Chapter 1150: Please Advise

Lin Zhenren sat upon the preparation seats, hands resting on his knees, his posture upright and proper.

Amidst the multitude of rising talents who were getting up and leaving their seats, he alone appeared more composed and serene, as if unperturbed by worldly winds.

However, the hands pressed against his knees were almost digging into bone.

His legs felt heavy as if cast in lead, unable to move.

This was the Yellow River Meeting, a convergence of talents and winds, a place where the exceptional youths of various nations contended and the stars shone brightly in the sky.

He, Lin Zhenren, was also in the prime of his life, how could he not desire to manifest his brilliance before others and be renowned throughout the world?

Setting aside these desires, the benefits of shining brightly at an occasion like the Yellow River Meeting were immeasurable for his future.

Regardless of how much support the State of Zhuang could still provide, the host of the Yellow River Meeting's main tournament was none other than a True Monarch from Jade Capital Mountain!

Fighting under the watchful eye of Yu Xi, if he could perform remarkably and showcase his talent, would he still worry about lacking opportunities to study at Jade Capital Mountain in the future?

For this, he was certainly willing to fight with all his might.

Didn't the entire Lin clan perish on that night in Wangjiang City precisely for a moment like this?

Every day he had come to the Observing River Platform, he had been studying his opponents.

Last night, his discussion with Du Ruhui also continued without rest throughout the night.

He had put forth his greatest effort.

So, of course, he wanted to make a grand showing!

But...

But Jiang Wang...

Lin Zhenren had several times wanted to rise, but he was pressed back down by himself.

In his ears was the voice transmission from Prime Minister Du Ruhui—

"As soon as something is amiss, admit defeat and withdraw. Compared to victory or defeat, your safety is more important."

Even at a time like this, he hasn't forgotten to put on a performance, esteemed Prime Minister.

Lin Zhenren remained silent.

He understood very clearly that with Du Ruhui's wisdom, everything he could think of, Du Ruhui could certainly think of as well. That person probably believed that Jiang Wang's resolute killing intent was purely directed at the State of Zhuang, right?

But he himself had to understand that there was an irreconcilable blood feud between him and Jiang Wang. He had placed the blood debt of the entire Lin clan upon Jiang Wang, so between him and Jiang Wang, one of them had to die.

The question was... who would die?

"Admit defeat as soon as something is amiss."

This was certainly a good strategy.

But would Jiang Wang not think of it?

Lin Zhenren repeatedly questioned himself in his heart.

As a rising talent representing the State of Qi in battle, he had abandoned his efforts to provoke the States of Xia and Shen and specifically sought me out. How great a price had he paid?

Could he not have imagined that I would prioritize survival on the stage?

He knew I would prioritize survival, he knew True Monarch Yu Xi would exert his utmost effort to protect the lives of the main tournament's talents, yet he still made this choice!

He was certain he could kill me!

"Talents of the Inner Mansion realm from all nations, please enter the arena."

True Monarch Yu Xi's voice reached everyone present.

But in reality, fifteen of the talents had already left their seats and walked towards the martial arena, with only Lin Zhenren remaining seated in the preparation seats. He appeared to be intentionally making everyone wait for him.

"A talent from a mere small country, isn't he a bit too rude?"

Lin Zhenren also heard someone complaining in this manner.

He did not bother to identify whose voice it was; any nation capable of sending representatives to the Observing River Platform would not fear the State of Zhuang.

He was merely...

He was merely repeatedly asking himself—

What was Jiang Wang's reliance? Could I withstand it?

He found that he had no answer.

What means a first-tier talent in the Inner Mansion realm from a hegemonic state like Qi could possess was beyond his understanding and accurate judgment!

Lin Zhenren once again clearly realized the limitations of being from a small country.

The strongest Inner Mansion realm talent he had observed up close was only Jiang Limeng from the State of Sheng. He simply could not imagine what an Inner Mansion realm talent from a hegemonic state was like.

He could have gained some understanding in the first round of the main tournament, but the first round was against Jiang Wang of the State of Qi!

He had no answer.

Lin Zhenren was unwilling to admit it, but he had to admit that the unknown deepened his fear.

