The Grand Meeting of the Yellow River is a gathering where “all nations contend, vying for supremacy.”

Its significance extends beyond mere political maneuvering, encompassing practical considerations as well.

The formidable powers arrayed upon the Viewing River Terrace at the Heaven Pillar display their “future.” Upon this “future,” resources are allocated.

True Monarchs, beings of such power, cannot be moved lightly. Only in matters of life and death is there anyone capable of “judging” them.

True Monarchs who frequently act, flaunting their dominance, like Great Qi’s Military God Jiang Mengxiong, are exceedingly rare.

How many nations would dare send their True Monarchs alone onto Sword Peak Mountain, to face potential siege in enemy territory?

Without absolute confidence in their strength, a world-beating dominance, such an act would be unthinkable.

The fall of a True Monarch represents an unbearable, tragic price for any nation, a profound loss that tears at the very sinews.

Thus, even knowing Jiang Mengxiong’s might, the State of Xia couldn’t resist the attempt, desiring to strike him down on Sword Peak Mountain. If successful, who’s to say it wouldn’t mark the beginning of Xia’s counter-offensive in the Eastern Domain!

Of course, the final outcome is already known throughout the land.

The Grand Meeting of the Yellow River solely focuses on the “future.”

This is because the current positions of the various national powers are already a manifestation of their present strength.

Another reason lies in the fact that no matter how fiercely the “futures” fight, they remain within control, within limits.

“Jing and Mu, share the Northern Domain.”

These words are etched into the hearts of almost every person in the Northern Domain.

Two great contemporary powers, mutually balancing each other and joining forces against the demon threat.

Perhaps due to the prolonged devastation of demon tides, the terrain of the Northern Domain is the most peculiar in the world today.

That strip of “life and death line,” dividing the boundless desert from the boundless grassland, presents a different appearance within Jing’s territory.

Jing is unlike Mu. It lacks the vast grasslands. Their stand against the boundless desert is marked by military fortresses, angular and distinct like fierce beasts, rising from the plains.

The “death” of the border wilderness remains unchanging.

Yet, the “life” of the human race manifests in varied forms.

In Mu, it is the sprawling grasslands, brimming with vitality.

Whereas in Jing, this “life” is the “life” of a forest of swords and spears.

In a military empire like Jing, war is a commonplace occurrence.

War with demons, war with humans, year after year, without cease.

So when Valiant Cavalry Grand Overseer Xia Hou Lie led a contingent on an “expedition,” many in Jing didn’t even realize this force was bound for the Viewing River Terrace to participate in the conflict.

Even though this contingent was a gathering of heavenly talents, including the adopted son of Red Horse Guard Great General Murong Fenwu, the direct grandson of Eagle Yang Guard Great General Zhongshan Yanwen, and the beloved daughter of Yellow Dragon Guard Great General Huang Fu…

Because youths like Murong Longji, Zhongshan Weisun, and Huang Sheli, scions of Jing’s elite, frequently lead troops on expeditions.

The contingent departed Jing, moving steadily southward.

Zhongshan Weisun, clad in resplendent attire, wisely lagged behind the main force. He simply wished to avoid encountering Xia Hou Lie’s ill humor.

The Great Jing Empire is a military empire. The entire nation is ruled by a military court composed of six Protector Armies and seven Guard Armies.

A figure like Eagle Yang Guard Great General Zhongshan Yanwen, while titled “Great General,” is in reality a feudal prince.

Zhongshan Weisun’s status is thus akin to that of a prince.

Competition is certainly not lacking among these thirteen branches of the army – six Protector Armies and seven Guard Armies.

However, this time, the heavenly talents dispatched to the Grand Meeting of the Yellow River are all from within the seven Guard Armies.

Not a single one is from the six Protector Armies.

And the Valiant Cavalry, under Xia Hou Lie’s command, is precisely one of the six Protector Armies.

The Imperial Commander ordering Valiant Cavalry Grand Overseer Xia Hou Lie to personally lead the team was likely to balance the voices from the six Protector Armies…

A pity. The Grand Meeting of the Yellow River, a long and arduous journey, focuses solely on the personal strength of the young prodigies. No matter how grand the display, it cannot alter the outcome.

Returning to the matter of this journey.

