Why do I say that?
Many people were puzzled. On the Vermilion Bird Gate, listening to the storyteller's outrageous words, Chen Baifeng was also quite interested and looked at Chen Qing: "What does Your Highness say?"
Chen Qing put down his teacup. "The storyteller was simply stating the facts. Ziyue's identity is inherently the most likely to attract hatred."
The storyteller below the stage continued, "Those who come to participate in the Celestial Master election are all the proud scions of great families. They are bound to be arrogant and proud. However, those who lack self-confidence and want to test their abilities are still a minority. Most of them just want to show off their skills. Moreover, many talented young people in Cloud Capital have been very dissatisfied with those so-called scions of great families in recent years."
"In this situation, Lord Zhang Zhiyun's reputation is too great. It's not that there aren't people who dare to enter his Northern Tiger Gate, but there must be a group of extremely ambitious individuals who would dare to choose him. However, most people still have reservations. But if they choose Lord Zhang Xiaoyun, they would feel that it would be too beneath them. At this time, Perfected Ziyue, the legendary number one sorcerer in the palace, is a very good alchemical stone."
"She has a big reputation, but no real achievements, and she's an outsider. Who else should we choose if not her?"
Everyone nodded in agreement; that really made sense.
"This storyteller is quite clever." Chen Baifeng smiled and put down his teacup. You have to admit, this is a bit too blunt, but it's true. Ziyue has a great reputation, but no actual combat achievements. Now that the Transcendent have descended, many disciples have just gained new power and are in the prime of their lives. At this time, what they need most is a suitable stepping stone to help them make a name for themselves.
Zhang Zhiyun has a great reputation, but his battle record is also impressive. Forty years ago, he single-handedly used the Five Thunder Mantra to annihilate one of the strongest armies at the time. Now that Transcendent has descended, and the Celestial Master Mansion can wield divine weapons like the Four Saints Guard, how weak can his designated successor be?
Using him to make a name for himself is too risky; only someone with exceptional talent like Chen Ye would dare to try it.
Ziyue is different. Although she is also very famous, she doesn't have any outstanding achievements. Although Jiangnan has been very magical in recent years and has always been a holy land for sorcerers in the eyes of some illegitimate sons and those without talent, the truly talented children still don't think much of it. They believe that Jiangnan is just lucky because it obtained some ancient inheritances too early.
Now, especially since most of the descendants in the South Sea have also received the inheritance, they naturally no longer take Jiangnan seriously. Someone like Ziyue is the best stepping stone in their minds.
Just as the storyteller was getting into his tale, the names of the four major palace gates were revealed on the crystal.
First and foremost is the Azure Dragon Gate, the foremost of the Four Saints.
Although many people don't know why someone like Zhang Xiaoyun could hold the top position among the Four Saints, they are still very curious about who chose this path.
"Oh, it's Li Yunchao, the third young master of the Li Family. I knew it!"
Wang Qianyun, the second son of the Wang Household
"And that one... the one from the Shao Family."
A string of names was recognized by sharp-eyed people; they were all notorious playboys from Cloud Capital. Just as the storyteller had said, most of those who chose the Azure Dragon Gate were hoping for a lucky break.
Chen Baifeng glanced at the list and frowned slightly, because he saw many familiar names.
I had actually analyzed this with them a few days ago. Zhang Xiaoyun's sect must be extraordinary. Choosing this sect not only carries risks but also brings no reputation, making it the most unprofitable option. However, it seems that many people outwardly believe in me but secretly don't take it seriously.
He didn't think there was anything wrong with that. Everyone has their own opinion, and there's no need to force others to agree with you. Just take responsibility for your own choices.
But the crucial point is that he also saw his eldest son, Chen Long, inside.
The names here are followed by their family names, making them almost instantly recognizable, which darkened Chen Baifeng's smile.
I never planned to bring that kid along, but he still came secretly. Not only did he come secretly, but he also applied to the East Gate. He's really lost face. No wonder so many scions of noble families also chose the East Gate. It turns out he was the one who started it.
Many people probably feel that I say one thing and do another, right?
Chen Qing immediately noticed Chen Qing 'Chen Baifeng unpleasant expression and smiled, "When did the eldest young master arrive? I didn't see him last time."
"Just an incorrigible, foolish student. King of Qin Highness, you flatter me." Chen Baifeng sighed helplessly.
His eldest son was born to his legal wife, the legitimate daughter of the Zhong Clan, a renowned family of sorcerers. She had come to the Chen Household with her own sorcery, but the sons she bore were all dull-witted. If not for this, why would he, who never coveted beautiful women, have taken a concubine and fathered illegitimate sons?
