Chapter 23

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Yet as Zhao Kuo spoke, lower-ranking officials in the court, such as vice ministers, began shrinking their necks involuntarily and edging backward, step by cautious step.

Xiao Fan’s performance on the martial grounds had been so astonishing that he naturally won the attention of the Prince of Great Zhou. This meant that he had to come first in the second examination to secure the prince’s regard. Otherwise, he would have little chance of ever rising again.

Bai Tangtian nodded at this. Bai Lingjing then left the hospital room with peace of mind and gently closed the door behind her. Yet from that very moment, a series of strange events began.

He had never expected that, after using the Buddha-Demon Palm, the opponent’s palm would also gain such a remarkable increase in defensive power.

“A project on this scale is indeed a first for us. We apologize for anything we may have overlooked.” Jiang Ping’s attitude had changed completely. He addressed Bai Lingjing with utmost respect and humbly sought her guidance.

Commander Shangguan sat down on the single sofa nearby. He stared fixedly at his son, who was seated beside the bed, and after hesitating for a long while, finally spoke.

Po Pang was stunned for a moment, then rushed forward, picked up one of the storage rings, and cautiously probed it with his spiritual power.

At the same time, he had to transform his vital essence as well, converting low-energy essence into qi of a higher energy level.

As Li Fusheng listened, Ma Wenrou’s unchanging practicality almost made him laugh. Yet when the smile reached his lips, he could not bring himself to laugh. Perhaps this was one of life’s cruelest dilemmas: he had lost his feelings.

Ever since Zhang Zhao discovered that he had actually stood on behalf of his clan while discussing state affairs with Sun Quan, doubts had begun to trouble him. He feared that Sun Quan had lost his trust in him. He had already broken with the great clans and now had only Sun Quan to rely on. Otherwise, the loss would be truly disastrous.

Liu Pei and Chang Yan led the delegation in negotiations with the Xiongnu. The Third Prince, unable to bear seeing his younger sister suffer, had no choice but to accept their terms.

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Mu Qingying showed not the slightest fear. She merely gazed at Fu Minxiu with admiration and affection. She had never been such an impulsive person, but with her cousin present today, she simply wanted to test him.

Over the past few days, Shi Xianhui had often gone out with Mr. Lian. Naturally, they visited the reception hall most frequently. Although Shi Xianhui had not yet transformed herself into a breathtaking beauty, she had nonetheless caused many people to look at her in a new light. Gradually, the rumors about her once chasing after Qin Zixuan faded from memory.

Weddings were crowded affairs by nature, but Weiliang still saw Tala hurrying over with delight. She leaned close and whispered, “His Highness is here!”

The prince rarely attended such banquets at the homes of court officials. In particular, after entering the Forbidden City, this seemed to be the first time he had done so. Tala felt honored simply to be serving her mistress.

At these words, fear appeared in the eyes of all the consorts, and they turned to look at Qi Shaofan. Some instinctively stepped backward, as though she were terrifying and merely standing too close to her would bring them harm.

She had wanted to become angry—perhaps even to strike him—but afterward, she no longer felt quite so furious. This left her confused. Could it be that she had harbored feelings for this man all along?

Su Moli had just said that if the disciples of their Maplewood Empire won, Jiang Zhenlin would have to kneel and apologize, admitting before everyone that he had been wrong.

Tianyu arrived at the pavilion, reached out and dismissed Ruhua, then quietly entered and sat down in his usual place, watching Gu Xiao continue to sleep peacefully.

Tang Lele said, “Nothing much. Your Fourth Father was being disobedient, so I was teaching him a lesson in the room.” As she spoke, she cast a meaningful glance at Kairis.

The next day, above the Di family estate, a great ship slowly rose into the air, driven upward by a powerful aura. The entire sky seemed to transform into an endless ocean as the boundless vessel caught the breeze and sailed away.

Lu Qi realized that he had failed to protect his lower body and prepared to move out of the way, but it was already too late.

“My mid-range shooting percentage isn’t high right now. They’re forcing me to score in the way I’m least comfortable with.” Sun Zhuo was rather frustrated. Knowing that he could not keep taking mid-range shots, he used his defense to draw attention and create passing opportunities. Only then did he realize how well Phil Jackson and Kobe understood him.

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Although Yile knew that Kirino presented herself at school as a gentle, amiable, well-behaved girl, even her exceptionally polite conduct made it impossible for him to connect her with the willful, overbearing menace she was at home.

Terrified, the two soldiers of the Right Army immediately used grappling techniques and held Murong Changyu tightly.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard had been established for barely half a year, yet its reputation had already spread throughout the entire Jiangbei region. It was renowned even in the Huaixi region, while the capital’s western outskirts bordered the imperial heartland, where the guard’s influence had long since taken deep root.

The ministers had expected the first appointment. But when Yang Hao’s name appeared, they once again began whispering among themselves, clearly astonished that it was him.

Draculapeng could see that Guangqi Wangshu intended to bring the Ancient Gate Bureau before the eyes of the world, but he would not allow that to happen. Guangqi Wangshu was more intelligent than Draculapeng had imagined, but he was no kindhearted man either.

Mu Li was overwhelmed with joy and rushed forward. “Ake, Ake, are you awake? Can you hear me?” Tears poured down his face.

Perhaps this was because the Soul-Splitting Curse he had obtained was not the true, complete Soul-Splitting Curse. Had its most crucial component been hidden all those years ago?

This was the supreme aura he had forged through slaughter in the mortal world. It was like a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood, the majesty of one who had endured countless battles, remained undefeated, and naturally cultivated his authority by destroying innumerable powerful beings.