A dignified Valiant Cavalry Grand Overseer like Xia Hou Lie would, of course, not stoop to calculating with these juniors. Indeed, to embody righteousness, he would ensure the smooth progress of the Grand Meeting of the Yellow River with even greater care.

However, his mood was naturally far from cheerful.

Zhongshan Weisun, at any rate, did his best not to swagger before this Grand Overseer, lest he invite trouble.

That fellow Murong Longji was still there, discussing cavalry tactics with Xia Hou Lie. Did he truly believe this Valiant Cavalry Grand Overseer, with his benevolent expression and kind heart, genuinely cherished his talent?

Of course, the sourness in his heart remained. Zhongshan Weisun knew that, at least for now, he lacked the qualifications to discuss cavalry tactics with Xia Hou Lie…

Within the Eagle Yang Guard, the troops under his command were far fewer than those Murong Longji commanded in the Red Horse Guard. His battle experience was also vastly inferior.

Although he was confident in his military formation skills and believed he was second to none, he ultimately lacked the test of war. Others would not see him in the same light.

Murong Longji had already proven himself; he had not.

“What are you thinking?”

A strong and beautiful woman, skillfully controlling her warhorse, approached the rear of the contingent.

Under her manipulation, her horse took small, light steps, moving with extreme swiftness.

This woman’s features were sharp, her beauty distinctive.

Her skin was the healthy color of ancient bronze, smooth as if forged in water, as if the harsh environment of the border wilderness could not even slightly affect her.

What a fine beauty, and yet saddled with such a bald-headed name. That Yellow Great General truly…

Zhongshan Weisun silently grumbled to himself, a gentle smile then appearing on his face: “I was thinking…”

He deliberately tilted his chin towards Murong Longji and Xia Hou Lie: “I wonder what the two military strategists are discussing?”

“Stop being so hypocritical. If you truly wanted to know, you would have gone forward and listened yourself,” Huang Sheli said bluntly. “I’m asking you, has that fellow surnamed Jiang finally submitted?”

Zhongshan Weisun blinked awkwardly.

Jiang Zhaoyuan’s first loss in the competition for the Inner Mansion Realm quota left him extremely disgruntled. He claimed he hadn’t performed well, that his cultivation had suffered some issue in the days prior, otherwise he would have done thus and so… It was entirely the kind of talk one engages in while drinking with dissolute friends.

Yet, precisely such words were overheard by Huang Sheli, who had also gone out drinking…

The resulting uproar was earth-shattering…

The wine house was completely demolished.

Jiang Zhaoyuan lost yet another round, forced to admit defeat dejectedly. He no longer mentioned his poor state.

As Jiang Zhaoyuan’s good friend, Zhongshan Weisun truly had no way to explain this matter. He, of course, knew that Jiang Zhaoyuan was merely running his mouth, but to be caught in the act by the person in question and taught a lesson was not unwarranted.

Huang Sheli snorted coldly: “Looks like he still hasn’t submitted.”

She turned her horse’s head, about to leave.

“He has submitted, he has submitted. He has already submitted,” Zhongshan Weisun said hastily.

Looking at this girl’s stance, she would undoubtedly give Jiang Zhaoyuan another beating upon their return.

He could only soften his stance for his friend.

Huang Sheli then said: “Losing to the number one Inner Mansion in the world, there’s nothing for him to be unyielding about.”

Zhongshan Weisun coldly chuckled in his heart.

What “number one Inner Mansion in the world”? Truly, hair is long, knowledge is short! I know someone named Dugu Wudi, who I don’t know how many times stronger he is than all of you.

Of course, that person might have exploited a loophole in an illusory realm and is not a true Inner Mansion…

This mocking thought, of course, remained in his heart. With his cultivation, he needn’t fear Huang Sheli. Unfortunately, that Yellow Great General was famously protective of his own.

If he were to cross Huang Sheli today, that Yellow Great General would certainly stoop to bullying the younger generation.

Meanwhile, his own grandfather, Zhongshan Weisun’s grandfather, was known for his strict discipline…

It was a tale filled with tears.

Everyone’s fate was different.

Zhongshan Weisun smiled gently: “Thinking about it, besides you, Miss Huang, no one else is qualified to be called the number one Inner Mansion under heaven.”

How free and happy it was back when I was called Zhao Tiezhu…