Chapter 1000: The Hidden Motives of All Sides

Then, Ji Feibai bowed deeply to Wang Tuwei and Lin Xingqiu, then turned and walked into the crowd.

Watching Ji Feibai's back, the Heavenly Sword Ancestor couldn't help but chuckle: "Using the Ji family's prodigy as a pawn to carry out your own schemes—what if trouble arises? Are you not afraid the Ji family's ancient elder might crawl out from the ancestral lands to hunt you down?"

Lin Xingqiu's expression remained calm as he murmured softly: "As an elder and a Sovereign-level powerhouse, the Jiang Patriarch has no leisure to meddle in petty squabbles among the younger generation unless his clan is under siege or his people are in peril."

"After all, it's just a sparring match. With us here, the storm won't grow too big..."

Hearing this, the Heavenly Sword Ancestor's eyes flickered, and he teased: "I hear the Jiang Patriarch is no more than a few decades old, while this Ji family prodigy is considerably older. If we judge solely by age, who counts as the elder is debatable."

Lin Xingqiu glanced at the Heavenly Sword Ancestor: "Friend Heavenly Sword, our current cultivation base did not come easily. Compared to ordinary mortals, we understand better than anyone how difficult it is to break beyond the limits of a Heavenly Immortal's combat power and attain Sovereign-level strength capable of rivaling a Saint."

"Even you, who have mastered the Sword Soul domain, can only be called half a Sovereign—still a hair's breadth away from true Sovereign status."

"For all beings, without great fortune and divine destiny, no amount of time alone can carry one to this level."

"A thousand, ten thousand, even a hundred thousand years of arduous cultivation—ending as nothing but withered bones—still means no chance at Sovereignhood!"

Here, Lin Xingqiu paused, lowered his voice, and said gravely: "So while others blindly believe the Jiang Patriarch is only a few decades old, how could you, too, lose your judgment and accept such absurdity? Do you truly believe someone in this world could reach Sovereign level in such a short time?"

"Heh, that's not reality—that's mythology..."

The Heavenly Sword Ancestor shook his head: "I certainly don't believe it."

"What I said just now was merely jest. Friend, don't take it to heart."

He glanced around and added casually: "Before the Cangwu Jiang clan rose to prominence, if someone claimed the Jiang Patriarch was only a few decades old, few would have doubted it. But now, with stories of his deeds spreading far and wide, I believe not just us, but even ordinary folk—and even three-year-old children—would never believe such nonsense!"

Lin Xingqiu smiled and fell silent, his gaze fixed entirely on Ji Feibai not far away.

At this moment, centered on where Jiang Chen and the others stood, the surrounding area was empty, with no one lingering.

All prodigies from the Three Imperial Dynasties kept their distance, over a hundred meters away, watching cautiously without daring to approach.

Among them, most of their gazes were fixed on Jiang Chen.

Because he was ranked number one on the Eastern Region Prodigy List—the most famous!

Second was Jiang Zhiwei, whose sword trial under the Moonlight had been grand and dramatic, and whose appearances had been too frequent to be unknown.

The third was Jiang Yan.

He was known not because he was strong, nor because his alchemy was exceptional.

But because he had once been wanted by the Medicinal King Valley, indirectly leading to the Valley's destruction.

Such a minor figure, yet he had caused the complete annihilation of a venerable top-tier Heavenly Immortal sect—just thinking about it felt dreamlike, utterly unreal!

Aside from Jiang Chen, Jiang Zhiwei, and Jiang Yan,

the others among the Jiang clan's prodigies drew little attention, merely fleeting glances.

It wasn't that they lacked interest—it was simply that they knew nothing about these people!

After all, prodigies like Jiang Hao, Jiang Yi, Jiang Ming... had leaked no useful information to the outside world.

The only publicly recorded event was the former Tiandou Prefecture Prefecture Grand Competition.

Jiang Daoxuan killed the Tiandou Prefecture Prefecture Governor Sima Nan, and the Eight Cangwu Champions took turns to fight, making their first official debut.

But because Jiang Chen's example loomed large—his actual performance vastly exceeded the power he showed during the Tiandou Prefecture Grand Competition, as if heaven and earth had switched places!

So they naturally assumed the Eight Cangwu Champions had held back during that competition, deliberately concealing their true strength.

Under these circumstances, this single public record had lost all credibility and was no longer worth referencing.

At this moment, many prodigies exchanged glances, silently urging each other to step forward first and test the Jiang clan's strength.

Among them, many cherished their reputations and were cautious.

Without knowing the Jiang clan prodigies' true capabilities, none dared to rush in recklessly, fearing defeat and becoming stepping stones for others' fame.

Yet, just as everyone hesitated, none willing to move first, all waiting to observe further—

a tall figure stepped out from the crowd, the first to enter the empty space, facing the Jiang clan's prodigies.

Seeing this, the prodigies from the Da Jin Imperial Dynasty all looked surprised, recognizing his identity.

"Ji Feibai?"

"He actually has the courage to be the first to act?"

"Wait—are you talking about Ji Feibai, the prodigy ranked eleventh on the Eastern Region Prodigy List?!"

"Yes, it seems Ji Tianjiao is deeply displeased with his ranking and couldn't resist striking first."

"Hahahaha, now there'll be a good show—the first match is for tenth place on the Eastern Region Prodigy List! Everyone's in for a treat."

"Tsk tsk, only our Da Jin prodigies have such spirit. Those Yuehua and Chiyan types? All silent now, like cowards!"

The chatter grew louder, causing the faces of the other two imperial dynasties to darken.

In a corner,

a plump, fair-skinned youth frowned and complained to the handsome man beside him: "Big Brother, you didn't move, and now Ji Feibai beat you to it—and now Da Jin's shameless lot are slandering us..."

Lü Yuntian, ranked second on the Eastern Region Prodigy List and a wandering disciple of the Tianwu Sect of the Chiyan Imperial Dynasty, remained calm and murmured: "If you have strength, then moving first counts as seizing the initiative and successfully crushing the Cangwu Jiang clan's momentum."

"But if you lack strength and misjudge yourself, you'll only suffer a humiliating defeat and become a laughingstock."

Lü Yuntian paused, then smiled: "Still, I don't dislike such fools—I actually hope there are more of them. The more they lose, the more they'll believe the Cangwu Jiang prodigies are invincible!"

"Then my chance arrives."

"Once I end them, shatter the illusion of their invincibility, all glory will gather upon me—and I'll become the undisputed number one on the Eastern Region Prodigy List."

The youth suddenly understood and praised: "Big Brother, you truly see farther than we do—this kind of thinking is simply..."

Lü Yuntian's smile vanished as he glanced at him: "Now, say less, watch more."

The youth nodded vigorously and fell silent.