Chapter 67

"Announce!"

The solemn voice echoed through the grand hall, accompanied by a dazzling golden light that coiled in the air, forming a large "announce" character before flying out of the hall.

"Announce the One-Character Equal-Shoulder King to enter the hall!" A high-pitched voice sounded from outside the hall.

As the eunuch's voice faded, two figures, one tall and one short, entered the hall, both dressed in brocade robes with serious expressions.

"Your subject, pays respects to the Emperor!"

The taller figure was a middle-aged man, wearing a royal robe, with a square face that exuded an undeniable air of authority. It was clear that his face bore a striking resemblance to Ye Qianchou, indicating he was of royal blood.

Jiang Han merely glanced at him before shifting his gaze to the resolute young man standing behind him.

"This must be the so-called genius, right?"

Jiang Han sized up the young man, noting his sword-like eyebrows, star-like eyes, and fair complexion, with a glint of wisdom in his gaze. Despite being the same age as Jiang Han, he possessed a unique aura that set him apart from his peers.

After a moment, Jiang Han nodded inwardly, recognizing that this young man was indeed extraordinary and worthy of the title "genius"!

"Your subject, pays respects to the Emperor!" The young man then knelt and bowed, his words slightly different from the middle-aged man's. The difference between "pays respects" and "pays homage" was clear.

This was normal. As the One-Character Equal-Shoulder King, his father held a title almost equal to the Emperor's, thus exempting him from the kneeling ritual.

"Rise!" Two simple words from Ye Qianchou's mouth resonated like heavenly sounds throughout the hall. "Be seated!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" The One-Character Equal-Shoulder King bowed and straightened up, his eyes scanning the hall and landing on Elder Yun and the others, a hint of surprise flashing across his face.

He recognized Elder Yun, who naturally deserved a seat, but seeing a young man and a young woman beside him also granted seats puzzled him.

However, the surprise on his face quickly faded. Being granted a seat by the Emperor indicated their significance, and he was not foolish enough to question it.

He nodded at Elder Yun and took his seat at the head of the table on the other side.

The young man stood behind the One-Character Equal-Shoulder King, his eyes fixed on Jiang Han and Yan Yumo, a peculiar light in his gaze. The Emperor's grant of a seat was, in itself, an honor. He was also amazed that the two young people his age had been granted seats.

Feeling the young man's gaze, Jiang Han smiled at him, causing the young man to pause before returning a friendly smile.

"Genius? No matter how talented you are, you still don't have a seat, do you?!" Jiang Han chuckled inwardly, his face showing a friendly smile.

Seeing Ye Qianchou fall silent after granting the seats, Jiang Han's face showed a hint of confusion. Could there be more geniuses?

His confusion didn't last long, as another announcement came from outside the hall.

"The Southern Pacification King requests an audience with the Emperor!"

One after another, more announcements followed.

"The War King requests an audience with the Emperor!"

"The Left Chancellor requests an audience with the Emperor!"

"The Iron Blood Marquis requests..."

A series of announcements continued without pause, and the hall gradually filled with the most powerful figures of the realm!

Yan Yumo was initially very excited, as she rarely had the chance to see these powerful figures. Today, she saw so many at once.

However, as more people entered, her excitement waned, eventually turning to indifference.

This was like eating. If you suddenly give a starving person a delicious piece of roasted meat, they will be very happy and eat with great enjoyment. But once they are full, giving them more will no longer have the same effect.

Similarly, seeing so many powerful figures made the experience less impactful.

After about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, the hall was filled with dozens of powerful figures, each accompanied by their children, male or female.

Finally, after a few more people entered, the hall's doors slammed shut. At the same time, Ye Qianchou's indifferent voice echoed through the hall.

"Ministers, I believe you all understand why I have summoned you here?"

No one spoke, knowing that Ye Qianchou's words were merely a formality. Responding would be inappropriate.

Sure enough, Ye Qianchou continued, "Since the founding of the empire by the royal ancestors, there has been a strict decree that has been passed down through the generations. I believe you are all aware of it, so I won't elaborate further."

Jiang Han's lips twitched. Damn, he wanted to know what the decree was, but Ye Qianchou stopped halfway!

He couldn't ask, which left him feeling very uncomfortable.

"Next, I will hand it over to Elder Yun." Ye Qianchou nodded at Elder Yun.

Elder Yun nodded, his figure vanishing from his seat and reappearing in the center of the hall. His gaze swept the room, and though it was calm, it sent a shock through everyone's hearts.

There were about forty to fifty officials present, many of whom knew Elder Yun and held him in high regard. A few who had never met him were initially dismissive, but one glance from Elder Yun changed their minds!

This old man was terrifyingly powerful!

"I am the Venerable from the Supreme Heaven of the Holy Sect. As for my name, it is not important. You may call me Elder Yun!" Elder Yun spoke calmly, his words causing a stir among the crowd.

Venerable!

This title could only be used by a Martial Venerable, the most powerful existence in an era where Martial Emperors and Martial Saints were rare!

Reaching the Martial Venerable level was no easy feat. Even across the entire continent, there were very few Martial Venerables!

At least, among those present, only Elder Yun was a Martial Venerable!

In an instant, almost everyone showed respect, mixed with admiration.

Breaking through to the Martial Saint level was extremely difficult, and while reaching the Martial Venerable level was also challenging, there was at least some hope... though this hope was minuscule.

At this moment, not only the young people but also the powerful figures who brought them had a glint of excitement in their eyes. If Elder Yun could offer them some guidance, it would be a great benefit!

Jiang Han was also hearing Elder Yun call himself "Venerable" for the first time, which surprised him, but he quickly became excited.

