The Demeanor of a Heavenly Prodigy, Hope for a Martial Emperor!

The talent of a prodigy, with the potential to become a Martial Emperor! Twenty years old.

The entire side hall fell into a deathly silence.

The Sixth Ancestor sat in his chair, setting down his wine cup only to pick it back up, then setting it down once more.

His mind was still buzzing.

No one present understood better than he did what a peak Martial Saint at twenty years old signified.

Ever since the ancient war tens of thousands of years ago on the Heavenly Martial Continent, although the human race had achieved final victory, they had paid a harrowing price.

Many Martial Emperor powerhouses had fallen between heaven and earth.

The remaining few Martial Emperors had also suffered grievous wounds and chose to sacrifice themselves, paying the price of total annihilation of body and soul, merging their flesh and spirit into the world to reinforce the barrier sealing the demons.

Since then, the laws of the world seemed to have undergone an irreversible change.

For tens of thousands of years, no Martial Saint on the Heavenly Martial Continent had been able to break through that final threshold and step into the realm of the Martial Emperor.

No matter how brilliant or talented the genius, and no matter how many resources were expended, they all ended up stuck at the peak of the Martial Saint realm, unable to advance even an inch.

The Martial Emperor realm had become a distant memory that existed only in ancient legends.

Yet, the young man before him had reached the peak of the Martial Saint realm at twenty.

Twenty years old.

Not two hundred, not three hundred.

Twenty.

This meant he had time, he had potential, and he had infinite possibilities.

The Sixth Ancestor's hand trembled slightly.

He suddenly realized a question he had completely overlooked before.

Age.

Previously, he only knew that the Evergreen Saint Venerable was a peak Martial Saint, and he subconsciously assumed that even if the man wasn't a thousand-year-old monster, he was at least an elder powerhouse of several hundred years.

He had never considered the man's age.

But now he knew: the Evergreen Saint Venerable was only twenty.

What did a twenty-year-old peak Martial Saint signify?

It meant his martial path had only just begun!

It meant he had the time and the potential to challenge that realm which no one had reached in tens of thousands of years!

As long as the Evergreen Saint Venerable did not fall unexpectedly, he was highly likely to break this shackle that had persisted for tens of thousands of years.

He might become the person most likely to bring the Martial Emperor realm back to the Heavenly Martial Continent in the last ten thousand years!

He might even... have the hope of ending this escalating demon calamity!

The more the Sixth Ancestor thought, the more excited he became; the way he looked at Lin Changqing was no longer that of looking at a retainer.

He was looking at a future Martial Emperor.

A peerless monster capable of completely changing the landscape of the Heavenly Martial Continent!

Meanwhile, Su Wanqing, standing to the side, did not think as deeply as the Sixth Ancestor.

She only knew one thing now—this Evergreen Saint Venerable was twenty years old this year.

He was only two years older than her.

He was not a several-hundred-year-old monster, nor a thousand-year-old freak.

He was a genuine young man.

Su Wanqing's cheeks turned crimson in an instant.

She remembered herself crying her eyes out in her bedchamber last night, and she remembered calling him an "old monster," "old man," and "old freak" all night long.

Thinking about it now... her face burned.

He was only twenty.

A twenty-year-old peak Martial Saint.

The youngest prodigy in the history of the entire Heavenly Martial Continent, the most monstrous existence.

Never mind the Great Yu Dynasty; even in the ancient era tens of thousands of years ago, when powerhouses were as numerous as clouds, there was likely no one who could have cultivated to the peak of the Martial Saint realm at twenty.

For such a peerless prodigy, every major power on the Heavenly Martial Continent would likely be fighting to marry their daughters off to him.

And she had actually looked down on him before.

Thinking about it now, she had been truly blind.

If she could really marry the Evergreen Saint Venerable, it wouldn't be him climbing the social ladder to marry into the royal family; it would be her climbing the ladder to him!

The more Su Wanqing thought about it, the faster her heart beat; she twisted her hands together until her knuckles turned white.

She stole a glance at Lin Changqing, then quickly lowered her head again.

His ears turned bright red.

Lin Changqing looked at the silent crowd throughout the hall and set his wine cup down with a helpless sigh.

He really hadn't intended to show off like that.

He had simply answered when asked; who could have known these people would react so strongly?

"Ahem."

Lin Changqing cleared his throat, breaking the silence.

"Everyone, there is no need to be so shocked. Please, continue with your drinks and food."

He raised his cup toward the crowd.

