Chapter 42

Surrounded by a crowd, Meng Caijun and Li Hong’s gazes instantly fell unfriendly on Chen Chang'an.

"Tsk tsk...... That pretty boy, is he the Chen Chang'an who has recently made a name for himself in Chang'an City?"

Meng Caijun spoke indifferently.

"Master Meng, it is indeed him!"

Someone immediately chimed in.

"Hehe, indeed a fine-looking man."

Li Hong said lightly, a hint of disdain in the corners of his mouth.

"Indeed a fine-looking man, otherwise why would he have the princess so infatuated, hehe."

A lecherous man beside them sneered.

Everyone smiled lightly.

Their meaning was that Chen Chang'an was just a pretty boy who relied on his looks.

"Master Meng, this time’s competition still relies on you and Master Li.

The more victories we have, the more people we can send into the secret realm. This time, we are counting on Master Meng and Master Li!"

"Yes, yes! We all support Master Meng and Master Li as our leaders. This time’s competition, we will follow your lead!"

In the crowd, whether they were the royal family’s prodigies or those from other families, they all began to form alliances, wanting to exclude Chen Chang'an.

"Recently, there have been rumors that the Chen family is actually very powerful... or perhaps unfathomably deep?"

Li Hong hesitated.

"Pfft, just rumors!"

Meng Caijun was full of disdain. "Even if his family is powerful, what does it have to do with him?

He is ultimately just a pretty boy kept by the princess!"

"Master Meng is right. Even if the Chen family is powerful, what does it have to do with us? This time’s competition relies on personal ability!"

Everyone chimed in.

But Li Hong’s face was serious.

He felt that someone who could stir up the entire Chang'an City wouldn’t be so simple...

But it’s fine, they won’t have any conflict with Chen Chang'an for now.

...

Their conversation naturally entered Chen Chang'an’s ears word for word.

Chen Chang'an didn’t pay much attention to it, just a bunch of jealous, ignorant clowns!

He had a blank expression, looking at the vast sea of clouds ahead, the wind blowing his clothes and his long hair.

Ji Mingyue looked at him, her face flushed with embarrassment.

What does it mean to be a pretty boy she keeps?

She wished she had the ability to keep Chen Chang'an!

But Chen Chang'an was destined to be a dragon soaring through the heavens, not a canary she could keep... She just wanted to be able to watch him quietly from behind...

Thinking of this, she sighed softly.

The word 'love'—feelings rise with the wind, but the wind stops, yet the feelings remain unsettled...

...

In the center of Dongzhou.

This was a vast mountain range, shrouded in mist all year round.

But if one were to notice, it wasn’t mist at all, but rather... the liquid gas produced by the extremely dense spiritual energy!

But the entire mountain range was enveloped by layer upon layer of barriers.

These were the protective barriers set up by the four major countries of Dongzhou.

After all, such a place with such powerful spiritual energy, no single force could completely guard it.

Thus, it became controlled by the four major countries!

Every three years, a batch of young prodigies would be sent in to cultivate.

Depending on the number and quality of prodigies from each country, the number of people entering would vary.

Thus, the competition began!

First place: 400 people enter!

Second place: 300 people enter.

Third place: 200 people enter.

Fourth place: 100 people enter.

Each opening only has 1,000 slots.

Therefore, if a country consistently ranks first, it will create a huge gap with the fourth place after several sessions!

The Great Zhou Kingdom has been in last place for ten consecutive times, so the number of young prodigies in the Great Zhou Kingdom will become fewer and fewer!

The gap with the Dongxuan Kingdom, which has consistently ranked first, is extremely large.

When Chen Chang'an and the others arrived, there were countless flying boats and larger, more luxurious spaceships floating in the air.

The people from the other three major countries had already arrived, and their numbers were estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands!

When the Great Zhou Kingdom’s group arrived, their overall aura was clearly weaker than the other three countries.

Ji Mingyue, leading the team for the first time, was slightly nervous.

But after half a month of learning state affairs from Ji Wentian, she had a faint aura of a crown princess.

She scanned the surroundings, looking at the mocking gazes, and soon saw a large group of people in a distant corner.

It was the Southeast Wind Alliance!

"Brother Chang'an, the people from that alliance are here too!"

Ji Mingyue whispered.

Chen Chang'an’s large hand rested on her slender shoulder, speaking gently, "Just trust me. They won’t be able to kick us out of the Great Zhou Kingdom!

Whoever dares to make a move, I will cut off their legs!"

Hearing Chen Chang'an’s comforting words, Ji Mingyue felt a bit more at ease, took a deep breath, and her face turned stern.

"Hey, isn’t that Princess Mingyue? Why isn’t your useless crown prince, Ji Cangshan, here?"

A voice rang out, and everyone looked over.

It was a man in his early thirties, imposing and dignified.

He was the crown prince of the Dongxuan Kingdom, Dong Lianxing.

He squinted his eyes, his tone teasing and mocking.

Ji Mingyue’s other side, Duanmu Cang, looked fiercely at Dong Lianxing, "Ji Cangshan is no longer our Great Zhou’s crown prince. Now, our Princess Mingyue is our crown princess!"

"Oh~~ I see, I have heard a little about it."

Dong Lianxing feigned understanding, then sneered, "So, does your Ji royal family have no one left?

Letting a woman be the future ruler? Ha, what a disgrace!"

His words caused the royal families of the other two countries to burst into laughter.

Ji Mingyue’s face turned dark, her small fists clenched white.

This was not only an insult to her but also to the Great Zhou royal family.

But the other side was relentless.

Dong Lianxing’s other brother, Dong Liangyang, deliberately said loudly, "I heard that the Great Zhou ruler was injured a year ago, in a state of life and death. Now, the crown prince has died suddenly, and in a hurry, a woman was made the crown prince... tsk tsk, it seems the Great Zhou Kingdom is really finished!

And for such a big event, the Great Zhou ruler is nowhere to be seen. Could it be... he’s dead? Ha ha ha!"

Such disrespectful words instantly made the people of the Great Zhou Kingdom furious.

But the people of the other three countries burst into laughter.

"No, no, not necessarily dead, but probably still breathing!

He’s probably... too scared to come, and sent his daughter to be humiliated!"

"Tsk tsk, it’s very possible, that incompetent ruler!"

"I heard he was even beaten to the ground by a family named Chen in the country, tsk tsk, really disgracing the name of the 'royal family'!"

The other side’s continuous mocking caused another round of laughter.

The people of the Great Zhou Kingdom were boiling with anger, their teeth clenched.

They all looked at Ji Mingyue, afraid she would lose her composure.

But surprisingly, Ji Mingyue’s expression was calm, her imperial attire proper, exuding royal dignity.

But no one saw that in the wide sleeves, her hands were tightly clenched.

"Don’t mind it."

Chen Chang'an’s hand rested on Ji Mingyue’s shoulder, giving her a great sense of security and strength.

"Arguing with these clowns is a waste of words. When we go on stage, I will help you smash their mouths to pieces!"

"Okay."

Ji Mingyue nodded heavily, her entire body filled with strength.