Jiang Wang could feel the weight of every gaze upon him, and even discern a trace of the emotions held within. Amidst the myriad scorching, envious, and suspicious eyes, a phrase, widely circulated and used to describe the current Emperor, echoed in his mind: “Today’s sovereign is a peerless hero, his favor and punishment alike are without excess!”

Favor without excess, punishment without excess. Today, for having secured the first place at the Guan River Terrace for the Qi Country, thereby elevating its prestige globally, the Qi Emperor had bestowed upon him boundless favor and honor. But should he err one day, what would become of him when the Emperor’s wrath descended?

It was not to say that the Qi Emperor was filled with hypocrisy. In truth, the Emperor’s rewards this time were truly exceptional. Everyone could sense the high regard in which the Qi Emperor held him. His performance during the Grand Master’s ceremony had already earned him significant praise. His showing at the Guan River Terrace, however, was beyond reproach, utterly flawless, having brought immense face to the Qi Country.

Though the rewards were heavy, he was worthy of receiving them!

Jiang Wang reminded himself of this, knowing the road ahead was still long and that he must guard against arrogance and impatience. This day was his most glorious moment in the Qi Country, having secured the Yellow River first place, the title of the world’s foremost Inner Mansion realm cultivator, and receiving the Qi Emperor’s boundless favor before the Great Qi Ancestral Temple.

His position had already reached the third rank, granting him the right to wear a sword in court! Though true power had yet to manifest, nominally, he had already ascended to the upper echelons of the Qi Country. And the future held even greater promise.

Yet, the Emperor’s favor and punishment, dictated solely by the Emperor, were subject to change! He must understand the true foundation upon which he stood. The glory before him was fleeting; how the future unfolded depended entirely on how he himself walked his path.

Jiang Wang took three steps forward, each one firm and steady. There was no trace of arrogance, nor a hint of fear. He simply clasped his hands before him and bowed deeply, “This humble subject engraves his gratitude within his five viscera and bows to thank His Heavenly Grace! I shall strive diligently and dare not slacken!”

On the viewing platform, the contemporary Marquis of Destroying City, Li Zhengyan, gazed upon the youth at the center of the square, the focus of all eyes, and marveled in his heart. At such a young age, to achieve such accomplishments, to enjoy such glory, yet his eyes remained so clear. A figure of his stature understood the crucial importance of “sobriety.” Those lacking in sobriety might rise for a time, but they could never maintain that ascent for a lifetime.

A youth barely nineteen, achieving success so young, a son of heaven, yet able to maintain sobriety in the face of unprecedented glory – this was truly rare and precious. Small wonder his esteemed elder brother also held this youth in such high regard.

Initially, when Li Longchuan had befriended Chong Xuan Sheng and Jiang Wang, thus aligning himself with Chong Xuan Zun and Wang Yiwu’s opposing side, Li Zhengyan had felt some dissatisfaction. It was only due to his trust in Li Longchuan, knowing his son always acted with measure, that he had refrained from speaking further.

Now, looking at the assembled children of dukes and ministers, he realized few could truly compare with this Jiang Wang. From a utilitarian perspective, Li Longchuan’s forging of this friendship had proven exceptionally worthwhile!

Pondering this, Li Zhengyan suddenly chuckled to himself. If his elder brother were to hear these thoughts, he would surely rebuke him for dwelling on vulgar matters and becoming stained by them! Yet… among this entire court of dukes and ministers, these meritorious nobles of the world, how many could truly avoid “vulgarity”?

He mused silently, wondering how long this youth’s clarity of vision could be preserved!

The main ritual official proclaimed the imperial decree, and a procession of eunuchs filed out, bearing the rewards on jade trays.

On the first jade tray lay a meticulously crafted storage box, filled with a thousand yuan stones.

The second jade tray held land deeds and house deeds, pressed down by a key, representing a mansion within Linzi City. The Qi Country had dominated the eastern domain for decades, and mansions within Linzi City were not easily acquired elsewhere, even with wealth. Without the corresponding power and status, one would struggle to hold onto them for long.

The third jade tray bore a jade plaque, the credential to enter the Emperor’s inner treasury and select a super-grade dao technique.

The fourth jade tray held a folded outer garment. It appeared quite flowing and vibrant, though its specific qualities were unknown.

It was only at this moment that Jiang Wang suddenly realized the Ruyi Immortal Garment was likely the most precious of these rewards! It wasn’t that he possessed discerning eyes capable of identifying treasures or recognizing their origins at a glance. Rather, among the four eunuchs bearing the trays, the first three were ordinary minor eunuchs, while the last was the Chief Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonies, and none other than the familiar Qiu Ji! The identity of the presenter was so disparate that the “ritual” itself was naturally elevated in significance!

Especially since Qiu Ji’s eyes held a smile, clearly approving of this “gift.” This was a silent hint.

