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About the news of Chen Qing’s impending visit, it spread swiftly among the descendants of the various major Sorcerer Families.

The source of the message came from the descendants of these families who were cultivating their skills in Jiangnan, making people skeptical yet filled with immense anticipation!

The families had a reason for their expectations.

To the lesser families, the academy was the best platform to showcase their outstanding descendants.

Before the establishment of the academy by the Duke of the Song State, those families with weaker influence, even if they had talented descendants, lacked superior techniques and resources, and ultimately would fall into mediocrity.

The establishment of the academy had provided the descendants of the lesser families with an opportunity for advancement. Otherwise, a genius like Mu Hongqing who broke away from his family wouldn’t have become the Academic Commissioner of the Great Jin Dynasty.

To leave the Capital City meant to be cut off from the academy.

No one knew whether the Chen Family in the Southern Sea would follow the Duke of the Song State’s example and establish an academy.

There was a possibility it might revert to the old situation where major families monopolized power.

Beyond the Capital City, the only other place with an established academy model was Jiangnan!

Moreover, the prospects for development in Jiangnan were even better!!

According to the latest intelligence, the Jiangnan Academy not only taught a diverse set of techniques but had now taken over the West Sea Dragon Palace and established the mysterious Dragon Palace Academy.

It was said that students who went there could have the priority in learning the secret techniques of the Dragon Palace.

For those talented magicians who once looked down on the various techniques, this opportunity was fatally attractive.

It was highly unlikely to stay in the Capital City anymore.

Some of the elite descendants from minor families, as well as the mediocre descendants from major families, viewed this year’s recruitment at Jiangnan Academy as their only opportunity.

However, this only chance was being aggressively disrupted by the mad Royal Family of the Imperial Court!

"Will Chen Qing really come?"

In various taverns, descendants from different circles of the major families gathered to discuss this topic.

Whether from the great families or the lesser ones, even the elite descendants of the major families paid close attention.

After all, the situation in the Southern Sea was an unknown factor.

The more backup plans, the better. If Jiangnan Academy remained open to all, it would mean an additional option for these outstanding descendants.

No one wanted Chen Qing to completely fall out with the Capital City!

"Not sure, the intelligence says he’s coming personally."

"It seems that Jiangnan can’t swallow this insult."

"Nonsense, if your fiancée was insulted like that, could you swallow it?"

"Childish talk..." one of the magicians in white shook his head and laughed, "Why can’t they swallow it? Princess Mingxue isn’t some national beauty. Jiangnan and the Imperial Court are already at odds; why take the risk over a princess who isn’t valued?"

"Indeed, Chen Qing isn’t the new, freshly-appointed magician of the past. He is the King of Qin in Jiangnan, what a prestigious status! With such a substantial following, why should he risk coming here for a woman?"

"Still, you can’t be sure...."

Some held a different opinion, countering, "It’s a matter of reputation.

If Chen Qing swallows this insult, it means Jiangnan is currently weak on the inside while appearing strong on the outside.

The Imperial Court won’t let Jiangnan continue to occupy the West Sea.

Chen Qing’s visit this time isn’t solely for Princess Mingxue, it’s a show of force! "

"A personal show of force?" someone laughed, "Chen Qing’s just a scholar. By coming to the Capital City in person, isn’t he afraid of trouble?"

"A scholar?" someone sneered, "Have you been cooped up at home lately and not received the news? Chen Qing... in full view of everyone, defeated Duke of Qin Lu Ming. You really think he’s just a scholar? Who knows, he might be an old monster who has lived for who knows how many years."

Thus, amidst a myriad of discussion and rebuttals, the rumors buzzed in every tavern. The upper class was already well aware of this juicy gossip, and everyone wanted to know whether Chen Qing really had the guts to come.

Meanwhile, in a secret room of one of the taverns, there sat a group of people one wouldn’t expect, eavesdropping on these gossipy conversations from a corner.

This group dressed in Central Plains attire, yet in terms of physique and features, they were very different from the Central Plains People.

The muscular leader, towering over nine feet tall, with a hook nose and triangular eyes, embodied a cold and ruthless visage.

Anyone from the Honglu Temple would recognize him – this was the instigator of the current turmoil: the Second Prince of Wutu Country, Wutu Gu!

"Your Highness, look at these Central Plains monkeys, chattering incessantly, all discussing whether that Chen Qing dares to come to Capital City to fight with you over a woman."

