The veil of the Naughtlight Divine Ability dissipated, and before the Grand Ancestral Temple, the plaza was once more bathed in sunlight.

All eyes, as one, beheld two radiant suns. One hung in the distant heavens, a source of boundless light and warmth. The other, a smaller, yet fiercely burning orb, hovered before the prone figure of Zhao Bob.

In the distance, the Winter Solitude Army’s main general, Chao Yu, struggled to push herself up, hands pressed against the ground. Further away, the once spirited Xie Baoshu lay still, his fate uncertain.

A hush fell over the elegant assembly.

Though many had anticipated Chong Xuanzun’s victory even before Zhao Bob’s Naughtlight dissipated – after all, Xie Baoshu had been defeated so swiftly, the seemingly invincible Ghost General shattered – and Chong Xuanzun had held the upper hand throughout, when the moment of truth arrived, it was still a shock!

The three Outer Tower powerhouses lying defeated on the ground were no mere cultivators. They were the chosen talents, selected by the Great Qi Ministry of Political Affairs, destined for the Yellow River Assembly to contend with the Heaven’s Chosen of other nations in the Outer Tower realm!

Naturally, they were still young, far from reaching the pinnacle of their Outer Tower cultivation. They might not yet surpass some older cultivators in the same realm. Great Qi, as a world power, would not stoop to sending elderly Outer Tower cultivators to a gathering of Heaven’s Chosen. A figure like Commandant Zheng Shi of the Northern Garrison, who could ascend to a higher realm at any moment but deliberately suppressed his cultivation, was undeniably strong in the Outer Tower realm. But at his age, could he still be called a Heaven’s Chosen? Great Qi possessed the dignity of a great nation.

But Zhao Bob, Xie Baoshu, and Chao Yu – who could deny their strength? Zhao Bob had displayed the power of at least three divine abilities. Xie Baoshu, with his Divine Mirror Divine Ability combined with Mad Song and Confucian secret techniques, possessed combat prowess that was absolutely not to be underestimated. And Chao Yu’s “Ten Years of Concealed Blade, One Strike for a Kill” – how many dared claim they could withstand it?

Yet, they had all lost.

They had jointly besieged their opponent, yet they had been defeated.

Especially considering that Chong Xuanzun had only just stepped into the Outer Tower realm today!

This battle was enough to reverberate throughout the world!

Almost everyone’s gaze, whether eager, expectant, or wary, fell upon that figure in fluttering white robes.

And Jiang Wang, who had witnessed every detail through the Red Makeup Mirror, found his gaze drawn irresistibly to that dazzling sun wheel. He couldn’t explain it, but his forehead throbbed faintly…

This Chong Xuanzun truly enjoyed using a sun wheel to bash people’s foreheads!

Nevertheless, this battle was truly spectacular. Every decision made during the fight was commendable, especially Chao Yu’s “Ten Years of Concealed Blade, One Strike for a Kill” from the Winter Solitude Army. It bore a striking resemblance to his own Nameless Scholar’s Down-and-Out Sword…

The Great Qi Prime Minister remained silent. The spectators were still largely absorbed in their shock. Thus, the plaza remained quiet.

The silence stretched on for quite some time.

“You have won.”

Before the suspended, blazing sun wheel, Zhao Bob couldn’t help but speak.

Chong Xuanzun lowered his gaze, looking at him.

“I admit, you are more qualified to represent Great Qi at the Yellow River Assembly. Even I am no match for you.” Though lying down, Zhao Bob spoke with grace. “Among the younger generation in the Outer Tower, I dare not claim the first position from now on.”

Chong Xuanzun regarded him silently for a moment, then closed his five fingers, retracting the sun wheel. At the same time, he lifted his foot from Zhao Bob’s body and silently walked two steps towards the center of the plaza.

Zhao Bob struggled to his feet, his heart still unwilling to accept defeat. Looking at Chong Xuanzun’s back, he said, “You have won today, but I will not always be the one lying on the ground. The Dao path is long; you and I will contend again in the future.”

Chong Xuanzun did not turn back, merely stating faintly, “I believe you might have some misunderstanding. I left you for last not because you are so strong, but because I thought my grandfather might enjoy seeing me step on you for a little longer.”

