Protect Our Patriarch

Book 4: Chapter 21: Emperor Long Chang makes his appearance! Lingbao Qianqiu debuts

……

Actually, it's quite understandable. Wang Liyao is a great prodigy, personally taught by the Dean of the Purple Mansion Academy of Longzuo Commandery. What a prestigious status!

She came to recognize her kin out of respect for her bloodline, and Wang An'nan had the audacity to say, "I am your grandfather!" This wasn't just taking advantage of her, but an arrogant display, like city folk looking down on their rural relatives...

Under normal circumstances, the elders would at most scold Wang An'nan for being rude and not upholding the dignity of the main branch of the Daqian Wang's Clan.

But the problem is, the other party is Wang Liyao. Her potential is limitless. As long as she doesn't fall midway, she could at least take over the Purple Mansion Academy of Longzuo Commandery in the future.

If she is extremely lucky, she might even soar to the heavens like a phoenix... becoming one of the two most powerful figures in the Great Qian!

Such a person, even the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, only has one divine seed, Wang Zhouhui, who can barely compare.

Such a great prodigy, isn't she allowed to have a bit of a temper?

Fortunately, the current head of the Daqian Wang's Clan, Wang Yuchang, is also a diligent and ambitious leader determined to revive the Wang's Clan.

Immediately, he adopted a posture, clasping his hands and bowing to Wang Liyao, "Liyao, about this matter..."

However, before he could complete the bow, Wang Liyao hurriedly stepped forward to support his arm, saying repeatedly, "Patriarch Yuchang, you mustn't. You are an elder of the 'Yu' generation, and I cannot bear this bow."

In the clan, seniority is paramount.

Even though Wang Liyao is a great prodigy with a noble status, if she dared to accept a bow from Wang Yuchang, it would certainly make the entire Changning Wang's Clan a laughingstock.

Rumors would inevitably say that Wang Liyao is arrogant and disrespectful, which could even affect her future path as a saint.

Wang Yuchang was naturally just putting on a show.

Hearing Wang Liyao call him an ancestor, he was delighted and immediately went along with it, holding Wang Liyao's arm, excited and regretful, "Liyao, when I first heard that you were a blood relative of our Duke of Dingguo's mansion, I was overjoyed. I personally reviewed the family records and heritage notes to verify, while also ordering the family estate to be prepared."

"I was just about to send someone to bring you back to the main residence. But that insolent brat, how dare he, how dare he! Wang Shida, why are you still standing there? Look at the good son you've raised!" Wang Yuchang grew angrier as he spoke, his face turning red and his body trembling.

Wang Shida trembled with fear, quickly took out a thorny cane, and began to beat Wang An'nan on the stretcher, cursing as he did, "I'll beat you to death, you little beast. How did I, Wang Shida, give birth to such a disgrace? Enough, enough, today I'll just pretend I never had a son..."

Wang An'nan cried out miserably, feeling even more wronged. Father, I used to be your pride~~ Just put on a show, do you have to hit so hard...

"Great-aunt Liyao, I was wrong! Please forgive me this once."

He knew that only Wang Liyao could resolve this, so he had to beg her in his pain.

But Wang Liyao didn't even look at him. Instead, she continued to speak politely with Wang Yuchang, "Patriarch Yuchang, I appreciate your kind intentions. But I'm quite comfortable staying at the White Cloud Tower, moving around would be troublesome."

"How can that be?" Wang Yuchang's face turned serious, "Liyao, you are of the bloodline of our Duke of Dingguo's mansion. Now that you are in the capital, how can you stay in an inn? If word got out, people would laugh at our Duke of Dingguo's mansion for being disrespectful."

They're chatting now?

The father and son, Wang Shida and Wang An'nan, who were in the middle of a beating, were dumbfounded.

Miss Liyao, we're still beating the child here. Shouldn't you persuade first before chatting with the patriarch?

But given the current situation, if Wang Liyao didn't intervene, the beating had to continue. Wang Shida had no choice but to keep hitting and cursing, while Wang An'nan continued to cry out miserably.

But none of this seemed to disturb Wang Liyao. Seeing that the time was about right, she bowed to Wang Yuchang and said, "In that case, I will follow Patriarch Yuchang's arrangements."

"Good, good, our Liyao knows her manners, I am very pleased." Wang Yuchang's stern and handsome face was filled with joy, "Liyao, rest assured, treat our ancestral home as your own. All your needs will be met to the standard of our divine seed."

