The next morning.
With the Gale royal family personally stepping in to promote it, a piece of news that had been carefully edited and artistically embellished spread through Gale Kingdom's domestic information network like a virus.
The news was extraordinarily inflammatory:
Princess Aliya, the royal family's most beloved, pure, and kind-hearted princess, had merely spoken a few unintended words while welcoming distinguished guests.
Yet she had suffered a brutal beating and every manner of humiliation from Ye Li, third on the [Latent Dragon Ranking], ultimately being gravely injured and falling unconscious!
The article was specially accompanied by pictures of Aliya's miserable appearance on her sickbed.
It also emphasized the "humiliating" image of King of Gale, heartbroken beyond measure yet forced to swallow his anger for the greater good.
By noon.
This news had completely ignited public opinion throughout the kingdom.
Countless citizens of the kingdom were filled with righteous indignation over the contents of the report.
They had also developed much resentment and hostility toward that third-ranked figure on the [Latent Dragon Ranking], whom they had never even met.
Yet most people only dared to fume inwardly.
After all, the other party was a legendary figure. They did not dare post overly harsh remarks online, fearing investigation by the relevant authorities.
For example, the seemingly omnipresent Star Sea Merchant Alliance.
Only a handful of bolder citizens dared discuss the matter with others in certain offline taverns.
At this moment.
In a bustling tavern somewhere within the Gale Imperial Capital, such an argument was unfolding.
"This is simply bullying people too far! He's an outsider—what right does he have to bully our princess like this?!"
A burly citizen of Gale slammed his wine cup heavily onto the table and roared, his face flushed red.
"Exactly!"
His companion immediately chimed in:
"Even