After being exiled for eighteen years, the prince returned to the capital as a veritable immortal.

Golden Core cultivators are extremely rare.

The ensuing competition unfolded between Foundation Establishment cultivators.

A cultivator in the late Foundation Establishment stage can serve as the head of a security escort agency or as a vanguard in the military.

Their battles were equally exciting, and the audience watched with great enjoyment.

The game is halfway through.

A swordsman in a blue robe gracefully stepped onto the stage.

Those who recognized him couldn't help but raise their arms in cheers:

"Another Golden Core cultivator has appeared in Liangzhou!"

The crowd stirred, and the audience was extremely excited.

This year, three Golden Core experts have emerged in Liangzhou Prefecture, in addition to two outsiders.

There are as many as five Golden Core cultivators.

It was an unprecedented spectacle, a once-in-a-century event.

It's important to know that the top three in the annual martial arts competition are often not all at the Golden Core stage.

The blue-robed monk clasped his fists together:

"I am from Liangzhou..."

No sooner had he spoken than an opponent leaped onto the stage with a "whoosh".

Logically, it's more advantageous to fight weaker opponents and conserve strength in the early stages to achieve a better ranking.

However, this challenger seemed more eager to challenge the stronger opponent, appearing impatient as if afraid of being beaten to it.

"hiss--"

Could it be another outside martial artist trying to suppress the Golden Core experts of Liangzhou?

An ominous cloud hung over the entire audience.

"Yang Lie of the Vajra Sect!"

The challenger's self-introduction immediately sparked a commotion among the audience.

As expected, the local Golden Core cultivators were once again challenged by an outside expert.

Even the most clueless person can see that this is clearly a deliberate targeting and precise suppression.

however.

The military examination had no geographical restrictions, so even if one was dissatisfied, one could only suppress it.

As expected, the outcome was as predicted.

Yang Lie of the Vajra Sect easily defeated the Jin Dan contestant from Liangzhou.

Resentment, frustration...

The entire training ground was filled with discussions and lamentations.

……

All subsequent battles were between Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Everyone thought the outcome was already decided.

In the final round, an unexpected change occurred!

Originally, both sides in the battle were Foundation Establishment cultivators.

A local contestant from Liangzhou had a remarkable breakthrough, achieving a breakthrough during the battle and advancing to the initial stage of the Golden Core realm.

The initial stage of the Golden Core realm is only half a step away from the peak of the Foundation Establishment realm.

Their combat power has increased several times over.

It seemed that the 50/50 match was about to turn into a one-sided crushing defeat.

"Hahaha... Admit defeat!"

The Liangzhou contestant laughed heartily.

"it is good!"

"Liangzhou, rise up!"

A burst of cheers erupted from the audience, finally releasing their pent-up resentment.

Previously, all three Golden Core cultivators from Liangzhou were defeated by disciples from major sects outside the region.

In this final battle, the Golden Core cultivator from Liangzhou was finally able to sweep aside his opponent with overwhelming power.

"Yeah!" Si Xuan clenched his fist and exclaimed softly, venting his pent-up frustration.

Her chest heaved, and Hu Die also let out a long sigh of relief.

As the hosts, they naturally wanted to win.

Ji Yu looked surprised, and unconsciously stopped her needlework.

Her phoenix eyes stared sharply at Zhou Yi.

Emperor Wu suddenly appointed a crown prince, something he couldn't understand before.

Now, it's connected.

The hidden strength of Liangzhou is truly astonishing.

"A breakthrough in the midst of battle?!"

A hint of surprise appeared on the face of the outsider, and a smile played on his lips as he said, "My Heavenly One Sect is fine too!"

After saying that, the opponent's aura surged, and he easily advanced to the Golden Core Realm.

Moreover, he broke through to the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm in one go.

Below the arena, there was complete silence.

Everyone looked solemn, their fists clenched tightly.

The opponent's breakthrough was not achieved in the heat of battle; it was clearly because they had suppressed their cultivation to the Foundation Establishment stage beforehand.

Moreover, the Tianyi Holy Sect is a first-class major sect.

As expected, the result was as predicted.

The fourth Golden Core cultivator from Liangzhou was once again suppressed by an outside expert.

Next.

Second round of battles, third round...

Finally, all rankings were determined.

The top three spots were taken by Tianyi Holy Sect, Divine Sword Sect, and Snow Mountain Sect.

The three will represent Liangzhou in the imperial examination in the capital, vying for the title of martial arts champion.

Yang Lie of the Vajra Sect came in fourth.

Wu Meng ranked fifth, making him the top martial artist in Liangzhou.

……

"Martial Arts Alliance".

Hu Die parted her red lips slightly and uttered a name she did not want to believe.

Si Xuan suddenly realized:

"Yes, it's the Martial Arts Alliance!"

The Martial Arts Alliance unites all martial arts schools in the world.

Its leader is the martial arts alliance leader.

The Golden Core cultivators from outside are all disciples of the Martial Alliance sects.

Coincidence?

Of course not.

Even the audience members had thought of this.

The current leader of the Martial Arts Alliance is Zhu Anshi, the world-renowned "Sword Saint".

Zhu Anshi also had another nickname: Yangling Hero.

The hero of Yangling was the one who exposed and falsely accused the crown prince of treason.

