Yang Jingnian, the Mole!
Inside the battle arena, three martial arts competitions were in full swing.
Among them, the battle between Grandmaster Martial Artist caused the greatest commotion. Even sitting in the rest area, Chen Lie could feel the huge shockwave caused by the collision of Innate Gang Qi.
Although they were several kilometers apart, a strong gust of air still rushed towards Chen Lie.
In the Grandmaster Battle, although Meng Yuehan from Wood Source Planet temporarily suppressed Yan Gao with her fierce sword techniques, how could Grandmaster selected from around the world be a simple character?
Although Yan Gao was temporarily at a disadvantage, he showed no signs of defeat.
While the Grandmaster battle is still undecided, the battles between Qi and Blood Martial Artist and True Qi Martial Artist Battle have already concluded.
"The thirteenth battle, the battle of Qi and Blood Martial Artist."
Blue Star Kang Quanlin vs. Wood Source Planet Zhou Yunqi, Wood Source Planet Zhou Yunqi wins, Wood Source Planet's score increases by one.
"The fourteenth battle, True Qi Martial Artist Battle."
Blue Star Gu Yuanyun vs. Wood Source Planet Yuan Han, Blue Star Gu Yuanyun wins, Blue Star's score increases by one.
After the Optical Computer finished its announcement, the scores for Blue Star and Wood Source Planet on the virtual projection above became 7 and 6 respectively.
Blue Star is up by 7 points, Wood Source Planet is up by 6 points, so Blue Star still leads by one point.
After the two battles ended, a new battle immediately began.
"The fifteenth battle, the battle of Qi and Blood Martial Artist."
Blue Star Shao Keyu vs. Wood Source Planet Zu Keying.
"Two-star contestants must immediately enter the arena for the duel; those who do not enter the arena within 100 seconds will be considered to have automatically forfeited."
"The sixteenth battle, True Qi Martial Artist Battle."
Blue Star Huo Jinghong vs. Wood Source Planet Fan Zonglin.
"Two-star contestants must immediately enter the arena for the duel; those who do not enter the arena within 100 seconds will be considered to have automatically forfeited."
With the start of two new matches, more than half of the individual battles had already passed.
The participants are divided into three stages: 12 in the Blood-Qi Stage, 10 in the True Qi Stage, and 3 in the Grandmaster Martial Artist. There are only 25 individual battles in total, and we have now reached the 16th battle.
On Blue Star's side, Wang Shou looked at the score and secretly calculated, saying, "It seems that the individual battles won't be able to create a significant gap; the upcoming team battles will be the real deciding factor."
We've already won two out of three Grandmaster matches, so we can confidently say we'll win the team battle in the Grandmaster tournament later.
The format of a group battle among True Qi Martial Artist is unclear, but with Ning Fan present, their chances of winning may be hard to estimate, but the probability of defeat should not be high.
However, in team battles, Qi and Blood Martial Artist are at a significant disadvantage, as the strength of Heaven Aperture Stage is difficult for Earth Aperture Stage to compensate for.
Although Chen Lie's power just now was almost comparable to that of the Heaven Aperture Stage, he had not cultivated one or two powerful martial arts techniques.
Xue Zhiran of Wood Source Planet certainly wouldn't be like Chen Lie, who doesn't even have a decent martial arts skill.
At this moment, Ning Fan came to Chen Lie and said with a smile, "Junior Brother Chen, the strength you just showed was quite impressive."
"With your martial arts skills, if you seize the opportunity and use your Mental Power at the right time, you might be able to defeat Xue Zhiran."
Chen Lie nodded and said, "I think Meng Qingwan is no ordinary person either; she has already comprehended the sword intent."
You need to choose the right time to launch a Mental Power attack. If you fail the first time and she becomes wary, it will be much harder to catch her off guard again.
"Oh? You've grasped the essence of swordsmanship?"
Ning Fan frowned. If a Sword Cultivator comprehends sword intent, then she can wield the sword as easily as an extension of her own arm, becoming one with the sword, and unleashing power far exceeding that of other Sword Cultivator of the same level.
