This Is What a Villain Is Like

Additionally, Xiao Teng and the other Disciples from Yijian Palace also performed exceptionally well.

Among them, Ye Ming intentionally showcased his own strength, hoping to attract Emperor Xia’s attention and favor.

The other Immortal Sect Disciples were focused on finding opportunities within, not wasting a single chance to grow stronger.

In comparison, their desire to compete and make a name for themselves was not as fervent as that of the young disciples from the great Noble Families in the Imperial Capital.

The Prime Minister’s Mansion, on the other hand, seemed rather quiet.

The young disciples brought by the various Tributors performed mediocrely. It was unclear if this was due to a lack of new talent or simply an unwillingness to compete, causing many members of the Nobility who followed the Prime Minister’s Mansion to secretly shake their heads.

As for the forces affiliated with the Prime Minister’s Mansion, the young Celestial Prides they sent all acted on their own and did not gather together. It seemed they had been instructed not to be overly concerned with the event.

During this period, the Prime Minister’s Mansion had indeed been rather low-key and quiet.

Even so, no one dared to look down on the Prime Minister’s Mansion. They simply figured that the mansion didn’t care much for this "appetizer" and disdained the opportunities it offered.

Of course, many also speculated that it was because the cultivation and strength of the Prime Minister’s Mansion’s Young Master, Jiang Lan, were too low.

And that, knowing his performance would be inferior to the other Celestial Prides of his generation, he had no intention of participating in the opening of Qianyuan Prefecture.

All sorts of discussions and speculations began to spread among the teahouses and stalls.

’That Jiang Lan has so many secrets. Why would he try to steal the spotlight at a time like this...’

’It’s not easy to hide things under everyone’s watchful eyes.’

’His absence is a good thing for me.’

Inside Qianyuan Prefecture, in a training ground constructed from bluestone, Ye Ming, Xiao Teng, and the others had worked together to break the local Restriction and were now investigating the opportunities within.

He secretly shook his head at the speculations from the Yijian Palace Disciples around him as to why Jiang Lan hadn’t joined.

Ye Ming was more than happy for Jiang Lan not to appear. This way, he would have fewer worries and concerns.

Of course, in the outside world, only Emperor Xia knew that Jiang Lan’s absence from Qianyuan Prefecture was most likely due to his injuries.

For an ordinary person, having their heart dug out would mean certain death.

Although Jiang Lan possessed an Immortal Embryo, after having his heart dug out, even with immediate treatment and recuperation, he likely wouldn’t be up and about for a very long time.

As for so-called empty fame, he probably couldn’t care less.

After all, his previous reputation wasn’t great to begin with.

However, despite Emperor Xia’s thoughts, the very next day she heard news of Jiang Lan’s appearance at the Desire Immortal Pavilion.

She decided she needed to have a proper talk with Jiang Lan about Jiang Ruxian.

It wasn’t that she was curious about the "tangled history" between Jiang Lan and Jiang Ruxian; she simply didn’t want to bring trouble upon herself for no reason.

Furthermore, she felt that right now, the only person in the Imperial Capital who could restrain Jiang Ruxian was Jiang Lan.

That night, when she met Jiang Lan at their usual spot, Emperor Xia was rather surprised.

Compared to his usual self, Jiang Lan’s complexion was rather pale. He looked sickly and listless, as if just recovering from a serious illness.

This was quite similar to how he had looked in the past, so most people who saw him weren’t surprised.

But for him to be in such a state and still have the mind to indulge in refined pleasures like listening to music and watching dancers... Emperor Xia was at a loss for words.

In the private room, after all the dancers had respectfully withdrawn.

"Is there something you need?"

Jiang Lan slowly sat up on the couch and casually greeted Emperor Xia.

When Jiang Lan learned that Emperor Xia had deployed many more guards, he had a sneaking suspicion that Jiang Ruxian had likely caused her trouble.

