Chapter 123: Riding the Sword Across a Thousand Snow-Capped Peaks, Scent Drifts in the Wind

On the cliffside, the wind grew stronger.

Jiang Jian, clad in black robes and bearing his sword on his back, stood alone, detached from the world.

The scene, like a painting, entered his pupils.

For a moment, several girls gazed at him, lost in awe.

“Zhaozhao, does your brother have someone he likes?”

Zhong Ling’s eyes sparkled with admiration as she came to her senses. “Why not pair him up with my cousin?”

Jiang Zhao and Zuo Lu exchanged a glance, both speechless.

Zuo Lu sighed. “Cousin, my wound is still bleeding.”

“Oh, right.”

Zhong Ling snapped back to reality and immediately activated her spiritual energy to continue healing Zuo Lu’s wound.

Zuo Lu’s expression turned solemn as he scanned the surroundings. “Though Zhaozhao’s cultivation isn’t weak, our Linjiang Prefecture only has three combat teams—our situation is far from optimistic.”

She crossed schools to join her cousin’s combat team.

Her original plan was merely to participate casually, to give her cousin Zhong Ling some exposure.

She never intended to win a ranking.

But.

None of them had expected.

At the final moment, Jiang Zhao’s spiritual essence erupted.

Allowing Zhong Ling’s team to barely squeeze into the top ten.

“The Wangchuan University team is waving at us.”

One girl suddenly spoke up.

At the edge of the arena.

Qi Ming’s combat team was speaking about something.

Due to the formation barrier.

Zhong Ling and the others couldn’t hear their voices.

At this moment.

The preparation time was about to end.

The formation separating the Linshui Cliff grew increasingly transparent.

It was about to collapse entirely!

“Remaining preparation time: 10 seconds.”

“Remaining preparation time: 9 seconds.”

…

“Final round, begin!”

A cold voice echoed across the Linshui Cliff!

Simultaneously,

All separating formations vanished!

The colossal holographic screen spanning the sky also roared!

The remaining screens twisted and merged amid intersecting light.

A few seconds later,

The massive screen displayed only one scene: the Linshui Cliff!

Within it, the holographic imagery was lifelike, down to the finest detail.

Even the corners of combat team members’ robes and strands of hair were clearly visible!

Because the Linshui Cliff was enormous.

The several teams from Hanjiang Prefecture were too scattered.

Though they moved quickly, they were still some distance away.

“Which way do we go?”

One girl looked left and right, hesitant. “Left is Zhaozhao’s brother; right is Qi Ming’s team.”

The final round of the two-prefecture debate.

It was not randomly assigned.

Instead, areas were divided by prefecture.

Combat teams from the same prefecture would be grouped together.

“Of course, we go to Zhaozhao’s brother!”

Zhong Ling spoke first. “Jiang Jian’s strength is evident to all!”

Zuo Lu thought for a moment, then nodded slightly. “Among this year’s freshmen, Jiang Jian’s strength is unquestionable. Though I have a Level 4 talent, I admit I’m no match for him.”

“Then let’s go now!”

Zhong Ling smiled.

“No.”

Jiang Zhao suddenly spoke. “Don’t go to him yet.”

Zhong Ling was startled. “Zhaozhao, why?”

“Jiang Jian hasn’t come down from the cliff—he must have his reasons.”

Jiang Zhao’s gaze was calm as she spoke softly. “If we rush over, we might disrupt his focus.”

As his sister, she understood Jiang Jian well.

Jiang Jian’s will was resolute; at all times, he held his own convictions.

Since this period began,

After her illness was fully cured,

Her cultivation speed had become terrifying.

It had even reached a level that shocked the heart.

Yet Jiang Zhao still did not believe her own strength could aid the current Jiang Jian.

Moreover,

Within the combat team, besides herself and Zuo Lu,

Only Zhong Ling had any utility—a healing talent.

The other two girls had ordinary combat ability.

Going now would only distract Jiang Jian and hold him back.

