Chapter 1156: Returning Home

The states of Xia and Wei, both situated in the Southern Territory with close proximity and considerable national strength, were naturally prone to conflict.

After losing the War of Qi and Xia years ago, Xia found itself facing enemies on all sides overnight. Rebellions, declarations of independence, invasions... It teetered on the brink of collapse, almost facing extinction.

As the saying goes, "when the wall falls, everyone pushes it; when the tree falls, the monkeys scatter." Wei was among the nations that took advantage of Xia's plight.

Of course, there was little to fault. In its heyday, Xia had not been shy about suppressing Wei.

Although in recent years, both sides had actively mended relations, reopened trade routes, exchanged goods, supplemented each other's armaments, and shared insights on Dao techniques... all to counter the increasing pressure from the hegemonic states.

But upon meeting on the martial stages of the Yellow River Meet, neither would show mercy.

It's just...

What happened?

What just occurred?

Did Chu Min perhaps conceal his true strength? How could he forcefully kill his opponent under the watchful eye of True Monarch Yu Xi?

Jiang Wang cast an inquiring glance towards Cao Jie.

Cao Jie's voice transmission returned: "Dongguo Bao died due to his own life-burning technique. His current state is because of poisoning."

This made sense. Dongguo Bao burned his life to secure victory. Yu Xi would not intervene to save him, as that would be forcibly interfering with the opponent's choice, which would violate the principles of fairness at the Yellow River Meet.

However, even burning his life couldn't secure the victory... which indicated that Chu Min possessed considerable ability. Furthermore, the poison that corroded a person into a pool of blood was truly terrifying.

Jiang Wang fell silent for a moment.

He didn't have a deep impression of this Dongguo Bao.

In the selection matches for the Inner Palace stage he had watched, figures like Yin Wenhua and Xie Ai were the ones who stood out.

His initial impression of Dongguo Bao was simply that of a brave and rough individual.

In the competition for the three spots in the loser's bracket, he had only managed to win a spot in the main tournament through sheer desperation, barely clinging to life.

In the main tournament, he still fought desperately, losing his life in the first round.

Anyone can speak grand words.

Those who readily declared, "What's life compared to serving the country?" were abundant.

But those who truly practiced what they preached were few.

From Yan Shaofei to Dongguo Bao, observing the individuals reveals the nation.

The state of Wei was truly not to be underestimated.

Yu Xi announced the results of the two martial stages almost simultaneously.

General Wu Xun of Wei stepped onto the martial stage at this moment.

He did not spare a glance for Chu Min, the victor. Victory and defeat, life and death, were matters of the arena – this was the Yellow River Meet.

With the dignity of a grand general, he knelt on the ground.

He cupped his hands, gathering the scattered blood on the ground into a pool.

"You were a warrior of Wei, and I, Wu Xun, am proud of you."

He spoke slowly, holding the pool of blood to his chest, and stood up: "Now, I will take you home."

He walked off the stage and headed outwards.

Among the observation entourage of Wei, the people of Wei collectively proclaimed, "Return!"

One by one, the people of Wei rose from their seats, following behind Wu Xun.

The back of this famous general bore an indescribable weight.

They were truly "going home."

Wei had not secured a spot in the unrestricted stage for those under thirty.

Now, the Outer Tower and Inner Palace stages were complete.

This gathering of celestial talents had ended for Wei.

It could not be said that their performance was poor; after all, they had secured the third position in the Outer Tower stage. The gains were not insignificant.

But Dongguo Bao was gone.

This celestial talent, forged in the military, had his path of life cut short at the Guanhe Platform, all for the honor of Wei.

He was a soldier under his command, his comrade-in-arms.

Wu Xun's mood was inevitably heavy.

But the clash of celestial talents from the various states was precisely this. Beyond the endless glory, there was even more cruelty and pain.

For every celestial talent who moved forward, many had fallen behind.

The beginning of one story was the end of many.

Life and death were no different.

The matchups for the first round of the Inner Palace stage main tournament at the Yellow River Meet were:

Qi State's Jiang Wang versus Zhuang State's Lin Zhengren.

Mu State's Deng Qi versus Song State's Yin Wenhua.

