Heavenly Dao Engine
Chapter 952 - 952 0572 Schemes and Calculations_1

Chapter 952: Chapter 0572: Schemes and Calculations_1 Chapter 952: Chapter 0572: Schemes and Calculations_1 Chapter 0572: A Web of Intrigue

To He Yingying, Xiang Bo was truly of no interest. Her prior initiative to approach him was nothing but an idle act of a Prince’s daughter, randomly picking someone to tease for amusement. Before she had begun interacting with Xiang Bo, she had investigated his background, knowing full well how she could derive pleasure from him without any forthcoming trouble. Indeed, He Yingying’s judgment wasn’t wrong. After she heartlessly parted ways and ignored Xiang Bo, he was left with no means to retaliate.

Now, she intended to thrust Xiang Bo forward, to embarrass him, to have him spearhead the demonstration of his abilities, thoroughly exposing himself to everyone and thus becoming the laughingstock of all. She believed that aside from his silent rage, he would ultimately have no choice but to accept reality powerlessly—such was the sorrow of the weak.

He Yingying beckoned to Xiang Bo, calling him over. She said, “Xiang Bo, I am giving you an opportunity to display yourself before the Princess, a rare chance that many desire yet I grant only to you. I hope you seize it and don’t disappoint me.”

In Xiang Bo’s heart, He Yingying was something wonderful. It never crossed his mind that she might be setting a trap for him to fall into. He was simply overjoyed, feeling that He Yingying must have acknowledged the change in his talents and hence provided him with this stage—a chance meant for him. This proved that He Yingying still liked him; a chance between them still lingered.

Xiang Bo nodded eagerly, beaming with pride, “Rest assured, Princess. I will definitely not let you down.”

He Yingying nodded and turned to Zhao Ninglu, saying, “Sister Ninglu, this is the person I’ve chosen to lead off. His name is Xiang Bo; his father is Xiang Songzhi, the City Lord of New Nine City.”

Within the Imperial Family Secret Territory were many towns and cities, named according to certain rules. The earliest or larger towns typically took names from historical references. However, a name like New Nine City clearly denoted a third-rate town within the Imperial Family Secret Territory, one of little significance. Those who served as the City Lord here were often the less regarded among the nobility. Whether due to inadequate personal talent or insufficient contributions, they also had extremely limited cultivation resources.

Zhao Ninglu was well aware of these matters. Her casual glance at Xiang Bo revealed much—his age and attire reflected the basic status of his family. Setting other factors aside, his accessories, compared to He Yingying’s, were worlds apart, not of the same class at all. Moreover, his cultivation was but a meager second level of the Foundation Establishment Stage, a below average standard for his age, suggesting a typically unimpressive innate talent.

Although Zhao Ninglu noticed these points, she said nothing, merely smiling and nodding, letting He Yingying make the arrangements.

Internally, He Yingying breathed a sigh of relief. She had worried Zhao Ninglu would insist on choosing someone from the earlier group, but fortunately, that had not happened. Now with Xiang Bo going first, once his talents were fully revealed, he would become a benchmark. Then, those she had previously selected could be compared against him, making their talents stand out less glaringly. This was her scheme: to rise by stepping on Xiang Bo.

He Yingying turned, a coy smile on her face as she pointed to the Lotus Platform and said cheerfully, “Go on, Xiang Bo, I await your good news.”

Xiang Bo bowed to He Yingying and Zhao Ninglu, then glanced at Qi Tian and Gao Jinmei before striding confidently toward the Lotus Platform.

Such behavior from Xiang Bo led He Yingying and Zhao Ninglu to shake their heads in secret. In He Yingying’s view, Xiang Bo was foolish, sold and still counting money for her, whereas in Ninglu’s view, he was obtuse—boldly stepping on the Lotus Platform without even knowing his own worth—what else could that be if not sheer foolishness?

Soon, Xiang Bo stood on the Lotus Platform and announced loudly, “I am ready; we can begin now.”

Although Zhao Ninglu wasn’t keen on letting Xiang Bo participate in this test, she didn’t want to dampen his enthusiasm. Reluctantly, she activated the Lotus Platform. Instantly, a beam of white light enveloped Xiang Bo. Shortly after, the lowest tier of petals lit up, slowly turning a lush green—the color of the wood attribute.

Zhao Ninglu said nothing. Based on her judgment of Xiang Bo, he needed at least two layers of petals to light up. If Xiang Bo couldn’t even illuminate two layers, then it would mean he hadn’t even reached the Foundation Establishment Stage.

Xiang Bo didn’t keep Zhao Ninglu waiting long. In the blink of an eye, the first two layers of petals lit up, and just when Zhao Ninglu thought that was his limit, the third layer of petals suddenly lit up as well.

Zhao Ninglu’s eyes widened in disbelief, astounded by the scene. How could this be possible? If Xiang Bo’s talent was so remarkable, why was his cultivation level so low at his age? He should not merely be at the second level of the Foundation Establishment Stage; at the very least, he should be in the later stages.