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「Yaochi, Zizhu Residence.」

Hongmeng devoted himself wholeheartedly and patiently to detoxifying Ji Hongxia.

「World of Heaven's Nine Songs.」

Ying Zheng had already selected the Sacred Girls for the ritual sacrifice.

The Hundreds of Schools and ministers of the Six Kingdoms could be described as a mix of joy and sorrow. The Yin Yang Sect was the object of greatest envy and jealousy, as they had the most selected candidates. Alas, the ladies of the Yin Yang Sect did indeed possess exceptional talents and beauty, each one of them a divine spirit of extraordinary grace, so no one could find an excuse to accuse Ying Zheng of bias. Moreover, Ying Zheng had not only gained Thousand Years Power from previous sacrifices, becoming unbeatable in the world, but was also personally appointed by the Divine Spirit as the Divine Envoy, so no one dared question him.

Those not chosen were envious and jealous, while the selected ones were overjoyed.

「The residence of Ji Wuye.」

At this moment, the atmosphere was particularly cheerful; Lord White of Blood Robe Castle and Madam Mingzhu, the Tide Demoness, were also present.

"Congratulations to Miss Yan Lingji and Miss Mingzhu for your Ascending God Country tomorrow, becoming fairies and gods, and achieving eternal youth! The day is not far off!"

The Jade Tiger, sticking out his large belly, had his chubby face wreathed in a sycophantic smile.

Miss Mingzhu? Madam Mingzhu, the Tide Demoness, let an enchanting smile grace her beautiful and majestic face. It has been many years since I've heard that title, she mused. Others generally called her the Tide Demoness or Madam Mingzhu. But the Jade Tiger, true to his form as a shrewd merchant, knew exactly what to say. As a Sacred Girl to be offered to the Divine Spirit tomorrow, neither the nickname "Tide Demoness" nor the title of "Madam" from the Han country's palace seemed appropriate for her anymore.

"You tiger, you certainly know what to say!"

Madam Mingzhu was tall and voluptuous. Her charming, narrow eyes swept over the Jade Tiger as she smiled sweetly, her voice so soft and smooth it could make one's entire body tingle.

"Miss Yan Lingji, Miss Mingzhu, allow me to congratulate you in advance on your Ascending God Country, becoming fairies and gods, and achieving eternal youth!"

Ji Wuye added, his posture very humble. From the moment Yan Lingji and Mingzhu were selected, they were no longer beings of the same level, he thought.

"I hope you two young ladies will look after my interests in the future. In the God's kingdom, you can also support each other. After all, no matter where one is, competition is unavoidable!"

Yan Lingji and Mingzhu exchanged a glance and nodded slightly. A being as great as the God of Hongmeng must have countless Sacred Girls like us who have ascended to serve him, they thought. And where there are many people, competition is inevitable. Where there are people, there are conflicts.

"From King Han's side, Princess Red Lotus has also been chosen. Be careful in the future, Miss Mingzhu—Princess Red Lotus seems to hold quite a grievance against you!" the Jade Tiger warned.

"Heh, that naive and innocent girl, Red Lotus, is nothing to worry about. Besides, once she's in the God's kingdom, she'll be all alone and without support. It won't be a problem to convince her to team up with us then!"

Mingzhu smiled faintly, her charming voice full of confidence.

She had previously been a consort of King Han, effectively Red Lotus's stepmother, and the princess had always been at odds with her. If Red Lotus weren't protected by King Han, and since she poses no real threat, I would have ten thousand ways to deal with that little brat! Mingzhu thought.

「Elsewhere.」

King Han Wangán looked at Red Lotus, his face beaming with a proud and satisfied smile. The more he looked, the more pleased he felt, his heart practically blooming with joy.

But then I recall Madam Mingzhu was also selected... he thought, a complicated, bittersweet feeling washing over him. To think I was bewitched by her all these years, yet I never even managed to touch a single hair on her head! I was played like a fool, manipulated at her whim! The anger in my heart is immense. But now that she's been chosen, my anger is useless. I definitely wouldn't dare cause trouble for her.

"Father, don't worry. If I get the chance in the future, I'll help you deal with that wicked woman," Red Lotus said comfortingly, seeming to sense King Han Wangán's helplessness.

"Red Lotus, my dear, let the past be the past. Tomorrow, you'll be undertaking your Ascending God Country. Once there, you'll have no one to rely on, so you mustn't be willful or carelessly offend others!" King Han Wangán hastily advised upon hearing her words. "Besides, although Mingzhu and I only had a nominal relationship, we still share a slight bond; at the very least, she's an acquaintance! How about I take you to reacquaint yourselves with her? That way, you can look out for each other in the God's kingdom and have some companionship. What do you say?"

King Han Wangán looked at Red Lotus with doting eyes.

My future happiness depends on this little ancestor of mine, he thought. I can't let anything happen to Red Lotus. I know she's naive and pure-hearted, definitely no match for someone as calculating and ruthless as Mingzhu.

"No! I don't need that wicked woman's help! I can take care of myself!" Red Lotus pouted, clearly displeased.

King Han Wangán didn't dare to insist, so he could only remind Red Lotus of various precautions to take. As long as Red Lotus is well, my position in the Qin Kingdom will be secure, he thought.

It wasn't just Mingzhu, Yan Lingji, and Red Lotus; the other chosen Sacred Girls were also bidding farewell to their families or arranging matters for after their departure. Zinu and Nongyu, for example, were busy organizing the affairs of the Purple Orchid Pavilion.

After Wei Zhuang arrived in the Qin Kingdom, he spent all his time with his close friend and senior brother.

Time flew by like a white steed flashing past a crack, quietly slipping away.

「The next day.」

As the morning sun began to rise, countless common folk had already gathered outside Xianyang City, a veritable sea of people stretching as far as the eye could see.

Representatives from the Hundreds of Schools, ministers of the Six Kingdoms... almost everyone of note or ability had converged here. This was a moment to witness a divine miracle. Who wouldn't want to catch a glimpse of the Divine Spirit's magnificence? Who wouldn't yearn for the Divine Spirit's blessing?

"His Majesty, the King, arrives!"

As Zhao Gao's shrill voice echoed, Ying Zheng approached with great strides, accompanied by his civil and military officials, the ministers of the Six Kingdoms, and the experts from the Hundreds of Schools.

King Han, King Wei, King Zhao, King Yan...

The Mohist School's Grand Master, the Six-Fingered Black Hero; the Daoist School's Beimingzi; Confucianism's Master Xun; Gui Guzi...

Indeed, the highest echelons of the Seven Kingdoms and the most formidable experts of the Hundreds of Schools were all gathered here today.