“Brother, brother, I heard you’re already the world’s number one? Why didn’t you tell me first? Are you tired? Is it hard? Do you miss me…?”

A string of questions followed, then:

“Then I’m the sister of the world’s number one, right? Me! Jiang Anan! The sister of the world’s number one!”

(A little stick figure with hands on hips, laughing, was drawn here.)

“They all say you’re very fierce, very fierce. I told them, you’ve always been that fierce! You took first place long ago!”

The last sentence was:

“Brother, when are you coming to see me?”

Jiang Wang was on his way back to the State of Qi when he received this Cloud Crane transmission. From the moment he unfolded the letter, the smile on his face simply wouldn’t fade.

Speaking of which, the Cloud Crane transmission technique of Lingxiao Pavilion was truly wondrous.

Entrusted to the flowing clouds, it was quiet and unseen. While journeying, it was merely ordinary traveling clouds, with information transmitted only between the clouds. Only upon reaching the target’s location would it momentarily gather a wisp of cloud qi, transforming into a Cloud Crane to descend.

Its greatest advantage was its concealment. The reason it could transmit ten thousand miles was firstly the special nature of cloud qi, and secondly, the presence of a core array within Lingxiao’s secret realm, which provided support for the Cloud Cranes. Of course, limited by the user’s cultivation level, the security of the Cloud Crane transmission’s information could not be guaranteed.

However, Jiang Wang and Jiang Anan typically chatted about trivial matters of daily life, with no secrets to speak of.

Although the Cloud Crane transmission had very little movement, it inevitably could not escape the notice of Cao Ji and others on the same journey. But Jiang Wang had no intention of hiding it in the first place.

He then openly and straightforwardly wrote back the letter in the carriage:

“Ah, you already knew? Brother originally didn’t want to say, lest you become arrogant.

Actually, this is nothing much. It was just a competition among the first heavenly prides of all the states under heaven. Brother accidentally took first place.

It’s just that among all the Inner Mansion cultivators under heaven, it’s only been over ten years since a champion has emerged. This really doesn’t count for much.

Of course, because this session also had Heaven Mansion cultivators and even Absolute Peak cultivators participating, it’s possible that in the past several sessions, perhaps even more than ten sessions, brother is the fiercest one. But what of it?

Little friend Jiang Anan, you must remain humble and not show off. Although brother is already the world’s number one at the Inner Mansion level, the world is vast and geniuses are as numerous as stars. There will always be one or two Inner Mansion heavenly prides who can exchange a few blows with brother. Pride invites loss, humility brings benefit. Remember, remember.

Wait until brother returns to the State of Qi to handle some matters, then I’ll come to see you. There will be a surprise then!”

Jiang Wang wrote to this point, a smile of complete satisfaction on his face. Then he added:

“Also, your handwriting is a bit crooked. Have you been cultivating too diligently lately?”

He casually folded the letter paper, and it transformed into a Cloud Crane, flying out of the carriage window.

It circled slightly in the air, skimmed over the long procession of horses and carriages, and gradually ascended, entering the clouds directly.

This was the State of Qi’s grand procession returning home. The elite soldiers of the Heaven Cover Army led the way, raising banners. The carriages carrying the heavenly prides of the two states followed behind – Ji Zhaonan had already gone to the Ten Thousand Demons Gate at this time.

That person’s mount, “Little White,” remained with the procession, to be brought back to the military camp by the Heaven Cover Army.

If not necessary, general warhorses were rarely sent to the Ten Thousand Demons Gate.

The warhorses mentioned here were powerful steeds mixed with demon beast bloodlines. Ordinary fine horses could hardly participate in the battlefield of transcendent beings, let alone other situations.

While ordinary soldiers could form army arrays and evolve transcendent power, ordinary fine horses lacked this ability.

The mounts of famous cavalry under heaven were generally mixed with demon beast bloodlines, and some were even already at the demon beast level themselves.

Those born with extraordinary beast mounts were themselves extremely rare. To form an army with them was even more difficult.

This was the reason why, apart from cavalry, there were very few instances of bringing mounts to the Ten Thousand Demons Gate.

Firstly, warhorses mixed with demon beast bloodlines could easily provoke a fierce reaction from the demon race.

Secondly, entering and exiting the Ten Thousand Demons Gate itself consumed the Gate’s power. Although the Ten Thousand Demons Gate separated two worlds and was reinforced by successive powerful human figures, this power consumption was negligible. However, over long years, there were simply too many warriors entering and exiting the Ten Thousand Demons Gate.

The human race had endured hardship for years. Especially in a place like the Ten Thousand Demons Gate, which was soaked with the fresh blood of countless martyrs, what right did later generations have to be extravagant?

