On ordinary days, Jiang Wuyou would never breach etiquette in offering greetings.

But once a fundamental issue was involved, she would never yield, revealing her resolute character.

Queen He gave Jiang Wuyou a deep look before smiling and saying, "The child has outgrown her mother’s influence! Since Wuyou is unwilling, no one can force you to go. Let’s drop the matter."

Jiang Wuji’s lips curled into a smile, bewitching and handsome.

Jiang Wuqi clenched his fist in front of his lips, suppressing a cough.

Caught off-guard by the turn of events, Jiang Wuhua said softly, "This chair is uncomfortable. Someone, bring the Third Imperial Princess a different one."

He took the initiative to defuse the tense atmosphere between the Queen and Jiang Wuyou, turning Jiang Wuyou’s rude act of standing up in anger into a complaint about the chair, giving both sides a way to step down gracefully.

"There’s no need," Jiang Wuyou said with a bright smile, sitting down again: "No matter how uncomfortable a chair is, you get used to it after sitting a while."

She didn’t give face to Jiang Wuhua, her words also subtly suggesting something.

Still, Jiang Wuhua responded with a gentle smile, "We’ll do as the Imperial Sister wishes."

He turned his head and instructed, "No need to change it."

The eunuch standing by bowed and obeyed the command.

This was an act of consideration, but from another perspective, it was also a statement.

After all, these eunuchs present were the Son of Heaven’s servants. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Apart from the Emperor and Queen, only the Crown Prince could directly command them.

Other Princes and Imperial Princesses, though they could get them to act, had to include a polite "please" out of ceremony.

It was not until then that the Emperor of Daqi finally spoke, giving an order to the person beside him, Han Ling, "You may continue."

The "Master’s Ceremony" could continue, so their veiled confrontation could stop as well.

The Son of Heaven hadn’t made a statement, which was a statement in itself.

The Queen’s face bore a slight smile, her demeanor graceful and composed.

All the Princes and Imperial Princesses quieted down, turning their gaze toward the square.

Han Ling lightly raised his hand.

Then everyone saw—

A white-clothed nobleman, with a book in one hand as if he were out for a leisurely stroll in the countryside, stepping onto the square.

It was as if the sky’s light had descended, clouds bursting forth in splendor.

The few people waiting on the square also had their own distinctive charm, none so overshadowed that they faded in comparison.

But at this moment, everyone’s focus inevitably fell on the man granted the title "Zhao Nan’s Elegance."

He stood still near The Imperial Ancestral Temple, across from the Emperor of Daqi, separated by Princes and Imperial Princesses, the Cinnabar Steps, most of the square, and the seven peerless youths waiting for their contest.

Bowing with clasped hands, he said, "The nation calls, and as a citizen, I bear the responsibility! Zhongxuan Zun is here to request a slot, to raise a banner on Guanhe Platform and exhibit the majestic spirit of our great Daqi!"

He clearly did not regard the contest at hand as a challenge, confident that he could raise his banner on the Guanhe Platform.

The Emperor of Daqi, sitting high on the Dragon Throne, looked down with an emotionless gaze, indifferently asking, "I wonder which slot the esteemed Zhongxuan is interested in?"

Seven pairs of eyes on the square, including Jiang Wang, turned to look at him.

On the high platforms on both sides, it was fine for those on the right with Transcendent abilities, who could see clearly. On the high platforms on the left, where ordinary citizens stood, many tiptoed to peek at him, with quite a few squeezing to the edge of the platform, just to get a little closer to the sight.

At first glance, it seemed as though everyone was against him.

The white-clothed man had already straightened up, standing out distinctly. His long hair casually draped behind him but did not appear disheveled, exuding only a sense of ease.

He was long accustomed to drawing all eyes.

First, he glanced at Ji Zhaonan.

As someone from the External Building Environment, he naturally had only two choices: the "External Building Environment" and the unrestricted category for those under thirty.

Ji Zhaonan’s face showed no expression.

