Digging Pits for the Candidates

Qing Chen didn't know what the past Shadow Struggle missions were, but he felt that it was not normal for all the candidates to suddenly go to City No. 18.

According to the information he knew, the entire Qing family bloodline was scattered across nine cities, with factions scheming against each other and rarely gathering together.

Only at the family convention held once every four years do all the people gather in City No. 10... the political center of the Federation.

However, regardless of the circumstances, this intelligence was extremely important to Qing Chen.

In the upcoming Shadow Struggle, he will have to rely on himself.

This chat group will likely provide him with a lot of useful information in the future.

It seems that Li Si, this Time Walker, is someone who can connect with the Qing family, otherwise he wouldn't be so concerned about the Shadow Struggle.

In the chat group, Li Si asked, "Is the gathering of candidates in City No. 18 related to the Li family? Why?"

The Chuang Wang said, "Don't you know? The old man of the Li family is not long for this world. The Banshan Manor in District 1 where he lives has been suddenly placed under martial law three times in the past two months. Currently, a medical team has been stationed at the manor. Judging from all the signs, the Li family is about to enter a period of chaos."

The Chuang Wang continued, "When power is transferred within these conglomerates, all sorts of problems always arise. The Qing family had its own power struggle, and the Li family will naturally have its own. Currently, the most likely successor to the Li family is the eldest First Branch, but I believe the other members of the Li family will not sit idly by and wait to be eliminated."

"But why would the Qing family's Shadow Candidate get involved in the Li family's affairs?" Li Si was still puzzled.

"The most infamous aspect of the Qing family's shadow agents throughout history is their various shady methods," Chuang Wang explained. "Do you think this shady stuff is just going out into the street and getting hit with a brick? Of course not. This so-called shady stuff involves espionage, infiltration, and strategic alliances. You could say that all external affairs are under the control of the shadow agents. Therefore, I suspect that the Qing family's second round of missions might be related to the power transition within the Li family. Perhaps they're tasked with secretly selecting a member of the Li family to support? That way, even if the Li family changes hands, the next generation of Qing family shadow agents can maintain a close relationship with the Li family. Haha, I'm just saying this, take it with a grain of salt."

Qing Chen pondered, thinking that the Chuang Wang's guess seemed quite plausible.

At this moment, he took the phone from Nan Gengchen and sent the message to the group.

A Little Duck: "I heard that the first round of the Shadow Struggle's mission is for everyone to successfully obtain a Forbidden Item? Is that true?"

Chuang Wang replied cheerfully, "This little duckling brother is quite well-informed. That's right, exactly. Qing Huai entered Forbidden Zone No. 002 before because the mission required him to retrieve a Forbidden Item called the Serpent of Deceit, ACE-003."

Qing Chen slowly typed, "In other words, every Shadow Candidate must have a Forbidden Item on them. If we rob them, can we get their Forbidden Item? Or, how about we join forces? Each Forbidden Item has an exceptionally powerful effect and is the foundation for survival in the Inner World."

Nan Gengchen knew that Qing Chen Shadow Candidate, and when he saw the message Qing Chen posted, he immediately exclaimed that he was an expert!

Brother Chen isn't trying to steal the Forbidden Item; he's clearly trying to incite others to fight for Forbidden Item, so he can clear the way for some of the Shadow Struggle for himself!

That's why Brother Chen suddenly intervened in the chat!

The last holder of the open-pit Demon Stamp.

This time, the opening is a trap for the Shadow Candidate.

Qing Chen is either scheming or on his way to scheming. Nan Gengchen was filled with respect. Perhaps only someone like him is more suited to survive in harsh environments.

The chat group suddenly fell silent, as everyone seemed to be pondering the Forbidden Item subject.

Just as Qing Chen was thinking about how to steer the conversation, Chuang Wang suddenly chimed in. "Hehe, regarding the Little Duck Brothers' suggestion, I've thought about it seriously and it's not entirely unfeasible. At least I can provide two pieces of information: this time, among the Shadow Candidate who went to City No. 18, at least three of them have no roots in City No. 18."

"Moreover, the problem is that since they are involved in the Shadow Struggle, they will naturally fight each other, while we Time Walker can sit back and watch the tigers fight. As a friendly reminder, it is said that a certain Shadow Candidate has two Forbidden Item on him."

These two sentences from the Chuang Wang undoubtedly stirred up the emotions of everyone in the group.

Forbidden Item.

There are currently only about three hundred known Forbidden Item, most of which are still missing. The Qing Clan's Shadow Candidate can rely on the Qing Clan's powerful intelligence capabilities to find some of the lost Forbidden Item among the people, but the Time Walker do not have such great abilities.

Therefore, robbery would be a shortcut.

The Shadow Struggle is a path of struggle, and isn't the relationship between Time Walker also a kind of competition?

Ultimately, it's just Shadow Struggle with a larger number of participants, and the intensity is no less than that of the Shadow Struggle.

