Qin Yangui and Wen Daoyuan both gasped and turned pale at the same time.
The three royal families of the Western Continent have always been rivals, each possessing formidable strength.
Two royal families have already become puppets and henchmen of the Blood Baleful Intent Tower?!
Chu Yunfei's gaze sharpened slightly as he stared at her and asked:
" The Mystic Serpent and the Barbarian Ox have both fallen, so what about your Qingqiu clan?"
"Is there absolutely no sign of Qingqiu being infiltrated?"
Upon hearing this, Yao Yue sneered, her face showing mockery:
"We, the Qingqiu Royal Clan, are not a bunch of idiots whose brains are all muscles."
"Our clan has an extremely exclusive tradition, pure bloodline, and strict clan rules. All matters, large and small, within the clan are monitored by the will of the Demon Emperor. Those rats in the gutter who want to infiltrate us are simply delusional."
But then, her tone subtly lowered, and she said bitterly:
"However... precisely because of this, the Mystic Serpent and the Barbarian Ox clans in the Western Continent are now joining forces to suppress and target my Qingqiu clan under various fabricated pretexts."
Chu Yunfei listened quietly, his eyes flickering slightly.
Suppression? Targeting?
I'm afraid it's far more than what's superficially described.
If it were merely ordinary friction and suppression, why would this noble Qingqiu princess risk infiltrating the human realm alone?
Even for the sake of the map of ruins inside that mysterious stone tablet, he was willing to lower himself and pester himself relentlessly?
Chu Yunfei understood this perfectly.
This demoness must know that the Qingqiu clan is about to collapse, and is eager to find the original remains in the ruins of the Demon Race Sacred Land in order to avert the annihilation of the Qingqiu clan.
However, despite guessing it, Chu Yunfei did not expose him on the spot.
The life and death of the Demon Race in the Western Continent, and the survival of Qingqiu, had nothing to do with Chu Yunfei, who possessed not a single spirit stone.
The Great Qian Imperial City is currently a volcano about to erupt, and he has no time to worry about the Demon Race race.
Chu Yunfei composed himself, turned around, and turned his gaze back to Qin Yangui.
"Senior Qin, let's skip the formalities."
Chu Yunfei got straight to the point, his tone calm:
"Senior's solemn visit to the Pill Pavilion today is probably... more than just a trivial matter like reporting the elimination of internal threats, isn't it?"
Qin Yangui solemn, and a look of gravity flashed in his eyes.
"Young Master Chu guessed correctly."
"The rules for tomorrow's Seven Sects Grand Competition have completely changed."
"What?!"
Wen Daoyuan suddenly stood up and exclaimed:
"Have the competition rules changed?"
Wen Jiao was also completely taken aback.
The Seven Sects Grand Competition has been held for over a hundred years, and the rules have always remained unchanged. How could they possibly be changed suddenly the day before the competition is about to begin?!
Qin Yangui took a deep breath, his tone so heavy it seemed capable of crushing the void:
In previous years, the competition was always decided by ring battles.
"Furthermore, only the most outstanding sons and daughters of each sect are qualified to compete on this stage."
But this time...
A cold glint flashed in Qin Yangui's eyes:
"The rules have completely abolished arena battles, and replaced them with... a secret realm conquest order."
"All participants will enter a sealed, isolated secret realm to compete for Sect Token scattered throughout it. The winner will be determined by the number of Sect Token they ultimately obtain."
"What's even more outrageous is that the entry requirements have been completely lowered."
"No longer limited to the Holy Sons and Holy Daughters, all disciples whose cultivation reaches the Heavenly Origin Realm Fifth Layer or above can enter the secret realm, and even... it is not limited to our six remaining sects."
"All the second-rate powers, aristocratic families, and even Rogue Cultivator cultivators throughout the entire Eastern Continent..."
Qin Yangui raised her eyes, staring intently at Chu Yunfei, her voice as cold as a biting wind:
"Anyone whose cultivation level reaches the Heavenly Origin Realm Fifth Layer or above may enter!"
Boom!
The entire council hall fell into absolute silence.
Wen Jiao's expression changed drastically, and even Wen Buqi, sitting in the main seat, couldn't help but gasp.
absurd.
Weird.
The Seven Sects Grand Competition is crucial to the resource allocation of the entire Eastern Continent's sects for the next three years. It has always been the exclusive domain of the seven major sects. Now, not only are ordinary disciples allowed to flock in, but even second-rate sects and Rogue Cultivator are allowed to get involved?!
This is hardly a sect competition anymore.
This is clearly a deliberately escalated chaotic killing scheme.
Wen Daoyuan's face was ashen, and he pressed on sharply:
"Who on earth came up with such an absurd idea?!"
Qin Yangui closed her eyes and uttered four words:
" The Great Qian Imperial Family."
"This morning, Crown Prince Ling Chengyuan, representing the Great Qian Imperial Family, formally requested us to change the rules."
"Furthermore... that separate, secret realm used as the main arena was also provided entirely and free of charge by the royal family."
Wen Jiao frowned, puzzled, and asked:
"The royal family has always been indifferent to the Seven Sects Grand Competition and has never interfered. Why are they suddenly so proactive this time? What reason do they have for forcibly intervening?"
Qin Yangui sneered, her eyes full of sarcasm:
"The eldest prince's words were extremely eloquent and grand."
He said that since the Seven Sects Grand Competition was exceptionally held in the Great Qian Imperial City, the royal family, as the host, should make some gestures and contributions. In order to demonstrate the Great Qian Imperial Dynasty's emphasis on the young talents of the Eastern Continent and the royal family's heritage, the royal family's treasured ' Heavenly Mystic Secret Realm ' was specially opened free of charge.
