In everyday greetings and courtesies, Jiang Wuyou was never impolite.

But once fundamental issues were involved, she would never yield, revealing her sharp edge.

Empress He gazed deeply at Jiang Wuyou before smiling, “A grown child is beyond a mother’s control! Since Wuyou is unwilling, no one can force you. Let this matter be dropped.”

Jiang Wuxie’s lips curved in a smile, bewitchingly handsome.

Jiang Wuqi clenched his fist before his mouth, suppressing a cough.

Jiang Wuhua, suddenly drawn into the situation, spoke softly, “This chair is uncomfortable to sit on. Someone, exchange a chair for the Third Imperial Daughter.”

He took the initiative to defuse the tense atmosphere between the Empress and Jiang Wuyou, framing Jiang Wuyou’s indignant departure as rudeness caused by an uncomfortable chair, providing a way out for both sides.

“No need.” Jiang Wuyou smiled brightly and sat down, “No matter how uncomfortable the chair is, one gets used to it after sitting for a while.”

She did not give Jiang Wuhua face, and her words carried a hidden meaning.

But Jiang Wuhua still smiled gently, “Whatever Imperial Sister desires.”

He turned and instructed, “No need to change it.”

The eunuch standing by bowed in response.

This was a gesture of consideration, but viewed from another angle, it was also a display.

Regardless, the eunuchs present at this moment were all subjects of the Emperor’s household.

Apart from the Emperor and Empress, only the Crown Prince could directly issue commands to them.

While the other Imperial Princes and Daughters could direct them to do things, they would invariably have to say “please” out of politeness.

It was only at this point that the Emperor of Qi spoke, but he addressed Han Ling beside him, “You may continue.”

The “Great Master’s Ceremony” could continue, which meant that the subtle and overt clashes among them could cease.

The Emperor’s lack of a statement was, in itself, a statement.

The Empress wore a smile, her demeanor graceful and composed.

The Imperial Princes and Daughters all quieted down, turning their gaze towards the plaza.

Han Ling gently raised a hand.

And so, everyone saw—

A noble young man in white, holding a scroll in one hand, walked onto the plaza as if taking a leisurely stroll.

It was as if sunlight had fallen, and clouds had gathered.

The few people waiting on the plaza each possessed their own distinct charm, not overshadowed by comparison.

But at this moment, people’s gaze was indeed fixed upon this man, lauded as the “Splendor of Linzi.”

He stopped near the Imperial Ancestral Temple, separated from the Emperor of Qi by the Imperial Princes and Daughters, by the imperial staircase, by more than half the plaza, and by the seven prodigies waiting for selection on the plaza.

He cupped his hands and bowed in salute: “When the nation faces a challenge, even commoners bear their responsibility! Chongxuan Zun comes to His Majesty to request a spot, to unfurl a banner on the Guanhe Platform, and showcase the might of our Great Qi!”

He did not consider the current selection a selection at all, and was confident that he would be able to unfurl a banner on the Guanhe Platform.

The Emperor of Qi sat high on his dragon throne, his gaze emotionless as he said indifferently, “I wonder, esteemed Chongxuan, which spot you wish to claim?”

The seven pairs of eyes on the plaza, including Jiang Wang, turned back to look at him.

On the high platforms on either side, those officials and nobles with extraordinary power on the right side could see clearly. Many ordinary people on the left high platform stood on tiptoe to look at him, and quite a few crowded to the edge of the platform, just to get a closer look.

For a moment, it seemed as if everyone was opposite him.

This white-clad man had straightened up, standing tall and distinguished. His long hair was loosely tied back, but it didn’t appear messy, only possessing a sense of freedom.

He had long been accustomed to attention.

He first glanced at Ji Zhaonan.

Being in the Outer Mansion realm, he naturally had only two choices: the Outer Mansion realm and the unrestricted under thirty years old.

Ji Zhaonan’s face was expressionless.

Silver armor and white clothes, they exchanged a glance.