Damn, Elder Yun really is a Martial Venerable!

With this level of cultivation, he must hold a high position in the Holy Sect, and thus, a high position in the Supreme Heaven!

"Then, there must be plenty of treasures and resources..." Jiang Han thought to himself, "If I can get some, I can exchange them for better things... If there are many, maybe I can even exchange for the Primordial Ancient Dragon..."

Jiang Han had always been thinking about the pet Primordial Ancient Dragon, hoping to exchange for one... After all, it's a dragon, and with such a powerful name, it must be incredibly strong!

As he thought, Jiang Han couldn't help but imagine himself riding the Primordial Ancient Dragon, dominating the world, a lecherous smile spreading across his face.

"This pervert, I wonder what he's thinking, smiling so lecherously." Yan Yumo spat inwardly, her eyes filled with disdain.

"Hehe, hehehe..." Jiang Han laughed out loud, lost in his thoughts.

The hall fell silent, and Elder Yun stopped speaking, his gaze fixed on Jiang Han with a strange expression.

"This brat... What mischief is he up to again?"

Others looked at Jiang Han with disapproval. Regardless of his status, his age was undeniable, making him a junior. Moreover, this was the imperial hall, and his laughter was considered impolite!

Yan Yumo, sitting next to Jiang Han, felt extremely uncomfortable. Though the others' gazes were not on her, she still felt humiliated. Sitting next to Jiang Han was a great torment for her at this moment.

Seeing Jiang Han still oblivious, laughing to himself, Yan Yumo couldn't help but tug at his sleeve.

"What?"

Jiang Han snapped out of his thoughts, looking at Yan Yumo with a puzzled expression, his voice not particularly low.

At that moment, Yan Yumo felt an urge to punch Jiang Han into a pig's head, her face turning red, not from shyness... but from anger.

"You're embarrassing yourself, and you're dragging me into it too!" Yan Yumo cursed inwardly but didn't dare say it out loud. She could only use her eyes to signal Jiang Han to look around.

"Ridiculous."

Jiang Han shrugged, then turned his head and saw everyone's gaze on him. His eyebrows twitched, and his lips curled, instantly realizing the situation.

Even though he considered himself thick-skinned, his face still turned slightly red.

"What are you looking at? What are you looking at? Do I look that good? Alright... I do look pretty good, but staring like that is impolite, you know?!" Jiang Han thought to himself.

Of course, he could only think it. This was the imperial hall, and he remembered that.

Although his father was the most powerful person here, they hadn't officially recognized each other yet!

"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Jiang Han, Elder Yun's disciple!" Seeing everyone staring at him, Jiang Han gritted his teeth, stood up, and bowed.

Upon hearing this, everyone was initially stunned, but their expressions quickly changed.

The young man who had laughed so lecherously was actually Elder Yun's disciple?! Various thoughts raced through their minds.

Of course, the first thought was that Jiang Han must be an exceptionally talented genius! To be chosen as a disciple by a Martial Venerable, his talent must be extraordinary!

Next, they began to speculate on Elder Yun's criteria for choosing disciples. From Jiang Han's behavior, it seemed that Elder Yun didn't care much about character or manners!

"Ah, so you are Elder Yun's disciple. No wonder you have such an extraordinary appearance. You are definitely not an ordinary person!" A loud laugh echoed from the crowd, filled with "sincere" praise and admiration.

Jiang Han's lips twitched. It seemed that no matter where he went, there were always shameless people!

Who could believe that such insincere words came from a powerful figure in the realm?!

Following the voice, Jiang Han saw the speaker, and he was startled. The man was round and plump, looking like a meatball from a distance, with barely visible eyes. Up close... still like a meatball.

"Corrupt official!" Jiang Han immediately labeled the man.

"Flattery is not necessary. May I ask who you are, sir?" Jiang Han forced a smile and bowed in return.

"Brother, you are too modest!" The meatball man laughed, his face shining with oil. "I am a minor official, favored by the Emperor, and serve as the Deputy Minister of Revenue."

"Ah, the Deputy Minister of Revenue! I apologize for not recognizing you!" Jiang Han's expression changed, and he bowed again.

Listening to their conversation, others' faces twitched. The Deputy Minister of Revenue was notorious for his shamelessness, and now he had found a kindred spirit. Truly... "a delightful conversation"!

The Deputy Minister of Revenue had brought a delicate young woman, who now looked embarrassed, her face red, clearly speechless about her father.

Seeing the Deputy Minister of Revenue about to speak again, the young woman secretly reached out and pinched him hard, forcing him to hold back his words.

"Father! If you continue like this, I will leave!" The young woman whispered, her voice barely audible.

However, most of the people present were strong, and her actions and words did not escape their notice. They all smiled inwardly.

"Hehe." The Deputy Minister of Revenue laughed dryly, apologized to Jiang Han, and fell silent.

After this almost comical interlude, the atmosphere in the hall relaxed somewhat, and officials who were on good terms began to whisper among themselves.

Jiang Han glanced at Ye Qianchou, who remained seated on the dragon throne, his golden aura blinding, as if everything was irrelevant to him.

"I believe you all understand the purpose of my visit," Elder Yun glared at Jiang Han, then shook his head and said calmly, "I am here to select some disciples with exceptional talent for the sect."

Finally, the main topic!

Everyone perked up, listening intently to Elder Yun.

Elder Yun scanned the room, his eyes glowing with white light. After a moment, he nodded lightly, having a general idea.

"First, we need to eliminate some people."

...

PS: I'm sorry for the delay. I was too lazy to split it into two chapters, so I combined them into one. Apologies!