บท 37: Chapter 37: Fire Can't Touch Us
Hexi Prefecture, Nanfeng City.
As promised, the Qianqiu Sect arrived here to hold disciple recruitment. With the turmoil spreading throughout Azure Cloud Kingdom, many families had broken apart. Thus, the Qianqiu Sect's disciple recruitment became a lifeline eagerly grasped by many.
Consequently, the recruitment caused Nanfeng City to become overflowing with participants. The number of candidates alone was well over a million. Even people from neighboring kingdoms came to take the assessment.
In theory, there shouldn't have been so many participants, but due to Azure Cloud Kingdom's currently grim situation, joining a major power for protection became the prime choice. The incident in Jinshan Prefecture also exposed the Qianqiu Sect's strength to the world. After all, this was a sect with multiple Profound Origin Realm experts presiding over it.
The Elder leading the group this time also seemed to be at the Profound Origin Realm. It seemed that the Qianqiu Sect had more than three experts at that level. Truly worthy of a hidden sect.
Who knew if there were even stronger figures in the upper echelons. But even so, they were far more powerful than the factions within Azure Cloud Kingdom. After all, no one had ever heard of any force in Azure Cloud Kingdom that possessed Profound Origin Realm experts. Even the most powerful figure in the royal family was only at the True Martial Realm, not to mention the specific stage within that realm—no one could tell.
Perhaps only those within Azure Cloud's royal family had some inkling of the situation. In comparison, the Qianqiu Sect became the unanimous choice for these individuals.
Su Xing'er was naturally delighted with the outcome.
The first assessment of the Qianqiu Sect was aptitude, as in the cultivation world, aptitude was pivotal and determined most factors. This assessment eliminated more than half of the candidates.
Seizing the opportunity, Su Xing'er personally intervened and absorbed a large number of people into the Kyushu Chamber of Commerce. With the Chamber's training, these individuals shouldn't be lacking.
If Su Xing'er hadn't set a limit on the number, many of those joining the Qianqiu Sect would probably have joined the Kyushu Chamber of Commerce instead. After all, in their eyes, the Kyushu Chamber of Commerce was even more reliable. However, some people acted rationally since there was a distinction between a sect and a business.
The assessments continued for quite some time, and during this period, the governor's residence was visited by people in succession. Apart from the capital, there were seven other prefectures within Azure Cloud Kingdom.
Capital was in the center, to its north lay Changning Prefecture, the domain of Princess Changning. Qingxue Palace was also situated within Changning Prefecture.
Jinshan Prefecture was in the northeast of the capital, bordering Changning Prefecture and Sihe Prefecture. This was the domain of the Prince of Jin.
Sihe Prefecture was to the east, under the rule of the Prince of Li.
To the southeast of the capital was Pengnan Prefecture, bordering Sihe Prefecture and Hedong Prefecture. The Prince of Pengnan ruled here, and Night Owl Sect was within Pengnan Prefecture.
To the south of the capital was Hedong Prefecture, which hadn't been divided yet.
To the west of the capital were Rongxi Prefecture and Hexi Prefecture. The He River separated the eastern and western halves of these prefectures, and they hadn't been divided yet.
This presented an opportunity for the Su Family; those under the rule of the three prefectures were under the Su Family's command.
Hexi Governor's Residence.
Han Jingting saw off one batch of visitors after another. While they ostensibly came to visit him, their real intentions were as transparent as glass, which he promptly dismissed. After all, he had the backing of the Su Family.
His cultivation base wasn't lacking to begin with, and coupled with the Su Family's cultivation, he was now a master at the Completion of the Heavenly Martial Realm. In Azure Cloud Kingdom, he was a top-notch figure. Moreover, he had the Su Family behind him.
These upstarts didn't concern him.
However, some individuals demanded his careful attention.
"Your Highness, I can't comply, and I hope you understand. I beg your pardon." Han Jingting cupped his hands towards the woman seated at the top, openly refusing.
"Fine birds choose trees to nest on, Prefect Han, you should think carefully. You wouldn't want to meet a tragic fate sometime." Jiang Yunmeng heard Han Jingting's words without any displeasure. Instead, she responded with a direct threat.
"You think highly of yourself, Princess Changning. But, no matter how fierce the fire in Azure Cloud Kingdom burns, it won't touch us." Han Jingting's perspective had widened; it was just a minor Azure Cloud Kingdom.
As long as he managed Su Family's affairs well, these so-called monarchs were no different from ants in his eyes.
"Us? Just as I expected!" Jiang Yunmeng seized upon the key point in Han Jingting's words.
Her hunch was correct—these three prefectures had likely found someone else to lean on, or there was someone clandestinely orchestrating things behind the scenes.
She had already dispatched people to contact the other two prefectures, but they had all refused. Their reasons were similar to Han Jingting's.
Hence, she had to make a personal appearance. She intended to ascertain the thoughts of the Hexi Prefecture and investigate who was pulling the strings behind these developments.
"It seems you've found quite the formidable supporter, Prefect Han. But who knows if this backer is trustworthy?" After pondering for a while, Jiang Yunmeng smiled, though a trace of disdain flashed across her face.
The idea of the several kings and the Night Owl Sect submitting was never considered. It was impossible for all three prefectures to bend their knees.
The Crane Cloud Sect was even more out of the question.
Considering this, the only ones with such strength might be the Kyushu Chamber of Commerce and the Qianqiu Sect.
However, the Kyushu Chamber of Commerce wouldn't meddle in the conflicts between the major powers. So, that leaves only the Qianqiu Sect.
"Your Highness, do you think it's the Qianqiu Sect?" Han Jingting observed the expression on Princess Changning's face and deduced what she was likely thinking.
"Isn't it?" Jiang Yunmeng replied, as if other than the Qianqiu Sect, there was no force that could bring all three prefectures to submit together.
"Your Highness, the world is vast. Maybe the Qianqiu Sect is just something they've put forward to make others believe in?" Han Jingting smiled, but a trace of disdain flashed across his face.
"It seems there's indeed someone pushing things from behind, but they dare not show themselves. Just a bunch of rats hiding in the shadows," seeing the disdain on Han Jingting's face, Jiang Yunmeng's anger flared, and she retorted.
"Your Highness, beware of letting harmful words slip from your mouth. Don't mislead yourself," Han Jingting retorted, his anger mounting as someone spoke ill of the Su Family.
"Peak-stage Heavenly Martial Realm. Looks like the force behind you does indeed have some prowess," Jiang Yunmeng remarked with a heavy tone. After all, Han Jingting had only displayed his mid-stage Heavenly Martial Realm cultivation externally. She hadn't expected that he was hiding two minor realms secretly.
"Farewell." Since she had torn down the pretenses, Han Jingting had no intention of continuing the pretense. He bid her farewell outright.
Having learned what she wanted to know, Jiang Yunmeng didn't linger. With a swish of her sleeve, she departed as well. This matter required careful consideration.
Perhaps the Holy Order had already been seized by this power, though it remained uncertain.
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