"Miss Mo Qing, Ling Wan, co over and sit here!"
Yun Xiao didn’t bother with the grey-faced trio from the Song Family. On this continent, everything revered strength above all else—the one with the bigger fist got better resources, including these pri seating places.
Following Yun Xiao’s gesture, Mo Qing and Ling Wan both ca over with smiles on their faces to sit beside him, and this spot was only a few feet away from the Xuanyue Jiuding at the head table.
"Hehe, aside from a few from the Luoyi Sect, it seems everyone has pretty much arrived!"
After the farce was over, although Xuanyue Jiuding was still fuming inside, he didn’t dwell on it. With a light chuckle, he spoke a line devoid of substance.
But once he said this, many of the empire’s talented youths who were lifting their cups halted their movents, for they knew that the recent farce was just an appetizer. What’s to follow would likely be the main event of this banquet.
These individuals were the prodigies of their respective Sects and families; none of them were fools. They knew that the Crown Prince had invited everyone here so ostentatiously for more than just to humiliate Yun Xiao.
Even Yun Xiao didn’t know what Xuanyue Jiuding was really plotting, so he also turned his gaze to the Crown Prince, wanting to know what was next to co.
"Ladies and gentlen, you must all be aware that in two days, it will be the day when the Countries Hidden Dragon Conference begins!"
Seeing that he had everyone’s attention, Xuanyue Jiuding cleared his throat and spoke confidently, "This ti’s Countries Hidden Dragon Conference is fortunate to have our Xuanyue Empire as the host country, welcoming guests from all nations, and showcasing the majesty of Xuanyue!"
It was still a bunch of aningless platitudes, but since he was the Crown Prince, no one showed signs of impatience. Instead, they listened intently, knowing that what followed should get to the heart of the matter.
"In past Countries Hidden Dragon Conferences, due to the long distances and weary travelers, our Xuanyue Empire’s performance was quite underwhelming. The highest rank we ever achieved was when my father participated, and that was only twenty-third, a far cry from the top ten!"
Yun Xiao had learned so information about the Countries Hidden Dragon Conference after securing a place to participate through the Jade Pot Sect, so he knew that Xuanyue Jiuding’s words were the truth.
Due to several generations of lethargic and incompetent rulers, the Xuanyue Empire had greatly declined. Only with the current ruler, Xuan Haoran, taking the throne and rectifying the chaos with the might of thunder was there a glimpse of a resurgence.
But old habits die hard, and it was no overnight feat for the empire’s various Sects and families to recover their vitality. Even though the Hidden Dragon Conference happened once every ten years, in recent years, besides Xuan Haoran, no one from the Xuanyue Empire had made it to the top fifty.
This had always been a stain on the Xuanyue Empire’s various Sects and families. This ti, Yun Xiao’s gaze swept over the many Xuanyue talents present, and he felt a different kind of anticipation.
He had seen so of the empire’s proud children from other empires when he was in Moon Cool City, especially Shen Wannian and Ye Shii, who were both rumored to be strong contenders for the title of this edition’s Hidden Dragon Conference Champion.
However, according to Yun Xiao’s sensing, whether it was Shen Wannian or Ye Shii, or Crown Prince Nie Qianqiu of the Lingtian Empire, all were only at the Late Stage of ridian Union Realm in cultivation, not much stronger than Xuanyue’s talents like Xuanyue Jiuding and Li Yue.
Of course, the combat strength of a person was not solely determined by ridian Qi Cultivation. For instance, Yun Xiao himself, as well as Ling Wan and Mo Qing, all had their own trump cards. When it ca to battle, perhaps a few unexpected opportunities could lead to victory.
After over a hundred years of recuperation, it seems that the Xuanyue Empire had regained its strength. This ti, with the Hidden Dragon Conference taking place in Baiyue City of the Xuanyue Imperial City, Yun Xiao began to have a vague understanding of Xuanyue Jiuding’s intentions.
"All of you are the best of our Xuanyue Empire’s younger generation, especially Miss Mo Qing and Brother Li Yue. Hence, I, the Crown Prince, have a proposal to put forth for everyone’s consideration to see if it’s viable?"
Xuanyue Jiuding’s gaze swept over a few individuals, and though he spoke of Mo Qing and Li Yue, who were on the sa level as himself, his gaze lingered the longest on Yun Xiao.
"Please speak, Crown Prince. As long as I can help, my Qingshan Sect will certainly not shirk from the task!"
This ti, Li Yue finally raised his voice. The Qingshan Sect had always wanted to forge ties with the Royal Family, aspiring to surpass the Jade Pot Sect and the Luoyi Sect among the empire’s Sects and beco preeminent. This intent was already apparent from the previous sovereign’s longevity feast.
With Li Yue leading the charge, nurous other talents who wished to curry favor with the Royal Family echoed his sentint. They participated in the Hidden Dragon Conference only as a formality; it was better to take this opportunity to show off in front of the Crown Prince.
Seeing the support from everyone, Xuanyue Jiuding felt rather smug and didn’t keep any secrets, saying, "I’ve inquired about the format of this Countries Hidden Dragon Conference’s competition. The first test is likely to be a massive lee. In this case, we from the Xuanyue Empire could form an alliance!"
