Scanning the vast field, Baihe noticed that other than the mountains blocking off their route from behind, the east and west also had similar mountain walls to obstruct their path. In front of them was another dead end besides the small cottage nestled in-between the only opening.

In short, they were trapped inside a mountain maze.

The array master behind this formation had strategically left them with no choice but to enter the cottage in order to proceed. Judging from the walls of mountains coming in all four directions, Baihe was certain many contestants were split up to face different challenges.

Forced to enter the suspicious cottage, Baihe approached with apprehension. Her luck wouldn’t be so bad that she’d win the jackpot to face the most difficult trial right?

Once they walked close enough, the cottage door instantly creaked open — leaving behind a ominous echo. Baihe suddenly had an absurd notion that they were exploring a haunted house due to a truth and dare. With slow prudent steps, the two entered the dubious little cottage. An eerie feeling hung in the atmosphere, exuding a creepy ambiance.

Bang!

The door slammed shut, locking the trespassers inside. Darkness descended on them as the light from the outside was cut off. Only the dim flickering flames from the candles allowed them to faintly see the interior. Baihe was unperturbed; as an assassin — the darkness was her best friend.

Quiet as the silent night, the two advanced forward as their intelligent keen eyes surveyed the perimeter. Soon, they saw a large black pot in the middle of the room making soft bubbling noises while emitting a foul odor. Peering inside the pot that reached up to her torso, Baihe was startled; instead of pill refining ingredients she’d expected to find — eyeballs, toes, fingers, and other body parts were being boiled in some green gooey soup base.

A hand tugged Baihe backward, making her collide into a hard robust chest. Baihe sent Fenglong a glare in the dark, but he ignored her and coiled a strong arm around her waist protectively.

The next second, a brazen laughter reverberated throughout the cottage. In Baihe’s original spot, stood an old unkempt woman with a hunchback holding a wooden cane for support. Dressed completely in black, her face was hidden behind a hood as messy white hair tangled down to her ankles.

At this point, Baihe wouldn’t be surprised if the old woman had come flying in on a broomstick. No matter how she looked at it, their host was a replica of a classic witch — all she needed was a pointy black hat.

An aged and wrinkled hand lifted the wooden cane and thumped twice on the floor. Immediately, a glyph appeared on both of their hands. “Hehehe, how interesting… you two are the most honorable guests this lady has the pleasure to receive,” the Old Witch praised, her voice raspy and coarse.

A droplet of drool formed on the Old Witch’s mouth, dripping down and creating a wet splotch on her black cloak. Recalling the black bubbling pot with human limbs and body parts, Baihe had a feeling the Old Witch was inspecting them from head to toe like some premium ingredients for her dinner.

Baihe made a quick calculation in her head. The Old Witch was a lot stronger than her since Baihe couldn’t even sense her cultivation level, but the bipolar fellow next to her was more than capable of taking down the cannibal; especially since she could also help on the sideline.

Just as Baihe was about to make her move, a loud squeaking sound was heard from the back of the cottage; a hidden corridor was revealed as Fei Fei and Prince Zhao walked out with trouble faces.

Seeing Baihe, her pretty little face distorted into a storm of fury. Fei Fei had not forgotten the humiliation she’d received that day on stage. Her reputation was now a scandal throughout the city! Due to the enormous influence of the Huang family, people didn’t dare talk about it to her face, but behind her back were endless gossips.

Subconsciously, Fei Fei touched her face; luckily, her family had connections with the reclusive mermaids and was bestowed many generous pills. Otherwise, who knows how long she would be sporting an ugly pig face!

“Fenglong, what are you doing here? You have never participated in tournaments before!” Prince Zhao asked, deeply shocked to see this man here.

Sparing him a cursory glance, Fenglong lightly replied: “I was bored.”

Baffled by his response, Prince Zhao shifted his gaze to the woman. Upon recognizing Baihe, he licked his lips as a flash of licentious perverseness crossed his eyes; Prince Zhao blatantly admired the beauty before him. His wanton eyes deviated downward and stopped only when he noticed an arm wrapped around Baihe.

A frown materialized on his noble face. “This isn’t a place to play; for someone who rarely cultivates, it’s best to avoid dangerous situations. Since we are one family, then allow this imperial cousin of yours to lend a hand if you need it…all you have to do is ask me,” Prince Zhao taunted with ridicule in his eyes.

When those inconceivable words reached Baihe, her eyes practically bulged out of their sockets. That was the most preposterous suggestion she’d heard! Was there something wrong with this prince’s innate perceptiveness? Which part of this bipolar man looked like he was weak enough to beg for his royal assistance?

As an assassin, Baihe was extremely sensitive to danger. Around Fenglong, she could sense this man was more dangerous than any enemy she had ever encountered; there was a deadly concealed volatile energy circulating beneath his bipolar persona.

Was Fenglong purposely hiding his true strength from his own imperial family? But why?

On his immaculate face, a shallow smile emerged as Fenglong looked at the fuming Fei Fei standing next to Prince Zhao. “No need to trouble imperial cousin who already have such a heavy baggage. Benwang can carry my own weight.”

Fei Fei turned to glare at Baihe, the rims of her eyes red with anger. Confused, Baihe really wanted to give the girl a wake-up call. What the hell did that have to do with her? The fuck?

Deeply hurt from Fenglong’s cold words and the look of utter disgust he’d threw at her, Fei Fei felt her hatred toward Baihe grew immensely. Fenglong had clearly insinuated that she was dragging down Prince Zhao; yet, when that jade-like man looked at Baihe, his beautiful sapphire eyes held traces of adoration.

Which part of her beauty couldn’t compare to the bitch? Even Prince Zhao was enamored with Baihe; but he was now her fiancé! Fei Fei wasn’t reconciled! None of the members in the Huang family were.

After a lengthy discussion, they’d decided to keep Huang Baihe’s real identity as a secret to prevent the imperial family from reinstating the original engagement since the trash had managed to form a contract with a godly phoenix. All Fei Fei needed to do was hold on until after this tournament; then she’d be able to marry into the imperial family.

Her hands curled tightly together as sharp nails dug into her flesh. A vicious look grew in Fei Fei’s eyes — shattering her white lotus illusion. Huang Baihe, just you wait. The Huang family isn’t someone of your caliber who you can afford to offend!

A loud thud from the wooden cane reminded everyone of the Old Witch.