" The Heavenly Mystic Secret Realm?!"
Wen Daoyuan's expression shifted, and he exclaimed in surprise, "Could it be... the secret realm that Ling Taixuan, the founding emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty, discovered during his travels across the continent ten thousand years ago?!"
"Exactly."
Qin Yangui nodded. "This secret realm is rich in Spiritual Qi and contains countless rare and precious materials. For cultivators in the Heavenly Origin Realm and those who have just entered the Divine Sea Realm, it is an immense opportunity."
Upon hearing this, Chu Yunfei's lips curled into a cold, sneer.
"What a high-sounding reason!"
Chu Yunfei flicked the corner of his robe and said calmly:
"Providing secret treasure troves free of charge appears on the surface to be a display of royal generosity and concern for the world."
"Secretly... who can guarantee that there hasn't been any fatal tampering with that secret realm that has been controlled by the royal family for so many years?"
Wen Jiao turned to look at Qin Yangui, her eyes full of confusion:
" Your Grand Elder Qin, if even we can see that there must be something fishy going on, are the higher-ups of the major sects all blind? How could they so easily agree to such an outrageous proposal from the royal family? Aren't they afraid that their disciples will all be trapped in the secret realm?"
Qin Yangui gave a wry smile and shook his head helplessly:
"The royal family is extremely shrewd and cunning. Ling Chengyuan did not use his power to intimidate others. On the contrary, he always kept a low profile and said repeatedly that 'the royal family is only making suggestions, and whether to adopt them is entirely up to the six clans to decide.'"
"But that is, after all, a secret realm left behind by Ling Taixuan."
"Within this secret realm, the abundant natural treasures and cultivation resources accumulated over millennia represent an irresistible opportunity for all the major sects today."
Greed blinds everyone.
Qin Yangui looked intently at Chu Yunfei and said in a deep voice:
"While the major sects certainly have their concerns, faced with such a tangible allure of resources, coupled with the fact that the Vast Waves Domain is inherently barren and resource-limited, under these circumstances... no one can refuse."
Chu Yunfei snorted coldly.
"Perhaps not all the high-ranking members of these groups are blinded by greed."
Chu Yunfei's eyes flashed with a cold light as he pointed out the crux of the matter:
"They knew perfectly well that the royal family's unusual move must involve a powerful demon, yet they still passed it unanimously... There must be the Blood Baleful Intent Tower pulling the strings behind the scenes."
Everyone in the hall felt a chill run down their spines.
Chu Yunfei tapped his fingertips lightly on the table, making a soft, rhythmic sound.
" The Blood Baleful Intent Tower has likely already guessed at some of the royal family's intentions. But instead of stopping them, they've gone along with it and actively facilitated it..."
This only proves one thing.
A cruel smile curled at the corner of Chu Yunfei's lips:
"The complete overhaul of the competition rules not only serves the interests of the royal family, but also... aligns with the Blood Baleful Intent Tower's plans."
Wen Daoyuan stroked his beard in deep thought, his expression growing increasingly solemn.
His gaze slowly shifted to Chu Yunfei, his tone tinged with complexity and worry:
"Although I cannot fathom the full intentions behind the royal family and the Blood Baleful Intent Tower, one thing... can be stated with certainty."
Wen Daoyuan said in a deep voice:
"This major rule change, regardless of the extent of the backstory, undoubtedly has a significant core purpose... aimed at you, young friend Chu!"
boom.
Wen Jiao's heart skipped a beat, and in an instant, she understood all the obstacles.
Yes.
The original rules of the competition stipulated that only the holy sons and daughters of the seven sects who had been conferred titles were eligible to participate.
Chu Yunfei's identity, to put it bluntly, is that of a Rogue Cultivator. By normal standards, he has no right to step onto the stage and can only be a spectator.
But now...
The threshold has been lowered to include everyone at the Heavenly Origin Realm Fifth Layer and above.
They don't even care about one's background; even Rogue Cultivator are welcome.
This opening was clearly made specifically for Chu Yunfei.
"What a ruthless scheme..."
Wen Daoyuan took a deep breath and stared at Chu Yunfei:
"Young friend Chu has previously offended the Cangyun Sect, the Puppet Sect, the Heavenly Sword Sect, and the Heavenly Evil Devil Sect, and has long since incurred deep hatred with these four sects."
"Once this unrestricted secret realm opens..."
Wen Daoyuan's voice deepened slightly:
"Those self-proclaimed geniuses from various sects, once they enter the secret realm, will undoubtedly be tempted by both opportunities and personal grudges, and will search for Young Friend Chu like wolves, attempting to ambush and kill him!"
"Given your personality, young friend Chu, you will show no mercy to those who want to take your life."
"If, at that time, young friend Chu were to slay the holy sons and daughters of various powerful forces within the secret realm..."
Wen Daoyuan smiled wryly.
"The day the grand competition ends will be the day when all the major powers of the Eastern Continent completely break ties with young friend Chu, and it will be a day of no return!"
"For the royal family, this situation is a perfect opportunity to use someone else to do their dirty work and watch the tigers fight from the sidelines; for the Blood Baleful Intent Tower, it's an excellent trap to incite internal strife in the Eastern Continent!"
Wen Jiao's face turned pale, and she felt a chill run through her entire body.
The events are intricately linked, with deadly intent lurking beneath the surface.
However, Wen Daoyuan frowned again, a deep sense of confusion appearing in his eyes:
"However... there is still one thing I don't understand."
Wen Daoyuan looked at Chu Yunfei and asked in a deep voice:
"What makes Ling Zhantian so certain... that young friend Chu will obediently step into that secret realm that is clearly a trap?!"