Prince Yi is the grandson of the emperor and also the orphan of the crown prince.

and so……

With her needle and thread moving more merrily, Ji Yu looked up and smiled at Zhou Yiwan'er.

Zhou Yi smiled and replied.

interesting.

Before the Mahayana Sect could even make a move, the Martial Arts Alliance jumped out first.

To be an enemy of all martial artists in the world.

Thinking about it, it's kind of exciting.

That's good, at least the days ahead won't be too lonely!

……

The list of martial arts candidates was posted and announced.

Si Xuan publicly announced that this year's martial arts competition had come to a successful conclusion.

At the head coach's table, Zhou Yi'an sat as still as a mountain, with no intention of leaving.

As the crowd below the stage was puzzled, the crowd parted and more than twenty people squeezed to the front of the arena.

The six people at the front were bound hand and foot; one of them was Feng Qing, the young master of the Feng family.

There were more than twenty people escorting them, all dressed in black and wearing straw hats to cover their faces.

They exuded an imposing aura, and each of them was a Foundation Establishment expert.

The leader was a Golden Core cultivator.

"Who dares to kidnap Young Master Feng!"

"They must be trying to coerce His Highness Prince Yi!"

The crowd gasped in surprise and quickly distanced themselves from the newcomer.

The massacre of the Feng family had already spread throughout Liangzhou.

The relationship between the Feng family and His Highness Prince Yi is also common knowledge.

Protect His Highness!

The crowd dispersed intentionally or unintentionally, surrounding Feng Qing and the others in the center.

"Protect His Highness!"

Si Xuan shouted and led his personal guards to block Zhou Yi's way.

The Xuanjia Iron Cavalry advanced in formation, closing in on Feng Qing and his group, and the encirclement quickly shrank.

Ji Yu glanced at the warrior in the bamboo hat, her hands flying needles and threading, feeling even more excited.

Zhou Yi waved his hand gently:

"Everyone, stand down."

"Your Highness, this..." Si Xuan was extremely unwilling.

Unable to withstand Zhou Yi's gaze, he had no choice but to lead his men back behind Zhou Yi.

The Iron Cavalry Guards also retreated to the edge of the training ground.

Si Xuan, his voice stern and stern, addressed the audience:

"Who are you, you scoundrel? Release Young Master Feng!"

"Otherwise, we will kill you without mercy!"

The heavily armored cavalry raised their lances high and shouted in unison:

"kill!"

"kill!"

"kill!!!"

Countless eyes were fixed on the center of the field.

If such a gaze could kill, the warrior in the straw hat would have already been riddled with arrows.

His Highness Prince Yi is diligent in governing and loves the people; the officials of Liangzhou are honest and upright; and the people live in peace and tranquility.

The people of Liangzhou will not tolerate anyone who dares to harm His Highness Prince Yi.

In full view.

The Golden Core Realm warrior in the bamboo hat resolutely took a step forward.

Then--

Kneel down!

The twenty warriors in straw hats behind him knelt down in unison and shouted:

"Greetings, Your Highness the Imperial Grandson! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

The leader, wearing a straw hat, bowed his head and chest, his voice filled with excitement:

"We are all former retainers of the Crown Prince, paying our respects to the young master!"

The prince's retainer?

The "remnants" of the wrongful conviction of the crown prince!

Although Empress Wu did not publicly exonerate the Crown Prince, her bestowal of the title of Prince Yi upon her grandson was an implicit acceptance of the mistake made back then.

However, because emperors are concerned about saving face, they are reluctant to admit it publicly.

Now that His Highness Prince Yi's father's former retainer has come to join him, he is truly one of our own.

Si Xuan breathed a sigh of relief, and a smile involuntarily spread across his face.

These twenty people constitute a formidable force.

The thousands of onlookers were equally excited.

His Highness Prince Yi's power is growing stronger.

"Release Feng Qing."

Zhou Yi's voice wasn't loud, but it was clearly audible in every corner of the room.

After a brief pause, the leader in the straw hat waved his hand, and Feng Qing and the others quickly ran to Zhou Yi's side.

What business do you have with me?

Zhou Yi took a sip of tea, his gaze languid as he looked at the exam papers on the table.

"Your Highness, the Crown Prince was wrongfully killed, and 98,321 people were executed!"

"Our families were destroyed, our ninety-year-old mothers and infants were all killed, none of us survived!"

"Avenge the Crown Prince! Avenge us!"

The warrior in the straw hat spoke with such sincerity that those who heard him were deeply moved and wept.

"Oh," Zhou Yi said calmly, his expression revealing no emotion whatsoever. "What do you want?"

"That dog emperor is incompetent and tyrannical, he has killed virtuous and capable people!"

"Now, he is nearing the end of his life!"

"I urge the imperial grandson to raise an army and rectify the court!"

"Charge into the capital, slay the Martial Emperor, and avenge the Crown Prince!"

Twenty warriors wearing straw hats knelt and bowed twice.

His words were earnest and filled with righteous indignation.

"What if I don't agree?"

"I will commit suicide on the spot to plead for the Emperor's grandson!"

The leader of the straw-hatted group spoke with a resounding voice that soared into the sky, revealing a deep-seated determination to die.

What a loyal subject!

Thousands of people admired him greatly.

Zhou Yi smiled.

A smile, as radiant as the morning sun:

"Alright, let one die and see, let me have some fun!"