In a sorcerer family, talent comes first; this has been a principle passed down through generations. However, the Zhong Clan has never been content with this, and their sons, who lack talent, often make a fool of themselves. This time seems to be no different, and what's more, they've stirred up some controversy.
Not only is he lacking in talent, but he's also stupid.
Chen Baifeng sighed. Zhong Clan's status in his family has always been very high. Even if the current head of the family is not her son, her status will not be diminished in the slightest. Moreover, he has prepared a lot of resources for his Laoda. He is not talented enough to use them. He can just have the next generation as soon as possible. Why does he have to be brave and fierce in a field he is not good at?
That's one thing, and another—you might as well be a little arrogant—but coming here and choosing to take shortcuts just makes you look ridiculous.
Since the Celestial Master Mansion dared to let Zhang Xiaoyun guard the Azure Dragon Gate, it couldn't be that simple.
But now it's too late to stop it; we can only take it one step at a time.
"By the way, I heard that His Highness King of Qin has also sent students from Jiangnan?" Chen Baifeng changed the subject, saying, "I saw Chen Ying's talent before; among all the scions of aristocratic families, she was among the best. After being trained by His Highness King of Qin, what level has she reached now?"
"Well... I'm not really sure either." Chen Qing smiled. "I didn't want her to participate, but she insisted on trying, so I let her. Originally, this kind of competition was just for newcomers to get some experience, but she was itching to participate. I couldn't do anything about it; she made a big fuss, so I had to give in. That's why the list isn't being released yet."
Upon hearing this, Chen Baifeng looked over and saw that the White Tiger Gate's list had already been displayed on the crystal.
The first row prominently displayed the name of his prized disciple, Chen Ye. Below him were either scions of once-famous families in the capital or from prominent families in Cloud Capital, all renowned figures. It seemed that, as he had expected, anyone with absolute confidence in themselves would choose this path.
Those who are proud and arrogant are unlikely to be willing to take shortcuts or engage in opportunistic behavior.
In the last row, however, there was a special name: Chen Ying from the Jiangnan Academy!
This woman is still so proud.
Chen Baifeng vaguely recalled that many aristocratic families wanted to take Chen Ying in, after all, the child had exceptional talent and no powerful family background. Once taken in, she would be the best help to their children.
Many people looked down on her birth and were only willing to give her the title of concubine. This woman was quite strong-willed and would rather not cultivate magic than compromise with the major families.
Now that she's with Chen Qing, she's also a concubine, but Chen Qing's sincerity towards her is unparalleled.
The Azure Dragon Inheritance, one of the Four Saints' lineages, now belongs to the renowned Dean of the Jiangnan Academy. Many disciples must be feeling resentful.
Now that I've gone headlong into it, I'm afraid it will provoke considerable backlash.
But she still chose to crash into it.
"This little girl is still as fierce as ever," Chen Baifeng chuckled. "If she joined the Vermilion Bird Gate, at least she'd get some protection from Lord Ziyue, right?"
This was also a test, because he discovered that among the three major sects— Azure Dragon, White Tiger, and Black Tortoise — Jiangnan only had Chen Ying. However, he had heard a few days ago that Jiangnan had temporarily gathered a large number of students, none of whom were from the other three sects. Could they have all been stuffed into the Vermilion Bird Gate?
Would Chen Qing really do something like this, openly turning a blind eye?
Don't you have any shame?
"Who says otherwise?" Chen Qing looked helpless. "Tell me, this girl, she insists on being brave and aggressive. Why not take the path that's been laid out for her? What's the point of fighting for that empty fame? Going through the Vermilion Bird Gate with the Ziyue shining on her is a safer option, isn't it?"
" Lord Ziyue, you agree?" Chen Baifeng asked, his face twitching.
"Why not?" Chen Qing's eyes widened. "If you don't take this opportunity to cheat, are you out of your mind?"
Chen Baifeng: "."
Sure enough, the next second, the list of the Vermilion Bird Gate was released, and a large number of names of Jiangnan youths appeared on it, immediately causing a chorus of boos.
Even Shen Qi, sitting to the side, couldn't help but cover his face. His master really had no sense of shame at all. At least send a few out as a token gesture!
"Your Highness is truly..." Chen Baifeng was speechless, but the black-clad sorcerer beside him said coldly, "Isn't Your Highness afraid that King of Qin Ziyue and those students will be targeted by others for acting like this?"
"With Ziyue around, how dare those people target us?" Chen Qing said smugly.
The black-clad sorcerer chuckled angrily, "Has Your Highness, the Prince of King of Qin, not read the rules? Anyone else who directly finds Lord Ziyue and defeats her can take her place!"
"Replace Ziyue?" Chen Qing laughed. "There are probably very few people in this world with that ability."