for choosing Yue Minzhi over Yue Jinghua.

Loyal as Yue Minzhi is, he would unhesitatingly comply with the nation’s request. In contrast, with Yue Jinghua’s rebellious nature and her tenacity to persist until achieving her goals, she would probably just scoff and continue doing her own thing.

"However, the Xuyang Trial opportunity is indeed rare, and it’s quite a pity for Yue Minzhi," Zhan Tian felt a sense of pity for his student. After all, Yue Minzhi is a once-in-centuries Double Dragon Knight.

"It’s only that he was born at an inopportune time. You know, the participants in this Xuyang Trial..." Princess Long Xue shook her head.

She abruptly changed the topic, "Zhan Tian, when was the last time you saw Xue Lingshang?" 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Zhan Tian was caught off guard by the question and for a moment, he didn’t know how to respond.

Xue Lingshang was none other than the name Princess Long Xue used during her travels, including her time as the vice-president of the Outer Court at the Royal Xuanji Academy in the Shang Kingdom. Now that she has returned to the Imperial City and resumed her role as the Eldest Imperial Princess, why would she suddenly bring up Xue Lingshang again?

Could it be that the Princess... Zhan Tian’s head spun, not daring to continue the thought. He hurriedly interrupted, "Princess, you must not, the Xuyang Trial is fraught with peril, you must not act recklessly."

"Who says I’m acting recklessly? Xue Lingshang has traveled far and wide across the continent for many years, almost completely traversing it, yet there are a few places never visited. I’ve made a vow that before my ascension to the throne, I must visit one of them. Do you know where this Xuyang Trial is going to be held?" When Xue Lingshang talked about the location of the Xuyang Trial, her eyes sparkled with the longing of a young girl.

Seeing her expression, Zhan Tian felt a chill run down his spine; he knew too well the kind of storm that followed whenever the Princess had such a look in her eyes.

"Princess, you mustn’t. You must understand that now is not the time to leave the Imperial City, with the Emperor in poor health and Long Jiuzun’s recent demise leading to chaos in the court," Zhan Tian wanted to slap himself for even mentioning the Xuyang Trial. Now he had piqued her interest.

"Don’t worry, Father’s health won’t be much of an issue with Cheng Danfeng tending to him. The Long Family without a leader isn’t a threat either. You haven’t heard the full story. The location of this Xuyang Trial, it’s not only I who would be enthralled, but even you would yearn for it once you knew. The competition venue of the Xuyang Trial is set in the Four Symbols Chess Middle City," Princess Long Xue said excitedly, spouting a name that petrified Zhan Tian on the spot.

Four Symbols Chess Middle City?!

After hearing this name, Zhan Tian felt a thunderous boom in his head.

Princess Long Xue looked straight at him, "That place, it’s not only where I wish to go, but I fear all Dark Practitioners in the world would too."

He finally understood why Princess Long Xue insisted on going there despite the Empire’s current troubles.

It was the legendary Miracle City, the city on the continent closest to the Divine Plane as spoken of in lore, the Four Symbols Chess Middle City.

This Xuyang Trial is indeed extraordinary.