Thinking of this,

The girl tightened her grip slightly on the Shuxue Sword, holding it backward, and said, “Let’s head to Qi Ming’s team first. More people means better support—what do you think?”

Zuo Lu nodded slightly. “Then let’s go now.”

The girls made brief preparations and left the spot.

On the cliffside,

Jiang Jian’s expression remained calm as he withdrew his gaze from his sister.

Here, on the edge of the Linshui Cliff,

The position was excellent.

From above, he could clearly see every combat team.

“My sister fears her classmates will hold me back.”

“She’s shooed them away.”

Jiang Jian smiled faintly, guessing his sister’s thoughts.

As his thoughts shifted,

Jiang Jian turned slightly.

Holding Han Guang backward, his dark robe sleeves flared.

Before the eyes of countless onlookers,

He leapt from the clifftop, hundreds of meters above!

“He’s lost his mind!”

“From that height—he dares to jump straight down!”

“He’ll die on impact!”

“What’s wrong with Jiang Jian?!”

“It’s outright suicide!”

Countless onlookers stared at the holographic screen in shock, crying out in alarm!

At Guangling No. 1 High, Zhou Yu leapt to his feet, fingers trembling, face pale. “It’s over! Why did Jiang Jian fall?!”

In the girls’ dormitory,

Nie Zheng sat on the sofa, hugging her knees, biting her crimson lips. “Senior Jiang Jian!”

Inside the Whalecraft, Zhang Jian stared at the screen, expressionless.

But his tightly clenched fist betrayed his inner turmoil.

On the forum, countless comments flooded in instantly!

Under the gaze of over a billion eyes.

The massive holographic screen kept its lens locked on Jiang Jian!

Almost everyone wore expressions of shock and regret.

They believed Jiang Jian would be crushed to death here!

Everything happened too fast.

In an instant.

Jiang Jian’s figure plummeted rapidly!

Wild winds roared past his ears!

His black robe with golden threads flared wildly.

The next second.

Before the eyes of all.

Jiang Jian shifted his body slightly.

The spiritual essence of Shen Que erupted suddenly!

Leaning sideways, Jiang Jian unleashed a torrent of spiritual energy, surging like a tidal wave!

The Han Guang sword landed lightly; amid the surging spiritual energy, it was stepped upon by Jiang Jian’s foot.

His body sank violently downward!

Then, the swordlight erupted again, abruptly halting his fall!

The longsword blazed with radiant light, its terrifying spiritual energy letting out a silent roar.

It steadily carried Jiang Jian forward at breakneck speed!

At every moment, it consumed an unimaginable quantity of spiritual energy!

The gale howled at his ears, leaving only the roaring wind.

Several hundred meters away.

The Level 5 Talent squad.

Several raised their heads, frozen in place, faces filled with utter horror!

“Jiang Jian!”

“How dare he jump down!”

“Aren’t you afraid of dying from the fall!”

Moments later.

They realized.

That brilliant white swordlight had not fallen.

Instead, it paused briefly in midair, drawing ever closer!

Their faces turned pale: “How is this possible!”

“He’s only at the Divine Gift realm!”

“How can he control an object in flight!”

“Divine Gift spiritual essence absolutely cannot sustain this!”

“Then what is this sight before us!?”

The captain of the combat squad, that Level 5 Talent student, stood frozen, muttering: “Could it be… Jiang Jian’s cultivation foundation is already comparable to a Gushing Spring realm!?”

In the blink of an eye.

Jiang Jian rode Han Guang, hurtling through the air at breakneck speed!

Fierce gales surged like a storm!

Around him, spiritual energy roared wildly, draining at an alarming rate!

The Shen Que spiritual essence had been pushed to its absolute limit!

Most terrifying of all:

Han Guang’s brilliant white swordlight left a trailing flame stretching hundreds of meters!

It seemed slow—but was in fact blazingly fast.

With terrifying velocity, it tore across the sky, splitting clouds, racing straight toward the Level 5 combat squad!