Moreover, many people have already experienced the strangeness of Forbidden Item. For example, the Demon Stamp, a functional Forbidden Item, is just as mysterious, even though it does not have powerful combat assistance capabilities.

This kind of thing has an irresistible attraction for Time Walker who are just getting into the occult.

Qing Chen sent a message: "But I think it's better to be on the safe side and have everyone join forces."

But then Lu Ya sent a message in the group. "There's no need to join forces. Let's each rely on our own abilities."

Qing Chen breathed a sigh of relief. As long as someone took the bait, that was fine. As for whether or not they would team up, he had no intention of joining forces with these strangers.

As long as it creates some enemies for the other Shadow Candidate, that's fine.

When he looked up, he found Li Tongyun Nan Gengchen staring blankly at him.

"Brother Qing Chen, you're being too mean," the little girl said.

Qing Chen keenly noticed a detail: Li Tongyun said he was too mean.

If an outsider, unaware of his identity Shadow Candidate, saw this chat log, they would at most think he coveted Forbidden Item. Only those who knew his identity would realize that he was planning to use one enemy to devour another!

Qing Chen looked at Li Tongyun thoughtfully, only to see the little girl suddenly cover her mouth. "Oops, you've revealed the details."

"When did you confirm my identity? What clue did you use?" Qing Chen asked curiously.

Li Tongyun said obediently, "We don't need any clues. So many things have happened, even people online are speculating whether Liu Dezhu has another boss behind him. I was thinking, if someone is secretly controlling all this, it must be you, and only Brother Qing Chen has that ability. So, I've been certain of your identity for a long time, Brother Qing Chen is the most amazing!"

Qing Chen was stunned. Many people were searching for clues to try to uncover his true identity, but Li Tongyun directly determined his identity with unconditional trust and admiration.

But then Qing Chen said to him, "Xiao Nan, now that you two have revealed your identities to each other, you will be partners in the Inner World from now on. Try to help each other out, and if there are any decisions you can't make, you can ask Xiao Tongyun for advice..."

As Nan Gengchen listened from the side, he felt something was amiss...

Qing Chen looked at Li Tongyun: "Is the old man from the Li family really in bad shape?"

"Yes," Li Tongyun nodded, "I went to see him three days ago. He seemed to be in pretty good spirits then, but I heard from the servants at the Banshan Manor that he had fainted and was only saved after a lot of effort. These days, there have been people coming and going at the Banshan Manor, and members of the Li family in the Federation Group Army have been summoned one by one for individual meetings. I guess Grandpa Li is making arrangements for his funeral. The servants said he's still holding on by a thread, but the matters haven't been settled yet."

"So who is the most likely person in the Li family to take over the reins now?" Qing Chen asked.

"During the internal meetings, I could only sit quietly in the corner and couldn't observe everyone's expressions and details," Li Tongyun said. "Currently, it seems that the most arrogant person in the meeting is still the First Branch, who seems to have victory in his grasp. But I don't think it will be that simple. A barking dog doesn't bite. My old butler said that City No. 18 is going to be in turmoil, and many people will die next."

Qing Chen nodded. In the Inner World, the heads of conglomerates are no different from emperors. How many dynasties in history have been able to change hands peacefully?

So the old butler was right, many people will die in City No. 18.

Many people in the world believe that the Shadow Struggle of the Qing family was a cruel and foolish process.

After all, the Shadow Struggle, which happen only once every ten years or so, always sacrifice several outstanding young talents within a family, so this system seems like it's stabbing itself in the back.

However, after carefully learning about these conglomerates, Qing Chen suddenly realized that the Shadow Struggle was actually a very clever system because it completed the transfer of power in a very long process, before the most extreme situation could break out.

When the previous head of the family abdicated, Shadow already held absolute power, and no one could compete with him for anything.

Moreover, the Shadow Struggle system also selects the most ruthless, intelligent, and powerful successor for the family.

Even if a candidate is kind at the beginning, it would be difficult for them to remain kind after going through this process.

This system is brutal for candidates, but beneficial to their families.

The reason why such behemoths as conglomerates can stand in the Federation for so long is not because of kindness, but because of ruthlessness and wisdom.

Only then did Qing Chen look at the time on his arm.

Countdown 46:00:00.

It's 2 a. m. now, which means this comeback will only last for two days.

"Xiao Tongyun, go back to sleep. You have to go to school tomorrow," Qing Chen said as he escorted Li Tongyun upstairs.

Before entering the house, the little girl looked at him expectantly and asked, "When Grandma and Grandpa go back to Zhengcheng, can I stay with Mommy at your place for a few days?"

"Okay," Qing Chen smiled indulgently, "Go back now."

At this moment, everyone needs to rest and recharge, because they are about to head to the Inner World again to face the impending storm in City No. 18.

Thank you to Yan Yu Jing Ru Hua and Qing You Yu for becoming new patrons of this book. The boss is generous and may the boss prosper!