Not long after.

A voice announced from outside the door: “The Lord of Yangxin Palace has arrived!”

The Lord of Yangxin Palace was none other than the Ninth Prince, Jiang Wuxie.

Those already seated within the Invincible Martial Arena stood up one after another!

It was only at this moment that Jiang Wang realized he might have underestimated the effeminate prince. Perhaps it was because of Li Fengyao’s bluntness and Jiang Wuxie’s shamelessness in his presence that Jiang Wang didn’t fully grasp his position in Qi.

One must know that even Yan Fu had risen, though merely as a formality, it was not a courtesy afforded to just any prince!

This was a true contender for the Dragon Throne.

Among the diverse crowd, Jiang Wuyong’s face was a shade darker than usual. He had arrived first today, hoping to secure a good spot. He knew that many would come to watch this battle, and a good seat would undoubtedly reflect one’s status. He could also take advantage of being early to network a bit. As for the minor conflict with Jiang Wang before… a man of great ambition could not be bound by personal grudges, surely? He was willing to forgive Jiang Wang!

But upon arriving, he discovered that all the seats were the same, just bare wooden stools… and this was the first-class section worth a hundred Dao Yuan Stones!

Moreover, his “networking” was ineffective. He looked down on those who fawned over him, while those he sought to befriend, such as the Bao brothers and Yan Fu, were polite yet distant.

Being in Qi, as an obscure prince, such setbacks were common, frequent even since childhood! Yet he still couldn’t get used to it.

What truly darkened his face was that when he arrived, there was no such fanfare at all. Even Chong Xuansheng didn’t personally come out to greet him!

Of course, he wasn’t in a position to argue at this moment. No matter how displeased he was, he stood up obediently, greeting Jiang Wuxie, who walked in slowly, with a “Ninth Brother!”

Jiang Wuxie didn’t seem to particularly like this Fourteenth Brother, only responding with a barely perceptible “Mmm.”

Behind him followed four slender and beautiful palace maids, a testament to his consistent womanizing style.

When he reached the seat corresponding to his number plate, his first reaction was the same as most others – he was taken aback.

He turned to look at Chong Xuansheng with a somewhat wry smile: “Aren’t you being a bit too stingy?”

“I’m ashamed.” Chong Xuansheng showed no sign of shame: “The time was too rushed, there wasn’t time to arrange things!”

No time to arrange things, but you had time to collect money? And you even divided the number plates into three levels to collect money!

Of course, Jiang Wuxie didn’t expose him directly, probably because he was well aware of Chong Xuansheng’s thick skin. He was clearly shameless and didn’t fear being exposed…

His Highness the Ninth Prince, who could be shameless even in front of beauties, didn’t find a kindred spirit. Instead, he sighed with a hint of melancholy and waved his hand, whereupon one of the palace maids turned and left.

Before long, a team of servants entered in a file, carrying soft couches, canopies, small tables… all sorts of things.

In a short while, they had rearranged the Lord of Yangxin Palace’s seat – the space allocated for one number plate was clearly not enough, so they conveniently bought up the seats of several people nearby.

The four beautiful palace maids then retrieved wine vessels and jade plates from their storage boxes, filled with fine wine, fruits, pastries, and the like… everything suitable for enjoying while watching a show.

Only then did Jiang Wuxie sit leisurely on the soft couch, waiting for the show to begin, attended by the beautiful palace maids.

The Ninth Prince’s actions reminded many people that those willing to spend dozens or even hundreds of Dao Yuan Stones to watch the battle were not poor. One after another, they sent people to fetch items, at the very least to replace their seats with soft cushions!

For a time, this place resembled a construction site.

In the opposite “first-class area,” Gao Zhe teased Yan Fu in a low voice: “The richest man in Beijun is not showing his usual grandeur today!”

Yan Fu could only shake his head and smile wryly.

Beijun was the wealthiest in Qi, and the Yan family was the wealthiest in Beijun.

As the direct descendant of the Yan family, he was naturally accustomed to a comfortable life. Under normal circumstances, he would have rearranged things according to his wishes. But this seat had been given to him by Chong Xuansheng. If he made other arrangements, wouldn’t that be a clear sign of disdain?

