The Last Straw

After pondering for a moment, Si Ming came up with a compromise. "How about this, we'll hold our breath and slowly stroll up the mountain. If we happen to encounter any contestants with number plates, we'll snatch them from them. If we don't, then they're lucky."

According to the competition rules, it is not allowed to hide the number plate in any way; otherwise, it will be considered cheating and the participant will be disqualified. Therefore, there is no need to worry about others burying the number plate in the ground.

"Yes, young master."

Si Jingyu slowly opened the paper fan, and the words on it had changed to "It is indeed my wish."

"By the way, I've wanted to ask you this for a while: how did you manage to change the words on the fan? Or did you prepare a whole bunch of paper fans beforehand and just wait for the right moment to take out the one you needed?"

The latter is not so surprising; many magicians on Earth can do it, but Si Ming felt that it shouldn't be that simple.

"Actually, I already gave you the answer, it lies in the four words 'Clear Mirror and Still Water'," Si Jingyu said with a reserved smile, covering her face with her fan.

"Having grasped the Clear Mirror and Still Water, one can still do something like this?"

"What is Clear Mirror and Still Water? It reflects everything clearly, responds to events as they come, prepares for them without anticipation, and delays them without waiting for them to happen. It perfectly aligns with the principles of both internal and external affairs, and is deeply in line with the appropriateness of the times. It is like the sky, which covers everything, and like the earth, which bears everything."

Si Ming seemed to understand but not quite, and asked, "Is there an easier way to put it?"

"A girl's secrets, if you keep asking, it just shows you don't understand romance."

"All right."

"Take the number and hurry up, I'll hold off the pursuers."

Tong Zhantang of Tongfu Escort Agency tossed the jade token to his teammate Bai Xiangyu, then turned around and used his acupoint striking technique to stop two contestants who were trying to snatch the jade token.

It wasn't a matter of life and death, so Bai Xiangyu turned and ran. She used her lightness skill to dash through the forest like a swallow, and with the cover of the trees, she disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Bai Xiangyu turned her head and glanced behind her. Seeing no pursuers, she breathed a sigh of relief and was about to stop and rest for a while when suddenly, she heard a man's voice in her ear.

"Fellow Daoist, please wait."

Chapter 772 Unbearable

Behind the Earth Emperor University, nine players from four traditionally strong teams gathered together through the efforts of a dedicated individual.

"Did Linked Mountains University also snatch your number plates?"

"Yes, he suddenly said, 'Benefactor, this card is destined for Buddha,' and stole it. We didn't even know when he made the move. I guess he used the Divine Thief Sect technique, 'Flying Dragon Cloud-Probing Hand.'"

"I managed to say 'Fellow Daoist, please wait,' and before I knew it, I was flung away," Bai Xiangyu recalled her ordeal with a sigh. "The difference in strength was too great; I didn't dare turn back to snatch it, so I could only flee first."

"Being strong doesn't mean you can bully people like this. They eat the meat but won't let others have any soup. I heard they already have at least four number plates. What a bunch of bastards! What's the use of having so many plates? Do they think they're collecting stamps?" Li Yunfei from Hundred Battles Martial Arts School said indignantly.

"Maybe they think collecting all seven cards will grant them a wish," Chu Yunlong, a teammate from the same martial arts school, told a lame joke.

Tong Zhantang, who looked like a fair-skinned young man, said, "This is going to be a headache for Earth Emperor University. Linked Mountains University's actions are tantamount to sabotaging the competition. I guess they didn't expect that one number plate would be enough, but some people wanted to collect them all, and the competition rules didn't say that it was forbidden to do so."

Bai Xiangyu poked his forehead with her finger, exasperated, and Dao Contention, "At most, Earth Emperor University will lose face. They can just admit that their lottery test had flaws and that they didn't think things through enough, and then let Linked Mountains University choose one from the numbers. But we'll go back empty-handed, losing both face and dignity. Do you think there won't be any punishment?"

The Hundred Battles Martial Arts School is composed of retired soldiers and is managed with military discipline. Thinking about the possible punishment he might face upon returning home, Li Yunfei couldn't help but click his tongue and say, "Damn it, when you're down on your luck, even a fart hits your heel!"