When still dozens of meters above the ground.

His black sleeve swept lightly.

Jiang Jian tilted his body, channeling spiritual energy as his hand closed gently.

The Han Guang sword left beneath him, now held firmly in Jiang Jian’s grasp.

His speed was simply too fast!

Jiang Jian could clearly see the terror on the faces of the combat squad members!

In an instant.

The Shen Que spiritual essence erupted once more!

Vast quantities of spiritual energy poured in, making his sleeves snap violently!

Jiang Jian’s gaze was icy; from high above, he turned, sword in hand, and brought down a devastating, peerless strike toward the ground below!

BOOM!!!

The swordlight stretched nearly a hundred meters, carving a colossal white rainbow that slammed into the earth!

The deafening explosion echoed across half of Linshui Cliff!

Rocks and trees shattered into dust, radiant light scattered wildly through the air!

The ground exploded open, cleaved into a terrifying chasm nearly a hundred meters long and over ten meters deep!

Instantly, dust settled.

All around, silence as death.

Jade rain swayed; light streams spun in spirals.

The black-robed boy swept his sleeves and spun down to land.

Han Guang descended, seized in the pale, slender fingers of Jiang Jian.

High above the sky.

On the holographic screen, watched by all.

Clearly displayed: the pale, side profile of the black-robed boy.

Countless beings stared dumbfounded at the hologram, utterly silent.

On the floating pavilion.

The Deputy Prefect leapt to his feet, his aura exploding violently, sweeping aside nearby officials as he roared: “My prefect’s Jiang Jian—unrivaled, supreme! He is number one!”

Many officials steadied themselves, exchanging glances, hearts pounding with awe!

A few seconds later.

One inspector’s face turned ashen: “Quick! Send rescue!”

Instantly.

Several streaks of light shot toward the ground, diving into the massive fissure!

After several seconds.

“Good—it’s only serious injury!”

“Thank heaven for the Cliff’s Great Array!”

Several inspectors leapt onto the ground, each cradling a student, faces filled with relief.

One inspector turned his head.

Toward the black-robed boy not far away.

His heart surged with wild shock!

Just now, the swordlight had crashed down.

Their life-saving light shields had shattered instantly!

Even the emergency escape array, pre-deployed to save them, had been shredded into fragments by the hundred-meter swordlight!

The ever-present Cliff’s Great Array, at the last possible instant,

Enveloped the students within its protection.

Otherwise, the consequences would have been unthinkable.

Meanwhile.

The two prefectures, two billion beings, finally snapped back to awareness.

Many wore expressions of disbelief, their hearts filled with utter horror!

“The Divine Gift realm can control objects in flight? Did I go blind?”

“What was that brilliant white swordlight falling from the sky?”

“What just happened?”

“Jiang Jian jumped from a hundreds-of-meters cliff, flew through the air, and slashed an entire squad to oblivion!?”

“Huh?”

“How immense is his spiritual energy reserve!?”

“Surging Spring Realm!?”

As the holographic giant screen continuously replayed the scene of Jiang Jian descending on his sword.

Noise surged, roaring to the heavens!

“Prodigy!”

“This is a true prodigy!”

“With sheer personal power, he wiped out the combat team, crushing all opposition!”

“Singular prodigy!”

“Linjiang Prefecture has produced such a prodigy!”

“Dual Prefecture Academic Leader!”

“Jiang Jian deserves to be Dual Prefecture Academic Leader!”

“I recognize only Jiang Jian as Dual Prefecture Academic Leader! Let anyone who dares challenge him step forward!”

“This terrifying spiritual essence dominates one hundred thousand new students, supreme in his peer class!”

“Supreme in his peer class, invincible wherever he turns!”

“Here in Jiang Jian, among the two prefectures and one hundred thousand new students, stands the first prodigy!”

“First prodigy among one hundred thousand new students!!!”

BOOM!

Amidst the bustling chaos.