"Although This Seat is a bit young, I shouldn't be so intimidating that you can't even eat your meal, should I?"

The Sixth Ancestor was the first to snap out of it, taking a deep breath to suppress the shock in his heart.

He raised his cup, a smile returning to his face.

"The Saint Venerable is right. Fellow officials, let us continue the banquet!"

The ministers finally managed to recover from their shock and raised their cups in return.

However, the atmosphere was clearly different from before.

Earlier, the ministers had looked at Lin Changqing with reverence.

Now, the way they looked at him was as if they were staring at a mythical figure who had stepped out of an ancient text.

A few old officials huddled together, whispering.

"A peak Martial Saint at twenty... I have lived for nearly two hundred years and have never even heard of such a thing. Let alone the present age, even if one were to scour the records of the ancient era, one would never find such a monster."

"Indeed, I nearly swallowed my wine cup just now."

"More than a monster, he is a freak of nature."

"Shh! Keep your voice down... what if the Saint Venerable hears you?"

Lin Changqing felt speechless hearing this; with his cultivation as a Martial Saint, these whispers were no different than if they were speaking directly into his ears.

Su Wanqing, however, did not care about any of that.

She picked up her wine cup again and walked toward Lin Changqing with a light, brisk step.

Her attitude this time was completely different from before.

Earlier, she had been forced by her father to come, full of reluctance.

Now, she was here of her own volition.

A sweet smile hung on her face, and her eyes sparkled.

"Saint Venerable~ Wanqing would like to toast you once more."

Her voice was more than a degree sweeter than before.

Lin Changqing raised his cup and clinked it against hers. "You are too kind, Princess."

After finishing her drink, Su Wanqing did not rush away.

She stood beside Lin Changqing's low table, taking the initiative to pour his wine and serve him food.

As she poured, she said, "Saint Venerable, this Dragon Whisker Fish is the signature dish of the Imperial Kitchen. It is made from a Seventh-tier Spirit Fish, and the meat is incredibly tender. You must try it."

"And this Hundred Flower Brew is made from the nectar of a hundred different Spirit Flowers. It is sweet and refreshing, perfect to pair with your meal."

"Oh, and Saint Venerable, I have heard all about your deeds in Green Province, slaying the Demon. Killing an Eighth-tier Demon Emperor with a single sword strike and wiping out an army of tens of thousands of Demons with a snap of your fingers—it was truly magnificent!"

Her voice was crisp and melodious, her smile bright and captivating.

She was like a different person compared to the reluctant girl from moments ago.

Su Gan sat on the main throne, feeling immensely satisfied as he watched his daughter.

It seemed his daughter had finally come around.

A good thing.

A wonderful thing.

Su Gan raised his cup, sighing with emotion.

He had originally worried that his daughter would continue to throw a tantrum, but it seemed there was no need to fret now.

After all, she was still an unmarried young girl; once she realized the other party wasn't some ancient monster, her mindset had shifted instantly.

Moreover, to be honest, being able to marry such a peerless talent made even him, as the Emperor, feel a sense of pride.

The banquet continued in a subtle atmosphere.

The ministers were no longer as relaxed as before, and every gaze directed at Lin Changqing carried an indescribable sense of awe.

Great strength was not terrifying; what was terrifying was his youth.

Being young meant infinite potential and a future without limits.

Such an existence was someone you should never offend if you could help it, and someone you must befriend if the opportunity arose!

As time passed, the banquet gradually drew to a close.

Su Gan set down his wine cup, feigning intoxication, and said to Su Wanqing, "Wanqing, I recall that the road back to the palace passes right by the Prince Wu'an Mansion. You shall escort the Evergreen Saint Venerable for me; it will be a good chance for the Saint Venerable to familiarize himself with the route."

Su Wanqing felt a surge of joy in her heart and hurriedly nodded in agreement.

"Yes, Father Emperor!"

Lin Changqing and Su Wanqing boarded the Dragon Carriage together and slowly departed the imperial palace under the escort of the Imperial Guard.

Inside the carriage, Su Wanqing sat opposite Lin Changqing, her hands placed primly on her knees.

However, her eyes never once left Lin Changqing.

She was lost in her own thoughts, and a faint blush appeared on her cheeks from time to time.

About half an hour later, the Dragon Carriage stopped in front of a magnificent mansion.

The vermilion gates stood three zhang high, and a massive plaque of golden nanmu hung above the lintel.