So, guessing that Emperor Xia might come looking for him, he had left the Prime Minister’s Mansion and come to the Desire Immortal Pavilion early to wait for her.

Sure enough, as soon as Emperor Xia arrived, she had an air of being full of complaints.

"Thanks to you, I’ve been dragged into this mess for no reason," Emperor Xia said flatly.

"Curiosity killed the cat. Sometimes, a little less curiosity saves you a lot of trouble."

"You couldn’t control yourself, so how is that my fault?" Jiang Lan replied with a casual smile.

He was, of course, aware that Emperor Xia had sent people to secretly trail and spy on him that day. For the sake of his plans, he had simply pretended not to notice.

These past few days, under the guise of recuperating at the Prime Minister’s Mansion, he had been studying the Age Dao Fruit. This made him even more certain that Jiang Ruxian carried the aura of a Time Fragment...

Her leaving Wugui Island early to set foot in the Celestial Central Province was apparently no accident.

She already possessed terrifying, incomparable talent and strength. With the added foresight from being reborn, Jiang Ruxian would only be more fearsome in this life. Anyone who made an enemy of her wouldn’t even know how they died.

"She almost killed me," Emperor Xia stated, her expression unreadable.

Jiang Lan put on a surprised expression, then shook his head slightly. "I have had nothing to do with her for a long time. It’s useless to tell me about it."

"I thought you came to me for something important, but if it has to do with her, then I’m afraid you’ve come to the wrong person."

A cold glint appeared in Emperor Xia’s eyes. "Jiang Lan..."

Jiang Lan looked at her and said earnestly, "I really can’t help you."

Emperor Xia took a deep breath, composing herself. "Young Master Jiang truly has a short memory," she said coolly. "What was it you said on this very painted boat that day?"

Jiang Lan sighed. "Let’s be practical. If it were anything else, I could help you, but I truly cannot help with this matter."

"I don’t want to get involved with her ever again."

Emperor Xia fell silent for a moment. Seeing the earnest look on Jiang Lan’s face and realizing he wasn’t just trying to placate her, she felt a sense of helplessness.

He had refused so bluntly. What else could she do?

But being targeted and resented by Jiang Ruxian like this was giving her a real headache...

"Do you really hate her that much? Despise her?" Emperor Xia changed the subject, asking casually.

"A little less curiosity would do you good."

Jiang Lan gave a faint smile. "You know that getting too close to me will put you in her sights, yet you still ask so many questions? I must say, I’m impressed."

"Nosy," Emperor Xia snorted coldly.

"It’s not really hate," Jiang Lan said unhurriedly. "I just don’t want any further connection to her. Thanks to her, I’m already a complete wreck."

"And thanks to you, I can neither eat nor sleep in peace, having to be on guard day and night..." Emperor Xia huffed again, recalling the night Jiang Ruxian had threatened her to her face.

"You don’t need to be so guarded," Jiang Lan said, looking at her. "She might be a bit obsessive, but she’s not evil at heart. She’s not the type to kill the innocent indiscriminately."

"Then I suppose the fact that she nearly killed me means I must be a heinous criminal?" Emperor Xia retorted mockingly.

Jiang Lan couldn’t understand her intense resentment. He reasoned that even if Jiang Ruxian had caused her trouble, she wouldn’t have completely disregarded the bigger picture.

It seemed she had indeed suffered a major loss at Jiang Ruxian’s hands.

"I’m sorry..."

"This whole affair really is my fault."

After a moment’s thought, Jiang Lan looked at her, his tone earnest.

Emperor Xia hadn’t expected him to apologize so suddenly.

She was silent for a moment.

"The top contender in the Qianyuan Prefecture competition will be given one chance to enter the Dragon Transformation Pool," she said abruptly.

Jiang Lan asked in surprise, "How come I haven’t heard this news?"

The Dragon Transformation Pool was a vital location for the Royal Family, rich with Spiritual Rhythm Creation and possessing miraculous healing properties.

"You will find out tomorrow," Emperor Xia said flatly.