Chapter 435

Top floor, Political Council Hall

Led by the two champions, Lu Dong and Tie Xinchuan, the two groups, totaling 20 people, stood in two rows and walked in from outside the hall doors one by one.

The huge golden and silver dragon-entwined load-bearing pillars inside the hall; the magnificent circular golden dome above; the various jade-bone sculptures with superior craftsmanship on both sides; the high platform on the inner side, that golden seat symbolizing the pinnacle of Great Xia's power...

Everything inside the hall was naturally not unfamiliar to the children of the ennobled families like Lu Dong, Luo An, Liu Peng, Zhao Yuanwu, and so on. From the moment they entered, their gazes had been fixed on the Great Xia high-level officials standing on both sides of the hall;

But for the three ordinary Great Xia children, Tie Xinchuan, Yuan Bai, and Zhou Yalong, as well as the four children from outer towns, Jiang Yichen, Murong Yan, Fu Tiandu, and Xia Hou Qingqing, it was different.

When participating in the preliminaries and semifinals in Hong Sect City, they had already initially experienced Great Xia's wealth. When they entered the inner city today, they had already been shocked once. They originally thought they had prepared themselves mentally.

But only upon entering the main hall at this moment did they truly realize that the mental preparations they had made earlier were simply a joke.

Those eight load-bearing pillars had a diameter of over three meters and clearly extended upward from the bottom of the main hall. Adding the depth of the foundation piles, this meant the height was at least over 40 meters. Although the exterior was painted pure gold, one could tell at a glance that they were smelted from hundred-fold forged iron.

Assuming a diameter of 3 meters and a height of 40 meters, all made of hundred-fold forged iron, even a rough calculation showed that this single load-bearing pillar consumed at least tens of thousands of tons of iron ore, and there were a full eight of them counted in the entire hall.

This was almost the amount of a miniature iron mine!

The key was that on each of these eight load-bearing pillars, a silver dragon was carved. The bodies of the eight silver dragons twisted and coiled around the pillars, while the eight dragon heads all converged toward the dome above, their crimson eyes wide open as they surveyed the area below, as if they were scrutinizing these 20 people. It was lifelike to the extreme.

"Silver-cast dragons, each with a dragon body at least 30 meters long; each dragon must require at least tens of millions of jin of silver. Adding the effort of smelting and carving, not to mention the manpower and resources, just this level of craftsmanship is completely incomparable to the other eight towns. So, Hong Sect is really just a display window for Great Xia. Only by reaching Xia City, or rather, entering this hall, can one catch a glimpse of their true peak level!"

"Jade bone, such an important cultivation resource, can be used to make sculptures and ornaments; this in itself is a symbol of immense financial power. No wonder, no wonder they can send so many hunting teams to Jiangxia Town to hunt. High-level hunting teams probably don't count for anything at all in Great Xia."

Jiang Yichen of the youth group and Xia Hou Qingqing of the young adult group both held their breath at this moment. After looking around at everything in the hall, the two, separated by only five meters, couldn't help but look at each other, both seeing amazement and shock in the other's eyes.

What was more interesting was Murong Yan!

When Murong Yan first entered the hall, she was also attracted by the things inside for a moment, but soon her gaze shifted to Director Yu Wen Tao, who was standing in the second position on the left side of the hall.

Her gaze was too blatant, so much so that Xia Chuan, Yuan Cheng, and the others saw the signs at a glance and couldn't help but look at Director Yu Wen Tao with strange expressions.

Director Yu Wen Tao was calm. Although he felt Murong Yan's gaze, he still looked straight ahead without squinting, his expression showing no change.

"Hahaha... these are the talents of the three towns this year, not bad!"

Seeing Director Yu Wen Tao's serious appearance, Xia Hong couldn't help but laugh, but he quickly made up for it with praise.

"Greetings, my lord! Greetings, my lords!"

The 20 people below also reacted at this moment. Led by Lu Dong, Luo An, and Tie Xinchuan, they immediately bowed and saluted Xia Hong and the others.

"Lu Dong, Luo An, Zou Ping, Zhao Yuanwu, Luo Cheng... none of you are unfamiliar faces. I remember very clearly that before the first year, you were all at the age of wetting your pants. In the blink of an eye, ten years have passed. Now, not only have you all grown into adults, but you also have Frost-Resistant-level cultivation..."

