“Brother Lin, you seem a bit… distracted?”

The speaker’s eyes gleamed with kindness, her figure graceful and fair.

She was Jiang Li Meng, a favored child of heaven from the Inner Prefecture realm of the Flourishing Country.

Now, the Flourishing Country was no ordinary nation.

Though also a subordinate state of the Dao Sect, the Zhuang Country served as a nail driven by the Jing Country into the western frontier. One spoke of it as a nail because it constantly clashed with states like Yong, Luo, Mo, and Cheng. It would never dare to directly confront the Qin Country.

Even when the Qin Country openly “borrowed their border” to ambush and slay Zuo Guang Lie, the Zhuang Country could only swallow the insult in silence. Afterwards, they could only seek some concessions to soothe their pride.

They had no power to refuse the Qin Country, nor would Jade Capital Mountain ever demand such a thing of them.

The Flourishing Country, however, boasted of being the foremost subordinate state of the Dao Sect. It was situated directly in the Northern Domain and engaged in fierce combat with the Mu Country!

If the Zhuang Country was a nail, unable to wound any true opponent, and unruly enough to require hammering, then the Flourishing Country was a steel blade.

The Jing Country wielded it, slicing at the very vanguard of the supreme King’s Court!

Naturally, the status of these two nations among the Dao Sect’s subordinate states could not be mentioned in the same breath.

Yet, today’s Zhuang Country had achieved a great victory over the Yong Country, elevating its prestige in the western territories. It was now striding towards becoming a regional power. While it could not compare to a nation like the Flourishing Country, it shone brighter than many other smaller states.

Lin Zheng Ren and Jiang Li Meng had met during the Yellow Beam Secret Realm.

One couldn’t say they became old friends at first sight, but they had certainly become somewhat familiar with each other.

Hearing her words, Lin Zheng Ren instantly reined in his thoughts and sighed, “We fought hard just now, and I managed a difficult victory. But coming to View River Terrace, seeing the heroes of the world… I feel a little disheartened, and also ashamed.”

“You cannot say that,” Jiang Li Meng said seriously. “We, the favored children of heaven of this generation, should meet strength with greater strength, and courage with greater courage. How can you hold back and wound your Dao heart?”

Several other Inner Prefecture cultivators from Dao Sect subordinate states who were accompanying her also chimed in with words of “encouragement.”

“Yes, Junior Brother Lin, Senior Sister Jiang is right. If you yourself don’t believe in yourself, you’d best go home early. Lest something happen on stage, and you regret it for life.”

“With such a mindset, how can you attain the Great Dao? Lin Zheng Ren, you must think carefully! What did you come here for?”

“Ah, if you’re afraid, it’s not too late to give up now. After all, in the main competition… there have been quite a few dead and injured. You can also leave a spark for your Zhuang Country, you know.”

A barrage of chatter, each person seemingly acting for his benefit.

Only, none seemed to consider the consequences of a shaken Dao heart now that the competition had already begun…

Lin Zheng Ren, that honest, simple, and benevolent young cultivator, had not considered it himself either.

He faced them with shame, sincerely saying, “Senior Sister Jiang is right to teach me, and all the senior brothers are right to teach me. I, Lin, was born in a small city, my nature is not firm, and my vision is too narrow. Witnessing the heroes of the world, my heart was almost seized. After this, I will certainly know shame and strive for bravery, and not disappoint any of you!”

Jiang Li Meng said generously, “Everyone also cares about you, so they speak out of deep affection and a desire to see you improve. If there were any unpleasant words, don’t take them to heart. We are fellow subordinate states of the Dao Sect; we are of the same spirit, connected like branches. We should mutually support each other.”

Lin Zheng Ren then bowed respectfully, “That is natural! Lin Zheng Ren is not that kind of person who doesn’t know good from evil!”

The other several people all joined in the banter, in short, they chattered for a while longer.

It was this captain of the Dou E Army who finally spoke, “All you favored children, there are many people and ears here. Let us return to Jing Street to chat.”

Only then did everyone fall silent.

After all, these were elite soldiers within the Dao Sect’s territory. While one wouldn’t say they were afraid, they still had to show some respect.

Only, upon returning, one wondered how many of them would comfort him in person, only to seek connections behind his back, hoping to be matched against such a weak opponent as Lin Zheng Ren…

The main competition of the Yellow River Assembly naturally allowed for no manipulation, but the schedule of the preliminary selection matches… the six countries could exert some influence, especially the host, the Jing Country, which had significant room for maneuver.