Invisible sound waves boiled over!

The Chongchong layers of clouds in the sky were swept apart!

Across both prefectures, countless beings.

All rose to their feet with a thunderous roar!

In addition,

Many Surging Spring Realm cultivators from Linjiang Prefecture, their expressions wildly excited, leapt from their seats, their aura erupting chaotically and sweeping through those around them!

“After so long, Linjiang Prefecture has finally produced another singular prodigy!”

“The combat team we were certain to lose—actually won!”

“And with absolute, overwhelming dominance—crushing them utterly!”

“Such a prodigy, breaking into the Surging Spring Realm is but a flick of the wrist!”

“Not even the unreachable Divine Palace realm feels out of reach!”

……

At this moment.

By the waterside cliff.

“Zhaozhao, your brother…”

Zhong Ling stared blankly toward the cliff.

Deep within her pupils, the lingering afterimage of that elegant swordlight remained!

Zuo Lu, Qi Ming, and the others also stared in shock, speechless.

Even

The Hanjiang Prefecture combat team that had circled around nearby.

Now all halted, their gazes filled with shock, exchanging silent glances.

“This is a true prodigy…”

Amidst surging emotions, every member of the Hanjiang Prefecture team fell silent.

They had no will left to trouble Zhong Ling and the others.

Only one girl’s eyes blazed brightly!

Deep in her gaze surged a wild, burning battle intent!

“Linjiang Prefecture, Jiang Jian.”

The girl gripped her silk ribbon, whispering softly, “One day, I will catch up to you.”

The girl beside her, hearing the whisper, asked: “Yingying, what are you saying?”

A boy snapped out of his daze, his expression slightly desolate: “Even if Qin Yingying has a Level 5 talent, she still couldn’t match Jiang Jian.”

“Right now, she certainly can’t.”

Qin Yingying withdrew her gaze, her tone firm: “But don’t forget—the Divine Gift Realm is only the beginning.”

The boy shrugged: “Then what do we do? Still fight?”

Qin Yingying smiled: “Fight your head.”

In the distance.

A black-robed boy walked forward, sword in hand.

Qin Yingying smirked, then cleanly and decisively activated her identity device and pressed it: “I surrender!”

Around her,

The other Hanjiang Prefecture combat team members exchanged glances.

A few seconds later,

The boy who had spoken earlier lifted his wrist, helplessly: “I surrender.”

“I surrender.”

“I surrender.”

“I withdraw.”

……

Within mere seconds,

All seven Hanjiang Prefecture combat teams were eliminated!

Among them,

One combat team was directly crushed by Jiang Jian!

The other six combat teams all surrendered.

They were sequentially expelled from the waterside cliff by the Xingtai Array.

On the holographic giant screen,

Rankings were fixed according to elimination time!

One hundred thousand new students, twenty thousand combat teams.

Only the top three remained undecided!

“Jiang Jian, thank you.”

Qi Ming stepped forward, his expression complex.

Several students from Wangchuan University also approached, offering their thanks.

“Jiang Jian, I’m Zuo Lu.”

Zuo Lu extended his hand openly: “May we exchange identity device information?”

Jiang Jian greeted Qi Ming and the others, then walked to Zuo Lu and lightly shook his hand: “Of course.”

Qi Ming hesitated, thought for a moment, then stepped forward again: “Jiang Jian, my Qi Ming team chooses to withdraw voluntarily.”

Jiang Jian smiled lightly: “You two teams can decide among yourselves who takes second and who takes third—I won’t interfere.”

Qi Ming’s lip twitched; he stole a glance at Jiang Zhao, then said firmly: “Without you, our Qi Ming team would never have made the top three!”

He often browsed the Divine Gift University forum—he knew well.

Jiang Zhao of Anhe Academy is Jiang Jian’s younger sister.

“I surrender!”

“I surrender!”

“I withdraw!”

Members of Qi Ming’s team each pressed their identity devices in turn.