It wasn't that he didn't dare to fight with his life, but he was unwilling to walk towards a predetermined ending designed by others!

How much hardship and effort he had put in to reach this point; the only reason that could make him fight with his life was himself. Not some national honor, not some damn gratitude to his lord or master.

"Zhenren."

Du Ruhui's voice sounded in his ear.

This Prime Minister of the State of Zhuang had already sensed that something was wrong. The opponents he had painstakingly studied last night were all absent. Of course, he could see Jiang Wang's killing intent towards Lin Zhenren from this list of matchups.

He could also understand Lin Zhenren's fear. He supported Lin Zhenren in admitting defeat after unleashing his strongest performance upon entering the stage.

But under no circumstances could he not even step onto the martial arena!

In the history of the Yellow River Meeting's main tournament, no one had ever admitted defeat.

At least, Du Ruhui had never heard of it.

They all fought until the last moment, burning all their talent, showcasing all their efforts, before accepting the outcome of victory or defeat.

If one didn't even dare to stand on the stage...

The face of the State of Zhuang would be completely lost!

Lost before the more than a hundred participating nations, it would be impossible to recover!

He spoke out at this moment.

It was a form of solace, and also a form of urging.

Comforting Lin Zhenren not to be afraid, that True Monarch Yu Xi was watching over him. Urging Lin Zhenren not to bring shame upon the nation.

Lin Zhenren did not respond.

He looked at Jiang Wang.

At this moment, Jiang Wang had already stepped onto Martial Arena G. Clad in a green robe and wielding a sword, he stood tall and proud, possessing his unique demeanor among the fifteen talents who had all taken the stage.

Those clear and serene eyes simply cast a casual glance over.

"Please enlighten me."

That person named Jiang Wang said with a smile.

Composed, confident, self-assured.

"Pfft!"

On the preparation seats, Lin Zhenren tilted his head back and spat out a mouthful of blood!

Jiang Wang's smile...

Destroyed the last shred of courage that was still struggling within him.

"Prime Minister!" Lin Zhenren cried out in terror, "My Blood Fiend is backlashing!"

Before he could finish speaking, he let out a tragic cry and fainted, blood flowing from his seven orifices!

With so many strong individuals and intelligent people present, feigning injury would never deceive anyone.

So, he was truly suffering from a Blood Fiend backlash!

He had relinquished all control over the Blood Fiend, intensifying the Blood Fiend's frantic instinct, causing it to immediately backlash its master.

This meant...

He had given up the Blood Fiend he had painstakingly cultivated for so long!

The resources consumed in cultivating this Blood Fiend to this point were impossible to calculate.

He used such a tragic price to achieve this "performance."

He only sought to survive!

On the premise of survival, he would mitigate the negative impact as much as possible.

Being injured by backlash and having already fainted, it could not be considered fear of battle.

This was the best method he could think of in a short period.

Du Ruhui pressed a hand on Lin Zhenren's head, instantly destroying the rampant Blood Fiend.

Holding "seriously injured and unconscious" Lin Zhenren with one hand, he appeared to have aged considerably, looking wearily at True Monarch Yu Xi: "Please forgive me, Lin Zhenren of the State of Zhuang is suffering from a Blood Fiend backlash and is unable to appear. He can only concede!"

For a moment just now, he had almost wanted to kill Lin Zhenren with a single palm strike. He had originally placed great hopes on this young man, but he had not expected him to be so timid and cowardly at such a critical juncture.

Of course, he knew there was no possibility of a Blood Fiend backlash; he had spent the entire night last night refining the battle plan with Lin Zhenren!

But how could he allow the State of Zhuang to become the laughingstock of the world?

Perhaps it already was.

But he had to somewhat salvage the situation.

So, he cooperated immediately!

Yu Xi didn't even glance in the direction of the State of Zhuang and offered no comment.

Du Ruhui and Lin Zhenren's performance might deceive others, but it was impossible to deceive a True Monarch.

But while he offered no comment, another voice rang out—

"Since that is the case. You may take him away to recuperate."

The voice was devoid of emotion, very flat.

But this voice was grand and vast, as if spreading a great will throughout the entire living world.

The voice of Emperor Jing!

Du Ruhui's heart sank into the abyss!