"Jiang Chen, don't overthink things. This old man will give you one piece of advice: make the most of this Grand Selection and strive to soar to new heights. You've been suppressed in the secular world for too long — the time is ripe, and it's time to make a stunning impression. However, the Grand Selection is bound to be chaotic. I can't guarantee that no one will harbor ill will toward you. In fact, I can almost certainly say you'll face all manner of suppression, both overt and covert. At that point, you'll have to rely on your own wisdom to navigate it. Once you enter the Ancient Remnant Realm, even if I wanted to stand behind you as your backer, I'd be too far away to help. Do you understand?"
The old man truly regarded Jiang Chen in a special light. He had never spoken such words to any young person before.
Not even the royal scions of the Ye clan in the Tiangui Kingdom had ever received such treatment.
Jiang Chen was highly perceptive and understood the old man's meaning. He nodded and said gratefully, "I understand, Grand Tutor. I'll adjust my strategy and pace according to how the situation develops."
"Good, that's exactly right. Control your tempo — don't charge recklessly at the start, but don't drag your feet endlessly either. When it's time to keep a low profile, keep a low profile. When it's time to show your edge, show your edge. Only in this way can the brilliance of your talent illuminate the entire Alliance of the Sixteen Kingdoms!"
That was all the advice the old man could offer.
"Jiang Chen, I have a feeling that this time you will rise like the morning sun, ascending steadily and casting your light across the entire Alliance of the Sixteen Kingdoms."
Consort Dan stood quietly to the side. Hearing the old man praise Jiang Chen so highly, a peculiar gleam flickered in her beautiful eyes, and her heart surged with restless emotion.
Strange as it was, the old man usually praised her too, but when he did, though she felt pleased, her heart had never stirred like this before.
It was as if this young man named Jiang Chen had, without her even noticing, plucked some hidden string deep within her heart — stirring her grief and joy, her anger and delight.
But this embarrassing thought flashed through Consort Dan's mind only for an instant, something she couldn't face directly.
She refused to admit — how could she care so much about a mere boy?
Perhaps she simply admired his talent, admired his abilities? It had nothing to do with anything else.
But if that were truly all, then why did she feel that faint, strange twinge in her heart whenever she saw him with that pretty little attendant?
"Little Dan, see Jiang Chen out for me," the old man said with a slight smile.
Jiang Chen rose quickly and took his leave. "Grand Tutor, today's guidance has opened my eyes. I will give this Grand Selection everything I have and live up to the esteem you've placed in me."
"Ha ha, you won't let me down, you won't let me down. This old man has only one wish now — to see the young man I've placed my hopes on surpass me as soon as possible, while I still draw breath."
The old man's eyes narrowed slightly as he spoke, and within moments he seemed to have slipped into meditation.
Following Consort Dan outside, Jiang Chen smiled. "Consort Dan, please don't trouble yourself any further."
"I'll walk a few more steps with you." Consort Dan sighed softly. "Jiang Chen, perhaps after this selection you'll soar to the heavens, and from then on we'll no longer be on the same level. When that time comes, will you still remember me — this woman who might strike you as a bit annoying?"
"Annoying?" Jiang Chen laughed in disbelief. "Who would dare call the most beautiful woman in the Tiangui Kingdom annoying? Consort Dan, I've never said anything like that. I have no desire to become the enemy of the entire kingdom."
Consort Dan smiled faintly. "Enough, stop flattering me. You're one thing with your mouth and another in your heart. But you're not like those other spoiled young lords."
"Spoiled young lords?"
"Mm, those dandy aristocrats — when they see me, their tongues drip with honey. But in their hearts, they're plotting all manner of wicked schemes." The distaste in Consort Dan's voice was unmistakable whenever she mentioned those men.
"That's hardly surprising, Consort Dan. Your excellence only proves their eyes are functioning properly."
"Which is precisely why I say you're different from them. Your tongue may be just as sweet, but I know you're only humoring me. In your heart, I'm probably far less important than that gentle, refined little attendant of yours — let alone that bold, spirited senior attendant."
The gentle, refined little attendant naturally referred to Wen Ziqi.
And the bold, spirited senior attendant naturally referred to Gouyu.
This question truly caught Jiang Chen off guard. He had genuinely never compared them in his mind.
If he had to speak of their standing, Jiang Chen felt a deep sense of guilt toward Gouyu, and in his heart she was probably the one he valued most.
As for Consort Dan, he regarded her as a friend and ally — fundamentally different from Gouyu and the others who served as his attendants.
"Just say it straight. Don't worry about hurting my feelings." Consort Dan put on her best expression of composure.
"Consort Dan, friends and attendants are different in nature. I really haven't compared them. Besides, making such a comparison is meaningless. In the Tiangui Kingdom, I would risk my life for my attendants. In the Labyrinth world, I risked my life against the Silver Moon Demon Ape to save you. So if you're asking who carries more weight, I truly can't answer that question. And besides, it probably doesn't matter, does it?"
"Friends?" A trace of bitter amusement flickered through Consort Dan's heart, and she let out a soft laugh. "Very well, Jiang Chen. I'll see you no further. I wish you a bright future — may you soar to the heavens in the Grand Selection and rise above all others!"
"Thank you for your kind words. I also wish Consort Dan eternal youth and immortality, ha ha."
"Eternal youth — what use is immortality without a kindred spirit? Eternal beauty — if no one truly appreciates it, it's nothing more than a passing cloud…"
Consort Dan gave a slight wave of her hand, turned, and walked away, leaving Jiang Chen with a figure that was difficult to decipher.
Jiang Chen was long accustomed to Consort Dan's ever-changing moods. Seeing her stop and leave so abruptly, he wasn't particularly surprised. He sighed with a wry smile, then turned and headed off as well.
What he never expected was that after rounding the corner, Consort Dan leaned gently against a cassia tree, her beautiful eyes shimmering with the faint glimmer of crystalline tears.
These were tears that had not fallen for anyone in over twenty years. They slid down her cheeks, and under the moonlight, they looked all the more achingly beautiful.