The palace on the dragon chariot was perched high above, offering a sweeping view of the Wu Gate outside, perfectly situated by the magical manipulation of space that divided different regions with high platforms.
Sitting on her phoenix throne, Empress Chuge raised her wine cup, only to find Emperor Jingtai gazing intently in a certain direction—right at the spot where Li Mo was located.
With a smile that could light up a room, she asked, “Your Majesty, what has captured your attention?”
“Hehehe…” Emperor Jingtai sighed wistfully. “That would be the little girl who retrieved the Divine Sword of the Celestials from the City of Divine Beings a few days ago.”
As he spoke, his sidelong glance discreetly returned from Jiang Chulong.
“So, it was because of her that Yu’er borrowed the Six Harmonies and Eight Wastelands Seal from Your Majesty?”
Empress Chuge wore the look of someone who’s spent too long in a secluded palace and is utterly clueless.
Emperor Jingtai shook his head. “It was that young lad by her side who wielded the divine sword.”
“If it weren’t for Your Majesty’s approval, how could the City of Divine Beings even manifest?”
Empress Chuge squinted her eyes and pressed further.
Not only would the City not have materialized, but recalling the divine sword hinged solely on Emperor Jingtai’s whims. However, he had indeed watched as Ying Bing called for the sword, manifesting the city, and casually letting the sword land in Li Mo’s hands.
“Don’t bother asking about court affairs,” the Emperor said, shifting his attention to the eunuch beside him. “Bring forth the golden pearl.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The eunuch presented a beautifully crafted box, inside which lay a tiny golden pearl.
“Your Majesty, how about I draw lots?” Empress Chuge suddenly removed her finger sleeves, lowering her gaze.
At that moment, she resembled anything but the majestic Empress of the realm; more like a lovesick girl, ready to flirt with her beloved.
The Emperor remained expressionless, his voice flat and low: “Unless you drop this ridiculous act.”
“… Your Majesty truly cherishes me the most,” Empress Chuge replied as if she’d just received a romantic compliment, her affectionate demeanor intensifying.
As she reached into the box and pulled out a handful of golden pearls, she declared, “Your humble servant draws lots personally! The list is out!”
As her words echoed, a name floated across the grand map of the realm depicted in the heavens, casting its light upon the inner city.
All eyes in the imperial capital simultaneously turned to gaze, and the first name was unmistakably:
【Jiang Chulong vs. Jiang Yuyang】
…
At this moment, Little Princess Jiang was quite the eye-catcher on the Qianlong List, being the one with the lowest cultivation level among the potential prodigies; she still only possessed the Three Points of Guan Shen.
Under the ornate canopies of the nobility, there was a heavy silence.
“Is she really… back?”
“And why hasn’t Father let the Sky Patrol capture her? Why is she permitted to attend the Qianlong Conference?”
“The intentions of Father Emperor are beyond our grasp,” Jiang Yu suddenly spoke, his tone flat.
Afterward, he glanced toward Princess Yuyang, saying nothing else.
Princess Yuyang was startled by his piercing gaze and quickly replied, “Brother Crown Prince, for the honor of the royal family, for the Empress, I will absolutely win!”
Both Princess Yuyang and Jiang Yu were siblings, born of Empress Chuge.
“There’s no need for big brother to worry; I can’t imagine how Yuyang could lose,” piped up the Fourth Prince, whose clan was relatively weak and often hugged the Crown Prince’s legs for support. “In terms of cultivation, Yuyang has raised four points.”
“In terms of resources, Yuyang has been pampered by Father Emperor since childhood, using countless heavenly materials and earthly treasures.”
“In terms of sword skills, Yuyang had the guidance of renowned masters since she was little. No matter how profound a sect is, how can it compare to the palace? She doesn’t even know where she learned those unorthodox techniques.”
Hmm, very reasonable and logical!
The noble families all nodded in agreement; it made sense.
Zhong Zhenyue opened his mouth to speak, but a young lord beside him interrupted, “Young Lord, maybe you should be more concerned about yourself first.”
【Zhong Zhenyue vs. Zhao Jing】
…
Jiang Chulong clutched the hem of her skirt.
