Because Su Li's match was later, the two were in no hurry. When they returned to the city gate, someone had already begun their match on the platform. This competition was nothing more than each participant on-site concocting what they believed to be their most potent poison, to see if their opponent could create an antidote.
If one wasn't confident in curing a poison, they shouldn't consume it; they could simply admit defeat. Even if they couldn't cure the opponent's poison, as long as they conceded, the opponent would provide an antidote. However, such competitions always held unexpected dangers, which was why a Life-and-Death Contract had to be signed.
Su Li watched the platform, where some individuals laughed triumphantly, while others hung their heads in dejection.
"Li'er, I still think this is too risky. Why don't we just..."
"Ziyan, don't say another word. Trust me."
After another long while, group after group competed, with no fatalities occurring.
Su Li said, "See? There's no danger, is there?"
"The later it gets, the more dangerous it becomes."
"Next up, Li Su and Zhao Hao."
Su Li and the one named Zhao Hao stepped onto the platform together.
"Begin."
"Hold on!"
Everyone looked over as Jun Mo slowly ascended the platform amidst their gazes. The Female Official frowned. "This is a single-person competition. Those not involved, please step down."
Jun Mo said coldly, "Your rules don't state that others cannot test the poison. I voluntarily offer myself as a test subject for my wife."
The crowd erupted in an uproar. Such a steadfast man!
Su Li frowned, looking at him. "Ziyan..."
Jun Mo walked to her side, looking at her earnestly. "Didn't you tell me to trust you? I trust you."
Su Li felt both touched and a little exasperated. She had asked him to trust her so she wouldn't worry, not so he would take her place.
Jun Mo turned to the Female Official. "May I test the poison for my wife?"
The Female Official considered for a moment. "You may. Go sign your name on the Life-and-Death Contract." After all, it was merely to test poison arts. If someone was willing to be a test subject, it was naturally permissible.
Jun Mo signed the Life-and-Death Contract and walked to Su Li's side. Seeing his actions, Su Li's expression turned serious. Jun Mo, conversely, looked completely at ease. The person opposite him let out a cold snort, his face full of disdain. Jun Mo cast a cold glance back.
Zhao Hao sneered, "How hypocritical. Since you wish to die for her, then I shall grant your wish!"
Su Li looked at the malice in his eyes, knowing he wasn't joking, but truly intended to kill his opponent. Su Li sneered, "It's still too early to say who lives and who dies!"
As the gong sounded, Su Li and Zhao Hao walked to the side where the herbs were, taking the ingredients they needed, and began to concoct their poisons. These ingredients were selected when they signed the Life-and-Death Contract,
and Su Li had already decided what poison to create. While concocting the poison, one also had to prepare the antidote. To prevent the other party from seeing, a screen stood between the two competitors.
The crowd below noticed that Zhao Hao, having finished concocting his poison, stopped and did not continue to work. This meant that if his opponent couldn't cure his poison, he had no intention of providing an antidote.
This was also the cruel aspect of this competition; there was no explicit rule stating that an antidote must be given to the opponent. Those who couldn't obtain an antidote could only blame their own inferior skills and accept their misfortune. However, nine out of ten people would prepare the antidote along with the poison.
"That Zhao-something is too vicious! He really wants that man's life!"
"Indeed, truly ruthless."
"Alas, what a devoted man."
"Perhaps that lady has true skill? She doesn't need an antidote from the Zhao family." Su Li listened to the murmuring crowd and glanced towards the screen.
"Good! Time's up, exchange poisons!"
The screen was removed. Zhao Hao looked at Su Li with a half-smile. "My apologies. When signing the Life-and-Death Contract, I forgot to write down the ingredients needed for the antidote. If you can't cure it, you'll just have to watch your beloved die."
Su Li remained unmoved, placing her poison on the Female Official's tray. Zhao Hao, seeing her unwavering composure, continued, "I advise you to concede. Don't gamble with that boy's life for money."
"I say, young woman, you are truly heartless. For a bit of money, you're disregarding your beloved's life." Su Li finally raised her eyes to look at him, her gaze utterly devoid of warmth. She ultimately said nothing, picking up the poison Zhao Hao had concocted from the tray.
She uncorked the bottle, sniffed it, and let out a soft scoff. Hearing Su Li's scoff, Zhao Hao looked over. "What are you scoffing at? You'll be crying soon enough."
Jun Mo, seeing Su Li's relaxed expression, stepped forward, took the poison, and swallowed it without hesitation. The crowd below erupted in murmurs. "That man is truly brave! The opponent didn't even prepare an antidote,
yet he still consumed it without changing his expression." "That man is either a fool, or he truly loves his wife." "Alas, although this man's appearance is ordinary, his devotion is beyond what many can match. To gain such a sincere heart, one truly lives a life without regret."
On the other side, Zhao Hao sniffed the poison concocted by Su Li, a look of contempt on his face. "Just this ordinary poison dares to make a fool of itself." Seeing him swallow it without hesitation, Su Li's eyes gleamed with a faint, chilling light.
Her poison did appear ordinary on the surface, but she had added an additional ingredient colorless and odorless, easily overlooked precisely to induce the opponent to consume it.
"Good, now that both have consumed the other's poison, begin concocting the antidotes," the Female Official's voice rang out. Su Li took the herbs, and Zhao Hao sneered again. "I suggest you concede. The ingredients for this antidote aren't these few."
The crowd below immediately erupted in commotion. "I think that man is in trouble now. Even the opponent says she picked the wrong herbs." "Look at that woman's face, not a hint of worry. Truly heartless." "Alas, what a pity."
This truly wronged Su Li. Su Li naturally knew the traditional antidote for this poison, but using that would leave lingering side effects. Her formula, however, could completely detoxify, leaving no hidden dangers.
At this moment, on a tall building to the side of the platform, stood a man and a woman. The woman was charming, but the man had a serious, old-fashioned expression. "This woman has some skill," the woman said. "But she is not the one the Violet Emperor is looking for." "He Qiao, let's make a bet. I bet these two are disguised," the woman said with a charming smile.
"Why does Princess say that?"
"This man's demeanor and this woman's skill don't seem so ordinary. They say that looks reflect the heart, but their outward appearance and their displayed abilities are too contradictory."
"Princess, even if they are disguised, they are not the people we are looking for. Although that person is also disguised, he must be over fifty this year. That man's figure is too young."
"Hmm, this princess is just curious. Tell me, why does His Majesty insist on finding that old man?" After a long pause, hearing no reply from the person beside her, the woman tilted her head.
"Princess, I cannot reveal internal palace information."
"How boring." The two fell silent, both looking towards the competition platform.
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