A thunderous roar echoed in Feng Dongâs ears, leaving his mind utterly blank.
Feng Dong was horrified, unable to stand steadily. He stammered, âThe Unseen Needles of Grace? How⦠how is that possible?!â
Anyone associated with the Mo family knew the significance of the Unseen Needles of Grace.
Ranked first in power, lethality, and range.
it was the undisputed number one hidden weapon.
After a sudden fire destroyed the Mo familyâs blueprints, the Elder Council declared that anyone, even an outsider, who could recreate the Unseen Needles of Grace would be on par with the Mo family head.
If Xi Jiang had truly created a prototype of the Unseen Needles of Grace, even an SSS rating would be insufficient.
âUnderstand now? Satisfied?â the second elder said, hands clasped behind his back. âIf you used your brain, you wouldnât ask such foolish questions!â
Many outsiders were stunned by Xi Jiangâs high rating, understanding that he must have created a top-tier hidden weapon.
Only an idiot couldnât grasp this.
Feng Dong was distraught, clutching his head and screaming, âImpossible⦠this is impossible! I donât believe it, I donât believe it!â
The second elder frowned, âWhat a disgrace, take him out.â
Undeniably, Feng Dongâs performance in this yearâs final assessment was sufficient for him to become a core disciple.
However, being a core disciple requires a comprehensive evaluation of various factors, with strength being just one of them.
Given Feng Dongâs personality, he would be a ticking time bomb within the Mo family.
The second elder wouldnât allow someone like Feng Dong to stay.
Two guards escorted the dazed Feng Dong to the Mo familyâs gate, where he collided with Xi Jiang, who was escorting Si Fuqing.
Feng Dong, his eyes bloodshot, glared at Xi Jiang, âThe Elder Council says youâve made a prototype of the Unseen Needles of Grace?!â
Xi Jiang glanced at him, âYes, any problem? You donât believe it?â
Feng Dong shouted, âNo, I donât believe it!â
Hearing this, Si Fuqing turned and raised an eyebrow, intrigued, âWhy donât you believe it?â
âBecause of logic and reason!â Feng Dong clenched his fists, âXi Jiang, you had no direct tutelage from the Mo family, no blueprint for the Unseen Needles of Grace, and no ability to create it!â
âYou lack family background and connections! You have nothing! How could you make it?â
Feng San, nearby, goaded him, âHeâs calling you stupid and insulting Brother Nine and Miss Si. If you donât deal with him, even I will look down on you.â
Xi Jiang snorted, took two steps forward, and said, âIâll teach you how to believe.â
âBang!â
âBang bang!â
He kicked and punched, and within seconds, Feng Dong had no room to struggle. He fell face-up on the ground, once again experiencing a crushing defeat in the arena.
Xi Jiangâs foot was still pressing down on his ribs.
Feng Dong opened his mouth, âYou⦠youâ¦â
Last year, Feng Dong had fought Xi Jiang, and Xi Jiang at most could reach a draw with him.
How had Xi Jiang improved so rapidly in just a few months?
Xi Jiang crouched, patted Feng Dongâs face, and smiled, âBy the way, I have the blueprint for the Unseen Needles of Grace, Miss Si gave me the blueprint. I also have guidance, from Brother Nine. You donât believe it because you donât deserve to know these things. Understand?â
Si Fuqing was silent
She wondered if she really corrupted Xi Jiang.
Si Fuqing, hands in her pockets, said, âLetâs go.â
âComing, coming.â Xi Jiangâs expression softened instantly, âMiss Si, wait for me. Brother Nine told me to buy you milk tea.â
Feng San grumbled, âHow servile!â
Feng Dong spat out blood, staring at their retreating figures, utterly stunned.
Who exactly is Si Fuqing?
Isnât she just a popular actress?
How could she have the blueprint for the Unseen Needles of Grace?!
And who is Brother Nine?
Feng Dongâs fingers trembled, and he bowed his head.
In that moment, only endless regret consumed his thoughts.
**
Meanwhile, Feng San and Xi Jiang escorted Si Fuqing to the Heaven Earth Alliance before going to purchase materials.
The filming of the art segment of âThe Birth of an Employeeâ officially concluded in these two days.
In Si Fuqingâs absence, the other interns and guest stars seemed listless.
Director Qin, finding his heart no longer under siege, felt somewhat unaccustomed.
Only Song Wenhua breathed a sigh of relief, with Si Fuqing absent, she enjoyed more freedom and the programâs highlights focused on her.
Now that Si Fuqing was back, Song Wenhuaâs anxiety returned.