Xia Hong looked at Lu Dong, Luo An, Zou Ping, and the others in the front row. A look of wistfulness truly appeared on his face. Among this group of children, relatively speaking, he had the deepest impression of Luo An and Zou Ping.

He remembered very clearly that before they had broken through to the Frost-Resistant level, these two little guys were not even six years old and loved to peek at him practicing boxing. Now, more than ten years had passed in a flash, and both were nearly twenty, grown into big lads.

Hearing Xia Hong's description of wetting their pants, Lu Dong, Luo An, and the others naturally showed some shyness in front of their elder, but they quickly recovered. However, the sixth-ranked member of the youth group, Luo Cheng, looked up at Xia Hong on the high seat, his emotions appearing exceptionally excited.

Xia Hong quickly noticed Luo Cheng's gaze. After making eye contact with him and recalling their brief master-disciple bond at the beehive, a slight look of encouragement appeared on his face. He first nodded gently toward him, then scanned the sixteen Great Xia children below and continued with a smile:

"The outcome of a competition doesn't prove anything. Cultivation values perseverance. The Frost-Resistant level is just a starting point. Whether you can go further, become stronger, and surpass your fathers, or even me, in the future depends on your performance from now on. With 16 supreme-grade battle bodies, in terms of aptitude, you already don't lose to anyone. In terms of resources, today, among the nine towns, no one should be able to compare with you!

This lord hopes that you will not let down this innate talent. May your cultivation path be steady and long-reaching, may you rise step by step, and may you strive to become the future pillars of the camp, laying a more solid and firm foundation for Great Xia to establish itself in the Frozen Abyss, and adding more momentum for our human race to conquer the cold winter!"

Having been the lord for more than ten years, Xia Hong was naturally adept at these emotional speeches. After his words, the emotions of Lu Dong, Luo An, and the others below immediately soared.

Luo An couldn't help but bow and say, "I will forever remember the lord's teachings. Long live the lord, long live Great Xia!"

The rest of the crowd immediately followed suit, bowing and saying, "We will forever remember the lord's teachings. Long live the lord, long live Great Xia!"

"Rise! Today, besides the 16 Great Xia children, there are 4 people from outer towns. Come forward and introduce yourselves! Let this lord get to know you."

Xia Hong waved his hand, signaling for Lu Dong and the others to rise, and finally, his gaze turned toward the four unfamiliar faces in the two teams.

Murong Yan and the other three stood out immediately upon hearing Xia Hong's words.

"Murong Yan of Muyin Town, daughter of Murong Yuan, pays respects to Lord Xia Hong!"

"I have long heard of the name of the Pearl of Muyin. The young lady's swordsmanship is not bad. The number one swordsman of Great Xia is none other than Director Yu Wen Tao, the Deputy of the Military Department. The young lady can go to him more often for guidance."

"Hahahaha..."

Xia Hong's teasing made everyone present laugh.

Murong Yan naturally blushed instantly, but she was very bold. Although she blushed, she showed no sign of awkwardness. After only three or four breaths, she turned her head and stared straight at Director Yu Wen Tao, gathering her courage to say, "This young lady would be delighted, but I don't know if Deputy Director Yu Wen is willing to give me some pointers."

"Hahahaha, he will definitely give you pointers after it's over."

At this, even Xia Hong couldn't help but laugh. After laughing, he waved his hand slightly, signaling Murong Yan to step back first, and then turned his gaze to the other three.

"Jiang Yichen of Jiangxia, fifth-generation descendant of the Jiang clan, grandson of Jiang Xinfan."

"Xia Hou Qingqing of Jiangxia, fifth-generation descendant of the Xia Hou clan, granddaughter of Xia Houzhang."

Direct descendants of the Jiang and Xia Hou clans, no wonder their aptitude is so high!

Jiang Yichen of the youth group had supreme-grade battle body aptitude and currently had 5-mane strength; Xia Hou Qingqing of the young adult group had slightly worse aptitude, only a high-grade battle body, but her strength was already over 9 manes, clearly having taken advantage of her age.

"Descendants of famous families, truly not bad!"

Xia Hong only gave this eight-character evaluation, then focused his gaze on the last person.