"Hah... those spineless creatures of the Central Plains, especially those self-righteous magicians, they know nothing. If Chen Qing doesn’t come, all is well. If he dares come, it’s just what we need. Your Highness has a shortage of Central Plains’ heads on your waistband."

"Does he deserve it? The spoils on Your Highness’ waist are the heads of princes from various nations. What status does Chen Qing have? Does he even deserve to be Your Highness’ spoil of war?"

"Eh, that’s not quite right..." another burly man flashed his animal-like fangs and chuckled, "Anyway, he’s been conferred the title of king. Though he’s a king from another surname, he’s still a king of the Central Plains. Our Highness doesn’t have a trophy from a Central Plains heir yet."

"That’s true, haha..."

"Enough...." The burly man interjected, silencing everyone as he looked out of the window, "They’re not wrong; Chen Qing is not to be underestimated. After all, he’s the one who killed Lu Ming with his own hands.

In the eyes of these Central Plains People, as long as Chen Qing dares to come, I should slink back like a dog. "

"Hahahaha!"

At these words, all the men burst into wild laughter.

"These frogs at the bottom of the well..."

"Lumings? Who among us present still regards him?"

"Indeed, they do not understand and they even think of fleeing the Ghost Temple of the Capital City, how foolish."

"They will soon realize that what they once knew is now worthless!"

The arrogant voices of his subordinates did not elicit a rebuttal from Wutu Gu.

He touched the accessory made from a skull at his waist, and smiled slightly.

Lumings, the Duke of Qin, was once feared by the Southern Barbarians––even two rulers of Wutu Country had died by his hand, a personage to terrify children.

He originally wanted to personally take Lumings’ head, but unexpectedly, someone unknown beat him to it.

The one who rose to power stepping on Lumings’ head, will now have to bear all the hatred Lumings once did. His subordinates were right, his collection truly lacked a king of the Central Plains People’s head!

--------------------------------------

"Finally, we have arrived..."

At the boundary of the Central Plains, Ao Zhen and her entourage were few in number, yet conspicuously prominent.

The black horse covered in dragon scales was twice the size of the Capital City’s Dragon Colt, its aura formidable. Within three zhang, not even insects dared to approach.

Astride the massive horse, besides the two Yaksha generals accompanying Ao Zhen, were two vice generals from the Sea God’s Guard.

Under the dedicated nurturing of Tian Heng, all had crossed the threshold into Transcendence.

Though they tried their best to contain their auras, they still emitted an inexplicable fear that could be felt from afar.

Leading the way was Ao Zhen of the West Sea, clad in silver armor, looking dashing and valiant.

It had been tens of thousands of years since she last visited the human world of the Central Plains, and everything appeared new and novel; yet her presence compelled the Imperial Court’s welcoming guards to hardly dare to breathe.

The group couldn’t help but wonder what was happening in Jiangnan now.

Could the Imperial Court truly afford to offend them... now?

In the middle of the procession, inside a sedan chair, someone disguised as Chen Qing was finding it hard even to breathe.

The oppressive atmosphere was almost suffocating.

"Calm down, take deep breaths..." Shen Qi remarked with amusement.

The person shot Shen Qi an exasperated look: "Is deep breathing going to help? Can’t you have those people outside tone it down a bit? Don’t overpower me before we even make a splash; I might suffocate first!"

"That won’t do..." Shen Qi shook his head slightly.

"Why not?"

"We came to make a show of force. Without this, there would be no show at all. Moreover, you need to adapt to all this. If you can’t even handle the pressure from our own people, what will you do in the Capital City where the probes and challenges will be manifold more difficult?

If you can’t manage now, what will you do later? "

"What a nuisance..." Ali frowned. "Why must Chen Qing personally welcome a princess?"

"It’s necessary..." Shen Qi said gravely: "The Imperial Family wants to probe Jiangnan’s strength, and the Southern Barbarians have their own new plans. The latest news is that the Spirit Serpent Goddess of Earth Dragon Cave?—Madam Lu’s mother?—has been killed by the Second Prince, Wutu Gu!"

Ali was taken aback upon hearing this. She knew of the Spirit Serpent Goddess of Earth Dragon Cave, a being close to Transcendent powers. If the Second Prince Wutu Gu had managed to kill her, it signified...

"Hmm... it’s very likely that the Second Prince already possesses Extraordinary Power. What we’re about to face is definitely not just the Royal Family!"