The twelfth day of the seventh month dawned, the sky still a canvas of clear wind and brilliant sun.

As the Yellow River Assembly continued, no ill weather dared intrude upon the proceedings.

The Six Directions Pillars still stood tall, and disciples from various nations filed in orderly ranks.

The Six Supreme Dharma Images descended, upholding the heavens and supporting the earth.

True Monarch Yu Xi of Jade Capital Mountain once again presided over the main competition, and the esteemed Ao mister was also present in his seat.

Everything mirrored the previous day, save for the participating Heavenly Pride, now drawn from the Inner Mansion realm.

Jiang Wang remained seated in the foremost row.

His friends from Qi sat not far behind.

Words of encouragement had already been offered; today, no one came to disturb him further.

Ye Lingxiao and his daughter sat in the northwest spectator stand, conversing softly.

Jiang Wang, however, mindful of True Master Ye’s instructions, feigned ignorance before Du Ruhui, a classic case of “covering one’s ears while stealing a bell.”

Zhong Xuanzun also attended today, still seated beside him. After a night’s treatment, although his appearance was still quite weak, he was, at least, free from major ailments.

In short, the scene of victory remained, awaiting the grand spectacle.

Jiang Wang sat upright, his longsword resting horizontally on his knees, both hands lightly placed upon its hilt. He remained silent.

To speak of cultivation’s true nature, he had embarked on this path from a young age.

Only those from illustrious sects began cultivating under the guidance of powerful figures from childhood, nurturing their bodies to enhance the likelihood of opening their meridians successfully. All manner of techniques, secret arts, and even experiences were meticulously arranged for them.

Jiang Wang, however, had relied on his own arduous practice, starting from mundane martial arts and forging himself little by little.

He formally opened his meridians on the fifteenth day of the sixth month in Dao Calendar year 3917, successfully transcending the mortal realm. Two years and more had passed since then.

Before transcending the mortal realm, he had toiled without rest, in both winter and summer, never slackening. The hardships were too numerous to recount; from that moment he returned from West Mountain bathed in blood, he would never forget.

In the more than two years since transcending the mortal realm, he had experienced far too many trials… how many difficulties, how much pain, how many moments of despair.

But no matter when or where, he had never once given up his efforts. No matter what he faced, he had never given up on himself.

He sought hope in despair, and carved a path to life from destitution.

Along this road, every day, every hour, every moment, he had moved forward.

Moving forward with unwavering determination.

And so he arrived at today, the time to validate all of this.

Today, he stood before a myriad of watchful eyes.

Today, upon the River Observation Platform, the Heavenly Pride of various nations gathered like clouds.

Today, he and his Longxiangsi had both awaited this moment for a long time.

The world should be waiting for a name called “Jiang Wang.”

Ten years confined to a box, honing a single sword… it should make the human world know the splendor of frost!

Unlike the eagerness of previous days, in a moment like today, Longxiangsi was unusually quiet, not once howling.

Perhaps it also knew that today, it could fully bloom.

There were still eight martial arts platforms, designated Jia, Yi, Bing, Ding, Wu, Ji, Geng, and Xin.

After each round, the platforms would merge. Eight merged into four, and four into two.

True Monarch Yu Xi stood upon the platform, his voice reaching every ear: “Today, the main competition for the Inner Mansion field begins. Sixteen Heavenly Pride will vie for the championship. Please prepare yourselves!”

A light curtain unfolded like a scroll, and the names of sixteen Inner Mansion realm Heavenly Pride flickered upon it like stars.

Every name on this list represented a country’s Heavenly Pride, the “most outstanding” individuals selected from millions within the Inner Mansion realm.

But only one person could claim the title of champion.

The time it took for the names to change, though extremely short, felt particularly long amidst the anxious wait.

When the names on the light curtain finally settled, many people exhaled a long sigh. The list of opponents was determined, leaving no possibility for change.

Huang Sheli, the Heavenly Pride of Jing Country, would face Yelu Zhi of Liao Country.

Xiang Bei, the Heavenly Pride of Chu Country, would face Bai Yuxia, the Heavenly Pride of Yue Country.

Qin Zhizhen, the Heavenly Pride of Qin Country, would face Xiao Shu, the Heavenly Pride of Dan Country.

