Purple Pole Hall is the hall of imperial court deliberations.

The square in front of the hall is where the ministers wait and gather.

Jiang Wuqi is a son, but also a minister.

Although at the time no one dared to stay and give Jiang Wuqi a second glance, those throughout the imperial court and beyond who were concerned about the matter were all ears.

Jiang Wuqi, similar to the Son of Heaven and even more benevolent, was the choice for a wise ruler in the minds of many.

The only flaw was his innate deficiency, which portended an early death—yet as he continued to live year after year, the prediction of his early demise seemed unreliable.

There were even many who believed this to be an act of concealment by the Eleventh Prince, to nurture his brilliance in the shadows.

Without this shortcoming, he truly would outshine his brothers and sisters, making him an easy target.

How Jiang Wuqi navigated through dangers was not of importance to Zhongxuan Sheng; he merely listened to the outcome with one ear.

No matter who would become the Great Qi Emperor, it would ultimately not affect the status of the Zhong Xuan Family.

For a top-tier noble family like the Zhong Xuan Family, one only needed to be loyal to the Son of Heaven.

Therefore, the only thing Zhongxuan Sheng needed to focus all his attention on was Zhongxuan Zun.

Who becomes the Emperor is not important; who becomes the Family Head of the Zhong Xuan Family is very important.

During the time when Zhongxuan Zun entered Under Jixuegong, Zhongxuan Sheng had laid out many plans. After the ceremony for great masters, he also busied himself every day, setting up many fallbacks.

But not a single one was used.

Zhongxuan Zun did nothing.

It was as if he didn’t care at all that the industry under his name was being split up, or seemed completely unaware that Wang Yiwu had been thrown into the death row camp, or even seemed indifferent to the subtle change in the family’s direction where many family elders appeared to be more supportive of Zhongxuan Sheng...

Since the ceremony for great masters, he only met with a few core subordinates and then shut himself behind closed doors, focusing solely on cultivation.

Therefore, Zhongxuan Sheng knew that this elder brother was not planning to decide the victor now.

This was a sign that Zhongxuan Zun took him very seriously.

Even with the authority of Tianfu and the momentum over Linzi, he did not think of directly suppressing Zhongxuan Sheng in one fell swoop. Instead, he planned to wait until after the Yellow River Gathering, carrying the formidable reputation earned there, to then come back and crush him effortlessly. Of course, this was another kind of confidence. Zhongxuan Zun was confident that he would gain something at the Yellow River Gathering.

Overall, this was the stance of an upright and honorable teacher, making Zhongxuan Sheng’s tactics seem laughable in comparison.

What Zhongxuan Sheng should have done, and could have done, had already been done while Zhongxuan Zun was confined in Under Jixuegong.

Now that Zhongxuan Zun did not join the fray, spending his days in closed-door cultivation, it was as if he was still trapped in Under Jixuegong, leaving Zhongxuan Sheng with no way to make a move.

But how could it be the same as when he was in Under Jixuegong?

Back then, no one knew how far Zhongxuan Zun could go in a year. But now, it was well known that he was the pride of the Outer Building of Tianfu, outshining his peers, truly embodying the phrase: "He seized all the elegance of his generation."

He didn’t need to do anything, many things had already changed...

For example, the family elders who were on the fence, and even perhaps Zhongxuan Yunbo himself.

Although the old Marquis of Chongxuan would not openly declare his position, ever since Zhongxuan Zun’s three-to-one victory against the three prodigies at the ceremony, his smile had noticeably increased.

During this period, Zhongxuan Sheng couldn’t be bothered to keep running to the Marquis of Bowang’s Mansion and simply spent every day cultivating in Xia Shan Villa... um, watching Jiang Wang cultivate.

In his own words, he couldn’t outdo Zhongxuan Zun in cultivation no matter how hard he tried, nor did he want to waste too much time. Now, all the hopes for the "thousand-pound jewel" rested on Jiang Qingyang, whose name rang throughout Qi Country.

He must take first place at the Yellow River Gathering!

When it came to cultivation, Jiang Wang never needed supervision.