“Little White” was currently walking alongside “Flame Illuminate” and “Snow Night,” the three imperial bestowed treasure horses, each displaying their magnificence.

The expedition team returning from View River Terrace was at the front, and the team participating in the ceremony was at the back.

Cao Ji’s carriage held the rear of the procession, sitting guard.

With such a procession gathering so many heavenly prides and domestic nobles, if anything were to happen, the entire city of Linzi would fall into chaos. Thus, he himself could not leave.

Only by personally escorting everyone back to Linzi would his mission be considered complete.

Passing through Wo, Ji, then Zheng and Yang, this route to and from View River Terrace had been traversed many times by the people of the State of Qi. Of course, the land of Yang was now the land of Qi.

“What did you say to Anan?” Chong Xuan Sheng, sitting opposite, asked with a smile.

This carriage carrying the state’s heavenly prides should not have had others entering.

But Chong Xuan Sheng insisted on hitching a ride, and others had no way to stop him.

And with Chong Xuan Sheng coming aboard, Fourteen naturally wouldn’t fall behind.

So a spacious carriage was now cramped. The esteemed world’s number one Inner Mansion cultivator was squeezed into a corner, writing letters against the carriage wall.

Chong Xuan Sheng was very disciplined and didn’t peek, but he was still somewhat curious.

If not for the fact that after the Yellow River Meeting, Jiang Wang had to quickly return to Qi to receive his reward, he would have quite wanted to follow Jiang Wang to Lingxiao Pavilion to see Jiang Anan.

He also wondered what kind of person Jiang Wang’s sister was, given his younger brother was so mature.

“It wasn’t anything much. Just told her to study hard and cultivate diligently.” Jiang Wang was in a good mood, his smile bright. “How could I possibly show off in front of her, a little child?”

“Oh, really.” Chong Xuan Sheng replied half-believing, then smiled again and said, “This time I saw your Qiao Yan Jun. Although she wore a veil and couldn’t be seen clearly, Xu Gao’e said she must be an absolute beauty, perhaps not even inferior to Ye Lan Er!”

“Of course, she’s not inferior to Ye Lan Er…” Jiang Wang subconsciously replied, then immediately became alert and righteously and sternly rebuked, “Why are you guys so idle? All day long, you’re discussing this and that behind people’s backs! Can you not have some proper business?”

He and Ye Qing Yu had only chatted for a few sentences face-to-face that day after he won the championship. Afterwards, Ye Ling Xiao appeared and took her away, saying she had urgent matters at home…

In that short time, he thought Li Long Chuan, Xu Xiang Qian and the others might not even have noticed. He truly didn’t expect them to be discussing it in private!

Chong Xuan Sheng laughed and said, “Just chatting casually. Not much to chat about!”

In fact, several of them had even thoroughly researched the history of Lingxiao Pavilion. It was “not much to chat about,” not “not chatting much” – mainly him, Xu Xiang Qian, and Li Long Chuan. Yan Fu was busy whispering with Wen Ting Lan and had no time to chat idly with them. Zi Shu was with Zhao Wu Yan, comforting their fellow disciple Yin Wen Hua. Of course, Fourteen listened to the whole process.

Jiang Wang scoffed, “Vulgar, shallow, unbearably vulgar!”

Chong Xuan Sheng laughed heartily.

Fourteen tilted her head slightly, her voice muffled under her helmet: “You didn’t say that when we were chatting about Yan Fu’s marriage.”

Jiang Wang: …

“Hey, where are we?” To avoid further awkwardness, he lifted the curtain and asked.

Chong Xuan Sheng peered out with a face full of smiles and said, “Ji State.”

Looking at the map, to the northeast of Ji State was a state Jiang Wang was old acquaintances with, called “You.” That giant turtle that carried a city had left a deep impression on Jiang Wang.

And not far to the southeast of Ji State was the famous Qingya Academy, where Xu Xiang Qian studied.

This trip, Yan Fu and Li Long Chuan were both returning to the State of Qi with the procession.

Xu Xiang Qian, on the other hand, after leaving Wo State, followed Zhao Wu Yan and Zi Shu towards the west, reportedly to see the snow in the Snow Country.

Zhao Wu Yan had always traveled widely purely for cultivation. This time, she was full of confidence and should have already confirmed her path, saying she wanted to achieve the Divine Presence realm in the westernmost regions.

Another cultivator who could reach the Divine Presence realm before the age of thirty had immeasurable potential.

When Xu Xiang Qian came to View River Terrace, he passed by the academy but did not enter. When he left, he was also carefree, not looking back… truly a good scholar of Qingya Academy.

