"The Confucian path through the ages requires a heart to overcome obstacles, using ’Hao Ran’ to dispel all barriers!" The rumbling echoed on the cliff, bringing a smile to Xie Dongan’s face: "Today, demons surround us, forcing students to the edge of the cliff. Only then do students understand—serenity does not mean not striving, but rather nurturing Hao Ran for a more seamless ascent!" Xie Dongan shouted aloud. He straightened his back, hands behind him, and his feet seemingly moved by the wind, soaring upwards. In the blink of an eye, those ferocious demons vanished, obliterated without a trace. Soon after, Xie Dongan’s mind also disappeared from the cliff’s edge—having passed the heart state trial, he reappeared in the midst of auspicious clouds for the talent potential assessment. In the outside world. Seeing this, Emperor Wei laughed immediately, "Haha... Prime Minister Xie’s lineage continues, how delightful and worthy of celebration." Seated not far from him, Xie Jing’s old face also showed a hint of a smile, "Not worthy of the Holy Emperor’s praise, Dong’an’s heart still needs polishing." "Polishing?" Emperor Wei looked at him with a mocking smile: "Polish him for a few more years, and he’ll become like you, calculating everything. Doesn’t it tire your heart?" Xie Jing naturally understood the implication in his words, his smile receding as he cupped his hands, "The Holy Emperor is right, I shall certainly repent in the future." Emperor Wei waved his hand, "Enough, enough, today is a grand gathering of the talents of the Great Wei Dynasty, not in the Imperial Court, don’t let my subjects see a joke." Xie Jing paused, rose, and bowed deeply, "Thank you, Holy Emperor." Emperor Wei smiled and shook his head, then looked at the Great Master and asked, "I wonder what rank this young Xie Dongan achieved?" The Great Master glanced at the Mysterious Light Mirror and said with satisfaction, "For the heart state trial, he’s ranked... second; someone passed it earlier than him." Emperor Wei looked at the Mysterious Light Mirror, but didn’t notice, "Which prodigy is it? How did I not notice?" The Great Master looked at Chen Yi, a smile on his face, and said, "The Holy Emperor should ask the Heroic Marquis." "The one who passed the heart state trial first is my fiancée, Lin Xueru." Chen Yi glanced at the Great Master and responded, cupping his hands. "It’s that girl, I didn’t even realize when she passed the heart state trial." "Xueru’s heart is pure; as soon as she entered the Mysterious Light Mirror, she went straight to the talent potential trial." Chen Yi was also surprised by the girl’s performance, and even more that her heart was so pure, without any flaws. All along, he only knew Lin Xueru had outstanding talent and her cultivation progressed quickly, but now it seems that is far from her limit. However, such performance made him wonder—clearly, the initial information from the light screen said that the girl’s cultivation would only reach the Third Grade Realm by the age of thirty. Could his presence change the girl’s talent? Upon reflection, Chen Yi felt it was somewhat justified. In the decade of cultivation at the Grand Void Sect, he and the girl were together day and night, and under his influence, she cultivated diligently and mastered techniques, which likely sped up the girl’s growth during that time. Additionally, the elixirs provided by Hua Xianzi, who was always with them, further assisted their cultivation. Evidently, the background of the result from the light screen indicated the girl had no such advantages. "Duke Xing, I must also congratulate you." Emperor Wei laughed again, looking at Lin Hansong, "Not only because of your outstanding daughter, but also an even more exceptional son-in-law, haha..." Before Lin Hansong could modestly respond, several court ministers teased, "Envious indeed." "Duke Xing, the Heroic Marquis is indeed the top prodigy of our Great Wei Dynasty, unrivaled and, it seems, your daughter is no less." Lin Hansong smiled wryly, pleading, "Colleagues, please have mercy." If these old fellows continued, who knows how much animosity would be drawn to him. "I truly regret it," said Prince Zhenbei Du Qing, refusing to let him go, laughing, "I originally agreed with Taiping for a marriage alliance, yet Duke Xing seized the opportunity first." Chen Yi paid no mind to the idle chatter on the other side, his eyes constantly on the little girl in the Mysterious Light Mirror. After seeing her performance in the potential trial, he glanced at the Huangshan Taoist: "Daoist, what do you think of my junior sister’s performance?" Huangshan Taoist snorted with notable displeasure, eyes steadfast, "The wager has only just begun, who knows who