Refining the Mountains and Rivers

600 feet.

The blood columns above Blue Sea and Qin Yu's heads nearly stopped growing. Without accident, this would be the final result of the three.

There was no suspense in the selection of the top three. The remaining seven competitors and their protectors all showed dispirited looks.

They were strong, but their opponents were even stronger. And this 'stronger' was not just in the normal sense. It was at least three times higher, representing an overwhelming difference in strength.

Moreover, the Ancient King's Lineage, Old King's Lineage, and New Faction were the strongest three factions of the Nightmare Clan…now that their benefits were united as one, no one could stir up a storm.

The situation had been decided!

But this was only a result that would occur under ordinary circumstances.

Accidents often happened when everything seemed to have settled down, when a person felt helpless and unwilling and was about to accept their fate.

This was because Qin Yu's confusion was correct. The Chosen Platform helped him conceal his bloodline…but it wasn't going to keep concealing it until the end.

The consequence was that the barrier that surrounded his bloodline aura suddenly vanished.

That's right, it had vanished without warning. All of a sudden it disappeared, as if it never existed at all.

So…

Bang –

Everyone heard a thunderous peal in their ears. An invisible pressure rushed at them. Their hearts skipped a beat before accelerating.

The 600 foot blood column above Qin Yu's head seemed to have swallowed hundreds of supplementary pills. It started to rise again and again.

In the blink of an eye it broke through 700 feet. But this wasn't the end. Instead, it was only the beginning of the storm.

800 feet…900 feet…1000 feet…

Cloud Boundless' eyes widened. He looked at the blood column that was growing crazily.

What kind of situation was this?

Hadn't it been decided that the Patriarch had made earlier arrangements? How come things suddenly turned into this in the blink of an eye?

Looking at the vigorously growing blood column that didn't stop even after breaking past 1000 feet, Cloud Boundless' lips twitched and he bitterly smiled.

It seemed that people who lived for too long like him couldn't have beautiful and relaxing thoughts. He had to work hard and risk his life, and this was something he couldn't escape.

The entire Chosen Platform fell deathly silent. Everyone widened their eyes as they looked at the growing blood column above Qin Yu's head.

It had broken through 1000 feet…

When it came to records of the royal bloodline, it wasn't just the Old King's Lineage that possessed them.

In fact, this wasn't a secret at all. So when everyone glanced at it, they could guess what was happening.

With wide eyes, their hearts shook in chaos and confusion!

Cloud Billow had already died; he had been slain by Qi Zhen in public view. There were numerous nightmare clansmen who saw this happen so it was impossible to be false.

So how could they explain Qin Yu?

A blood column that broke through 1000 feet, this was a result that only those who completely awakened the royal bloodline could obtain.

Moreover, the blood column above Qin Yu's head was still growing, without any sign of slowing down.

This indicated that his bloodline was unusually strong, even stronger that a fully awakened royal bloodline.

The Old King's Lineage had two king-rank trump cards born in their ranks? That was impossible! But just as this thought appeared it was pushed down. Something like this had never happened throughout the entire history of the Nightmare Clan.

Otherwise, did people really think awakened royal bloodlines were just like big radishes on the side of the road that could be casually picked out?

As this thought raced in their minds, everyone looked at Cloud Boundless and Seven Wounds Clan Elder.

The looks were half-admiration and half-sympathy.

Although there was no evidence, sometimes things didn't require exact evidence. People just needed to believe it.

While they didn't know specifically what happened, it should be summed up like this: the Old King's Lineage had played a higher-level chess move and used a fake piece to exchange for the Ancient King's Lineage's own king-rank chess piece!

If this were true, then tsk tsk…the Old King's Lineage must have planned this for a long time and been meticulous in doing so. It was simply amazing.

Cloud Billow was the visible pawn, and Qin Yu was the true trump card. Over the years, they had never revealed a single flaw.

If it weren't for the fact that one was unable to conceal their bloodline aura after stepping onto the Chosen Platform…this matter might have never been exposed.

No…everyone suddenly thought about how the blood column had seemed to almost stop growing above Qin Yu's head, nearly slowing down at the same rate as Blue Sea and Xi Mo's.

It seemed that the Old King's Lineage had tried to do something so that they could continue concealing this.

But looking at things now, while their efforts had a certain effect, they failed in the end. If the Old King's Lineage managed to deceive everyone, then after entering the ancestral land, Qin Yu would definitely be acknowledged and capture the new King's throne.

Then in this chess game, the Old King's Lineage would be the final victor. Everyone would be dancing in their palm…and the ones who were played with the most miserably were undoubtedly the Ancient King's Lineage!

