Daoist Qingfeng stroked his beard and shot him a glare, "This doesn't sound like something you'd say. I had already passed on the head position to Huai Sen before the competition. As a loner, I'm not afraid of repercussions."

Sect Leader Cheng kicked over a row of chairs and found a line of objects covered in black bags underneath.

Zhou You, with a light tap of his foot, jumped over using the chairs and pulled Cheng Zongzhu back, "Don’t touch! They are blue beetles!"

Using his sword, he flicked away the black plastic bag to reveal glass bottles, each filled with blue beetles.

"Have they... gone mad? Aren't these creatures exclusively held at the research institute right now?"

"They might not be from the batch we brought back." Zhou You examined the glass bottles closely, searching for any irregularities. If the enemy placed them here, they must serve a purpose. But what could confined blue beetles possibly do?

Shao Qi had a thought and warned Zhou You, "Stay away from the beetles for now. Perhaps they were brought here to counteract you?"

"What do you mean?" Daoist Qingfeng and the others asked curiously.

"The blue beetle's primary ability is to absorb psychic energy. Zhou You, being a martial artist skilled in psychic power, is likely their main target. They probably planned this well in advance."

"Even bringing these creatures here... Their preparation is indeed meticulous."

After retreating, Zhou You said, "We're surrounded... Look at the sky."

Numerous fighter jets hovered above the stadium. Shao Qi hadn't summoned the air force, indicating these weren't his men.

And in Dawn City, only the military generals command such a vast aerial force.

"They must really think highly of me, deploying such a vast force just to handle a broken man like me."

The defenses inside and outside the stadium were still intact, but someone had recently shot at their own teammates, indicating that enemies had infiltrated their ranks.

Several fighter jets slowly landed inside the stadium. Gu Zhou, armored and armed, jumped down from one and gazed distantly at those on the stage.

Approaching further, he sat down on a chair, chuckling, "Are you still waiting for reinforcements? Don't bother. Zhuo Hao and his group have already been detained by my men."

"Gu Zhou, you've put in quite an effort for this day. Is this the extent of your abilities?" Shao Qi remarked sarcastically.

"Such confidence for a man on the brink of death. I admire that. Even being crippled, so many old-timers are willing to die with you."

Gu Zhou addressed the sect leaders on stage, "Are you truly prepared to stand with Shao Qi? Aren't you afraid of the repercussions once this is over?"

Qin Yuantian burst into hearty laughter, "Kid, when I made my name, you weren't even of age yet. Big talk for someone so young. Even if you claim the marshal's position, do you intend to make an enemy of the entire Martial Arts Association?"

"Perhaps not the entire association?" Behind Gu Zhou, several masters appeared, and the expressions of the others shifted dramatically.

"Li Yeqiu, are you siding with this whelp? We've shared years of camaraderie."

The leader of the Northern Polar Gang, Li, replied coldly, "Those who recognize the times are great men. My Northern Polar Gang is a second-tier faction. After this event, with the three major sects weakened, it's our chance to rise."

"Fengzhou, what about you? What's driving you?" Fengzhou is also a member of the Blade Alliance, and Qin Yuantian originally intended for him to head the southwestern branch.

"Of course, it's for your position. I've painstakingly managed the financial affairs of the Blade Alliance for years, with you reaping the benefits. Yet, you intended to banish me to the remote Southwest. How could I possibly accept that?"

Qin Yuantian laughed even harder, shaking his head, "Seems I've been short-sighted. I should get myself glasses tomorrow."

As Qin Yuantian laughed off the situation, Zhou You had already launched flying daggers from behind Gu Zhou's group, but to no avail. Gu Zhou's surrounding experts were multiplying, outnumbering them significantly.

"Zhou You, you've noticed my precious assets, haven't you? I heard you once controlled a swarm of blue beetles. Why not try with this batch?" Gu Zhou snapped his fingers, and soldiers fired at the row of glass bottles. In a blink, the beetles swarmed out, heading in every direction.

"Damn, they really are targeting you. But do these beetles obey commands? Aren't they afraid of harming their own side?"

Zhou You noticed the beetles crawling towards the stage and frowned, "I'm not sure, but they must've tampered with them somehow."

Gu Zhou gloated, "Didn't you know? Blue beetles locate their prey through their antennae. You all carry a scent they're attracted to."

Zhou You hadn't noticed anything off. He had casually chosen his attire for the day without adding any scent. The only time he might have picked up a particular smell was... during the fights.

He had only sparred with two individuals today, Zhang Huaizen and Shi Kong. Could it be...

Instantly, he moved, aiming a palm strike at the Shaolin Abbot. The latter, ready for the move, countered with his own palm.

Zhou You's internal energy was profound, but he had already fought twice today. The Abbot's palm, exerting almost full force, pushed both of them back. Their previous positions now bore two large craters.

"It seems the Abbot no longer shares our vision. Headmaster Li acted for his sect's honor, what are you after?"

"Amitabha. Elder Qingfeng, you overthink. We in Shaolin have no ulterior motive. We just wish for capable individuals to hold the right positions."

"Old monk, quit making excuses. I bet Gu Zhou offered you a handsome reward, didn't he?"

"Zhou You, watch out!" Shao Qi yanked Zhou You aside as beetles started to climb onto the stage.

Standing side by side, the beetles suddenly halted, seemingly losing their target and scurrying aimlessly.

"What's happening?"

Shao Qi remembered a potion he had consumed, which Lin Shuqing mentioned was extracted from the blue beetles' cellular fluid. Could it be...