At this time, under the command of Planetary Affairs Chief Zu Yizun, the Wood Source Planet raised a banner with a red sun painted on it and the words "Wood Source Planet will win".
Yang Jingnian, who was resting in the rest area, noticed the flags erected across the way and his eyes lit up.
He suddenly stood up and went to Ning Fan's side.
"Ning Fan, I have something to tell you."
"What is it?" Ning Fan asked.
"This is about a team battle for control of the territory, so could you come and help?" Yang Jingnian said.
"Oh?"
Although Ning Fan found it strange, he got up and followed Yang Jingnian over.
Upon arriving at the waiting area, Yang Jingnian called over Hao Yulong, Zuo Yuan'er, Yan Zheng, Li Wanwan, Han Keke, who were watching the match but had not yet taken to the field.
"Come here for a moment, everyone. I'll share with you the martial arts path of the participants from the Wood Source Planet Blood Ginseng."
Upon hearing this, Hao Yulong, Zuo Yuan'er, and the others immediately went over.
"You were defeated so quickly just now, you couldn't even last a few moves against Xue Zhiran, how could you possibly know anything about the martial arts style of Wood Source Planet?"
Han Keke followed the group over, disregarding Yang Jingnian's feelings, and asked him directly.
"Yang Jingnian, what do you want to tell me? Tell me quickly!" Ning Fan said, frowning.
Yang Jingnian smiled sinisterly and suddenly threw a handful of black powder at Ning Fan.
Ning Fan sensed something was wrong, and instantly flicked his sleeve, sending the black powder back, while taking a few steps back.
He was completely unprepared for Yang Jingnian, and despite his quick dodges, he still managed to get a few specks of black powder on himself.
"Yang Jingnian, what are you trying to do?"
Just as Ning Fan raised his question, Yang Jingnian's blood and qi surged suddenly, and he launched a fierce attack on Zuo Yuan'er, Hao Yulong, and the others.
"Boom!"
With his qi and blood surging forth, Yan Zheng took a solid punch from Yang Jingnian and was sent flying backward.
Caught completely off guard, Yan Zheng was struck by a full-force punch from Yang Jingnian, a peak Earth Aperture who was nearly at the Heaven Aperture Stage. He was severely injured, fell to the ground, and coughed up blood.
Yang Jingnian did not stop attacking. After Yan Zheng injuring Yan Zheng with a punch, he then attacked Zuo Yuan'er, Hao Yulong, and others.
Because of Yang Jingnian's sudden attack, Zuo Yuan'er, Hao Yulong, and others suffered injuries of varying degrees in an instant.
"Yang Jingnian, are you a traitor?"
In a split second, Ning Fan instantly confirmed Yang Jingnian's traitorous behavior.
He unleashed a powerful strike imbued with True Qi energy, which struck Yang Jingnian with a resounding boom.
With a single move, Yang Jingnian was severely injured, completely losing his ability to fight.
Yang Jingnian collapsed to the ground with a thud.
What happened here instantly attracted everyone's attention.
Chen Lie, who was in the rest area, and several others who had just fought also came over upon hearing the commotion.
Lei Jinglong and Wang Shou walked up and, seeing Yang Jingnian and Yan Zheng lying on the ground severely injured, immediately asked, "What happened?"
"Chairman Wang, Principal Lei, Yang Jingnian is a traitor. I subdued him."
He launched a sneak attack, injuring Yan Zheng. Zuo Yuan'er and Hao Yulong were all injured in Yang Jingnian's sneak attack! Ning Fan stared coldly at the heavily injured Yang Jingnian lying on the ground.
"What?"
Wang Shou and Lei Jinglong felt a sudden jolt in their hearts.
"Yes, Principal Lei, Chairman Wang, Yang Jingnian suddenly attacked and injured people. If it weren't for Senior Ning Fan stopping him, we would all be seriously injured!" Zuo Yuan'er stepped forward to identify them.
