As the heir of the Wang family of Beihai and also one of the most eye-catching protagonists of this maneuver of two academies, Wang Shengxiao knew the contents of this maneuver even faster than Dongcheng Wudi.

The Special Warfare System and the Dark World had always been absolutely fair and yet absolutely unfair. In this strength-oriented field, where all rules were primitive and crude, absolute privilege, too, had the capital that enabled its owner to move in an unimpeded way and even act in an unbridled fashion than in other fields.

What Wang Shengxiao got was not a formal document but a temporarily printed fax. The emblem—a pale gold city on behalf of Kunlun City, was still distinct, looking majestic and solemn.

A frenzied storm struck the whole city, making rumbling sounds.

In the deluxe suite on the top floor of the Huating Chief Residence, Wang Shengxiao, who had just taken a bath and was wearing a bathrobe, looked at the pale gold city on the fax, his eyes cold and sarcastic.

There was only the emblem of Kunlun City but no signatures of the Office of the President and the Cabinet on the fax, and from which he could tell that this document was transmitted to Huating as soon as possible when it came out of Kunlun City. The speed it arrived here was even in sync with the speed as it was sent to the Office of the President and the Cabinet.

When there were countless big potatoes in Zhongzhou State and even the principals of the two academies were unaware of the rules and contents of the final maneuver, Wang Shengxiao had already read the information in his hand twice.

The information examined and approved by Kunlun City was not complicated, and its contents were relatively simple. It was about the contents and rules of the final maneuver of the two academies.

The contents were much the same as the rules of every previous maneuver.

Only a few words were changed, and the change was concentrated on the first line of the first page.

But the mere change of a few words was enough to make this final maneuver extraordinary.

Wang Shengxiao threw the papers in his hand aside, and his face was indifferent.

Undoubtedly, the subtle change in the papers was to his advantage, but there was not the slightest joy in his expression, only a trace of faint but real irony.

“An unnecessary move and a guilty conscience.”

He glanced at the information on the table and whispered to himself.

“What’s the unnecessary move?”

A somewhat husky but incredibly sexy voice rang behind Wang Shengxiao.

Song Ci, who was wearing a bathrobe too, walked over. She tilted her head and wiped her long hair with a towel.

Wang Shengxiao moved.

Song Ci sat in Wang Shengxiao’s arms and handed him the towel. “You do it for me.”

“Kunlun City has already set the rules for the final maneuver of the two academies. It is ridiculous.”

Wang Shengxiao carefully wiped Song Ci’s long hair, his tone calm. From his angle, Song Ci’s slender neck and stunning profile were clearly visible. After the passion had faded, there was still a flush on her face, which abated her loneliness and indifference to a large extent and made her charming and languid.

Song Ci picked up the document and glanced at it. She immediately raised her eyebrows and chuckled. “Is it so exaggerated?”

At first glance, she saw the first of those detailed rules.

The subtle change, which was enough to influence the overall situation, was in the first article.

“I wonder how nervous Kunlun City is to come up with such a rule.”

Song Ci did not continue to read. Throwing the material aside, she threw her arms around Wang Shengxiao’s neck.

“They can’t afford to lose.”

Wang Shengxiao put his arms around Song Ci’s slender, lean waist and shook his head. “After all, Kunlun City’s most obvious weakness is its short rise. If Gu Hanshan lost to Li Tianlan in the final maneuver, the reputation of Kunlun City would be greatly affected. The point is that Li Tianlan’s identity is too sensitive, for he’s the heir of the Li family. If Gu Hanshan lost, it would be equal to tell everyone that even if the Gu family overthrew the Li family and became the Gods of War of Zhongzhou State, they would never match the Li family.”

“But Kunlun City’s current action is not necessarily dishonorable. Moreover, they involve you in it. Why did Uncle Wang agree?”

Song Ci was a little confused. She looked at Wang Shengxiao, whose face was gloomy, and twisted her body delicately in his arms. She laughed as she felt the change in his face. She was not coquettish, but she had an air of ineffable wildness.

“Behave yourself.”

Wang Shengxiao slapped Song Ci on her plump hips, shook his head, and said, “I think my father should be tired of continuing to be in a tangle with the Li family. Kunlun City wants to involve me in it, but they are ultimately masterminds. Thus, this incident has little impact on the Wang family of Beihai. And whether the impact is good or bad depends mainly on the outcome. If we lose, Kunlun City’s action will be a guilty conscience. But if we win and with good guidance of public opinions, the alliance between the Wang family of Beihai and Kunlun City will be a lion fighting a rabbit, and the impact is not necessarily bad.”

Song Ci played with a wisp of her black hair, silent.

When thinking about questions, Song Ci was like a sword out of its sheath, shining brightly. Even in Wang Shengxiao’s presence, she was as sharp as ever.

“Since I have gotten this information, Gu Hanshan must have gotten it before I did.”

Wang Shengxiao held Song Ci in his arms and calmly said, “He should be coming soon.”

