Capital City.

Imperial Palace Inner Courtyard.

Emperor Yuan Qingshan held the memorial in his hand, his brows tightly knit, his face stern.

The Qilin Ranking had been underway for a month.

This grand event was exceedingly successful; when the news was released, it captured the attention of countless people.

It not only attracted young Martial Artists from across Qian Country but even a delegation from the Barbarian Land came to witness this martial arts tournament, which was unprecedented in scale.

Everything proceeded smoothly, the duels among young Martial Artists were spectacular.

In the final ten matches of the Qilin Ranking, both he and the Empress attended in person to watch, drawing an unprecedented crowd to the Capital City.

In the end, it was Changsun Ming from the younger generation of the Changsun Clan who claimed the top of the Qilin Ranking!

Yuan Qingshan was very satisfied with this result.

The Changsun Clan had stood by his side during the Ghost Mother case, providing considerable support.

Apart from Changsun Ming, the top ten of the Qilin Ranking were all outstanding figures among the younger generation!

Among the thousands on the Qilin Ranking, there were even some Martial Artists from humble beginnings, which greatly comforted him.

However, something unexpected happened later.

Within the Barbarian Land Delegation, there was a young Barbarian youth, just turned sixteen, who boldly spoke out.

He claimed the Qilin Ranking was a joke and that the people on it, including the top ranker, were no match for him.

His words immediately stirred up a huge uproar, shocking the Capital City!

These words not only disparaged the individuals on the Qilin Ranking but also looked down upon Qian Country and disrespected the Emperor.

The Qilin Ranking gathered the most talented and strongest young Martial Artists from Qian Country, yet they were deemed insignificant by this youth.

The Martial Artists on the Qilin Ranking, full of youthful vigor and passion, could not tolerate these remarks and eagerly stepped forward, wanting to challenge the young Barbarian genius.

Under everyone's gaze, that young Barbarian defeated ten people on the platform, killing six and severely injuring four!

Even Changsun Ming, the top of the Qilin Ranking, was severely injured and narrowly escaped death on the spot!

It should be noted, the competition for the Qilin Ranking was restricted to unarmed combat to minimize harm between opponents.

In Yuan Qingshan's view, those who made it onto the Qilin Ranking were the most talented young Martial Artists in Qian Country; even the loss of one was a loss for Qian Country.

Unexpectedly, the Barbarian youth struck mercilessly on the platform, clearly aiming to kill, vicious and ruthless.

Six didn't even have time to surrender before being publicly beaten to death!

The remaining four also suffered broken bones and tendons, and were severely injured.

According to the observation of Murong Daoye, this Barbarian youth had cultivated Rebirth, Bone Transformation, and Bone Marrow Cleansing to the state of the Four Extremes Realm, mastering many martial arts of the Barbarian Race, seemingly invincible among peers.

Afterwards, the Barbarian youth stood on the platform in the Capital City every day, waiting for challengers.

Initially, some young Martial Artists from the Qilin Ranking still went down to spar with him.

But they all ended in miserable defeat, and even a dozen more were killed.

Among the top ten of the Qilin Ranking, seven were defeated by him, and the remaining three no longer dared to take the stage.

Now, it's the tenth day.

This Barbarian youth waited the entire day on the Qilin platform, yet in the vast Capital City, among the countless young Martial Artists, not a single one dared to challenge him!

"Alas."

Yuan Qingshan sighed.

If this continues, the Qilin Ranking he held will become the laughingstock of the world.

In recent years, the relations between Qian Country and Barbarian Land have been quite amicable, but he doesn't understand why Barbarian Land would come to the Capital City to cause such a scene, leaving him extremely embarrassed and passive.

The entire court and common folk are abuzz with discussions.

Privately, many officials are saying that his Qilin Ranking is redundant and that the face of Qian Country is about to be lost.

If he lets the Barbarian youth flaunt his strength in Qian Country like this, his prestige will suffer a critical blow.

Yuan Qingshan's gaze was deep.

He had the feeling this incident was no coincidence and might be aimed specifically at him.

Otherwise, it wouldn't be such a coincidence.

He had just established his power through the Ghost Mother case, significantly boosting his prestige.

The Qilin Ranking was used to gather talents from all over the world, irrespective of background, which could also rally popular support.

Unexpectedly, such an incident occurred.

The previously accumulated prestige might be lost in a day.

Instead, the Qilin Ranking might become the stepping stone for the Barbarian youth's reputation, a gift for someone else!

The current situation is at an impasse.

The longer the delay, the more disadvantageous it is for him.

Will the top position of the Qilin Ranking have to be given to this Barbarian youth?

By then, someone will surely make a fuss about this!

"Brother!"

At that moment, a gentle voice came from the door.

"Come in."

Yuan Qingshan relaxed his brows and put the memorial aside.

"Brother, you called for me,"

Yuan Qingmu pushed the door open and asked.

Yuan Qingshan temporarily set aside his worries, saying, "Qingmu, I sent you over a dozen introduction letters before, all from noble and prominent families. Did any catch your eye?"

Yuan Qingmu replied, "No, they were too lacking."

Yuan Qingshan asked, "Not even the young master from the Dugu Family? In all aspects, he's considered quite good among the younger generation and is also the third of the Qilin Ranking."

"Him?"

Yuan Qingmu sneered, "What Qilin Ranking third, scared to such a state by that Barbarian youth, doesn't even dare to take the stage."

"What about the one from the Murong Family?"

Yuan Qingshan asked again.

Yuan Qingmu shook her head.

Yuan Qingshan said, "What about the one from the Changsun Family? Although he's severely injured, with the Changsun Family's resources, they should be able to restore him to his former state."

Yuan Qingmu looked steadily at Yuan Qingshan, suddenly feeling a sense of disappointment; she softly asked, "Brother, do you want to use me to form an alliance with these clans to gain their support?"

Throughout history, royal children's marriages have often been beyond their control.

She had thought she might be an exception.

Yuan Qingshan hadn't expected his sister to be so direct; he shook his head with a smile, saying, "You always have to marry, and if you can ally with one of the Four Great Clans, it would be ideal."

After a pause, Yuan Qingshan continued, "Of course, if you don't want to, I won't force you. After all, I didn't compromise myself."

Hearing this, Yuan Qingmu felt relieved and smiled brightly, saying, "I knew it, Brother always cares the most about me."

"You're still thinking about Chen Tang, aren't you?"

Yuan Qingshan said with a smile.

"No, I'm not!"

Yuan Qingmu immediately denied it, but her eyes were evasive.

Yuan Qingshan's eyes flashed with a hint of amusement, saying, "Come to think of it, I have a junior brother who is handsome and exemplary in character, absolutely not weaker than those like Changsun Ming among the younger generation."

"Brother still has a junior brother?"

Yuan Qingmu was a bit curious and asked, "Brother, aren't you a Buddhist disciple? You wouldn't introduce me to a monk, would you?"

Yuan Qingshan said, "My junior brother is also a lay disciple. If you meet him, you will definitely be charmed and elated."

"I don't want to meet him!"

Yuan Qingmu, seeing her brother getting more absurd, was a bit impatient, saying, "Brother, I've already told you, I don't want to get married now!"

"Really not going to meet him?"

Yuan Qingshan smiled meaningfully, "Don't regret it."

"Anyone who regrets is a puppy!"

Yuan Qingmu blurted out, reciting a childhood joke the two used to say.

"Alright."

Yuan Qingshan didn't persuade her further, his eyes gazing into the distance, thinking of someone in his heart.

Perhaps only this person can help him break out of this deadlock!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.