"Thank you for your care, Patriarch." Wang Liyao gracefully bowed, "I will pack up a bit and bid farewell to His Highness the Commandery Prince, then return home with you."

Home?

"Good, good." Wang Yuchang's smile grew even brighter, "Take your time, we're not in a hurry."

Not in a hurry?

Wang An'nan's heart was breaking.

Ancestor, your dear great-great-great-grandson is almost beaten to death, and you're not in a hurry? Great-aunt Liyao is ruthless, but Ancestor, you're even more ruthless...

As Wang Liyao gracefully left, the sounds of Wang Shida's scolding, whipping, and Wang An'nan's cries and pleas continued to echo on the stage.

Among the onlookers, many who were initially gloating began to feel a bit of sympathy for Wang An'nan. This kid is really too miserable, isn't he? Hahaha~

Recognizing and connecting with the Daqian Wang's Clan was an important part of Shouzhe's grand plan.

However, he understood "human nature" very well. If they came directly to the door, even if Wang Liyao was a great prodigy, it would lower her status and make it easy for people to look down on her. Only by making the other party rack their brains to invite her back would they value and cherish her more.

After what felt like an eternity to Wang An'nan, enduring a beating for the time it takes to burn a stick of incense.

Wang Liyao finally returned gracefully, bowing to Wang Yuchang, "Ancestor, I am ready."

Behind her was a follower, Mo Ruoqiu, who followed her step by step.

Seeing that Wang Liyao was about to introduce Mo Ruoqiu to the patriarch, Wang An'nan felt like dying.

Please, don't introduce, don't chat...

Immediately, he cried out even more miserably, meaning, Great-aunt Liyao, if you don't save me now, I'm going to die, really die...

"Huh... still beating?" Wang Liyao was finally attracted by the noise, turned to look at Wang Shida and his son, her eyes surprised, and then "hurriedly" persuaded, "Shida, even if the child made some mistakes, a few symbolic hits would suffice. Why hit so hard?"

Wang Shida and his son both felt a pang in their hearts.

Great-aunt Liyao, do you feel guilty saying that? If you had said it earlier, would the beating have lasted this long?

"Great-aunt Liyao is kind-hearted, but this little beast deserves a beating. I'll beat you to death, you little beast." Wang Shida couldn't stop at the first persuasion, according to tradition, he began to hit harder.

"Enough, enough, after all, he's still a junior. Shida, take him home first, and teach him slowly later." Wang Liyao persuaded again, "Besides, the two families hadn't recognized each other at that time. Although An'nan's words were a bit harsh, thinking about it carefully, it wasn't too much. Now that the child has been beaten like this, it's really heartbreaking."

Thinking about it carefully, it's not too much?

Wang An'nan's tears flowed like a river, his vision blurred as he looked up at the sky, his heart filled with sorrow.

Great-aunt Liyao, thank you for your "heartache"~~~

……

As Wang Liyao was being invited back to the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, another person was also striving to fulfill his "promise."

In the center of Guilong City, where the top spirit veins converge, stands a grand and majestic palace complex.

This palace complex is the imperial city of the Great Qian.

These palaces have obviously existed for a very long time. Although the glazed tiles on the roofs still shine brightly, the palace walls have already been stained with mottled marks, the sediment of long years, the imprints of time.

However, while time has left its marks of age, it has not made it old. Instead, it has endowed it with a deep foundation, making it more majestic and grand over time.

Just like this country.

It is ancient, yet new.

It has a long history, yet it is brimming with vitality.

The efforts of each generation have turned into a deep foundation, making it stronger and more unshakable. It is the continuous efforts and sacrifices of generations that have built its great wall, unshaken even if the sky falls.

Deep within the palace complex.

There is a palace that looks no different from the others around it. The plaque above the entrance reads "Zhuozheng Pavilion" in three powerful ancient characters.

This is the library of the imperial city, where the Emperor works and studies daily.

Inside the library.

Huge bookshelves line the walls, filled with countless books, adding a sense of weight to the library.

Like other places in the palace, the decorations here are low-key yet luxurious. Even an inconspicuous curtain is made of high-quality spirit silk, with exquisite embroidery, lifelike.

On a high table in the corner, smoke rises from a dragon-shaped red copper incense burner, slowly dispersing as it ascends.

