The Purple Extreme Hall, where the grand court assemblies were convened. The square before it, where ministers and officials would gather to await their sovereign’s summons.

Among the esteemed ranks stood Jiang Wuqi, a prince yet also a minister of the court. Though none dared to linger and cast so much as a fleeting glance in his direction, the entire court and indeed, all those throughout the realm who concerned themselves with such matters, held their breath and strained their ears. Jiang Wuqi, a figure akin to the Son of Heaven himself, yet possessed of even greater benevolence, was, in the minds of many, the very embodiment of a wise ruler. His only perceived flaw lay in a congenital frailty, a prophesied early demise. Yet, as year after year passed, and he remained, this prophecy seemed to hold little sway. Whispers even circulated that this perceived weakness was but a cunning stratagem employed by the Eleventh Prince, a deliberate act of concealing his true brilliance and patiently biding his time. For if he were without this apparent vulnerability, he would inevitably attract the envious gazes and malicious machinations of his numerous siblings.

How Jiang Wuqi navigated these treacherous currents was of no great import to Zhongxuan Sheng. He merely listened with half an ear, interested only in the outcome. For no matter who ascended to the throne as the Great Qi’s Son of Heaven, it would not diminish the standing of the Zhongxuan family. A lineage as distinguished and powerful as theirs needed only to pledge its unwavering loyalty to the reigning sovereign.

Thus, Zhongxuan Sheng’s sole focus, the one matter requiring his full and undivided attention, was none other than Zhongxuan Zun. The identity of the Son of Heaven was secondary; who would lead the Zhongxuan family, however, was of paramount importance.

During the period when Zhongxuan Zun was secluded within the Jixia Academy, Zhongxuan Sheng had meticulously orchestrated numerous maneuvers. After the Grand Master Ceremony, he remained ceaselessly occupied, meticulously laying down countless contingency plans. Yet, not a single one had been put into action. Zhongxuan Zun had done… nothing. This individual seemed entirely unconcerned by the gradual dismantling of his nominal assets, seemingly oblivious to the fact that Wang Yiwu had been consigned to the death prisoner encampment. Furthermore, he appeared utterly indifferent to the subtle shifts in the family’s internal dynamics, the growing inclination of many family elders to lend their support to Zhongxuan Sheng…

Since the “Grand Master Ceremony,” he had met with but a handful of his most trusted lieutenants, then had summarily closed his doors and barred his courtyard, dedicating himself entirely to cultivation. Zhongxuan Sheng understood then. His elder brother had no intention of forcing a decisive confrontation at this juncture. This in itself spoke volumes; it was an indication of Zhongxuan Zun’s significant assessment of Zhongxuan Sheng’s capabilities. Even with the immense power of the Tianfu at his back, capable of overshadowing the very momentum of Linzi, he did not seek to crush Zhongxuan Sheng in a single, overwhelming strike. Instead, he would wait until after the Yellow River Meeting, intending to return with the illustrious reputation gained there and then descend upon Zhongxuan Sheng like a towering mountain upon a fragile egg. This, of course, was another form of confidence entirely. Zhongxuan Zun was utterly certain of achieving significant gains at the Yellow River Meeting.

From an overarching perspective, this was a straightforward and honorable campaign, rendering Zhongxuan Sheng’s various stratagems somewhat frivolous and even comical. Zhongxuan Sheng had already executed every necessary and feasible action during the time Zhongxuan Zun was confined to the Jixia Academy. Now, with Zhongxuan Zun remaining outside the fray, engrossed in his cultivation behind closed doors, it was as if he were still within the academy, leaving Zhongxuan Sheng with no room to maneuver.

But how could things still be the same as when he was in the Jixia Academy? At that time, no one could predict the heights Zhongxuan Zun might reach in a single year. Now, however, everyone knew. He was a Tianfu Outer Tower, a cultivator who truly embodied the phrase “seizing the brilliance of all peers,” his radiance eclipsing that of his contemporaries. He needed to do nothing, for many things had already fundamentally changed…

Consider, for instance, those wavering family elders, or even the esteemed grandfather himself, Zhongxuan Mingtu. While the Old Marquis Zhongxuan had never explicitly declared his stance, ever since Zhongxuan Zun’s astonishing feat at the Grand Master Ceremony, where he single-handedly suppressed three prodigious talents, his smiles had become noticeably more frequent.

Zhongxuan Sheng, in this period, had grown rather indolent about visiting the Bowang Marquis Manor. Instead, he simply spent each day cultivating within his secluded villa on Xiashan… or rather, diligently supervising Jiang Wang’s cultivation. In his own words, no matter how much he exerted himself in cultivation, he could never hope to catch up to his cousin. Therefore, he reasoned, why waste excessive time? Now, the entire family’s hopes, the weight of being the “thousand-jin child,” rested squarely upon the shoulders of Jiang Qingyang, a name renowned throughout the state of Qi.

