Hua Ying Palace’s palanquin stopped in front of a teahouse at the end of a deep alley.

This was naturally a property of Zhongxuan Sheng, used for private gatherings.

Before Jiang Wang had gone to Seven Stars Valley, Li Longchuan and others had held a ceremony for him here.

Entering the teahouse, and proceeding into a private room, Zhongxuan Sheng and Fourteen were already waiting inside—not that this indicated any secretive contact with Hua Ying Palace, but rather that both parties intended to discuss and draft out an agreement regarding the matters of the day.

After all, they had all gone to meet Jiang Wang, and Jiang Wang was spared the need to respond separately again.

Jiang Wuyou and Jiang Wang each took their seats.

As usual, the Lord of Hua Ying Palace was the protagonist wherever she was. She raised her hand and directly said, "Is there anything else you can tell us which you couldn’t discuss at the Patrol Inspection Bureau?"

Jiang Wang thought for a moment and repeated verbatim what Zhang Song had questioned him about earlier.

Why did the people of small countries suffer greatly while the citizens of large countries could enjoy peace? And so forth.

These were things he naturally couldn’t discuss at the Patrol Inspection Bureau, as he himself also hailed from a "small country." It could easily lead to unnecessary associations and suspicions.

When Zhang Song spoke these words, he expressed anger, despair, and pain.

When Jiang Wang repeated them, he tried not to infuse them with any emotion.

The room’s other three occupants—Jiang Wuyou, Zhongxuan Sheng, and Fourteen—listened attentively.

They heard Jiang Wang out.

Jiang Wuyou scoffed coldly, "Does he think Qi Country’s strength comes merely from siphoning their blood? Does he think their small countries’ weakness stems only from tributes? Rights must correspond with responsibilities—you can only seize as much as you bear! Look at the history books, see how many countries in this world have perished! Without Daqi’s protection, many of their countries might not even exist! And yet they aspire to Channel-opening Pills, to Transcendent Cultivators? How ludicrous!"

In many ways, Jiang Wuyou’s statements were correct. While large countries enjoyed more resources, they also bore greater responsibilities. Not to mention, just consider how many Qi Country cultivators die on the sea borders every year?

Such a number might be unimaginable and even fearful for cultivators from small countries.

The only thing is... those living individuals behind the term "small countries," and the tragic circumstances of those from less populous nations, were indeed being overlooked.

Zhongxuan Sheng remained silent, but his expression undoubtedly showed agreement.

Jiang Wang felt a sympathy for Zhang Song that he could not express openly, a sympathy solely regarding his background and experiences. After all, he shared the same history of displacement and loss. Similarly, in his insignificance, he had witnessed the deepest suffering in the world.

However, neither Jiang Wuyou nor Zhongxuan Sheng could possibly feel the same.

It wasn’t about moral superiority, nor about being heartless or compassionate. Everyone has different perspectives, standing points, and experiences.

It wasn’t realistic to expect Jiang Wuyou, a noble of high rank, and Zhongxuan Sheng, a legitimate heir of a distinguished family, to comprehend the hardship of people from small countries.

In this world, true empathy does not exist; each person has their own sorrow and joy.

Thus, Jiang Wang said nothing else, merely stating, "His Pupil Skill is very formidable; it can capture one’s gaze, bewilder the mind, affect emotions, and mitigate harm. Outwardly, his eyes turn as dark as the night."

This detail wasn’t something he had intentionally concealed, rather he hadn’t had the chance to mention it at the Patrol Inspection Bureau.

Whether it was leniency or an attempt to curry favor, Zheng Shi seemed not too concerned with the intelligence Jiang Wang had perceived. Perhaps he already knew enough, or perhaps he realized that knowing more was not crucial. The Beiyaduwei was likely to have captured some intelligence.