Next to the high table is a chair carved from the heartwood of a thousand-year-old purple spirit sandalwood, its patina thick and bright, obviously an ancient item used for countless years.

Sitting in this chair is an old man in a dark robe.

The long years have brought him the marks of age, his body cells have entered the late stages of aging. His skin is loose, dull, with some age spots, and his half-closed, cloudy old eyes seem sleepy, almost devoid of light.

Behind him stands an equally old eunuch in a gray robe, holding a duster, slightly bent over. His gaze is fixed on his toes, motionless, like a statue.

"Great-grandfather, great-grandfather, it's your turn to move."

At this moment, a clear girl's voice broke the silence.

It was a pretty and cute girl, like a porcelain doll, one of the "Top Ten Outstanding Youths" of the capital, ranked second—Wu Xue'ning, the great prodigy of the royal family.

"Oh~ Little Xue'er, you've figured out how to break my deadly move so quickly?"

The old man stirred, waking from his half-sleep.

He looked at the chessboard, then laughed, "Wonderful, wonderful~ Little Xue'er's move finds a glimmer of hope in a sea of deadly moves. Truly worthy of being my great-great-great... granddaughter, just as smart as I was when I was young. Old Yao, don't you think?"

He turned slightly, smiling as he asked the eunuch behind him.

The eunuch, Old Yao, quickly bent lower, smiling, "Your Majesty is a true dragon, with a lifespan as long as the heavens. How could this old servant have the honor of seeing Your Majesty in your youth? But I imagine, at that time, Your Majesty must have been earth-shaking, an invincible great prodigy of your generation, a young Emperor! And Little Princess Xue'ning is so clever, she must be very much like Your Majesty in your youth."

This old man is none other than Emperor Longchang, who has ruled the Great Qian for over three thousand years.

"Longevity with the heavens, indeed. I'm old, old~" Emperor Longchang shook his head with a smile, picking up a chess piece, looking lovingly at his great-great-great-granddaughter, "Today, great-grandfather will teach you a lesson. That glimmer of hope you found, I left it there on purpose."

"Snap!"

Emperor Longchang placed the piece.

The chessboard's situation changed instantly.

Where Wu Xue'ning's move had shown a glimmer of hope, now it turned into a deadly trap, with no way out.

Then, Wu Xue'ning began to struggle, but Emperor Longchang quickly dealt with her, defeating her completely.

Wu Xue'ning's little face turned pale, her lips pouting, tears welling up, "Great-grandfather is bullying me, setting traps on purpose."

"Oh, oh~~ why are you crying?" Emperor Longchang laughed, "My little Xue'er has a bright future. Great-grandfather is teaching you that in everything, you must be more cautious. Especially in deadly situations, the glimmer of hope is often the most dangerous trap. Sometimes, facing a predicament, you need to go against the grain, like your move, if you can fight to the death..."

Before Emperor Longchang could finish, Wu Xue'ning burst into tears, "Great-grandfather is bullying me! Bullying a child! Just doesn't want to lend me the Azure Dragon Sword! Waaa~"

She cried so miserably, so sorrowfully, as if she had suffered a great injustice.

"Ridiculous. The Azure Dragon Sword is our Wu Clan's ancestral artifact, only the Wu Clan Emperor can wield it. What use do you have for it, little girl?" Emperor Longchang was both amused and annoyed by her crying, "I said I'd lend you a spirit treasure sword—[Qianqiu]. Isn't it just a talking sword? [Qianqiu] can talk."

Wu Xue'ning immediately stopped crying, happily hugging Emperor Longchang and giving him a kiss, "Thank you, great-grandfather. I don't care if it's Qianqiu or Wanzai, as long as it talks."

"This, this... didn't I say you had to win the game first?" Emperor Longchang was shocked, "When did it become already given to you?"

"Great-grandfather, you just said it yourself, 'I said I'd lend you a sword...'" Wu Xue'ning repeated Emperor Longchang's words verbatim, even mimicking his tone.

Finally, she hugged Emperor Longchang's arm, acting spoiled, "Great-grandfather is the Emperor of the human race, your word is law, you can't go back on it~"

"You're the one going back on your word." Emperor Longchang was stunned, then turned to ask, "Old Yao, you be the judge, did I say that?"

"This..." Old Yao nodded, bowing, "Your Majesty, you did say that."

"Oh, I've been tricked~~" Emperor Longchang lamented, "This girl first cried to confuse me, then scared me with the Azure Dragon Sword, making me careless. Girl, this is a crime of deceiving the Emperor."

