I want you to lose

I want you to lose...

With hair as dark as the deepest ink and an ancient halberd now stained with the crimson hue of blood, Qin Wentian appeared before the crowd like an incarnation of an ancient war god. He had shed the skin of last year's youth, and his battle intent surged limitlessly, bursting forth without restraint.

The onlookers sensed a shift in Luo Qianqiu's confidence. After witnessing Qin Wentian's crushing victory over Sikong Mingyue, doubts crept into their minds. Perhaps, just perhaps, Qin Wentian possessed the power to defeat Luo Qianqiu and vie for the title of the first ranker.

The excitement over their bets had given way to eager anticipation. They were now witnesses to the rise of a miraculous young genius, waiting for him to script the final chapter of this extraordinary tale. If he succeeded, this event would become a legendary story passed down for generations.

Could Qin Wentian truly defeat Luo Qianqiu?

As their auras clashed and they prepared for an epic battle, an unexpected interruption shattered the tension. The calm and dispassionate voice of the elderly figure beside Chu Tianjiao rang out.

"Take a break for four hours."

The crowd's expressions shifted from anticipation to bewilderment, then quickly to dissatisfaction and anger. Both Qin Wentian and Luo Qianqiu were primed for battle, so why impose a four-hour delay? Frustration filled the air, but there was no recourse; they had to wait for those four hours to elapse, their fates dictated by the whims of the elderly figure.

Qin Wentian furrowed his brows, his gaze locked onto the aged figure. He couldn't help but wonder about the reason behind this sudden delay.

"Why?" he asked, his voice edged with curiosity.

The aged figure's reply was resolute, "The two of you should rest now so you can fight with all your might later."

Reluctantly, both Luo Qianqiu and Qin Wentian nodded in acquiescence. With the judge's verdict, they had no choice but to wait patiently for the delay to pass.

Chu Tianjiao, sensing the crowd's disappointment, attempted to lighten the mood. "I'm sure all of you spectators should be tired now. Why not take a rest first and enjoy the show later?" he suggested with a chuckle.

Although the spectators were far from pleased, they had little choice but to suppress their frustration and continue chatting amongst themselves, waiting for the resumption of the contest.

Luo Qianqiu was summoned away from the platform by someone, leaving Qin Wentian alone.

"Qin Wentian, do you mind coming over here for a chat?" a voice suddenly called out, capturing the attention of the entire crowd. Their gazes shifted towards a middle-aged man standing beside Chu Tianjiao.

This unexpected invitation from the usually taciturn man raised brows and piqued curiosity. Why would he want to chat with Qin Wentian?

Those among the spectators who held authority and status recognized the man and understood the implications of his request. As Qin Wentian approached, their hearts raced with trepidation, especially those connected to the Ye and Ou Clans.

Qin Wentian's remarkable talent, highlighted by his defeat of Sikong Mingyue, had not gone unnoticed. Even those with personal grudges against him couldn't deny his extraordinary abilities. If they were in the Nine Mystical Palace's shoes, they would also be eager to recruit him.

As Qin Wentian kept his ancient halberd and his surging blood gradually calmed, he regained control over his Bloodline Limit. With swift grace, he leaped across the platforms, arriving in front of the middle-aged man. The nearby youths observed him with sharp glints in their eyes, their formidable strength evident.

These youths, like Luo Qianqiu, hailed from a place of power. Their formidable strength spoke volumes about their origins.

"Let's retire to the back and share a few cups," the middle-aged man proposed, leading Qin Wentian to a secluded area behind Chu Tianjiao, where banquet tables were arranged.

Once seated, attendants filled their cups with wine. Raising his cup, the middle-aged man smiled, "You possess incredible talent. Are you interested in joining our Nine Mystical Palace?"

Qin Wentian froze, realizing that the man was indeed a representative of the Nine Mystical Palace.

The Nine Mystical Palace held immense sway in this realm, a power one couldn't afford to offend, especially given their ties to Chu Tianjiao. Joining them could pave an unobstructed path for Qin Wentian's future, a tempting prospect. However, his earlier conversation with Mustang had sown seeds of doubt in his heart.

It seemed as if the Nine Mystical Palace had a vested interest in the Heavenly Star Pavilion of the Emperor Star Academy. Accepting their offer would likely put him in direct opposition to his own academy, a choice he was reluctant to make.

"Senior, what about the outcome of this year's Jun Lin Banquet?" Qin Wentian inquired, trying to confirm if Luo Qianqiu's mission was indeed linked to the Nine Mystical Palace.

