The female official immediately closed the register and rose. The Blind Zither Master also put away the Jade Mallet and bronze chime stone, while several attendants stationed on either side of the stone steps began clearing away the zither tables and cushions in an orderly fashion. Their movements were brisk; clearly, they had prepared for this.
Everyone in the square exchanged bewildered looks. Muttered curses rose again, but no one dared make a loud disturbance.
The Deputy Yin had personally come out to close the trials, and the Blind Zither Master had cowed everyone with sheer presence. Southern Mo meant business this time.
Some gazed unwillingly at the stone-step path, but in the end, they shook their heads, turned, and left.
Bai Qianqian remained where she was, her face slightly pale.
Her heart had leaped into her throat the instant that barrier descended-she had clearly seen Lu Changfeng walk into the thick fog, yet now everyone had been driven out, and he alone was nowhere to be seen.
She drew a deep breath and demanded sharply, "Lu Changfeng is still inside the formation! Where is he?"
Ji Lan turned toward her.
Those composed eyes rested on Bai Qianqian's face for a moment, her tone as level as ever. "Naturally, where he belongs."
Bai Qianqian's heart sank violently.
Then Ji Lan's voice transmission sounded in her ear, pitched so low that only she could hear it: [Miss Bai, Your Majesty has already accepted the Qingqiu Fox Clan. Construction has begun on the camp in Brocade Screen Valley, with Lady Zhu Xiang personally overseeing it. Don't repay kindness with ingratitude!]
"You!"
Bai Qianqian shuddered, fury instantly blazing in her eyes.
Nine snow-white fox tails suddenly unfurled behind her waist. Savage true qi swept outward, cracking the bluestone slabs beneath her feet into