"Hehe, isn't it because great-grandfather taught me well." Wu Xue'ning giggled, acting spoiled, "Facing a predicament, go against the grain, break and then establish."

"Good, worthy of being my great-great-great... granddaughter." Emperor Longchang was very pleased, laughing, "With this, when my lifespan runs out, I won't worry about anyone bullying you."

"Great-grandfather, don't say such things." Wu Xue'ning quickly scolded, "Great-grandfather, you've lived for over three thousand six hundred years, you'll continue to live. When I become strong, I'll go overseas, to the Immortal Dynasty, to find you an elixir of immortality."

"Good, great-grandfather hasn't doted on you in vain."

Emperor Longchang laughed happily, then wrote a decree, handing it to Old Yao, "Old Yao, take the princess. And take my decree to the Divine Weapon Hall to fetch [Qianqiu] for her."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Old Yao respectfully took the decree, leading the overjoyed Wu Xue'ning out of Zhuozheng Pavilion.

Less than half an hour later, Old Yao returned to report, "Your Majesty, the princess has left with [Qianqiu]. She was met outside by Little Commandery Prince Wu Zhixing. However, the princess gave [Qianqiu] to the Little Commandery Prince. I think she wants to increase his chances in the duel with the great prodigy Wang Liyao. Your Majesty, what do you think?"

"Since it has been given to her, how she uses it is her own business." Emperor Longchang's eyes were half-closed, "Old Yao, have you seen Wang Liyao? What do you think of her?"

"Your Majesty, I saw the great prodigy Wang Liyao from afar during her duel with Wang An'nan of the Duke of Dingguo's mansion." Old Yao answered truthfully, "As for her, she is indeed of celestial beauty, with extraordinary bearing, like a true phoenix among people. From my observation and guess, the bloodline talent of the great prodigy Wang Liyao is likely above most great prodigies."

"A true phoenix among people, to earn such praise from you, Old Yao, she must be extraordinary, worthy of walking the path of sainthood." Emperor Longchang praised, then his face darkened, "Hmph, the Duke of Dingguo's mansion is truly lucky, even a branch of a branch can produce a great prodigy. I hope they choose their side wisely this time, and don't repeat past mistakes."

Hearing this, Old Yao pretended not to hear anything, focusing on his own thoughts.

Although he had only been by Emperor Longchang's side for a long time after his ascension, he had heard from older palace servants that the ancestors of the Duke of Dingguo's mansion had some conflicts with Emperor Longchang.

This was one of the reasons the Duke of Dingguo's mansion had declined over the millennia.

The Emperor had never mentioned it before, but now it seemed likely that the Duke of Dingguo's mansion had chosen the wrong side during the struggle for the throne... Over the millennia, the Duke of Dingguo's mansion had fallen from second-grade to third-grade.

……

At the same time.

The Shangguan Clan of Guilong, one of the eight fourth-grade families in Guilong City.

Since there are only five third-grade families in the entire Great Qian, including the royal family, each with an extraordinary status, the fourth-grade families in Guilong City actually hold a very high status.

And the Shang guan Clan of Guilong, as one of the better-developed fourth-grade families among the eight, naturally holds a slightly higher status than the average fourth-grade family.

At the very least, the Shangguan Clan is guaranteed a spot among the top ten families in Guilong City.

In the southern part of Guilong City, the main residence of the Shangguan Clan.

As evening fell, lights began to illuminate the vast complex. The scattered lights in the main residence twinkled like a sea of stars, blending with the nightscape of Guilong City, vast and magnificent.

Deep within the main residence, a large and imposing courtyard named "Qingyun Courtyard" stood on the central axis, though a bit distant from the patriarch's living quarters.

The owner of this courtyard is none other than the Shangguan Clan's only great prodigy, Shangguan Yunque.

At this moment, in the inner hall of Qingyun Courtyard, a man and a woman sat facing each other, sipping tea and chatting.

The man in the main seat had sharp features and an imposing demeanor. He was none other than the owner of the courtyard, Shangguan Yunque.

He looked quite young, and since he was at home, he didn't wear a jade crown. Instead, his hair was casually tied back with a ribbon, making him appear even more free-spirited.

Opposite him sat a woman with her hair styled in a married woman's bun. She was graceful and charming, her every move exuding a natural allure.

