Before the Grand Temple.

Almost all cultivators who had reached a certain level gathered, their gazes fixed upon the southwestern horizon of Linzi City.

Five radiant beams of light soared into the heavens, intertwining as they pierced through the distant starry sky.

In the clear blue expanse of this bright day, a star suddenly blazed forth in the southwestern quadrant. In that instant, it shone with such brilliance that it nearly rivaled the fierce sun!

All present knew that this was no mere star. It was the Star Tower erected in the distant cosmos by a cultivator who had broken through their realm, now displaying its glory for the first time in the mortal world!

This “star” flickered and vanished.

The sky remained, with only the proud sun reigning supreme.

The spectacle of the five glorious beams traversing the heavens also seemed like an illusion.

But who could possibly forget this scene?

Since ancient times, countless cultivators had broken through the Inner Mansion realm and ascended to the Outer Tower. Yet, how many had achieved such a phenomenon?

The entirety of Linzi City was set abuzz.

Those waiting before the Grand Temple were even more ecstatic.

“This is the Five Mansions Shining Together! An absolutely peerless aptitude!”

“Indeed, it is a Heavenly Mansion!”

“Heavy Xuan Fenghua truly possesses a Heavenly Mansion!”

“To think, he achieved the Outer Tower with a Heavenly Mansion!”

Even the civil and military officials, the meritorious nobles, and the figures of high standing couldn’t help but whisper amongst themselves, discussing with fervor.

“Good!” From within the gathering of meritorious nobles, a loud shout rang out. Heavy Xuan Ming Guang suddenly stepped forward, clenching his fists before his body with force: “A tiger father breeds no dog son! My son has brought glory!”

He was a man accustomed to socializing; it was impossible for him not to attend this occasion to “mingle.” Thus, even if he held little interest in martial arts, he had still dressed impeccably and presented himself.

Not far away, Heavy Xuan Sheng wasn’t startled by the dazzling spectacle of the Five Mansions Shining Together, as he had anticipated it… Instead, he was nearly shocked by his esteemed uncle’s shout. He couldn’t help but roll his eyes in a subtle manner.

Standing beside him, the fourteenth prince silently moved a step closer, as if to say – “There is no need to fear.”

Though the Heavy Xuan family’s power was indeed flourishing, on this occasion, there were still quite a few who were not inferior in the slightest. Moreover, Heavy Xuan Ming Guang was notoriously indolent and had indulged in a profligate life from a young age to old. No one truly took him seriously.

But at this moment, having lost all decorum, no one actually stepped forward to reprimand him.

It was truly…

His son was simply too formidable.

Even the Grand Qi’s Prime Minister, Jiang Ru Mo, whose expression remained stoic, glanced at Heavy Xuan Ming Guang and couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

It was said that the eldest son of the old Marquis Heavy Xuan possessed only a handsome facade, like a gilded cage with cotton within.

Yet, Jiang Ru Mo felt that this Heavy Xuan Ming Guang truly possessed heaven-sent good fortune and first-class luck. His life began within the prestigious Heavy Xuan family, he was born with a fine appearance, and from a young age, he lived a life of luxury and ease, free and romantic. In his youth, the Heavy Xuan family naturally shielded him from wind and rain. As he grew older, when it was time to bear responsibility, his younger brother, Heavy Xuan Ming Tu, suddenly emerged out of nowhere.

There were no ugly scenes of brothers vying for supremacy, for there was fundamentally no possibility of competition.

Heavy Xuan Ming Guang continued his free and easy life.

By the time Heavy Xuan Ming Tu lost his influence, Heavy Xuan Ming Guang should have faced some pressure in life, but then his cousin, Heavy Xuan Chu Liang, achieved a fearsome reputation through a single battle…

And now, the Heavy Xuan family boasted two Marquis, and his son, Heavy Xuan Zun, had truly lived up to the name of a heavenly pride, achieving the Five Mansions Shining Together and erecting a Star Tower like a blazing star. He completely overshadowed all those of his generation.

Counting carefully, had this Heavy Xuan Ming Guang endured even half a hardship in his sixty-plus years of life? He had played from childhood to old age! He didn’t worry about the past, and he had no worries about the future!

This was surely much more comfortable than being Prime Minister!

In contrast to the fervent discussions and varied thoughts upon the viewing platform, Bao Bo Zhao, Xie Bao Shu, and even the female general from the military, Chao Yu, who were on the plaza, couldn’t simply sigh. Their expressions shifted collectively, and even Chao Yu was momentarily moved.

There was no other reason. The Qi Emperor had summoned Heavy Xuan Zun specifically to compete for the first place in the Inner Mansion realm at the Yellow River Assembly.