“Is Ji State a vassal state of Jing State?” Since they were chatting about this, Jiang Wang couldn’t help but ask a few casual questions.

“Ji State is not affiliated with any Dao sect. Neither is Wo State or You State.” Chong Xuan Sheng, of course, understood these matters very well and said casually, “With Sheng State to the north, Mu State’s influence is very difficult to extend here. Although these small states are not affiliated with any Dao sect, it is very difficult for them to refuse the will of Jing State.”

“With strong neighbors pressing the borders, it’s hard to stand out.” After personally experiencing the annexation of Yang State and the struggle with Rong State, Jiang Wang had a deeper understanding of the situation of these small states.

“If a state like You State experiences some change, will Jing State intervene?” he asked.

What kind of person was Chong Xuan Sheng? He immediately reacted: “Are you asking about Yin Guan? Does he have any specific actions now?”

“I don’t know.” Jiang Wang shook his head. “I just thought of it and casually asked. After all, when Yin Guan fought against the Negative Stele Army Commander of You State, Zheng Chao Yang, I was there. That giant turtle… also left a deep impression on me. Xu Xiang Qian even wrote a poem…”

Chong Xuan Sheng had no interest in Xu Xiang Qian’s poem and simply said, “You State’s geographical location dictates that it cannot escape Jing State’s influence. But geographically speaking, it is closer to Sheng State. With a Dao Sect state to the south and the first Dao affiliated state to the east, and yet it is not affiliated with any Dao sect, this itself explains the problem.”

Jiang Wang thought for a moment and asked, “What problem?”

“Sheng State, of course, wants to exert influence on states like You State. This is the will of a great state that holds the knife. But Jing State, of course, cannot agree…” Chong Xuan Sheng said this, then shook his head. “Forget it. You only need to know that as long as You State doesn’t cause heaven-shaking and people-resenting trouble, Jing State will be too lazy to even look at it for at least ten years.”

“Oh, I see.” Jiang Wang nodded, then said, “The road is long; one does not advance, one retreats. Let’s not waste time on the road. How about we spar in the Taixu Illusion?”

Although I trust your judgment very much, you don’t seem to show enough respect for the world’s number one Inner Mansion cultivator.

“Hey, Fourteen.” Chong Xuan Sheng tilted his head and used his chubby finger to prop up his eye. “Look here, is there sand in it?”

Fourteen moved slightly closer.

“Hey, come closer and look. What can you see from so far away…”

Jiang Wang: …

Jiang Wang silently closed his eyes and continued to explore his Inner Mansion.

It had to be said, after mastering half of the Single Rider Enters Array Diagram, the efficiency of exploring the Inner Mansion was higher.

The joy of cultivation, how much joy!

With Cao Ji in command, and being a grand carriage of the State of Qi, the journey was naturally calm and peaceful. Especially after entering the Eastern Domain, the states they passed through, while not exactly “offering food and drink to welcome the king’s teacher,” they did clear the streets and make way ahead.

There was also no lack of local court officials, who greeted them warmly and congratulated them continuously.

Whether they were genuinely welcoming the State of Qi’s victory at the Yellow River Meeting was unknown. At least on the surface, they were enthusiastic.

The State of Qi probably only needed to see the enthusiasm on the surface now. Cao Ji didn’t even show his face, letting a deputy general handle the dismissal.

This kind of enthusiasm reached its peak after returning to the State of Qi.

Before even entering Yang land, at the boundary stone marking the border of a newly established state, they saw a large patch of flowers blooming on both sides of the road. In such a season, for them to bloom so brilliantly, it was clearly achieved through Dao techniques.

A large group of children, who knows which school they were found from, perhaps gathered from several schools, were all dressed brightly, holding flowers, and standing neatly on the main road.

Behind this group of children were officials of all levels from Hengyang County, and some white-haired old people. This was the “fathers and elders from the hometown.”

Of course, there was also no lack of drumming, gongs, fireworks, and firecrackers.

Furthermore, there were two generals, each holding a banner.

The left one read:

Great Qi Champion Wins, Inner Mansion First.

The right one read:

Yang Land’s Glory, Qingyang Town’s Hero.

The wind fluttered the welcome banners, extremely ostentatious.

Entering Qi from the east meant entering through Hengyang County.

Hengyang County Governor, Huang Yi Xing, stood at the very front with a brilliant smile.

This was a moment where Jiang Wang, of course, could no longer avoid staying inside the carriage. As a returning hero, he naturally had to “pay his respects to the fathers and elders.”