Qi Zhen had also awakened the royal bloodline and absolutely had the qualifications to become the new Nightmare King. Yet, he was unexpectedly exchanged for the diversionary chess piece that was Cloud Billow…this slap was so loud that it rang in everyone's ears.

Seven Wounds Clan Elder's breathing quickened and his eyes reddened. After a brief pause, he immediately 'saw through everything'.

And he believed his thoughts were much more comprehensive.

It was no wonder that they obtained top-secret news that Cloud Billow was a woman. That had all been a smokescreen to divert their attention and provide perfect cover for Qin Yu.

For this matter, Seven Wounds Clan Elder had fallen face-down into the ground and disgraced himself, and Cloud Boundless seized the chance to cause a ruckus at the Clan Elder Assembly. The Ancient King's Lineage had been pushed into a corner and had no choice but to pay a great price to finally extinguish this issue.

Seven Wounds Clan Elder originally believed that this was the most disgraceful point of his life. But now…he realized he was too naïve.

Because that matter was just a tiny and inconspicuous link in a massive conspiracy. He and the entire Ancient King's Lineage had been kept in the dark, becoming clowns who were mocked and laughed at.

The Old King's Lineage indeed had an awakened royal bloodline. However it wasn't the dead Cloud Billow, but the Qin Yu in front of him…this was all a plot, a vicious and sinister plot!

…

When a pot was cracked, it might as well be smashed to pieces, and if a person saw something hopeless, they might as well be reckless. It wasn't like he hadn't risked his life before, and wasn't he still alive?

Cloud Boundless coldly sneered, giving an expression that Seven Wounds Clan Elder's guess was correct as he wickedly glared at him.

Little guy, I've already endured you for a long time. If it wasn't for all the scruples I've had these years, I would have taught you why flowers are red!

You want to flip the table and attack me? Then hurry up. I'm waiting for you!

Seven Wounds Clan Elder's lungs almost exploded with rage. This bastard Cloud Boundless still dared to be so domineering and arrogant at such a time!

He nearly gnashed his teeth to pieces as flames blazed in his chest. His heart seemed to turn into fire…but, he would endure it for now.

The table was going to be flipped in today's situation. But if he was alone, he likely wouldn't be able to defeat this old schemer Cloud Boundless.

Only like this did he meet the basic standards of a wily old man. His anger might soar to the skies, but he wouldn't lose his rationality because of it. Besides being suppressed, what other good fate would he have?

Cloud Boundless curled his lips and muttered, "Weak chicken." His voice wasn't loud, but everyone in the surrounding region could hear him.

Their eyes fell on Seven Wounds Clan Elder and watched his blue veins stick up on his forehead. While they felt sympathy, they also felt awed.

Even now, Cloud Boundless remained unhurried? He might be strong, but he should still be scared of others joining forces to suppress him.

After all, with what had happened, anyone who had a little bit of interest in the throne wouldn't just watch helplessly as Qin Yu entered the ancestral land.

With his bloodline aura, how could anyone else continue to play the game if he went in? There would be no leeway for him to do anything!

No, something was wrong…someone as sinister as Cloud Boundless must have prepared for this in advance…

Could it be that the Old King's Lineage had already planned for this…yes, they must have been aware of Qin Yu's bloodline level.

If this was the case, how could they not have prepared themselves before coming to the Chosen Platform? That was impossible!

For a time, everyone was indecisive. They hesitated on how to deal with the Old King's Lineage. Who would take the lead?

The first one to step up would suffer the most. If they were struck by the card that the Old King's Lineage prepared, they would be done for.

Seven Wounds Clan Elder's face paled even further, so gloomy that he almost dripped water. This old bastard Cloud Boundless was a truly sinister schemer. With just a simple provocation, he had frightened everyone here.

He had originally been thinking of agitating the protectors of the other families to deal with Cloud Boundless together. No matter how strong he was, he was still just one person. If he was pressed down he could only passively take the hits.

But what was the result? Before he had done anything, Cloud Boundless almost strangled this path to death…and Seven Wounds Clan Elder didn't dare to take the risk either. What if this was really the case?

If he took the initiative and was killed by Cloud Boundless, wouldn't he just become bridal clothes for others…?

And the look that the old schemer gave him was far too terrifying. A great deal of Seven Wounds Clan Elder's fury was immediately extinguished. Just recalling it caused chills to race up his spine.

If this was just it, then Cloud Boundless' plan had succeeded without a doubt. By frightening these people, he could delay for time.

But the key problem was…Qin Yu's strength didn't allow this!