"I want you to lose," the middle-aged man replied with a chuckle, raising his cup as if discussing a trivial matter.

Those five words carried a weight that made Qin Wentian's heart turn cold. "I want you to lose." The simplicity of the statement left no room for interpretation. The Nine Mystical Palace wanted him to lose.

"Don't worry, once you join the Nine Mystical Palace, the rewards you'll receive will far surpass anything you could gain by winning the Jun Lin Banquet," the middle-aged man continued, still smiling. "You are aware of the Nine Mystical Palace's influence, and I must say, I truly admire your talent. However, due to certain factors, you must lose your next battle. Luo Qianqiu must secure the top rank. As for any misunderstandings between the two of you, I will personally mediate."

Qin Wentian fell into a heavy silence, feeling the weight of the situation. Naturally, he had no intention of conceding. When he had stepped onto the Jun Lin Banquet's stage, he had vowed to contend for the top spot. Even if it proved challenging, he was prepared to face it head-on. But now, the Nine Mystical Palace was pressuring him to intentionally lose, and that pressure felt like a mountain bearing down on his shoulders.

"There's still some time, so do consider it carefully. What we can offer you is something the Emperor Star Academy could never match. Judging by your talent, the right choice is to join my Nine Mystical Palace," the middle-aged man said with a smile as he took his leave, leaving Qin Wentian alone.

Despite the unwavering smile on the middle-aged man's face, Qin Wentian couldn't shake the feeling that something sinister lurked beneath that facade.

As he finished his cup of wine, Qin Wentian also left the area. The middle-aged man intercepted him with a smile as he walked past.

"Have you thought about it?" he inquired.

"I will think about it," Qin Wentian replied cryptically before returning to the platform. Speculation buzzed through the crowd. What had the Nine Mystical Palace representatives discussed with Qin Wentian when they pulled him aside earlier? It was clear that they wanted to recruit him, but had he accepted their offer?

Ignoring the curious stares, Qin Wentian closed his eyes, took out two Yuan Meteor Stones, and began adjusting his body to its optimal state, entering a state of meditation.

No one could discern his thoughts, and only Qin Wentian knew what had transpired in that conversation.

As time crawled by, impatience grew among the spectators. According to Drunken Wonder's latest calculations, the odds for Luo Qianqiu and Qin Wentian winning the championship were 1:2.

With the new payout rates in place, many people started placing their bets on Qin Wentian. They believed he had a higher chance of becoming the champion now, their hopes riding on him more strongly than on Luo Qianqiu.

Luo Qianqiu, born with a silver spoon in his mouth, had always been destined to be a top contender. But then there was Qin Wentian, a dark horse who clawed his way here from the 7th level of Arterial Circulation. This twist of fate had spectators' hearts racing with excitement. They yearned to be like Qin Wentian, battling their way to the top one step at a time.

The bets on Qin Wentian were no longer just about profit; they were fueled by raw emotions and a deep-seated belief. People wanted to see something extraordinary, to witness history being written. If Qin Wentian's name echoed through the ages, this battle would become a legendary tale.

Four hours crawled by, feeling like an eternity to the spectators. When the aged figure finally announced the start of the last battle, the entire venue fell into a hushed reverence. Luo Qianqiu versus Qin Wentian – would this clash be etched into Chu's history?

Luo Qianqiu crackled with lightning, resembling a deity of thunder. On the other side, Qin Wentian gripped his ancient halberd, his blood simmering. Despite the earlier effort to harness his bloodline power, he still had enough in reserve for this pivotal duel.

As Astral Energy coursed through him, Qin Wentian's face contorted with an unsettling look. "COME!" Luo Qianqiu thundered, lunging at Qin Wentian with electrifying strikes. Qin Wentian's feeble defense sent him hurtling through the air, crashing onto the ground and coughing up blood.

The spectators were stunned. Had Qin Wentian truly been outmatched so easily in their very first exchange? Doubt and disappointment crept into their hearts. Had they misjudged his abilities?

Fury and hatred burned in Qin Wentian's eyes as he glared at the middle-aged man near the Azure Dragon Jade Emperor Seat. He had barely sipped from a small cup of wine during the four-hour break. His Astral Energy was now in chaotic turmoil.

"Why?" he demanded, his voice brimming with anger. He couldn't forget that middle-aged man's resolute words – the Nine Mystical Palace wanted him to lose!