Chapter 274: 274 Testing_1
[[Mount Flower Association: Regarding changes in the Mount Flower A-Level competitor roster.]
The original substitute player, Wen Jiang, has withdrawn from the A-Rank Group for personal reasons.
We are pleased to announce and welcome the new substitute player, Huo Rubing. (Huo Rubing’s profile).]
-?
-??????
-Fuck, do you guys know what you’re talking about?
-Huh?!!!! You’re telling me she dropped out of the A-Rank Group after not attending a single interview since the competition ended?!
-But why? Why did she suddenly withdraw?
-What the hell is this Huo Rubing? Where’s my Jiang Shen?
-Why retire in such good form? Could something have happened?
As expected, Wen Jiang’s withdrawal from the A-Rank Group caused a huge uproar.
Since becoming the champion, she had undoubtedly been the strongest active A-Level professional player. She attracted a lot of attention, and every move of hers was subject to heavy analysis by others.
However, she was indeed capricious, refusing to partake in interviews. As the Jimo Family’s heir, others couldn’t really do anything to her. But what was this sudden retirement all about?
Even when various families of the Nobility had joined forces to suppress the Jimo Family, Wen Jiang hadn’t seemed pressured by it, and it didn’t appear to be strongly related to her competitions, right?
While everyone was mystified, only a few paid attention to the subtle wording used by Mount Flower.
Normally, when a player retires, it’s attributed to personal factors—like Dong Shao, who cited health reasons—and it’s explicitly stated as retirement.
In Wen Jiang’s case, it was only mentioned she had exited the A-Rank Group, not that she was retiring.
Some noticed but couldn’t think further. Mount Flower was Wen Jiang’s enterprise. With her championship-winning strength, it was improbable she would join another association just to benefit them, so her exit from the A-Rank Group was puzzling.
The Broken Heart Association, Holy Beast Association, and Mountain Ghost Association were driven by curiosity. Those with connections made phone calls to find out what was happening with Mount Flower.
Ever since the announcement of Wen Jiang’s decision, Tang Qian’s phone had been ringing off the hook.
She was incredibly busy, mainly dealing with the fans’ questions.
Regarding the sudden player change, the fans were in an uproar. Consequently, they showed no goodwill towards the newly added Huo Rubing either.
After all, he was replacing Jiang Shen’s spot, which came with enormous pressure.
This time, the fan protests were fervent. Wen Jiang noticed. While she normally didn’t interact with her fans, she stepped forward this time to offer a brief explanation.
Wen Jiang V: "Withdrew from the A-Rank Group for personal reasons. Please do not delve into it."
Her rare message, despite the emotional outbursts, managed to calm the majority of her fans.
Only a small minority couldn’t accept it.
While Wen Jiang was considering creating new Spirit Cards for Mount Flower, trouble had recently erupted in Ceylon Cemetery. Even Spirit Card Masters, including Wen Jiang, were placed under surveillance.
This was the Blood Emperor’s command; no one could disobey it.
Zero Egg didn’t dare explore too far but managed to overhear some vague information: "It seems like quite a few people have gone missing in Ceylon Cemetery recently. They’re all from the Fiend Organization, along with some independent Spirit Card Masters."
Wen Jiang raised an eyebrow. "Someone’s causing trouble in Ceylon Cemetery?"
Zero Egg replied, "It’s not clear. It seems like they disrupted some business."
As they spoke, Wen Jiang saw Xing Wu leisurely float in through the window.
She suddenly narrowed her eyes.
Compared to his transparent appearance when he first emerged, Xing Wu now looked more solid, like a real person.
Previously, his tall figure had seemed light and ethereal, but now the sense of pressure he exuded was more potent.
His handsome, bewitching face, with a casual glance from his eyes, made even the starlight within them seem more dazzling than usual.
He had been appearing and disappearing like a ghost recently. Since others couldn’t see him, Wen Jiang didn’t restrict his movements much either.
Consequently, some disturbances had recently occurred at Ceylon Cemetery.
As Wen Jiang sized up Xing Wu, he feigned nonchalance, his gaze lowered towards her.
Wen Jiang’s lips curved into a smile, a hint of coldness in her expression. "Are the recent events at Ceylon Cemetery related to you?"
Xing Wu tilted his head, not answering directly. A shimmering light swirled within his deep black pupils. Instead, he said, "I can always manifest here. Guess what I rely on to do so?"
That was a tacit admission.
Wen Jiang’s frown deepened noticeably. "What have you done?"
Xing Wu said, "My existence requires intense desires—desires you can’t provide, but others can."
"..."
His words carried a subtle implication.
It was as if there were things Wen Jiang couldn’t provide, so he had to go out and find some fun elsewhere.
Perhaps because he had been enjoying himself lately, he uncharacteristically offered Wen Jiang a detailed explanation, "Normally, basic human desires don’t affect me."
Only during specific moments, when emotions burst forth intensely, could they suffice.
And in Ceylon City, there were plenty of such places.
Although he spoke vaguely, Wen Jiang quickly realized what he had done.
Because Karin had come to her house to look for her.
Upon entering, she removed her coat and sat down in Wen Jiang’s home. Behaving as Wen Jiang’s superior, she poured herself water without hesitation, even complaining, "I really don’t know who’s audacious enough to stir up trouble in Ceylon City. Several higher-ups are investigating it now."
Wen Jiang glanced at Xing Wu, who was lingering nearby but clearly invisible to Karin, and casually asked, "What exactly happened?"
Karin finished pouring the water, turned to glance at Wen Jiang, and said candidly, "Several underground trading posts in Ceylon City were raided. Both buyers and sellers have vanished, and not even bodies can be found."
Trading posts.
Wen Jiang instantly knew what Karin was talking about.
In Ceylon Cemetery, all sorts of nefarious dealings were commonplace. There were places Wen Jiang couldn’t, and shouldn’t, forcibly enter.
She knew what those were, but sometimes she could only watch.
And within those places, humanity’s most primal and darkest emotions were born. Wen Jiang had a rough idea of what Xing Wu had done.
Wen Jiang, who initially thought Xing Wu would interfere with her work, felt an inexplicable calm settle over her.
She glanced imperceptibly at Xing Wu. He floated in mid-air, watching her and Karin with an innocent smile.
Without a hint of regret in her voice, Wen Jiang remarked, "Truly audacious."
Karin gave Wen Jiang a suspicious look. Although she knew Wen Jiang wasn’t likely to be a suspect—after all, the Blood Emperor personally had someone keep an eye on these Spirit Card Masters, and as the chaos in Ceylon City continued, it also indicated that Helena was above suspicion.
But Helena had been acting rather strange since she appeared. While Karin didn’t suspect her much, she still cautioned, "Helena, if you know anything, you can tell me."
Wen Jiang scoffed. "What do you think I would know?"
Karin pursed her lips. It was unlikely Wen Jiang was involved in these matters. Considering how short-tempered the higher-ups had been lately, Karin decided to change the subject.
"Do you have any ideas for your new Spirit Card next month?"
She was here to probe.