High Chang Marquis Tian Xi Li, from outward appearance alone, seemed a refined middle-aged man. Slightly thin, his clothing neat and unremarkable, devoid of ostentation.

At this moment, with hands clasped before him, he calmly observed the young man upon the square.

Under the gaze of ten thousand eyes, that youth still stood tall and straight, his demeanor composed. That innate confidence and serenity commanded admiration.

Truly, the later generation is formidable.

Jiang Wang’s fief, Qing Yang Town, lay within the borders of Rizhao County. And Rizhao County Town Pacifier, Tian An Tai, was none other than Tian Xi Li’s son. As long as no great disturbance arose, their relationship would remain amicable.

Indeed, speaking of the Qi Yang battlefield, Tian An Tai and Jiang Wang were comrades-in-arms, fighting side by side.

Jiang Wang had even trained in the Seven Stars Valley! The Tian family had extended some favor then, though it was primarily out of respect for the Heavy Xuan Sage. Nonetheless, it constituted a thread of connection.

Hence, his state of mind was quite tranquil.

Speaking of which, among the three heavenly prides who fought for the nation at the Yellow River Meeting, two were connected to the Heavy Xuan family. Jiang Wang’s friendship with Heavy Xuan Sage was known to all of Qi, and Heavy Xuan Zun was a direct descendant of the Heavy Xuan clan.

And both of these heavenly prides had greatly distinguished themselves on the Guan He Terrace.

The Heavy Xuan clan had, in recent times, become Great Qi’s most conspicuous noble house.

That Heavy Xuan Yun Bo did not personally attend the ceremony was likely a consideration for maintaining a low profile.

In recent years, Heavy Xuan Yun Bo’s diminished presence at major events was itself a message. The Old Marquis Lord, his foundation injured on the battlefield in his early years, had no hope of reaching the God Arrival realm. Now, already over a hundred years old, his qi and blood waned. The title of successor to the Heavy Xuan family was to be decided. Now was precisely the time to slowly dilute his influence, yet who was to replace him remained seemingly undecided.

One Heavy Xuan Zun, one Heavy Xuan Sage. Were Tian Xi Li in his shoes, the choice would also be difficult. Truly, a happy dilemma!

Within the Heavy Xuan clan, teeming with heroes, that blockhead Heavy Xuan Ming Guang was truly unique. Today, he still arrived in full regalia. Upon meeting anyone, he would proclaim that if his son Zun Er hadn’t just entered the Outer Building realm, that Dou Zhao would surely have been no match. If granted two more months, allowing him to teach him properly, seizing the top spot would have been effortless. Although his son Zun Er was said to be the second parallel, he was essentially the first, and should be counted as having claimed the top…

These words, repeated endlessly, were even muttered in his presence.

He seemed to believe that this could somehow benefit his son, unaware that he merely invited ridicule.

Not looking upon the monk’s face but the Buddha’s, Tian Xi Li perfunctorily humored him a few sentences, though inwardly he was indeed somewhat annoyed.

His gaze subtly shifted. Inadvertently, it met a pair of eyes containing a cold light.

The owner of these eyes possessed a decent appearance, his clothing proper, his posture upright. Though his expression was calm, the hatred within his eyes was impossible to conceal—precisely Xuan Huai Earl Liu Ying Qi.

Tian Xi Li smiled faintly.

A defeated dog’s hatred, what was there to mention?

The Liu family themselves lacked ambition; they could not support themselves, ultimately leading to the breaking of the engagement by the Yan family. Originally, it was a matter of parting amicably, leaving a thread of connection, and the Yan family might have extended aid later. Yet, Liu Ying Qi entangled himself with a junior of the Yan family, resorting to boorish behavior, making everyone look bad. This matter had already become a joke within Qi’s noble circles.

His daughter would not only fail to marry Yan Fu, but would also be unable to marry into other prestigious families.

If she were a talented woman, like Qi Xiao, then she wouldn’t need a marriage contract to bind her, nor the need to borrow from any family. Furthermore, it wouldn’t be impossible for her to support her own family power. But that one called Liu Xiu Zhang had not displayed any remarkable talent.

At most, she was only slightly stronger than that wastrel Liu Xuan Hu?

Thus, Tian Xi Li’s smile became more genuine.

Such a smile, for Liu Ying Qi, was undoubtedly a piercing sight, causing him to coldly avert his gaze.

*Dong dong dong!*

*I hope you can always smile like this*, he thought amidst the ringing of the chimes.

At this moment, the offering ceremony had reached its climax.

Heavy Xuan Zun, who had already received his reward, and Cao Ji, who had led the team, had both retreated to the side, not vying for the spotlight with today’s main character.

Only Jiang Wang, the one who had claimed the top spot on the Guan He Terrace this time, stood silently in the center of the square.

Behind him was the solemn Tai Miao, before him was the Great Qi Emperor.

Great Qi’s hundred officials, meritorious nobles, old and young commoners, were on his left and right, observing him.

Bronze chimes, struck by the court musicians, played a grand melody.

