Bab 53: 47
You're absolutely right! I missed Xiao Mei's part, and I'll expand the chapter while adding more description and focusing on her storyline as well. Let me go back and extend everything further with added details and tension. Here's the revised chapter with Xiao Mei's perspective:
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Chapter Title: Conspiracies in the Dark
In the grand testing grounds, the air was tense, humming with an underlying current of anxiety that most of the crowd couldn't quite place. The Realm King sat motionless, his eyes sharp as he gazed out over the arena. His stoic demeanor betrayed nothing of his inner turmoil, but beneath the surface, thoughts churned like storm clouds. The Domain Rulers glanced at him periodically, sensing his tension, but remained silent, uncertain of what to make of his unusual behavior.
The Realm King, however, didn't speak. His golden robes shimmered in the soft light of the arena, their intricate designs of dragons and heavenly beasts undulating with every slight movement. His silence was unnerving, and as the tension grew unbearable, he slowly rose from his seat. Without so much as a word, he gestured subtly to Xiao Long, who sat among the Celestial Clan members with a quiet but confident air.
The Celestial prince's eyes flickered briefly as he met the Realm King's gaze. With a single nod, he acknowledged the unspoken order. The Realm King turned, excusing himself with a barely audible murmur before striding away from the viewing platform. The Domain Rulers exchanged confused glances. This was unusual—even for him.
One of the Domain Rulers, a tall figure from the Zenith Clan, leaned toward the Eternal Clan's ruler, whispering, "Why would he leave in the middle of the event?"
The Eternal Clan ruler, a wiry figure with deep-set eyes, could only shake his head. "I don't know… but something feels off." His eyes narrowed as they followed the retreating figure of the Realm King. "Very off."
The large screen above the arena flickered, displaying a continuous stream of events happening within the hunting grounds. Warriors from both the Celestial and Immortal Clans clashed with ferocious beasts, their Qi lighting up the battlefield in dazzling displays of power. The Domain Rulers tried to immerse themselves in the spectacle, but something was missing.
Yang Feng and Xiao Mei.
The two most formidable figures were nowhere to be seen, and that absence cast a shadow over the event.
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Meanwhile, in the rows reserved for the Immortal Clan, Yang Feng's mother, Lady Bai Xiang, sat upright and composed, though her sharp eyes reflected her unease. As the Immortal Queen, her presence demanded reverence, her silver hair a testament to her ancient bloodline, her power unspoken yet understood by all. Her face remained impassive, yet her heart stirred with concern.
The Celestial Clan elders—particularly Xiao Mei's father, Xiao Tian, who was the First Elder—had an air about them today that was unsettling. Xiao Tian, an elder with piercing eyes and a lined face, had always been reserved, but today, a subtle smile played on his lips. It was a smile that did not reach his eyes, a smile filled with confidence, perhaps even malice.
Lady Bai Xiang's fingers clenched tightly around the armrest of her chair. What are they planning? she wondered, her mind racing. The Immortals had won the last ten tests, each victory further solidifying their strength and prestige in the upper realms. Yet, today, the Celestials seemed different—almost as if they were assured of a victory that had yet to come.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a soft murmur from one of her guards. "Your Majesty, is something troubling you?"
Bai Xiang shook her head, her silver eyes narrowing. "No. It's nothing." Her voice was calm, but the unease growing in her chest told a different story. She couldn't shake the feeling that something dark was lurking beneath the surface of this competition. A plan. A conspiracy.
Across the arena, Xiao Tian caught her eye for the briefest of moments. His smile widened, the malice behind it unmistakable. Ah, Bai Xiang, he thought, his fingers drumming idly on the armrest beside him. You have no idea what's coming. How unfortunate that your son stands at the center of it.
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Far beneath the grandstands, in a hidden chamber deep underground, the Realm King entered the shadowy room, followed closely by Xiao Long. The chamber was dim, lit only by the faint glow of Qi crystals embedded in the walls, casting long, sinister shadows.
