bang... bang...

Three hundred and sixty cannon shots were fired, officially commencing the opening ceremony of the martial arts competition.

Zheng Qian followed the Guangxiang Kingdom's team and entered the arena with the formation of experts at the Dragon Shaping Realm.

"Look, that's Zheng Qian."

"Perfect scores in three subjects, that's amazing! And he's so handsome too, no wonder he has a love story with Teacher Mo Li."

"You don't know, yesterday the crown princes of the four kingdoms and all the scholars who set the questions visited Zheng Qian and listened to his lectures all day long."

"What? The Crown Prince and the scholar are listening to Zheng Qian's lecture? My God, am I deaf?"

The contestants' groups were constantly exchanging conversations, all about Zheng Qian's deeds.

In the stands, spectators from various countries were equally enthusiastic, their screams echoing throughout.

"Wow, Zheng Qian, I love you. I'm Widow Wang. Remember to come find me."

“Zheng Qian, I am eighteen years old and I am willing to marry you as your concubine.”

“Zheng Qian, I am a princess of the Crescent Moon Kingdom. Crown Prince Dong Hao has given me to you as a maid. You must accept me.”

As everyone looked on, a fair-skinned and beautiful woman, protected by guards, was actually asking to be Zheng Qian's maid.

"She really does seem to be the princess of the Crescent Moon Kingdom."

"What do you mean by 'seems like'? She is the famous Princess Qiyue, who is both beautiful and talented, and ranked 231st on the overall list of the literary examination."

"Holy crap, is it that crazy? I wonder if Zheng Qian even considered male maids when choosing room warmers?"

"You bastard, your mind is dirty. Get lost. If you're going to consider someone, consider me. I'm way more handsome than you."

Zheng Qian's face was gloomy. Last night, Fan Tielan kept insisting on fulfilling her promise to hold a housewarming party and refused to leave his yard, which caused Fan Tiexue to stay as well.

The two men didn't leave, and neither did Mo Li. Since Mo Li wouldn't leave, Dong Hao and Li Sheng also stayed, resulting in his small courtyard being filled with these important figures sleeping there.

Li Mubai and Tian Jie left; they were probably a bit tired last night and didn't attend today's opening ceremony.

After all the teams from various countries had entered the stadium, Lu Chu led Empress Han into the stadium.

"Wow, that's the legendary Empress Han, she's so beautiful."

"Hey, Empress Han? In our Guangxiang Kingdom, we call her Empress Han the Bad Queen."

"Brother, these are rice cakes I bought today. They're delicious. Here, have some and I'll tell you the story of what happened after Han was bad."

“She kills no fewer than 100,000 young adults every year while practicing her skills.”

Empress Han became the center of attention the moment she appeared.

Her graceful figure, like a cloud dancing lightly in the heavens, exudes an irresistible charm with every step she takes.

Her beauty was the epitome of heaven and earth, as radiant as the moonlight. Her eyes, like autumn water, were full of affection, as if they could see into the deepest desires and secrets of people's hearts.

Her lips parted slightly, and her smile was captivating; almost every man in the room was driven wild.

Zheng Qian squinted. This Empress Han's seductive skills were at least ten levels higher than those of Consort Mei.

Although she wasn't as beautiful as Mo Li, she was more charming and alluring.

A rare beauty, a beauty rarely seen in the world.

Lu Chu, dressed in a yellow robe, looked majestic and imposing, and he and Empress Han were quite a good match.

Lu Chu raised his hand and gently pressed it down, instantly silencing the tens of thousands of people present.

"Heroes and martial arts masters, you have gathered here in my Guangxiang Kingdom today to celebrate this grand event, the Martial Arts Tournament, which takes place only once every fifty years. I am deeply gratified and honored."

"Martial arts" are the foundation of a nation and the backbone of a people. They are not only a display of strength, but also a clash of will and wisdom.

Here, I have three wishes:

It is hoped that all participants will uphold martial ethics, treat each other with courtesy, engage in friendly sparring, stop when the point is reached, avoid damaging harmony, and especially avoid harming the innocent.

My second wish is that the victors will have the world in their hearts, and will not be arrogant because of a temporary victory, nor discouraged because of a temporary defeat.

