Chapter 29: A Trap Both Public and Private
Chapter 29: A Trap Both Public and Private
Only traitors like the Starry Sky Gate would choose to join forces with aliens.
Xue Ruyan narrowed her eyes and handed her spear to Jiang Tian.
Jiang Tian instinctively took the spear and asked in confusion, "What for?"
Xue Ruyan explained, "My grandfather spent a fortune to have this spear custom-made. You're stronger than me—you should be able to break through and escape."
"I'm sorry, Jiang, for dragging you into this."
As soon as she finished speaking, the blood energy in her body surged out, forming an invisible crimson wave that enveloped Jiang Tian.
"Go!" Xue Ruyan's expression darkened as she forcefully pushed out with her palm.
Boom!
Jiang Tian, shrouded in blood energy, was flung into the air, soaring past the encirclement of the Flame Bird Clan.
Seeing that Jiang Tian was about to escape, Xue Ruyan's tense heart relaxed slightly.
At least, he wouldn't be dragged down with her.
"Student Xue, you are too naive."
Wu Xianqing's voice suddenly echoed in the distance.
Xue Ruyan didn't understand at first.
But the next moment—she realized.
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Ambush.
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From the redwood forest, eight Flame Birds suddenly leaped into the air, their throats glowing ominously.
Pillars of flame erupted from their beaks, converging midair toward Jiang Tian's escape path.
Boom!
A deafening explosion shook the forest.
A figure, engulfed in black smoke, plummeted from the sky and crashed into the trees below.
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"Jiang Tian!!!"
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Xue Ruyan's scream tore through the battlefield.
Her hands clenched tightly, her nails digging into her palms.
Images of Jiang Tian's bright smile and unwavering passion flashed through her mind.
His journey had just begun.
He had so much potential, fully capable of realizing his dream of becoming a top chef.
But now—it was all gone.
And the person responsible… was her.
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"Why?"
Xue Ruyan took a deep breath and turned toward Wu Xianqing, her eyes burning with fury.
"Your target was me! Why did you have to kill Jiang Tian?"
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Wu Xianqing's smug, hypocritical smile remained as he slowly answered:
"Since you already understand that we came for you, then you should also understand…"
"You are more valuable alive."
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A Sinister Plan.
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"You see, Xue, we can only control Liu Zhandi, your father, if you are alive."
"But smuggling a living person out of the assessment site without anyone noticing is tricky."
"But what if there's a coffin?"
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Xue Ruyan's pupils shrunk in horror.
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Wu Xianqing continued, "The assessment allows for casualties. Jiang Tian is the perfect candidate."
"His strength is at the bottom. No one will question his death."
"He has no power, no influence, no background. His family won't use connections to demand answers."
"So, when his body is transported back to the outpost, there will be no complications."
"And when the examiners take him out…"
"We simply hide you inside the coffin."
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"You entered together."
"And you'll leave together."
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Wu Xianqing's casual cruelty made Xue Ruyan tremble with rage.
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She finally understood.
This was a Starry Sky Gate plot from the very beginning.
Their real target wasn't just her.
It was her father, Liu Zhandi.
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She turned to look at the ice coffin carried by the traitorous examiners.
The coffin looked simple, but something felt off.
A special enchantment? A hidden compartment?
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It wasn't meant to carry Jiang Tian's body at all.
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Instead, it was meant to smuggle her out.
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Bang!
Xue Ruyan's blood energy erupted, forming an invisible shockwave that kicked up dust and debris.
A scarlet sandstorm formed, obscuring everyone's vision.
Taking advantage of the chaos, she bolted for the outpost.
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Even if the odds were slim—
She had to try.
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But before she could get far—
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Whoosh!
A violent gust of wind suddenly swept through the battlefield.
The dust storm dissipated instantly, revealing her fleeing figure.
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A Flame Bird, far larger than the rest, hovered above her, its powerful wings creating powerful currents.
Its aura was overwhelming.
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A Level 2 Flame Bird.
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Xue Ruyan froze in place.
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Boom!
A gust of wind sent her tumbling backward.
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Her head snapped up—
A Level 1 Flame Bird lunged at her, its wings spread wide.
A sharp whistle cut through the air as it slashed at her with its talons.
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Too fast!
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Before she could react—
Bang!
The Flame Bird's wing smashed into her stomach.
She was sent flying backward, rolling across the ground several times before finally stopping herself.
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"Cough…!"
Blood spurted from her lips, staining her mouth crimson.
Her ponytail had come loose, strands of hair sticking to her dirt-streaked face.
She struggled to stand, her entire body trembling.
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Swish!
A metallic clank rang out as something flew through the air—
A pair of shackles.
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The restraints latched onto her wrists, sealing her blood energy completely.
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She couldn't move.
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Her face paled in horror.
Not only could she not escape, but she couldn't even kill herself.
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Her meridians were blocked.
Her blood energy was frozen.
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"Human, our deal is complete."
The Level 2 Flame Bird suddenly spoke in human language.
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The other Flame Birds approached, carrying woven nests filled with bright red eggs.
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"Don't worry," Wu Xianqing assured them, grinning.
"You Flame Birds have done a great service. The Red Eagles will acknowledge your contribution."
"You'll regain your freedom in the Red Eagle Clan's territory."
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Xue Ruyan stared in horror.
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"No… no…!"
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Wu Xianqing sneered. "After all, Liu Zhandi, the human currently invading the Red Eagle Clan's world… is her father."
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Her capture would change the war.
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At that moment, Xue Ruyan finally realized:
This wasn't just about her anymore.
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Her capture would doom the entire human invasion force.
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Her teeth clenched.
Her hands shook.
Tears of frustration welled up.
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She had lost.
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Personally—she had killed Jiang Tian.
Politically—she had doomed the human race.
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She had wanted to prove herself…
Instead, she had become the greatest liability.
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"Why…?"
Tears slid down Xue Ruyan's face as despair consumed her.