Dragon Palace is very large, but lacking one beauty diminishes its vibrancy.

With Jiang Wang having originally slipped away and Ye Qingyu also gone, the space beside Huang Sherui seemed even emptier.

The romantic golden age… is always scattered by wind and rain!

She was very displeased and glared fiercely at Zhongshan Weishun, indicating with her chin.

Stepping outside, Zhongshan Weishun, who also cared about his reputation, smiled and said to the people around him: “Huang Sherui insisted I sit there. Every major battle requires my guidance… Please excuse me.”

Then he quickly slipped away, filling the void and making up for the empty seat.

Xu Xiangqian and Zhao Wuyan were just in the adjacent seats, and they were already speechless at this point.

To be precise, it was the usually talkative Xu Xiangqian who had become silent after Bai Yuxia entered the palace.

Zhao Wuyan glanced at him and said softly: “You and Jiang Wang are also close friends, why didn’t you follow to see?”

“I didn’t understand it earlier…” Xu Xiangqian lowered his usually high head: “So Jiang Wang was preparing this gift! Even Senior Sister, who isn’t familiar with him, thought of it, but I didn’t. Ha, I’m really stupid!”

Zhao Wuyan looked at him and subconsciously softened her voice: “Sorry. I deliberately stopped you, not letting you fulfill your duty as a friend.”

In their previous interactions, no matter what happened, no matter whose fault it was, it was always Xu Xiangqian who took the initiative to apologize and reconcile. This was the first time Zhao Wuyan had said ‘sorry’ in their long time together.

But Xu Xiangqian didn’t feel happy; instead, he shook his head bitterly: “Senior Sister, you also consider me, how could I resent you? It’s just…”

He sighed softly: “Jiang Wang is really a very, very good friend of mine, second only to Longchuan. I have many bad habits and I’m very fond of picking on others’ faults. True friends are actually very few…”

“You feel he will resent you?” Zhao Wuyan asked.

“Someone like him, of course, won’t resent me.” Xu Xiangqian pulled at the corner of his mouth, his voice low: “I’m just thinking, such a dangerous thing… what if he failed? I might be trapped for a lifetime in the regret of ‘I could have done something but did nothing’.”

“Everyone has their own life. Even as friends, it’s not necessary to do everything together, and even less possible to do everything together,” Zhao Wuyan said slowly: “Specifically regarding this matter, you truly don’t need to blame yourself. I’m not saying this to excuse you.”

“Firstly, Jiang Wang wouldn’t have let you participate in this. Although he successfully killed Zhuang Gaoxian and left safely, the six words ‘execute the unrighteous and dim monarch’ have already sealed the conclusion. But before the matter ended, I believe he absolutely did not have full certainty.”

“Look at Jing Li, Chongxuan Sheng, none of these people went. This is clear evidence.”

“His earlier abandonment of his official position and title, his detachment from the Qi country, is also clear evidence.”

“I dare say, among the people who went with him to kill Zhuang Gaoxian, absolutely none of them had any attachments. It’s impossible for him to take a famous disciple like you on such an adventure.”

“And taking ten thousand steps back, even if he really invited you. There’s no way you, Xu Xiangqian, could intervene in this battle.”

She gently stroked Xu Xiangqian’s back, her voice soft: “This battle is regicide, almost an enemy of the world. Living in this world, few are without ties or attachments. Although you, Xu Xiangqian, have the duty of a friend, how can you not consider the feelings of your sect? How can you… not consider me?”

Xu Xiangqian fell silent.

Life has a hundred different states, of course, each is unique.

The news of Jiang Wang beheading Zhuang Gaoxian spread throughout this place.

Some were shocked by his strength, some were surprised by his courage. Others, knew what kind of hardships he had endured and how long he had waited for this day.

Zuo Guangshu’s eyes were already full of tears at this time, wanting to cry and laugh at the same time. If he weren’t representing the Chu country on this occasion, he almost wouldn’t have been able to control his emotions.

