Seeing that she didn't answer directly but was testing her instead, Wen Li's eyes flickered with a hint of appreciation. “Naturally. When two people are an unsuitable match, anyone has the right to refuse.”
Hearing this, understanding flashed in Zongzheng Huangyue's eyes. Only then did she answer Wen Li's earlier question.
“I did not come out of fear of rumors or gossip, nor am I afraid of the truth being exposed. Such things are merely games for the ignorant masses. When I need to, I'll play along; when I don't, I need only slaughter everyone who knows and speaks of it, and all ill talk will cease.”
Her eyes brimmed with relish and self-satisfaction for the exercise of power, devoid of even an ounce of mercy or compassion.
Zongzheng Huangyue raised her gaze, her eyes clear, her voice gentle and accompanied by a faint smile.
“I came for Your Excellency. I am curious how you know, and even more curious... what it is you want from me.”
Hearing that she had seen through her purpose, Wen Li extended her divine sense. Sure enough, five Nascent Soul and ten Golden Core cultivators were gathered in the surroundings. However, they had not erected a barrier; it seemed they were not here to encircle and suppress her, but rather to protect Zongzheng Huangyue at a moment's notice.
Not bad. Cautious enough, clever enough, and wicked enough—no need for slow training.
Wen Li spoke.
“Do you have a master?”
“I do. Imperial Preceptor Zongzheng Yingchu,” Zongzheng Huangyue answered, puzzled yet replying nonetheless.
“So it's him.” Wen Li chuckled upon hearing that.
“Your Excellency knows my master?” Zongzheng Huangyue tilted her head. If she knew him... judging by her expression, they didn't seem to be enemies, but rather gave the impression of old acquaintances with a shared history.
“I know him. In fact, he was defeated by my hands.”
To get Zongzheng Huangyue to accept her more quickly, Wen Li simply stepped on him to elevate herself. “Has he ever told you about the Central Province, or someone named Makabaka? Oh, or perhaps that ever since Zongzheng Yingchu's Aptitude Battle, the Central Province added a rule requiring participants to bring their own antidotes for Demon Beast Frenzy Powder and Estrus Powder?”
Fearing Zongzheng Yingchu wouldn't mention his humiliating past, Wen Li deliberately added something everyone knew about but didn't understand.
Initially, Zongzheng Huangyue didn't understand the first two questions, but upon hearing the last sentence, the way she looked at Wen Li changed instantly, shifting into an indescribable shock and astonishment.
“The person who framed my master and the disciples of the Houchi Kingdom in that year's Aptitude Battle was you.”
“...” Wen Li thought she was standing up for the Houchi Kingdom and instantly regretted saying it. Yet, unexpectedly—
“I always wondered who could frame an arrogant, aloof, ice-faced hypocrite like Zongzheng Yingchu—someone even more hypocritical than me. To think it was actually you.”
Zongzheng Huangyue's next words carried a tone of pleasant surprise.
Wen Li's eyelid twitched. Why did this disciple feel just like Gu Linshu, completely disregarding the labels given by that damn system?
Connecting Wen Li's earlier question about having a master with her current intentions, Zongzheng Huangyue dropped to her knees without warning with a thud.
“Let me take you as my master. Zongzheng Yingchu isn't worthy; you are stronger than him.” Her eyes shone brightly as she stared at Wen Li.
“Whoa, whoa, wait. Why are you suddenly taking me as your master?”
Wen Li hastily stepped aside, feeling a sense of unreality. Something was off. She hadn't even finished her script and routine of coercion and inducement, yet Zongzheng Huangyue, just like Gu Linshu, had hurriedly and nimbly knelt to take her as master.
No, this was completely wasting the plot she had planned!
Zongzheng Huangyue, however, didn't mind. She smiled freely. “I only take strong people as my master. If Zongzheng Yingchu weren't the only one qualified to instruct me in the Eastern Province, I would never have become his disciple. Isn't your purpose in luring me here to take me as your disciple? I agree, as long as you can make me stronger.”
Wen Li was amused by her words. “Then if someone stronger than me appears in the future, won't you betray me and take them as your master instead?”
