Chapter 459
Before the words were fully spoken, the large-headed doll in hand had vanished.
The monks couldn't help but turn their gazes toward their master, the divine monk Huai Kong.
"What are you all looking at me for?"
"The thing on the ground..."
"What thing? Are you trying to say that this poor monk has a bad memory?"
As Huai Kong spoke, he turned to Mu Rong Xiao:
"Did you see anything just now?"
"Nope."
Mu Rong Xiao shook his head vigorously, like a rattle drum; he certainly didn't want to practice silent meditation.
Satisfied, Huai Kong nodded.
After a moment, a voice suddenly echoed through the sky:
"Across the world, only the divine monk masters the way of the mustard seed and Mount Meru. Please, show us your power."
Huai Kong nodded slightly and tossed the alms bowl at his waist into the air.
The bowl hung upside down above the high platform, with thousands of auspicious colors cascading down, distorting the surrounding space. It appeared to be the same size as before, but inside it had expanded significantly, filled with many wonders.
At the same time.
Ding—
Ding—
Ding—
The morning bell rang three times, and a dragon carriage emerged from the noon gate, pulled by a pure golden dragon, majestic and resplendent. Its body wasn't particularly large, yet its presence commanded respect, making it hard to look directly at.
The dragon carriage resembled a small palace, adorned with intricate carvings and flying eaves, with eunuchs and palace maids bustling about.
Surrounding it were the high-ranking officials of the dynasty, both civil and military.
"His Majesty has arrived!"
As the curtains parted, two figures could be seen within the palace.
One wore a crown, his face obscured, and when he appeared, it seemed even the sun in the sky shone brighter.
The other was the empress, the top of the Hundred Flowers List, exuding grace and dignity, embodying the aura of a mother to the world.
"Father..."
Jiang Chulong, wearing sunglasses, managed to look cool no matter her expression.
She had often imagined how wonderful it would be to stand openly beside her father and the empress one day.
But now...
She glanced back over her shoulder.
Not far away, Brother Li, in a white robe, looked handsome in the sunlight, while Sister Bing, in a dark skirt, was as serene as a lotus flower. Both were gazing upward, their expressions devoid of any reverence.
The little princess Jiang quietly took two steps back, moving a bit closer to them.
Above, a eunuch began to read the imperial edict, his voice booming like a great bell:
"With peace reigning across the four seas, so many talents have emerged, proving that under my rule, the world flourishes. I am greatly pleased..."
The speech was a bit lengthy, so let’s summarize.
The first part was just formalities, stating that under my governance, the world is thriving, and I am happy, which shows my leadership is effective.
All of this is my achievement. Who agrees? Who disagrees?
No one disagrees? Good, then why not shower me with compliments?
The second part outlined the rules for the Qianlong Conference.
The rules for the Qianlong Conference are quite simple~~
It’s a draw for matches, and the top three in the Qianlong rankings can enter the Tianren City. Each genius on the Qianlong list will receive royal rewards, with higher rankings yielding better rewards.
"I declare the conference open!"
The crowd erupted in a thunderous cheer.
In the grand painting of the nation, light and shadow played, showcasing highlights from past Qianlong Conferences.
The palace musicians began to play, their melodies lingering in the air, filled with passion.
"Imperial Capital, I have returned! I’m not here to boast about my strength, but to reclaim what I have lost with my own hands!"
"I never dreamed I would stand on the Qianlong stage and revive the Gangdou Sect. It is our duty."
"The Sword Intent of the Cloud, invincible under heaven!"
"If it weren't for Brother Li, I might still be struggling in the outer sect, perhaps even expelled..."
"The scenery of the Imperial Capital, the scenery of the Qianlong Conference, truly a sight to behold."
"Brother Li has plenty of ideas, but he is indeed a gentleman."
The crowd couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotion.
"....."
Ying Bing watched this scene, her thoughts suddenly stretching far.
It felt as if a breeze from Tianren City brushed through her hair, and for a moment, she saw the version of herself that once stood on that stage.
Back then, the Qingyuan Sect was already in decline, and she had come to the Imperial Capital to participate in the conference to escape disaster.
After winning, she felt no joy, only an increasing sense of solitude.
By then, no one was waiting for her news, right?