The Yellow River Meeting! He must strive for the apex!

In matters of cultivation, Jiang Wang required no supervision from the outset. However, he occasionally needed to step out and move about, to loosen his body and mind, or perhaps partake in some snacks. He had not originally been one for such indulgences, but in his efforts to procure delicacies for Jiang Anan, he often inquired about delectable treats, eventually developing the habit of sampling them first.

And each time he did so, Zhongxuan Sheng would predictably materialize. “The Sea Clan is not yet vanquished! How can we speak of home?”

Bah!

It was more along the lines of, “The world’s first has not yet been attained! Jiang Qingyang, how dare you slacken? Can you face your sister? Can you face your Sheng brother? Can you face the thousands upon thousands in Linzi who place their faith in you?”

Jiang Wang could only silently retreat…

Morning lessons, evening lessons, the techniques of renowned scholars falling like withered leaves, the intricacies of the Fire Realm… Time, relentless and packed, flowed by, inch by painstaking inch. It seemed as though the terrifying storm stirred by Cui Zhu and Zhang Yong had receded into the distance. As a participant in the Yellow River Meeting, he did indeed possess the right to remain detached from the political tempests. That immense shadow lurking beneath the surface of the water seemed, for the time being, unrelated to him.

Three days after the Grand Master Ceremony.

Today, after the ritual of burning incense and bathing, tomorrow he would ascend to the Hot Spring Palace for the “Heaven Bath.” Then, in another two days, he would receive guidance from powerful cultivators at the Pointing General Platform. Following that, he would delve into the imperial dynasty’s secret techniques, focusing, of course, on pupil arts. In short, the coming period promised rapid advancement, each step a tangible increase in strength. He had no reason not to seize this time with utmost urgency.

Zhongxuan Sheng, who had claimed that cultivation was no longer necessary, that he could never hope to catch up to his cousin, had, in fact, thrown himself into it with a desperate fervor. In terms of external machinations, he had reached the limits of what was possible. Now, the only means to bridge the distance lay in cultivation. He naturally could not abandon it.

Of course, he remained stubbornly unwilling to accept Jiang Wang’s “guidance,” particularly not within the Taixu Illusion Realm. Each day, he would simply spar with Fourteen. He himself was utterly serious, and Fourteen was meticulous in his responses. But in Jiang Wang’s view, it was merely—”Don’t know why you’re sparring so fiercely, it’s like flirting and squabbling!”

“Hahaha!” Zhongxuan Sheng would only respond with a burst of wild laughter.

After the third time burning incense and bathing, the thought of finally escaping those effusive pink petals left Jiang Wang feeling utterly refreshed. Donning brand-new martial attire, he even made a point of checking on Zhongxuan Sheng’s cultivation (which was, in reality, a convenient excuse for a stroll and an opportunity to “spar” with Zhongxuan Sheng).

Zhongxuan Sheng, while ceaselessly manipulating his Zhongxuan secret techniques, engaged in a casual exchange of banter with Jiang Wang.

At this moment, a shadow guard swiftly descended into the courtyard, his arrival imbued with a sense of urgency. These shadow guards, by now, rarely bothered to avoid speaking in Jiang Wang’s presence; they were all aware of the close relationship between Jiang Wang and their young master. Upon landing, the shadow guard immediately reported: “We have just received news! The Spring Death Army has marched out of Xia Country, breaking through the border by a hundred li in a single day! Wang Yiwu, from the death prisoner encampment, bravely led the charge, and within the formation, beheaded Hua Fangyu, the guarding general of Xia Country’s Sword Edge Mountain! His victory report has already been transmitted back to Linzi!”

Wang Yiwu. A name not heard in a long time… And yet, with but a single appearance, he stirred up waves!

In this engagement, Hua Fangyu was a Divine Ability Outer Tower, a figure long renowned within Xia Country, while Wang Yiwu possessed only Inner Mansion cultivation. This battle achievement was quite striking.

Precisely because they knew the near-death animosity between Wang Yiwu and their young master, the shadow guard’s voice lacked its usual composure. The enemy’s good fortune was their misfortune.

Yet, Zhongxuan Sheng remained remarkably calm, asking with a chuckle: “What does the victory report say? Surely he wasn’t so ridiculous as to write ‘Wang Yiwu is the Qi Country’s first Inner Mansion’ on it?” The conflict between him and Wang Yiwu was well-known. That he could still jest at this moment was a testament to his cultivated tolerance.

But the shadow guard replied: “The victory report contains only one sentence…” He lowered his head, not daring to meet his young master’s gaze: “To Zhongxuan Zun, congratulations on his entry into the Tianfu!”