“In such hurry?”

Song Ci was a little surprised.

“Since the atmosphere in Kunlun City is so tense, Gu Hanshan will certainly be tenser. The rainstorm outside the window is nothing to him. If he could knock Li Tianlan down at one fell swoop this time, he would come as fast as he could even if the rain outside were daggers,” Wang Shengxiao said sarcastically.

…

Song Ci stared at Wang Shengxiao.

She felt his emotions.

“You don’t like this rule?” asked Song Ci.

…

“I just think it’s unnecessary.”

Wang Shengxiao shook his head. “It’s an unnecessary move. Gu Hanshan is unworthy of being my ally,” Wang Shengxiao said it plainly and neatly.

…

His face was very calm, but his eyebrows had an air of masculinity.

Song Ci looked at Wang Shengxiao quietly and softly, with surprise in her eyes.

Before the appearance of Li Tianlan, Gu Hanshan was the only young man who could compare with Wang Shengxiao.

Both Wind and Thunder Veins and Heavenly King Heart had their advantages and disadvantages and were neck and neck. It had never occurred to Song Ci that Wang Shengxiao should think so little of Gu Hanshan.

“How do you evaluate Gu Hanshan?” Song Ci asked softly.

…

“The Gu family is rich in culture and history, but its foundation is shallow. Its martial impartation is top, but it’s moderate. Gu Hanshan has strong obsessions and is narrow-minded. He has the Heavenly King Heart but struggles to tap his potential. He is far inferior to me,” Wang Shengxiao said without thinking.

…

“What about Li Tianlan?” Song Ci asked softly.

…

Wang Shengxiao looked hesitant.

“Li Tianlan is exceptional. He is, in any era, a man of unparalleled talent. With so many obstacles in his path, it’s by no means easy for him to rebuild the Li family. He wants too much, but at present, although the Li family stages a comeback, Li Tianlan’s road has not really started. Since he entered the secular world, he has been dormant for three years after the final battle of Heaven Capital. Since he has no chance to show what does he want and how does he act, I don’t know these. If he can win the final maneuver, he will have a small chance to realize his aspirations.”

Wang Shengxiao added slowly, “Li Tianlan is a pure person. His boldness in Martial Arts is beyond the reach of ordinary people. If I were to change places with him, I would be inferior to him, and vice versa.”

Song Ci looked at Wang Shengxiao with a broad smile on her face.

She liked Wang Shengxiao that way. He was quick and confident in judging his future arch-enemies, never overestimating or belittling them. When he talked about others, he always measured himself. His vision and breadth of mind enabled him to scan the whole world.

He may not be as pure as Li Tianlan.

But such Wang Shengxiao was what the Wang family of Beihai needed most.

Otherwise, he would not say that if their roles changed, he was not as good as Li Tianlan and vice versa.

The doorbell rang.

“Look, he’s coming,” Wang Shengxiao whispered with a chuckle.

…

Song Ci stood up from Wang Shengxiao’s arms and lazily stretched herself. “I’m going to bed.”

Wang Shengxiao stood up and nodded casually.

Song Ci, dressed in a bathrobe, returned to the bedroom.

Wang Shengxiao, who was also wearing a bathrobe, opened the door.

Gu Hanshan, the Young Master of Kunlun City, stood outside and smiled faintly. “I think what we just received is more important than my interruption tonight.”

“Of course.”

Wang Shengxiao laughed. Facing Gu Hanshan, he was no longer as unhappy as when he had just received the news.

“It’s a good thing,” he said, his expression extremely sincere.

…

Gu Hanshan, too, held a piece of information that was exactly like that of Wang Shengxiao. Hearing Wang Shengxiao’s remark, he seemed a little relieved.

He went into the suite, sat on the plush sofa in the living room, and said without further ado, “So, how about joining hands?”

“I couldn’t agree more.”

Wang Shengxiao smiled, but he sighed softly inside.

In fact, putting the unhappy past between the Wang family of Beihai and the Li family aside, his impression of Li Tianlan was not bad. If Li Tianlan were sitting here tonight, he might be happier.

But no one in Jianghu could do whatever he wanted.

We couldn’t do anything of our own free will.

“I have watched many videos of Li Tianlan’s attacks. I analyzed them with Jiang Shangyu and finally came to a conclusion.”

Gu Hanshan sat on the sofa, and his tone was calm.

Wang Shengxiao listened with respectful attention.

“The kendo of the Li family is broad and profound, and the 24 Moves of Sword are all-encompassing, so given our present realm, we can hardly see any weakness in Li Tianlan’s sword intent.”

Gu Hanshan added slowly, “Li Tianlan’s weakness is his body. After the battle of Heaven Capital, he started from scratch, and in three years, he had the battle strength he has today. Whether his realm is stable or not, his body, at the very least, cannot bear his progress. So if I’m right, Li Tianlan’s Wind and Thunder Veins don’t exist anymore. His current sword intent is extremely fierce and pure, but as a sword, the harder it is, the easier it is to break. His attacks are mighty, but his defenses must be fragile, even beyond our imagination.”

