Chapter 136: Conspiracy


    Natalie glared at Han Ming, who was putting on a pitiful act, and then at the stunned audience below. Finally, she understood.


    "Referee, I forfeit," Natalie said weakly, jumping off the stage and leaving the arena under the watchful eyes of the crowd. She knew Han Ming''s strength far surpassed hers, and continuing the fight would only humiliate her further. There was no way she could win.


    After the referee declared Han Ming the winner, the audience left in silence, baffled by what they had just witnessed. It was the most bizarre match they had ever seen—Natalie had inexplicably lost her composure, forfeited without reason, and Han Ming had somehow won without doing much of anything.


    Once the match was over, Han Ming changed into clean clothes and returned to his residence with a smile on his face.


    That night, Han Ming sat alone in his room, a cigarette between his fingers, smoke curling into the air. His expression was somber as he lost himself in thought.


    The door creaked open, and Kulo stood silently in the doorway, watching him.


    "Didn''t you run off with someone else? What are you doing here?" Han Ming asked, trying to keep his voice steady despite the turmoil in his heart.


    Kulo sighed softly. "I was just drinking with them. Nothing else happened."


    When Han Ming didn''t respond, Kulo hesitated before adding, "I''m sorry. I acted impulsively that day. I promise I won''t kill so recklessly in the future."


    Han Ming looked up, locking eyes with her. "Do you mean that?"


    Kulo nodded.


    "Alright. Get some rest. I''ll head back to my room," Kulo said with a faint smile before leaving.


    Why do I feel this way? I''ve killed so many people before without a second thought, but now, after just one death, I feel regret. It hurts... Kulo''s emotions were a tangled mess. She didn''t understand why she felt this way. When Han Ming had left her, when she had stood on the platform with another man and met Han Ming''s gaze, her heart had ached terribly.


    After the incident, the purity of their relationship seemed to have faded. They were no longer inseparable as they once were. Han Ming could sense a growing rift between them, one he wasn''t sure how to mend.


    ---


    A few days later, the elimination rounds concluded, and the top 32 competitors were decided. The 50 small arenas used for the Tri-Nation Tournament were replaced with a single massive circular stage. A celebration ceremony was held to honor the top 32.


    Han Ming stood on the stage with the other 31 competitors, receiving applause and blessings from the audience and the tournament organizers. Kulo watched from the stands, her eyes fixed solely on Han Ming. His smiles brought her joy, while his frowns caused her pain.


    Sasor, a fourth-tier first-level wood-element warrior from the Rhine Empire and one of the top seeds, approached Han Ming with a smile.


    "Congratulations on making it to the top 32. We might face each other in the next round. I hope you''ll give it your all," Sasor said, extending his hand.


    Han Ming shook it with a smile. "Thank you. If we do meet, I hope you''ll do the same."


    The two exchanged a knowing look.


    "Hello, I''m Shang Que from the Monte Empire. I''ve heard about your achievements at such a young age. It''s a pleasure to finally meet you," Shang Que said, approaching with Huang Ying.


    Sasor smiled politely. "You''re not so bad yourself. Reaching the third-tier first-level as a mage at your age is impressive."


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    Huang Ying chimed in, "Sasor, the Monte Empire is hosting a gathering for the top 32 tonight. We''d be honored if you could join us."


    Sasor nodded with a smile.


    Throughout the conversation, neither Shang Que nor Huang Ying acknowledged Han Ming, nor was he invited to the gathering.


    "It''s quite lively here. Allow me to introduce myself," said a girl with a pure, unadorned beauty, like a lotus emerging from water. She was accompanied by two others—a man and a woman.


    Huang Ying''s eyes lit up at the sight of the girl. "Jasmine, third-tier first-level wood mage from the Kabu Empire."


    He then turned to the other girl, whose cold eyes were fixed on Han Ming with unmistakable hatred. "Zhenluo, second-tier fifth-level fire mage from the Kabu Empire. Jasmine''s younger sister."


    "Let me introduce this one," Shang Que interrupted, gesturing to the man with closed eyes. "Gamori, third-tier fifth-level water warrior from the Kabu Empire."


    "Hello, I''m Shang Que."


    "And I''m Huang Ying."


    The two shook hands with the newcomers.