But Heavy Xuan Zun had now actually completed his breakthrough. Thus, his aim for a quota would shift to the Outer Tower realm.

This meant that at this very moment, this peerless heavenly pride who had stolen the brilliance of all his peers, had become their competitor!

What was originally a situation of watching tigers fight from the mountainside had now turned into walking alongside the tigers!

Within the Jixia Academy.

The young master who had just been reading a book spoke a single sentence: “It is my shame”…

Thus, he laid down his scroll.

Thus, the Five Mansions shone together, instantly erecting the Star Tower, and shaking Linzi.

This extremely brilliant scene did not elicit even half an indulgence from him. He held his hands in a virtual grip, and the star at the edge of the sky dimmed with it.

He paid no heed to the emotions of the elderly teacher standing stunned in place. He simply stood up, took his book, and said, “Teacher, I shall depart now.”

He strode out of the pavilion with great strides, his white robes fluttering, and ascended into the air.

This child of splendor…

Not until the figure of the white-robed young master vanished into the air did the senior elderly teacher of Jixia Academy suddenly regain his senses.

Only then did he discover that his shoes… had actually stepped into the water!

Outside the Jixia Academy, the herald waited and waited, and finally, after that ancient stone archway, he saw Heavy Xuan Zun gracefully emerge with a scroll in hand.

The herald quickly cleared his throat, summoning his energy, and was about to proclaim the decree—

An upright palm blocked him.

“Please forgive Heavy Xuan Zun for being unable to receive the decree.” The noble young master, whose white robes were like snow, smiled faintly. This smile made his seizing light soften considerably: “Because I have already completed the former agreement and have left the Jixia Academy.”

The herald was momentarily stunned, only then remembering that indeed, there had been such a decree last year, ordering Heavy Xuan Zun to study in Jixia Academy for one year and to emerge upon breaking through.

Today’s new decree was a special decree ordering Heavy Xuan Zun to emerge from seclusion in advance.

But Heavy Xuan Zun had already completed his breakthrough in advance and had emerged from seclusion on his own…

How could this decree be proclaimed?

The herald fell into unprecedented confusion.

Heavy Xuan Zun, however, had already departed with great strides: “However, this Yellow River Assembly… I will fulfill His Majesty’s wish!”

Before the Grand Temple.

Upon the crimson steps.

The Great Qi Emperor sat still and silent.

Seated directly in front was Jiang Wu Qi, who looked towards the northwestern corner of Linzi City’s sky. There was a hint of eagerness in his eyes, but he ultimately suppressed it, a smile playing on the corners of his lips.

His Empress said joyfully: “Congratulations, Your Majesty. My Great Qi’s heavenly pride generation has emerged, all due to Your virtuous rule.”

The Great Qi Emperor raised his hand slightly and chuckled: “Ancient heavenly prides possess their own destiny. As for virtuous rule… if the world can find joy, and the common people can find peace, then my heart is sufficiently at ease. This also includes the Empress’s merit.”

The Empress humbly replied: “Soothe the harem, it is merely within my duty. It cannot compare to Your Majesty’s exhaustive efforts.”

Jiang Wu Hua, Jiang Wu You, and Jiang Wu Xie, regardless of their thoughts, all wore smiles.

Of course, among them, Jiang Wu You’s smile was the most cheerful.

Because Heavy Xuan Zun had advanced to the Outer Tower, there was no longer an obstacle before Jiang Wang.

The Great Qi Emperor looked at her, bathed in bright sunlight: “Wu You, Father Emperor just now forgot to ask, you said you were looking at Great Qi’s heavenly prides, but I don’t know who has caught your eye?”

Jiang Wu You did not feign modesty and replied directly: “Ji Zhao Nan is naturally a heavenly pride. As for the others, this child minister believes that Jiang Qing Yang alone leads the style!”

The implication was that Bao Bo Zhao, Xie Bao Shu, Chao Yu, Cui Zi, Lei Zhan Gan, and these individuals were all inferior to Jiang Wang.

And Ji Zhao Nan was both a disciple of the God of War and nearly a full cycle older than Jiang Wang. When Jiang Wu You compared the two, she actually favored Jiang Wang even more.

Everyone present, naturally, knew about the events at Tianya Terrace and also knew that Jiang Wu You had placed a heavy bet on Jiang Wang. Hearing her create momentum for Jiang Wang was also a natural and smooth occurrence.

“Oh?” The Great Qi Emperor seemed to become interested and asked again: “If Heavy Xuan Zun had not yet broken through, do you think this Jiang Qing Yang could still alone lead the style?”

If he couldn’t even claim the first place in the Inner Mansion and required others to yield, then he certainly couldn’t be considered as alone leading the style.