The Realm King's fury was barely contained as he slammed his palm against the wall, sending a ripple of Qi through the room. "Yang Feng!" he spat, his voice reverberating through the cold, stone walls. His expression was twisted with hatred, his jaw clenched so tightly it looked as if it might break.
Xiao Long, always composed, stood beside him, a small smirk playing on his lips. "Calm yourself, your Majesty," he said smoothly. "No matter what happens, today is the day Yang Feng falls. His death is inevitable."
The Realm King whirled around, his eyes wild. "Are you certain? We've underestimated him before. He's survived more than anyone thought possible."
Xiao Long's smile never faltered. "This time is different. Di Lóng has awakened. The slumber elixir is destroyed. Even if Yang Feng survives the lightning, he'll be too weak to stop what's coming next." He gestured to a smaller screen on the far wall, which displayed Yang Feng's battle with the ancient dragon.
The Realm King's eyes flickered with uncertainty, but after a moment, he took a deep breath, nodding slowly. He conjured a chair from his Qi, sitting down with a heavy sigh. "Let's see this through," he muttered.
Xiao Long did the same, conjuring his own seat and sitting back with his arms crossed. They watched as Yang Feng's figure on the screen was engulfed in flames, his body writhing under the force of Di Lóng's Earth Qi Lightning. The Realm King's lips curled into a vicious smile. "Finally," he whispered. "Finally, the Immortals will be rid of their precious prince."
Xiao Long, however, remained silent. His smile grew as the scene on the screen shifted. The storm clouds above Yang Feng thickened, and a bolt of heavenly lightning descended with unimaginable force, striking Yang Feng in the chest.
The Realm King's expression shifted from joy to shock. "What… what is this?!" he shouted, rising from his seat. "Why is he still alive?"
Xiao Long stood, his eyes narrowing as he observed the battle unfold. Yang Feng's charred body began to levitate, blue lightning coursing through him, and with it, his strength seemed to return. The Realm King's eyes widened in disbelief.
"No matter," Xiao Long said calmly, turning to leave. "Even if he survives this, his fate is sealed."
"Where are you going?" the Realm King demanded.
Xiao Long smiled, his eyes glittering with dark amusement. "I can sense her coming. My sister, Xiao Mei, is heading this way. You should clean up the evidence before she arrives." With that, he disappeared into the shadows, his footsteps echoing up the stairwell.
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Beneath the hunting grounds, Xiao Mei's slender frame moved swiftly through the winding tunnels. Her pink hair, flowing like a waterfall behind her, was streaked with dirt, and her eyes glowed with determination. She was not one to be easily deterred. After discovering the slumber elixir had been destroyed, rage had filled her heart. Her body felt heavy, the gravity of her emotions pulling her down like a weight, but she pushed forward. She had to find answers.
Her father had ordered her to remain on the surface, but Xiao Mei had her suspicions. Something was wrong. When she found the broken remnants of the elixir, her worst fears had been confirmed—sabotage. But by whom? And for what purpose?
She slammed her fist against the stone walls, and to her surprise, the impact revealed a hidden tunnel. Her instincts kicked in, and she wasted no time in entering. The tunnel led her deeper and deeper underground, and with every step, her heart pounded louder in her chest. She could feel it now—the faint presence of her brother, Xiao Long. What are you up to, brother?
As she moved further, she sensed another presence—darker, more malicious. The Realm King. This tunnel… it leads to them. She quickened her pace, her breath shallow with anticipation. Whatever they were planning, she had to stop it. For Yang Feng… for the future of the Immortals.
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Back in the hidden chamber, the Realm King cursed under his breath as he hastily began concealing the evidence of their sabotage. Xiao Mei was getting closer, and if she discovered the truth, their entire plan would unravel.
But even as he worked, a sense of dread filled him. Yang Feng isn't dead. And Xiao Mei… she's coming for answers.
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End Chapter.
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I've expanded the chapter to give more depth to Xiao Mei's part and her discovery of the hidden tunnel, alongside more descriptions of the Realm King's and Xiao Long's conspiracy. This also extends the tension and interplay between characters.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone