"Damn it." Ye Xiu was already annoyed at being toyed with by Jian Hongchen, and what made it worse was that A Jiao's elder brother turned out to be a master among the Three Swords as well. He turned his head and glared fiercely at Lang Taotian, feeling a sense of betrayal.

A group of maidservants emerged to usher everyone forward. "Esteemed masters, please disarm and place your weapons here. The three City Lords and the Commandery Princess await you in the inner hall." They specifically instructed a guard standing nearby, dressed in white livery, "Guard Commander Ji, please also remove your sword."

"Yes." Ji Jingtian calmly unbuckled the three swords at his waist, walked to the very front of the line, and proceeded toward the inner hall side-by-side with Ye Xiu.

"You're the Guard Commander?" Ye Xiu asked as they walked, but Ji Jingtian paid him no mind. "Hey, you carry three swords—how can you possibly control so many?"

"Ahem..." Lang Taotian behind them coughed lightly, interrupting Ye Xiu's questioning. Inside the lavish, gilded inner hall, the Great City Lord Wan Jian Canglong, the Second City Lord Wan Jian Xuanhu, the Third City Lord Wan Jian Qinglin, and the Commandery Princess Wan Jian Chenying were already seated upright and formal.

"Grant them seats." The blue-robed scholar from before stood in the center of the hall, gesturing to the maids to show the guests to their places. Once everyone was seated quietly, he turned back toward Canglong and bowed. "Reporting to Great City Lord, the sixteen successful champions have arrived. Great City Lord, please instruct us."

"Zuo Wen Cheng, take a seat as well." Wan Jian Canglong sat firmly in the center, his voice like a massive bell—steady and powerful.

So, he's a prime minister. I thought he was a eunuch? Ye Xiu couldn't help but want to laugh, but when he glanced into Canglong's eyes, he was instantly struck dumb. He admitted he had never seen a true sovereign. Xiang Yu didn't count, nor did Liu Bang, Wang Long, or even Wan Jian Qinglin. A true king carried an undeniable, powerful aura that enveloped him no matter where he was banished—just like Wan Jian Canglong now. Dressed in opulent golden dragon robes, despite his silver hair, he looked exceptionally vigorous. Every gesture, every word, exuded a rare composure and absolute dominance.

Wan Jian Canglong suddenly spread his hands wide and boomed, "The eternal peace and timely rains in Wan Jian City are a blessing to the Three Swords Realm. Today, it is my blessing, Wan Jian Canglong's, to receive these heroes and brave men. I have specially arranged this banquet to entertain you, hoping that in the upcoming contests, everyone will display their true skills and go all out to present a martial arts tournament that will shake the ages for the Three Swords Realm."

"We thank the City Lord for his kindness," the crowd rose and bowed in unison.

"There is no need for such formality, please take your seats and dine." Wan Jian Canglong shifted slightly to whisper something to Xuanhu before standing up himself. "Forgive Canglong's presumption for leaving now without drinking and celebrating with you all. I have specifically delegated my second brother, Xuanhu, and my third brother, Qinglin, to host you properly. During the martial arts tournament, please heroes reside temporarily at Wan Jian Guanxing Pavilion. We ask for your tolerance if our hospitality is lacking."

"We thank the Great City Lord, we bid farewell to the Great City Lord." Everyone stood again to see Wan Jian Canglong off. They all believed the imperial oppression emanating from Canglong made them uneasy. As soon as he departed, a subtle shift occurred below.

"Heroes, Wan Jian Xuanhu toasts you all." Xuanhu, compelled by necessity, downed a cup of wine in place of his elder brother. However, at this moment, cultivating camaraderie with martial artists was not his primary concern; he wanted to probe the depths of these individuals, believing this would assist Ji Jingtian. "I have heard this tournament is teeming with masters, even the foremost expert of the Beast Race, Zhan Fengyue, has graced us with his presence. I wonder which one of you he is?"

"Second City Lord speaks plainly; I am he." Without the ornamentation of the Ice Flame Twin Blades, Zhan Fengyue was merely an ordinary man. He rose and bowed slightly. "Zhan Fengyue is not the foremost expert of the Beast Race. There are others of my race present; who the master is, and who will win or lose, remains to be seen."

"Good, well said. Please, be seated quickly." Xuanhu's lips curved upward; a wave of pleasure washed over him. Perhaps only he knew that Zhan Fengyue, the supposed foremost expert of the Beast Race, had long since become his confidant. His previous attentiveness toward Ji Jingtian was merely to let Canglong see his true strength and become complacent. Although Ji Jingtian was undoubtedly a top master in Wan Jian City, Xuanhu could not yet rest easy. As the art of war states, relying on a single maneuver is a desperate gamble; only a dual approach offers the perfect panacea.

"Since Elder Brother has commanded it, Qinglin and my little sister Chenying also dare to toast all the heroes. However, Qinglin is not accustomed to heavy drinking, so please do not hold it against me," Wan Jian Qinglin slowly stood up. The way he held his wine cup distinctly lacked the regal etiquette of his two older brothers; more accurately, he seemed more like a man of the martial world. "Bottoms up!"

"We thank the Third City Lord and the Commandery Princess." As everyone drank with Qinglin, they felt somewhat listless. From any angle, any aura, Wan Jian Qinglin fell noticeably short when compared to his two elder brothers.

"May I take the liberty of offering Commandery Princess Chenying a private toast?" At this moment, Ye Xiu stood up proudly holding his wine cup. He smiled faintly at Wan Jian Chenying and bowed. "I am Ye Xiu, a mere humble figure from the Jianghu. This is the first time I have seen Commandery Princess Chenying, whose beauty rivals the moon and puts the nation at risk. I dare to offer this cup."

"Young Master Ye is talented and promising; Chenying offers her respects," to Ye Xiu's surprise, Wan Jian Chenying, despite her status as Commandery Princess, showed no haughtiness. Indeed, within the entire palace, aside from her personal maids, no one dared to openly critique her appearance.

"Young Master Ye is witty and humorous. From where do you hail, and under which master or sect do you study?" At this point, Qinglin actually took the initiative to inquire about Ye Xiu's background.

Ye Xiu caught the suggestive glance from Qinglin and naturally understood the reason behind it. Wan Jian Qinglin had long since seen through the intentions of his two brothers. Canglong's direct departure was because he had spies here. He deliberately left so Xuanhu would have the opportunity to do what he intended, and Xuanhu now was clearly gathering intelligence for his own faction. At such a juncture, if Wan Jian Qinglin remained silent, it would only confirm the situation further, and the person he questioned now would be the least suspected.

"I live in the desolate mountains not far from Wan Jian City, surviving by hunting every day, though I know a bit of swordsmanship. I belong to no sect whatsoever." Ye Xiu seized this opportunity to shift the focus back to the most dazzling name mentioned earlier. "I hear the Daoist opposite me is Jian Hongchen, the Soul-Siphoning Boy Swordsman. Compared to him, I truly have no notable title."

"Oh, is this Daoist the famous Sword Hongchen who wanders freely?" Qinglin's expression appeared delighted. "Qinglin is honored to know such a master; I am certainly pleased. Come, allow me to toast you."

"It is not that I disrespect the Third City Lord's gesture, but we cultivators do not drink alcohol." Jian Hongchen stared coldly at Qinglin, making no further movement.