Chapter 897: Chapter 894 · [Chapter 2 · Penglai Immortals Selection (Part 1)]
The sky gradually descended into darkness, black as an abyss.
The various martial arts masters looked at this scene in difficulty, unsure whether to protect the royal family or to uphold justice for the Eldest Prince.
Hundreds of guardians devoted to the royal family drew their weapons, the "swish, swish, swish" of blades flashed cold and brilliant under the night, aimed at the approaching Su Ming’an, like hundreds of cold stars shimmering in the dark.
"You..." The emperor’s cheek on the stage twitched slightly, revealing a forced smile: "Shaoqing, wait a moment..."
Su Ming’an remained unmoved and walked straight toward the emperor.
The people below exchanged glances, no one making a move, as if all were waiting for this confrontation to end.
"—Don’t listen to this person! He is not my son at all!" Suddenly, a sharp voice came from the side. A luxuriously dressed woman in a phoenix robe rushed over, her gaze like an ice awl.
Su Ming’an’s heart trembled slightly, seemingly a reflexive reaction from this body. Upon seeing this woman, a pulling pain surged in his heart. It seems this woman is the Eldest Prince’s mother.
"Quickly seize this person!" The noblewoman pointed directly at Su Ming’an, her eyes full of aversion. The royal guardians stepped forward, surrounding Su Ming’an with their gleaming spear tips.
Mo Yan jumped out, blocking in front of Su Ming’an.
Su Ming’an had no intention of wasting words with the woman in the phoenix robe and directly cast a spatial vibration in her direction.
"Boom—!"
No one expected Su Ming’an to suddenly strike. In an instant, the stage scattered like broken building blocks, wood chips flying everywhere, and the stage was torn to pieces, this terrifying destructiveness startling everyone.
Ten seconds later, the dust gradually settled; the woman in the phoenix robe still stood in place, her clothes stained with blood. She coughed a few times, her figure swaying but not falling, protected by a black-haired ponytailed young man holding a talisman.
"Mother, be careful." Xiao Jingsan supported the noblewoman, speaking gently, playing out a scene of maternal affection and filial piety.
The woman nodded, grabbing Xiao Jingsan’s sleeve, her voice trembling: "Son, I rely on you, you must kill this treacherous rebel."
"Rest assured, mother." Xiao Jingsan responded, gently holding the woman’s hand.
"Everyone, listen to me, the Eldest Prince is not..." Xiao Jingsan faced the martial artists, seemingly wanting to say something to salvage the situation. However, Su Ming’an gave no opportunity, directly launching a second spatial vibration.
Su Ming’an knew that in such a situation where secrets were exposed, the royal family must have countermeasures. Even if he wanted to prove his identity again, ultimately it would still escalate to combat, so his approach was simple—strike down the opponent first, then debate, directly tearing off Xiao Jingsan’s mask to save time.
"Boom—!!"
Under two spatial vibrations, the ground seemed to have been upturned, yellow sand swirling frantically, making it impossible to see the surroundings. This terrifying might frightened the spectators, causing the players watching the excitement to retreat three feet.
"Damn! It’s the real Su Ming’an! This is the genuine spatial vibration!" several players shouted.
"As everyone knows, Su Ming’an will save the world, not like Mizushima Kawa Sora who disregards the world’s fate, so we need not fear a total extinction outcome," a middle-aged man said.
"A refreshing story opening, the Eldest Prince slapping the royal family in the face with thirty years east of the river and thirty years west, I’m watching with relish! Next, the royal family will regret it, the Dragon King returns, and they couldn’t recognize greatness!" an excited man with glasses raised his hands to record: "This is so great, when did the World Game become so exciting, give me more, I love watching this!"
Amid the smoke and dust, a talisman flickered with golden light.
Xiao Jingsan stood in place, still protecting the Empress behind him. However, those royal guardians had been knocked out, lying on the ground unconscious.
Xiao Jingsan’s hair was somewhat disheveled, and his clothes were damaged, but he still stood there, staring intently at Su Ming’an.
Su Ming’an switched to Bright State, holding the Sword of Yarman, stepping forward by step.
"You are not the Eldest Prince at all," Xiao Jingsan said.
"..." Su Ming’an had no intention of wasting words; since whatever he said would not be acknowledged, he might as well tear off Xiao Jingsan’s mask himself.
"And I am not the Eldest Prince either."
Xiao Jingsan’s next sentence left everyone stunned.
The citizens preparing to flee, the martial artists staying to watch the drama, all revealed looks of shock.
—Did Xiao Jingsan just admit?