As careful as he was, he would naturally not allow such a misunderstanding to occur.

But what he didn’t know was… Chong Xuansheng would have loved it!

At this moment, Chong Xuansheng was secretly showing off to Jiang Wang: “Look, our Martial Arena’s facilities have been renovated like this, and all with high-end goods!”

He said smugly: “These noble families would be too embarrassed to carry the chairs back, right?”

Chong Pang, you are also from a noble family.

Jiang Wang’s eyebrows twitched, but he ultimately said nothing.

After all, it was their shared Martial Arena… there was no need to be too petty about some things!

Just then, another announcement came: “The Lord of Huaying Palace has arrived!”

The Third Princess, Jiang Wuyou, had also come!

As with Jiang Wuxie’s arrival, everyone in the Martial Arena stood up again to welcome her.

Chong Xuansheng had anticipated that Jiang Wuxie and Jiang Wuqi would come. The former had once lost to Wang Yiwu at the same cultivation level, and now that Jiang Wang had defeated Wang Yiwu at the same level, he couldn’t possibly not come to see.

And Jiang Wuqi… Lei Zhangan was his cousin; he would surely come to support him.

But the appearance of the Lord of Huaying Palace, Jiang Wuyou, was something he had not expected.

This Third Princess had never been one for joining in on such gatherings.

But no matter what he thought in his heart, he remained amiable on the surface, taking a few steps forward to greet her.

Hearing the announcement, Jiang Wang, who had been closing his eyes and feigning battle preparation in order to avoid socializing, couldn’t help but open his eyes and look.

Since arriving in Qi, he had often heard of the Lord of Huaying Palace, but this was the first time he had the opportunity to see Jiang Wuyou in person. After all, she was the only princess among those qualified to contend for the Dragon Throne. He couldn’t help but be curious.

He saw a tall woman with a commanding presence walk into the Martial Arena. She was alone, without any attendants.

Jiang Wuyou was not the type of woman with delicate features, without willow-leaf eyebrows or cherry lips, and without makeup. But her features were full of heroic spirit, very pleasing to the eye, and made a lasting impression, unforgettable at first sight.

She wore simple martial clothing, and her figure was healthy and beautiful. Her long hair was tied up neatly, and a ponytail hung high behind her head.

As soon as she walked into the Martial Arena, she glanced around briefly, and her gaze fell on Jiang Wang, meeting his eyes directly.

Jiang Wang, who was secretly observing, instinctively dodged…

He had used the excuse of focusing on preparing for battle to avoid socializing. But now that he had been caught red-handed, he couldn’t help but feel a little guilty.

“After your fight, I have something to discuss with you,” Jiang Wuyou said directly to him.

Her voice was like shattered jade, crisp, decisive, and pleasant to hear. Judging from her tone alone, one could roughly deduce her strong personality.

What did she want to discuss with him?

Jiang Wang didn’t expect her to be here merely to watch the battle. He was completely clueless, but he could only nod in agreement for now.

The Lord of Huaying Palace’s invitation did indeed cause many people present to have various thoughts, but no one showed it.

At this time, Jiang Wuxie spoke up: “Third Sister, come and sit with your brother, there’s plenty of room here!”

“No need.” Jiang Wuyou had already seen the wooden stool in her assigned spot, but she still refused decisively: “I’ll stay in my own seat; Heaven and Earth are wide enough.”

What a presence! Jiang Wang cheered inwardly.

“Very well.” Jiang Wuxie smiled and let it go.

Only after Jiang Wuxie had greeted her was Jiang Wuyong able to greet her: “Third Sister!”

Although they were both princes, the gap in their status was real.

After all, only one person could sit on the Dragon Throne in the end, and the Great Qi did not have a tradition of idly supporting princes.

Each time an older brother or sister came, he had to stand up and pay his respects. He must be regretting coming so early now.

“Little Fourteenth is here too.” Jiang Wuyou nodded to him, lifted the hem of her garment without the slightest hesitation, and sat directly on the wooden stool.

With her hands on her knees, her back straight, and a solemn expression, she exuded the aura of being unmoved by the eight winds.