On the holographic giant screen,

The third-place team was instantly fixed!

Qi Ming Team!

Zuo Lu smiled at Jiang Jian: “I withdraw!”

The other two girls also pressed their identity devices.

They were expelled from the arena by the Xingtai Array.

“Jiang Jian.”

Zhong Ling hesitated, her voice timid: “There’s a post about you on the forum—I wrote it!”

Jiang Jian smiled: “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome! You’re Zhaozhao’s brother—I had to defend you!”

Zhong Ling, flustered, quickly pressed her identity device and left.

“Jiang Jian.”

The girl raised Shuxue, offering a light smile: “Wanna spar?”

Jiang Jian stared at his sister, speechless.

“Enough fooling around,” Jiang Zhao sheathed Shuexue Sword and said, “I have something to tell you.”

“Last time, you took me to be treated.”

“After we returned.”

The young lady’s expression turned grave. “My cultivation speed has increased dramatically.”

Upon hearing this,

Jiang Jian’s eyes darkened with thought.

He knew his sister.

For Jiang Zhao to speak so seriously, “dramatically” must mean extraordinarily so!

“Go back first.”

Jiang Jian said, “We’ll discuss it after the Two-Fu Dao Debate.”

His sister replied: “Alright.”

As soon as she spoke, she activated her identity device.

The ascending platform array descended.

Jiang Zhao stood deep within the stream of light, whispering softly: “You must take the Soul-Stabilizing Capsules I bought you, on schedule.”

Jiang Jian said: “Alright.”

As Jiang Zhao was transported away from the scene,

The winds at the Waterside Cliff fell still.

Only Jiang Jian remained, standing with his sword in hand.

High above the sky,

On the holographic giant screen,

Jiang Jian’s name burst forth with ten thousand beams of golden light!

Dragging blazing trails of light, it roared upward, crushing the ten thousand new students, rising to the very top!

“Two-Fu Dao Debate, First-Year Team Combat.”

“Jiang Jian’s combat team is Number One!”

“Team member: Jiang Jian!”

Boom!

The holographic giant screen trembled violently!

The ten thousand new students, twenty thousand teams—the rankings were now permanently fixed!

At the same time,

Even louder murmurs erupted in a Feiteng of chaos!

Around the Waterside Cliff, a million spectators.

Two prefectures, two billion lives.

The Divine Gift University Joint Forum, the Two-Fu Forum, countless smaller forums—

All were frenziedly discussing one name!

Linjiang Prefecture, Jiang Jian!

“Good! Good! Good!”

The Deputy Prefect stood at the edge of the floating terrace, his aura surging, voice echoing across half the Waterside Cliff!

“Master Gui, are you not coming out yet?”

“It is time to announce the Two-Fu Academic Champions!”

“The promised resource rewards—fivefold, not a single bit less!”

The Deputy Prefect stood with arms crossed, his tone domineering!

Above the Waterside Cliff, in the heavens,

An old man with white hair stepped forth from nothingness, hovering in midair.

His expression was calm as he surveyed the surroundings.

Finally, his gaze settled on Jiang Jian, and he gave a slight nod: “As the chief judge jointly invited by the two prefectures, I now declare: the First-Year Academic Champion of this Two-Fu Dao Debate is…”

“Wait!”

A cold voice rang out.

Instantly,

The holographic screen’s lens shifted.

Countless eyes focused on the floating terrace.

It was the Hanjiang Prefecture’s array terrace.

The speaker, his face dark, stepped forward: “I object!”

Far away,

On the Linjiang Prefecture’s floating terrace, the Deputy Prefect stared at him and snapped: “So it’s Director Liu of Hanjiang. What is your objection?”

Director Liu sneered: “I’ve reviewed the records. Your Jiang Jian’s talent rating is clearly Level 3. Yet the spiritual essence he displayed is far beyond Level 3!”

Upon hearing this,

The Deputy Prefect calmed instantly: “And?”

