Chapter 1347: The Person in the Mirror

Shi Rong exclaimed excitedly, "Third Brother, I must say, why didn't you agree to something like this right away?"

Shi Min glanced back towards Biyuan. "Our feud with Queen Medusa and her people stems from what happened with Eighth Brother. However, beyond that, there's no deep-seated animosity between our tribes, so there's no need to be overly extreme. Moreover, with the Second Prince and the Crown Prince currently vying for power, both are secretly trying to win our support. I'm concerned that helping the Crown Prince would mean fully committing to his side and alienating the Second Prince."

Shi Rong snorted, "That Second Prince is truly despicable. He spoke in our favor when he saw us gaining the upper hand, but then immediately switched sides once we started losing. It's disgusting!"

Shi Min's expression darkened. "If he shows no benevolence, then don't blame me for acting unfairly. In any case, it's a certainty that the Golden Crow Crown Prince will inherit the Demon Emperor's throne, so what harm is there in fully siding with him?"

Shi Gong, however, spoke with concern, "My worry is that it will be difficult to land a decisive blow against the Snake Tribe in the arena. They've kept a low profile for years, with only their patriarch representing them. If they choose not to participate in the selection, it will be very challenging for us to confront them."

"Don't worry about that," Shi Min replied. "We've just received intelligence that they've sent three tribe members to participate in the election this time, including that Yan Zu, and two women—likely the same two who were with Queen Medusa today."

Shi Rong's fists cracked audibly. "Perfect then. I'll completely cripple that brat, making him regret his arrogance today."

Shi Gong, meanwhile, chuckled. "While those two women accompanying Queen Medusa might be somewhat plain in appearance, their figures are absolutely stunning. And the longer you look, the more they seem to possess a unique charm. I'll take care of them then."

"Are you out of your mind?" Shi Min retorted with a laugh. "Still, those two women are indeed quite distinctive, though I can't quite pinpoint what makes them so different."

As the group discussed how to deal with the Snake Tribe, their moods immediately improved, and the earlier frustration from Biyuan dissipated entirely.

Meanwhile, back in Biyuan, everyone was congratulating Yu Yanluo. She, of course, seized this excellent opportunity to strengthen ties with the various tribes.

Shang Liuyu took the opportunity to approach Zu'an. "Your mask is quite distinctive."

"What is the princess talking about? I don't quite follow," Zu'an said, subtly glancing at Yan Xuehen and Yun Jianyue nearby. Though they pretended to be indifferent, their ears seemed perked, clearly listening in on the conversation.

Shang Liuyu smiled faintly. "You rogue, no matter how much you alter your appearance, you can never shake off that rascally air about you."

Zu'an chuckled. "You truly understand me, Sister. I never expected to see you here. While I had some suspicions before, it's only now that I know you are the Mermaid Princess of the Sea Tribe."

"It's just a title. I spend very little time with the Sea Tribe; most of my life has been spent among humans," Shang Liuyu said, a hint of regret crossing her face as she seemed to recall something, though she quickly recovered. "I didn't expect you to ultimately brave the dangers and come to the Royal Court."

"I know your previous warning was valid, but I also had compelling reasons to come," Zu'an mused, considering how he might enter the Unknowable Land, which was located within the imperial mausoleum.

Shang Liuyu glanced at Yu Yanluo in the distance, who was surrounded by admirers. "Is it for her? She truly is a captivating individual, a focal point wherever she goes, whether among humans or demons."

Evidently, she had often heard the title "Capital's Foremost Beauty" during her time among humans.

Zu'an realized her misunderstanding but offered no explanation.

Soon, the Little Golden Roc King approached them, asking curiously, "What are you two chatting about, Princess?"

"I was simply curious how he knew there was a divine-tier treasure within that stone," Shang Liuyu offered as a casual excuse.

"Oh, now that you mention it, I'm curious as well." The Little Golden Roc King's gaze fell on Zu'an. Although Yu Yanluo had chosen the stone, after it was opened, even the Biyuan manager was deceived. Yet, he managed to pick out the Primordial Calamity Gold from all the fragments. His keen eye was truly remarkable.

Zu'an looked bewildered. "I just took a random guess. Perhaps my luck is simply boundless."

