Just as the group finished forming their teams, Duke Ji on the stage began announcing the rules for the second round of the competition.

"I presume everyone has formed their teams. The second round of the competition will be hosted by the Grand Master."

The contestants below sighed, all eyes were on the ethereal man, and they were whispering about what questions the Imperial Preceptor would ask.

"Xiao Jiu, do you know the Imperial Advisor?" Wen Longting asked cautiously in a low voice, recalling the man who appeared out of nowhere when Ji Jiuying fainted last time.

Grandpa and Father both guessed it was the Imperial Advisor. Although the man sitting above was wearing a mask, his aura and physique were no different from the man who appeared that day.

Although Wen Longting spoke very softly, Wen Chuyu and Wen Longxiu also looked at her, seemingly wanting to know the answer. Only the fat man's eyes were practically glued to Gong Mingyue.

Ji Jiuying's clear eyes shimmered with an unfathomable light. She felt a burning gaze fall upon her, and without a doubt, it was that man.

"I guess you could say we know each other!" Ji Jiuying replied calmly.

"Oh, do you know what the second match is?"

"I don't know, I'm not familiar with him, he didn't tell me." Ji Jiuying had barely finished speaking.

One of the men's faces suddenly darkened, and the air in the entire square instantly cooled down several degrees.

His sharp gaze seemed to want to tear everyone present to shreds.

The oppressive aura emanating from him made everyone in the square feel as if a mountain was pressing down on their shoulders, causing them to break out in a cold sweat.

The emperor beside him sensed something and glanced at the Grand Preceptor, who was even more confused.

Emperor Jun Bufan's expression was not particularly good at the moment. His eyes swept around, wondering which damned person had angered the Grand Preceptor. Didn't he know that angering the Grand Preceptor and other innocent people would bring disaster?

What's going on?

Has a powerful figure appeared?

The spiritual cultivators in the square looked around, but they didn't see any powerful figures appear. What was going on with this oppressive aura?

Who else but the Imperial Advisor could exert such immense pressure in this square? Hmm? The Imperial Advisor?

"·····"

"Xiao Jiu, what's going on?" Wen Longting asked in confusion.

Ji Jiuying knew that the man upstairs was angry.

Ji Jiuying is now in a difficult situation. How could she have known that a casual remark would make this man so angry?

After careful consideration, Ji Jiuying decided to keep her head down for now, otherwise the competition would end before it even started.

Ji Jiuying looked up at the man above her. Gong Mingyue's eyes were as deep and unfathomable as a pool of water, filled with a fierce anger as he stared at her with a gloomy expression.

Ji Jiuying felt a little uneasy under his gaze.

"palace······"

With a gentle wave of his hand, Gong Mingyue seemed to freeze the air in an instant.

Ji Jiuying found that the surroundings had become very quiet, eerily quiet. She glanced at the people around her and saw that they were all motionless and frozen in place.

Ji Jiuying's eyes widened. All of this was orchestrated by that man.

How powerful must it be to make the world stand still!

Before she could react, Gong Mingyue appeared in front of her, radiating a strong aura of hostility. He forcefully lifted her chin, their eyes meeting. "So, we know each other? Hmm?"

"Not familiar with me? Hmm?"

His tone was calm, but he looked like the calm before a storm.

Gong Mingyue removed his mask, revealing an exceptionally handsome face, but it was filled with gloom, as if shrouded in frost.

Originally intending to back down first, Ji Jiuying felt a surge of inexplicable anger. Why didn't he ask for her opinion? Why did he think she would let him manipulate her? Who did he think he was?

Ji Jiuying shoved the man in front of her away and sneered, "Did I say something wrong?"

Gong Mingyue stared at her menacingly, without saying a word.

The distance that had been created was suddenly shattered when Gong Mingyue grabbed her, trapping Ji Jiuying in his arms once again, making her look down at him.

Ji Jiuying was quite angry at him for doing this. Couldn't this damn man be less domineering?

Gong Mingyue pinched her face, forcing her to look at him, "Little Jiu'er, say that again if you dare?"

"I...uh!"

He ruthlessly tore off the veil.

Gong Mingyue ignored her struggles; words were superfluous. He sealed her cherry lips, which still wanted to argue, and his sudden action was like a storm, leaving her at a loss.

His slightly cool tongue pried open her pearly teeth, forceful and domineering, greedily searching for her scent, exploring every corner.

My breathing became hot.

At this moment, Ji Jiuying felt a bit short of breath, her face turned red, her head was spinning, and she gradually forgot to resist, going limp in his arms.

After a while, he slowly released her. The suffocating feeling was relieved, and Ji Jiuying breathed in the fresh air in large gulps.

Thinking about what had just happened in front of so many people... Ji Jiuying felt so ashamed that she wanted to disappear. That damned Gong Mingyue actually punished her like that.

"Gong Mingyue, don't go too far!" Ji Jiuying glared angrily at the man in front of her.

"Too much? I have something even more outrageous to do~" Gong Mingyue's eyes gradually became somewhat 'eager', with a burning fire gleaming beneath them.

Ji Jiuying felt a little flustered under his gaze and subconsciously took a few steps back. Gong Mingyue took a few steps forward, and Ji Jiuying said somewhat hesitantly, "What... what do you want to do?"

Gong Mingyue looked at her now, like a mouse seeing a cat, and almost laughed. She had completely lost the cold and fierce aura she had when she slapped him.

"What? Little Jiu'er is scared now?" A seductive voice rang in her ear.

Seeing the anger around him dissipate, Ji Jiuying breathed a sigh of relief. She knew he wasn't angry anymore! What a capricious man.

"Hehe~ The word 'fear' doesn't exist in this young lady's dictionary." Ji Jiuying glared at him with dissatisfaction.

Gong Mingyue reached out and tidied the stray hairs behind her ears, then helped her put her veil back on. "Little Jiu'er, if you ever dare to say you're not familiar with me again, I'll make sure you're as good as married."

Before Ji Jiuying could say anything more, everything returned to normal, and the man sat down in the main seat.

"Huh? What's going on?"

"That oppressive aura suddenly vanished!"

Everyone looked completely bewildered, except for Ji Jiuying, who felt extremely uncomfortable.

"Xiao Jiu?"

"Huh?" Ji Jiuying was stunned for a moment.

"I called you a few times and you didn't respond. I was wondering what had happened to you," Wen Longting said, puzzled.

"No, it's nothing," Ji Jiuying said somewhat guiltily.

At this moment, a man holding a compass appeared next to Gong Mingyue. Ji Jiuying recognized him at a glance as Yin Han.

"Are they still the Imperial Preceptor's guards?"

"So strong, so cool."

"I wish I could marry him."

"·····"