My sincere wish is that this martial arts tournament will serve as a bridge connecting all nations, promoting exchange and cooperation among different sects, and jointly safeguarding peace and tranquility on this land. Let us join hands, using martial arts to stop war, valuing harmony above all else, and creating a glorious future for Guangxiang Kingdom and the entire continent.

"it is good……"

Cheers and applause resounded throughout the land.

Lu Chu was very satisfied. The first person to clap and cheer loudly was Vice Minister Qin, and he remembered that.

"Today is also Empress Han's birthday, a day to celebrate with heaven!"

After Lu Chu finished speaking, Lu Yan stood up, walked to Empress Han, and held up a small box with diamond rims in both hands.

"Your Majesty, I have ventured deep into the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain and slain Mu Linzi, a descendant of the Six-Winged Nether Serpent. I have extracted his heart and refined it into a Longevity Pill, which has the effects of nourishing the skin and prolonging life. I wish Your Majesty to live longer and younger, and to be happy and joyful every day!"

Empress Han accepted the longevity pill, a hint of appreciation flashing in her eyes. Her lips parted slightly, and her voice was melodious and pleasant.

"Yan'er, you are so thoughtful. Your mother loves your gift."

Lu Yan stepped back in surprise, while Lu Cilin stood up to present a gift.

"Your Majesty, this is a cooling fan made from deep-sea blue coral. The breeze it produces not only has a wonderful fragrance but also beautifying effects. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and may the Guangxiang Kingdom prosper!"

"Okay, okay, Lin'er is the best!"

With three "good"s, Lu Cilin couldn't hide his smug smile.

His cooling fan was more than ten times better than Lu Yan's longevity pill, and its price was more than a hundred times higher.

Lu Chu nodded to Lu Cilin, making Lu Cilin even happier.

Lu Yan's face was icy cold. Everyone in the country knew that his brother wanted to take his place as crown prince.

"The Scorpion Kingdom has sent one hundred deep-sea ice beads..."

"Sent by the Crescent Moon Kingdom..."

Zheng Qian was speechless. The opening ceremony, which was supposed to be a proper event, had turned into a celebration of Empress Han's birthday.

It has to be said, Lu Chu knows how to play the game.

The gift-giving and blessing ceremony had been going on for an hour, and the line of people giving gifts stretched as far as the eye could see. The treasures were piled up like mountains, and Empress Han and Lu Chu's harvest was truly abundant.

At this moment, Li Mubai sat down next to Zheng Qian, looking lost and silent, covering his face.

"Mu Bai, what's wrong?"

Li Mubai's eyes went unfocused, his face was pale, and he said in a low voice, "Tian Jie is gone."

gone?

To die, or to leave?

Zheng Qian couldn't understand why Li Mubai was leaving, and asked, "What happened?"

Li Mubai grabbed his hair with both hands and slowly said, "This morning when I went to pick up Tian Jie, her family gave me a note."

As he spoke, Li Mubai handed the note to Zheng Qian.

It reads: "Endless Seas, Daoist Nanfeng, accepts Tian Jie as his disciple. The day he completes his studies will be the day he returns."

My fiancée has been taken in as a disciple by a master. That's a good thing! She'll become a master in the future, wouldn't it be great to live off her?

Zheng Qian comforted her, "She only left a note, which means she didn't have time to say goodbye. Don't be sad. You can go find her after the Gathering of Heroes. If Daoist Nanfeng takes a liking to you then, you can study together. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

Li Mubai raised his head, his eyes red: "Tian Jie didn't say goodbye to me, nor to her family. She just vanished last night."

"I asked most of Guangxiang City this morning, but no one knows who Nanfeng Daoist is, and no one has ever heard of such a person."

Never heard of it?

Zheng Qian's first reaction was that Tian Jie had been kidnapped and was in danger.

"The world is vast, and there are countless extraordinary people. You don't need to worry, Tian Jie will be fine."

While Zheng Qian verbally comforted Li Mubai, he was already plotting how to help him find Tian Jie.

Many spies are planted between countries, and perhaps the princes can be of help.

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