âTeacher Si is really busy, taking a week off.â Song Wenhua smiled, casually asking, âDid something important come up that you had to postpone your primary work?â
Si Fuqing replied calmly, âDo you know why Little Mingâs grandfather lived to a hundred?â
Song Wenhua was puzzled, âWhy?â
âBecause he never meddled in other peopleâs business.â
ââ¦â
Song Wenhuaâs smile froze, her expression momentarily awkward.
She had never encountered a celebrity like Si Fuqing, who spoke so bluntly in public.
Even when industry insiders openly disliked each other, they maintained a veneer of politeness in public.
Si Fuqingâs brashness seemed impossible without a powerful backer in the entertainment industry.
Song Wenhua pursed her lips.
She mentally reviewed several big corporate CEOs but couldnât identify anyone fitting the bill.
On a sofa behind them, a few art interns were chatting.
âTeacher Si is amazing. None of the actors nominated for this yearâs Golden Flower and Harmony Awards can match her.â
âYes, sheâs only nineteen and already a double Golden-Awards winner!â
âShe might achieve a grand slam before she turns twenty.â
Song Wenhua, unable to listen any longer, clenched her fingers slightly.
Starting as a child star at five, she had worked with numerous big names and won the Golden Flower Award for Best Supporting Actress at twelve.
Among her peers, she had the best career trajectory.
But Si Fuqingâs sudden rise overshadowed everyone in her age bracket.
Wherever Si Fuqing was, no one else could be seen.
Song Wenhua could empathize with Tong Luoyunâs frustration.
This yearâs Golden Flower and Harmony Awards ceremonies clashed, one tomorrow and the other the day after.
With results pending, nothing was certain. Could Si Fuqing really win both?
Song Wenhua tightened her grip and smiled, âDo you all really think she can win both awards?â
The interns were momentarily speechless.
Song Wenhua didnât explain further, just smiled, âLetâs see in a few days.â
Si Fuqing was still young and unaware of the entertainment industryâs unspoken rules and scandals.
**
At the Mo family, Mo Chuyi had been contemplating all day and finally made up her mind.
She was determined to recruit Xi Jiang into her faction, no matter the cost.
If Xi Jiang could create a prototype of the Unseen Needles of Grace, he must have the blueprint.
Mo Chuyi summoned the third and fourth elders.
âThird Elder, Fourth Elder,â she said seriously, âweâve been suppressed by Mo Yanwen for too long. Do you really want to see my older brother and me continually oppressed?â
Her words struck a chord with the two elders.
In the Mo family, the Elder Council held the greatest power, and each family head was selected by them.
Internal struggles in large families were intense, especially in a millennia-old family like the Mo family.
Healthy competition drove progress, but malicious infighting could lead to destruction.
To balance power, the Elder Council allowed only two members from the same faction.
Mo Chuyi and her brother were direct descendants of the third and fourth elders.
âIf Xi Jiang can create a prototype of the Unseen Needles of Grace, he must have the blueprint,â Mo Chuyi continued. âHe canât complete the core structure due to his current skills. If he helps me, I can finish the complete version!â
If successful, she would secure the Mo family head position.
The thought made Mo Chuyiâs excitement uncontrollable.
Especially after being confined by Mo Yanwen recently, creating the Unseen Needles of Grace would change everything.
âYes, if he helps you, bringing the Unseen Needles of Grace to fruition is feasible,â the third elder nodded. âIf successful, he can name his price.â
âThank you, elders,â Mo Chuyi said, standing. âIâll go to him now.â
At that moment, Xi Jiang was at home.
Having become a core disciple, even Father Tan changed his attitude toward him.
Mo Chuyiâs visit further excited Father Tan, âXi Jiang, come here. Miss Chuyi has something important to discuss.â
Mo Chuyi waved, signaling Father Tan and Mother Tan to leave.
The Unseen Needles of Grace was a Mo family secret, not for outsiders to listen to.
Xi Jiang, neither humble nor arrogant, greeted her politely but distantly, âMiss Chuyi, what do you need?â
âYouâve created a prototype of the Unseen Needles of Grace, so you know your status in the Mo family,â Mo Chuyi said. âBut youâre not a direct descendant, so some things are out of your reach.â
Xi Jiang looked at her, âSo?â
âHelp me create the complete Unseen Needles of Grace. If I become the family head, Iâll push for you to become an elder when the council renews,â Mo Chuyi proposed. âHow about it?â
For an outsider to become an elder was the highest honor.
She had offered the best possible terms, making it hard for Xi Jiang to refuse.