If Wang Shouzhe were here, he would immediately recognize this woman. She was none other than his old acquaintance, Lady Bilian.

Lady Bilian, whose real name was Shangguan Bilian, was the legitimate daughter of the Shangguan Clan of Guilong and Shangguan Yunque's biological sister. Although she was married and had many family responsibilities, she occasionally returned to her maternal home to reconnect with her family.

This time, she had returned to celebrate her mother's birthday.

"Sister, since you don't have much to do when you go back, why not stay a bit longer?" Shangguan Yunque took a sip of tea and gently persuaded, "Mother rarely gets to see you. She may not say it, but she often reminds me to find ways to keep you here longer."

"Don't worry, Brother, I'm not leaving just yet." Lady Bilian smiled, picking up a piece of pastry and taking a small bite, "I have other matters to attend to this time. Also, the Commandery Prince of Heng's household sent word a few days ago, asking me to visit when I come home."

Over the decades, she had become a Celestial Realm cultivator, her demeanor much more imposing than when Wang Shouzhe first met her at the auction house. She now had the aura of a significant figure.

However, in front of her family, she didn't need to maintain the composed and in-control facade she did in the Yuwen Clan. She was much more relaxed, her speech less authoritative and more playful.

"I didn't expect the Commandery Prince of Heng to still remember you after all these years." Shangguan Yunque was somewhat surprised, "But then again, the Commandery Prince of Heng has always liked to promote young talents, especially those with unique personalities. You did make quite a stir at the White Cloud Tower back then, so it's no wonder he remembers you."

"That's because our Shangguan Clan has been doing well recently. He often hears about us, so he occasionally thinks of me. If we were like the Yu Clan, almost invisible in Guilong City, the Commandery Prince of Heng would have long forgotten me." Lady Bilian was clear-minded and didn't let it go to her head.

According to that annoying Wang Shouzhe, this was called "memory association."

Her name, Shangguan Bilian, was naturally tied to the Shangguan Clan. The more prominent the Shangguan Clan was in Guilong City, the more frequently her name would be mentioned, and more people would remember her.

If the Shangguan Clan ever declined, with no outstanding young talents for several generations, people would gradually forget about the Shangguan Clan, and fewer would remember her, Shangguan Bilian. This is the nature of aristocratic families—shared glory and shared disgrace.

As they were talking, a servant knocked on the door and quietly reported something.

Shangguan Yunque acknowledged, and the servant left.

Soon, heavy footsteps echoed through the courtyard, and a burly figure pushed open the door and entered.

"Sixteenth Brother..."

Halfway through his greeting, he noticed another person in the room and quickly stepped forward to greet her, "Twenty-seventh Sister, you're here too?"

"Oh, isn't this Yunhong~ We haven't seen each other for years~" Lady Bilian teased with a smile, "How's it going? Have you found a wife yet? When will you bring your child for me to see?"

Shangguan Yunhong's expression stiffened. Sister, can you not bring up sore subjects?

"Still the same. The ones he likes don't agree, and the ones who like him, he doesn't like. It's a stalemate. Thirty-sixth Uncle and Aunt are worried sick~" Shangguan Yunque sighed, casually helping Shangguan Yunhong out, then gestured for him to sit.

Shangguan Yunhong sat down, keeping a distance from Lady Bilian.

After some small talk, Shangguan Yunhong got to the point, "Sixteenth Brother, you must have heard about what happened at the White Cloud Tower a few days ago, right? I can't swallow this."

His face showed anger as he spoke.

He hadn't even had a chance to really fight, yet he was thrown off the stage in front of so many people. It was utterly humiliating.

"Ha ha ha~ That girl Liyao is quite formidable~" Lady Bilian glanced at Shangguan Yunhong, her eyes full of disdain, "You underestimated her, so losing so badly is no injustice."

Shangguan Yunhong was indignant, "Twenty-seventh Sister, whose side are you on? I'm your brother!"

"Whose side? Of course, I'm on Wang Liyao's side." Lady Bilian didn't hold back, rolling her eyes at him and poking his head, "With your impulsive and brainless nature, you expect me to side with you? If you had half of Wang Liyao's ability, I'd side with you too. But do you?"

Shangguan Yunhong shrank back instinctively, but then remembered he was no longer a child. He was now a Celestial Realm cultivator, even a level higher than his sister. Why should he be scolded?