Interestingly, as soon as he spoke, Xia Chuan, Director Yu Wen Tao, Yuan Cheng, Qiu Peng, and the others below all turned their gazes to the last person.

"It's over, I've been found out!"

With so many gazes fixed on him, how could Fu Tiandu not notice?

When the previous three people were introducing themselves, he saw very clearly that Xia Chuan and the others in the hall basically didn't turn their heads much, but when it was his turn, these people all turned their heads to look.

"It must be that when I entered the hall just now, my shocked reaction was half a beat slower than the others. These people are simply too sharp..."

Fu Tiandu was nervous to the extreme at this moment, but he could only grit his teeth and bow, saying, "Fu Tiandu from Xiaohe Village in the outer territories, pays respects to the Lord of Great Xia!"

【Fu Tiandu, 19 years old, Frost-Resistant-level cultivation, 10-mane strength; ancestral home: Yinhe Valley, Jin Shan Town, Xiaohe Village in the Far East outer territories; entered Hong Sect City on November 26th of the eighth year of Great Xia, currently residing at No. 182, West District, South City, Hong Sect; lives a secluded life, likes to be alone, rarely deals with outsiders, and has considerable financial resources.】

In fact, a file on Fu Tiandu was lying on Xia Hong's desk.

Seeing this file, Xia Hong looked down and stared at Fu Tiandu. He first raised his eyebrows, then thought of the shocked look this kid had deliberately put on when he walked into the hall just now. His mind stirred, and a faint light flashed in his left eye.

"What's the deal with that cat demon on your chest?"

Fu Tiandu was already in a state of extreme anxiety. Hearing this question from Xia Hong, he was stunned, then his body trembled violently, and he threw himself forward and knelt on the ground.

"Lord, save me! Lord, save me! Fu Tiandu did not intend to deceive you. It is just that this cat-creature has too much ability, ah............"

Halfway through his sentence, Fu Tiandu seemed to have been interrupted by something. He suddenly let out a miserable howl, which startled Xia Hou Qingqing, Murong Yan, and the rest of the young people nearby, causing them to scatter in succession.

"What kind of ghost thing is that!"

"This kid is hiding a strange creature on him!"

"What a wicked beast, daring to sneak in here."

………………

Xia Chuan and the others reacted more intensely. They quickly drew their respective weapons, rushed forward, and surrounded Fu Tiandu.

"No need to be nervous, step back first!"

Xia Hong's reaction was not big at all. He first waved his hand to signal everyone to scatter, then looked down at Fu Tiandu, who was undergoing beast-transformation, a thick curiosity rising in his eyes.

This was the main hall of Great Xia, not to mention the Yang Ruins Cauldron; the high-level officials present, such as Xia Chuan, almost all wore Ghost-Suppressing Jade on their bodies; not to mention the silver filling the hall.

It was astonishing enough that this strange creature could sneak in with Fu Tiandu, but it could actually perform techniques to make Fu Tiandu beast-transform right in front of them?

"Heh... heh..."

Seeing Fu Tiandu's beast-transformation becoming more and more severe, with silver-white hair growing all over his body, Xia Hong finally couldn't sit still. He disappeared from the main seat and, in the next second, stood beside Fu Tiandu and grabbed his arm.

Xia Hong's gaze narrowed slightly, his entire body's Qi and blood suddenly mobilized, and a powerful oppressive force instantly enveloped the entire hall.

Just with this, let alone Lu Dong, Luo An, and the others, even high-level officials like Xia Chuan and Director Yu Wen Tao were instantly pressed to the point of being unable to breathe. They looked up at Xia Hong one after another, their eyes full of horror and shock.

If others were like this, the pressure Fu Tiandu, who bore the brunt of it, was facing could be imagined.

His body trembled uncontrollably. The beast-transformation had long since stopped. After three or four breaths, he suddenly looked up at Xia Hong, his strange silver-white pupils full of irritability.

Shiu............

Seeing that the strange change was coming from the tattoo on Fu Tiandu's chest, Xia Hong did not hesitate. A strong light shot out from his left eye and hit his chest directly.

"Ah............"

When the strong light hit his chest, Fu Tiandu immediately opened his mouth and let out a sharp, miserable scream. The scream was clearly made by a woman and had nothing to do with his previous voice.

After the scream, the silver-white hair on Fu Tiandu's body surface quickly receded.

Hu............