The others, Hao Yulong, Li Wanwan, Han Keke, also condemned Yang Jingnian's traitorous behavior.
Wang Shou and Lei Jinglong's expressions immediately darkened, and they hurriedly asked, "Were you injured? Are your injuries serious?"
"Yan Zheng has suffered severe injuries and is definitely unable to participate in the upcoming battles. As for the others..."
Ning Fan looked at Zuo Yuan'er, Hao Yulong, and the others, and asked, "How are you feeling?"
Zuo Yuan'er and Hao Yulong said at the same time, "I suffered a minor injury, but it shouldn't delay the upcoming competition."
"I'm fine too!"
Han Keke said that she had been hiding far away, and had moved far away the moment she realized that someone had suddenly attacked her.
"But Li Wanwan is in a terrible situation. I just saw her take a solid slap on the back from Yang Jingnian."
Li Wanwan said, "He only hit my left shoulder, and didn't damage my internal organs, so it's not considered a serious injury. However, my shoulder bone is fractured, which will definitely severely affect my combat ability."
Lei Jinglong approached Yang Jingnian with a grim expression and demanded, "Yang Jingnian, I'm asking you, why did you betray our home planet!"
Severely injured, Yang Jingnian struggled to his feet and burst into laughter. "Betrayal of the Mother Planet? I have never betrayed the Mother Planet, it is the Mother Planet that betrayed me!"
"Still rambling on? You can't possibly be unaware of what this Permanent Council Star Contest means for Blue Star, and what benefits Wood Source Planet has given you that makes you willingly become a traitor?" Lei Jinglong questioned.
"Traitor? No, I never considered myself a traitor. I am not someone who has forgotten my roots."
Yang Jingnian said angrily, "My father, my grandfather, and I all told me that my ancestors were from the Eastern Camp Kingdom, one of the three overseas islands, a hundred years ago."
You people who live inland and call yourselves descendants of Yan and Huang have received support from some despicable Outer Stars forces and have carried out a so-called unification of the Blue Star. You destroyed the Eastern Camp Kingdom where my ancestors lived and renamed it the present-day Three-Island Province. We have never forgotten these bloody and tearful histories.
With the help of the organization ' Shadow Organization,' my father spent decades in hiding to allow me to successfully infiltrate your ranks, all for this moment, to give you a satisfying revenge."
"' Dark Star ' organization? It seems you really are a descendant of the Eastern Camp Kingdom from over a hundred years ago!"
Your tireless efforts to help Wood Source Planet and ruin Blue Star's chance to become Permanent Councilor Star —Isn't that more than just revenge?
"Did Wood Source Planet promise you that it would help you restore your nation if they were elected as Permanent Councilor Star?" Wang Shou asked in a deep voice.
Yang Jingnian's expression changed, and he quickly said, "It has nothing to do with Wood Source Planet!"
Wang Shou noticed Yang Jingnian's unusual expression and immediately understood. He said, "I didn't expect Wood Source Planet to use such despicable means."
Principal Lei, quickly go and ask the referees of the competition to report Wood Source Planet's actions.
Upon hearing this, Lei Jinglong immediately went to the referee's stand to invite Han Zhendong, the referee for today's competition.
Chen Lie, who was watching from the sidelines, instantly understood why Blue Star had failed to win the bid for Permanent Councilor Star on the Council in his previous life.
There was a traitor in the team!
"This Yang Jingnian is actually a spy planted by the ' Dark Star ' organization?"
Beside Chen Lie, Ruan Liusu exclaimed in surprise.
According to the "Complete History of Blue Star", the Three-Island Province, one of the eighty-nine provinces of Blue Star, was called Eastern Camp Kingdom more than a hundred years ago, and it has a deep-seated enmity with the current official Blue Star.
However, after the planet was unified, the official authorities of Blue Star, considering the factor of ethnic unity, downplayed this period of history and prohibited it from being widely publicized.