He tightly grasped Qu Shunhua’s hand and stood up, wanting to leave: “Let’s go see the lovely little sister!”

Qu Shunhua looked at him gently: “Can you go to the Yun country?”

He sat down dejectedly again: “Earlier, your divine presence was possible!”

Qu Shunhua, instead, held his hand and said softly: “Your divine presence is of course no problem for you, but you need more perfect achievements… I have some good news, do you want to hear it?”

Zuo Guangshu lifted his eyes: “Elder Brother Jiang’s sword split his heart’s obstruction; my heart is happy for him. Is there even better news?”

Qu Shunhua smiled: “Afterward, Elder Brother Jiang goes to the Yun country, comes to the Southern Domain, and doesn’t need to hide. His sister can also travel the world. Why not invite them to Chu? We can set a table at Huangliang Terrace and invite her to eat the Rising Dragon Banquet!”

Zuo Guangshu’s eyes lit up: “Great idea!”

“What’s so great?” The unenthusiastic Zhongli Yan sat down, not even fully listening to what they were chatting about, and just interjected from the side: “You people, none of your ideas are good!”

The young couple looked at each other, asking each other with their eyes— what’s wrong with this guy again?

They ignored him.

Dou Zhao put down his wine cup at this moment and stood up calmly.

“Eh, where are you going?” Zhongli Yan hurriedly asked.

If you were to say who in this world hated Dou Zhao the most, that would of course be Zhongli Yan. He dreamed of exiling the young Dou.

But if you were to say who in this world cared about Dou Zhao the most, that would also only be Zhongli Yan.

He was truly afraid that Dou Zhao would cultivate in secret and become strong without him knowing!

Dou Zhao walked outside without turning his head: “The true heavenly pride is not here, so of course I shouldn’t be in this place!”

No one refuted him this time.

But they saw him leave with long strides, his red-bottomed gold-edged military uniform fluttering like a flag.

Zhongli Yan hesitated for a moment, gritted his teeth: “Wait! You’re right, we shouldn’t be here!”

He lifted his foot and chased after him.

“Contending for the Dragon Gate” is considered a very important part of the Dragon Palace Banquet.

Just as the East Sea Dragon Palace embodies the authority of the Dragon Clan, the Longhe Dragon Palace is even more the last glory of the Dragon Clan.

To a certain extent, it seems to be a treasure of the Cave Heaven, comparable to a Cave Heaven.

And “Opening the Dragon Gate” is the Dragon Monarch freely opening this treasure to help the participants witness the true nature of the cave world. If the Dragon Monarch is in a good mood, he will even give some pointers.

The Dragon Gate doesn’t stay open for a short time. After the Dragon Palace Banquet ends, it usually continues until the end of February. It can be said to greatly supplement cultivators’ understanding of the true nature of the cave! It is extremely beneficial for cultivators who have just explored the True Person realm and is considered one of the best harvests of the Dragon Palace Banquet.

From ancient times to the present, there has been no shortage of strong individuals who have walked out of the Dragon Gate and achieved Cave True, giving it a layer of mysterious meaning.

So from ancient times to the present, there has been the saying “Leaping the Dragon Gate,” and people use this to describe rebirth and transformation, a change that leads to ascension.

But for some people, it’s not necessary to be so troublesome.

Like that Jiang Wang, didn’t he just leave and never return?

To obtain its true nature by oneself, there’s no need to seek it externally.

Dou Zhao, of course, also doesn’t need it.

As for Zhongli Yan… he hopes everyone feels he doesn’t need it.

Wang Yiwu was once also arrogant, but he has become much more stable over the years. He looked towards Chongxuan Zun without a trace.

Chongxuan Zun leisurely stood up, smiling as he left his seat: “Yiwu, you’re still here, testing their quality. It’s very close to Yuyuan here, I’m really bored, I’ll go slaughter some Asuras for fun.”