“It’s Li Tianlan’s weakness, the fatal one!”

Wang Shengxiao nodded thoughtfully but said nothing.

Gu Hanshan waited for a long time before finally asking, “What do you think?”

“I agree about your speculation.”

Wang Shengxiao continued calmly, “In terms of the fierceness of the sword intent, I am not as good as him, but on the hardiness of the body, he is not as good as me.”

He pointed to the materials brought by Gu Hanshan and chuckled. “So, he won’t have any chance to win in the final maneuver.”

Gu Hanshan laughed, too, cheerfully and wantonly.

…

…

When Gu Hanshan hurried to the Chief Residence to cooperate secretly with Wang Shengxiao, in the East Emperor Palace, Li Tianlan, who was planning to rest with Dongcheng Rushi, also received a call from Zhuang Huayang, the principal of the Sky Academy.

“Tianlan, have you slept?”

Zhuang Huayang’s voice was somewhat muffled on the phone. He seemed to have just woken up from his sleep.

“I’m getting ready for bed.”

Li Tianlan smiled. His hand slid down Dongcheng Rushi’s neckline and took hold of her plump and soft breast, as warm as mutton fat jade.

Dongcheng Rushi flushed. She clung to Li Tianlan and held her head against his chest, her body trembling slightly.

“I have received a message. Although I haven’t received the specific document, I felt it necessary to inform you.”

Zhuang Huayang smiled, and his voice was solemn.

Li Tianlan had hardly ever heard Zhuang Huayang speak in that tone.

He frowned, held out his hand from under Dongcheng Rushi’s collar, and said calmly, “Principal, please.”

Zhuang Huayang did not speak for a while.

However, Dongcheng Rushi, who was leaning against Li Tianlan, still held her head against his chest.

The daughter of Dongcheng Wudi had been holding her head against Li Tianlan’s chest since he put his hand in her collar. He had withdrawn his hand, but she was still doing the same thing, with more strength.

Li Tianlan didn’t know how to react and got out of bed.

Dongcheng Rushi’s hair was somewhat disheveled. She raised her head and stared at Li Tianlan hazily.

“Let’s put it this way.”

Zhuang Huayang finally spoke, “The rules for the final maneuver have been determined, as well as the sequence.”

Li Tianlan seemed to realize something and narrowed his eyes.

“What are the contents of the first item?” he asked on his own initiative.

…

This time, Zhuang Huayang remained silent for a much longer time before speaking slowly, “Tactical drill, team collaboration, reconnaissance, and camouflage.”

His voice was soft, but what he said was rich in meaning.

Li Tianlan finally sneered, “Kunlun City truly has the boldness of vision!”

Tactical drill, reconnaissance, and camouflage were normal subjects of maneuvers.

The first item—the beginning of the maneuver of the two academies, focused on team collaboration.

The focus of team collaboration was on the team!

The team’s cooperative combat was the grand finale of any final maneuver of the two academies. It was of great significance, for it was the collision between different teams.

Li Tianlan now had almost no team. Under the circumstances that Li Baitian and the others were seriously injured, he had only Dongcheng Rushi and Du Hanyin by his side.

What he would encounter was, however, Wang Shengxiao and Song Ci’s Phantom Palace.

Gu Hanshan and Jiang Shangyu’s Three Thousand World.

And many teams attached to Phantom Palace and Three Thousand World.

Simply put, on the first day of the maneuver, Li Tianlan would face the joint efforts of several super teams!

“I see,” Li Tianlan took a deep breath and said flatly.

…

Zhuang Huayang was about to speak but stopped. Finally, he hung up the phone silently.

He was well aware of the primary purpose of the Office of the President’s approval of the plan.

Li Tianlan was an ally of the Academics.

Of course, not all allies were completely on very intimate terms with each other.

Li Tianlan hung up the phone and didn’t speak for a long time.

Dongcheng Rushi, who quietly took off her pajamas and hid her body in the quilt, asked softly, “What happened?”

“Nothing.”

Li Tianlan smiled. For the first time since his return from the polar region, his eyes were so bright and sharp. “I just made a sudden decision.”

“What?” asked Dongcheng Rushi.

…

“You can join the East Emperor Palace. But on the day of the final maneuver, I hope that you and Du Hanyin can give up participating in it,” Li Tianlan said slowly, stressing each syllable.

…

The look in his eyes changed, like a messy rainstorm and yet a hot wildfire.

Wind, frost, rain, snow, sun, and stars alternated repeatedly in his eyes. Eventually, they all turned into determination.

The final maneuver was his first step to the stage of Zhongzhou State.

At present, Li Honghe had fallen down the Invincible Realm.

Qin Weibai and Situ Cangyue had already gone to Snow Country.

Outside the maneuver, the only person he could rely on was Lin Fengting.

…

But during the maneuver, no matter what he had to face, he just wanted to rely on himself.