Her demeanor was noble and elegant!
As if she were a celestial maiden from the ninth heaven!
Even with her face veiled, her peerless beauty could not be concealed!
For a moment!
Many were mesmerized!
Such a woman only exists in the heavens, rarely seen on earth!
Chen Nan subconsciously swallowed.
Like.
So much like her!
If it weren't for her less-than-terrifying development!
Chen Nan would have believed she was the Empress!
Both in height!
Facial features!
Demeanor!
Especially those pair of sapphire blue eyes!
They were identical to the Empress!
Seeing her!
Chen Nan was reminded of that humiliating memory!
An unbearable recollection!
"I truly didn't expect her to be here!" Dai Yuan's face flashed with a hint of gravity, he whispered, "Her name is Ling Yanran, the High Priestess of the Snow Kingdom, possessing the cultivation of a ninth-level Immortal Emperor!"
"Her status in the Snow Kingdom is second only to the Empress!"
"Furthermore, she is the Empress's sister!"
Everyone else's heartbeats quickened!
They hadn't expected this woman to have such a prominent background!
The most ostentatious among them was Wu Tian!
He subconsciously touched his head, hoping to attract the beauty's attention this way!
After all!
If he could win over such a stunning beauty!
His life would be secured with food and shelter!
Alas, Ling Yanran didn't even spare him a glance!
Chen Nan withdrew his gaze!
He didn't wish to look at her!
After all, that humiliating memory was truly hard for him to let go of!
"High Priestess, the people of the Yan Kingdom spoke disrespectfully and insulted Senior Brother Li! Senior Brother Li couldn't bear it, which is why he took action!" a disciple from the Snow Kingdom complained to Ling Yanran!
"Is that so?"
Ling Yanran frowned slightly, a hint of displeasure flashing across her face!
Yet, even when angry, she exuded a heart-stirring aura!
Ling Yanran turned her icy gaze towards Dai Yuan: "The Snow Kingdom and the Yan Kingdom have been amicable for generations, the friendship competition held once every thousand years is the best testament to this!"
"Although young people are often arrogant and look down on others!"
"But your kingdom's disciples spoke disrespectfully of my Snow Kingdom's disciples, how does Dean Dai explain this matter?"
Dai Yuan said politely: "High Priestess, this matter was not initiated by my Yan Kingdom's disciples!"
Ling Yanran let out a cold snort: "Could it be that my Snow Kingdom's disciples provoked them first?"
"Your kingdom's disciple made a throat-slitting gesture towards my Yan Kingdom's disciple, isn't that you provoking us first?" In any other situation, Dai Yuan wouldn't have escalated it so much!
No matter what, the other party was a distinguished guest of a friendly nation!
As the host, he should be magnanimous!
It wouldn't be shameful to apologize and let it slide!
But this matter was different!
Chen Nan was someone the Yan Emperor greatly appreciated!
If Chen Nan were to apologize to the Snow Kingdom now, the Yan Emperor would surely fly into a rage!
Ling Yanran looked at Li Aohan, her eyes devoid of any emotion: "Is what Dean Dai said true?"
Li Aohan felt a chill run down his spine and quickly said: "High Priestess, Chen Nan crippled the legs of my childhood sweetheart, I harbored resentment, which is why I made that gesture!"
"I apologize, this is my fault!"
Li Aohan didn't want to admit fault!
But he knew Ling Yanran's character!
If he didn't confess some things!
Even his aunt wouldn't be able to protect him!
"Chen Nan?" Ling Yanran seemed to recall something, a hint of reminiscence appearing in her beautiful eyes, then she looked at Dai Yuan: "Who is Chen Nan?"
Chen Nan knew he couldn't evade it any longer, and stepped forward with a heavy heart: "I am Chen Nan!"
Ling Yanran looked at Chen Nan!
Her eyes flickered with a meaningful gaze!
Without warning!
She thrust out a palm!
Frost power erupted!
Ferociously striking Chen Nan's chest!