A faint smile touched Shang Liuyu's lips.

The Little Golden Roc King was speechless.

To say he was feigning ignorance, yet he had brazenly claimed his luck was boundless. For a moment, the king couldn't tell if Zu'an was genuinely unwilling to disclose the method or if he truly just had extraordinary luck.

After this interruption, Shang Liuyu returned to the other side, concerned that her presence might cause Zu'an unnecessary trouble.

After a while longer, Yu Yanluo bid farewell to the gathering, and the group departed Biyuan. The Biyuan manager personally escorted them out, even hinting that if they ever wished to sell the Primordial Calamity Gold in the future, Biyuan would offer an exceptionally favorable price.

On the way back, the group discussed the matter. Zu'an chuckled, "This Biyuan is quite cunning. We distinctly heard the Second Prince express his desire to purchase it in the Immortal Chamber, yet they still managed to snatch it from under his nose."

Yu Yanluo replied, "Biyuan is indeed quite enigmatic, but for now, their attitude towards us appears friendly, so we needn't be concerned about them. The Tiger Tribe, however, seems to be making a strong effort to win us over, likely due to our conflict with the Lion Tribe."

"The Tiger Tribe and the Lion Tribe have always competed for the title of Beast King, but unfortunately, neither yields to the other. Their strengths are currently matched, making it difficult to determine a victor. We can certainly befriend the Tiger Tribe, but we must be careful not to be used as their proxy to confront the Lion Tribe," Zu'an analyzed.

Yu Yanluo nodded slightly, as she had been thinking the same.

"Compared to Biyuan and the Tiger Tribe, I'm much more curious about how you knew there was a great treasure within that seemingly ordinary stone!" Yun Jianyue exclaimed, clearly frustrated. Yan Xuehen had initially promised she would directly ask, but she had been "playing dead" for so long, remaining silent, that Yun Jianyue's blood pressure had risen from impatience. So, she decided to ask herself.

That icy woman really can't shed her old, bad habit—how hypocritical!

Just as Zu'an was about to speak, Yan Xuehen interjected, "We're not interested in hearing anything about your overwhelming luck."

"I am indeed a favored child of destiny," Zu'an said with an awkward chuckle. "Don't worry, those are just platitudes for outsiders. You're all my own people, so of course, I won't keep secrets from you."

"My own people..." Upon hearing this term, the three women reacted with varying thoughts.

Yu Yanluo found it perfectly natural, while Yan Xuehen's heart fluttered, and a faint blush touched her cheeks, which she quickly tried to conceal. Yun Jianyue would typically have reacted nonchalantly, but ever since Zu'an had seen her in her most private state, she couldn't shake an inexplicable feeling of self-consciousness.

Zu'an, oblivious to their subtle reactions, continued, "The *Elucidation of the Heavenly Marrow*, which I obtained from the Tomb of Marquis Sui, primarily focuses on the grand forces of heaven and earth. Naturally, it also describes how to discern stones, given that these stones are products of the earth's meridians."

"According to its teachings, once one cultivates to the highest realm, they can effortlessly locate veins of primal stones within vast mountain ranges, let alone see through a simple unpolished gem."

"Of course, my current cultivation isn't yet sufficient; I can only vaguely sense that something is amiss with a stone. The reason I was able to confirm it contained a major treasure was thanks to this."

As he spoke, he produced a bronze mirror.

The bronze mirror was exquisitely crafted and unique. Yun Jianyue eyed it with a half-smile. "Now, which young lady gave you this as a token of affection?"

Noticing Yu Yanluo and Yun Jianyue staring intently at him, Zu'an's heart skipped a beat. "Sister, please don't say such things. This item is called the 'Qin King's Heart-Reflecting Mirror.' I obtained it from an unknowable land. Legend has it that the Qin King once used it to test the loyalty of his subjects. It doesn't possess such incredible powers now, but it does seem to reveal what's inside unpolished stones; I only discovered this recently."

"That magical?" Hearing that it came from an unknowable land, the three women immediately grew interested and crowded closer to examine it.

What they saw in the mirror were three peerless beauties—and, crucially, they were completely unclothed!