The "Dark Star" organization is a remnant of the Eastern Camp Kingdom, a clandestine force active in the Three-Island Province. They are weak and generally do not assassinate geniuses of Blue Star in order to avoid being targeted by the authorities, but their goal is to restore their country.
A short while later, Han Zhendong, the referee appointed by the Canglong Star Interstellar Administration for the competition, arrived here.
"Be more specific, what's wrong here!"
"As soon as we arrived, referee Han Zhendong asked..."
"Referee, in order to win, Wood Source Planet has resorted to despicable means to plant a spy in our Blue Star team. Now this spy has injured many of our Blue Star participants. Please punish Wood Source Planet!"
The people from Wood Source Planet, not far away, had already been listening intently to the commotion.
Upon hearing that they had been falsely accused, the contestants immediately retorted, "Stop slandering us! This is clearly an internal problem of your Blue Star, yet you insist on dragging us, the Wood Source Planet, into it!"
"I just heard it. Yang Jingnian is a descendant of an enemy nation from before your Blue Star's unification. What business is it of ours if he takes revenge on you!"
At this moment, Zu Yizun and Hu Dongzheng, the leaders of Wood Source Planet, arrived here.
Upon seeing the representatives from Wood Source Planet, referee Han Zhendong said, "Blue Star has accused you of using underhanded methods to plant spies within Blue Star and injure Blue Star's contestants. What do you say about that?"
"Referee, you heard what our contestants from Wood Source Planet said just now."
"We heard what Blue Star said during the interrogation of the traitor. It was a problem that arose within Blue Star, and it has nothing to do with our Wood Origin Star," the Wood Origin Star Affairs Chief argued.
Wang Shou immediately retorted angrily, "Do you dare say that this traitor didn't collude with your Wood Source Planet beforehand?"
"These are contestants from your Blue Star, I don't even know them, how can we discuss this?"
Besides, you've already interrogated him; isn't the result clear enough?"
Referee Han Zhendong asked calmly, "How many people from your Blue Star are injured?"
"One person at the Blood-Qi Stage is seriously injured, one has a shattered shoulder bone and severely impaired combat power, and two others are slightly injured."
"Alright, both sides have substitutes, so let your substitutes go on stage."
I have requested permission from the Interstellar Management Bureau to arrange an additional competition for your Blue Star.
You can choose any contestant at the Blood-Qi Stage to participate. If you win, you'll get an extra point; if you lose, Wood Source Planet won't get any extra points. How about that?
"This..."
Before Wang Shou and Lei Jinglong from Blue Star could speak, the two high-ranking leaders from Wood Source Planet questioned, "Referee Han, what does Blue Star's internal problem have to do with us?"
Why should we accept an additional battle that is pointless to win and beneficial to the enemy if we lose?
The referee's face instantly turned cold. "What? You have an objection?"
The mole within this Blue Star is still alive, and the Interstellar Management Bureau can quickly find a Divine Sense Grandmaster to hypnotize and interrogate him.
If the investigation reveals anything related to your Wood Source Planet, you'll have to consider the consequences yourselves.
"We have no objections and will comply with the arrangements!"
Upon hearing this, Wood Source Planet Zu Yi and Hu Dongzheng immediately agreed.
Some things, if you don't weigh them, they're nothing; but if you do, they're nothing.
This result is good for them.
"You all get ready!"
After finishing his sentence, Han Zhendong turned and left, disregarding Blue Star's attitude.
Based on his knowledge, he naturally understood that the traitor Blue Star was inextricably linked to Wood Source Planet.
However, the laws governing interstellar space are a set of dark laws. The fact that Blue Star was infiltrated by traitors from Wood Source Planet only demonstrates Blue Star's incompetence.
If you can't handle your internal problems, you can't blame external forces for attacking you.
Moreover, with the envoys of the Ten-Star Alliance watching from the high platform of the Hall of All Stars, it's impossible to expose such a matter.
Neither Wang Shou nor Lei Jinglong objected to referee Han Zhendong's decision.
