Xiang Zongyuan watched her quietly without continuing, saying only, "Whether these developments are merely chasing wind and clutching shadows or genuinely happening, we'll know once we enter the city. We just need to keep this matter in mind."
"Mm. Thank you, Senior Brother."
"There's no need for thanks between fellow disciples."
Nan Guannu fell silent for a moment. "Then this Sword Selection Meet is even more important than anyone thinks."
The newly appointed Governor-General's move to spread his wings.
"But that's another question," Xiang Zongyuan said. "Do you know how this Sword Selection Golden Register will be compiled?"
"I've heard there's a deliberation stage. It won't be decided entirely by wins and losses."
"Exactly. Winners naturally rank higher, but how they won, whom they beat, their age, and their potential all matter too. So we don't yet know how the contests will work, and afterward there'll still be a 'Golden Register Selection,' where a roster is agreed upon together," Xiang Zongyuan said. "Many people think of it as just one big martial tournament. They haven't thought far enough."
"Regardless, we should have no problem taking two places in the top five."
"Yes, but one first place outweighs four top-five places," Xiang Zongyuan said. "For a golden register that reorders the Jianghu like this, only first place will do for us."
"Which opponents are you concerned about?" Nan Guannu asked slowly.
"There are strong opponents, naturally, but that isn't my concern," Xiang Zongyuan said. "-I received a very strange piece of news this morning."
"What?"
"The Prefectural Office first sent direct invitations to twenty-two people across all of Shaolong, granting them entry into the register. You and I both received one, so that much is certain. Some of the remaining places will be selected without any entry requirements. The Ten Directions