Chapter 176

Chapter 176: Already Shaped by Qin Xian

Even though she had made her decision, Ji Lanyue’s expression remained grim.

For someone like her, Qin Xian was an untouchable figure of immense power. His every move needed to be carefully analyzed, and the true intentions behind his actions had to be fully understood.

Just a single show of goodwill from Qin Xian toward Zhou Nan had already caused hesitation and division within the forces under the Zhou Family Matriarch’s control.

Her face darkened, but she ultimately stood by her choice, “The sooner that little bastard dies, the better.”

If she allowed him to keep running around unchecked, who knew what trouble he might cause in the future?

“Go make the arrangements.”

The middle-aged woman nodded respectfully, then quietly left the room.

The assassins for this job couldn’t be sourced from within the Zhou Family. The job would require outside experts.

But that wasn’t a problem. As the Zhou Family Matriarch for many years, Ji Lanyue had secretly cultivated a network of skilled operatives she could call upon when needed…

News of the Divine-Demon Trial’s early activation quickly spread across the entire human world.

It instantly became the hottest topic, overshadowing even the previously shocking Void Invasion incident in the Imperial Capital.

In fact, the Imperial Security Council and the Department of Public Safety were probably secretly grateful for the trial’s sudden announcement—

Otherwise, the public outrage surrounding the Void Invasion could have completely overwhelmed them.

Many groups were already questioning whether the Empire could even ensure public safety anymore. Some people had even shifted the blame onto Lu Ji, the Regent of the Empire.

After all, as the Regent, any crisis that occurred within the Empire ultimately fell under his responsibility.

Of course, whether these accusations were being deliberately encouraged by someone behind the scenes…

That was another story entirely.

Regardless, with the Divine-Demon Trial beginning ahead of schedule, talents from all across the human world—not just from the Empire, but from various nations and factions—had begun their preparations.

Every ambitious individual wanted to seize this opportunity and prove themselves in the trial. This was going to be a grand event where only true prodigies would pass.

And only the strongest among those prodigies would emerge victorious.

Despite the recent disaster caused by the Void Invasion, the Imperial Capital remained as prosperous and lively as ever.

The streets were bustling with energy, and the people carried on as if nothing had happened.

For them, the Void Invasion was just another headline—a distant tragedy that had nothing to do with their daily lives.

And tonight, the biggest event in the entire Empire was not a political crisis or a military conflict.

It was a concert.

Tonight, Su Keqing, the fastest-rising star in the entertainment industry, would hold her first-ever concert in the Imperial Capital.

The event had attracted massive attention. With nearly 200,000 tickets sold out within ten minutes, it was clear that Su Keqing was now the most popular singer in the Empire.

But what truly puzzled people was how she had risen to fame so quickly. Just two months ago, she had only been a regional star in the Eastern Sea Province, with moderate influence at best.

However, in an incredibly short period, she had been showered with unlimited resources—

– Her face had appeared on every major media platform.

– She had won multiple prestigious awards.

– She had secured endorsements and partnerships with the biggest brands in the Empire.

With this relentless marketing push, Su Keqing had skyrocketed to stardom—becoming the most dazzling new celebrity in the Empire.

Countless people had fallen in love with her angelic voice and breathtaking beauty.

The concert venue was completely packed. The entire stadium had been transformed into a sea of lights as fans waved glow sticks and cheered in anticipation.

Even the cheapest tickets were priced at 1,800 credits, yet they had sold out instantly. And in the VIP private suites, each seat started at a minimum of 100,000 credits.

Still, every single one had been booked, occupied by wealthy heirs, noble elites, and high-ranking officials—all eager to witness Su Keqing’s performance.

In the highest VIP suite, Qin Xian stood with his hands behind his back, overlooking the sea of fans below.

He observed the overwhelming adoration of the 200,000 people gathered here, and a satisfied smile formed on his lips.

“This concert should be enough for Keqing to upgrade her [Radiant Intimacy] to Level 3.”

This wasn’t just entertainment—It was a carefully planned strategy.

Once Su Keqing’s [Radiant Intimacy] reached Level 3, it would provide a 30% boost to the experience points Qin Xian could absorb.

That meant that during the Divine-Demon Trial, his power would grow even faster. For Qin Xian, this was a major benefit.

And that was precisely why he had personally come to attend the concert before heading to the trial.

Suddenly—The entire stadium erupted in thunderous cheers.

On the main stage, Su Keqing gracefully stepped forward. She wore a flowing white gown, her makeup light and natural, enhancing her already flawless beauty.

As the spotlights converged on her, she looked like a divine spirit descending from the heavens. A vision of purity and elegance.

“Su Keqing! Su Keqing! Su Keqing!”

200,000 voices roared in unison, creating a wave of emotion that surged through the stadium.

For the audience, she was not just a singer—She was a goddess. Some fans cried tears of joy, overwhelmed by the sacred presence before them.

To them, she was too pure to even be tainted by mortal thoughts.

Watching from above, Qin Xian shook his head, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

“People’s fates really are determined from birth,” he mused.

To these 200,000 fans, even standing near Su Keqing would be a dream come true.

Yet, to him—She was merely a tool. Without her [Radiant Intimacy], Qin Xian would have discarded her long ago.

But as long as she remained useful, he would continue to keep her close.

For now.