“It seems you’ve managed to offend the First Heaven’s Chosen of our land,” Shi Mingli remarked, his gaze following the figure’s receding, upright back.

“One cannot say for certain whether the Equality Country will act, or how. Beforehand, there’s nothing to declare, no crime committed,” Su Guan Ying responded, also watching the disappearing form. “Ruan Jianzheng is stationed within the Si Xuan Underworld Palace; we made no attempt to conceal this, even hinting at the inherent risks. Wu An Hou is not a narrow-minded individual. As I see it, he simply resolved not to tread the path of officialdom.” Su Guan Ying spoke slowly, “We, who scramble and connive in the world of officialdom, are not of the same path as he.”

“He is only twenty years of age this year, is he not?” Shi Mingli inquired.

“I recall he is twenty-one,” Su Guan Ying replied.

“To possess such clarity of mind and such resolve at such a tender age is truly rare and precious,” Shi Mingli praised profusely, then seamlessly added, “Since he has no need for it, that portion of his shall be divided amongst my military mansion.”

Su Guan Ying nodded halfway, then stopped, “I see the Governor’s Office is more in need.”

“Today, I sustained an injury that will not mend in under three to five months.”

“In truth, this governor also suffered an injury, one to the Primordial Spirit, which you cannot discern for the moment.”

“If one cannot discern it, then it is as if it is not. Surely Governor Su understands this principle?”

“How many individuals are in the Governor’s Office, and how many in the military mansion? As this governor sees it, we should still allocate according to proportion…”

“The officials in your Governor’s Office spend their days feasting and drinking, untouched by wind or sun. My stalwart soldiers, however, may find themselves handling matters with their heads in their hands. Such cultivation resources should be allocated based on the degree of danger, for only then can it be considered fair.”

“General Shi’s words are without meaning. You have your concept of fairness, the Equality Country has its concept of fairness. Ultimately, what is fairness? From ancient times, the civil and military have differed, each with their rights and responsibilities, interests and prospects, different class divisions…”

The casual banter between the two Realized Immortals dispersed into the wind.

All who live a lifetime in the mortal realm, whether in public office or the marketplace, are not so different.

Although several examinees perished, the military examination proceeded smoothly.

Yet, with the affair of the Equality Country, the occasion, which should have been filled with excitement, passed by flatly and plainly.

How many years later will it be before one or two of these examinees today will have the opportunity to touch upon a scene of this level again?

Su Guan Ying and Shi Mingli personally evaluated and assigned outstanding examinees to various governmental offices, which need not be mentioned further. Jiang Wang, bringing his Old Mountain Iron Cavalry, returned directly to Old Mountain.

As the chief examiner, every examinee this time could be considered his disciple.

But that was merely a nominal connection.

If Chong Xuan Sheng could make use of them, then let Chong Xuan Sheng manage it. If Chong Xuan Sheng had no use for them, he would simply focus on his own cultivation.

As for other gains, after the official examination formally concluded, Su Guan Ying and Shi Mingli indicated that his Old Mountain Iron Cavalry could be allocated stipends. At the same time, they expressed hope that future official examinations would be overseen by the Old Mountain Iron Cavalry. This served as a justification for the allocation of stipends and also used the Wu An Hou Mansion, independent of the South Border military and political system, to ensure the fairness of the official examination. This degree of courtesy, and indeed the ability to accomplish tangible matters, was something Jiang Wang did not reject outright.

Night fell, within the separate mansion on Old Mountain.

Inside the Star River Pavilion of the Too Virtual Illusion Realm.

“Why did Ruan Jianzheng say he had already obtained the greatest harvest?” Jiang Wang furrowed his brow and asked, “I don’t see any harvest.”

Chong Xuan Pang sat there for a long while, his brow furrowed and eyes cold, before finally being unable to contain his mockery, “Is our Wu An Hou feigning ignorance, or has he become truly foolish?”

“Just tell me quickly,” Jiang Wang said impatiently, “After dawn, I have to go take a look at your troublesome Ming Kong Cold Mountain, and you have to spar with Champion Hou. Let’s not waste time.”

Chong Xuan Pang was momentarily choked, then annoyed, “Is this the attitude of someone asking a question?”