Throughout the Dragon Palace Banquet, the largest number of attendees were people from Qi and Chu.

In the blink of an eye, only Wang Yiwu remained among the Qi people, and only three remained among the Chu people.

Among these remaining three, two fundamentally had no interest in the affairs of the Dragon Palace. Zuo Guangshu was already planning “Jiang Anan’s trip to Chu” with Qu Shunhua, enthusiastically discussing the details of the trip, determined to make the little sister happy, and ideally, have her settle in Chu from then on!

Xiang Beiping, however, sat calmly, not moving. Whether others needed it or not, what others thought, had nothing to do with him. He felt he needed it, so he sat here.

After being blinded, he saw himself more clearly.

Examining all things with the heart, and viewing oneself with all things.

The shy monk from Sumeru Mountain in the corner of the Great Hall closed his eyes, moving his lips, chanting a spell. Unfortunately, no sound was emitted, and it was unknown what he was chanting.

Although his expression was serious, it was inexplicably funny, as if he was casting the spell “Everyone cannot see me.”

“What is Senior Sister Zhuo writing?” Ning Shuanrong, wearing a pine-green robe, suddenly asked.

“Just recording some observations…” Zhuo Qingru discreetly gathered her manuscript, looked at Ning Shuanrong, and then looked at Zhu Biqiong: “What about you? What are you thinking about?”

Ning Shuanrong smiled and said frankly: “At first, it was because I knew Jiang Wang was going to the Yellow River Meeting. I knew I couldn’t compete, so I gave up participating and didn’t contend with the heroes of the world. Now I think, I have some regrets. I really wanted to see the nineteen-year-old Jiang Qingyang.”

She looked at Zhuo Qingru again and confirmed: “Is it just recording some observations, no embellishments, right?”

“Of course—” Zhuo Qingru stroked her hair and said casually: “I didn’t write about any of you.”

She then asked Zhu Biqiong: “What about you? What do you feel?”

“Me?” Zhu Biqiong slowly stood up, her hands hanging by her sides, her fingers like knives: “Dou Zhao and Chongxuan Zun have both left, I want to contend for the Dragon Gate.”

Understood. Zhuo Qingru put away her pen.

In the Lingxiao Secret Land, the wind is always light and the clouds are always light.

Sometimes there are drifting rain and falling frost, but only for enjoying the scenery.

“Charge!”

Jiang Anan rode the enlarged, stupid gray in the sea of clouds, imagining herself as a majestic general, raising her hand to command mountains and seas, ordering a thousand armies and ten thousand horses. Just like her older brother, she would be sealed as a marquis for her military achievements!

At that time, I, Jiang Anan, will also be very busy! I won’t have time to see you then!

Just playing happily, crystal sweat drops gathered on her forehead. That silly-headed, silly-brained stupid gray suddenly made an acrobatic turn, swung its tail gracefully, and enthusiastically shook, just as she saw that smiling person.

“Oh no, here I go.” Jiang Anan scrambled and flipped off the back of the fast-approaching old master stupid gray. She turned and ran: “Didn’t I just not write my homework? Why did you call my brother!”

Jiang Wang carried her by the back of her collar with one hand, lifting her up. He placed one foot against the dog’s head of stupid gray, preventing it from approaching and licking. He looked at the dozing Tread Cloud Beast, A Chou, beside him and frowned: “Where did she get this accent?”

A Chou was always full of energy and was also famously fierce, but thinking about the news he had just received, this fellow in front of him had just slaughtered a True Person… His sleepiness instantly vanished. He blinked his eyes: “I don’t know.”

He thought for a moment, then carefully added: “Isn’t it those few wimps from Mo Liang who brought it?”

He, this old man, doesn’t understand this world! A few years ago, this fellow in front of him was still being kicked hard on the ground by him. How did he suddenly become so fierce?

Jiang Wang carried Jiang Anan forward: “You haven’t written your homework again?”

