Hope

The oldest and highest-ranking officials of Jing Kingdom suddenly glared at the Qing Kingdom's Literary Chancellor and the others with ill grace. Then they exchanged looks, strange smiles spreading across their faces.

But most of Jing Kingdom's officials grew anxious. He Ludong said, "The Ink Maiden has appeared in the world. Regardless of nation, the virtuous shall possess her!"

Zong Wuyuan sneered. "This is Qing Kingdom. As long as the Qing Lord mobilizes the Imperial Jade Seal, no one but him can control the power of the Temple of Sages!"

"Not necessarily. Void Sage Fang is qualified as well!"

Zong Wuyuan retorted, "Void Sage Fang indeed holds an extremely lofty position, but for him to bypass the Qing Lord and control the Temple of Sages, the prerequisite is that the Qing Lord must be judged to be obstructing the Human Race! If the Qing Lord's actions do not obstruct the Human Race and merely concern acquiring this Ink Maiden, Void Sage Fang will have no chance whatsoever to interfere! Should he dare interfere, our Qing Kingdom can keep him here and suppress him forever!"

Jing Kingdom's officials were left speechless. This was Qing Kingdom's territory in the end; there was no point in arguing further.

Yet Jiang Hechuan stroked his beard. Though he had not heard Xu Sanjue's voice transmission, he had discovered Xu Sanjue long ago. "Gentlemen, do not forget. This Ink Maiden may very well already have an owner."

Zong Wuyuan froze. "Impossible. The Ink Maiden's giant form is a sign before she acknowledges a master, which means she has yet to do so. Who would be willing to give away an Ink Maiden, something even more precious than a Half-Sage Literary Treasure?"

Before Zong Wuyuan had finished speaking, the Ink Maiden's giant form instantly shrank and became