Four large, sweeping characters were carved into it—"Prince Wu'an Mansion." Although the official investiture had not yet taken place, it was already a certainty.

The calligraphy was vigorous and powerful, clearly the work of a master.

The area below the stone steps in front of the mansion was already packed with people.

An elderly steward with graying hair led over a hundred servants, waiting respectfully.

The male servants wore uniform cyan robes, while the maids wore elegant, light green dresses.

Seeing the Dragon Carriage stop, everyone knelt in unison.

"Respectfully welcoming Prince Wu'an back to the mansion!"

The voices were uniform and echoed throughout the entire Vermilion Bird Street.

Lin Changqing and Su Wanqing stepped out of the Dragon Carriage.

He looked at the opulent mansion before him, his heart struck by the sheer scale of it.

Vermilion lacquered doors, white marble steps, and gilded copper studs.

Two jade-carved qilin stood before the entrance, looking as if they might come to life at any moment.

Through the open gates, one could see the pavilions and towers arranged in perfect order, with rockeries and flowing water creating a secluded, winding path.

This level of luxury was not much different from the imperial palace itself.

By comparison, the rental apartment he lived in before he transmigrated was nothing more than a beggar's den.

He sighed inwardly, though his face remained as indifferent as ever.

"Everyone, rise."

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

The old steward stood up first, bowing his head respectfully.

"This old servant is surnamed Liu. His Majesty personally appointed me last night to serve as the steward for Your Highness. There are one hundred and thirty servants in the mansion: sixty men, sixty women, and ten imperial chefs specifically sent by His Majesty. All are at your disposal, Your Highness."

"If you have any needs, Your Highness, please do not hesitate to command this old servant."

Su Wanqing added from the side, "Saint Venerable, my Father Emperor had this residence urgently prepared last night."

"It was formerly the Regent's Mansion. It has been vacant for decades, but the foundation is excellent, and it was ready for occupancy after some minor repairs. The furniture and furnishings inside are all brand new. Please see if they are to your liking."

Lin Changqing nodded; he truly had nothing to criticize regarding these arrangements.

Su Wanqing led him through the gates.

Passing through the front courtyard and rounding the screen wall, the first things that caught his eye were dozens of large chests neatly stacked in the open space before the main hall.

Each chest was half a person's height, made of high-quality wood that shimmered with a faint luster.

The lids were open, revealing the Top-grade Spirit Crystals stacked neatly inside.

A rich, dense spiritual energy emanated from the chests, making the air in the entire front courtyard feel sweet and refreshing.

"Saint Venerable, this is the one and a half million Top-grade Spirit Crystals promised by the Sixth Ancestor, the tribute for the first year."

Su Wanqing explained, "Father Emperor said you should count them first, and if it is not enough, he can add more at any time."

Lin Changqing glanced at them. With the strength of his divine sense, he counted them instantly.

There was neither more nor less; it was exactly one and a half million.

He smiled. "No need to count. I trust you."

With a wave of his hand, the dozens of large chests, along with the spirit crystals inside, vanished completely.

He had stored them all within his Infinite Storage Space.

Su Wanqing watched this scene, her eyes filled with admiration.

Is this the power of a peak Martial Saint? To be able to sweep away so many things with just a thought.

It was truly incredible.

She took Lin Changqing on a tour of the estate, walking through all the main areas.

The main hall, the side halls, the study, the cultivation room, the alchemy room, the back garden, the hot spring...

The estate covered a hundred acres, and it took nearly half an hour to walk through it all.

Lin Changqing was very satisfied with his new home.

Seeing the hint of satisfaction on Lin Changqing's face, Su Wanqing felt happy as well.

However, she knew she couldn't stay too long; since he had just arrived at his new home, he needed time to settle in.

Reluctantly, she stood at the entrance of the estate and bowed to Lin Changqing.

"Saint Venerable, then Wanqing shall take her leave."

"Please rest well, and if you have any needs, you may send someone to the palace to find me at any time."

Lin Changqing nodded and said casually.

"Alright, come by and sit for a while when you have time."

He was merely being polite.

But Su Wanqing's eyes lit up instantly.

"Really? Then I shall come tomorrow!"

As soon as she spoke, she realized she had been too excited, and her face flushed red to the roots of her hair.

She hurriedly turned and trotted toward the Dragon Carriage.

As the Dragon Carriage slowly pulled away, Su Wanqing leaned out of the window to steal one last glance at Lin Changqing.

Then, she pulled herself back into the carriage, her heart thumping wildly.