Wang Shou, having spent many years in extraterrestrial Outer Stars, is familiar with Outer Stars complexities. Han Zhendong, as a referee appointed by the Interstellar Management Bureau, holds the fate of Blue Star and Wood Source Planet in his hands.
If they raise objections, they will be challenging Han Zhendong's authority, and Han Zhendong might just cancel Blue Star's preferential treatment in the playoffs.
With the envoys of the Ten-Star Alliance present, Wang Shou knew that the Interstellar Management Bureau would definitely not conduct a thorough investigation, and that Wood Source Planet must also know, otherwise they wouldn't dare to use such underhanded methods.
"Chairman Wang, Principal Lei, what should we do with this traitor Yang Jingnian?"
Lei Jinglong looked at Yang Jingnian and was immediately enraged. He said, "Suppress him and keep him under strict surveillance. He will be put on trial after we return to Blue Star."
"Yes!"
The Grandmaster Martial Artist accompanying Blue Star immediately subdued Yang Jingnian.
After this was over, Lei Jinglong asked Zuo Yuan'er, Hao Yulong, Han Keke, "Are you three really alright? Will it affect the competition?"
"Not a big impact!" the three answered in unison.
"That's good!"
Lei Jinglong nodded, looked at Ruan Liusu, and said, "Ruan Liusu, Yan Zheng and Li Wanwan are seriously injured and unable to compete on stage. I plan to have you replace Yan Zheng to deal with Meng Zhao from Wood Source Planet."
Xia Zhizhi will take Li Wanwan's place to deal with Yue Shan from Wood Source Planet.
"No problem, I will definitely fight for a point for Blue Star."
Ruan Liusu had thought she wouldn't be able to participate in the individual battles, but now that she had the opportunity to go on stage, she was filled with fighting spirit.
"Me too!" Xia Zhizhi said.
Lei Jinglong grunted in agreement.
At this point, all three battles in the arena had a winner and a loser.
In the Grandmaster Battle, Yan Gao faced off against Meng Yuehan. Meng Yuehan, the Sword Dao Grandmaster Wood Source Planet, proved superior and defeated Yan Gao, securing a point for Wood Source Planet.
In the True Qi Martial Artist Battle, Gu Yuanyun Gu Yuanyun defeated Yuan Han, earning a point for Blue Star.
In the battle of Qi and Blood Martial Artist, Shao Keyu faced off against Zu Keying, with Zu Keying gaining the upper hand and securing a point for Wood Source Planet.
The holographic projection above the battle arena showed the scores of Shuangshuang Blue Star and Wood Source Planet changing.
Blue Star won a game, and the score changed from 7 to '8'.
Wood Source Planet won two games, bringing the score from 6 to '8', and the score is tied again.
The Grandmaster Battle has now ended.
At this moment, the Optical Computer began broadcasting a message.
"The seventeenth battle, True Qi Martial Artist Battle."
Blue Star Zhao Siqi vs. Wood Source Planet Shen Hao.
"Two-star contestants must immediately enter the arena for the duel; those who do not enter the arena within 100 seconds will be considered to have automatically forfeited."
"The eighteenth battle, a battle of Qi and Blood Martial Artist."
Blue Star Zuo Yuan'er vs. Wood Source Planet Lian Changqing.
"Two-star contestants must immediately enter the arena for the duel; those who do not enter the arena within 100 seconds will be considered to have automatically forfeited."
Zhao Siqi and Zuo Yuan'er stepped onto the Duel Platform, and soon the battle began.
In the waiting area, Wang Shou frowned, looked at Ning Fan, and said, "Ning Fan, Yang Jingnian has been lying in wait for so many years. It's impossible that he only lightly injured two contestants and seriously injured one when he was exposed."
It seems our Blue Star didn't suffer much damage, so he didn't do anything else?"
Ning Fan said, "Yang Jingnian seemed to have sprinkled some black powder on me. I tried my best to dodge it, but because I wasn't prepared, I still got some on me."