Feeling aggrieved but unable to vent his anger at her, he turned to Shangguan Yunque for support, "Sixteenth Brother, please say something. I'm still her brother, isn't she supposed to be on my side?"

However, Shangguan Yunque didn't help him. Instead, he took a sip of tea and said calmly, "You acted impulsively without assessing your opponent's strength. Who can you blame for losing?"

As a strong cultivator, it's crucial to know when to fight and when to retreat. A small mistake on the battlefield could cost you your life.

"But, but I can't swallow this!" Shangguan Yunhong fumed, "I was hoping Chen Muying and Wang An'nan would put up a good fight and uphold our capital's pride, but they were all so useless! It's infuriating!"

"You want me to help you regain your honor?" Shangguan Yunque looked at him.

Shangguan Yunhong felt a bit guilty but, remembering his humiliation, his courage surged, "She said herself, 'Anyone under 150 years old is welcome.' Sixteenth Brother, you're only a bit over 110, you qualify to fight her."

"Throughout history, the great prodigy trials have always been fought by the 'Top Ten Outstanding Youths' of the time. This not only provides an opportunity for those under a hundred years old to showcase their abilities but also highlights the profound heritage of our capital, making the opponent accept their defeat wholeheartedly," Shangguan Yunque sipped his tea and said calmly, "Wang Liyao is only sixty-nine years old, nearly fifty years younger than me. If I were to fight, regardless of the outcome, it would bring disgrace to the capital."

"This..."

Shangguan Yunhong was momentarily speechless.

He knew in his heart that his sixteenth brother was right. Having a cultivator over a hundred years old fight would already be a disadvantage, making the capital appear lacking in heritage. Not to mention, his sixteenth brother was a great prodigy.

If he fought and won, people would not think it was because of his prowess but rather that he bullied the younger generation. If he lost, it would be even more humiliating.

"I think this matter can still be discussed further," Lady Bilian blinked her charming eyes and analyzed seriously, "She is challenging the entire younger generation of the capital's strong. If she truly sweeps through her peers, the capital's face would be even more lost. Besides, as the saying goes, 'No fight, no acquaintance.' This is also a good opportunity to make friends with a great prodigy. Remember how Gongyang Ce and Commandery Prince Kang became friends?"

"You're right. However, even if someone were to step in, it should be Wu Zhixing, not me," Shangguan Yunque, being a great prodigy, had his own set of principles and logic, making him hard to persuade.

But since it was his own sister speaking, he didn't outright refuse and left some room for discussion.

Lady Bilian was not discouraged and said, "In this great prodigy trial, there will definitely be a battle between Little Commandery Prince Zhixing and Wang Liyao. If the Little Commandery Prince can't handle it, then it will be up to you, brother, to step in."

Hearing this, Shangguan Yunque paused, put down his teacup, and looked suspiciously at his sister, "Sister, tell me honestly, do you have another motive for urging me to participate so eagerly?"

He knew his sister well. She had always been cunning and would do anything to achieve her goals. Who knew what trap she had set for him?

"Uh... Hehe~ Brother, how can you say that about me? I'm doing this for your own good, so you don't spend all your time just cultivating. Only by competing with experts can you continuously break through yourself," Lady Bilian said righteously.

"Although that's true, something still feels off," suddenly, Shangguan Yunque's eyes sharpened, and his expression became extremely serious, "By the way, I heard rumors earlier that you were involved with a certain Wang family... Could it be... that Wang Liyao is your secret..."

"Brother!" Lady Bilian was almost furious, "I'm your sister! How can you slander your own sister like that?"

She was even more annoyed internally, muttering to herself, I might have the urge to sleep with him... but he doesn't give me the chance.

"Cough~ Cough cough~ Sorry, sorry," Shangguan Yunque also felt embarrassed and quickly apologized, "It's all those rumors spreading like wildfire."

Although his sister appeared innocent, he still felt she seemed a bit disappointed.

"Phew~"

Lady Bilian secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

That Wang Shouzhe really knew how to give her a hard time.

She couldn't understand what was going through his mind, making her provoke her brother to fight. Was he afraid his daughter wasn't having enough excitement in the capital? Or did he really think Wang Liyao could defeat her brother?

But then again.

Master Wang Shouzhe was becoming more and more intriguing... No wonder the Fire Fox Ancestor liked to stick to him. If she were in her place... Hehe~

Such strange behavior made the Shangguan siblings feel a chill down their spines. Bilian, she...

