Chapter 556 - Imperial Family

The specific time for the duel was set for midday.As the time drew nearer, more and more people arrived.

“Why hasn’t he arrived yet?

Lei Zhanqian wouldn’t dare not to show up, would he?”

Jiang Wuji impatiently swallowed the grape in his mouth and spoke.

It seemed like a casual complaint, but he deliberately said it loudly.

“Our Jiang Wang has been waiting for a long time.

If this duel cannot start because of the opponent…

the money won’t be refunded!” Zhongxuan Sheng quickly declared.

Everyone laughed.

With Zhongxuan Zun still at the Under Jixuegong and Wang Yiwu “expelled” from Linzi, Zhongxuan Sheng’s popularity was at its peak, and no one was going to quibble with him over something so trivial.

“The Long Life Palace Master has arrived!”

Just then, Daqi’s eleventh prince, Jiang Wuqi, arrived hand in hand with Lei Zhanqian, another key figure in the duel.

Jiang Wuqi, draped in a white fox fur coat and exuding nobility, walked inside surrounded by a group of cultivators.

Lei Zhanqian walked alongside him, while Zhang Song, the scion of the prestigious family, was inconspicuous among the cultivators.

Gongsun Yu, whom Jiang Wang had previously met on Yunwu Mountain, was absent this time.

Like everyone else present, Jiang Wuyong had no choice but to get up again…

Only Jiang Wuyou remained seated calmly, while Jiang Wuji leaned back lazily, popping another grape into his mouth.

“Ladies and gentlemen, there’s no need for formalities.

I am here just like all of you, merely a spectator,” Jiang Wuqi greeted everyone with composure, reassuring them to take their seats.

Many people, once seated, could not help but discuss amongst themselves.

With the eleventh prince having arrived, three of the four most likely future emperors of Daqi were present today, the only one missing was the Crown Prince, Jiang Wuhua.

This duel was on a grand scale!

It’s just that the venue did not match…

“Eleventh brother,” Jiang Wuyong called out again.

“Wuyong,” Jiang Wuqi responded affectionately, looking at him carefully: “I haven’t seen you for several days; you’ve lost weight.”

He turned and instructed, “Didn’t we receive some supplements from Jinguo the other day?

Choose some of good quality and send them to the residence of the fourteenth prince tomorrow.”

“I have lost some weight,” Jiang Wuyong said, moved: “Eleventh brother, you also need to take care of your health.”

Even within the imperial clan where deception was commonplace, he knew that Jiang Wuqi was sincere.

“Alright,” Jiang Wuqi said with a warm smile, then turned to greet Jiang Wuyou and Jiang Wuji: “Third sister, ninth brother, I didn’t expect to meet you here today.

And the fourteenth brother, it’s been a long time since we siblings have watched a play together.”

“It’s true, there’s no better day than today,” Jiang Wuyou said.

Jiang Wuji just smiled, “Today is not just for watching a play; your cousin is going to take the field, and it won’t be a good look if he loses.”

“That’s none of your concern,” Lei Zhanqian said coldly from the side.

Jiang Wuji had openly doubted his courage to come, and he had heard it.

He was still seething with anger over it.

He had traveled overnight to Linzi upon receiving the challenge.

But most of his time was spent trying to locate the “Invincible Martial Arts Arena.” Despite the Lei Family’s influence, it took them ages to find the place.

For a while, he suspected the location on the challenge letter was incorrect and even planned to send someone to the Zhong Xuan Family to inquire.

Only after Zhongxuan Sheng began “publicizing” the event did he realize it was at such a run-down location…

Zhongxuan Sheng, the fat man, was even profiting from this matter!

Although Lei, as a person, didn’t care about the small sum, he was frustrated inside.

Why should you make money off me when you challenge me, provoke me, and fight me?

Other than winning a satisfying victory in the arena with his fists, he didn’t know how else to balance his emotions.

“Hahaha,” Jiang Wuji laughed, “Indeed, I’m not too worried; I have great confidence in Jiang Qingyang!”

Jiang Wang’s title was Baron of Qingyang Town, and Jiang Wuji referring to him as Jiang Qingyang seemed to indicate a close relationship between the two in private.

Back in Da Ze County, he had already tried to recruit Jiang Wang, but of course, had been rebuffed.

But by deliberately creating a sense of closeness, he also wanted Jiang Wuyou and Jiang Wuqi to know “difficulty” and retreat.