Jiang Wu You smiled dashingly: “This child minister believes that even facing Heavy Xuan Fenghua, Jiang Qing Yang would not lose even half a point of brilliance!”

“Cough, cough.” Jiang Wu Qi couldn’t help but cough twice.

He had always held an appreciative attitude towards Jiang Wang, just as he regarded any other excellent talent in the country. However, he did not believe that Jiang Wang could be Heavy Xuan Zun’s opponent. He had personally witnessed Jiang Wang’s battle with his cousin, Lei Zhan Gan, and was very clear that when they discussed through hard strength, Lei Zhan Gan actually held the advantage. Although Jiang Wang was now famous overseas, he also didn’t think that Lei Zhan Gan had no chance of winning now. And Lei Zhan Gan… there was no possibility of challenging Heavy Xuan Zun.

Crown Prince Jiang Wu Hua chuckled as he listened to his father and sister speak, seemingly enjoying this warmth immensely.

Meanwhile, Jiang Wu Xie drank a cup of wine with a smile. Within his smile, there was a hint of bitterness that he couldn’t swallow.

Among the various princes and princesses of Great Qi, he was the first to show favor to Jiang Wang. Upon emerging from the Seven Stars Secret Realm, he had immediately promised a clan relative title. It was not without sincerity.

Before Jiang Qing Yang ventured out to sea… he had also sought him out first.

He didn’t not believe in Jiang Wang’s potential; on the contrary, he believed very much. In the life-and-death chess game in the Floating Land, Jiang Wang had soared into the air, carrying the light of billions of stars in one sword, and with a single sword, he had forced back Lei Zhan Gan… That moment had already made him exclaim greatly.

He was just waiting for the price to settle, wanting to rely on his irreplaceable resources to obtain better conditions.

He didn’t expect his third sister, Jiang Wu You, to be much more decisive. After only seeing Jiang Wang once, she had actually thrown down a heavy bet without hesitation—he had never known that the Hua Ying Palace master possessed such a heavy gambling nature.

At their level, they naturally possessed many resources, but there were even more hands and mouths waiting to consume, and the demands of operating their forces were greater. No matter how many resources they had, they were fundamentally not enough to divide. Betting on whom and cooperating with whom all required extreme caution.

Because on this large chessboard of Qi Country, the several of them who had the qualification to contend for the dragon throne had been in a stalemate until now. It was hard to say who could achieve a decisive victory. They all guarded their own foundations while accumulating advantages inch by inch.

Before Jiang Wang went to Hua Ying Palace, he was still not in a hurry, thinking that after the opponent had weighed the situation, he would know how generous his offered conditions were. But he didn’t expect…

By the time Jiang Wang rose to fame at Tianya Terrace, Jiang Wu You, as a witness to the duel, brandished the Fang Tian Ghost God Halberd.

Waiting for the news in Linzi, he suddenly discovered—

Jiang Wang himself was an irreplaceable resource that his Yang Xin Palace lacked.

At least Hua Ying Palace, Chang Sheng Palace, and Chang Le Palace were all watching covetously. While he searched all over Qi Country, he still couldn’t find another heavenly pride as suitable for betting on as Jiang Wang.

Someone like Heavy Xuan Zun was, of course, a peerless heavenly pride. But he was also the direct son of a famous family. Could he place a bet? Would others accept his bet?

Even a heavenly pride like Jiang Wang, who had no foundation in Qi Country, if not for the Fishing Sea Tower incident, which prince or princess would he have attached himself to?

He only needed to be loyal to Qi Country, loyal to the Qi Emperor, and cultivate step by step. Why would he need to risk contending for the dragon throne!

In this world, there were too many clever people. Any person with potential had countless hands, pushing carts full of Dao Yuan Stones, waiting for an opportunity to bet.

Did they not see, as soon as the list for the Yellow River Assembly was drafted in the political hall, which family’s threshold had not been crossed?

Jiang Wu Xie drank his wine and remained silent.

And regardless of the moods of the various children, regarding Jiang Wu You’s answer, the Great Qi Emperor was obviously also a bit doubtful.

With a father’s tolerance towards his daughter, he smiled and asked: “To war with a Three Mansions against a Heavenly Mansion, this is probably difficult, isn’t it?”

His Empress also smiled from the side: “Although this palace believes in Wu You’s eyesight, discussing this matter… This is almost an impossible thing.”

“Yes, impossible.”

Jiang Wu You sat up straight, radiating an heroic spirit: “How is it possible for a mere nineteen-year-old youth to change the will of a True Monarch and save a condemned prisoner during the Fishing Sea Tower sea sacrifice grand ceremony? How is it possible for a mere Inner Mansion realm cultivator to slay over a hundred commander-level sea creatures within nine days? How is it possible for a solitary brave youth born in a small place to win a life-and-death battle against the heavenly prides of the world’s great sects, leaving even the contemporary True Person unable to save his life and soul?”

