Chapter 81: Profits, Profits! [Bonus Chapter: The Heshi Jade]

Aside from the ten seeded candidates, Sang Sang and Bai Shu held the top two ranks, while the other unseeded contender hailed from the Soul Tribe. Its true form was a mass of spiritual energy—a genderless life form. Choosing to vie for the title of Holy Child, it had adopted a humanoid shape, yet retained its innate ability to conceal itself, making it easy to overlook and only slightly better known among the others than Sang Sang herself.

All three secured their places in the finals with overwhelming strength. Though the others were envious, none dared voice dissent—at least not in public. Even among the seeded candidates, only five had managed two top-ten finishes. Those who had only ever broken into the top ten once were filled with regret, cursing themselves for not striving harder.

"This year’s competition is exceptionally tough. According to past patterns, a score like mine—even ten points lower—would have guaranteed a direct pass to the finals."

"Those seeded candidates already have their slots secured, yet they still compete with us."

"Resources are precious—every spot taken is one less for someone else. We simply lack connections."

"Connections don’t always help. Even the most arrogant seed can be trampled by lower-level civilizations. Someone like Sang Hongye truly earns respect."

"Sang Hongye has connections too."

"If I had Sang Hongye’s backing, I still wouldn’t match her scores. Neither would you. All of us—Bai Shu, Shui Ling—are the same. If I fail this election, I plan to add the Galactic Civilization to my travel itinerary."

"Don’t kid yourself. Sang Hongye is an anomaly—I doubt it’s due to Galactic Civilization’s training."

"Talent and comprehension come from the soul, but character and will are forged after birth. The Queen Mother once said that if I had a tenacious will, I wouldn’t be weaker than Bai Shu. I’ll seal my cultivation and train my will in a lower-level civilization."

Whispers flitted back and forth above the candidate seats. Occasionally intercepted, sparking arguments, but generally harmonious. Those unable to handle disappointment had already left, comforted by friends and family. Others, eager to prepare for the next “battle,” departed on their own.

Sang Sang was considering whether to leave early herself—the Heavenly Emperor’s breakthrough was imminent, perhaps even in the next moment. She had not yet stood up when she noticed a tree vine, budding, poking through the spatial barrier.

"Hongye, Hongye, is your sister Greenbud the one who came with you today?"

"Yes," Sang Sang replied, pinching the serpentine vine to prevent it from wrapping around her hand.

"Greenbud is so adorable. She thrives alone and her vines are so nimble." Chiba’s vine wriggled in Sang Sang’s palm. "Let me take her back to our tribe, won’t you?"

Sang Sang answered, "You’ll need to ask her yourself and let her respond."

Greenbud was raised by Ye Xiu. Though she suffered in the lab, she’d lived securely and with ample resources in recent years. Ye Xiu, famed as the Universal Library, could easily nurture a vine; if Greenbud and Chiba ever fought, Chiba might not come out the winner.

"I’ll go ask," Chiba bounced over eagerly.

Sang Sang rose and waved to the family section. Little Dragon Lord broke free from Yasi Lan, and as Sang Sang stepped down from the candidate seat, he rushed at her like a firecracker, causing her to take half a step back. She pinched his cheek, "You’ve gotten plump."

"Uncle Dragon sent loads of candy. Don’t you think being round is cute?" Little Dragon Lord wagged his tail, and with the Heavenly Emperor absent, asked Sang Sang to scratch his tiny horns.

"Greenbud, Greenbud!" Chiba poked Sang Sang, tiptoeing for a better look.

Greenbud lay sprawled on Ye Xiu’s back, face buried in his hair, occasionally peeking at Chiba with curiosity, but her arms around Ye Xiu’s neck tightened further. If not for Ye Xiu’s unique physique, she would have strangled him.

"I’m Chiba of the Longevity Tree Tribe—also a cosmic vine. Nice to meet you, little sister." Chiba hurried over as Ye Xiu approached slowly, introducing herself and extending a finger.

"I’m Greenbud, and this is my Xiu Xiu." Greenbud kept half her face hidden in Ye Xiu’s hair but reached out to touch Chiba’s fingertip, then quickly hid her face again, refusing to look.

Chiba grinned foolishly, "Don’t be shy, little sister. I’ll give you some tribe-made nutrient solution."

Several adult treefolk approached to greet Sang Sang, their eyes fixed on Greenbud. Someone invited Greenbud to Chiba’s dormitory, but Greenbud shook her head fiercely, refusing all invitations. The treefolk and Chiba were disappointed. Boya stepped forward to speak with them, and in the end, Chiba was reluctantly led away by the elders.

There were no starry white whale rides for the return journey, so Sang Sang and the others boarded a shuttle. Greenbud revived the moment she got on, shoved Little Dragon Lord aside, and squeezed into Sang Sang’s arms. "Sang Sang, you’re the best! Number one! Smack them right in the face!"

"That’s right, Sang Sang’s number one! Let them stew in envy!" Little Dragon Lord broke free from Greenbud’s tangles, tying her vine in revenge. Greenbud screamed, trying to wrap him up like a silkworm cocoon. Their squabble left them too busy to complain to Sang Sang about gossip.

Sang Sang exhaled softly; she wasn’t used to such closeness, and only Ye Xiu could handle Greenbud’s level of clinginess. Yet Greenbud’s encounter with Chiba had been quite unusual.

"Ye Xiu, has Greenbud ever mentioned her kin to you in private?"

Ye Xiu lowered his book and looked up, eyes that seemed to see the future. "Don’t worry. Telling her about Chiba’s existence was not a mistake. Greenbud just needs time. Her idea of kin is still vague, but it will develop naturally."

"That’s good." Sang Sang smiled at Greenbud and Little Dragon Lord. Children brought lively warmth. She took out the world painting she'd crafted during the test for Boya to inspect; everyone gathered around, and Yasi Lan, having set the shuttle to autopilot, joined the discussion.

"Where’s Uncle Sena?"

"Busy collecting winnings," Jun Shi whispered, "I put all the public account’s funds on your victory—tenfold return."

Sang Sang hadn’t paid much attention to the public account’s total, but the daily auto deposit of around five thousand units of faith had accumulated quite a sum.

Tenfold!

Sang Sang’s eyes lit up, her smile wide. "What if I lose?"

"Impossible." Jun Shi looked even more certain than Ye Xiu. "With my experience, Your Highness won’t lose to anyone. Besides, the bet was unanimously agreed upon by all of us. Xiao Lang was even more ruthless—he and Hu Yang borrowed money from Lord Sena and placed bets at several high-level civilization casinos. Your odds for champion were over a hundred to one. He’s busy calculating the profits now."

Sang Sang stared, "You borrowed from Sena?"

Jun Shi was a little embarrassed—the idea was his, but Xiao Lang acted first. He whispered, "It’s not exactly borrowing. Lord Sena, as guardian, mortgaged the Star City to the Faith Bank for a loan so large it scares me."

Sang Sang grew serious at once. "Such a huge amount, multiplied by a hundred—won’t the high-level civilizations renege?"

Jun Shi explained cautiously, "We placed the bets in your name, and asked Xiao Jin to spread the news on the star network. With public attention, they wouldn’t dare default. Of course, plenty of people said you were overreaching, hoping you’d lose Star City."

Sang Sang wasn’t concerned about idle gossip—especially with money to be made. What mattered more was, "Xiao Jin participated too?"

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