Chapter 642: Registration

At the end of the intelligence report, Zong Ge saw information regarding prisoner duelists.

Under the Ice Sculpture Kingdom's system, during every National Ceremony Grand Duel, any prisoner in any cell had the right to apply for participation. If they performed well in combat, they could even earn sentence reductions.

Of course, prisoners first had to apply and obtain permission from prison authorities before engaging in duels.

Driven by the desire for early release, these uniquely motivated duelists fought with relentless determination, often displaying fierce combat resolve. Historically, such events frequently produced remarkable results, giving rise to numerous renowned duelists.

The intelligence estimated that over a hundred candidates from high-security prisons across the Ice Sculpture Kingdom would participate.

Zong Ge focused on the duelists from the Ice Prison and found three names listed, one of which was Shi Liu.

“Looks like what Yuan Ci told you might actually happen,” Zong Ge remarked to Zi Di upon seeing this.

Zi Di gave a slight nod.

Shi Liu was a crucial figure. He possessed the ability to craft the level zero secret order.

For the Wisteria Cache, both Yuan Ci and Jiu Jin sought to rescue him.

However, Shi Liu was imprisoned within the Ice Prison. This latter facility was one of the Ice Sculpture Kingdom's few super-maximum security prisons of a high level.

Breaking him out of prison would be an extremely difficult task.

Elder Jiu Jin understood the difficulty involved, so he backed out immediately, unwilling even to assist in gathering intelligence. He feared that if the rescue failed and the kingdom investigated, he would be implicated.

But he didn't consider that if Zi Di and Yuan Ci were captured, they might reveal the location of the Wisteria Cache to save their own lives. In that case, could he really escape?

This revealed Elder Jiu Jin's fundamental human weakness. It was precisely by exploiting this vulnerability that Elder Jiu Jin later visited the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps, only to be successfully manipulated by Zi Di.

While Zi Di was at a loss regarding Shi Liu's rescue, Yuan Ci remained confident.

Two days prior, Yuan Ci approached Zi Di and shared his plan: wait for Shi Liu to leave the Ice Prison for a duel, then stage a fake death during the fight to facilitate his rescue.

This strategy completely bypassed the Ice Prison itself, after all, breaking out of this super-max facility would be prohibitively difficult.

After careful consideration, Zi Di concluded the plan held some merit.

Zong Ge also kept a close eye on developments, as he would likely need to coordinate during the operation.

“The key issue now is that Ice Prison, being a super-max facility, won't just send Shi Liu as its sole contender. Whether Shi Liu gets selected ultimately rests on the warden's decision,” Zong Ge analyzed.

Following standard protocol, each prison typically sends only one or two fighters.

Zi Di said, "Right now, Yuan Ci is actively maneuvering, shaping public opinion, contacting gambling houses, and attempting to bribe Ice Prison's management. Shi Liu's chances of being selected are high. According to Yuan Ci, at least 70%."

"For Yuan Ci, rescuing Shi Liu is imperative. So I have no doubt he'll spare no effort in this regard."

Zong Ge nodded.

He knew a great deal about this matter.

He also understood that Zi Di's mindset was entirely different from Yuan Ci's.

Zi Di's single level zero secret order held the weight of three. Combined with Fei She's and the recently subjugated Elder Jiu Jin, their five Wisteria secret orders were now assembled.

Therefore, the success or failure of Shi Liu's rescue held little consequence for Zi Di.

In fact, failure might even benefit her. It would give her more bargaining chips.

If Yuan Ci couldn't gather all five level zero secret orders, Zi Di could use that leverage in negotiations.

Zong Ge had no doubt that with Zi Di's exceptional negotiating skills, she would secure even greater advantages!

“How have you been lately?” Zi Di inquired.

She often asked such questions.

Zong Ge nodded. “Not bad.”

“I've become thoroughly familiar with Blood Vengeance and Hua Tang's battle skill.”

“My muscles have developed the reflex, even during deep slumber, I can jolt awake the instant Blood Vengeance activates and prepare my defenses.”

Zi Di's expression shifted slightly, catching the implication. “You're insane?”

“You dare sleep without any protective measures?”

Zong Ge smiled. “Rest assured, I had confidence before attempting this.”

“I'm not reckless!”

"This kind of training is precisely like that. You must place your body in peril to unlock its hidden potential."

“This is the essence of fighter training, it differs from your magician cultivation.”

Zi Di's expression darkened as she shook her head repeatedly. “I must warn you—don't take such risks.”

“You are extremely important right now.”

"Not just as an individual, you're the only gold level member of our Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps. And now you're also acting as the commander. If Long Fu falls, the reputation we've painstakingly built, along with the potion retail business that reputation sustains, will suffer a severe blow."

Zong Ge laughed heartily: “Don't forget, Miss Zi Di.”

“I've been afflicted by Blood Vengeance for quite some time now.”

"At first, its sudden outbreaks would injure me. But gradually, the severity of my injuries lessened, and the frequency decreased."

"Eventually, I stopped getting injured altogether. After a period of time, I only occasionally suffered injuries again."

“To this day, I've gone a very long time without being injured again.”

"My guard against the Blood Vengeance is now deeply ingrained in the deepest recesses of my mind. My body has memorized it, branded into my very nerves."