will win or lose?" "Indeed, although I have not yet taken a disciple, it also means that after seeing Lin Xueru and Xie Dongan’s performance, I can find suitable disciples for them; the ones to worry should be you all!" Seeing him so stubborn, both Chen Yi and the Great Master laughed. "The Daoist is right, this Marquis wholly agrees." "I have great confidence in the Daoist’s judgment, surely able to find a disciple with outstanding talent." The Great Master echoed the sentiment, and was about to continue when he noticed Lin Xueru had already passed the first trial, so he stood up and announced loudly: "The winner of the first match of the grand event, from the Grand Void Sect, Lin Xueru!" The little girl had just returned to her senses and heard the voice from above, she couldn’t help but look up. When she met Chen Yi’s eyes, she couldn’t help but smile brightly, her eyebrows curved like a crescent moon, "Brother Yi, am I amazing?" Seeing her expression asking for praise, Chen Yi couldn’t help but nod indulgently and said with a smile: "Of course, my Xiao Xueru is the most amazing." Before the little girl could continue speaking, Lin Hansong, sitting just below, abruptly chimed in to remind: "Heroic Marquis, my daughter has not yet married." Chen Yi helplessly glanced at his future father-in-law and couldn’t help but mutter: "It’s only a matter of time..." "Haha... the Heroic Marquis is right, Old Lin, your words sound like you’re rushing the marriage?" "Indeed, that’s what it sounds like. I wonder when the Heroic Marquis and your daughter plan to marry, be sure to save a spot for me." These few words made Lin Xueru, who had just passed the assessment and was brimming with joy, suddenly flush with embarrassment. She spat at these shameless old men and quickly ran to hide where Li Qingzhou and others were. "Ancestor, look at them..." Daoist Xuanjian couldn’t help but understand and immediately glared at the ones who spoke up: "I’ll see who dares to bully my Grand Void Sect’s prodigy!" The laughter instantly stopped, and seeing Daoist Xuanjian’s face, they sheepishly closed their mouths. There was no helping it, Daoist Xuanjian had not come down from the mountain for a long time, and he was indeed someone they couldn’t afford to provoke. Emperor Wei chuckled speechlessly but didn’t mention Chen Yi’s marriage again, "Great Master, it looks like the first session is going to last a while?" "A day or two if short, three to five days if long." Emperor Wei nodded in understanding, beckoning to the side, "Pass down the order, have the Imperial Kitchen prepare the luncheon." Liu Gao moved in closer and asked, "Is the Holy Emperor suggesting..." Emperor Wei waved his hand grandly, "Everything at Dakong Temple, whether it’s porridge, meat, or wine, today I celebrate with the people!" "I will go at once..." Upon hearing these words, the officials, commoners, and Jianghu guests all expressed their gratitude, once again becoming excited. Not only receiving the manifest blessing of the Great Master and Chen Yi, but also dining with Emperor Wei, it was certainly a matter of pride to speak of. "Thank you, Holy Emperor, for your graciousness!" Chen Yi, however, did not stand up, thinking it’s just a meal, what’s there to be thankful for? It’s not like he couldn’t afford to eat. Just as the Kyoto Prefecture was bustling with the start of the grand event, the swift actions of Huangshan Taoist, the Great Master, and Chen Yi had already spread far and wide. Some felt regret and remorse, some were joyous, and naturally, there were also those who were gnashing their teeth in hatred. Outside Beixiong Pass, deep within the Ten Thousand Mountains, at the Demon Imperial Palace. "Damnable human boy!" Emperor Heaven Ancestor’s face was ashen, his whiskers stood on end, and he smashed the table in front of him with a punch as he said: "Is His Majesty certain not to take advantage of the grand event to move south and attack Beixiong Pass?" Fengyue Demon Emperor cast a sidelong glance at him with his long, narrow eyes, "Old Ancestor, stay calm. I have my own plans." "What, do you have a better strategy?" "It’s nothing that can be called a strategy. I just think it’s time to visit Taizhou Mountain." Upon hearing this, Emperor Heaven Ancestor’s eyes flashed with surprise: "You want to personally go to Taizhou Mountain?" "Is there a problem?" "Then what about here, the Ten Thousand Mountains? If that human Sword Cultivator comes again, it won’t just be the Wolf Demon Territory that will become a death zone." "I have my plans, there’s no need to trouble Emperor Heaven Ancestor over it!" With that, Fengyue Demon Emperor turned to the other Great Demon Kings, a cold and stern smile curled at his lips: