The plaza in front of the Ancestor Hall immediately fell into an uproar.
Many people hadn’t expected that Baili Fengzhi, who had such prodigious talent, was truly a monstrous "scourge" of the Eternal Night bloodline?
However, those well-informed, upon seeing Lin Yue standing before Baili Fengzhi, immediately understood Baili Fengzhi’s identity.
She was undoubtedly the trusted aide of the Seventeenth Prince.
Therefore, even if Baili Fengzhi had the Eternal Night bloodline, it wasn’t considered a big deal.
Even the Hall Master of Tianguang merely reiterated the Spirit Venerable’s opinion, glancing at Lin Yue, and said nothing further.
"No need to mind."
Above, Duke Heng stood up and said, "I believe the Great Cultivators can perceive that the Eye of Heaven has not paid attention to Baili Fengzhi, indicating she is not a threat."
He hoped Lin Yue wouldn’t step forward to testify, so he stood up to speak.
The stunningly handsome, cold white-haired man, Prince An Qing, also said indifferently, "No need to waste time."
Anyone with some insight now understood the situation.
It was clear that Baili Fengzhi had sworn a blood covenant with a prince as his trusted aide and could not betray the Great Yong, so there was no reason to question her, and certainly no need to waste time.
Many understood, and it was not surprising.
"Trouble the Spirit Venerable no more, this woman is not an enemy, please return," the Hall Master of Tianguang said, "Then let’s begin…"
"Hold on."
At that moment, a gentle voice interrupted the Hall Master of Tianguang.
Who dared interrupt the Hall Master of Tianguang’s speech could only be a person of similar standing.
It was the Twelfth Prince, who had been smiling and silent all along.
"Prince Cheng."
The Hall Master of Tianguang turned to the Twelfth Prince, "Is there something amiss?"
The Twelfth Prince smiled gently and said, "I just think everyone is being overly hasty; is it really wise to assume this woman poses no threat just because the Eye of Heaven paid her no mind?"
He shook his head and said, "If that were the case, all those Eternal Night infiltrators who have hidden in our Great Yong could have deceived the Eye of Heaven, are they not threats as well?"
The Hall Master of Tianguang was silent.
Duke Heng couldn’t speak up for a moment.
The discerning all knew that the Twelfth Prince was deliberately causing trouble, subtly avoiding mentioning the prince, as if there were no such thing as a prince’s blood covenant retainer.
It was as if he didn’t know Lin Yue was a prince.
Yet those who understood the situation also knew that the Seventeenth Prince had yet to acknowledge his princely status, so the Twelfth Prince’s statements were feasible.
If Baili Fengzhi openly declared herself a prince’s retainer, it would play right into the Twelfth Prince’s hands.
You claim you’re a prince’s retainer?
Which prince?
And the proof?
Once Lin Yue publicly acknowledged his princely status, he would have to take his place.
Duke Heng said in a low voice, "What does Prince Cheng think should be done?"
"Very simple."
The Twelfth Prince smiled lightly and said, "Since the Eye of Heaven hasn’t noticed this woman, it’s unnecessary for the Heavenly Punishment Department to intervene, but because part of her bloodline is not Human Clan, she should be temporarily detained by the Qingtian Bureau."
As he spoke, he glanced at the crowd who had come to witness the ceremony below and asked, "Are any Qingtian Bureau officials present today?"
A middle-aged man, wearing a purple official robe with a high crown and a blue jade girdle, gracefully stepped forward into the open space, bowing and saying, "This official, Cai Jue, head of the Qingtian Bureau, greets Prince Cheng."
He was the Great Cultivator who intercepted Lin Yue and others on their way to Di Hong City more than a year ago.
The Qingtian Bureau, akin to constables among cultivators, held a certain status and function among the many offices in Di Hong City.
But many knew that several officials in the Qingtian Bureau were rather close to the Twelfth Prince, even its head was so.
"Cai Qing."
The Twelfth Prince nodded with a smile and said, "Since you’re here, take this woman to the Qingtian Bureau and oversee her properly."
"Yes." Cai Jue bowed immediately.
The expressions of the crowd changed involuntarily.
Such a prodigious Martial Cultivator was about to be taken to the Qingtian Bureau just like that?
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Wouldn’t she miss the Inner Hall examination?
"Prince Cheng."
The Hall Master of Tianguang frowned slightly and said, "This woman, after all, is an Inner Hall examinee. The Inner Hall examination hasn’t even started, taking her away might not be appropriate, right?"