“Therefore, I have confidence in undertaking this experiment.”

Zi Di sighed: “So you've treated the Blood Vengeance as one of your training exercises.”

“No wonder you've been so indifferent to resolving it.”

“I'm starting to wonder if you're deliberately delaying it.”

Zong Ge shook his head slightly: “It's true, I did have that deliberate training intent.”

“But the Blood Vengeance... I genuinely have no way to resolve it.”

“The same goes for that mysterious battle skill used by Hua Tang.”

“But how should I put this?”

"As a magician, you don't understand a fighter's training mindset. This state I've reached is truly rare and hard to achieve."

"Confronting the Blood Vengeance has honed my ability to activate both internal and external defenses in an instant. The results of this training are truly exceptional."

"Meanwhile, countering Hua Tang's battle skill allows me to lock down my battle qi and vital blood. The few battle skills I've been practicing lately have seen rapid progress!"

“Finally, the poison within me is cultivating my resistance to toxins.”

“You needn't worry too much...”

“Enough.” Zi Di waved her hand, cutting Zong Ge off.

Through their time together, Zi Di had come to deeply understand Zong Ge's nature. He was absolutely not the type to take advice lightly!

“You must handle this matter yourself,” Zi Di sighed. “Today, I still have business to attend to at the Alchemy Guild.”

Zong Ge parted ways with Zi Di: “Then I shall continue my cultivation.”

He was a fighter, stubborn by nature. Negative states like Blood Vengeance were not torments to him, but trials and hardships, opportunities to break through his limits.

Since Hua Tang's attack, Zong Ge had lived a remarkably “peaceful” and fulfilling existence.

Though he frequently accepted challenges to duel, it was an undisputed fact that Long Fu was silver level. Thus, Zong Ge faced opponents of his own level. Being gold level himself, with formidable combat prowess, fighting opponents one level below him gave Zong Ge a significant advantage.

After about ten minutes, Zi Di stepped forward and formally entered the gates of the Alchemy Guild.

In truth, this wasn't her first time here.

This time, she navigated the place with ease. Upon entering the main hall, she turned right. She walked down a corridor and entered a small hall.

The hall was crowded.

Over a dozen staff members were handling the same task—processing registrations for the Warm Snow Cup competition.

Zi Di first retrieved the materials to review this year's Warm Snow Cup.

As the top domestic alchemy tournament of Ice Sculpture Kingdom at the highest level, the Warm Snow Cup's format had remained unchanged for many years.

The first stage consisted of alchemy examinations.

Contestants drew questions publicly and answered them on the spot to demonstrate their alchemy prowess. The examination covered diverse topics, beginning with a written test, followed by an oral interview, and culminating in a live alchemy demonstration.

This initial phase primarily served to reduce the number of participants, filtering out all but the most exceptional competitors.

The second stage comprised an alchemy exhibition.

Each contestant was assigned a display hall to showcase their alchemy achievements. At this stage, alchemy authorities from the Ice Sculpture Kingdom, representatives from all social strata, and invited international guests would evaluate and score the exhibits.

The contestant with the highest average score would be crowned the champion.

Zi Di carefully reviewed the competition rules once more. Satisfied there were no issues, she filled in the name “Yao Ma” on the registration form.

Soon, her entry form reached Hua Ni's hands.

“Summon Elder Jiu Jin,” Hua Ni commanded.

Soon, Jiu Jin arrived at Hua Ni's mage tower.

In the study, Hua Ni handed him Zi Di's entry form: “Since the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps has proposed this wager, they must have some confidence in their chances.”

“What do you intend to do?”

Elder Jiu Jin bowed his hands in respect and reported, “Magician Yao Ma is utterly ignorant of her place. This time, we shall show her the true depth of our Ice Sculpture Kingdom's alchemy heritage!”

Hua Ni immediately frowned, expressing her displeasure. “That won't do.”

“I want no accidents.”

“Arrange it so she's eliminated in the first round.”

Elder Jiu Jin's face twisted with bitterness as he looked up at Hua Ni. “Elder Hua Ni, this isn't wise.”

“If Magician Yao Ma has the confidence to compete, the first round shouldn't trouble her.”

"News of the wager contract has already begun circulating in small circles. I strongly suspect the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps initiated this leak."

“It won't be long before everyone in the industry knows about it.”

“Under these circumstances, if we act too blatantly, it would be a blow to our reputation.”

Hua Ni chuckled softly. “Elder Jiu Jin, with your seasoned wisdom and caution, having such concerns proves I chose the right person.”

"But I trust you, Elder, to handle this matter. You can eliminate her while preserving our dignity, without drawing undue attention."

“This...” Elder Jiu Jin nearly wept.

He dared not attempt such a thing.

His weakness was firmly in Zi Di's grasp.

"Rest assured, Elder Jiu Jin. This year's Warm Snow Cup coincides with the national ceremony, making it vastly different from previous editions. Many will register, myself included. Eliminating an obscure silver level magician won't draw attention." With that final reassurance, Hua Ni dismissed Jiu Jin.

Elder Jiu Jin emerged from the mage tower with a troubled expression, his mind already made up: "I'll arrange the tournament schedule, nothing is too difficult! This way, Elder Hua Ni will have a satisfactory explanation."

“As for the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps, I'll tip them off in advance so they can prepare!”