How should this decree be announced?

The official in charge was plunged into an unprecedented confusion.

Zhongxuan Zun had already strode away, "But this Yellow River Gathering...I shall fulfill His Majesty’s wishes!"

...

...

In front of The Imperial Ancestral Temple.

Upon the Cinnabar Steps.

Emperor of Da Qi was sitting in silence.

Sitting to his right, Jiang Wuqi looked toward the northwest corner of the sky above Linzi City, his eyes betraying a hint of eagerness to try, but he ultimately restrained himself, his lips curling into a smile.

Queen He joyfully said, "Congratulations to Your Majesty, our Daqi produces talents one after another, all thanks to Your great governance."

Emperor of Da Qi raised his hand and chuckled, "Talents have always emerged naturally through the ages. As for governance...as long as the world can rejoice, and the people can live in peace, that is comfort enough for my heart. And you, my queen, have contributed to this as well."

The queen modestly replied, "Managing the harem is just part of my duties, and it pales in comparison to Your Majesty’s tireless efforts."

Jiang Wuhua, Jiang Wuyou, Jiang Wuji, regardless of their true feelings, all wore smiles.

Of course, Jiang Wuyou was the happiest among them.

Because Zhongxuan Zun had advanced to the Outer Building, and there were no more obstacles ahead for Jiang Wang.

Emperor of Da Qi looked at her radiant with sunlight, "Wuyou, your imperial father almost forgot to ask, when you say you are observing the wonders of Daqi, I wonder whom you find impressive?"

Jiang Wuyou did not play coy but spoke directly, "Ji Zhaonan is certainly a wonder. Among the others, in my opinion, Jiang Qingyang stands out!"

Her words implied that Bao Bozhao, Xie Baoshu, Chao Yu, Cui Zhu, and Lei Zhanqian were all inferior to Jiang Wang.

And since Ji Zhaonan, as a disciple of the War God, was almost a whole cycle older than Jiang Wang, Jiang Wuyou’s pairing of the two actually showed a greater preference for Jiang Wang.

Those present were naturally aware of the events at the End of the World Platform and knew that Jiang Wuyou had placed a heavy bet on Jiang Wang. To hear her creating momentum for Jiang Wang seemed only natural.

"Oh?" The Emperor of Da Qi seemed interested and asked further, "If Zhongxuan Zun hadn’t broken through his realm, do you think that Jiang Qingyang would still stand out?"

If even the top rank of the Inner Mansion had to be conceded by others, that wouldn’t count as standing out.

Jiang Wuyou laughed confidently, "In my opinion, even in the presence of Chongxuan Fenghua, Jiang Qingyang would not be outshone in the least!"

"Cough, cough." Jiang Wuqi couldn’t help but cough twice.

He had always appreciated Jiang Wang, just as he would any outstanding talent within the nation. However, he didn’t think that Jiang Wang could match Zhongxuan Zun. He had personally witnessed the battle between Jiang Wang and his cousin Lei Zhanqian and was very clear that in terms of pure strength, Lei Zhanqian actually had the upper hand. Although Jiang Wang had gained fame overseas by now, he did not think that Lei Zhanqian couldn’t hold his own. And Lei Zhanqian...certainly would not stand a chance against Zhongxuan Zun.

Crown Prince Jiang Wuhua listened cheerfully to his father and sister conversing, appearing to enjoy this heartwarming moment.

While Jiang Wuji sipped his wine with a smile, behind his smile, there was a bitterness he could not swallow.

Of all the imperial princes and princesses, he was the first to show goodwill toward Jiang Wang, and right after coming out of the Seven Stars Secret Realm, he offered him a position of kinship. It couldn’t be said that he wasn’t sincere.

Before Jiang Qingyang set sail...he was the first one Jiang approached.

It wasn’t that he didn’t believe in Jiang Wang’s potential, quite the contrary, he believed very much. In the life and death game on Floating Land, when Jiang Wangfei soared into battle, with billions of stars within a single sword strike that repelled Lei Zhanqian...that moment had already astounded him greatly.

He was simply holding out for a more favorable deal, wishing to leverage his irreplaceable resources for better terms.

It never occurred to him that his third sister, Jiang Wuyou, would act much more decisively and directly, meeting Jiang Wang once and without hesitation, placing a heavy bet—he never knew that the Lord Huaying would have such a strong gambling nature.

At their level of influence, they certainly had plenty of resources at their disposal, but there were even more mouths to feed and power structures to maintain; no matter how great the resources, they were never enough to share. Deciding whom to invest in and whom to align with required utmost caution.

Because at the grand chessboard of Qi Country, these imperial clan members vying for power were closely matched up to this point, and it was hard to tell who could deliver the decisive strike; they were all focused on defending their own positions while gradually accumulating small advantages.

Before Jiang Wang visited the Hua Ying Palace, he wasn’t in a hurry, thinking that the other party would realize how generous his offer was after weighing the options. But unexpectedly...

When Jiang Wang became famous in one fell swoop at the Tian Ya Platform, and Jiang Wuyou, as the duel’s witness, brandished the Fangtian Ghost God Halberd.

He, waiting for news in Linzi, suddenly realized—

Jiang Wang himself was the irreplaceable resource, not his Yangxin Palace.

At least Hua Ying Palace, Long Life Palace, and Changle Palace were all watching eagerly. And he couldn’t find another talent as worthy of investment as Jiang Wang throughout the whole Qi Country.

As for Chongxuan Zun, he was certainly an exceptional talent. But at the same time, as a legitimate heir of a noble family, could he invest in him? Would he accept his investment?

Even for a talent like Jiang Wang with no significant foundation in Qi Country, if it hadn’t been for the incident at the Diao Hai Building, which prince or princess could he have turned to?

All he needed was to be loyal to Qi Country, loyal to Emperor Qi, and continue his cultivation systematically. Why risk vying for power!

In this world, there were too many smart people. Any person with potential had countless hands waiting with carts full of Dao Yuan Stones, looking for opportunities to invest.

Didn’t you see, as soon as the list for the Yellow River Gathering prepared by the Political Affairs Hall was announced, whose doorstep wasn’t trampled flat?

Jiang Wuji drank his wine and remained silent.

Setting aside how his siblings felt, Emperor of Da Qi was clearly puzzled by Jiang Wuyou’s answer.