Baili Fengzhi was clearly the retainer of the Seventeenth Prince, thus eligible to enter the Ancestor Hall.
The Twelfth Prince’s actions deprived the Ancestor Hall of a martial prodigy, and even though the Ancestor Hall did not engage in factional strife, how could the Hall Master hold back from speaking up?
"The Hall Master’s words are misplaced."
The Twelfth Prince shook his head gently and said, "If this woman were truly an Eternal Night infiltrator in our Great Yong, allowing her into the Ancestor Hall would be a sin, wouldn’t it?"
The Hall Master of Tianguang frowned.
The reasoning was so legitimate he couldn’t refute it.
Everyone could see that the Seventeenth Prince hadn’t yet reclaimed his princely identity, and he certainly wouldn’t broach the subject.
And the Twelfth Prince was clearly seizing upon this fact.
Duke Heng didn’t speak; he knew it was meaningless.
He was merely anxiously transmitting thoughts to Lin Yue, saying, "Your Highness, Prince Cheng is betting that you cannot yet acknowledge your princely status, aiming to provoke you, Your Highness must not fall for it.
"His purpose is not you, Your Highness, but to make Baili Fengzhi miss the Inner Hall examination in the Ancestor Hall, and at this moment, he is removing Baili Fengzhi for seemingly fair reasons, hence not directly targeting you, Your Highness. Please weigh the pros and cons carefully, Your Highness."
His urgent transmission sounded in Lin Yue’s mind.
"Your Highness, don’t act rashly."
Baili Fengzhi couldn’t help but transmit to Lin Yue, saying, "The bigger picture must take precedence now."
Lin Yue listened quietly, his expression unchanged.
Seeing Lin Yue remaining calm, not provoked, Duke Heng breathed a sigh of relief.
The spectators around had varied thoughts.
Some lamented the loss of Baili Fengzhi’s bright future, potentially missing the opportunity to serve under a Martial Saint; this Prince, while indirectly benefitting, still had a good retainer.
Others were gleeful, thinking how this genius, Baili Fengzhi, was a sure thing to enter the Inner Hall, yet faced such an unexpected twist?
As for most of the Inner Hall examinees, they were quite excited.
With Baili Fengzhi gone, the single remaining spot in the Inner Hall would open up, wouldn’t it?
The Twelfth Prince glanced at Lin Yue, who remained composed, his eyes showing a hint of appreciation, yet also a trace of regret.
This time, he had successfully blocked the entrance of the Seventeenth Prince’s talented trusted aide into the Inner Hall, and was quite satisfied, increasing Qi Tianxing’s chances to enter the Inner Hall.
With only one spot, accidents could happen; with two spots, it was almost guaranteed.
"Cai Qing, take this woman back to the Qingtian Bureau."
The Twelfth Prince said with a light smile.
Cai Jue immediately turned to Baili Fengzhi, indifferently saying, "Baili Fengzhi, surrender calmly, come with this official, do not force this official to act."
As he spoke, he waved his sleeve, and a rope transformed into a black dragon flying towards Baili Fengzhi, trying to bind her.
Baili Fengzhi’s face was indifferent, offering no resistance.
Then suddenly—
"Boom!"
Amongst the roaring wind and fire, a brilliant blade light burst forth, the magic treasure rope, turned into a black dragon, was struck heavily, let out a mournful cry, its light scattered, and flew off skewed.
Then, the blade light flashed again, instantly hovering in front of Cai Jue.
"Hmm?"
Cai Jue was taken aback, his face changed drastically.
Around, silence fell instantly, everyone quieted down, their expressions full of surprise.
And Baili Fengzhi was startled.
The person who acted was none other than Lin Yue!
"You…"
Cai Jue could hardly believe it, glaring at Lin Yue and shouting, "You dare obstruct this official from carrying out duties!"
"Stop barking, old dog."
Lin Yue held his sword with one hand, pointing it at Cai Jue, his expression indifferent, "It’s laughable, that I don’t proactively acknowledge my identity, a barely able to breach the Three Talents Heaven Barrier old dog, without an imperial decree, dares be so presumptuous before the court?"
Everyone present stared at him in shocked silence.
Has... did this prince just admitted his princely identity on his own accord?
"Baili, listen carefully."
Lin Yue said word by word, "This old dog has no imperial decree, cannot invoke the Heaven and Earth Law, his Daoist skills are ordinary, if he dares to make a move against you again, strike him down."