Director Liu’s smile turned sinister. “In just one month since enrollment, to reach such a level—only a prodigy with Level 5 talent could possibly achieve it!”

Under the gaze of ten thousand, Director Liu continued: “If Jiang Jian truly possesses Level 5 talent, then your Linjiang Prefecture has committed the grave crime of concealing a prodigy and failing to report it!”

“You know better than anyone how severely the higher authorities punish the concealment of prodigies!”

At these words,

The Deputy Prefect’s expression turned icy.

Even Xu Director beside him, and numerous prefecture officials, paled at the accusation.

Seeing their reactions,

Director Liu was thoroughly satisfied, and went on: “If Jiang Jian is not Level 5 talent, yet still possesses such terrifying spiritual essence—”

His tone shifted abruptly: “Then I have every reason to suspect he is not a human of Earth, but a Jupiter spirit in disguise!”

“Liu Yanshou, how dare you!”

The Deputy Prefect’s face darkened, his aura exploding violently!

Boom!

A terrifying stream of light surged forth, crossing the floating terrace, directly engulfing Director Liu!

Crack!

A barrier appeared, firmly blocking the light stream’s assault!

Yet cracks spiderwebbed across its surface, spreading rapidly!

“Deputy Prefect Jiang, don’t lose your temper,”

The white-haired elder waved his hand, and the barrier dissolved. “This is a competition among the young. Speak your piece calmly. You hold high rank and power—don’t act recklessly.”

On the Hanjiang Prefecture’s floating terrace,

Director Liu turned pale, sweat beading on his forehead as he growled: “Jiang Wenjian, you dared attack me?!”

Jiang Wenjian replied coldly: “You slander a prodigy here. Even if I outright crippled you, the higher-ups wouldn’t say a word.”

“On what grounds do you accuse me of slander? If you have the nerve, summon the Two-Fu Prayer Hall to test his bloodline!”

Director Liu instinctively stepped back, yet his voice remained defiant: “Jiang Wenjian, do you dare?”

At this moment,

Across the Two-Fu Dao Debate’s full-frequency forum,

Countless lives watched this unfold.

The forum was flooded with skeptical voices.

But far more voices rose in rebuttal!

“Level 3 talent could never be this strong!”

“His talent cannot possibly be Level 3!”

“How dare Linjiang Prefecture conceal a prodigy?!”

“Could Jiang Jian truly be a Jupiter spirit in disguise?”

“Fools! Do you actually believe what Liu Yanshou says?!”

“What Jupiter spirit?!”

“I say you’re just jealous and envious—pathetic!”

“Too many mindless sheep parroting nonsense!”

…

High above the sky,

Master Gui cleared his throat and said: “Let me speak.”

He raised a finger, pointing at Liu Yanshou: “Director Liu of Hanjiang has raised an objection—and it’s a valid one. Why not summon the Two-Fu Prayer Hall to conduct an immediate bloodline test?”

Jiang Wenjian’s face remained expressionless: “I have no objection.”

Liu Yanshou sneered: “Exactly as it should be!”

He knew better than anyone.

Jiang Jian here has an extremely slim chance of being the Mars Spirit.

But Liu Yanshou’s goal is equally clear.

He simply wants an excuse to annoy the Linjiang Prefecture Office.

Because.

The old affair of the Mars Spirit happened hundreds of years ago.

With the Earth’s celestial ring shattered and rebuilt.

One after another, prodigies have broken into the Spirit Platform realm and returned energy to the Four Worlds of Earth and Moon.

Not a single Mars Spirit has appeared on the surface in seventy prefectures since.

“Wait.”

Jiang Wenjian suddenly said, “Liu Yanshou, dare you make a bet with me?”

Liu Yanshou froze: “What kind of bet?”

Jiang Wenjian sneered, “Jiang Jian’s resource reward is for five people.”

“If verification proves he is Earth-blooded, you must provide another five-person share in the name of the Hanjiang Prefecture Office!”

Hearing this,

Liu Yanshou hesitated, unable to respond immediately.

