The rare races had all been watching the chaos with amusement, but the moment Shi Mo shouted that accusation, their smiles vanished.
The elf girl rolled her eyes so hard it was a miracle they didn't fall out. "What do you mean, the King's people? You're the King's people!"
Shi Mo froze.
Wait, what?
He'd been sure this was the King's scheme. But the elf's open disdain didn't look fake at all. If they really were the King's subordinates, how could they act like this right in front of her?
Shi Mo turned toward the King in confusion.
Zhi Yue's gaze was locked on Yun Jin. She stood up, smiling as she walked forward.
"The mental control over these rare races, was it you who broke it?" Zhi Yue asked, her tone light but curious.
Yun Jin curved her lips into a grin. "Yeah." She didn't even try to deny it.
Zhi Yue tilted her head slightly, her eyes gleaming with interest. Then she said softly, "Mirror Four, where are you?"
A surge of spiritual energy rippled from her body. But nothing happened.
Zhi Yue frowned. She'd clearly summoned Mirror Four, yet there wasn't a single response.
"Looking for Mirror Four?" Yun Jin smiled. "Mirror Four, come out."
From backstage, Mirror Four walked out calmly.
Zhi Yue's eyes narrowed. She sensed the man's aura and a spark of surprise flickered through her gaze.
Mirror Four's sea of consciousness had already been completely taken over by another's spiritual mark. So the one who'd seized control of her subordinate… was this woman?
How amusing.
Without warning, Zhi Yue waved her hand.
Yun Jin didn't even flinch, still eating her grilled fish, but the man beside her was struck head-on. Mirror Four exploded on the spot.
Zhi Yue killed him without a trace of hesitation. Her curiosity only deepened. "You're eating so happily. That grilled fish of yours looks good. Care to share one with me?"
Yun Jin raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "It's delicious. But I don't feel like sharing."
Zhi Yue didn't get angry. Instead, her smile grew even brighter. "Is that so?"
Her dress began to ripple as immense spiritual power burst from her body, surging straight toward the stage.
Yun Jin only smiled. She didn't even move. A transparent barrier of energy instantly enveloped the entire stage, effortlessly blocking the King's attack. The platform didn't even shake.
Zhi Yue narrowed her eyes for the first time, her face darkening in thought.
Every move of the Shi nobles had been within her grasp.
Even the envoys, she didn't fear.
But today, several unexpected things had already slipped out of her control.
For someone like Zhi Yue, who always had every variable planned out, that was enough to make her wary. This woman before her wasn't with the Shi nobles, nor did she seem connected to the envoys. She certainly wasn't someone Zhi Yue had planted.
Who exactly was she?
Zhi Yue had only launched a probing strike, yet the other woman had blocked it effortlessly. Her strength was unfathomable.
"You're not one of the rare races," Zhi Yue said. "Who are you?"
The woman's spiritual energy was powerful but strangely contained. Zhi Yue couldn't see through her at all.
Yun Jin's smile widened. "You're right, I'm not one of the rare races. I came from the Central Continent. My name's Yun Jin."
"Yun Jin…" Zhi Yue's brows furrowed slightly. A hint of apprehension flashed in her eyes.
The Central Continent? That was human territory!
Humans crossing the vast distance to Nanlan Continent were extremely rare, and every one of them possessed terrifying power.
Why would a human appear here?
Zhi Yue's voice softened. "The Central Continent? So you're human. Right now, the Shi Tribe's internal affairs have nothing to do with your kind."
She watched Yun Jin closely.
Yun Jin nodded mildly. "You're right. It's none of my business."
Zhi Yue breathed a quiet sigh of relief. "Then take those rare races and leave. There's no need for you to get involved in this mess."
In her mind, she was already being generous.
Originally, she hadn't planned to let anyone here live.
Yun Jin smiled, eyes gleaming with mischief. "Nope. I'm not leaving yet."
Zhi Yue's face instantly darkened. Her voice turned icy. "What's that supposed to mean? Are you humans planning to meddle in Nanlan's affairs now? Do you want to start a war between our continents?"
Yun Jin chuckled. "This has nothing to do with the human race. I just can't stand seeing injustice without doing something about it."
Zhi Yue's tone grew sharper. "So you're set on opposing me? You and I have no enmity. If you're only standing up for these rare races, I've already allowed you to take them away. What more do you want?"
Yun Jin's expression stayed calm. "You're right, we've got no grudge. But I'm the kind of person who likes meddling in other people's business."
Zhi Yue frowned deeply.
What the hell was wrong with this human? Just for the sake of 'meddling,' she had to jump into something this dangerous?
Zhi Yue decided she'd wasted enough words. If this human didn't know her place, then she'd just kill her too.
"Human?" Shi Mo suddenly spoke up. "The human race has no right to interfere in Nanlan Continent's affairs!"
"That's right," an envoy added. "Whatever happens here should be decided by Nanlan's people. No matter who you are, you'd best stay out of it."
Zhi Yue didn't want Yun Jin's interference. The Shi nobles and the envoys apparently felt the same way.
Yun Jin laughed softly.
She could guess what they were thinking. They'd probably already divided the spoils among themselves, and were afraid her interference would cut into their share.
She glanced around.
The King believed victory was already hers, and the nobles and envoys clearly thought the same.
Neither side wanted her to interfere?
Fine.
Then she'd let them play it out themselves.
She spoke lightly, "Relax, my grilled fish isn't finished yet. You all go ahead."
Both sides actually breathed a sigh of relief.
They didn't know what kind of human she was, but as long as she stayed out of it, they could deal with their business first.
Zhi Yue turned, her gaze sweeping over the Shi nobles and envoys. Her lips curved into a bright, almost dazzling smile.
Everyone tensed up instinctively.
"King, do you admit your crimes? These rare races—" Shi Mo began, but his words cut off with a choked sound.
Zhi Yue's lips curled slightly. She raised her hand.
In the next instant, Shi Mo's body was yanked toward her like a puppet.
Zhi Yue's fingers wrapped around his throat, and with the gentlest squeeze—
Boom!
Shi Mo exploded into a cloud of bloody mist.
The onlookers froze, faces twisting in horror.
In an instant, everyone's spiritual energy surged as they surrounded Zhi Yue.