Chongxuan Zun shifted his gaze. He said to the Emperor, “Chongxuan Zun has only just entered the Outer Mansion, so I naturally seek a spot in the Outer Mansion realm.”

He was seeking a spot in the Outer Mansion realm, but he did not even look at the existing three competitors for the Outer Mansion realm spots.

Anyone who had reached this point in the selection within the entire Linzi region, who didn’t have a bit of arrogance?

Xie Baoshu was already utterly furious, but he did not speak first.

Bao Bozhao sneered, “If you were in the Inner Palace realm, requesting a spot would be fine. But entering the Outer Mansion and immediately wanting an Outer Mansion spot, I cannot agree!”

The Bao family was originally a political enemy of the Chongxuan family.

He, Bao Bozhao, was not at all afraid of the might of the Chongxuan family.

The Emperor of Qi remained silent, as if he had no intention of interfering.

Xie Baoshu then took two steps forward, turned to the side, and raised an eyebrow, his arrogance fully displayed: “Calling you the Splendor of Chongxuan was just playing along. How old are you this year? Do you know the height of the heavens and the depth of the earth?”

Chao Yu, who came from a military background, was much colder, but it was impossible for her to be completely unaffected.

She only unclasped the straight saber at her waist and said coldly, “If you want a spot, you can. Come ask my saber.”

These were all momentary prodigies, each with their own momentum.

Chongxuan Zun still did not look at them, only bowed again to the Emperor of Qi, “Your Majesty, may Chongxuan Zun compete?”

The Emperor of Qi said slowly, “Only with flowing water that does not cease can rivers and seas not dry up. Fairness is nothing more than the strong ascending and the weak descending. I can grant you the qualification. But if you want a spot, you must earn everyone’s respect.”

This was a clear statement of attitude, allowing Chongxuan Zun to join the competition for the Outer Mansion realm spots and compete with the existing three Outer Mansion cultivators.

With the Emperor’s authority, no one naturally had any objections. It was merely a change from a competition among three to a competition among four.

Chongxuan Zun bowed again in salute: “Chongxuan Zun, I accept the command!”

He straightened up, flipped his left hand, holding the scroll, and placed it behind his back, then said, “Then come.”

He scanned Bao Bozhao, Xie Baoshu, and Chao Yu one by one with his dark, clear eyes.

He added, “I mean, all of you together.”

A smile always played on his lips, which made him appear not very serious.

But at the Great Master’s Ceremony, under the witness of the Emperor, Empress, and civil and military officials, he could not be joking.

So he was serious.

No need for two-by-two competition, four into two and then into one.

Only one battle was needed.

He would fight three against one, truly and genuinely, so that all participants and spectators would be fully convinced!

How arrogant!

Both high platforms were very quiet.

When His Majesty the Emperor nodded and agreed to Chongxuan Zun’s participation in the spot competition, the final selection had already begun. No one was willing to break the solemn atmosphere of the “Great Master’s Ceremony” at this time.

“Madman!” Xie Baoshu was so angry he laughed. He had been angered by that fat man from the Chongxuan family earlier, and his temper had been sour. Now he met this non-fat one, and unexpectedly, he was even more infuriating.

“A prodigy lauded by a third-rate fortune teller, do you really think you are the splendor of the entire city?”

Not many dared to call Yu Beidou a third-rate fortune teller. Coincidentally, Grand Remonstrance Xie Huaian had always disliked fortune tellers and had once denounced Yu Beidou as a trickster.

He, Xie Baoshu, was also a favored son of heaven. What was the point of joining forces with two other prodigies to attack someone who had just entered the Outer Mansion?

Would anyone acknowledge the victory?

At this time, Bao Bozhao and Chao Yu were silent, precisely for this reason.

“Alright.”

But the Emperor of Qi spoke at this moment: “Bao Bozhao, Chao Yu, Xie Baoshu, all three of you go together. If Chongxuan Zun wins, this spot belongs to Chongxuan Zun, there is nothing to say. If Chongxuan Zun loses, I will punish him for being frivolous, arrogant, and disrupting the Great Ceremony!”