“Alright, alright, alright, Brother Sheng’s criticism is well-founded.” Jiang Wang assumed an upright posture, “Please, proceed at your leisure.”

Chong Xuan Sheng finally spoke, “First, we have narrowed the range of King Zhao’s hidden identity. In the future, King Zhao’s actions will be more difficult, and also more dangerous.”

“Second, the cohesion of an organization like the Equality Country, besides their so-called ideals, is to a large extent built upon personal worship of their leader. For a figure at the highest leadership level like King Zhao to act publicly without merit and return is a major failure, which will shake the confidence of many.”

“Third, this incident allows for the justified and orderly opening of the Si Xuan Underworld Palace, and the justified and orderly deployment of True Monarch level experts to permanently station in the South Border. The Equality Country has gone to such lengths, King Zhao has even attacked outside Gui Yi city. Even if the surrounding countries are wary, even if Qi Country has no intention of stirring up trouble in the South Domain, surely they cannot fail to protect their own Si Xuan Underworld Palace? Justification and order are very important things.”

“Is there a fourth?” Jiang Wang was somewhat surprised.

“Did Ruan Jianzheng meet with you?” Chong Xuan Sheng asked.

Jiang Wang nodded, “Yes, he told me to go to the Si Xuan Underworld Palace tomorrow.”

Chong Xuan Sheng narrowed his eyes, “Didn’t you just say that after dawn you have to go help me look after Ming Kong Cold Mountain?”

Jiang Wang’s face showed no change in color, “Go finish at the Si Xuan Underworld Palace, then go to Ming Kong Cold Mountain. These do not conflict.”

Chong Xuan Sheng let out two cold laughs, “Then the fourth point, you’ll know after you see Ruan Jianzheng.”

“Like this,” Jiang Wang was instead not anxious. He thought for a moment, then said, “Just thinking that at dawn you’ll have to go train again, my heart as your brother cannot bear it. How about I give you a couple of pointers?”

“Will Wu An Hou’s pointers allow me to surpass Lou Sheng and Shen Lin?”

“They’ll allow you to last a few more rounds.”

The descendant of Bo Wang Hou scoffed and exited the Star River Pavilion in a huff.

Since the public construction of the Too Virtual Corner Tower, the changes within the Too Virtual Illusion Realm have accelerated day by day.

This is not only reflected in its increasing recognition by the populace, but also in its obvious internal evolution. The Too Virtual Illusion Realm of the past had only two truly core and real structures: the Yan Dao Platform and the Lun Jian Platform. The former was used for the practical deduction of cultivation techniques, while the latter could completely replicate a cultivator’s physical state and truly reflect their combat ability.

But apart from the Lun Jian Platform and the Yan Dao Platform, everything else was somewhat rudimentary.

Now, it is different. From the Star River Pavilion to the Hong Meng space, everything appears more real and concrete.

The former could be compared to a private room in a wine house, emphasizing privacy. The latter, however, is like a temple fair or market, bustling with life. Sometimes, within the Too Virtual Illusion Realm, one might even feel as though this is a truly existing world.

The creation of the Too Virtual Scroll is also already on the agenda within various forces. Soon, the final decision at the Too Virtual Illusion Realm level will be made. There is a very high probability that it will be approved. At that time, the Too Virtual Illusion Realm will again welcome another period of rapid development.

Returning to the blessed land space, Jiang Wang cast aside his distracting thoughts and quietly researched a technique of Array Dao.

The blessed land he currently occupied was North Mountain, ranked seventieth. After witnessing the might of the Si Xuan Underworld Palace, he had even greater expectations for blessed lands. If all goes as planned, September will be the time for him to formally begin his journey into his own blessed land.

Although it had been repeatedly downgraded, this blessed land space showed no significant change compared to when he first saw it.

There was only the sundial, the Yan Dao Platform, and the blessed land gate, with nothing else.

Jiang Wang’s Yan Dao Platform had originally unlocked the sixth level of the system. Coupled with several honors that would retain their effect even after promotion—such as the Too Virtual Strongest Teng, Too Virtual Strongest Inner Mansion, and Too Virtual Messenger—it could now exhibit the effect of a nine-layered Yan Dao Platform, which was very helpful for deducing Dao techniques.