He immediately clenched his fist and said, "No, even if I lose, I'll lose like a man. I can't go back like this, cowardly. If I'm going to die, I'll die on the road to victory."

Chu Yunlong said unhurriedly, "We won't die, it's not a life-or-death duel, but winning won't be easy either. I've already found out that one of the representatives from Linked Mountains University is 'Mad Ink,' who shone brightly in the recent war in the Northern Continent. Taking the head of Demon General from a million-strong army was as easy as taking something out of a bag. Although his cultivation level isn't Spirit Transformation, his strength is already at the Spirit Transformation level. Our chances of taking the card from him are slim."

"So he's a veteran," Li Yunfei's tense face relaxed a bit. "But the more that's the case, the less we can afford to be looked down upon. So what if he's a Spirit Transformation level expert? He still only has one head, two arms, and two legs. Even if the sky falls, we'll hold it up with our heads. Even if he's in a tiger's mouth, Laozi can still break off two of its teeth."

Bai Xiangyu praised, "Well said! So what if he's a true Spirit Transformation Grandmaster? Aren't there countless examples of Spirit Transformation being defeated by non-Nascent Spirit Transformation? We have so many of us; as long as we work together, victory is absolutely assured."

Chu Yunlong said, "Then we need to think this through carefully. If we rush in all at once, we'll only be picked off one by one. We need to use military tactics to coordinate our efforts and unite everyone's strength into one. Only then will we have a chance of winning. Here's something to note: each team gets one number plate at the end. Don't think about backing out after grabbing a plate. You must do your best to eliminate the two from Linked Mountains University. Otherwise, even if you get a number plate, they might take it back. Don't take any chances."

"Of course, we understand the importance of prioritizing the overall situation." Everyone nodded in agreement.

Li Yunfei urged, "Tell me your idea quickly, don't keep me in suspense. My temples are throbbing, I have a bad feeling."

"The other side is holding several number plates, which are clearly visible and cannot conceal their movements. Our advantage lies in the fact that they are in the open while we are in the shadows; we must take advantage of this. Therefore, the first step is to choose a good ambush location, preferably near the border, so we can forcefully eliminate them. The second step..."

Why go through all this trouble? Wouldn't it be much more straightforward to just take action and subdue them with force?

Such a reckless remark immediately aroused everyone's disgust. Even Li Yunfei, who seemed impulsive and reckless, actually understood the principle of "all's fair in war." He immediately looked in the direction of the voice to see which team member was so brainless. Then everyone was stunned.

Si Jingyu gracefully curtsied and said, "Good evening, everyone. This servant is here on the young master's orders to send you all out of the game."

"Damn it..."

Li Yunfei was the first to react, drawing his sword and slashing forward with lightning speed. The others also reacted quickly, each launching their own attacks. After all, the opponent was only one person, while they had nine, so there was no need for defense.

However, Si Jingyu was prepared. With a light step, her figure flashed like a ghost, dodging the attack and rushing into the crowd. This made everyone hesitant to attack, fearing that they might harm their ally.

"Fuxi Phoenix Comes!"

Si Jingyu held a fan in one hand and turned her other hand into a palm, twisting her body like a dancer, creating graceful dance moves. Everyone could clearly see her every movement, but for some reason, they just couldn't avoid it.

In an instant, a series of crackling sounds rang out as everyone was struck. The vicious internal True Qi entered their bodies, causing excruciating pain in their meridians, and they all fell outwards.

"She's also a Spirit Transformation level expert!" Tong Zhantang exclaimed in surprise.

"What Spirit Transformation level? She's Spirit Transformation Grandmaster!"

Bai Xiangyu shouted, enduring the excruciating pain within her body, and used the Surging Waves Palm technique with both hands, unleashing a surge of Gang Qi like a tidal wave.

Si Jingyu twirled her paper fan, her Gang Qi striking the umbrella surface but being gently deflected. She then turned her attack on her back, sending a contestant who attempted a sneak attack from behind flying and coughing up blood.

"Sunflower Flying Shadow!"