Hearing its sound, it was as if divine light appeared before one’s eyes.

Feeling its tone, it was as if a roaring tide filled one’s ears.

It was as if rain hung, suspended in an empty valley.

It was as if wind passed, sweeping through myriad valleys.

The vast and grand world, all within the sound, gradually approached.

Every single syllable, was at its most solemn point.

Every single tone, was atmospheric and solemn, utterly flawless.

This tune was named “Feng Yuan.”

It was one of Great Qi’s palace court’s most solemn sacrificial music pieces.

“Feng Yuan” meant to honor the way of heaven.

Played today, it also carried the meaning of offering ritual to inform the ancestors.

To boast of merits to Great Qi’s successive ancestral temples!

Within this solemn sacrificial music, the main ritual official, holding a decree, walked to the front of the Dan Platform—the one who had previously proclaimed the decree for Heavy Xuan Zun was the deputy ritual official for this grand ceremony.

That person wore a solemn and complex ritual attire, stepped the ritual steps, every step impeccable.

Facing Jiang Wang, and also facing the Tai Miao behind Jiang Wang.

Unfolding the sacred decree, his face solemn and devout, his voice, every word round and full, just right—

“I hear: Since ancient times, good talents require the irrigation of wind and rain; the pillars of ten thousand miles of rivers and mountains should be axed and chiseled by the sun and moon. Thus, one walks the star river, bathes in the heaven’s light, travels above the nine heavens.

Qi land possesses one named Jiang Wang, a world’s beautiful jade.

Merely nineteen years of age, young in years and experience.

Yet, in the nation’s war, he possesses the merit of beheading generals and seizing flags; before the imperial court, he performed acts of bravery and saving the emperor.

Governing his fief brings peace to the people, hanging the blue plaque, repeatedly solving important cases.

In the imperial military exercise, his name proved first. Heavenly prides competed together, and thus he seized the first top!

Mighty indeed.

Raising Great Qi’s heroic wind on the world stage!

A single sword across the sky has already forged his fame.

Ascending heaven and unfolding the flag, finally making ancient and modern know!

Without need of wind and rain, he already supports the sky, a world-class talent!

Without need of carving, he is already a tool, how is he not heaven’s work!

Accumulate merit, rising to Qing Yang Viscount, granted the position of third-rank Golden Melon Warrior, permitted to bring his sword to court!

The sun and moon are already bright, they should illuminate the treasured light.

Thus, grant the Ruyi Immortal Clothes, to be draped upon the mighty one’s body.

Yellow tier super grade dao techniques, within the inner treasury, one may select at will.

One thousand pieces of Yuan stones, so as to be without the burden of provisions.

A mansion, to be free of vulgar matters.

Qing should often encourage it, and I too shall often praise it!”

The “Feng Yuan” music had gradually faded.

And above the entire square, the eyes of the people looking at Jiang Wang were equally fervent!

This reward was too generous!

Rank advancing one level was understandable, nothing to comment on; those dao techniques and Yuan stones were also normal. A mansion within Linzi city could already be called generous.

Only this third-rank Golden Melon Warrior was an envious grant of seal.

Golden Melon Warrior was merely a virtual position. Of course, nominally it held duties of guarding the hall front and performing guard duty. However, rotation before the emperor was not something anyone could participate in.

For example, Donghua Scholar Li Zheng Shu, solely because he often entered the Donghua Pavilion, his status in the Qi court was how transcendent!

How many people broke their heads vying for it yet failed; thus, this point was also slightly passable.

But this third rank…

A third-rank official position had the God Arrival realm as its threshold for cultivation.

Jiang Wang was currently only in the Inner Mansion realm, theoretically only eligible for a fifth-rank official position. His fourth-rank blue plaque was already exceeding his level; the distance between the fourth and third rank could be called a natural chasm!

This was almost a step to heaven!

Although the Golden Melon Warrior was a virtual position, this rank signified that from now on, he could stand on equal footing with other third-rank high officials. More importantly, once his cultivation advanced, there would be no more barriers to conforming to his rank’s real seal official position!

The third-rank Golden Melon Warrior was already enough to make people endlessly envious, but among the high officials and nobles present, it wasn’t overly shocking.

However, the decree still added a sentence: “permitted to bring his sword to court”!

This was neither a position nor a rank, nor did it carry a salary, yet it represented the Qi Emperor’s extreme favor!

Jiang Wang’s cultivation and age were after all here; his official position could rise no further, his rank add no more. The Qi Emperor, to express reward, could only indicate it in other aspects.

Currently in court, how many people were permitted to bring their swords to court?

Nothing more than the various court discussion doctors of the State Affairs Hall, the various commanders of the nine armies of the Military Affairs Hall, and then counting the meritorious nobles, imperial relatives, and world-suppressing strong ones, the total did not exceed thirty people.

Nineteen-year-old Jiang Wang was already among them!

This was not without a kind of expectation!

Within Great Qi’s State Affairs Hall or Military Affairs Hall, the emperor intended to reserve a position for Jiang Wang.

Such extreme favor!