But occasionally, he would come out for a walk, to relax his mind and body, or to have some snacks—he didn’t use to eat snacks, but since he often bought them for Jiang An’an, he would taste whatever was said to be delicious, and gradually it became a habit.

Every time this happened, Zhongxuan Sheng would show up right on schedule.

"The Sea Clan has not been destroyed, how can we speak of ’home’?"

Bah.

"First in the world not yet achieved, Jiang Qingyang, how dare you slack off? Are you living up to your sister, living up to your brother Sheng, living up to the countless people in Linzi who believe in you?"

Jiang Wang could only silently return...

Morning classes, evening classes, a disadvantaged scholar draws up a list of enemies, the Fire Realm Art...

Time seemed to pass densely and tightly, inching forward moment by moment.

It was as though the terrifying storm caused by Cui Zhu and Zhang Song had already drifted far away.

As a participant in the Yellow River Gathering, he indeed had the right to distance himself from the political storm.

The enormous shadow lurking beneath the water’s surface seemed to have temporarily nothing to do with him.

The third day after the grand master’s ceremony.

Today, after burning incense and bathing, he could go to the Tianfu for "heavenly bathing" tomorrow.

And two more days later would be the day to go to the Pointing Generals’ Stage to receive guidance from the strong.

Then it would be time to choose the suitable imperial secret techniques, with the focus being, of course, on the Pupil Skill.

All in all, it was a time for rapid development of strength, and every step of empowerment was traceable. He had no reason not to seize the opportunity.

Zhongxuan Sheng said he didn’t need to practice cultivation anymore, that he couldn’t catch up with his cousin no matter what, but he, in fact, was also starting to fight for his fat life.

He had reached his limit in what he could do in management, and the only way to close the distance now was cultivation, which he certainly wouldn’t give up.

Of course, he still refused to accept Jiang Wang’s "guidance," especially in the Taixu Illusion Realm.

Every day he would spar with Shisi.

He took it very seriously, and so did Shisi.

But in Jiang Wang’s eyes, it was just—"I don’t know what kind of sparring this is, flirting with each other!"

"Hahahahaha!"

Zhongxuan Sheng could only respond with a burst of wild laughter.

...

After the third incense burning and bathing, thinking of finally getting rid of those pink petals, Jiang Wang felt refreshed and invigorated.

He put on his brand new martial outfit and even specifically went to check on Zhongxuan Sheng’s cultivation (which was actually an excuse to snoop around and find an opportunity to "spar" with Zhongxuan Sheng.)

Zhongxuan Sheng kept busily manipulating the Monster Art while chatting idly with Jiang Wang.

At that very moment, a Shadow Guard entered the courtyard in a great hurry.

By now, these Shadow Guards basically did not avoid speaking in front of Jiang Wang anymore, as they all knew about Jiang Wang’s relationship with their young master.

So as soon as he landed, he said, "We’ve just received news that the Army of Spring Death has marched out of Summer Country, breaking through a hundred miles in a single day. Wang Yiwu from the death row camp bravely took the lead, slaying the Summer Country’s Jianfeng Mountain Commander, Hua Fangyu! His victorious report has already been sent back to Linzi!"

It had been a long time since he had heard the name Wang Yiwu...

Whenever he appeared, it caused ripples!

In this event, Hua Fangyu was a long-famed Divine Skills expert of the Outer Building from Summer Country, while Wang Yiwu was merely from the Inner Mansion.

His military achievement was quite brilliant.

Knowing about the close call between Wang Yiwu and their young master which almost determined life and death, the Shadow Guard’s voice was filled with unease.

The joy of one’s enemy is one’s own misfortune.

But Zhongxuan Sheng remained calm, smiling and asking, "What does the triumphant report say? He wouldn’t be so shameless as to write ’Wang Yiwu is the number one Inner Mansion in Qi Country,’ would he?"

There was no need to mention the conflict between him and Wang Yiwu. To jest at this time, he truly had great composure.

But the Shadow Guard said, "There’s only one sentence in the report..."

He hung his head, not daring to look at his young master, "Congratulations to Zhongxuan Zun from Tianfu!"