In an occasion like the Yellow River Assembly, where favored children of heaven gathered, a single step forward or backward could mean a world of difference.

Who wouldn’t be willing to pick a weaker opponent? It allowed for easy advancement and also the concealment of one’s strength. Then, the chance to reach the finals increased.

Sometimes, between two opponents of similar strength, the outcome depended on who understood the other better.

Brushing past the Dou E Army, Jiang Wang’s gaze remained fixed forward as he walked into the “World of Terrace.”

He saw Lin Zheng Ren, but showed no hostility. If this person could give him a “surprise” later and reach his level in the Yellow River Assembly, then he would provide an answer.

That soaring Six Harmonies Pillar that pierced the clouds already instilled a sense of majesty and grandeur.

Beyond the Six Harmonies Pillar, however, lay another world entirely.

Looking forward from the entrance, one saw eight complete martial arts arenas, lined up in two rows.

These arenas were very similar to the Sword Discussion Platform in the Taixu Illusion Realm.

Or rather, they were all originally based on the form of ancient martial arts arenas.

Looking left and right, one saw rings upon rings of viewing platforms, layered upwards.

These surrounded the eight martial arts arenas in the center.

At this time, the viewing platforms were already filled with people; observational teams from every country were present.

Jiang Wang casually glanced around, then headed towards the viewing platform on the right side.

One had to admit, being followed by a contingent of Tian Fu Army soldiers truly lent a powerful momentum.

Wherever they went, they were met with upward gazes.

Even more, fearful of obstructing their path, people would stand up from a distance to make way.

Regardless of whether Jiang Wang was willing, in this View River Terrace, he represented the Qi Country. He needed to be powerful and proud.

So, walking all the way, he had quite the air of a swaggering crab…

Only the armies of the five supreme nations in the entire world dared to compete with the Tian Fu Army.

Most countries, even those subordinate to other overlord nations, wouldn’t dare to be arrogant in front of the Qi Country.

As a favored child of heaven from the Qi Country, Jiang Wang himself was a primary object of observation.

Of course, the reason it was said “most” countries, and not all, was because there were still exceptions…

Just like this group of people before his eyes, not only did they show no intention of making way, but every single one of them glared at them with anger.

Given their varied and unfamiliar attire, Jiang Wang had never seen any of them before, and he was inevitably a little puzzled.

“What’s the situation?” he asked via sound transmission.

He was asking the Tian Fu Army soldier he had become quite familiar with over the past few days.

The soldier’s name was Qiao Lin. He had served in the northern border garrison army initially and had been selected into the Tian Fu Army two years ago, making him a seasoned veteran of many battles.

“Xia Country,” Qiao Lin replied.

Jiang Wang suddenly understood.

To say that in this View River Terrace, with representatives from various countries gathered and favored children of heaven on equal footing, it would be entirely peaceful was impossible.

Not to mention the near-skirmish between the Qi Country and Mu Country teams at Suanni Bridge…

The disputes between the Qin Country and Chu Country teams alone never ceased. They were mindful of the prestige of their great nations, so large-scale fights were impossible. However, private individual challenges… Jiang Wang knew of no less than ten already.

The tragedy of the River Valley War left the people of Chu still licking their wounds even now.

Meanwhile, not long ago, the Qi Country had aggressively occupied Sword Edge Mountain, where Jiang Meng Xiong slew a True Person in array combat before leisurely descending the mountain. After administering a “small punishment to warn the large,” they “returned” Sword Edge Mountain by imperial decree…

This humiliation was naturally something the Xia Country could not forget either.

As the stronger party, representing the Qi Country, Jiang Wang naturally maintained a relaxed expression and calmly walked past this group of people.

“Is that Favored Child Jiang?” From among the Xia Country group, a pale-faced young man stood up and, facing Jiang Wang, said with a strained smile, “I look forward to fighting you.”

Jiang Wang smiled, “I look forward to it very much as well. I look forward to seeing you on stage.”

The young man’s mouth twitched, clearly grinding his teeth. “I won’t disappoint you.”

Jiang Wang nodded perfunctorily, “Excuse me.”

With an air of “you are fundamentally not qualified to converse with me for too long,” he swaggered away with his people.