Silver armor and white robe exchanged a glance,

Zhongxuan Zun shifted his gaze away. He said to the Emperor, "Zhongxuan Zun has just entered the Outer Tower, naturally seeking a place in the External Building Environment."

He sought a place in the External Building Environment, but he didn’t even bother looking at the current three competitors for the slots.

Among all who had advanced thus far from the entire Linzi selection, who didn’t possess some pride?

Xie Baoshu was already furious, yet he didn’t speak first.

Bao Bozhao sneered, "If you were in the Inner Mansion Realm, I wouldn’t mind giving you a spot. But to demand an Outer Building slot upon just entering, I cannot agree!"

The Bao family was a political rival to the Zhong Xuan Family.

He, Bao Bozhao, was not the least bit intimidated by the Zhong Xuan Family’s authority.

The Emperor of Da Qi did not utter a word as if he had no intention of intervening.

It was then that Xie Baoshu took two steps forward, turned to the side, raised an eyebrow, and his pride was unmistakable, "Playing along with you is what makes you Zhongxuan Fenghua. How old are you this year? Do you understand the vastness of the world?"

Chao Yu, who came from a military background, was even colder, but she couldn’t remain completely indifferent.

She simply took off the straight sword at her waist and said coldly, "You want a place? You may have it. Ask my sword first."

This woman was proud, commanding her own presence.

Zhongxuan Zun still didn’t look at them, only addressing the Emperor of Da Qi once more, "Your Majesty, may Zhongxuan Zun compete?"

The Emperor of Da Qi slowly said, "Running water never goes stale, so rivers and seas never dry up. Fairness is nothing more than the strong prevailing over the weak. A place, I can give you. But if you want the slot, everyone must be convinced."

This was a clear stance, indicating that Zhongxuan Zun should also join the competition for the place in the External Building Environment, competing with the current three Outer Tower Cultivators.

The Son of Heaven’s authority was unquestionable. It simply transformed the competition from three contenders to four.

Zhongxuan Zun once again bowed respectfully, "Zhongxuan Zun, at your command!"

He straightened up, turned over his left hand, holding scrolls behind his back, and then said, "Well then, come on."

He swept his gaze with his pitch-black, glossy eyes over Bao Bozhao, Xie Baoshu, and Chao Yu one by one.

He added, "I mean, all together."

A smile always played at the corners of his mouth, making him seem not very serious.

But at such a grand ceremony, in the presence of the Emperor and Queen, as well as the civil and military officials, he could not be joking.

So, he was serious.

There was no need for pairwise fighting, going from four to two, and then to one.

Just one battle.

He intended to face all three opponents alone, truly convincing all participants and spectators to concede entirely!

Such audacity!

The high platforms on both sides were very quiet.

Once the Emperor had nodded his consent for Zhongxuan Zun to join the competition for the slot, the final selection had begun. No one wished to disturb the solemn atmosphere of "the grand ceremony" at this moment.

"A madman!" Xie Baoshu laughed in anger, having already been infuriated by the Zhong Xuan Family’s fatty, and his mood had been bad ever since. To now face a lean one, unexpectedly, was even more infuriating.

"A genius praised by third-rate physiognomists, thinking you’re the belle of the Capital City?"

Not many dared to call Yu Beidou a third-rate physiognomist, but, in fact, Imperial Court Adviser Xie Huaian had always disdained physiognomists, having once denounced Yu Beidou as a charlatan.

He, Xie Baoshu, was also a chosen one, and grouping with the other two elites to gang up on someone newly joined to the Outer Tower—what was that about?

Would anyone acknowledge it if they won?

At this time, Bao Bozhao and Chao Yu remained silent, precisely for this reason.

"It’s settled."

But at this moment, the Emperor of Da Qi spoke, "Bao Bozhao, Chao Yu, Xie Baoshu, the three of you shall go together. If Zhongxuan Zun wins, the place will be his, no questions asked. If Zhongxuan Zun loses, I will have to punish him for disrespect and disruption of the ceremony!"