Truth be told, the Emperor’s rewards this time were truly thoughtful in every aspect. Even this final reward was presented by Qiu Ji, who had already met him once.

The eunuchs holding the jade trays stepped forward one by one, presenting the rewards. Jiang Wang was not coy; he simply received them one by one, right there in the square, before the eyes of all. Strictly speaking, this was slightly impolite. Generally, such rewards were delivered to the recipient’s mansion afterward. But everyone knew that before receiving the house and land deeds this time, Jiang Wang still lacked a mansion of his own in Linzi. He had always resided in Chong Xuan Sheng’s mansion and had no housekeeper or other such personnel to receive them on his behalf… From humble origins to ascending before the dragon, there always needed to be a period to build a foundation.

It was worth mentioning that when Jiang Wang received the storage box, he deftly transferred all the yuan stones inside to his own storage box and then prepared to return the empty one to the jade tray. However, the little eunuch took a step back, avoiding it.

Jiang Wang was momentarily stunned before a surge of annoyance rose within him. That damn Chong Xuan Fatty! So the Qi Court’s bestowal of rewards wouldn’t be so stingy as to reclaim even a storage box. He had clearly been tricked by that fatty when he received the title of Qing Yang Baron!

On the high platforms on either side, not a few people let out soft laughter. Clearly, they hadn’t expected Great Qi’s hero and son of heaven to be so “honest and simple,” hearing it was a thousand yuan stones and simply assuming it was *only* yuan stones, even thinking of returning the storage box! At first, some had frowned, thinking him so stingy with wealth that he would even check before the Emperor!

Jiang Wang forced himself to remain calm, not letting his embarrassment show too clearly. As if nothing had happened, he put away the Qi Court imperial-made storage box and then, as if nothing had happened, looked towards Qiu Ji.

Qiu Ji still wore a warm smile, with no hint of mockery. Holding the last jade tray, he moved his feet.

From the elevated steps, Jiang Wuyou’s voice suddenly rang out. “The sons of heaven from the various countries have competed and seized the first place; this is a true testament to my Great Qi’s fine men!” She stood up straight from her desk, revealing a smile full of heroic spirit, “I shall personally drape this garment upon Jiang Wang!”

On the phoenix chair, the Empress turned her head to look at the Emperor, still unable to discern his expression. She also remained silent. Crown Prince Jiang Wuhua’s expression was tepid, as if he had heard nothing. Jiang Wuxie then placed a red fruit he had been about to eat back onto the tray.

It was worth noting that compared to the previous Grand Master’s ceremony, Jiang Wuqi’s seating position had not changed; he was still next to his siblings, still appearing to be one of the four most likely contenders for the dragon palace. However, he could no longer, as he had last time, have an embroidered stool to sit before the Qi Emperor. At this moment, he was draped in fox fur and seated, his complexion appearing paler than usual. Though he smiled, it seemed a great effort.

Jiang Wuyou’s healthy and powerful long legs seemed to tread upon the hearts of many. She descended the steps one by one, reached Qiu Ji’s side, took the folded immortal garment, held it in her left hand, and then walked over without looking back. From beginning to end, Qiu Ji kept his head slightly bowed, showing great respect. And Jiang Wuyou, simply holding the Ruyi Immortal Garment in one hand, walked to Jiang Wang’s front.

Jiang Wang looked into her eyes, feeling as though she was hinting at something. But Jiang Wuyou offered no small talk; she merely smiled at him and then said, “In the near ancient era, the nine great immortal palaces flourished. This Ruyi Immortal Garment came from amongst them.”

Jiang Wang’s heart trembled. Another object connected to the nine great immortal palaces! To speak of the Qi Emperor’s thoughtful rewards, this particular item truly exemplified care! His Ping Bu Qing Yun immortal technique had already been witnessed by the world at the Guan River Terrace. Among the many powerhouses of various countries, there were surely not few who recognized immortal palace relics. For the Qi Court, Jiang Wang’s possession of a part of an immortal palace inheritance was no longer a secret. Thus, this Ruyi Immortal Garment was bestowed upon him! It was not only a formal act of favor but also a reward that was perfectly fitting and useful. Sought out from the Great Qi treasury and specially granted to Jiang Wang. The Qi Emperor either did not reward, or when he did, it was with the intention of securing absolute loyalty.

Jiang Wang showed no emotion on his face.

And Jiang Wuyou simply unfolded the Ruyi Immortal Garment; its vibrant colors flowed in mid-air, and even after she had taken a few steps forward, a lingering afterglow remained, dazzling to behold. Jiang Wuyou walked behind Jiang Wang, and at this distance, she could feel even more strongly the unique temperament of his body. She felt as though she could hear the sound of his heartbeat, so composed and firm, like a song. It sang the story of this young man’s journey thus far.

