If people thought Ye Jingyu was merely lucky in the previous matches, after this one, no one held that opinion anymore...
The sight of a Soul Master at the Manifestation Realm, a Martial Cultivator at the Martial Master Realm, and such formidable, terrifying combat power all converging in one person—even they couldn't confidently claim they could best Ye Jingyu. Because of this, their expressions were complicated, unsure how to process this reality...
"The final contest will be his duel against Huangfu Buyue. Do you think he can defeat Huangfu Buyue?" Ying Xiaoxiao finally spoke up...
"Hmph, Huangfu Buyue is the direct disciple of this generation from the Dragon Capturing Sect; he's not comparable to that dark-faced brute from before. I heard he only needed three moves to defeat Mu Zhan this time... Mu Zhan is a genius among the younger generation of the Mu family. Even we might not best him, yet he couldn't last three moves against Huangfu Buyue. Heh, you think that kid can win?" Yue Youqu sneered. Although he knew Ye Jingyu's true strength, the memory of gaining such a huge advantage that day still left him somewhat unconvinced...
"That's true. Huangfu Buyue’s displayed strength has always been at the Innate Realm, but I have a nagging feeling that this isn't his true capability. Although Ye Jingyu cultivates both Soul and Martial arts, his Soul Arts haven't reached the Soul Condensation Realm. That bit of combat power isn't worth worrying about. Facing Huangfu Buyue, he probably doesn't stand much of a chance..." Ye Longyi took a drink and said blandly, also not quite believing Ye Jingyu could defeat Huangfu Buyue...
"The Martial Scholar for this session is to be conferred the title of General Who Guards the Nation. If he truly manages to defeat Huangfu Buyue, I will personally visit and serve as his vanguard..." Bieli, who had been silent, suddenly downed the wine in his cup, stating fiercely. It was evident he was still sore about the advantage Ye Jingyu had taken previously...
At this statement, the other three were momentarily stunned. Surely, this level of agitation wasn't warranted just by a mere provocation?
"Brother Bieli, what if..." Yue Youqu tried to dissuade Bieli, but before he could finish his sentence, Bieli cut him off...
"There is no 'what if.' If he genuinely defeats Huangfu Buyue head-on, so what if I become his vanguard?" Bieli stated calmly, though an unyielding look flickered in his eyes. This puzzled the other three; they couldn't fathom why the usually composed Bieli would utter such words...
Yet, no one noticed the occasional flash of profound light within Bieli's unwilling gaze...
Yun Jing, the Royal Palace, the Imperial Study...
Luo Xiaofeng was not wearing his dragon robe, clad instead in simple, plain robes. His demeanor was composed, making him appear more like a scholar as he sat before the vast desk, his gaze fixed upon a piece of calligraphy and painting lying there...
Standing before him was an old man in pale azure robes, his hair sparse, his face withered, looking as though he might pass away at any moment...
"What do you think of this child?" Luo Xiaofeng asked without looking up, his voice soft...
"A peerless prodigy..." The old man uttered only these few words. His manner was not overtly cold, but it certainly lacked reverence—few in the entire Shu Yun Kingdom could address the Sovereign of Shu Yun with such composure...
"Is he to be used, or eliminated?" Luo Xiaofeng was not offended, still speaking calmly as his right hand picked up the brush resting by the inkstone, lightly dipping it into the ink before beginning to write on the artwork before him...
"That depends on Your Majesty's intentions..." The old man raised his head, his cloudy eyes appearing utterly vacant...
"Heh heh..." Luo Xiaofeng chuckled faintly but said no more...
"Your Majesty, among the four princes, the Eldest Young Master is the most ruthless, the Second Young Master the most straightforward, the Seventh Young Master the most mysterious, and the Third Young Master is the most like you..." Seeing Luo Xiaofeng remain silent, the old man spoke again...
"I know what you mean. Feng’er is indeed a very capable person, but his own strength is slightly lacking. This child, however, is definitely not a mere pond fish. If he ascends to the heavens one day, how can Feng’er suppress him with his current ability?" Luo Xiaofeng sighed softly...
"Does Your Majesty still plan to remove him?" The old man raised an eyebrow...
"Qin Yan informed me that a few months ago, this child was nothing but a profligate wastrel who knew nothing. In just a few months, he has become a Martial Master reaching the Manifestation Realm and possesses a strength beyond ordinary imagination. A person like this can no longer be described merely as a genius. Tell me, would you dare employ someone like that?" Luo Xiaofeng suddenly frowned, his eyes filled with melancholy...
"Your Majesty, are you content to remain the monarch of a small nation for generations?" Instead of answering, the old man countered Luo Xiaofeng's question...
Luo Xiaofeng was startled by this.
Indeed, though he held the esteemed position of a sovereign, any major decision still required him to consider the face of the Tianyuan Empire. What was the point of being a ruler under such constraints? He had arduously cultivated, finally breaking through to the Martial Saint Realm, significantly extending his lifespan—was it all just to rule over this small patch of land?
The Tianyuan Empire, the Xuanyuan Family—that unimaginably powerful lineage. Must the Luo Family forever remain subservient?
Various lights flickered in Luo Xiaofeng's eyes. After a long pause, he let out a heavy sigh...
"Forget it. If I fear even this much, how can I accomplish great things? Let this child stay by the Third's side for now. If he survives the assassinations planned by the Eldest, Second, and Seventh, then I shall cultivate him properly..." Luo Xiaofeng spoke lightly, but the implication in his words was profoundly weighty...
"Your Majesty is wise..." A faint smile appeared on the old man's aged face, and a dazzling, sharp light pierced through his cloudy eyes...
"Ah..." Seeing the glint in the old man's eyes, Luo Xiaofeng sighed deeply, saying nothing further. He knew that upon ascending to this position, while enjoying immense glory and wealth, he also bore countless responsibilities and upheld the promises bequeathed by his ancestors...
This old man before him, though currently a palace servant, once held a noble surname: Nanfeng...
This was a surname once held in the same echelon as Xuanyuan and Tuoba...
Three hundred years ago, east of the Tiangang Mountain Range on the Soul Dou Continent, war raged. In that era teeming with heroes, the Xuanyuan, Tuoba, and Nanfeng families were the three most powerful factions. They each established their own nations: the Tianyuan Empire by the Xuanyuan family, the Mengyuan Empire by the Tuoba family, and the Han Yun Empire by the Nanfeng family. These three empires formed a tripartite balance of power...