Now, there were people behind her, waiting, cheering, worrying for her...
She had reasons to win.
This time, she desperately wanted to claim the top spot in the rankings.
"Is that the Emperor and the Empress?"
Li Mo thought about using his Heavenly Fate Divine Eye to take a look.
However, the Divine Eye warned: [Warning: The object you are observing may cause unpredictable consequences. Do you wish to continue?]
"..... Maybe not."
Li Mo felt that his current life was quite good, and there was no need to seek trouble for himself.
Some existences, like the Nine Heavens Immortals, were already a great hassle just to know about.
He shook his head and looked at the others.
Finding investment opportunities was secondary; the main goal was to understand his opponents.
First, he had to be in the top three of the Qianlong rankings to qualify for Tianren City and help Bing reclaim the other half of the Tianhuang Domain.
Then, it was all about winning!
The spirit of the Qitian Battle was to forge an invincible heart. If he could reach the top at the Qianlong Conference, the spirit of the Qitian Battle would advance further.
By then, he might even get to try on the Great Sage's armor.
In simple terms, it was for Ying, but also for winning!
.....
P.S.: Sorry, sorry, it’s later than expected.
---
Chapter 513: Can’t Kill Her, But Can Scare Her!
The palace on the dragon carriage was positioned high, allowing a view over the noon gate, divided into different areas by the mustard seed and Mount Meru technique.
On the phoenix throne, Empress Chu Ge raised her wine cup, only to find Emperor Jing Tai gazing intently in a certain direction—right where Li Mo was standing.
With her captivating beauty, she smiled and asked:
"What is His Majesty looking at?"
"Hehe..."
Emperor Jing Tai sighed, "That is the little girl who retrieved the Tianren Divine Sword from Tianren City a few days ago."
As he spoke, his gaze subtly shifted away from Jiang Chulong.
"Is it because of her that Yu'er borrowed the Six Harmonies and Eight Wastelands Seal from you?"
Empress Chu Ge feigned ignorance, as if she had spent too long in the palace.
Emperor Jing Tai shook his head. "The one using the divine sword is that boy beside her."
"Without your approval, how could Tianren City have manifested?"
Empress Chu Ge squinted and asked again.
Not only would Tianren City not have appeared, but retrieving the divine sword was merely a word from Emperor Jing Tai.
Yet he did not intervene; when Ying Bing called for the divine sword, he allowed Tianren City to manifest and watched as the sword fell into Li Mo's hands.
"Let’s not discuss court matters."
Emperor Jing Tai said, then turned to a nearby eunuch and instructed:
"Bring the golden pearls."
"Yes."
The eunuch brought over a delicate box containing exactly one hundred small golden pearls.
"Your Majesty, let me draw the lots," Empress Chu Ge suddenly said, removing her ring and looking down.
At that moment, she seemed less like a regal empress and more like a lovesick girl, playfully teasing her beloved.
Emperor Jing Tai's expression remained unchanged, his voice low:
"If you didn’t act so disgustingly."
"...... Your Majesty truly dotes on me."
Empress Chu Ge seemed to take his words as a sweet compliment, her affectionate demeanor growing.
Then, under Emperor Jing Tai's increasingly cold gaze, she reached into the box and grabbed a handful of golden pearls.
"The Empress herself will draw the lots; the list is out!"
As her voice fell, the grand painting of the nation, suspended in the sky and covering the inner city, revealed a line of names.
All eyes in the Imperial Capital turned to it, and the first line read:
[Jiang Chulong vs. Jiang Yuyang]
.....
Now, little Jiang Chulong stood out on the Qianlong list, as she was the one with the lowest cultivation level among all the talented youths, only at the third level of the Observation Realm.
Under the canopy of the noble families, there was a moment of silence.
"She really... has returned?"
"And why did Father not send the Sky Patrol to capture her, allowing her to come to the Qianlong Conference?"
"The Emperor's intentions are beyond our understanding."
Jiang Yu suddenly spoke lightly.
After speaking, he looked at Princess Yuyang, saying nothing more.
Princess Yuyang was startled by his dual-colored eyes and quickly said:
"Brother Crown Prince, for the sake of the royal family's honor and for Mother, I will definitely win."
Princess Yuyang and Jiang Yu were siblings, both born of Empress Chu Ge.
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