C6 Genius Su Yingying!

At the southern gate of the Vrabouton Empire's Imperial Palace, atop a towering stage, a menacing Evilkind warrior sneered with contempt. Below him, three of the Empire's Imperial Guards lay in a crimson pool of their own blood.

"Vrabouton Empire? Garbage!" he spat, his gaze sweeping over the incensed citizens below with a smug grin spreading across his face.

"Scoundrel, who do you think you're insulting?" The retort erupted from the crowd.

Limping forward, Su Lang approached the stage, Su Yingying's hand in his. The surrounding onlookers' expressions shifted, a wave of respect washing over their faces.

"True to form, Commander Su is unyielding."

"Is he actually bringing his daughter to challenge the arena? Such resolute courage is nothing short of inspiring."

"Commander Su recently distinguished himself on the northwest battlefield, slaying Evilkind with valor. His presence alone could reverse our fortunes."

In that moment, Su Lang became the beacon of hope for the Vrabouton people. Yet, with an embarrassed chuckle, he gestured to Su Yingying.

"I'm not the one entering the arena; it's my daughter Yingying who will fight."

The crowd was stunned, murmurs rippling through the air. Even the Evilkind warrior's composure wavered.

"Su, do you intend to insult the Evilkind by sending this child to battle?"

The Evilkind's face twisted into an even more ghastly sneer. As a Foundation Building cultivator, he knew that engaging with a young girl would tarnish his honor, regardless of the outcome.

He glared at Su Yingying, feigning a monstrous visage, "What a shame, sending such a tender child to her demise. I can hardly bear it."

Flushed with embarrassment, the cultivators familiar with Su Lang voiced their concern.

"Su Lang, what is this madness? Yingying is but a child. If there's a need to ascend the stage, it should be us, her uncles."

"We're veterans of the battlefield. Have a few days of tranquility made us cowards, fearful of death?"

"Get Yingying out of here. I'll step up and deal with this insolent Evilkind myself."

Voices of encouragement and angry shouts erupted from all around. Even the citizens of the Vrabouton Empire joined in, urging Su Lang to take action.

"My family has served in the Imperial Guards for generations," Su Lang declared. "My daughter Yingying is no stranger to bravery. Let her have a go!"

He spoke with conviction, affectionately stroking Su Yingying's hair.

"Yingying, don't be scared on the platform. It doesn't matter who you face—give it everything you've got."

"Yes, Daddy!" Su Yingying responded with a crisp voice, her excitement palpable as she dashed toward the stage.

This exchange did not escape the notice of the Fourth Prince Yao Tiankui, who was watching from a short distance away.

"Has the Vrabouton Empire run out of warriors? Sending such a young girl to her doom?" Yao Tiankui sneered dismissively before shifting his focus.

He paused, his expression growing solemn.

"Let's not forget our true mission in the Vrabouton Empire," he reminded his companions. "Triumph in the arena is merely the start. Our real task is to locate that item."

A young Evilkind cultivator, in the late stages of Foundation Building, smirked with arrogance.

"Fourth Prince, our finest from the Evilkind have been dispatched to the Vrabouton Empire. There's no need for subterfuge. Even if we were to search Newcliff openly, what could the Vrabouton cultivators possibly do to stop us?"

The Fourth Prince acknowledged the comment with an approving smile.

"Indeed, the Vrabouton Empire is of little concern to us," he conceded. "But overt actions could draw unwanted attention from other formidable races. We must avoid unnecessary complications."

"Fourth Prince, your strategic acumen is a credit to our Evilkind," Chi Feng said, his eyes reflecting a deepened respect for the prince.

Meanwhile, within the Palace of Vrabouton, Soong Wang, the king who had been restless for nights on end, looked visibly worn.

The Envoys of the Netherworld had erected a challenge stage right at the palace gates, striking at the very prestige of the Vrabouton Empire. As Soong Wang, he felt powerless to change the course of events, his anxiety mounting by the hour.

"Can it be that our great Vrabouton Empire must simply endure the Evilkind's oppression? If our Imperial Guards cannot overcome the Envoys of the Netherworld, then I shall enter the fray myself."

Soong Wang's demeanor chilled.

In his prime, he was a formidable leader, victorious in battles on all fronts, unmatched in both strategy and combat.

Since ascending to the throne, he had devoted himself to governance, yet never neglected his cultivation.

Years of dedication had brought Soong Wang to the Great Perfection of the late Foundation Building stage.

He had every right to be confident in his words.

But should the time come for him to intervene, it could mean the Vrabouton Empire was on the brink of collapse.

Amidst Soong Wang's contemplation, an eunuch scurried in.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty..."

"What has you so flustered? Have our Imperial Guards been utterly defeated?"

Soong Wang's anger was palpable, a frigid aura of menace emanating from him.

"Where is the State Preceptor? Fetch my imperial sword. I will deal with the Evilkind myself."

His wrath made the palace quake, sending the eunuch nearly tumbling to the floor.

"Your Majesty, over half of our Imperial Guards have yet to engage. I've come to report that Commander Su Lang has sent his daughter, Su Yingying, to challenge them in the arena."

Soong Wang's brow creased.

He vaguely recalled reports praising Su Lang for his valor in combat, fearlessly engaging multiple formidable Evilkind and emerging unscathed.

"So, Su Lang? The Decurion who was dispatched to the northwest and returned without a scratch?"

"Indeed, Your Majesty. You have an excellent memory."

The eunuch affirmed with a nod.

A smile broke across Soong Wang's face. "Like father, like daughter. With Su Lang's daughter in action, she's sure to change the course of this battle."

Realizing the emperor had misunderstood, the eunuch quickly whispered a clarification.

"Your Majesty, Su Yingying is but a six-year-old child, virtually unknown in our capital of Newcliff. Her stepping into the arena is tantamount to a death sentence!"

"Hmm? What is Su Lang up to?"

Soong Wang's brow furrowed, and a flash of rage burst forth from the depths of his gaze.

"A tiger doesn't devour its own offspring. Has Su Lang truly pushed his daughter into the flames? Does he think our Vrabouton Empire hasn't been shamed enough?"

He spat the words out in anger.

As Soong Wang was about to dash out to see for himself, another eunuch hurried in.

"Your Majesty, our Vrabouton prodigy, Su Yingying, has triumphed in three consecutive battles, each victory over the Evilkind with a single decisive strike. She has brought immense pride to our Empire."

The eunuch's voice quivered with excitement.

The once enraged Soong Wang was now astounded.

"Are you telling me Su Yingying has won three consecutive battles? The same Su Yingying?"

"The very daughter of Su Lang!"

"This... Arrange my chariot at once for the southern gate. I shall personally witness this spectacle and lend my support to our Empire's genius."

Soong Wang was elated.

He grabbed his dragon robe and charged out of the Palace of Vrabouton...

Outside the southern gate, Yao Tiankui, the Fourth Prince of the Evilkind, wore a look of utter distaste.

"The Vrabouton genius, Su Yingying? She's slain three of our late-period Foundation Building masters? Where did this child emerge from? I want a thorough investigation."

Yao Tiankui seethed with anger.

A chilling light flickered in his eyes.

"Should I discover who dares aid the Vrabouton Empire from the shadows, they will meet their end at my hand!"