Not only Ye Dai, but everyone else's thoughts were much the same. At that moment, they could no longer find any evidence to question Jiang Chen.
So, they also secretly felt depressed. Why didn't such a miraculous encounter fall upon their heads? Why did it have to fall on this country bumpkin, Jiang Chen?
He was just the son of a minor marquis in the Eastern Kingdom—how could he possibly be worthy of such an extraordinary fortune?
Each one of them thought, if this fortune had fallen to me, given my status and position in the Tiangui Kingdom, I could surely have put it to far greater use and achieved much broader development.
Alas, such a wonderful opportunity had fallen on a minor character like Jiang Chen. What a waste.
A bitter smile touched Grand Tutor Ye's lips. "So, you're saying that in the end, my obtaining this male Fengjiao was all for nothing?"
"Not at all. Castrate it, and the problem is solved once and for all. In fact, many powerful experts who raise Fengjiao keep males. Female Fengjiao are extremely rare. Obtaining one is an immense blessing. As for the male, using it for mating means certain death. But if you don't let it mate and instead castrate and raise it, while it's different from a female, its bloodline can still undergo evolution. This is an experience countless predecessors have gleaned from thousands of experiments."
Ye Chonglou sighed. "Truly, ambition knows no age. Hearing your words is worth more than a hundred years of study. Jiang Chen, this old man has been enlightened."
As soon as the old master said this, it caused another wave of stunned silence below. Was this something the old master would say? The old master was actually thanking Jiang Chen with the attitude of a student?
This... this was simply unheard of.
"Jiang Chen, this old man has always disliked owing favors. My previous promise takes effect immediately. Consort Dan, go and bring out the gift I prepared for Brother Jiang Chen, as remuneration."
"Jiang Chen, you may also make one request. This old man owes you a favor. Whatever request you make, within the Tiangui Kingdom, I can fulfill it for you."
Consort Dan smiled faintly, a glint of light flashing in her eyes as she glanced at Jiang Chen, then turned and walked inside.
The people below swallowed hard with envy.
So Jiang Chen, just by spouting some clever words, had convinced the old master? The old master was going to honor his promise? They hadn't even verified if it was true or false!
Jiang Chen also smiled. "Old Master, wouldn't you like to verify it first? What if I'm just bluffing?"
"Ha ha! For a young man to be able to fabricate so many perfect lies, that's impressive indeed. Even if you were bluffing this old man, I'd be willing to admit defeat. The older a person gets, the fewer opportunities they have to be deceived. Jiang Chen, whether you were bluffing or not, you are successful."
Jiang Chen was rendered speechless with a laugh. This old master was truly an interesting character. His words were quite fresh. But then he understood. For someone of the old master's caliber, it wouldn't be easy to fool him. Just by analyzing the various physiological traits of the Fengjiao, he could corroborate Jiang Chen's conclusion.
"This Jiang Chen kid, with just a few glib words, actually got the old master to believe him! This time, this king's carefully laid plans have completely fallen through! Jiang Chen, you've ruined my plans time and again. I think this Tiangui Kingdom truly cannot keep you!" First Prince Ye Dai's heart flashed with killing intent.
Lü Wuji was both envious and maddened with hatred. "This Jiang Chen kid actually convinced the old master? Has the old master become senile? How could he believe such nonsense? Oh no! What if this Jiang Chen shamelessly asks the old master to take him as a disciple? That would be terrible! It will be hard to suppress him in the future!"
The others also had varying thoughts. Some envied Jiang Chen, some were disdainful. Some thought he was just lucky, while others felt he was an upstart getting big-headed.
Even Ye Rong felt half-excited and half-envious.
He was excited because the person he brought this time had completely outshone the First Prince's side. In both rounds, they had overwhelmed the First Prince, leaving the arrogant prince unable to lift his head.
He was envious because Jiang Chen had gained the old master's favor. If that had fallen to him, Ye Rong, it would have become a powerful weapon in his bid for the Crown Prince position.
However, although Ye Rong was very tempted, he never considered trying to steal this favor from Jiang Chen.
He knew this Jiang Chen was someone he must befriend, not make an enemy of. Once he became an enemy, Ye Rong knew he would lose far more.
Before long, Consort Dan's captivating figure emerged once more from inside.
"Old Master, the item is here."
Grand Tutor Ye waved his hand. "Give it to Jiang Chen."
Consort Dan nodded and handed the jade plate in her hands to Jiang Chen. "Jiang Chen, this is the Tian Gui Knight Order. Only one is made every ten years."
"What? The Tian Gui Knight Order?" The eyes of the nobles and ministers below sparkled with greedy light.
Even the princes' expressions changed slightly.
None of them had expected the old master to produce such a treasure!
They knew this item was something even the King of Tiangui Kingdom did not have the authority to grant alone. Each Tian Gui Knight Order required approval from the Treasure Tree Sect, as well as the nod from Grand Tutor Ye. Only then would the King have it crafted, with all three parties applying their unique seals for it to be valid.
This item appeared once a decade, and that was the optimistic view. In reality, sometimes thirty years could pass without anyone receiving a Tian Gui Knight Order.
Whoever obtained this Order not only could act with impunity throughout the Tiangui Kingdom, but also did not need to bow when seeing the King, could visit Grand Tutor Ye at any time without prior notice, and most importantly, while the Knight Order didn't guarantee entry into the Treasure Tree Sect, its possessor's chances of joining were dramatically increased!
The Tiangui Kingdom had many nobles, but in the past thirty years, not a single one had obtained the Tian Gui Knight Order.