Honors such as Too Virtual Four Symbols Cultivator would disappear after promotion on the Lun Jian Platform. While Jiang Wang did not win the honor of Too Virtual Strongest Outer Lou, he had already leaped into the Shen Lin realm. This counted as losing one permanent honor effect. However, compared to the regret within the Too Virtual Illusion Realm, that leap on the Fa Xia battlefield was certainly more important.

As for honors at the Shen Lin level, his current Lun Jian Platform had already recovered to the level that Zuo Guanglie possessed in his time. However, the Shen Lin level Lun Jian in the Too Virtual Illusion Realm was not yet open, likely because the number of Shen Lin cultivators who regularly participated in the Too Virtual Illusion Realm was not large enough to form a scale suitable for Lun Jian. And the Shen Lin cultivators attracted by Xu Yuan’s seventy-two blessed lands were all in the midst of blessed land challenges.

When the time comes, and Shen Lin cultivators also engage in endless battles within the Star River on the Lun Jian Platform, the Too Virtual Illusion Realm will reach another level.

The grade of the Yan Dao Platform, however, still lagged far behind that of Zuo Guanglie’s time. Firstly, the Too Virtual Illusion Realm originally had a greater thirst for cultivation techniques, and thus awarded more merit. Secondly, Zuo Guanglie was a top-level genius in the field of technique and law within the Chu Country, having created countless Dao techniques, and his contributions to the Too Virtual Illusion Realm far surpassed those of cultivators at the same level. Thirdly, Zuo Guanglie, who held Chi Bai, had experienced far more wars than Jiang Wang, conquering countries and accumulating techniques, naturally yielding significant results.

The next day, Jiang Wang arrived at the Star Pattern Tiger Platform early.

The soldiers guarding the Tiger Platform, using corresponding legal decisions, opened the underground palace entrance. Even after the intense battle of yesterday, where the Tiger Platform permanently left the Star Pattern, this entrance mechanism was still not destroyed.

The power of Yan Dao was indeed extraordinary. The long stone stairs extending deep underground were not dim. Lamps were set into the walls, with luminous pearls suspended virtually.

The echo of boots on the stone stairs held a hidden sense of rhythm.

That feeling was one of antiquity. One should know that its predecessor, “Tian Zhu Si Xuan Tian,” had already endured the passage of the long river of time. After being refined into the Si Xuan Underworld Palace, it had also evolved over long years.

As Jiang Wang walked here, it was as if he heard the echo of time.

He had once, on the Guan He Platform, pressured the heavens’ chosen of various countries, obtaining a glimmer of human path light.

He had once, with the help of Yu Bei Dou, briefly leaped out of the river of fate, achieving a false death in the present world to evade Yan Chun Hui’s sword. At that time, above the river of fate, he saw nothing. He was ignorant and unaware, trekking without hope.

He had once, in the underground cave of Chang Luo, used his body to suppress the disaster water, vaguely feeling the yin and huo being exhausted in the depths of darkness.

It was also strange to say. He had studied at Ji Xia Academy for so long, yet never had such a feeling. Perhaps, sometimes, you only “understand will move.”

He likely knew what the Si Xuan Underworld Palace was.

The long stone stairs finally reached their end, and the stone palace doors slowly shifted open to either side.

The palace interior was empty and vast, devoid of human presence.

Continuous clusters of buildings, palace terraces, buildings, and gardens, were like emotionless puppet giants. They narrated ancient history, quietly awaiting the fated ones who might or might not understand.

Too quiet.

In order to preserve the secret of the Si Xuan Underworld Palace, throughout the entire Shen Wu era, the Si Xuan Underworld Palace was never opened.

During the reign of Emperor Xia Xiang, Ming Shou Qi was the primary holder of the Si Xuan Underworld Palace, and his position within the Xia Court was naturally not ordinary. During the Shen Wu era, he constantly guarded the dead pass, specifically to avoid exposing the situation of the Si Xuan Underworld Palace. The fact that such an important task was directly entrusted to him, and that the Xia Empress Dowager and King Wu placed such trust in him, could be said to be without reservation.

How did Emperor Qi originally manage to win over such a figure? And how did he guarantee his loyalty, allowing him to guard it for thirty-three years in a disconnected situation?