Sending him flying back over ten meters!
After landing!
A trickle of blood flowed from the corner of Chen Nan's mouth!
He looked extremely weak!
"High Priestess, what is the meaning of this?" Dai Yuan was enraged, he hadn't expected Ling Yanran to suddenly attack Chen Nan!
Even though he knew Chen Nan's strength was considerable!
The other party was, after all, a ninth-level Immortal Emperor!
Even in the entire Immortal Realm, she was a top-tier expert!
"Dean Dai need not worry, I have my limits!" Ling Yanran revealed a cryptic smile!
She then looked at Chen Nan: "Not bad!"
Chen Nan wanted to curse!
But considering the vast difference between them!
He forcefully swallowed the words back!
After all, this was a ninth-level Immortal Emperor!
He really couldn't win!
Afterward!
The prodigies from the Array Academy and the Alchemy Academy also arrived!
About half an hour later!
"His Majesty has arrived!"
Following a sonorous announcement, the Yan Emperor appeared in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, surrounded by his retinue!
Everyone bowed when the Yan Emperor appeared!
Ling Yanran said: "Greetings, Yan Emperor, my sister is unwell and unable to attend, so she has specifically sent me to convey her apologies to you!"
The Yan Emperor looked surprised: "What happened to the Empress?"
Many were as incredulous as the Yan Emperor!
After all, ninth-level Immortal Emperors were immune to all illnesses!
Yet Ling Yanran claimed the Empress was unwell!
This inevitably sparked speculation!
It would be good if the Empress were dead!
This was Chen Nan's thought!
Ling Yanran said apologetically: "This matter is inconvenient for me to disclose, please forgive me, Yan Emperor!"
The Yan Emperor nodded slightly: "Our two nations have been amicable for generations, and I hold the Empress in the highest regard. If your kingdom requires anything, please do not hesitate to ask!"
Ling Yanran: "We will!"
Though the Yan Emperor sat high above, he appeared quite amiable at this moment: "The Yan Kingdom and the Snow Kingdom have been amicable for generations, this friendship has endured for over a hundred thousand years!"
"Otherwise, we wouldn't have the friendship competition held every thousand years!"
"May I inquire about the rules for this friendship competition?"
The rules for the previous friendship competition were set by the Yan Kingdom!
And this time, it was the Snow Kingdom's turn!
Therefore!
Even the Yan Emperor was curious!
Ling Yanran spread her right hand!
Three brocade pouches appeared in the air!
They contained the competition rules for the Sword Forging Academy, the Array Academy, and the Alchemy Academy respectively!
In truth, such competitions were inherently unfair!
As the Snow Kingdom set the questions, they naturally knew the content of the assessment and had prepared in advance!
However!
The rules for the last competition were set by the Yan Kingdom!
It was also unfair to the Snow Kingdom at that time!
Therefore!
When it was unfair to both nations, it became the greatest fairness!
Of course!
Ordinary people would consider it very unfair!
However, the assessors from both nations had never leaked any competition rules!
This was a sign of mutual respect!
It was precisely because of this respect that the friendship competition between the two nations had continued to this day!
Ling Yanran said: "The prodigies from both nations have three days to discuss the competition rules. After three days, the competition will be held in the imperial palace. During these three days, no one is permitted to contact outsiders!"
The Yan Emperor nodded slightly: "Then I shall see you in three days. I hope you young people can impress me!" He then left the Hall of Mental Cultivation!
Chen Nan and the others were also assigned to a separate area, one room per person!
This would be where they would eat and sleep for the next month!
One had to admit, the imperial palace was indeed the imperial palace!
The rooms were exuded luxury!
Knock, knock, knock!
Just as Chen Nan was being led to his room by an imperial maid, a knock sounded at the door!
He opened the door!
A peerlessly beautiful figure came into view!
If it wasn't Ling Yanran, who else could it be?
Her bright eyes held a faint smile, and she asked politely, "May I call you brother-in-law?"