“These are all impossible matters.”

Jiang Wu You leaned on the case with her hand, looking around at those to her left and right: “And so-called heroes are simply people who turn impossible matters into possible ones.”

All were silent.

Yes, ah. If so many impossible matters had all been accomplished by that youth standing on the plaza, pressing his sword, then was challenging a Heavenly Mansion with Three Mansions truly and completely impossible?

“Imperial sister.” Jiang Wu Qi said in a light voice: “I believe that even if it is Jiang Qing Yang himself, he will not always expect miracles.”

“So, Wu Qi, you fundamentally do not understand Jiang Qing Yang. That is why you will only feel that Lei Zhan Gan can still be his opponent.” Jiang Wu You laughed: “Jiang Qing Yang never expects miracles, he simply creates facts. He simply makes his words come true, one sentence at a time. When he said he would go to the Yellow River Assembly, I just believed that he could do it.”

In fact, when she first watched Jiang Wang duel Lei Zhan Gan in that dilapidated training ground, she had also felt at that time that Lei Zhan Gan and Jiang Wang were evenly matched in strength, only losing due to insufficient preparation.

But after personally witnessing Jiang Wang’s journey near the sea, the two in her heart no longer had any possibility of comparison.

Lei Zhan Gan’s so-called arrogance of alone occupying Qian Kun was merely the arrogance accumulated from his family background and talent. While Jiang Qing Yang’s firm steps forward, neither humble nor arrogant, were truly the pride that never yielded from his heart.

Seeing Jiang Wu You so serious, Jiang Wu Qi paused for a moment, only saying: “To be so valued by Imperial Sister, it seems he is truly a remarkable person. I will wait and see.”

The Great Qi Empress looked at Jiang Wang from afar, taking the young man into her sight. Suddenly, she smiled and said to the Emperor: “Our Wu You rarely appreciates someone so much. This palace also finds that Jiang Qing Yang is indeed a talent of the country, outstanding among the crowd. Emperor, are you not always worried about Wu You’s marriage? Then why not recruit this person as a consort? In this palace’s view, only such a heroic man would not humiliate our Wu You.”

When these words were spoken, the Great Qi Emperor did not respond immediately.

But Jiang Wu You immediately stood up and bowed to the Empress, saying: “This child minister is very grateful for Mother Empress’s concern. It’s just that Mother Empress does not understand this child minister. Marrying a husband and raising children is not what this child minister desires. Enjoying flowers and playing with grass is also not the true character of a hero. Jiang Wang possesses the demeanor of a hero, but this child minister also possesses the ambition of a hero. These vulgar matters are not suitable!”

The Empress had delivered a gentle blow, smiling to kill a formidable enemy. Every word seemed to be for Jiang Wu You’s good. For any other princess, a heavenly pride with such a good reputation as Jiang Wang would be considered a good match.

But what kind of person was Jiang Wu You?

She was the master of Hua Ying Palace, a person qualified to contend for the position of storage. It was precisely her husband who must not be too dazzling.

Otherwise, if she were to ascend the throne one day, who would be in charge of this Great Qi world?

Would this Jiang be that Jiang?

With so many choices available, how could the Great Qi imperial family take such a risk?

Therefore, her concern for Jiang Wu You’s marriage and her seeking this “good match” for Jiang Wu You was precisely intended to subtly push Jiang Wu You out of the line of succession.

So Jiang Wu You stood up angrily, immediately refuting.

Her attitude could be called quite intense. She not only refuted the consort theory but also took the opportunity to stab the Crown Prince.

Among the many people present, only the Crown Prince Jiang Wu Hua often enjoyed attending to flowers and grass.

This is not the true character of a hero; how can one bear the mountains and rivers of Great Qi?

When the Empress made a move against her, she struck the snake at its seven inches and immediately turned her attention to Jiang Wu Hua.

Jiang Wu Qi and Jiang Wu Xie, one looking at the surface of his shoes, the other looking at his wine cup, acted as if they had not noticed the sudden confrontation on the crimson steps, which had just been warm and affectionate like a family banquet.

They were watching tigers fight from the mountainside, absolutely not joining in the fun.

1, This chapter combines two updates into one, so it is today’s normal share of updates. Then there will be an extra update in the evening.

2, The sentence “True heroes are simply people who turn impossible matters into possible ones” is from an article I wrote on Zhihu.

Interested readers can search for it.

The question is “The Northern Expedition was very difficult, what supported Zhuge Liang and Jiang Wei’s Northern Expedition?”.

The article I wrote should be in the front row; you can find it by flipping through a bit. Or you can search on my personal official account.

Above.