...

Time flew by, and half a month passed in a blink.

During this time, the most exciting event in Guilong City was the great prodigy trial initiated by Wang Liyao.

And today.

It was the day of the great prodigy battle privately arranged by the Commandery Prince of Heng, between the great prodigy of the Purple Mansion Academy of Longzuo Commandery, Wang Liyao, and the royal great prodigy, Wu Zhixing.

Such a once-in-a-century showdown naturally attracted everyone's attention, and the excitement had reached its peak.

Outside the White Cloud Tower, there was a sea of people.

Those were the spectators who couldn't get in, but even if they couldn't watch up close, feeling the atmosphere was good enough.

Inside the White Cloud Tower, it was even more crowded with nobles, with commandery princes as common as dogs.

Even those seated in the scattered seats were usually high-ranking figures. As for those in the private rooms, any one of them could shake the earth with a stomp.

Especially in the most luxurious and high-end private rooms, the isolation formations were fully activated, making it impossible to know who was inside. Everyone only saw that even the owner of the White Cloud Tower, the Commandery Prince of Heng, was bowing and smiling as he went in and out, looking extremely respectful.

In one of the private rooms.

One of the main participants of this battle—Wang Liyao.

She sat quietly on an ancient spiritual wood chair, her clear and deep eyes calm and serene, reflecting her inner tranquility.

In contrast, the two prodigy-level followers behind her seemed somewhat restless.

Yes, she now had two prodigy-level followers. One was naturally Mo Ruoqiu, and the other was Wang An'nan.

Speaking of the tenacity of Celestial Realm prodigies, despite having two legs broken and numerous flesh wounds, he was already bouncing back in just over ten days.

The doctors from the Duke of Dingguo's mansion were indeed skilled, using internal and external medicines, along with the healing effects of wood-type profound energy.

This was the foundation of a top-tier aristocratic family, with talents in every field.

When Wang Liyao returned to the Wang's Clan main residence, she received the best care, was summoned and encouraged by the clan's only Ancestor, and was given many gifts, including Wang An'nan, who was kicked to her as a follower.

Although Wang An'nan's strength was not on par with a great prodigy, he was still among the more powerful prodigies, making him a suitable follower for Wang Liyao.

"Great-aunt Liyao," once he became a follower, Wang An'nan turned into a loyal lackey, reporting, "My brothers have found out that Wu Zhixing has been in seclusion these past ten days, but in reality, he has been refining a divine treasure. It's said that the Little Commandery Princess went to the Emperor to get it for him. I find it laughable, the royal family is so..."

"Watch your words," Wang Liyao glanced coldly.

"Yes, yes, I'll watch my words," Wang An'nan nodded and bowed, but his expression was worried, "Great-aunt, although Wu Zhixing is a bit timid, his strength is not weak. Most importantly, he is ten years older than you..."

For ordinary cultivators in their seventies or eighties, ten years might not make much difference. But for great prodigies at this age, when their strength was rapidly advancing, even a five or six-year difference could be significant.

"No matter," Wang Liyao said calmly, "This great prodigy trial is about self-tempering, victory or defeat is not important. The stronger Zhixing is, the happier I am."

Just as Wang An'nan was about to flatter her.

A commotion erupted from the scattered seats outside, "Zhixing and Snow Condensing great prodigies are here, they're here~"

Outside the White Cloud Tower.

A refined and gentle man and a flamboyant girl walked into the tower under countless gazes.

Amidst the discussions and cheers.

The man in black combat attire leisurely walked onto the stage.

"Zhixing greets Miss Liyao," Wu Zhixing's voice had a hint of laziness. Normally, he just wanted to cultivate quietly and didn't want to fight.

However, this battle had even caught the Emperor's attention, and through Snow Condensing's hands, he had been given a divine treasure—Qianqiu.

He had no choice but to fight.

As soon as he finished speaking.

Wang Liyao gracefully flew down, but before she could speak.

A sword flew out from behind Wu Zhixing, trembling as it said, "Wow, this chick is hot. Little Wu, go on, defeat her, suppress her, make her..."

"Bang!"

Before Qianqiu could finish, Wu Zhixing stomped it onto the black iron stage, his face full of embarrassment as he said to Wang Liyao, "Miss Liyao, I didn't expect that thing to be so shameless."

He felt a pang of sorrow, no wonder the Emperor gave the divine treasure so readily...

...