Admit the royal scandal, admit the matter of impersonation?
Su Ming’an’s steps paused slightly; he stared into Xiao Jingsan’s eyes, whose gaze was warm and unreadable.
"—Neither of us is the Eldest Prince," Xiao Jingsan said.
Su Ming’an’s gaze shifted slightly.
Viewers of the World Game live broadcast room and the Dream Patrol live room both sensed a growing sense of absurdity.
"What are you... talking about?" Su Ming’an asked.
Whether from the Eldest Prince’s diary or the royal chronicle, he unmistakably was the Eldest Prince. This point should not be overturned.
"Although you are indeed the firstborn child of the Empress, typically making you the Eldest Prince," Xiao Jingsan said, "it’s a pity you are not human, so it doesn’t count."
In an instant, the entire scene fell silent.
"...I am not human," Su Ming’an slowly said. "Are you accusing me of being an ’Exotic Species’?"
"Ah, yes, exactly," Xiao Jingsan nodded indifferently.
"An ’Exotic Species’ who would be imprisoned for long periods, blood drawn daily, so weak I could barely walk?" Su Ming’an said. "Are you suggesting that the Empress and Emperor who gave birth to me are also ’Exotic Species’?"
"No, the Emperor and Empress are ordinary humans. But you are indeed an ’Exotic Species,’" Xiao Jingsan said. "To this day, people don’t understand how ’Exotic Species’ come to be; they think ’Exotic Species’ are spontaneously born, like natural disasters. But what if I told you that ’Exotic Species’ can be born from humans?"
Xiao Jingsan’s words were so absurd that even the righteous leaders couldn’t stand it anymore.
A handsome man dressed in a black robe with a red belt stepped forward; it was Ye Yihong, the leader of righteousness.
"Now the situation is clear, Xiao Jingsan already admitted he is the Eldest Prince’s imposter, the real Eldest Prince is right here, not some treacherous rebel." Ye Yihong cupped his hands. "Though I am reluctant to interfere in royal family affairs, the Eldest Prince himself mentioned ’blood drawing,’ indicating this is related to ’Eligibles’—the royal family’s private imprisonment of Eligibles, I must intervene... As for ’Exotic Species’ mentioned by Xiao Jingsan, I really can’t see anything like ’Exotic Species’ in this real Eldest Prince."
Currently, although martial artists outwardly respect the royal family, if it’s about the survival of the human race, especially concerning "Eligibles," martial artists will not stand by. Eligibles are more precious than gold; aside from drawing blood to nourish others, the innate powerful talents of Eligibles alone are enough to save countless lives on the frontlines. Su Ming’an cannot be persecuted by the royal family.
Ye Yihong looked at Xiao Jingsan, the sheath of his sword at his waist emitting a "ding." If Xiao Jingsan showed any sign of attacking Su Ming’an, Ye Yihong would act immediately.
Xiao Jingsan ignored Ye Yihong’s threat and just stared at Su Ming’an: "Shaoqing, come to the present world to meet me. As long as you agree to meet me, I will not continue to reveal the truth. The truth that follows will be of no benefit to you."
Su Ming’an realized that Xiao Jingsan was actually a dream traveler from the present world!
From the beginning, Xiao Jingsan appeared very much like a native NPC of the Louyue Nation, showing no characteristics of being a dream traveler, which was truly unrecognizable.
"Meet you in the present world? Who are you?" Su Ming’an said.
"I sent you an email today." Xiao Jingsan smiled: "I really want to meet you. Please reply to my email."
Su Ming’an suddenly remembered an email from the [Vice Sect Hierarch of the Old Day Church, Xiao Ying], which read [First Dream Traveler, is it convenient to meet?].
"You are from the Old Day..." Su Ming’an said.
"Shh." Xiao Jingsan raised a finger: "This is not convenient to say in public; it’s enough for you to know in your heart."
After all, the Old Day Church is a clandestine force, bombing cities, massacring residents, consorting with exotic species... any of these acts are those of anti-human madmen. Xiao Jingsan did not want Su Ming’an to just say it out loud.
Su Ming’an was taken aback, then loudly shouted: "You are the Vice Sect Hierarch of the Old Day Church, Xiao Ying!"
Xiao Jingsan didn’t want him to say it, but he insisted on saying it loudly. The Old Day Church is not a good thing.
As soon as Su Ming’an said these words, chaos erupted below the stage. There were quite a few dream travelers from the present world. Once people saw that Xiao Jingsan was starting to attract the First Dream Traveler, they immediately stopped watching the fun and rushed forward, mixed voices filling the air.