This piece of news was sothing that nobody had heard of before; it must be so kind of special privilege the Xuanyue Imperial Family, as the host country, possessed.
Regardless, an early leak of the competition thods wasn’t a big deal, as everything would still depend on everyone’s performance on the spot. Who would have the last laugh remains an unknown.
Seeing that the crowd seed thoughtful, Xuan Jiuding’s eyes flicked around before he continued, "The Countries Hidden Dragon Conference this ti has attracted the cream of the crop from the entire Hidden Dragon Continent. Talents like Shen Wannian of the Yufeng Empire, Ye Shii, the Young Master Flying Flower of the Flying Flower Empire, and Nie Qianqiu, the Crown Prince of the Lingtian Empire, are all strong contenders for the champion of the Hidden Dragon Conference!"
At this juncture, Xuan Jiuding paused briefly before adding, "However, I believe that I am not much inferior to those individuals; therefore, I have a proposal of my own!"
"Heh, finally getting to the main point!"
Yun Xiao chuckled inwardly, having anticipated that Xuan Jiuding’s earlier proposal was rely a prelude. Its true objective was not simply to unite this motley crew to challenge the other empires’ top talents. Everything most likely revolved around his own self-interest.
This ti, Xuan Jiuding didn’t wait for others to echo his sentint but directly stated, "You should all be aware that fighting individually would only result in a dispersed force. My suggestion is that if defeat is inevitable, then we should band together to support one person in achieving a higher rank. What do you think?"
Once Xuan Jiuding’s words were out, the hall suddenly fell quiet. Even though he didn’t specify who that "one person" was, his confident expression and smile clearly indicated that he was referring to himself, the Crown Prince of the Xuanyue Empire.
Yun Xiao and Mo Qing naturally showed no sign of comnt, and even Li Yue didn’t volunteer to speak this ti. He was weighing the benefits, or rather whether such an arrangent would be worthwhile?
Li Yue was also a genuine Late Stage of ridian Union Realm cultivator. Although he had just made a breakthrough, this advancent had significantly bolstered his confidence in the Countries Hidden Dragon Conference.
Even his intense hatred for Yun Xiao didn’t lead to imdiate action, mainly because of the upcoming Countries Hidden Dragon Conference where he hoped to shine and attract the favor of the great powers of the Middle Three Realms.
But now, Xuan Jiuding’s intention was asking everyone to concede the most dazzling opportunity to showcase themselves to him. For those in the Early and Middle Stages of ridian Union Realm, this wasn’t too repellent, but for talented individuals like Mo Qing and Li Yue, who were also in the Late Stage of ridian Union Realm, the situation was sowhat conflicting.
"Rest assured, everyone. As long as I secure a top ten or even a top five ranking, I will not forget your righteous support. Your sects or families will forever be friends of the Xuanyue Royal Family!"
Xuan Jiuding was adept at allurents; he knew offering nothing in return wouldn’t convince these proud talents to work for soone else’s glory. Even as the Xuanyue Crown Prince, he could only suppress them temporarily.
Now, with the Royal Family as his backdrop and using the future prosperity of the great talents’ sects and families as bait, he didn’t believe these people would not listen to him.
"The Song Family is willing to follow Crown Prince!"
While everyone was pondering silently, Song Yi of the Song Family was the first to speak out in a resolute tone. However, upon hearing this, many showed contemptuous smirks.
It seed everyone was aware that the Song Family had already pledged allegiance to the Crown Prince, always looking to Xuan Jiuding for direction. Even without those promises, they were unlikely to easily refute the decision of the Crown Prince, right?
"The Guan Family seconds the motion!"
Following Song Yi, another voice sounded. This surna made Yun Xiao’s gaze instinctively shift, and in the next mont, he was t with eyes full of malice.
"The Guan Family, could it be the sa one from back then, Guan Tong and Guan Hu’s family?"
Yun Xiao’s mind raced, well aware of the three major families in the Imperial City. The Guan brothers who died because of him in the Outer Sect of the Jade Pot Sect seed to be from this family.
From the resentful look in the Guan Family talent’s eyes, Yun Xiao imdiately guessed this must be the family of Guan Tong and his brother. It looked like the Outer Sect competition of the Jade Pot Sect had attracted another deadly enemy.
With the Song and Guan Families taking the lead, the other cultivators also recognized the reality of a situation more powerful than they were. Apart from the Jade Pot Sect and Qingshan Sect, the other small and dium-sized sects and families, knowing they could not afford to offend the Crown Prince, begrudgingly bowed their heads in agreent.
Perhaps so of the sect and family talents also realized that with their abilities, they might not even rank in the top hundred of the Hidden Dragon Conference. So why not take this opportunity to owe the Crown Prince a favor?
This must be the true objective of Crown Prince Xuan Jiuding. It seed he wasn’t very confident about the upcoming Countries Hidden Dragon Conference. With so many people aiding him now, the chance to secure a top ten or even top five position should be greater, right?
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