Jiang Wenjian asked, “Why are you silent?”

Seeing this,

Many on the two-prefecture forum immediately realized Liu Yanshou was nervous, and began shouting insults!

“Is this Director Liu mentally ill?!”

“Look at how timid he is—he’s clearly guilty!”

“He won’t even take the bet? Accept it!”

“Didn’t Director Liu just swear on oath that Jiang Jian was the Mars Spirit? Why does he back down the moment a wager is offered?”

“Hah! What an idiot, Liu Yanshou!”

“He only said that to annoy the Linjiang Prefecture Office!”

“This man is truly despicable!”

…

Liu Yanshou’s heart trembled; he glanced around.

On the floating terrace, all Hanjiang Prefecture officials remained silent, ignoring him completely.

Liu Yanshou’s face twisted in conflict.

After dozens of seconds, he sighed.

To annoy the Linjiang Prefecture Office at the cost of massive resources—this deal isn’t worth it.

He had long internally accepted that Jiang Jian was Earth-blooded.

This bet was certain to lose.

“Forget it. I won’t bother with you.”

Liu Yanshou’s eyes darted, stubbornly saying, “The emergence of a prodigy in Linjiang is indeed congratulatory—but your Linjiang Prefecture Office still bears guilt for concealing reports! I won’t take this bet—”

Suddenly, a calm voice interrupted him.

“I, Hanjiang Prefecture, accept this bet.”

Though soft, the voice spread instantly across the Cliff of Linshui!

Liu Yanshou froze, dared not utter another word, and respectfully stepped back.

All Hanjiang Prefecture officials fell silent as if frozen.

High above, the once-arrogant Elder Gui straightened his expression, quietly moved his clasped hands from behind his back to the front.

The two prefectures erupted in uproar!

The once-frantic two-prefecture forum fell eerily silent.

The pace of comment updates slowed drastically.

“Jiang Wenjian, won’t you accept?”

The owner of the calm voice stepped lightly onto the terrace.

All Hanjiang Prefecture officials bowed respectfully: “Greetings, Prefect!”

The Hanjiang Prefect smiled faintly, saying nothing, only gazing at Jiang Wenjian across from him.

“Greetings, Hanjiang Prefect.”

Jiang Wenjian also bowed from afar, his expression solemn: “I dare not ignore your words, Prefect.”

The Hanjiang Prefect nodded softly: “In the Four Worlds of Earth and Moon, prodigies are rare. If your Linjiang Prefecture truly has an unparalleled prodigy, I would take five more resource shares not out of greed, but for the greater good of the realm—it is only right.”

Jiang Wenjian replied solemnly: “Prefect, your magnanimity rivals mountains and seas. You speak truly.”

Before Liu Yanshou, he could be arrogant and domineering.

But before the Hanjiang Prefect, Jiang Wenjian dared not be careless.

The Hanjiang Prefect was a Spirit Palace cultivator.

He had trained in seclusion for years and was himself an unparalleled prodigy.

Rumors further claimed.

The Hanjiang Prefect had glimpsed a sliver of the Spirit Platform realm.

Such terrifying rumors.

Made anyone dare not underestimate him.

Jiang Wenjian himself was also a Spirit Palace cultivator.

Yet before the Hanjiang Prefect, he felt not a trace of defiance—deep within, he felt as powerless as a mortal facing mountains and seas.

“Director, I owe you a favor.”

The Hanjiang Prefect spoke.

“Prefect, you are too kind.”

A figure descended onto the Cliff of Linshui, appearing beside Jiang Jian.

“Student Jiang Jian, hello.”

He wore a Star Robe, his tone gentle: “I am the Director of the Qishen Hall, Hanjiang Prefecture.”

“Please extend your finger.”

The Qishen Hall Director brushed his Star Robe lightly; a faint glow spread.

Jiang Jian hesitated slightly, then revealed pale, slender fingers from beneath his black robe.

(End of Chapter)