Chapter 546 – Real and Fake Rewards (3k)
All eyes fell on Su Jiu, showing a mixture of awe, numbness, and a greater sense of shock after the silence. Su Jiu had not only defeated a Demigod-level expert but, more importantly, had also dodged an attack from a Mid-tier War God.
It was important to note that although Quasi-War God level experts were close to War God level, War Gods possessed complete laws. The two levels seemed similar, but the gap was vast, let alone a Mid-tier War God.
Su Jiu’s ability to move as she pleased while being ambushed by a Mid-tier War God was enough to shock these异族 [yì zú – foreign races] and ordinary citizens. Some ordinary citizens even believed Su Jiu was already the National Master.
“This… she… she’s really just a university student?”
Morin removed his magic hat abruptly, a deep sense of frustration washing over his face. He considered himself a top prodigy, but compared to her, he felt like nothing.
Sometimes, the gap between people was wider than the gap between a person and a dog.
“Don’t compare yourself. You’ve already done very well.”
The bald young man also withdrew his gaze, tidied his attire, and reached out to his nephew, Morin, patting his hat. He looked at Su Jiu’s direction and smiled faintly.
“Heh… every era has its Golden Generation, and this Golden Generation will certainly be a tiered one. What she has to face is not something you can face. Cultivate well, and you will surely achieve War God level.”
“Uncle, what does she have to face? Are we facing some disaster?” Morin asked, confused.
The bald young man shook his magic cloak and turned his head, smiling faintly. “The deep sea, the sky, various monster kingdoms similar to Snow Country, each place filled with the unknown and danger. The prefectures near the sea have been allocated with Wanderers stationed there, for this very reason.”
“Wanderers? Why is the coastline in need of such a level of guard? Aren’t ordinary War Gods enough?”
Morin swallowed and continued to ask, knowing that each Wanderer was an outstanding individual from their era. Having them deal with it meant a disaster unimaginable to ordinary people.
“Not all monsters are as ambitious as the Snow Demon Clan. Emperor-level monsters of similar size are constantly probing humanity. Unless it’s a highly ranked Wanderer, it’s impossible to match them. Once, in the South Sea area of Dragon Country…”
The bald young man spoke softly, his voice suddenly paused, and he shook his head again, as if unwilling to mention those events. He looked towards the Ancient God Sect and changed the subject, sneering,
“Let’s not overthink things. Let’s finish what’s in front of us first. Those things are truly disgusting to look at.”
…
“First match, Blood Clan’s Su Jiu wins! Please have the second match contestants come to the stage quickly!”
As the Snow Empress’s voice rang out, the heavily injured Elder of the Frost Ghost Tribe stared blankly at the headless corpse, his expression somewhat crazed. He stumbled towards it.
“How did you die?! If you die, how will I explain to the leader…”
This was the most talented genius in the tribe, but now he was dead. If he returned, he would likely be severely punished by the leader.
The Elder of the Frost Ghost Tribe looked up at Su Jiu with a cold gaze, wanting to make a move. However, he saw the Snow Empress, who had descended at some unknown time, and could only give up.
The Snow Empress glanced at the former and lightly waved her sleeve, saying softly, “Leave. Considering you helped me capture my third sister, I will not kill you.”
“What a nice ‘not killing’… are you afraid other small monster races will think you’re a traitor after you’ve used them?”
The Elder of the Frost Ghost Tribe’s eyes turned crimson, and he slowly spat out a few words. He could feel that the status of his异族 [yì zú – foreign races] in this Snow Country was about to undergo a drastic change.
Not only was the tribe’s genius slain, but he was also heavily injured and had to be a stepping stone for display of power, a complete disgrace.
“Your Majesty, I shall take my leave first. We will arrive at the Ancient Imperial Capital on time for tomorrow’s departure.”
Su Jiu cupped her hands towards the Snow Empress and said respectfully. Even though she knew the other party was using her, she couldn’t help but admire their methods, allowing her to compete while also finding ways to prune those “branches.”
“As I said, whoever does wicked deeds will eventually destroy themselves.”
With the Snow Empress nodding with a smile, she glanced at the Elder of the Frost Ghost Tribe not far away, uttered a faint sentence, and then walked off the stage. Reaching the edge, she grabbed the iron chain and somersaulted over.
The crowd automatically made way for Su Jiu. Under their gaze, she exhaled a puff of white air, then adjusted her scarf, and left towards an unknown destination.
“Sister Su Jiu, over here!”
Upon reaching a street corner, she heard a voice calling her. She followed the sound and saw Anna waving at her near the signboard. The Snow Brown Bear stood guard beside her like an iron tower, with his arms crossed, constantly scanning their surroundings to prevent anyone from making a move.
Su Jiu smiled again and walked towards them. This girl thought she had already left, not expecting her to be waiting for her at the exit the whole time.
“Anna… Guanchang?”
As Su Jiu approached, she discovered the Old Mr. Guanchang, dressed in a mascot costume, hiding behind the Snow Brown Bear’s tall body. She paused, asking somewhat confusedly, “Is there something?”