Jing State's Huang Sheli versus Liao State's Yelü Zhi.

Qin State's Qin Zhizhen versus Dan State's Xiao Shu.

Chu State's Xiang Bei versus Yue State's Bai Yuxia.

Wei State's Dongguo Bao versus Xia State's Chu Min.

Xue State's Xie Ai versus Liang State's Huang Su.

Yong State's Beigong Ke versus Shen State's Jiang Shaohua.

After one round of battles, the top eight were determined.

The victors were Jiang Wang, Deng Qi, Huang Sheli, Qin Zhizhen, Xiang Bei, Chu Min, Xie Ai, and Beigong Ke.

It was expected that the celestial talents from the hegemonic states would secure their positions. However, some, like Dan State's Xiao Shu, Liao State's Yelü Zhi, and Song State's Yin Wenhua, were severely beaten. Especially Yue State's Bai Yuxia, who was punched by Xiang Bei, leaving a hole in his chest. Yu Xi's timely intervention saved his life.

From this perspective, Zhuang State's Lin Zhengren, who only lost a blood ghoul, seemed to have achieved the best outcome...

Of course, the actual gains and losses could not be calculated in this manner.

However, Chu Min, who was initially not highly regarded due to his disregard for propriety, surprisingly defeated the Wei State's celestial talent, catching many by surprise.

Of course, this was also a stroke of luck. The Qi State's celestial talent, who should have eliminated him in the first round, instead chose the Zhuang State's celestial talent as his opponent.

In contrast, Zhuang State, which had previously gained prominence due to Lin Zhengren, now lost face also because of Lin Zhengren.

Yong State's Beigong Ke, however, successfully advanced to the top eight...

This comparison between old adversaries was quite thought-provoking.

At its peak, Yong State was able to contend with Jing State, not inferior to the current alliance of the five Northwestern states.

However, after Han Yin seized the throne, there was no further progress. Centuries of continuous decline led to a defeat in the national war against Zhuang State.

As the legitimate grandson of Duke Ying of Yong, Beigong Yu, and the foremost celestial talent of Yong's younger generation, Beigong Ke bore a heavy responsibility. And he clearly shouldered it.

Yong State had not seen a spot in the top eight of the Yellow River Meet for several hundred years.

And the resources represented by this spot were even more crucial for Yong State under Han Xu's rule.

Han Xu initiated reforms from top to bottom, aiming to thoroughly renovate Yong State and restore or even surpass the glory of Emperor Yongming's era, which required efforts from all aspects.

Support from the Ink Gate alone was insufficient, as a nation's strength is not simply the accumulation of strong individuals or the piling up of resources. The first and foremost task is to rebuild the confidence of the people of Yong State.

The entire nation, its military and its populace, must firmly believe that a new Yong State is coming.

From this perspective, Beigong Ke's achievement at the Yellow River Meet held extraordinary significance.

Of course, once in the top eight, even a hegemonic state could not determine its opponents.

Who to discipline, who to suppress, who to avoid – all depended on luck.

The eight martial stages had been merged into four.

Yu Xi reopened the light screen, and the names of the Inner Palace stage top eight shimmered like stars.

Jiang Wang stared intently at the light screen, not feeling nervous, only anticipation.

He looked forward to fighting that Deng Qi from Mu State, uncovering his mask, and verifying his faint hope.

He looked forward to crossing swords with Qin Zhizhen, to seek an answer about moving forward from him.

He looked forward to battling Xiang Bei, to avenge Zuo Guangshu.

He looked forward to Huang Sheli's killing power, to see his arrogant capital.

If he could encounter Chu Min, he also wished to bear the responsibility of a Qi State's celestial talent, to suppress Xia State, and to attempt to eliminate Xia State's celestial talent.

Even setting all that aside...

He and his sword also craved strong opponents.

Everyone who had reached the top eight of the Yellow River Meet was worthy of drawing his sword against.

Now his sword was in his hand.

He was below the stage.

He was waiting for an opponent, whoever that opponent might be.

And the list of matchups on the light screen finally settled—

Qi State's celestial talent Jiang Wang versus... Chu State's celestial talent Xiang Bei!