Especially since Jiang Wuyou had just invited Jiang Wang to communicate privately, which could mean that he had some plans in mind.

Creating this thorn served his purpose without costing him anything.

Lei Zhanqian sneered with disdain, “After all, your Inner Mansion has not yet opened.

It’s understandable that you wouldn’t grasp the level of combat we’re dealing with here.”

The implication being…

do you have the strength to make such a judgment?

However, Jiang Wuji didn’t show any annoyance.

The corners of his mouth curved slightly upwards, forming a smile tinged with evil, “In the Secret Realm of the Seven Star Tower, I seem to recall I was the third to claim a Star Position.

Which one were you?”

Lei Zhanqian’s face darkened at once as he said coldly, “Then the Ninth Prince should watch closely today to see where I stand.”

As they spoke, a beautiful palace maiden beside them had already peeled some grapes and was bringing them to her mouth with her delicate, jade-like fingers.

“Hmm-hmm,” Jiang Wuji munched on a grape contentedly, “I shall be watching with great interest.”

Lei Zhanqian snorted coldly and made his way up to the arena.

The Lei Family needed his title as a prodigy, and he himself needed it even more.

Since his return from Daze County, he had repeatedly stressed that his defeat in the Secret Realm was due to the Zhong Xuan Family’s exorbitant investment, and Jiang Wang’s underhanded tactics that couldn’t be brought to light.

Deep down, he truly believed it to be so.

Therefore, facing Jiang Wang’s public challenge, he had absolutely no reason to refuse.

He was well aware that Jiang Wang had already stripped away his Divine Skills and had even defeated Wang Yiwu head-on, but this did not shake his confidence.

Although Wang Yiwu was exceedingly talented, in Lei Zhanqian’s view, he wasn’t necessarily that remarkable.

What significance did being the foremost Tongtian Environment cultivator throughout history hold?

Wasn’t it just a Tongtian Environment after all?

He, Lei Zhanqian, had not held himself back deliberately; otherwise, he might have already broken the limit within the Tongtian Environment.

At the time Wang Yiwu was pushing his limits in the Tongtian Environment, Lei Zhanqian had already opened two Inner Mansions and stripped away the Lei Seal Divine Skill!

Now Wang Yiwu and Jiang Wang had both opened their Inner Mansions, whereas his third Inner Mansion was already within reach.

He acknowledged that Jiang Wang indeed had talent, but he had been cultivating in the Inner Mansion Realm for much longer!

At most, Jiang Wang had opened his Inner Mansion less than a month ago, so how much could he have possibly developed it in such a short time?

Jiang Wang rose to fame on the back of his battle with Wang Yiwu.

It was only fitting for Lei Zhanqian to step on Jiang Wang now.

Lei Zhanqian was by no means one of those mediocre common Inner Mansion cultivators; there was no reason for him to lose.

Below the stage.

A cultivator squeezed past Zhang Song without a sound and approached Jiang Wuqi, whispering, “Your subordinate has gone to prepare a brocade chair for Your Highness.

May I know what delicacies you would like to try?”

Zhang Song’s face remained expressionless as his gaze fell on Jiang Wang on the stage, sweeping over him just briefly.

Jiang Wuqi waved his hand to decline, “If others can sit on it, why can’t I?”

He certainly saw the undercurrents among his subordinates, and naturally, he would not take a stance.

Settling on a simple wooden stool, he shook his head helplessly towards Jiang Wuji, “Why do you start quarreling upon meeting each other?”

Jiang Wuji chuckled, “Little brother, can’t you control your cousin?

Why does he want to chime in every time I talk to you?

Hehe, I don’t see any manners at all.”

As he actively stirred up the trouble on his side, Jiang Wuqi replied gently, “Though it is said that without rules, there is no square or circle, if we are too caught up in rules, it takes the humanity out of things.

Ninth brother, even though we are born into the imperial family, not everyone around us is a servant.”

“Enough, enough,” Jiang Wuji waved his hand impatiently, “Why are you always so antiquated, seizing every chance to lecture me?

It’s hard to tell who’s the elder brother here.”

“Ah…”

Jiang Wuqi smiled wryly and fell silent.

But then he couldn’t help but cover his lips, coughing lightly twice.

Although Jiang Wuji still wore an impatient look, his voice softened upon glancing at Jiang Wuqi.

“You…

feeling better now?”

Perhaps it had been too long since the brothers had exchanged such concern, and a look of joy crossed Jiang Wuqi’s face, “I’m feeling much better!”