From the perspective of an imperial daughter, she had undoubtedly made a very successful investment. Just how successful, one could tell by the reluctance of her ninth imperial brother. As an imperial daughter, “eyesight” was also a crucial ability, one that could greatly enhance her standing. And setting aside her identity as an imperial daughter, she did indeed see a quality in Jiang Wang that set him apart from others. Though still very young, his strength could not compare to those true powerhouses, yet he exuded a sense of great reliability. As if no matter the task, this person could accomplish it. If one day they could interact purely as friends, she believed it would be a different kind of experience.

Hearing that Jiang Wang had secured first place, Chong Xuan Sheng had been ecstatic to the point of madness at the Guan River Terrace. Knowing that fatty, she found it truly rare. Chong Xuan Sheng, though always playful and thick-skinned, rarely had moments of true abandon. From this angle, Jiang Wang’s black, lustrous long hair hung quietly, tied simply with a hairband. Of course, she could also feel a mysterious pattern at the junction of his spine and cervical vertebrae at his back. The “god’s” will within had already been erased, leaving only a kind of original aura. It was said that at the Guan River Terrace, it had guided starlight, causing the stars to descend, turning day into night, and helping him shatter Qin Zhizhen’s divine ability iron wall.

She suddenly yearned to witness what a magnificent scene that had been. Of course, there were things for the moment. She unfolded the Ruyi Immortal Garment and personally draped it upon Jiang Wang. That flowing, vibrant immortal garment silently concealed its brilliance, transforming into an ordinary-looking blue shirt that covered Jiang Wang’s original clothes.

On the high platform, Chong Xuan Mingguang was so envious his teeth ached. Imperial rewards bestowed by the Emperor, presented by the Chief Eunuch, and draped by an imperial daughter! What kind of glory was this! Then he looked at his own son of heaven, an outstanding talent, whose heavenly mansion covered the world, yet he had been casually dismissed. He couldn’t help but curl his lips. Hmph, merely a retainer!

When the Ruyi Immortal Garment was draped upon him, Jiang Wang already understood its abilities. The garment’s size could be changed at will, its comfort was self-evident, and its dust-repelling effect was something almost all treasure garments possessed. From the moment it settled upon him, it began absorbing his power in a way he couldn’t yet fully comprehend. Dao Yuan, blood qi… it seemed to absorb any kind of power without “pickiness,” stopping once saturated. At first, it felt very strange. But the absorption was incredibly minute and gentle, causing no harm to the wearer. The speed of absorbing Dao Yuan was far slower than the rate at which the Tongtian Palace automatically generated it. The speed of absorbing blood qi couldn’t compare to the human body’s automatic recovery.

This method of absorption felt very similar to the way the Lingkong Hall absorbed yuan qi in the void. It was possibly a common technique from the immortal palace era. At the same time, he could also actively infuse power, accelerating its absorption rate. And the power absorbed by the Ruyi Immortal Garment formed a secret array pattern. This pattern had two effects: one was to preserve power, which could be returned to the wearer at any time. The second was to resist different degrees of harm based on the power consumed. Its defensive limit was currently unknown.

Compared to its defense, Jiang Wang cared more about the former. In a sense, having this immortal garment draped upon him was equivalent to having another reserve of Dao Yuan or blood qi! The so-called Ruyi Immortal Garment seemed to be “ruyi” not only in its ability to change size at will, but also in this aspect. It was a pity it couldn’t absorb divine ability light. Jiang Wang quietly tried, but there was no reaction. It ultimately couldn’t compare to Qin Zhizhen’s Myriad Transformations… As for the information about the immortal palace that this garment represented, he had yet to obtain any.

These thoughts fleetingly crossed his mind, and Jiang Wang bowed lightly, “Thank you, Hua Ying Palace Lord.”

“For a strong man of my Great Qi, I too feel honored, what is there to thank?” Jiang Wuyou stepped back, looked at him from a distance for a few moments, nodded with satisfaction, and then walked back to the high platform, her gait forthright and without any hesitation. Truly heroic and vigorous.

Civil and military officials, meritorious nobles and imperial relatives, and the common people all watched. She walked between Jiang Wang and the Qi Emperor, her resplendent palace robes draped upon her, like a walking dragon. At the end of this “dragon walking” trajectory, the Qi Emperor sat alone on his dragon chair, silent yet possessing the majesty that subjugated all directions. And at the starting point of the “dragon walking,” stood Jiang Wang, draped in the Ruyi Immortal Garment, composed and steady in the vast square before the Ancestral Temple.

He was nineteen years old, every word and smile attracting attention. His brows and the tips of his hair were filled with soaring spirit. And so it was at this moment. Dukes and ministers prominent, the seats filled with official robes. He stood at the center.

On this day, the 21st of July, in the 55th year of Great Qi’s Yuanfeng era. Late summer had arrived, high autumn was still distant.

No need for a spring breeze, he was naturally proud!