I am the Holy Poisoner, the Empress advised me to calm down

After hearing this, the crowd erupted in excitement, and everyone felt that this event would be exceptionally exciting. Of course, some also quietly discussed whether there was a deeper meaning behind this seemingly ordinary competition...

At the same time, in the inner hall of the palace.

After learning of his mission, the eldest prince looked at the emperor with a complicated expression: "Father... are you asking me to represent the royal family in this competition?"

"More than that," the latter replied calmly, "you need to win the championship in this competition."

Upon hearing this condition, even the eunuchs present couldn't help but reveal expressions of shock. "How is this even possible..." one of them muttered in a low voice.

However, a hint of unyielding spirit flashed in the eldest prince's eyes. "Alright," he replied solemnly after taking a deep breath, "I will do my best to complete this challenge!"

Faced with such a passionate response, the emperor finally revealed a barely perceptible smile. "Very good. Remember what you said today. Never give up so easily, no matter what."

As the conversation ended, the entire hall fell into a brief silence, with only the sound of each other's heartbeats echoing in their ears.

---

"In that case, let's wait and see what happens." The emperor slowly stood up, his eyes sweeping across the hall, as if issuing a silent challenge. "I believe my son will not disappoint me." With these words, he turned and left the palace. Those who remained continued to discuss this unexpected event...

"Do you think the eldest prince can win this game?" an attendant couldn't help but ask.

"Who knows, but if he loses..." The other person shook his head and sighed, and didn't say anything else, but it added an inexplicable tension to the air.

The eldest prince stood there for a long time, not moving, and only after everyone had left did he begin to mutter to himself: "No matter how difficult and tortuous the road ahead is, I will definitely win. I will definitely..." ---

The emperor's decision was like a stone, quickly causing a huge uproar throughout the court and the country. On the streets and alleys, the people were abuzz with discussion about the upcoming martial arts tournament, and some began to speculate whether the usually low-key eldest prince would be able to excel in this competition.

"I heard this tournament is to select new royal guards?" an old vegetable vendor asked the young man at his stall, his words filled with confusion and curiosity. "But how does this have anything to do with the Crown Prince?"

The young man smiled slightly. "You probably don't know this. I heard that the Emperor intends to let the Crown Prince participate and compete for the final championship."

After hearing this, people around started to talk:

-"How daring! You know, that's not an ordinary matter!" A middle-aged man carrying a load on his shoulder stopped and interrupted.

-"Oh, how pitiful. But if he can really win... Oh my, wouldn't he be a hero?" The fishmongering woman next to him shook her head and sighed, with a glimmer of anticipation in her eyes.

-"Hey! I don't think it will be that simple! After all, there are many masters from all over the country. Although our capital is prosperous, it also has many hidden dragons and crouching tigers!" The tea stall owner on the other side expressed his opinion unwilling to be outdone.

Meanwhile, in a secluded courtyard north of the city, several hidden masters of the martial arts world gathered around a campfire to plot their plans. Their leader was a mysterious woman, her face covered in a veil, revealing only her eyes. "Brothers and sisters, have you heard the latest developments? This event is more than just a simple contest; there may be deeper political dynamics hidden within..."

"In my opinion, the key factor is whether there is strong support behind the scenes," said a muscular man with a deep voice like a bell. "Otherwise, even with extraordinary martial arts skills, victory may be difficult."

As the day drew near, the list of contestants was gradually announced. Suddenly, the capital was bustling with activity, with heroes and heroes from all corners of the country flocking to the scene. Taverns and inns were packed, and the atmosphere of competition permeated the streets.

Amidst this clamor, one place stood out as exceptionally quiet—a secret training ground set up in the hills behind the palace, specifically for the eldest prince. Only a few close associates knew of its existence; aside from the daily delivery of food and supplies, it was largely unintrusive.

After weeks of relentless training day and night, a rare moment of peace finally arrived one night amidst the gentle breeze. "Rest a while, young master," Xiao Dezi, who was overseeing his progress, said softly. A solemn expression now crossed the brows of this usually optimistic and lively young man.

After a moment's silence, Da Huangzi slowly spoke: "Master once taught us that a warrior's heart must not be unbalanced; only with a peaceful state of mind can we defeat all powerful enemies."

Hearing this, Xiao Dezi couldn't help but sigh: "Young Master, you are becoming more and more impressive. I believe you can do it!"

But just then, the sound of hurried footsteps shattered the tranquil atmosphere. "Report!" a guard appeared at the door, panting anxiously. "His Majesty has urgently summoned you, saying there's something important to discuss."

The two exchanged a meaningful look and immediately set off towards the depths of the imperial city...

When he arrived at the Council Hall, he found not only the emperor seated in the center, but also several important officials. The sight was awe-inspiring. Just as everyone was looking at him, the emperor spoke, "Son, please take a seat."

After they were seated, Emperor Huang asked about their recent situation, expressing his satisfaction with their performance while also reminding them not to be complacent and to remain vigilant. Then he announced an unexpected piece of news...

"Considering the possibility of unexpected situations and even threats against the royal family members during the competition, I have specially arranged a capable assistant for you to help you deal with any possible situations. She is Miss Liu Qingcheng, known in the martial arts world as the 'Shadow Rakshasa'. I believe that with her on board, you will be even more confident of victory!"

Everyone in the room was shocked upon hearing this: it turned out that this woman not only had a cold and stunning appearance, but also possessed a powerful background that was enough to shock the entire continent!

She had been standing silently in the corner until she raised her eyes slightly and looked at her new partner: "I hope to live up to your trust and overcome the difficulties together."

The eldest prince met her sharp gaze and replied without flinching, "Very good! In the days ahead, let's work together towards our goal!"

This scene happened right before their eyes, causing the whole place to fall into complete silence. Everyone held their breath, waiting to see what would happen next...

But what kind of complex and profound purpose and meaning lies behind this seemingly ordinary martial arts competition? Can the two protagonists successfully overcome all difficulties along the way and finally win the championship? All the answers can only be revealed in the future. ---