Chapter 918: The Competition Continues

Chapter 918: Chapter 918: The Competition Continues

Ye Qingchen looked at these senior and junior brothers who were worrying about him, and a warmth rose in his heart.

He smiled faintly and said firmly, "I won’t fall so easily, and I definitely won’t let you down."

Xiao Xiao let go of Ye Qingchen, wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, and a smile once again appeared on her face. "That’s great, young master, now we don’t have to worry anymore. It’s so good that you’re back!"

"But this isn’t the time to be happy yet. Today is the big day for the Saint Position election. Let’s watch Xue Zhao first. As for what happened to me, I’ll tell you in detail after we go back."

Ye Qingchen nodded slightly to Xiao Xiao and Qin Chuan and the others, then turned to look at Xue Zhao, a flash of determination passing through his eyes.

"Xue Zhao, go ahead. The current Xue Wei is no match for us at all."

Xue Zhao nodded, her gaze full of trust.

Xue Zhao stepped forward, slowly walking to the front of the stage, her voice firm and clear. "Since I’ve woken up, I can take part in the election, right?"

The Family Head frowned slightly, but quickly restored his calm.

He nodded, though his heart was churning with complex emotions: shock, doubt, and a faint trace of unease.

He had thought Xue Zhao was already out of the picture, yet now she woke up at this critical moment, bringing a new variable to the election.

"You may." The Family Head’s voice was steady, but there was an unspoken emotion flickering in his eyes.

He didn’t know how Xue Zhao had awakened, but that did not affect his decision.

No matter what, the election had to continue.

Seeing this, Xue Zhao let out a breath of relief. She did not say anything more, and instead strode quickly toward Xue Feng, who was lying on the ground.

At this moment Xue Feng was covered in blood, crisscrossed with wounds, fresh blood dripping ceaselessly from his forehead and the corners of his mouth.

His gaze had already become somewhat blurred, yet he still stared deathly hard at Xue Wei, full of defiance and fury.

"Xue Feng..." Xue Zhao’s voice choked. She gently helped him up, moving as carefully as she could, afraid of touching his wounds.

Xue Feng forced his eyes open. Seeing Xue Zhao, a strained smile appeared on his face. "Xue Zhao, you... woke up..."

"Yes, I woke up. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me."

Xue Zhao hurriedly called the servants over, telling them to help carry Xue Feng down.

Xue Feng weakly shook his head and said softly, "Being able to do this for you... is my honor. Xue Zhao, what comes next... will depend on you..."

Xue Zhao nodded hard, gratitude flickering in her eyes. "Xue Feng, I owe you a favor. For now, just rest well. Leave the rest to me."

Xue Wei stood off to the side, his face livid, his eyes full of jealousy and resentment.

Watching the interaction between Xue Zhao and Xue Feng, the anger in his heart burned hotter and hotter. "Xue Zhao, even if you’ve woken up, it won’t change anything!"

Xue Zhao turned her head, looking coldly at Xue Wei, her gaze full of resolve. "Xue Wei, the ledger between us will all be settled today."

The Family Head watched this scene, and the unease in his heart grew stronger. He knew the upcoming election would be even more intense and unpredictable.

But no matter what, he had to uphold the family’s dignity and rules.

Xue Wei stared coldly at Xue Zhao, the corner of his mouth curling into a mocking sneer. "Xue Zhao, even if you’ve woken up, the Saint Position still won’t be yours. Do you really think that with a bit of insignificant strength you can change anything?"

His voice was full of contempt and confidence, as if Xue Zhao’s existence posed no threat to him whatsoever.

A hint of smugness flickered in Xue Wei’s eyes. He believed he had everything under control and victory within his grasp.

Facing Xue Wei’s ridicule, Xue Zhao let out a cold laugh, a trace of scorn flashing in her eyes. "Xue Wei, your arrogance is laughable. Do you really think that with that bit of strength you can beat me?"

Her voice was calm, yet brimming with unshakable confidence and a chilling sense of menace.

Xue Zhao went on, "I’ve already broken through to the Ninth Level of Martial Emperor Realm. Do you think you still have any chance of beating me?"

These words were like a bolt from the blue, shocking everyone present.

The crowd beneath the stage erupted in uproar, everyone talking at once.

"Ninth Level of Martial Emperor Realm?! How is that possible?"

"Xue Zhao actually broke through to that Realm. Now Xue Wei is in trouble!"

"Incredible, Xue Zhao is simply a miracle!"

Xue Wei’s face suddenly turned ashen, the smugness in his eyes vanishing in an instant, replaced by deep shock and utter disbelief.

He stared hard at Xue Zhao, as if trying to confirm whether she had really broken through to that Realm.

"That’s impossible!"

Xue Wei practically ground his teeth as he spat out the words. He could not accept that the rival he had always seen as merely a competitor, Xue Zhao, would have achieved such a huge breakthrough.

Xue Zhao gazed at Xue Wei coldly, her eyes full of disdain. "Xue Wei, where does your confidence come from? Don’t you understand that in the face of absolute strength, all your so-called schemes and intrigues are utterly worthless?"

Xue Wei’s pride was pierced by Xue Zhao’s words, a flash of rage and unwillingness crossing his eyes. "Xue Zhao, don’t get cocky! So what if you’ve broken through? I still have ways to beat you!"

Xue Zhao snorted dismissively, her voice as icy as frost. "Then let’s wait and see who wins in the end."

Down below the stage, Xiao Xiao, Qin Chuan, Li Nian’er and the others were also shocked and delighted by Xue Zhao’s breakthrough.

Xiao Xiao clenched her fists excitedly, hope shining in her eyes. "Sister Xue Zhao actually broke through. That’s great! Now she’s sure to beat Xue Wei!"

Qin Chuan nodded, his eyes full of anticipation. "That’s right. Xue Zhao’s strength has already far surpassed Xue Wei’s. This match will be worth watching."

Li Nian’er also revealed a faintly relieved smile. "With Xue Zhao’s strength and resolve, she’s sure to win the Saint Position."

The Family Head slowly rose to his feet, his gaze sweeping the entire arena with cold severity. The aura of authority emanating from him made everyone unconsciously fall silent.

The noisy chatter that had filled the plaza gradually faded away, and the crowd held their breath, waiting for the Family Head to speak.

The Family Head’s voice was low and imposing, like thunder rolling down from a mountaintop. "Silence! This is the Xue Family’s Saint Position election. No one is allowed to disturb the order."

His words brooked no argument, carrying a power that commanded respect without anger.

The Xue Family Members below the stage and the foreigners who had come to watch all felt the pressure of this aura. They stopped talking one after another and uniformly fixed their gazes on the Family Head atop the stage.

The Family Head continued, "Xue Wei, now that Xue Zhao has awakened, there is no reason she cannot participate in the election. The two of you will now prove your own strength. Xue Wei, if you believe you can continue, then the match shall begin!"

His voice rang out with metallic force, spreading across the entire plaza, every word hammering heavily at the hearts of all present.

The Family Head’s gaze was icy, as though it could pierce through all falsehood and disguise.

His eyes moved from Xue Wei to Xue Zhao, then swept over the entire crowd once more, as if placing an invisible pressure upon every single person.