Chapter 323: Finalize the First List of Clan Members for Promotion!

"This debt of kindness, I shall repay with my life—for the Jiang family, for Elder Jiang Jiang—until my bones are ground to dust and my spirit ceases to exist!"

Ding Xuan was deeply moved.

He had worked tirelessly for years for that dog Sima Nan, that bastard.

Even suffering permanent internal injuries, he had only earned himself the post of governor of some remote city.

Yet now, after merely briefly aligning with the Jiang family, he had already received so many rewards!

It wasn't just the Bone-Washing Pill and this Grand Competition invitation.

The news of Jiang Chen's previous visit had already spread secretly, reaching surrounding powers.

Thus, in recent days, many figures he considered important—

from Yuanhai or Starwheel factions—had sent envoys to the governor's mansion to befriend and converse with him, hoping to use this to forge a connection with the Jiang family.

Of course, one knows one's own affairs best.

Ding Xuan dared not ride on others' coattails, lest he tarnish the reputation of the Cangwu Jiang family.

He knew what he should do—and what he must not do.

He mostly gave vague, evasive answers to deflect them.

To this, many factions were not angered; instead, they cheerfully offered gifts.

With the vast resources granted by these factions,

and after his internal injuries were improved by the Bone-Washing Pill, he finally accumulated enough to break through to Purple Mansion Realm, Ninth Layer!

Yet to break into the Yuanhai Realm, he would still need immense time—or some stroke of fortune.

But for him,

this rate of progress was already wildly extraordinary.

It filled him with even greater exhilaration.

So much so that day and night, he thanked Elder Jiang Jiang!

Even now, within the governor's mansion, he had erected a Longevity Tablet dedicated to Elder Jiang Jiang!

Every day, without fail, he burned incense on schedule, expressing gratitude for the grace, praying for blessings and longevity, to show his utmost sincerity!

Now, looking back,

all this effort had truly not been in vain!

Elder Jiang Jiang had become the leader of the Five Powers.

He was quietly emerging as a counterweight to Sima Nan—his potential boundless!

That he had timely boarded the Jiang family's ship was truly one of the greatest fortunes of his life!

Meanwhile,

in Tiandou Prefecture, the Prefect's Grand Hall.

"How dare you!"

Suddenly, a furious roar rang out!

Then came the sound of a teacup shattering!

Sima Nan sat rigidly upon the Taishi chair, his face dark as frost.

Before him, the messenger knelt on the ground.

His whole body trembled, clutching the Grand Alliance Competition invitation in both hands.

All the commanders around him dared not speak, lowering their heads, silent as frozen insects, terrified of angering the Prefect.

In an instant, the entire hall grew heavy and suffocating.

After more than ten breaths,

as Sima Nan gradually calmed,

he sneered: "Good! The Qingshan Sect, the Chihun Sect, the Tianyao Sect!"

"You used to be so low-key before me, not even daring to fart!"

"Now that the White Robe Sword Marquis has emerged, you think you've found a good patron and dare form an alliance?"

"And you invite me to come watch? Who gave you the audacity to make such a stupid decision?!"

Sima Nan's eyes were filled with gloom.

He did not fear this tiny alliance.

He was merely furious at these sects and clans' petty scheming!

Under my rule, you don't cower quietly like dogs—

yet you secretly forge alliances? Isn't that plainly an attempt to intimidate me?

And this alliance couldn't have been formed so quickly.

It must have been negotiated when Zhang Cang went to Cangwu Mountain last time.

His thoughts churned.

Sima Nan's icy gaze swept the room, making everyone dare not meet his eyes.

Then, with a flick of his Qi, he shattered the invitation into dust!

"But since you dared to invite me, if I don't go, won't that just suit your wishes—proving I'm afraid of you sects and clans?"

"Hmph! I'll see just how much backbone this fragile, pitiful alliance—these worms huddling together for warmth—has to dare defy me!"

His words carried an overwhelming, unstoppable aura!

All present shuddered, stepping back in fear!

At this moment, everyone understood—the Prefect was truly enraged!

Immediately, they began to pity those sects and clans.

The Prefect's cultivation base has long reached the peak of the Moon Wheel, only one step away from ascending to the Sun Wheel!

Who are you people to dare provoke his wrath?!

Truly ignorant of death!

Deciding to form an alliance is also utterly foolish!

At that moment, Sima Nan's eyes flickered.

He had already secretly made up his mind.

He planned to use this Alliance Competition to curb the arrogance of this White Robe Sword Marquis!

So that the noble families and sects would know.

Who truly rules Tiandou Prefecture today!

"Perfect—I can use this opportunity to propose marriage to the Jiang family on behalf of Xuan'er..."

Sima Nan nodded.

He had already prepared to take advantage of this Alliance Competition.

To directly propose marriage to the Jiang family on behalf of his son Sima Xuan, to wed that sword prodigy named Jiang Zhi!

At that moment, Zhao Hu's voice suddenly rang out: "My lord, how should we now handle these sects and noble families?"

As soon as he spoke, everyone present snapped back to attention.

They then turned curious eyes toward him.

Under the gaze of all present.

Sima Nan sneered coldly, a mocking smile on his face: "Let them enjoy their moment of triumph for now—if they want to build momentum, let them build it!"

"Then I shall personally step forward to give them a brutal lesson, so they learn that the higher they climb, the harder they fall!"

"It has been many years since I last acted—these sects and noble families may have already forgotten my former renown. Now is the time to reassert my dominance, lest these annoying grasshoppers continue to leap about!"

Hearing this, all present were struck with dread and quickly bowed, echoing: "As you command!"