    Jasmine noticed her sister''s hostile glare at Han Ming and smiled meaningfully. She extended her hand to Han Ming. "You must be Han Ming. Gamori told me about what happened earlier. It seems there was a misunderstanding between you and my sister. I apologize on her behalf."


    "Sis!" Zhenluo protested, glaring at her sister.


    "Zhenluo, apologize to Mr. Han," Jasmine said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument.


    "Apologize to him? He''s the one who should apologize to me! How dare he claim to represent the Monte Empire and lecture me!" Zhenluo stomped her foot and stormed off, leaving the group in awkward silence.


    Jasmine turned back to Han Ming with an apologetic smile. "I''m sorry, Mr. Han. My sister has been spoiled since she was young. Please don''t take it to heart."


    Han Ming simply smiled and shook his head.


    Huang Ying circled Han Ming mockingly. "Oh, representing the Monte Empire, are we? Lecturing others? How impressive! Funny, I don''t recall you ever being authorized to speak for our empire."


    Jasmine, who had done her homework on the Monte Empire''s competitors, knew about the tension between Han Ming and the other two. She watched the exchange with a faint smile.


    Han Ming chuckled. "Huang Ying, I hope we meet in the top 32. Don''t get knocked out too early."


    Huang Ying burst into laughter, looking at Shang Que and the others as if Han Ming had just told the funniest joke. "You? A nobody like you? Honestly, who even are you? I don''t think I''ve ever heard of you."


    Han Ming had no interest in trading barbs. In his eyes, verbal sparring was beneath him. "I''ll leave you all to it. I have things to attend to."


    As he walked away, he passed Phil, who was watching him with a complicated expression. Han Ming nodded politely and continued on his way.


    Huang Ying sneered at Han Ming''s retreating figure. Shang Que, ever the diplomat, turned to the group with a smile. "I hope you''ll all join us tonight for the gathering. I promise it''ll be worth your while."


    The others nodded politely, though Sasor''s gaze lingered on Han Ming''s departing figure before shifting back to Shang Que and Huang Ying with a thoughtful smile.


    ---


    That night, Han Ming sat quietly in his room, channeling energy into his core. Beside him, the nine-headed serpent''s core absorbed the energy he emitted.


    "Reaching the second-tier fifth-level is proving difficult. The stronger I become, the slower my progress. The amount of energy required is immense," Han Ming mused, his eyes closed.


    "Given that each of my tiers has three additional levels compared to others, my current strength should be roughly equivalent to a third-tier first-level mage. The higher the tier, the greater the energy required to advance."


    Han Ming had no interest in attending the top 32 celebration. He hadn''t been invited, and he didn''t care to go.


    ---


    Elsewhere in Fila City, several mages moved hurriedly through the dark streets, their expressions grave. They seemed to be on an urgent mission.


    "Who''s there?" the lead mage demanded, stopping abruptly as a shadowy figure stepped into view.


    The figure chuckled. "You seem to be in quite a hurry. Where are you off to?"


    "Step aside!" the lead mage barked, backing away cautiously. The stranger exuded an aura of overwhelming power.


    The figure smiled coldly. "You''re on your way to warn the Magic Guild, aren''t you? The Monte Empire won''t let you leave alive."


    "The Monte Empire?!" the lead mage exclaimed. "Scatter!"


    The mages dispersed in different directions, but the figure moved with terrifying speed. Moments later, all but one lay dead at his feet.


    The last mage fled in terror, and the figure watched with a sinister grin.


    ---


    At the Magic Guild headquarters, a breathless mage burst into the chamber. "Guild Master! The Monte Empire sent assassins to kill our envoys to the palace! I barely escaped! It seems the Monte Empire is preparing to move against us!"


    Meanwhile, in another part of Fila City, a masked figure stood in a dark alley, a small fireball floating in his hand. At his feet lay several lifeless bodies. The last survivor fled toward the palace.


    ---


    In the Monte Empire''s palace, a panicked messenger rushed to Myron. "Sir Myron! Our envoys to the Magic Guild were ambushed and killed by their mages!"


    Myron shot to his feet, his face pale. "Are you certain it was the Magic Guild?"


    "Yes, sir! They were at least third-tier fifth-level mages!"


    Myron sank back into his chair, his expression grim. "It seems we''ve all been played. Someone is manipulating us from the shadows. I will find out who''s behind this."