This scoundrel is a bit of a swordsman.

Chapter 161 The Second Battle of Talent

Since Chen Haoran's death, the Chen residence has been abandoned and desolate, like an abandoned orphan.

After careful consideration, the sword seal finally descended upon this place, as if by destiny—the very ancestral hall where Chen Haoran was hanged.

This place is heavily guarded, like an impregnable fortress, and few ordinary people dare to set foot here. It is rumored that the Chen family has suffered an ominous sign, making people afraid to even look at it.

Secondly, by bringing the black-robed figure here, he also hoped to investigate the purpose of the ritual. However, the black-robed figure's injuries were shrouded in mystery, leaving him helpless.

He tried to lift the black robe to see what was inside, but the robe seemed to have its own consciousness, giving him no chance to take advantage of it. This astonished him once again, as if the thing had a life of its own.

"I never expected you to bring me here. Well, there are incomplete rituals here, which may help me recover from my injuries."

"Just who are you, this black-robed being?"

Unable to contain his curiosity, he asked.

"Aren't you curious about the festival? It's both far away and right before your eyes."

Xiao Xingchen frowned slightly, his gaze as deep as the starry sky, fixed intently on the man in black robes before withdrawing his gaze. Since he could handle the remaining matters himself, he needed to begin thinking about his own affairs.

Emperor Wu seemed to have tacitly approved of his release from the imperial prison, so there was no need for him to hide any longer.

Whoever that Venerable One is, they can't just forcibly take him away in front of everyone, can they? Besides, the Venerable One has been acting in secret, clearly not wanting to reveal his identity.

"Since you can heal yourself, I will no longer concern myself with you. I have important matters to attend to."

The relationship between him and the man in black robes was far more than just friendship. He was brought here only because they still had some use to each other. Otherwise, given what the man in black robes had done to him, how could he not have taken advantage of his vulnerability and kicked him when he was down?

"Be careful of the Supreme One. If the Supreme One cannot find me, he will surely come looking for you."

Xiao Xingchen suddenly stopped in his tracks, only then realizing why the Venerable One wanted to see him.

Why are you looking for me?

"What else could it be? Naturally, it's because you know the secrets of the Sword Immortal."

"Holy crap, you didn't tell that Supreme Being everything, did you? I'm really curious, what exactly happened while you were back? Was there some internal strife?"

"It's all because of Xiao Jianxian. That reason is enough. How could people like us be as glamorous as you see on the surface? Only Xiao Jianxian's secret can possibly help us escape this boundless sea of ​​suffering. So, what do you think is the reason?"

"The Supreme One desires to possess Xiao Jianxian's secrets exclusively, and therefore wishes to eliminate him as soon as possible, which is why you have fled in such a sorry state as a stray dog?"

Even Xiao Xingchen found these words somewhat absurd and laughable, but at this moment, this was the only plausible explanation.

"You are indeed clever. That's right. So after I escape, he will definitely come looking for you and ask you to take him to explore the secrets of Xiao Jianxian. Be careful and don't let him take your life."

"You're such a jinx! Ever since I met you, everything has gone wrong for me. Look at your miserable state, the power of your sacrifice must be terrifying, right?"

The man in the black robe gave a bitter laugh.

"Sacrifice is like a ghost; once you are tainted by it, it is like falling into a bottomless abyss, where you will be enslaved for all eternity. It is laughable that such an evil power is still sought after by some."

Xiao Xingchen stared intently at the robe on the black-robed man's body, as if trying to see through the fabric and uncover its secrets.

Then, he resolutely turned and left. Although he still had a vague understanding of the nature of the ritual, he was now certain that this thing should never be touched.

Looking at the black robe, one can tell that his desperate search for the secret of the Sword Immortal was actually to break free from the constraints of the ritual, which undoubtedly explains everything.

Putting the matter of the black robes behind him, Xiao Xingchen's sword imprint flashed, streaking across the sky like a meteor, and returned to the Heavenly Prison.

He could have simply walked away, but reason rang in his ears like an alarm bell, telling him that this was the perfect opportunity to get closer to the Supreme Being.

The man's identity was shrouded in mystery, causing him great anxiety.

If the Supreme Being had no connection with him, that would be fine, but this person was like a hungry wolf lurking in the shadows, forcing him to be constantly vigilant.

Upon hearing the words of the man in black robes, he suddenly realized that as long as Xiao Jianxian's secret was not exposed, even this Venerable One would never kill him.

So he returned without hesitation. After all, he was now a useless cripple, and perhaps he could use this to deceive the Supreme Being and make new discoveries.

Seeing that there was nothing unusual in the prison, he realized that the Supreme One had not yet arrived and was probably searching for the Black Robe's whereabouts.

Without hesitation, he quickly lay down on the ground. Fortunately, some blood remained on his body, and with a little disguise, he looked just like a prisoner who had been tortured. Then, he lay on the ground like a statue, motionless, waiting patiently.

During his waiting period, Xiancaitai finally ushered in a new peak moment.

The number of applicants for the Talent Platform was so large that they were countless, so all applicants would have to draw lots to determine their opponents.

In the second round of the talent competition, due to the influx of outstanding talents from various countries, the Ministry of Rites worked overnight to build three identical competition platforms.

The three competitions started simultaneously, and their scale far exceeded that of the first round. Some even hailed this competition of talented individuals as a preview of the Poetry Immortal Conference.

Not only that, but in order for the people of Yong'an to directly experience the changes brought about by the Poetry Competition, overnight, all the shops and vendors in the vicinity of the Talented Person Platform were ordered to relocate, so as to leave enough space for the audience to watch the competition.

As for the restaurants on both sides of the street, they were like pieces of fat meat being eyed by hungry wolves, and were reserved by the government early on.

The dignitaries and nobles from all walks of life would gather in the restaurant to watch, like stars surrounding the moon, creating a spectacle that was unprecedented and unparalleled.

As today's topic was sent out from the imperial palace like a bird in flight, a large character for "filial piety" was hung high at the highest point, like a dazzling pearl, instantly igniting the enthusiasm of all the scholars, who began to stir with anticipation.

Ruoxue also flew to the foot of the Terrace of Talents early on.

She looked around and saw many familiar faces.

There are only four kings in the Great Qian Dynasty, and none of them are in the capital at the moment.

Therefore, from the King down, the two prime ministers arrived as if they were Mount Tai, followed by numerous marquises like stars in the sky, and the Crown Prince also appeared on the viewing platform for the first time, like a dazzling bright moon.

Surrounding him were princes and princesses, who shone like stars in the night sky.

Besides those who stand at the top of the Great Qian court, there are countless civil and military officials.

Envoys from various countries shared a viewing platform, forming two distinct forces with the Great Qian Dynasty, as clearly defined as the Chu-Han border.

On the three platforms for talented individuals, officials were already preparing the match-up schedule.

She glanced at the number in her hand. Because she had registered at the last minute, her number was over a thousand.

This also means that at least five or six hundred thrilling matches will take place in the next three days.

As for when she will finally take the stage, it will probably be tomorrow at the earliest.

She thought for a moment about the poetic verses Xiao Xingchen had written for her, and felt reassured, no longer worried about not being selected.

Her only worry now is how to make Xiao Xingchen even more popular.

After all, the higher Xiao Xingchen's reputation, the safer he will be.