Jiang Chen cultivated with such diligence every single day, maintaining such a strict and self-disciplined attitude, that even the Yan family elders who were secretly keeping watch on him found themselves silently nodding in approval.
Their appreciation for this young man only continued to grow.
In the beginning, they had worried that this young man harbored some ulterior motive in approaching Yan Qingsang. But from the looks of it, he was nothing more than an ambitious independent cultivator trying to climb the social ladder.
This proactive dedication to cultivation, this eager drive to advance — it was a level of focus and seriousness that many young scions of great families simply did not possess.
Jiang Chen was, of course, well aware that Elder He and Elder Quan were observing him in secret. But he made no acknowledgment of it, pretending as though nothing of the sort was happening.
In the Yan family's secret chamber, Elder He let out a sigh. "Elder Quan, look at this Shao Yuan, and then look at our Yan family's younger generation. At least when it comes to cultivation attitudes, there really is a gap. Perhaps our Yan young ones have simply grown too comfortable. In terms of mindset, they lack the sense of urgency, the awareness of danger, the hunger that these independent cultivators have. I think this young man has considerable potential."
Elder Quan nodded in agreement with Elder He's assessment. "Compared to this Shao Yuan, Yan Qingsang is far too blunt and straightforward, Yan Jinnan is far too frivolous, and the others lack any real edge. In my eyes, only a scant few Yan family geniuses like Zhen Huai could truly overshadow this Shao Yuan. Elder He, I believe we really should recruit this young man into our Yan family, make him one of us. Otherwise, with his talent and ability, he could just as easily join some other great family and have his chance to shine. When that happens, we may regret losing this exquisite piece of uncarved jade."
"Let's think it over a bit more carefully. I did have some concerns at first — that he approached our family with hidden motives."
"What sort of motives do you think he could have? Trying to get close to Huang'er?" Elder Quan asked, somewhat uncertainly.
"I can't say for certain. It was merely an intuition. But perhaps that intuition was wrong this time. This young man doesn't appear to be someone who's consumed by lust. Although he's shown some interest in Huang'er, he hasn't displayed any sort of infatuation. Look at this bride selection tournament hosted by the Blue Smoke Island Domain — he hasn't shown much enthusiasm for it either. Besides, everyone on the Myriad Abyss Island knows about Huang'er's situation. Someone as clever as this Shao Yuan couldn't possibly be unaware, could he? And if he does know, then with his intelligence, he would never take the risk of offending both the Yan and Xiahou families just to covet Huang'er."
"Elder He makes a very valid point. I also feel that claiming all of this is simply to pursue Huang'er would be too far-fetched. The Ten Great Sacred Kingdoms are rumored to have sixteen outstanding beauties. Even if he were looking to marry well, he wouldn't single out Huang'er — the one with the least possibility of success."
Elder He laughed heartily. "Perhaps we old fogies really have been overly cautious."
…
Inside the palace of the City of Miracles.
Several nobles of the imperial family had gathered together.
"Eunuch Jia, summon the princess."
"This servant has already invited the princess. She will arrive shortly."
"What's with the attitude? Go invite her again!" A younger member of the imperial family snorted coldly.
"Yes, this servant will go at once."
A short while later, Eunuch Jia strode back out. Behind him walked a young woman dressed in snow-white robes. She was tall and slender, and the moment she appeared, she brought with her an air of pure, crystalline cold — like the pristine snow of deep winter, radiant with an aloof brilliance.
Her bearing caused every one of those imperial nobles to swallow hard in secret. They had to admit — this princess's temperament and beauty were simply extraordinary.
Because this princess did not share the imperial family's bloodline, these nobles felt no need to conceal their appraising gazes. Their stares were bold and invasive.
The princess furrowed her delicate brows and said nothing. She found her seat and sat down lightly, as though every person present were nothing but air — completely beneath her notice.
The elder prince cleared his throat. "Princess Bi, the martial selection tournament has already begun. The public outcry is growing louder — they're demanding that the princess make an appearance so that everyone may admire her beauty and grace."
"I have no interest." The princess's tone was utterly resolute. "The imperial family has many princesses. Whoever you wish to send, send them."
"Princess Bi, His Majesty personally decreed that only your heavenly beauty can overshadow all the competitors and bring these geniuses to their knees at your feet. This is His Majesty's imperial command. For the sake of the imperial family's interests, for the sake of the Blue Smoke Island Domain's interests, you absolutely must not be willful. Besides, if the princess were to find a worthy husband, wouldn't that be a happy outcome for everyone?"
The princess remained silent, luminous as a cold moon.
But her refusal was unmistakable.
"Princess, this puts us in a very difficult position. Don't forget — it has been the imperial family that has nurtured you all these years. Everything you eat, everything you wear, everything you consume in cultivation — it is all provided by the imperial family. Now that the imperial family needs you, you balk and stall, showing not the slightest concern."
"His Majesty has nurtured me, and I hold that in my heart. If His Majesty wished to take my life, I would not resist. However, even His Majesty cannot compel me to act against my conscience."
The princess's stance remained unwavering.