Chapter 25: How Can Sparrows Know the Swan's Grand Ambition?

If one were to ask who is the most mysterious in Xiliang City, it must be this National Master.

In Donglin Country, the National Master follows an abdication system; this newly appointed National Master, after appearing once in Xiliang City six years ago, has been completely silent for six years.

It is said that even the emperor of Donglin has only seen him once!

Now, he has appeared again?

The crowd widened their eyes, curiously looking toward the second‑floor private room.

Having heard that the National Master possesses a celestial bearing and peerless elegance, they also wish to catch a glimpse of his divine visage!

But Fu San stood at the doorway, blocking that room's splendor.

Ye Qingran felt a tremor at the tip of her heart.

Since that failed burglary at the mansion, when she foolishly slept with the National Master, Ye Qingran has been living in constant dread; the mere mention of the National Master makes her hair stand on end, as if facing a great enemy.

She fears he will recognize her!

However, before Ye Qingran could respond, another voice sounded.

"My Prince says there's still a vacant seat in the private room; Miss Ye, if you don't mind, you're welcome to come in for a cup of tea."

The crowd was dumbfounded.

That private room belongs to the Ninth Prince!

The Ninth Prince actually also extended an olive branch to Ye Qingran?

Gazes shot toward Ye Qingran.

They couldn't understand how a waste with no Spiritual Root could win the favor of the two most mysterious figures in Xiliang City.

Ye Qingran was rather surprised.

With the National Master on one side and the Ninth Prince on the other, she seemed unable to refuse either.

She looked around, then, under everyone's gaze, walked toward the direction of the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect where Ye Lie was.

"Is anyone here?"

Ye Lie was startled. He had originally intended to invite Ye Qingran over, but seeing that the National Master and the Ninth Prince had both invited her, he abandoned the thought. He thought Ye Qingran would choose one of the two, but she chose him.

"None; you may sit."

"Thank you," Ye Qingran said, then bowed toward the two upstairs private rooms, "Thank the National Master and the Ninth Prince for the invitation; since there are still extra seats below, I will not disturb the National Master or the Ninth Prince."

Soon, the Qingyun Grand Gathering began.

The Xuan Masters who passed the Wuji Hall assessment earlier this year stepped onto the central high platform, lined up, and Mu Yuanzheng, the steward of Wuji Hall, placed the Xuan Master insignia on each of them.

The insignia is a copper badge about the size of an egg, engraved around the edges with obscure script, and in the center a knife and a sword crossed into an X.

This is the insignia symbolizing a Xuan Master's status; it is recognized across the continent, and possessing it marks one as a true cultivator and serves as a passport to the continent's regions.

Glory crowned, elegance boundless.

On the high platform, dozens were visibly excited, faces proud.

From then on, the sky is open for birds to fly, the sea vast for fish to leap.

Their futures are bright.

Ye Qingran's gaze fell on these people, her thoughts elsewhere, her eyes deep; this scene meant something different to the others.

Zhao Yan of Guanglu Fu, who happened to be present, raised her voice in sarcasm upon seeing Ye Qingran's look: "Ye Qingran, no matter how much you envy, it's useless, because you, a waste without a Spiritual Root, will never make the Dao Ranking, nor ever obtain the Xuan Master insignia!"

Because of the Zhao Hao incident, she harbors deep hatred toward Ye Qingran, thus she fully exploits the opportunity at the Qingyun Grand Gathering to mock her.

Ye Sisi naturally would not miss this chance.

"Sister, you have no Spiritual Root, cannot enter the Dao Ranking, nor obtain the Xuan Master insignia. But that's fine; when I make the Dao Ranking and get the Xuan Master insignia next year, I will share it with you."

Many around pointed and whispered, either mocking or sympathizing with Ye Qingran.

If one says talent is lacking, through later effort perhaps one could still make the Dao Ranking and obtain the insignia.

But without any Spiritual Root, even effort is futile. Ye Qingran is truly pitiful; this life she may never make the Dao Ranking, forced to live in mire, dependent on others.

In the second‑floor private room, Fu San listened to the crowd's remarks, and couldn't help feeling pity for Ye Qingran.

"Your Majesty, Miss Ye is truly pitiful! How about we think of a way to help her?"

Fu Hanxiu looked at Fu San with an indescribable expression, wondering if he had been given too few tasks lately, otherwise how would he have so much time to meddle in others' affairs?

Below, Ye Qingran rose slowly, her crimson lips forming a faint curve.

"I have no Spiritual Root now, so what? On this day next year, my name, Ye Qingran, will surely appear on the Dao Ranking!"

Before anyone could react, she declared arrogantly: "But what I, Ye Qingran, desire is not fame on the Dao Ranking, but to soar straight up to the Nine Heavens, like the Human Emperor Wuji, suppressing an era!"

Seemingly frightened by her astonishing words, for a moment in Wuji Hall, the sound of a pin dropping could be heard.

A moment later, someone sneered: "You have no Spiritual Root yet dare to imagine becoming a figure like the Human Emperor Wuji? Isn't that a fool's dream?"

The crowd echoed, thinking Ye Qingran was overreaching.

Bragging must have limits; if it were merely making the Dao Ranking, they might reluctantly believe. But to become a being like the Human Emperor Wuji, even today's unparalleled geniuses would not dare to aspire.

After the ceremony came the banquet, during which there would be martial contests for entertainment and experience exchange.

Ye Qingran felt little interest in this.

Thus, she rose and left.

A crisp, resonant voice rang out, booming: "How can sparrows know the ambition of a swan? If you doubt it, then just wait and see."