## Year Yuan Feng, Fifty-Fifth, Fifth Month, Twenty-Third Day.

This singular day held immense significance. The Qi Emperor himself would journey to the Ancestral Temple, there to offer sacrifices to the esteemed forefathers of the dynasty. Following this solemn ritual, before the assembled ancestors of the Jiang clan imperial lineage, the Emperor would personally select and empower the kingdom’s most promising talents, charging them to represent Qi at the illustrious Yellow River Assembly.

Furthermore, the chosen scions of Qi, the very pride of the nation, were compelled to display their exceptional abilities under the gaze of the Son of Heaven, before the eyes of the common folk of the realm. This was their crucible, their trial by fire, to prove their worthiness to carry the banner of Qi into this grand competition.

On this momentous occasion, all civil and military officials would be present, and the imperial family, in its entirety, would attend. Even those commoners of Linzi City, venerable souls exceeding a hundred years of age, along with ninety-nine households randomly selected by the Imperial Clan Court, would be granted audience at the site.

This was the “Grand Master Ritual.”

The Grand Master Ritual, in essence, drew upon the power of the multitude. When a king embarked upon a punitive expedition, every aspect, from military bearing to conduct, was governed by strict rites and laws. How much more so when the Son of Heaven himself led the charge, the spectacle rendered even more majestic and awe-inspiring.

In other words, the entirety of Qi, from the highest echelons to the lowest, was approaching the Yellow River Assembly as a great war demanding a full-fledged response. They were treating it with the gravity of a national conflict, steeped in the rituals of war.

The events unfolding during this ritual sacrifice would be meticulously recorded by the imperial historians. And the outcomes of the entire “Grand Master Ritual,” such as the allocation of Inner Mansion quotas and the detailed triumphs within the Outer Building segment, would be publicly posted by designated officials, disseminated throughout Linzi, allowing all under heaven to bear witness.

This was to unequivocally prove that the chosen talents were indeed the recognized pride of Qi, truly capable of representing the kingdom and competing against heroes from across the land.

It was only at this juncture that Jiang Wang truly grasped the profound importance of the Yellow River Assembly. It far exceeded his initial estimations. This was absolutely not merely a contest for the title of the foremost talent under heaven!

This was also the reason why Zuo Guangshu had declared that neither Qi’s foremost, nor Chu’s foremost, held true supremacy. Only the champion of the Yellow River Assembly was the true paramount talent under heaven.

At the Yellow River Assembly, there must be something of such immense value, something so coveted by the foremost talents of every nation, that it drove them to spare no effort in their pursuit. This was what imbued the title of “foremost under heaven” with universally recognized legitimacy.

Because Jiang Wang had actively sought to participate in the Yellow River Assembly, both Chong Xuan Sheng and Yan Fu had assumed he understood its full implications. Consequently, neither had elaborated further. Until now, Jiang Wang’s understanding of the Assembly remained limited to “foremost under heaven” and “negotiation and territory division,” without even knowing the specifics of this territorial distribution…

However, it was not of paramount importance. Regardless of what was being contested, regardless of how significant the Yellow River Assembly might be, Jiang Wang had already decided to participate and would not shrink back.

The more important it was, the better! The more significant, the more opportunities there were to strive for. The more important, the more worthwhile the endeavor.

As one of the Inner Mansion talents on the list, Jiang Wang rose before the first hint of dawn, joining Chong Xuan Sheng to depart by sedan chair. Given Chong Xuan Sheng’s distinguished lineage, he naturally was also one of the “ritual observers,” and had brought along Fourteen.

Fortunately, the sedan bearers were all exceptional cultivators, otherwise, the combined weight of Chong Xuan Sheng’s considerable bulk and Fourteen’s iron armor would have proven a formidable challenge.

The sedan chair of the Bowang Marquis Mansion was of considerable standard. Within the sedan, Jiang Wang, himself a central figure in this “Grand Master Ritual,” carried a specially issued nameplate from the court, displayed prominently at the front of the sedan door. Therefore, the large sedan chair was carried directly to the vicinity of the Ancestral Temple.

This “Grand Master Ritual” was to commence at the square before the Ancestral Temple. Qi’s military might was renowned, and historically, the tradition of presenting captives or offering the heads of vanquished foes before the Ancestral Temple after conquering a nation was well-established. Holding the “Grand Master Ritual” before the Temple was thus not considered a breach of protocol.

*Xi lü lü!*

Jiang Wang’s large sedan chair had yet to halt, and he himself was still resting with closed eyes. Suddenly, a horse neighed, its hooves striking the ground like war drums, pounding heavily before the sedan chair before abruptly stopping.