"First Dream Traveler! I am the leader of the third group of the City Guardian Department, we invite you—" a red-haired man shouted loudly.
"First Dream Traveler! This is the Human Self-Rescue Alliance, our Vice Alliance Hierarch really wants to meet you, as long as you can meet once, any request can be granted to you..." a black-haired woman pushed through the crowd, shouting frantically.
"First Dream Traveler, I am from the military, we have already sent you an email, which included the positions and honors that can be given to you, please take a look—" an old man with white hair was waving vegetable leaves.
"First Dream Traveler, we are the Union Government..."
People swarmed forward, frantically throwing olive branches at Su Ming’an.
Princess Jing He stared blankly at this scene, the royal family members and numerous martial artists beside her were also dumbfounded, unable to comprehend what this group was saying. Just like NPCs who cannot understand the words of world game players.
Su Ming’an dodged these people, their eagerness for him to join their organizations was almost as mad as that group from the United Group.
He just took a step back, options appeared in front of him, and everything slowed down:
[Xiao Jingsan proposes that as long as you agree to meet him offline, he will not reveal the remaining truth. How should you answer him?]
[Triangle pattern: "Okay, I agree, where shall we meet?"]
[Square pattern: "Xiao Jingsan, you’re just trying to cover up royal scandal. You’ve been a stand-in for the royal family for so many years, why should I believe you?"]
[Circle pattern: "Xiao Jingsan, you want to tell the truth, then go ahead."]
[Diamond pattern: "State Preceptor! State Preceptor! Where are you? Hurry and blow up Xiao Jingsan! I’m scared weeping..."]
...
Su Ming’an thought for a while, choosing the circle.
"Xiao Jingsan, you want to tell the truth, then go ahead." Su Ming’an said.
As soon as Su Ming’an spoke, the frantic crowd immediately quieted down.
Xiao Jingsan shrugged and laughed: "Alright, I knew you would definitely choose the option that seemed like courting death. You’d do anything to hear some clues."
Su Ming’an frowned.
Seeing Xiao Jingsan’s face, identical to his own, showing such a wantonly triumphant expression, and with a demeanor as if he knew him well, made Su Ming’an feel very strange.
Xiao Jingsan clapped his hands, and a bronze mirror appeared beside him. The mirror was entirely bronze-colored, reflecting a layer of mysterious, mist-like white light.
"This, could this be the Mirror of Past Traces?" a knowledgeable martial artist exclaimed in surprise.
"That’s right, this item is a product of the ancient ruins, capable of revealing whether a person is human or an exotic species. Each activation requires a large amount of blood." Xiao Jingsan touched the mirror’s surface, which reflected a deep white light: "I’ve kept this item for a long time, and the blood stored inside is enough for one activation. Now let’s witness the identity of this Eldest Prince."
"Xiao Jingsan, what nonsense are you spouting! I and the Empress are human; how can the Eldest Prince possibly be an exotic species!" the Emperor immediately stepped in to refute.
He had imprisoned the Eldest Prince only to extract the blood of an eligible one, which had nothing to do with what Xiao Jingsan was saying about exotic species, not knowing what madness possessed Xiao Jingsan today.
Xiao Jingsan completely ignored them, just caressing the Mirror of Past Traces.
"It’s certainly genuine." Ye Yihong confirmed the authenticity of the Mirror of Past Traces: "The mirror hasn’t been tampered with, and if it shines on a person, it can indeed determine whether they are human or an exotic species."
Zou Yuqing nodded: "Today’s spectacle is indeed something. I’ve never heard of eligibles being slandered as exotic species before."
Xiao Jingsan just smiled and then looked at Su Ming’an.
"Sometimes, a HAPPY END is better than knowing the truth. Shaoqing, do you really want to hear the truth?" Xiao Jingsan said.
"Stop dawdling." Su Ming’an said. He needed to hear the truth before resetting, with no time for Xiao Jingsan’s nonsense.
Mo Yan stood beside Su Ming’an with some worry, whispering, "Brother, I think based on previous experience, you really might be..."
Su Ming’an shook his head: "It’s okay."
The martial artists below were craning their necks, full of curiosity about the result.
Xiao Jingsan moved the mirror, shining it on Su Ming’an.
"Ding——!"
A long, deep sound echoed, and on the mirror’s surface, the mist gradually cleared, revealing a blood-red shadow.
"Boom——!"
The sky suddenly roared with thunder, the lightning illuminating a terrifyingly twisted tentacle monster reflected in the mirror, turning pale.