Warm Reminder: For the convenience of selecting books, the “Ranking” page has been optimized; give it a try!
The mindset in the imperial capital and the Joyful Hotpot Restaurant were two completely different worlds. Only when facing Jiang Yu, with Brother Li backing her up, did she feel a bit braver.
Now…
“Hey, isn’t Jiang Chulong ranked over thirty behind Princess Yuyang on the Qianlong List?”
“An upset isn’t impossible, but this gap feels a bit hopeless…”
“The Fourth Prince’s bet is open at the gambling house, odds eight to one!”
“Is that based on their probability of winning?”
“I’ll place a bet too; even a little cash is profit…”
In the other aristocratic tents, several onlookers formed a small group, heading off to have some fun.
“Brother Li… Huh?”
Little Princess Jiang heard these conversations and instinctively turned around, only to find Li Mo wasn’t there.
“He said he’d be right back.”
Ying Bing gently patted her head, her expression tender.
Not long ago, Little Jiang had burst into the Misty Rain Tower, slaying four top-notch assassins and declaring her independence from the tower, building her own power. By the time they crossed paths again, Little Jiang was already second on the Divine List, feared by all…
Who would imagine that now she seemed like a timid little girl, hiding behind sunglasses to mask her anxiety, timidly scavenging through trash?
“What’s Brother Li off to do?”
“He said he wants to make the Fourth Prince lose some money.”
“??”
Little Princess Jiang caught on quickly; Brother Li was betting loads of cash that she would win.
It should be enough for her to scavenge for a long time…
Suddenly, her confidence surged. She waved her hand and joined the other first-round contenders, stepping onto the arena.
The matches would be in a 50/50 format.
Princess Yuyang was already on the platform, towering over her, proud and confident.
She originally planned to intimidate her opponent to create hesitation.
Yet she found Little Jiang approaching, sporting sunglasses, with no expression, looking a bit cocky yet ever so cool.
“You really dare to fight me?”
“…”
Jiang Chulong glanced down at the crowd; Brother Li had returned, casually waving a slip of paper.
Earlier, Li Mo had stirred up quite a commotion at the gambling house with people saying:
“The God Hammer Little Overlord just… placed a bet of five thousand crystal units and two mountains of gold on Jiang Chulong winning.”
“Wait, what kind of measurement unit is that? How much money is that?!”
“Isn’t that his entire fortune? He couldn’t even scrape that amount together by selling an entire duke-level sect!”
“If he really wins, the Fourth Prince might have to mortgage the gambling house to Li Mo!”
“Wow, does Jiang Chulong have some secret weapon?”
While many in the venue were initially skeptical, they now couldn’t help but question things.
How did Li Mo have the confidence to gamble his fortune?
Actually, Li Mo’s real intent was to boost Little Jiang’s morale.
He eyed Princess Yuyang, holding Ying Bing’s hand, the corners of his mouth curling into a mysterious smirk, letting out a low chuckle: “Hehehe…”
“!”
Princess Yuyang shuddered, her heart sinking instantly.
What kind of trick was he playing?
Why does he think I will definitely lose?!
Well, if it was just Li Mo, fine.
But Ying Bing standing next to him, her cool demeanor unflinching, the Cold Fairy possessed an aura as if everything was under control.
Yet no one knew that beneath her seemingly calm exterior, the Cold Fairy also had no idea what this was all about.
But the unspoken chemistry of the best supporting actress merely allowed her to play along with Little Li’s escapades.
“Li Mo, why are we doing this?” Ying Bing whispered.
Li Mo’s expression was unfazed: “If we can’t beat her, we at least want to scare her.”
The essence of brawling’s tactics was on the rise!
Thus, the God Hammer Little Overlord and the Cold Fairy sported straight faces, utterly cold.
On the stage, Little Jiang, with her sunglasses on, brimming with unexpected confidence, also appeared quite cool.
While Princess Yuyang was left bewildered and a bit frantic.
……..
P.S. Little flop is requesting two updates; my hand started hurting, and it’s been painful for a few days. Today, updates are late due to it—likely the tendinitis flaring up again…