“I didn’t not write it, oh.” Jiang Anan seriously corrected: “I just wrote it a few days late.”

Before Jiang Wang could speak, she showed a sweet smile again: “Brother! You came to see me!”

She opened her arms, seeking a hug.

Jiang Wang truly couldn’t keep a straight face and laughed naturally: “Today, the one who came to see you might not be just one brother.”

He hugged Jiang Anan and turned around.

Jiang Anan thus saw…

Ru Cheng brother, with his short hair, very handsome, whom she called Little White Face.

Brother Tiger, with a full beard, eyes as big as copper bells, and a fierce appearance.

They all stood brightly under the blue sky and white clouds, all smiling at her.

She was stunned for a moment. Being still young, she didn’t quite understand what the emotions surging in her heart at this moment were.

Just many pictures suddenly appeared in her mind.

Brother Linghe holding her hand, walking to school in the early morning mist.

Brother Tiger lifting her over his head, running through the streets and alleys of Fenglin City.

Brother Ru Cheng always had many big sisters around him, and always liked to chase after her and ask, Anan, Anan, who is more handsome, me or Jiang Third Brother?

Junior Brother Tang Dun squatting on the threshold, laughing as soon as he saw her, Anan Little Senior Sister, is this fish steamed or braised?

Thinking about it, Jiang Anan just let out a “wa” sound and started crying loudly.

Du Yehu subconsciously retreated backward. Such a rough man was very at a loss, his expression awkward as he said: “Did I scare her? I’ve been living and eating in the military camp these years, I’m not as amiable as before. I don’t even remember to wash my face when I go out, and you didn’t remind me either…”

“What nonsense, you’ve grown like this since you were little!” Jiang Wang hugged Jiang Anan with one hand and hooked his shoulder with the other, hooking him forcefully: “Anan just… remembers you all.”

Jiang Anan, whose eyes were still shedding tears, stretched out her small hand this time and reached out to grab Du Yehu’s beard, carefully and sobbed: “Brother Tiger, are you… real?”

“Of course I’m real!” Du Yehu answered forcefully, pulled off a tuft of his own beard with effort, and lightly handed it to Jiang Anan: “Pinch it and see, is it real or not?”

He had originally returned home in glory with large and small bags of gifts, confident that he would become the brother Jiang Anan admired the most, but later everything ceased to exist… She was such a tiny little dot back then, now she can even ride a wolf!

He was clumsy with his words and hands, not knowing how to express his joy. He was willing to give anything.

But Jiang Anan didn’t take the tuft of beard; instead, she reached out to touch the gap where the beard had been pulled off: “Oh, are you hurt?”

Du Yehu laughed heartily: “What’s this!”

Jiang Anan gently stroked the place where he had pulled off his beard with her small hand and said to him very seriously: “You can’t be like this in the future. Mister taught us not to harm ourselves.”

“Eh!” Du Yehu responded and then scratched his head, saying: “Sorry, your Brother Tiger hasn’t read much. Mister didn’t teach me these things.”

Jiang Anan said confidently: “Mister taught me, I’ll teach you, just listen to me!”

“Okay, I’ll listen to you! I guarantee I’ll hit wherever you point!” Du Yehu grinned and laughed simply.

“Oh, right.” After laughing for a while, he thought of something and hurried to rummage through his storage box: “I bought you a gift!”

Zhao Rucheng, who was on the side, was originally still caught in emotion, trying hard to control himself. He suddenly looked up in surprise—being with his two brothers, he was extremely happy. Thinking that he could see Anan, he was even happier. He hadn’t thought about the gift at all… but Du Yehu actually thought of it!

How could the strategist of the Fenglin Five Heroes feel about himself?

His voice was filled with surprise and grief: “Didn’t we drink and talk together? When did you buy the gift?!”

Du Yehu unfolded the dazzling storage box for Jiang Anan to see, and glanced proudly at Zhao Rucheng: “Silly, right? Brother has a deputy general!”