“Then how strong are you, aside from being stronger than Zongzheng Yingchu?” Zongzheng Huangyue genuinely gave it thought.
“Right now, I am only at Foundation Establishment Great Perfection,” Wen Li remarked casually.
Disbelief showed on Zongzheng Huangyue's face. “Impossible. That year when Zongzheng Yingchu participated in the Aptitude Battle, he was already at Late-Stage Golden Core. You have the ability to appear in the Eastern Province, the audacity to put on a show right in my path, the courage to be alone with me despite the countless Nascent Soul and Golden Core cultivators outside, and the nerve to show up at the ancestral temple where Zongzheng Yingchu is present. Your composure cannot deceive me.”
“I truly am at Foundation Establishment Great Perfection.” Wen Li simply revealed her cultivation base.
“...” How could that be?
Zongzheng Huangyue's expression froze. Her eyes narrowed in disbelief that her judgment could be flawed. With her mind racing, she finally spoke:
“Then why do you know my most guarded secret?”
Wen Li replied offhandedly, “I picked up a storybook that said so. I figured I'd give it a shot—if it worked, I could extort a fortune from you.”
Zongzheng Huangyue's gaze turned icy in an instant, yet she did not act rashly. No, that's not right. Her words are false. If she had the ability to scheme against so many prodigies of the Central Province and the audacity to plot against me, it couldn't be as simple as extorting money.
Still maintaining her kneeling posture, she rapidly turned things over in her mind. Wen Li didn't move either, sitting calmly as she waited for her reaction.
Soon, Zongzheng Huangyue raised her head.
“I will ask you only one question.”
“Speak.”
“Is your goal to accept me as your disciple?”
Seeing that she had grasped the crux and was attempting to take control of the conversation, the seated Wen Li gave a slight nod. “Mm.”
Then came Zongzheng Huangyue's second question:
“What can you do for me?” Her expression had already shifted to one of cool, sharp calculation.
She didn't care what Wen Li needed from her; what mattered was what Wen Li could bring to her.
Such rhetoric placed her on the conversational high ground, forcing Wen Li to prove herself rather than forcing Zongzheng Huangyue to verify Wen Li's credibility.
Wen Li, however, countered, “What do you want?”
Zongzheng Huangyue couldn't help but frown. She knew she couldn't outmaneuver the person before her. Wen Li's words seemed nonsensical at first glance, yet they let one seize upon subtle clues. Unwilling to continue talking in circles, she simply made her opening move.
“I want the throne of Saint Emperor, and even the entire Eastern Province.”
Her eyes were resolute and confident; she didn't believe in the slightest that this was mere delusion.
“I truly am only at Foundation Establishment Great Perfection right now,” Wen Li gave a slight nod, “however... I can save your life. Is that enough?”
“What do you mean?”
Wen Li tilted her chin up slightly, picked up a teacup beside her, and took a gentle sip. “I can calculate your fate. I deduced that your fiancé, Wangquan Sheng, will not be killed by the assassins you sent. He will fall off a cliff, stumble upon a serendipitous encounter, grow stronger step by step, reclaim the Beiqiong Kingdom, kill you, and unify the Eastern Province. As for your biological sister, Zongzheng Yuanling, whose body you possessed—she has already reincarnated into a major sect in the Central Province, showered with affection by everyone there. In the future, the two of them will join hands to slay you for revenge and live happily ever after.”
After Wen Li finished speaking, the system, which had been watching the drama all along, suddenly snapped awake.
【Host, you cannot tell the villain the entire plot!】
【You never told me! How was I supposed to know? It's too late now anyway. Fine, I won't mention it next time. Don't ruin my performance.】
Wen Li's perfunctory attitude left the system choking with frustration. Yet, upon reflection, there indeed had never been a rule forbidding the host from informing target individuals about the plot progression. Furthermore, the host had already spilled everything without suffering any punishment. Could it be that no such restriction existed?
Strange. Why did it feel that way, then? Perhaps it had read too many works like 《How to Become an Outstanding Gold Medal System》 by senior gold medal systems. Since all of them wrote about it, it assumed the same applied to itself.
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