Wang Shou's heart skipped a beat. "Black powder? What is that?"
"I don't know!" Ning Fan shook his head.
Wang Shou and Lei Jinglong's hearts sank.
Yang Jingnian was acting on orders from Wood Source Planet, so he wouldn't do something meaningless. This black powder must be something special.
Do you feel any discomfort?
Ning Fan shook his head. "I didn't feel anything."
In the True Qi Stage team battles, Ning Fan was the only one holding the line. As long as Ning Fan could lead the Qi and Blood Martial Artist to victory in the team battles, Blue Star's three wins and two losses in the Grandmaster battles would almost certainly be a sure win.
In this situation, even if individual battles are lost and team battles in the Blood-Qi Stage are lost, Blue Star still has a chance to win a Permanent Councilor Star position.
If Ning Fan falls, then the Permanent Council Star Contest will likely be truly hopeless.
"Go to the rest area quickly, let me help you check if you've been exposed to any toxins!" Wang Shou said.
Ning Fan hummed in agreement and went to the rest area with Wang Shou.
Lei Jinglong Chen Liedao, "Chen Lie, you'll be playing in the Blood-Qi Stage additional match later. Get ready!"
"I understand!" Chen Lie nodded.
"Your Mental Power techniques are amazing. I know that some Mental Power techniques are only effective on the first use against the same person, because if you use them on the same person a second time, the opponent will be on guard."
Later in the playoffs, if the opponent sends Xue Zhiran to play, you must weigh the pros and cons. If necessary, we should give up this point to preserve any hope of winning the team battle.
Even if we lose the playoffs, we won't drop any points, do you understand?
"I understand!" Chen Lie nodded.
"That's good!"
Lei Jinglong patted Chen Lie on the shoulder and said quietly, "You must hold on! The future of Blue Star rests on your shoulders!"
After saying that, Lei Jinglong left.
Chen Lie turned his head and glanced at Ning Fan in the rest area.
He knew that Ning Fan was probably in danger.
Upon arriving here, Chen Lie could already smell the toxins permeating the air.
It was determined that Ning Fan had been poisoned with a toxin that disrupted his True Qi. This toxin was called "Violent Qi Powder," and it only targeted Martial Artist with True Qi. Anyone poisoned by this toxin would experience a chaotic flow of True Qi True Qi at full power, causing it to disrupt their eight extraordinary meridians and resulting in a pain akin to ten thousand insects gnawing at their bones.
Unless you have immense willpower, it's very difficult to endure this excruciating pain.
Even for someone with great willpower, such intense pain can cause the poisoned person to lose their composure during battle. If they lose their composure against a strong opponent of the same level, defeat is almost certain.
"It seems that the heavy responsibility of securing Permanent Councilor Star for Blue Star will ultimately fall on my shoulders."
Chen Lie watched the martial arts competition in the combat zone and murmured to himself.
He wondered if Chu Ling'er could still deliver the Advanced Extraordinary Blood-Tempering Spirit Liquid before the team battle began. If not, he would have no choice but to use the Blood Qi Secret Technique.
On the battlefield, two battles were fought simultaneously, and the results were announced at the same time.
Zuo Yuan'er and Zhao Siqi each won one and lost one, bringing the score between Blue Star and Wood Source Planet to 9-9.
Soon, the voice from the Optical Computer sounded again, issuing two combat commands in succession.
"The nineteenth battle, True Qi Martial Artist Battle."
"Blue Star Ning Fan vs. Wood Source Planet Meng Qingwan."
"Two-star contestants must immediately enter the arena for the duel; those who do not enter the arena within 100 seconds will be considered to have automatically forfeited."
"The twentieth battle, the battle of Qi and Blood Martial Artist."
Blue Star Ruan Liusu vs. Wood Source Planet Meng Zhao.
"Two-star contestants must immediately enter the arena for the duel; those who do not enter the arena within 100 seconds will be considered to have automatically forfeited."