"It is indeed a clue," Jiang Wuyou remarked. "But since he demonstrated it in front of you, it indicates that we probably won’t be able to uncover much through it. Either his Pupil Skill is very common, seen everywhere, or it’s a newly developed technique unknown to the populace. His Pupil Skill clearly belongs to the latter."

"I know only this much," Jiang Wang said.

"It’s also an unprovoked disaster for you," Jiang Wuyou shook his head, his tone somewhat helpless: "I don’t know whether to say you’re lucky or unlucky."

"Having strength brings good luck," Zhongxuan Sheng said with a smile.

"You make a reasonable point," Jiang Wuyou replied curtly and then said to Jiang Wang, "Before the Yellow River Gathering, you should not be distracted by anything else. Just focus on your cultivation, which is the most important thing for you."

Although she was speaking to Jiang Wang, her words were actually meant for Zhongxuan Sheng to hear.

In Qi State Linzi, what else could possibly distract Jiang Wang?

Only the rivalry between Zhongxuan Sheng and Zhongxuan Zun for the position of Family Head could potentially involve Jiang Wang.

Usually, Jiang Wuyou didn’t say much. Jiang Wang had his own relationship with Zhongxuan Sheng, but before an important event like the Yellow River Gathering, she hoped Zhongxuan Sheng would restrain himself a bit.

Zhongxuan Sheng merely smiled but didn’t take it as an offence.

Jiang Wang, of course, appreciated her kindness and nodded, "I understand."

However, as much as he said that, if Zhongxuan Sheng were in trouble, he would certainly not sit idly by.

Jiang Wuyou nodded, then turned to leave but suddenly remembered something and asked, "I heard that you encountered Wang Ao in the Lost World?"

It had been several days since the incident in the Lost World, and she didn’t know where the news had come from.

"That’s true," Jiang Wang replied.

Jiang Wuyou was clearly very interested, "How strong is he?"

"Extremely terrifying."

Jiang Wang recounted the brief encounter between Wang Ao and the Blood King. Due to his power level, he couldn’t observe more details, but the parts he did witness were already horrifying enough, a man worthy of the title as the foremost in the Martial Arts System.

After listening, Jiang Wuyou pondered for a moment, then stood up and said, "Remember what I said... I’m leaving now, no need to see me off!"

She didn’t wait for Jiang Wang and Zhongxuan Sheng to offer more courtesies and briskly walked away.

As she walked, she resembled a leopard, graceful and statuesque.

Decisive and straightforward in her actions and speech, truly a figure of spirited vigor.

Her interest in coming to the teahouse with Jiang Wang might have been more about Zhang Song’s impact on Jiang Wuqi but throughout, she didn’t mention the Long Life Palace once, clearly not ready to involve Jiang Wang in that affair yet.

Once Jiang Wuyou’s figure disappeared from the teahouse, Zhongxuan Sheng suddenly sighed, "Truly admirable."

"Why do you say that?" asked Jiang Wang.

Zhongxuan Sheng responded with a question, "Why do you think Lord Huaying is so concerned about Wang Ao?"

"Does she have an interest in Martial Arts?" Jiang Wang blurted out, then felt it wasn’t quite right since Jiang Wuyou’s cultivation system was definitely not Martial Arts, so he changed tack, "Some entanglement?"

Zhongxuan Sheng sighed, then asked, "Do you know why Lord Huaying is still only at the Inner Mansion Realm despite her age... Well, among the Palace Masters, she’s only slightly younger than the Crown Prince. Why is she still at that realm?"

"Refining her realm? Pursuing Tianfu?"

Jiang Wang suggested possibilities but also felt they were unreliable. Tianfu, no matter how powerful, was still just within the Inner Mansion Realm, unable to break the limit of 120 years. If one could reach God Arrives or True, why limit oneself to Tianfu?

Delaying achieving God Arrives until her life was near its end would indeed be a regret too late to mend.

"She is walking her own path,"

Zhongxuan Sheng said, "A completely new path!"