“You’re saying that! Can’t I look for you if there’s nothing?” The Old Mr. Guanchang glared at Su Jiu and said irritably.
Su Jiu waved her hands, feeling a bit helpless. She couldn’t figure out why the Old Mr. Guanchang wanted to come over.
The next moment, a voice that hadn’t been heard for a long time suddenly echoed in her mind—
“Congratulations, mission complete. Please confirm your reward.”
Hearing this voice, Su Jiu was initially delighted. The Old Mr. Guanchang was here to deliver a gift. But then, doubt arose in her heart. She had never seen any phantom, nor had she truly become the National Master…
She hadn’t even solved any problems.
“Indeed, there is something to give you.”
Seeing Su Jiu’s expression, the Old Mr. Guanchang paused again and very seriously took out a blue bead from his mascot pocket. The bead emitted a faint chilling aura. He handed the bead to Su Jiu and smiled,
“This is what that phantom wanted me to pass to you. It’s the Dragon Rhythm of the Eastern Frost Dragon. You should have a dual-attribute bloodline, right? It can truly turn your human bloodline into an S-class Frost Dragon bloodline, and with luck, it might even increase your cultivation level by a small margin.”
Suppressing the desire in her heart, Su Jiu still felt that the mission reward was too simple, so simple that it didn’t seem real. She didn’t rush to take the Dragon Rhythm but shook her head slightly.
“Didn’t you say I’d only get rewards after becoming the National Master? Giving it to me now, just after defeating Kantu’er, isn’t that a bit inappropriate?”
The mission completing early made her feel uneasy.
“But if you don’t take this Dragon Soul, it will be very difficult to contend for the position of National Master. I predicted you would encounter opponents at or above War God level,” the Old Mr. Guanchang continued to persuade. However, seeing Su Jiu’s unyielding attitude, he put the Dragon Rhythm back into his pocket.
“When the soldiers come, they will be blocked; when the water comes, it will be covered.”
Su Jiu chuckled. The voice in her mind sounded again—”Mission: Lost Soul, Reward: To be determined by the mysterious phantom.” She didn’t quite understand the space’s meaning. Had the mission been triggered in reverse?
But the Old Mr. Guanchang’s actions made her feel that she should have triggered a special path, and the reward pool would continue to accumulate.
After a brief exchange, Su Jiu commanded, summoning a blood-gold energy sword. After bidding farewell to the Old Mr. Guanchang, she, along with Rolina, set off towards the small villa outside the city.
“You guessed wrong. She didn’t want this ordinary Dragon Rhythm.”
Watching them leave, the Old Mr. Guanchang muttered to himself, making the Snow Brown Bear beside him feel a little creeped out. He quickly left, needing to report the interaction between Anna and Su Jiu.
“Finally gone.”
After the Snow Brown Bear disappeared, a phantom of a ghost slowly appeared in the place he had been standing. He fiddled with his virtual hat and said softly, “I can feel that she is tempted, but for some reason, she suppressed her longing.”
“This can be considered passing the small test…”
Upon hearing his words, the Old Mr. Guanchang’s eyes narrowed slightly, as if he had thought of something. He suddenly said, “Did you plan to give her your Dragon Rhythm after she became the National Master?”
“Hmm, but only mine.”
The phantom smiled faintly and suddenly produced an azure bead in his hand, bearing some dragon scale imprints. It looked significantly more high-class than the previous Dragon Rhythm.
“Frost Ghost, Alain, Battle General Late Stage, Crimes: Arson and plunder…”
Suddenly, some voices sounded. They looked up slightly at the street. After Su Jiu’s match, many guards suddenly appeared to capture the 异族 [yì zú – foreign races]…
The times were changing, but this was not enough. The phantom shook his head slightly. What she wanted was simple, but it was also the most achievable thing now.
Just as the two were about to leave, the figure in the black cloak suddenly appeared in front of her. Swiftly, he knelt on one knee, fist to the ground, and said softly,
“Chief Executive Ryan greets Queen Maria. His Royal Highness, the Grand Prince, has been following your instructions and showing great care to the Fourth Princess.”
“Except for the third one, Levitt never made a move against his other siblings. I am aware of this.”
The phantom waved his hand indifferently. He then looked at the Elder of the Frost Ghost Tribe, who had long since disappeared, and frowned again. He commanded,
“Find the Elder of the Frost Ghost Tribe. We absolutely cannot let him wander off. He might make a move against my granddaughter or this candidate for National Master.”
“Yes!”
Softly acknowledging, the black shadow merged into the ground like the bishop of the Ancient God Sect, but after a moment, he had vanished without a trace.
…
In a snow forest several kilometers away from the imperial city, dozens of figures appeared. Each figure possessed Battle King level strength. The figure in the lead bore some resemblance to the Elder, but his aura was slightly weaker than the latter.
“Big brother has safely left the city. He ordered us to directly set up a formation to ambush those who are heading to the Ancient Imperial Capital.”
The figure in the lead looked at the contents of the letter. Originally, he was fine, but as he read, a surge of anger welled up within him. His hoarse voice echoed in the snow forest:
“My grandson Kantu’er is dead?!”
