Chapter 810: The Hand Behind the Scenes

Chen Ling frowned and stared at Sun Bumian, and the air fell into a dead silence.

Chen Ling knew Sun Bumian must be hiding something. He even wanted to use [Painting the Red Face] to gain insight into Sun Bumian's life script, but after hesitating for a moment, he decided against it...

After all, Sun Bumian was Diamond 6, a member of the Twilight Society. This kind of direct prying into someone's deepest privacy wasn't suitable for use on one of his own.

After a long silence, Chen Ling didn't press further, just nodded calmly.

"Oh... I see."

Everyone had their own secrets, more or less... Chen Ling and Jian Changsheng were like that, and so was Sun Bumian.

"Zzzzz..."

A faint crackle of electricity sounded from Chen Ling's chest, accompanied by Director Chang's voice.

He took a deep look at Sun Bumian, then turned around to take out the walkie-talkie, replying as he walked:

"Yes, yes, yes... Director Chang, I didn't expect them to come so suddenly either..."

“……”

"Yes, Director, I was just checking the mechanisms of the Six Palaces of Clever Springs when Tu Tian and Fu Di found their way here, bringing several other participants with them..."

“……”

"No, don't worry, my reaction was quick. I restored all the mechanisms immediately... But the situation was sudden, and I didn't have time to leave, so I just stayed behind and announced the [Privilege] and the general rules to them..."

“……”

"Yes, they've already entered. Everything is going smoothly, don't worry."

After Chen Ling finished dealing with the organizers' questioning, he put away the walkie-talkie. When he looked back, Sun Bumian had already left the Dark Palace and disappeared.

Chen Ling didn't go after him. After all, they were both restricted to activities within this Old District, and they would see each other again sooner or later when the final stage began.

He turned back to open the secret door with the control panel and walked to the mirrors that could reflect every corner of the Dark Palace, beginning to observe the situation of the people in the Six Palaces of Clever Springs one by one...

Less than three minutes had passed since they entered the underground of the Dark Palace, but the first obstacle was already littered with corpses.

"Casualties are nearly half, progress is decent... However..."

Chen Ling rubbed his chin with one hand, lost in thought.

Within the six palaces, most were following the rules of the obstacles Chen Ling had set, but there were some exceptions... For instance, in the fourth palace, Tu Tian and Fu Di joined forces, using pure power to confront the mechanisms. Instead, they damaged some of the mechanisms and fell into another simple passage Chen Ling had hidden.

Tu Tian and Fu Di each represented extreme power, and their combined strength was even more overwhelming and difficult to resist.

The two of them were clearly aiming for the [Privilege], prioritizing speed above all else. With them clearing the way in front, the other participants who had chosen the fourth palace immediately followed.

In the process, the other participants even realized that the Qiankun Twins were two sturdy pillars of support, and they actually began to consciously cooperate with them, with a Medicine God Path user even specializing in healing their wounds...

Because of this, the number of participants in this palace hardly decreased at all.

"Is it those two..." Chen Ling smiled faintly at this. He turned back to the wall full of gears and levers, took out two blank signs from the side, and quickly wrote something on them.

"You forced me into a dead end back then... This time, it's my turn to toy with your Dao hearts."

After writing the two signs, Chen Ling threw them into the running machinery below, and they disappeared.

……

Inside the fourth palace.

A dozen figures were moving along the quiet corridor.

"These two are so fierce... As expected of the Qiankun Twins."

"Normal. They are the young geniuses of our Twist-Dragon Warriors. Many seniors of the Strength God Path have high hopes for them," one of the three Twist-Dragon Warriors walking side-by-side couldn't help but remark, hearing the whispers of those around them.

"Oh, you guys are also Twist-Dragon Warriors?"

"Yeah... we came together, but compared to Tu Tian and Fu Di, our strength is far behind... This time, we're just here to accompany them."

The three looked at the duo walking in the lead, a flash of envy in their eyes.

The three of them were older than the Qiankun Twins, but their rank was only Tier 4. After all, not everyone could have such terrifying talent. The Twist-Dragon Warriors sending them along this time was indeed intended to let them gain some experience.

After all, in the eyes of the Twist-Dragon Warriors' top brass, Tu Tian and Fu Di were the true candidates for the [Heaven-Reaching Star Position].

"Then your Twist-Dragon Warriors are truly amazing to have produced such figures."

"Yeah, when that mechanism came out earlier, I was scared to death. Fortunately, they have amazing strength, otherwise, I estimate more than half of us would have died."

"Won't the referee have any objections?"

"It was agreed that any means could be used. Who said breaking the wall wasn't allowed? Besides, we fell into this by accident. We haven't triggered any mechanisms in this passage so far. Maybe we can reach the deepest part safely!"

"Even if we arrive first, there's only one [Privilege]. We'll probably still have to fight for it..."

"Let's wait until we get to that step. For now, let's just stick close to the big shots."

“……”

The crowd whispered, their gazes toward the two in front varying—some admiring, some envious, some harboring ulterior motives... But on the surface, they were all smiles, fearing they would displease the two and get smashed to death with a single strike.

A few of the weaker ones even crowded right up to the two, being extremely sycophantic.

"I am Li Dong, civilian Green God Path. You two had such great style just now~" one person said with a smile, cupping his hands.

"Is the rake on this brother's back cool? Can I touch it?" A woman almost pressed herself against Tu Tian, her slender fingers beginning to wander across his back.

“……”

Even if they couldn't snatch the [Heaven-Reaching Star Position] in the end, building a good relationship with someone qualified to be one of the seven would be a way out in the future.

The constant chattering sounded from the side, but Tu Tian and Fu Di enjoyed it very much. They usually stayed in the Twist-Dragon Warriors' base, focusing on training and cultivation, and had never experienced such worldly flattery. Their pores opened up in comfort.

Fu Di naturally reached out and wrapped his arm around the woman's waist, pulling her into his embrace.

At the same time, Tu Tian's ears twitched, hearing the conversation of the people behind. He turned back and smiled at his three Twist-Dragon Warrior companions:

"No need to be discouraged, three brothers. Second Master sent us here together this time to look out for each other. Besides, your strength isn't weak. Even if there are only five seats left after Fu Di and I take ours, you might still have a chance to snatch the [Heaven-Reaching Star Position]."

Fu Di nodded slightly, enjoying the softness in his palm while speaking casually, "Do your best. It doesn't matter if you fail in the end. After our brothers obtain the [Heaven-Reaching Star Position], we will definitely look after the Twist-Dragon Warriors and bring honor to you all."

No one noticed that as they were talking, an invisible Heart Python was quietly approaching from above...