This answer, perhaps, could only be known by Emperor Qi and Ming Shou Qi himself.

No, even more than thirty-three years. Because before Qi Country destroyed Xia, no one thought that the flourishing Xia Country would soon face destruction… Ming Shou Qi was prepared to guard it for an even longer time.

But thinking back.

Facing a peerless heroic ruler like the current Emperor Qi, how many people could remain unconvinced?

Jiang Wang silently sensed the similarities and differences between this underground palace and Ji Xia Academy.

In terms of Vital Energy, the Si Xuan Underworld Palace was not much stronger than the outside world. Even this minimal Vital Energy was very “fresh,” meaning that the Si Xuan Underworld Palace had only just begun to absorb external Vital Energy.

Before yesterday, it had always maintained an empty and silent state to conceal itself.

He naturally also felt the “window” of the Si Xuan Underworld Palace, from which one could glimpse the truth of the present world. Compared to Ji Xia Academy, its “window” should be much smaller, and its “vision” likely not as good as that of Ji Xia Academy… But strolling here, Jiang Wang felt no discernible difference. Perhaps it was due to his cultivation level; perhaps he would have to wait until the Cave True realm to truly discern.

At this moment, Jiang Wang imagined, to what extent of power would this boundless underground palace world ultimately require to be broken? The current Emperor Qi had long since ceased wearing armor. It was truly unknown what kind of heroic figure he was when he personally led expeditions in the past.

“Wu An Hou, what are you thinking?” Ruan Si, with an ink jade hairpin slanted in her hair, appeared beside him at some point. At this time, only Ruan Si and Ming Shou Qi were within the Si Xuan Underworld Palace.

A new batch of students would have to wait for the Governor’s Office to issue concrete regulations before they would formally enter.

“Jian Zheng adult,” Jiang Wang slightly bowed in greeting, then said, “I am thinking about the wind outside the window.”

Ruan Si laughed, “If it were someone else, I would inevitably rely on my seniority and say something about being overly ambitious. But Wu An Hou’s words can indeed be contemplated.”

The two walked to a high platform. In the due north direction, they could see in the distance a stone forest covered in clouds and mist. The giant stones were carved into various strange beast shapes, either roaring or baring their teeth and claws.

“That is also considered very distant,” Jiang Wang said.

“Seeing it does not mean it is far,” Ruan Si said.

“I still haven’t thanked General Ruan for giving me the opportunity to cultivate here.”

Ruan Si waved her hand, “The window to the Cave Heaven only allows you to see things a bit more clearly; the path beneath your feet still needs to be walked by yourself. To put it plainly, a treasure land like the Si Xuan Underworld Palace is more helpful for a genius who is not so much a genius. For a talent like you, its effect is not that significant. Even without the experience of Ji Xia Academy, you would still be able to see those sceneries.”

Jiang Wang was not being modest, he simply said, “If I can be faster, that is naturally better.”

“Are you very urgent?”

“Often feel… every instant of time is urgent.”

Ruan Si sighed, “Young man, you are too tense.”

Jiang Wang remained silent. There was no need to explain, because he completely recognized his own tension. If he could, he often wanted to be even more tense, to exert a little more effort.

There was no need to complain, because this was his choice.

“Do you have any thoughts of taking a turn in Jian Ge?” Ruan Si, also looking at the distant stone beast forest, suddenly asked.

“Jian Ge?”

A youthful smile appeared on Ruan Si’s face, “Jian Ge stands as a sword on the peak, asking who is the chief sword of the world. Your Long Xiang Si, is it not difficult to want to sound forth in the sword paintings of heaven and earth?” Jiang Wang thought of what Chong Xuan Sheng said last night and replied without changing his expression, “I do not understand General Ruan’s meaning.”

Ruan Si said without evasion, “Before there was no True Monarch stationed in the South Border, that was one thing. Since I am here now, the matter of Jin An Prefecture should be reconsidered.”

Jiang Wang naturally understood the strategic significance of Jin An Prefecture.

He thought for a moment, then asked, “What should I do?”

Ruan Si only laughed, “You are also too old for your age. Wu An Hou achieved success at a young age, you should be a bit more flamboyant.”