His tone and expression lacked any excitement, making it sound as if he were stating a simple truth: “You are not qualified to contend with me.”

Zhao Bob, having suppressed a mouthful of fresh blood for a long time, finally spat it out.

But few paid him any mind.

Only Chong Xuansheng’s face twitched. In his view, Chong Xuanzun’s words were even more devastating than the battle itself.

Old Master Chong Xuan was not present at today’s ceremony; he rarely attended such occasions anymore. But today’s scene, and Chong Xuanzun’s words, would undoubtedly reach his ears. And the old master… would surely be very pleased.

On the high platform, there were only two people surnamed Chong Xuan.

Even with early anticipation, Chong Xuansheng’s mood was far from cheerful. His father, Chong Xuan Mingguang, however, was radiant, his gaze sweeping from left to right, admiring himself. Finally, his eyes rested on the plaza. He lifted his chin slightly, his lips pursed, a picture of reserved confidence. “Quite the style of his father!”

Chong Xuansheng silently rolled his eyes – let’s hope Uncle Adult’s words are true!

Several small eunuchs bowed and hurried into the plaza, carrying the injured off the field. Neither the military personnel nor the members of the Bao or Xie families approached the plaza to check on the defeated. In the Grand Ceremony, injuries were handled by the imperial physicians. The strictures of ritual dictated that the injured could only be visited by family and friends after the ceremony concluded.

The unconscious Xie Baoshu was carried away.

Chao Yu, however, raised her palm, stopping the small eunuch who came to assist her. She rested for a moment, hands on her knees, then straightened her body. The bloodstains were still on her head and face, but her eyes were calm, and she had not cried out in pain once.

She insisted on walking out of the plaza herself, but after a few steps, she stopped. Slowly, she turned back, looking towards… the handsome youth standing tall and straight with a sword at the edge of the plaza.

At that moment, Jiang Wang was in his mind, repeatedly contemplating Chao Yu’s two blades. The Red Makeup Mirror had allowed him to see the details of this battle clearly, and the greatest impact on him had been these two blades.

Chao Yu’s blade was a straight line, dividing life and death.

The Nameless Scholar’s Down-and-Out Sword, too, was a潇洒 sweep, dividing heaven and earth.

Chao Yu’s was “Ten Years of Concealed Blade, One Strike for a Kill.”

And the Nameless Scholar Xu Fang of the Down-and-Out Sword… after eighteen years of a life worse than death, he had stabbed himself with a dagger in the Azure Stone Palace, laying bare his heart and liver. That one dagger had avenged all his blood feuds.

Chao Yu’s “Ten Years of Concealed Blade, One Strike for a Kill” and the Nameless Scholar’s Down-and-Out Sword naturally shared common ground.

Thus, Jiang Wang had gained significant insight.

Following Chao Yu’s gaze, many people also noticed Jiang Wang. Among them were some powerhouses, who even sensed the hidden, yet unrevealed, sword intent within the youth.

For a time, their emotions were hard to describe.

…Learning the way of the blade in the midst of battle?

Jiang Wang was still engrossed in the sword style in his mind when he suddenly felt the atmosphere shift. He looked up and saw Chao Yu, her face streaked with blood, walking towards him.

Was she coming to question him?

Jiang Wang, being a polite person, quickly stepped forward and said, “Many thanks, General Chao, for your guidance.”

Chao Yu was momentarily at a loss for words, even forgetting why she had walked over. She nodded, then turned and walked away.

Since everyone is so supportive and has already helped reach eleven, then I… want to strive for the top ten.

Please support me!

At the end of the month, during settlement, if I can enter the top ten, I will write a special side story and post it in the full subscription group.

This side story can be about Zuo Guanglie, Dong A, Chong Xuan Futu, Zhuang Chengqian… all those dazzling, complex, and deceased characters that everyone regrets and wishes to see their glory again. Without affecting the main story, I will write a side story for one of them, unfolding a part of their story that was not shown, a story that should have shone brightly in the annals of history. 999 Novel mobile end: https://m.999xs/

As for who specifically I will write about, that will be decided by a vote in the full subscription group at that time.

Above, I encourage all gentlemen to make an effort! Please support me!