Good heavens, who was this? Daring to gallop their horse in the vicinity of the Ancestral Temple? While not yet at the temple itself, making it not outright disrespect, it was nonetheless… audacious!

Jiang Wang was still analyzing the sound. Then, he heard the rider ask: “Is this Jiang Wang?” The tone was not particularly aggressive. The nameplate was displayed outside the sedan; there was no concealing his identity.

Jiang Wang was seated on the left side within the sedan chair. Although it was a spacious sedan, he was nonetheless squeezed towards the edge by Chong Xuan Sheng and the heavily armored Fourteen. Hearing the voice, he lifted the sedan curtain a crack and peered outside.

He saw a youth, quite handsome, yet extraordinarily high-profile. This individual was adorned in resplendent silks and satins, mounted upon a tall steed. The horse was festooned with colorful balls and fluttering red silk, resembling nothing so much as a bridegroom’s mount! A nameplate hung from the horse’s neck, indicating his status as one of today’s protagonists. However, it was flipped inwards, concealing the name displayed on the front.

He appeared to be the scion of a general’s family, but Jiang Wang suspected he might hail from a civil official’s lineage. Speaking of which, Jiang Wang had observed an interesting phenomenon: among the young masters of Linzi City, those from civil official families generally preferred to ride horses, emphasizing their masculinity. Conversely, those from military general families favored sedan chairs, projecting an air of refinement. In essence, each sought to embody the ideal of being skilled in both civil and military arts. Of course, Chong Xuan Sheng’s reason for riding a sedan chair was entirely different; he simply prioritized comfort.

“…And you are?” Jiang Wang inquired politely.

“Heh.” The individual gave a cold laugh. “Hear this clearly: gilding is ultimately not real gold. Artifice will inevitably lead to ridicule!”

Jiang Wang: …

This was utterly inexplicable! Jiang Wang turned back and glanced at Chong Xuan Sheng, asking with his eyes: What is this person’s problem?

Chong Xuan Sheng did not waste words. He directly squeezed forward, pulled open the sedan curtain on the other side, and poked his head out, roaring angrily: “Begone!”

Chong Xuan Sheng’s voice was truly thunderous, rolling forth like a massive peal. It possessed the momentum of a thousand troops charging to slay their enemies. It even caused the provocative individual’s horse to tremble. Fortunately, the horse was of extraordinary bloodline and did not exhibit any more embarrassing reactions.

Jiang Wang noticed that many people nearby were looking over in surprise. One must understand, today, apart from those fortunate commoners and elders, everyone present was either wealthy or noble. There were not many things that could cause them to lose their composure. Cursing near the Ancestral Temple—did this individual wish to be recorded in the annals of history for all the wrong reasons?

The gazes, both overt and covert, that converged upon him, made the one who had galloped his horse to block the sedan chair exceedingly uneasy. He had clearly not anticipated Chong Xuan Sheng’s presence in the sedan, and even less expected Chong Xuan Sheng to erupt in anger at the mere sight of him. This public spectacle—how was he to resolve this? They were already not far from the Ancestral Temple!

His face alternated between green and white. Ultimately, unable to return Chong Xuan Sheng’s tirade, he left with a harsh parting remark: “Jiang Qingyang, you had best make it to the Yellow River Assembly. On the road, I shall properly instruct you!”

Turning his steed, he rode away.

Jiang Wang was speechless. Even he, a cultivated individual, felt a strong urge to curse. *You inexplicably provoked me, yet I haven’t even said a word! The one who cursed you was Chong Xuan Sheng, and even if you don’t confront him, you leave with a harsh remark directed at me! Is the phrase “easily bullied” written on my Jiang Qingyang’s face?*

Listening to his tone, he must be a participant from one of the other two fields. Among the Outer Building and the Unrestricted Below Thirty years of Age categories, Jiang Wang only knew of Bao Bozhao. There were evidently existing conflicts…

Could this be Ji Zhaonan, the second disciple of the Military God? How like a foolish deer! No, it shouldn’t be… If the foremost talent of Qi below thirty years of age was this careless, then everyone might as well not bother and simply accept their humiliation…

Jiang Wang settled back into the sedan chair and cast a questioning glance towards Chong Xuan Sheng—”Who have you offended now?”

“Why are you looking at me?”

Unlike Jiang Wang’s ignorance, Chong Xuan Sheng naturally knew the reason in his heart. He merely curled his lips and said, “A resentful scion of a prominent family, that’s all!”