In truth, Yang land, specifically Qingyang Town, was where his roots in the State of Qi were. Therefore, maintaining good relations with the “parents and officials” of Yang land was a natural thing.

Jiang Wang lifted the curtain and stepped out of the carriage. Guarded by Heaven Cover Army soldiers, he walked forward to Huang Yi Xing.

That person was no longer dressed like the down-and-out scholar he was initially. At this time, wearing the official robes of Great Qi, he was quite imposing.

These two, one old and one young, meeting in such a situation had a certain significance.

Huang Yi Xing’s initial “kneeling for the common people” and “stopping” Chong Xuan Chu Liang’s butcher knife on the battlefield of Red Tail County was still praised by the people of Yang land and also earned him the position of Hengyang County Governor.

Looking at it now, he seemed to want to quickly complete the transformation from Hengyang County Governor to Hengyang County Guard.

And Jiang Wang also made his name on the battlefield of Red Tail County, entering the officialdom of the State of Qi for the first time and receiving the title of Qingyang Town’s Hero. His stirring up the plague in White Bone Way and protecting the peace of one side also became a topic of conversation.

Huang Yi Xing and Jiang Wang, these two names were always often discussed together in Yang land.

As the younger one, Jiang Wang first bowed and said, “I am ashamed. On the View River Terrace, I was merely fulfilling my duty. How can I trouble the various esteemed officials with such grand hospitality?”

Huang Yi Xing stepped forward and held Jiang Wang’s hand. “I only fear it’s too simple, not enough to express everyone’s feelings. You are the pride of our Yang land! Among the myriad states and countless heavenly prides in the world, only you have claimed the title of champion! We are truly excited!”

He let go of Jiang Wang’s hand, stepped aside, and a small girl with exquisite features came forward holding a flower. Her voice was clear as she said, “Thank you, our great hero of the State of Qi! Congratulations on winning the championship at the Yellow River Meeting!”

Jiang Wang accepted the flower and smiled gently, “I also thank you for giving me such a beautiful flower.”

He looked up at the sky, smiled, and said, “Let’s go back quickly; we’ll miss dinner at home.”

He then looked behind the group of children.

The officials of Hengyang County all had brilliant smiles, and various flattering words came forward.

The white-haired old people were also trembling and laughing, saying things like “great prospects,” and “the light of Yang land.”

“Elder sirs, please go back.” Jiang Wang bowed deeply to these elders. “Jiang Wang truly cannot accept this.”

Leaving aside the children, how long had these old people been people of Qi? Most of their lives, they had the identity of people of Yang. How could they truly be happy for him, Jiang Wang?

Bringing these elders to congratulate such a heavenly pride who had become famous on the Qi-Yang battlefield, although perhaps not to the point of coercion, was truly a bit cruel…

“General Cao!”

Huang Yi Xing passed by Jiang Wang and hurried forward a couple of steps to welcome him.

No matter how bright Jiang Wang’s future was, it was still a matter of the future. He, Huang Yi Xing, did not need to welcome him in such a grand manner.

This demeanor today was, of course, to show the Qi court. This diligence was also for Cao Ji.

He hadn’t dared to rashly disturb him the first time, but this time, with the “main person” getting out of the carriage, how could he not step forward to welcome him?

“Congratulations, General! Congratulations! This time you led the team out to the Yellow River Meeting and seized the first championship since the consolidation of our Great Qi’s hegemony. This is truly a merit that will last a thousand years!”

Cao Ji smiled warmly and glanced behind him. “Tell these children to go back. It’s getting late, and we still need to hurry back to Linzi.”

“Of course, of course, we dare not delay important matters.” Huang Yi Xing waved his hand, indicating his subordinate officials to move the people to both sides, clearing the road.

He also warmly added, “These children heard that we won the championship and were all incredibly excited. They all voluntarily came to welcome the hero!”

A slightly more beautiful little girl, holding a flower, was just about to come over, seemingly wanting to offer a bouquet to Cao Ji as well.

Cao Ji was already about to turn around but stopped at this moment and looked at Huang Yi Xing.

He said in a calm voice, “When I told them to go back first, I meant for you to quickly send these children home, not to let them stand here waiting. The boys and girls of our State of Qi are meant to study and cultivate, to support this side of heaven and earth in the future. They shouldn’t be learning to applaud and offer flowers to people at such a young age.”

Cao Ji rarely got angry, so when he did, it was particularly terrifying.

Although his voice wasn’t heavy, every word heavily struck people’s hearts, each word a tremor—

“Yang land is already Qi land, and Yang people are already Qi people. You old Yang bureaucrats… need to change your habits a bit!”