Chapter 326: Loophole

　　“Deal?”

　　“I don’t wish to kill, so here’s a chance to redeem yourself.” Jiang Yuan nodded. “As long as you agree to sign an agreement with me, I’ll forgive you.”

　　“…”

　　Before Lu Mingshu could say anything, Yan Wugui sneered. “Prince Jiang, you must have overestimated yourself. We are the ones who have your secret and yet we have to work for you now? Are you so sure you’re capable of taking us down?”

　　This was the first time in his life that he was being threatened. However, Yan Wugui found it funny more than anger-inducing. There was no doubt that Prince Jiang was powerful, but with his and Lu Mingshu’s ability, she might not be able to take them down.

　　“Oh? So confident. ” Jiang Yuan laughed. “Are you sure you have no secrets yourself?”

　　Yan Wugui rolled his eyes, not willing to answer her.

　　Jiang Yuan sighed and changed her posture. “Such innocent kids, thinking that a Freezing Spirit senior can’t tell that your seals are fake.”

　　As soon as she said that, Lu Mingshu and Yan Wugui immediately got into defensive postures.

　　“Prince Jiang, I’m not sure what you mean.” Lu Mingshu gave her a death glare.

　　Jiang Yuan shook her head and smiled. “A seal can react when one activates his or her seal energy. Only cultivators in the Solid Form Realm cannot tell. Not even speaking about the third round, I can guarantee that you’ll get caught before you even enter the second round checkpoint. Do you know the punishment for pretending to be a true human and participating in this competition?”

　　After some time, Lu Mingshu asked softly, “How did you know?”

　　Nobody realized it during the registration, but she realized it just after meeting us? We didn’t even fight in front of her.

　　Jiang Yuan snickered and ignored Lu Mingshu’s question. “So, what do you think? My secret might be a little bit troublesome if it leaks, but it isn’t as troublesome compared to yours, which will result in the death penalty if it gets out.”

　　Yan Wugui and Lu Mingshu exchanged a glance before turning to Jiang Yuan. “So you’ll help us get through this if we agree to assist you?”

　　“Of course.”

　　“But how can we make sure that you are not trying to trick us so you can kill us?”

　　“That’s why we can make a deal!” Jiang Yuan smiled. “We can sign a contract.”

　　“Contract?” Yan Wugui repeated.

　　“You aren’t aware of it?” Jiang Yuan raised her eyebrows.

　　“Like you’ve already pointed out, we are aliens, so we do not have a proper understanding of culture.” Lu Mingshu was fast to think of an answer.

　　“You can possess such strength even without a complete inheritance?” Jiang Yuan laughed. “I bet you could take down those four from earlier, right?”

　　Lu Mingshu bit her lips. They weren’t sure what this world was like, and Jiang Yuan, who was standing right in front of them, was observant and seemed to have already sensed that something was out of place. It was best to keep quiet for now.

　　Luckily, Jiang Yuan didn’t probe. She took out a small badge from her pocket and inserted light from her palm into the badge before throwing it to them. “This is what a contract is about.”

　　In actuality, Lu Mingshu knew what a contract was, but with Yan Wugui here, she couldn’t explain, so she continued her act.

　　After Yan Wugui read the content in the badge, Lu Mingshu read it too. This Prince Jiang is honest. She didn’t try to trick us even though she thinks we are ignorant.

　　She looked over to Yan Wugui and nodded, indicating that she approved.

　　“Conditions?” Yan Wugui looked over at Jiang Yuan.

　　“Simple.” She nodded. “Help me get into the top three, and I’ll ensure that you pass through safely. After this, leave and never step back into Yunjing ever again. Your identity will be safe with me and I promise not to cause you any trouble. The conditions are negotiable if you two are unhappy with this.”

　　Lu Mingshu and Yan Wugui stared at each other for a moment, looking for approval. Jiang Yuan sat back and waited patiently.

　　It was a fair deal, and to them, as long as they were not caught during the competition, it would be fine. After all, they were planning to leave this place as soon as it was over anyway.

　　“Are you sure that you can let us pass through safely?” Lu Mingshu asked again.

　　“Well, if Fu Yun can, you can too.” Jiang Yuan smiled thinly.

　　So that means…

　　“Deal.” Yan Wugui nodded. “I hope you will keep your promise.”

　　“How can I not after signing a contract?” Jiang Yuan stood up. “Let’s hurry, there’s not much time left.”

　　…

　　After signing the contract, Jiang Yuan heaved a sigh of relief and muttered, perhaps to them or perhaps to herself, “Feels good to not have to kill.” Before either of them could reply, she turned to both of them and signaled for them to follow her. “Follow me, and let’s find out about each other’s abilities.”

　　Ice cold and always taking the lead. Seems familiar…

　　Yan Wugui looked over at Jiang Yuan, then back at Lu Mingshu. He bit his lips to stop himself from laughing and mouthed, “Are you and her long-lost siblings? Prince Jiang seems to act just like you.”

　　Lu Mingshu rolled her eyes in annoyance.

　　“How do I address both of you?”

　　“Ji Xulin.”

　　“Ji Zhenzhen.”

　　“Siblings?”

　　Yan Wugui and Lu Mingshu nodded.

　　“Nah, I don’t think so.” Jiang Yuan shook her head.

　　“What do you mean?” Lu Mingshu replied in monotone.

　　“You guys do not look alike.”

　　“…”

　　“Real names, please?”

　　Silence took over.

　　“Nevermind. Where are you from?” Jiang Yuan didn’t press.

　　“Bell Woods.”

　　Jiang Yuan bit her lips. “A small state in the north?”

　　Lu Mingshu nodded. Jiang Yuan was knowledgeable. Ever since they arrived in Yunjing, ninety percent of the people they talked to weren’t aware of what Bell Woods was. It was a very small state in a desolate place, and it was considered good if they could send two or three representatives to such events.

　　“Neither of you look like an alien.” Jiang Yuan raised an eyebrow. “So, what special inheritance did you get?”

　　Silence took over once again.

　　“Prince Jiang, please teach us how to get through safely! If even you can tell, then other Purity Soul elites will be able to as well.” Yan Wugui took the chance to divert her attention and asked about the matter that he was worried about.

　　“Be at ease.” Jiang Yuan smiled. “A cultivator in the same realm as you can’t really tell unless you activate it.”

　　“But you said before we will get caught before we get through the second round or the checkpoint….”

　　“Because there are Freezing Spirt elders guarding the checkpoint,” Jiang Yuan said. “Ninety percent of the participants will be eliminated during the first round, and it’s not hard for them to check one by one at the checkpoint. It’s lucky that you ran into me, or you would soon be dead.”

　　“So, can you…?” Why is she not telling us how to solve this? Is she trying to buy time?

　　Jiang Yuan shook her head. “Be at ease, it’s not the right time yet. I will definitely settle this before we reach the checkpoint.”

　　After saying that, she pushed both of them back. “There’s someone coming, hide.”

　　Lu Mingshu and Yan Wugui sensed it too. Both jumped onto the tree and hid themselves immediately.

　　Not long later, a team of five reached the place.

　　“A lone wolf!” Among them, the one with the highest cultivation exclaimed in glee as he saw a person alone.

　　The five sped over, but as soon as they realized who it was, they stopped in their tracks.

　　Jiang Yuan looked at them and bowed, smiling. “Right on time. I need a small favor from you all.”