The temporarily replaced Inner Mansion realm Heavenly Pride of Mu Country was perhaps the most focused upon. That person, named Deng Qi, was rumored to be from the Yuwen clan, though more specific information was unavailable. He was paired against Yin Wenhua, the Heavenly Pride of Song Country.

Contrary to popular belief, that person did not choose a seemingly weaker opponent. Instead, he selected Song Country, a regional powerhouse, highlighting the confidence of an overlord country…

The sixteen Inner Mansion realm Heavenly Pride exhibited diverse expressions as they gazed at the light curtain.

Some were composed and resolute, some brimmed with confidence, and some were filled with fighting spirit.

But no one could match the complexity of Lin Zhengren’s expression at this moment.

That expression, controlled with astonishing willpower, and the eyes filled with violently fluctuating emotions… a blend of contradictions, creating a deeply complex feeling.

He had originally been refined and composed, holding the mindset of “advance one step if possible, it’s still glorious even if I cannot go further,” and was seated in the foremost preparation seat.

Among the sixteen countries listed in this Yellow River Assembly’s main competition, Zhuang Country was the least likely to squeeze in.

He had already achieved Zhuang Country’s best historical result. Zhuang Country’s requirement of him was merely to “display grace.” Compared to the other fifteen Heavenly Pride, it could be said he held a psychological advantage.

Moreover, he had carefully researched the several potential opponents he might face, preparing more than one set of response plans. The possibility of further advancement was not entirely absent.

However…

The light curtain displayed that his opponent, Lin Zhengren, would face Jiang Wang, the Heavenly Pride of Qi Country!

In contrast, Jiang Shaohua of Shen Country breathed a sigh of relief.

Although Chu Mian, the Heavenly Pride of Xia Country, outwardly displayed a determined resolve to avenge his country—he had originally believed he would certainly be chosen by the Qi Country’s Heavenly Pride and had made desperate preparations—his eyes at this moment were clearly relaxed.

Of course, some people secretly chuckled.

The Heavenly Pride of Qi Country neither targeted Xia Country nor struck at Shen Country, but instead chose the Heavenly Pride of Zhuang Country, who on paper possessed relatively weaker strength among the sixteen powerhouses… Was this not a sign of a lack of confidence?

Only Ji Zhaonan and Zhong Xuanzun’s performances had been too dazzling, causing even these individuals to be much more cautious about Jiang Wang’s strength and temporarily hesitant to voice their opinions.

As for Jiang Wang himself, his expression was peaceful, his eyes calm.

He had simply made the choice he wished to make; how others viewed him, how they evaluated him, was irrelevant to him.

Rising from his seat, he politely greeted Cao Ji, Ji Zhaonan, and Zhong Xuanzun, then exchanged glances with several friends in the spectator stand. He then pressed his hand to his longsword, walked down the spectator area, and headed towards the Geng character martial arts platform.

He held his head high and his spine straight, his steps composed, as if strolling in his own courtyard, familiar with the flowers and trees around him. There was not the slightest hint of nervousness, let alone a shred of unease.

Those who gazed at him could feel a hard-to-describe sense of beauty in his movements.

It was the ethereal charm bestowed by immortal techniques treading upon azure clouds, “treading on emptiness as if walking on solid ground.” Now walking on solid ground, he still possessed an immortal wind.

But only in Lin Zhengren’s vision.

He felt his opponent’s footsteps were extremely heavy; every step, all stepping on his own heartbeat.

He sat in the spectator seat, watching that familiar figure, one that often appeared in his nightmares, step by step, walk down from the spectator seat towards the martial arts platform.

Thump thump, thump thump.

The sound of his heartbeat was so clear.

He began to feel it was difficult to breathe.

From the moment he saw the opponent list, he had felt it difficult to breathe.

It seemed as though an invisible hand was tightly grasping… grasping his heart.

Because with his intelligence, he could very easily discern why he would face Jiang Wang!

A voice in his heart screamed loudly—

“He wants to kill me!”

“He wants to… kill me!”

On the martial arts platform of this Yellow River Assembly’s main competition, under the supervision of True Monarch Yu Xi, Jiang Wang wanted to kill him!