"Chen Shao, this is truly a great opportunity. The Crown Prince said that since you're participating in the Grand Selection, you should bring up whatever requirements or difficulties you have. As long as it's within his power, he'll definitely help you resolve them." Tian Shao was eager to encourage Jiang Chen about the Grand Selection.
"The Crown Prince is quite thoughtful. In that case, ha ha, if I do have any needs, I'll shamelessly go to the Crown Prince and ask for them."
Tian Shao was even happier hearing Jiang Chen say that. He had been worried Jiang Chen would stand on ceremony.
"Chen Shao, I'm confident you'll stand out this time and become the most outstanding genius of the Sixteen Kingdom Alliance! You'll definitely become the center of everyone's attention." Tian Shao had a great deal of faith in Jiang Chen.
Jiang Chen smiled faintly. "I'll do my best. Since I'm participating, I'll naturally give it my all."
"If Chen Shao weren't entering, even I'd feel a bit of an impulse to join. But with you in it, old Tian here knows full well I don't have any shot at the top, so I might as well sit it out, ha ha."
Tian Shao was half-joking, but truthfully, he'd been somewhat tempted when he heard how massive the Grand Selection was going to be.
Still, he knew that as a military officer, his every move had wide-reaching implications. He couldn't just up and participate on a whim.
But he very much wanted Jiang Chen to take part. Tian Shao considered Jiang Chen a good friend, and naturally wanted his friend to grow stronger.
If Jiang Chen could distinguish himself in the Grand Selection and make a name for himself, he would surely catch the attention of Treasure Tree Sect's higher-ups.
At that point, even Elder Tie's suppression wouldn't be able to hold back Jiang Chen's rise.
After all, he'd heard that for this Grand Selection, the most elite Yuan Realm sovereigns from the four great sects were all expected to appear.
With Yuan Realm sovereigns in attendance, someone at Elder Tie's level would have to think twice before pulling any petty tricks.
What if he angered a Yuan Realm sovereign? One slap and you'd be dead. So what if you're an Elder? So what if your father is the Chief Supreme Elder?
Naturally, Crown Prince Ye Rong was even more eager for Jiang Chen to enter the sect and perhaps become its top genius, noticed by the sect's true power brokers.
That way, Ye Rong's position in the secular kingdom would be completely secure.
Anyone who wanted to move against him would have to consider Jiang Chen's existence. Who didn't know that Jiang Chen was the one Ye Rong had personally invited from the Eastern Kingdom?
Who didn't know that it was Ye Rong's sharp eye that had recognized Jiang Chen's worth, bringing him from the Eastern Kingdom to serve as his personal guest advisor — and that Jiang Chen had successfully helped Crown Prince Ye Rong secure his position?
Seeing Jiang Chen agree to participate and pledge his full effort, Tian Shao was naturally delighted.
"Chen Shao, since that's settled, I'll head back to the Crown Prince and relay the news. If you have any requirements, don't be shy about it."
Knowing Tian Shao had official duties to attend to, Jiang Chen didn't try to keep him. He walked Tian Shao to the door.
Tian Shao was about to leave when Jiang Chen suddenly frowned and called out in a low voice, "Old Tian, come back!"
Tian Shao froze, not immediately understanding.
At that very moment, dark clouds gathered in the sky. From the void, row upon row of spirit beasts dove down from high above and landed over Jiang Chen's residence.
There were sixteen of these flying beasts in total.
On each one sat a rider, every single one dressed in identical standardized uniforms.
"Tian Shao! So you really are here!"
Tian Shao frowned and looked over. These people were all unfamiliar to him. Moreover, the standardized uniforms they wore didn't belong to any agency of the Tiangui Kingdom.
"Who are you people? How dare you cause a scene in the Royal Capital of Tiangui Kingdom? You're flying above the capital on your mounts — do you have flight permits?" Tian Shao was, after all, a Commander of the Dragon Tooth Guard, and carried his official authority with him.
"Flight permits? What a joke. Since when do Treasure Tree Sect law enforcement disciples need flight permits when they visit secular kingdoms?"
"Tian Shao, we received reports that some days ago, along the kingdom's border, you participated in a murder operation. The victims were Liu Chengfeng, Palace Master of the Qianlan Northern Palace, and his disciple Xiao Yu!"
"By order of the Enforcement Elder, we are here to arrest the suspect Tian Shao. All unrelated persons, withdraw immediately."
Treasure Tree Sect law enforcement disciples?
Jiang Chen's brow furrowed slightly. He knew that Elder Tie would not let the deaths of Liu Chengfeng and the others go unanswered. Having finally seized an opportunity, Elder Tie would definitely blow the matter up as much as he could.
Still, for Elder Tie to cause trouble right at this juncture, with the Grand Selection so imminent, caught Jiang Chen a little off guard.
Tian Shao spoke with righteous fury. "This is slander, nothing but baseless accusations! What are your motives in framing me like this? You say I killed someone — do you have any evidence? Besides, the Palace Master of the Qianlan Northern Palace was an Earth Spirit Realm powerhouse. Do you really think so highly of me, Tian Shao?"
The lead law enforcement disciple — apparently a Platoon Commander — gave a cold, contemptuous laugh. "Treasure Tree Sect enforces the law. Who has time for your blather? If you know what's good for you, you'll come with us quietly. Whether or not you did it, you can argue your case at the Enforcement Hall. We're only here to carry out orders — we have no obligation to hear your defense."
"Carrying out orders? Do you have an enforcement warrant? The Enforcement Elder's written authorization? Let me see them." Tian Shao was no stranger to the ways of the world.
He refused to believe that something of this scale could actually involve the Enforcement Elder.
The Tie family might be powerful, but they weren't so powerful that they could casually command the Enforcement Hall around.
The lead Platoon Commander raised an eyebrow. "What's this? Tian Shao, are you seriously thinking of resisting the law? Who do you think you are? A mere minor Commander of the Dragon Tooth Guard, and you dare question the Enforcement Hall's authority?"
Tian Shao knew that if he went with them now, he would likely never come back.