Chapter 78

"Tiandu, convey the imperial decree: during the Qianlong Examination, dispatch more troops to secretly guard near Jiang Hanhou's residence and protect the Jiang Hanhou Mansion. You must personally take charge and secretly ensure Jiang Chen's safety, allowing no threat to approach him."

"Understood."

Dongfang Lu never imagined that this young man from the Jiang family, who once caused him considerable frustration, would now have him, the ruler of a nation, go to such lengths to protect him.

"Jiang Chen... what kind of person are you?" Dongfang Lu fell into deep thought for a moment.

Meanwhile, the reactions in the capital were intense.

The Hall of Pharmacists was extremely delighted. After all, the more powerful Jiang Chen demonstrated himself to be, the more they realized that their cooperation with him would be more solid, and their future would be brighter.

The happiest of all was Jiang Hanhou, Jiang Feng. During this period, he had remained in the capital, enduring significant pressure.

The harassment from Longteng Hou, though not overtly blatant due to the royal family's intervention, still put considerable pressure on Jiang Feng.

This time, Jiang Chen's performance in the Qianlong Examination, surpassing Long Yin Ye and Long Ju Xue, even if only by a small margin, made Jiang Feng very happy.

"Chen'er, well done!" Jiang Feng was not very optimistic about Jiang Chen's second task, especially regarding the journey back to Jianghan. Jiang Feng had no confidence in it.

He was very clear that with him, Jiang Feng, in Jianghan, it was a solid block, and no one could cause trouble. However, if Jiang Chen returned, it was uncertain whether the tribal chiefs and the elders of the clan would follow Jiang Chen's arrangements.

However, the facts proved that his worries were unnecessary.

Jiang Chen not only smoothly controlled the situation but also eliminated Jing Man, a major threat, in the process. When he acted, he did so decisively.

Jiang Feng had to admit that his son's courage and methods were even stronger than his own when he was young.

Being surpassed by his son, Jiang Feng was very willing.

Jiang Feng noticed that since his son's encounter during the Heaven Sacrifice Ceremony, the changes in him were nothing short of earth-shattering.

...

The Qianlong Examination was in full swing.

The time for the third task finally arrived. This task was a joint effort for all the heirs of the feudal lords participating in the examination.

Task Three: The Endless Catacombs Trial.

The Endless Catacombs, located in the northeast of the Dongfang Kingdom, is a mysterious underground world.

Since the founding of the Dongfang Kingdom, the Endless Catacombs have never been fully excavated.

Even the most outstanding strongmen of the Dongfang Kingdom have never explored the entire Endless Catacombs to its end.

No one knows if the Endless Catacombs have an end.

No one knows where the end of the Endless Catacombs is.

This is an underground world, a paradise for underground creatures.

For the trial participants, it could be a hell from which they might never return.

Jiang Chen was taking on a first-class task, so the difficulty level was the highest.

"Collect one hundred Green Spirit Pearls, or ten Silver Spirit Pearls, or one Gold Spirit Pearl!" Jiang Chen looked at the task requirements, feeling confused.

Fortunately, there was an introduction to the Endless Catacombs below the task scroll.

The Endless Catacombs are home to various underground creatures, including the Green-Winged Swordbird, which has a green, glowing Spirit Pearl on its head.

Because the Endless Catacombs are dark and damp, with poor visibility, the green Spirit Pearl on the Green-Winged Swordbird's head gives it a significant advantage.

The Silver Spirit Pearl is a variant of the Green-Winged Swordbird, found on the head of the Silver-Winged Swordbird. This is a more advanced form of the Green-Winged Swordbird, and it is a rare existence.

The Gold Spirit Pearl is an even more advanced level of the Green-Winged Swordbird, the king of the Green-Winged Swordbirds. Each one has the power comparable to a True Qi Master.

Through the information about the Endless Catacombs, Jiang Chen roughly understood the situation.

However, the information also mentioned that there are countless types of underground creatures in the Endless Catacombs, and the Green-Winged Swordbird is just one of the more common ones.

"All heirs of the feudal lords participating in the Qianlong Examination, listen up. Gather here tomorrow morning to proceed to the location of the Endless Catacombs. The third task will officially begin in three days."

Princess Gouyu announced, "Remember your individual task quotas and the one-month deadline. If you exceed one month, the task is considered a failure. If you collect the required items early, you can leave early. This task is a matter of life and death, and those who are timid and fearful can apply to withdraw."

The Qianlong Examination, involving the Feudal Lords' Order, is something no one would abandon.

In the world of martial arts, the issue of life and death is always unavoidable. Only by experiencing life and death can one grow step by step.

"Alright, I have said what I needed to say. Return to your residences tonight and gather here tomorrow, remembering the time. No latecomers will be waited for!"

Back at the mansion, Jiang Chen locked himself in the training chamber.

This task was relatively complex, and he needed to make some preparations.

Currently, Jiang Chen was at the peak of the Eighth True Qi, and he could break through to the Ninth True Qi in as little as three to five days or as long as ten to fifteen days.

The second form of the "Canghai Niliu Dao" — "Breaking the Waves" — was becoming increasingly refined and powerful when executed.

The cultivation of the "Kurong Divine Fist" was slightly faster than the "Canghai Niliu Dao," having reached the fourth cycle of the Four Withering and Four Flourishing Mysteries.

Jiang Chen had also mastered the basic movements of the "Shuiyue Feidao" very well.

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