Chapter 1235: Awaiting a Masterpiece

Qinglong paused for a moment, his face still expressionless, and slowly lowered the hand he had raised in the air.

"Qi Xia has rebelled with his people..." Qinglong repeated, then asked, "So, what is your role?"

"I am..." Xiao Ran widened her eyes and placed her hands on her chest. "I told you, I am a 'Sheng Xiao'... Otherwise, why would I take such a huge risk to come here and nearly anger you?"

Xiao Ran felt that the man in front of her was strange. She had already laid out the whole rebellion story, yet he showed no reaction at all.

No... actually, Xiao Ran wasn't even sure if this person was male or female. Their features were too delicate, and their voice was ambiguously androgynous.

"This is quite a rare situation." Qinglong rested his chin on his hand again. "Qi Xia rebelled, but he didn't expect someone like you in his ranks?"

"It's a long story, really!" Xiao Ran gritted her teeth and said, "I have a deadly grudge against Qi Xia. He definitely doesn't know I came here because, in his eyes, I'm already dead. I've suffered so much... all because of him!"

Xiao Ran began to embellish the details of her feud with Qi Xia, including how he had caused her to lose her original "Dao," arranged for her to participate in those life-threatening games, and ultimately left her utterly humiliated, even stripping her of her status as a "Sheng Xiao."

Regardless of whether Qi Xia was truly responsible for those events, Xiao Ran pinned everything on him. Although she also harbored deep resentment toward that despicable woman Yun Yao, it seemed that all the major figures here were only interested in Qi Xia, so she conveniently shifted the blame for her experiences with Yun Yao onto him as well.

However, when she got to the part about "Qi Xia pinning her down and slapping her," Qinglong's expression clearly showed disbelief.

After listening to Xiao Ran's rambling account, Qinglong had a general understanding of the events, but he felt even more confused.

This woman seemed to know nothing about "Sheng Xiao" or "Hui Xiang," and yet she had boldly walked right in here.

It was like a game that had never been opened, where she closed her eyes and jumped straight to the final level, then snarled at the boss.

That was the full impression Xiao Ran gave Qinglong.

"So, you say you became an 'Yuan Zhu Min,' which is why Qi Xia still thinks you're dead," Qinglong murmured.

"'Yuan Zhu Min'... Yes, that's right." Xiao Ran nodded. "You have no idea how much I suffered when I became an 'Yuan Zhu Min.' I wouldn't have persevered this long if it weren't for my desire to kill Qi Xia."

Qinglong nodded slightly but didn't respond further.

Xiao Ran felt that some of her points hadn't been made clear, so she emphasized again: "Qinglong... Qi Xia has rebelled, and now he's brought a lot of people here... Aren't you going to do something about it?"

Qinglong chuckled lightly at that.

Qi Xia rebelling?

Qi Xia was bound to rebel eventually.

Qinglong had always wanted to use Qi Xia to eliminate Tianlong, so this rebellion was, to some extent, something he had encouraged.

Those pitiful "Sheng Xiao" still had no idea why Qinglong's purpose was to "protect Tianlong."

It was because if Tianlong died, he would die too, so of course he had to protect him with his life.

Wandering in "Tao Yuan," Tianlong had always been his greatest vulnerability. Fortunately, Qinglong had found a way to temporarily break free from the "Shuang Sheng Hua" bond. As long as this opportunity played out right... he could escape the chains of their linked lives and become the sole ruler here.

Then, he wouldn't have to return to the "Liet Che," sitting in this room like a dog guarding the door. Instead, he could go anywhere in "Tao Yuan" as he pleased.

He wouldn't have to constantly worry about strange figures infiltrating the "Che Tou," or rush back in a panic to check on things at the drop of a hat.

However, this rebellion was indeed delicate, because he had to order a counterattack.

Even though he desperately wanted Tianlong to die in this chaos, he still had to put on a good show.

He needed to make sure all the "Sheng Xiao" saw that he had done everything in his power, but in the end, Tianlong still met an unfortunate demise at the hands of these rebels due to some uncontrollable mishap.

Everyone would have to grieve deeply over it, including him.

Only then would the remaining "Sheng Xiao" be willing to continue serving him loyally.

The rules of advancement would remain the same as before; the only difference for the "Sheng Xiao" would be one less Tianlong as their ruler.

Qi Xia's goal in this game was to "kill both dragons," while Qinglong's plan was to "kill Tianlong." As for Tianlong himself... he must have his own scheme, but it didn't matter what it was.

After all, Qinglong had cut off his connections with everyone, and tonight was the time for his move. If Tianlong was lucky enough to survive until dawn, then Qinglong would have to accept defeat.

Now, through the long night, it was a matter of whose plan would prevail among the three.

As for the woman in front of him...

Qinglong shifted his gaze back and looked at Xiao Ran again. Since she harbored such intense hatred for Qi Xia, he might as well make use of her.

"Turn left when you go out, and go to the second room," Qinglong said. "Find Tian She."

"Snake...?" Xiao Ran reacted with a slightly disdainful look.

She still remembered the scene of being taken to the basement by that filthy old snake—the nauseating smell and the dirty environment were still vivid in her mind. Just mentioning "snake" made her feel sick.

"What?" Qinglong chuckled. "Isn't he one of your own? Don't you have that much trust?"

"Are we... one of our own now?" Xiao Ran asked, her expression easing a bit at the words.

"Yes..." Qinglong started to reply, but then felt a wave of dizziness wash over his mind.

A very subtle sensation began to wander around him, but unfortunately, he couldn't hear any "Xian Fa." He had no idea what was happening outside, and his "Ling Wen" hadn't recovered yet, leaving him as helpless as a blind man on a blind horse.

To ensure his plan went smoothly, it was about time to get all the "Tian Ji" moving.

"You have Tian She notify the 'Tian Ji' who are still active to go to the corridor and organize the 'Di Ji' to suppress the rebels," Qinglong continued. "As for you, once it's done, stay in Tian She's room and deliver a message to him."

"Deliver a message...?" Xiao Ran nodded. "Okay... since we're on the same side, I'll do my best."

For some reason, every time Xiao Ran said the words "on the same side," Qinglong felt a twinge of pain in his forehead. He shook his head and said softly:

"You tell Tian She, 'Qinglong anticipates a masterpiece.'"

"Is that all?" Xiao Ran asked.

Qinglong didn't respond, simply leaning back in his chair again, as if Xiao Ran didn't exist at all.

Even so, Xiao Ran felt that she was being entrusted with an important task, as every word she said next would carry the authority of "Qinglong's command."