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The entire square of the Ancestor Hall was silent.
Everyone stared at Lin Yue in astonishment.
Some people, unaware of the situation, were shocked that the examiner was actually the legendary prince.
Others, who knew the circumstances, were even more surprised that the Seventeenth Prince had admitted it so readily.
The prince was indeed noble, but he also had to face many tests personally set by His Majesty. Once he returned to his status, some of these tests could be assisted by Duke Heng, but there were many others that even Duke Heng could not help with.
Logically, the wisest approach would be to remain hidden until confident enough to cope.
"Is this prince being too impulsive, putting himself in danger just for that trusted aide?"
"After all, he’s young and still unstable in temperament, getting so easily provoked."
"This prince just broke through the Four Symbols Heaven Barrier not long ago, and he’s already going to take the prince’s test so soon. Even with the help of Duke Heng’s residence, it would still be difficult."
"Moreover, it’s said that Duke Heng is also nearing his end, and he might not hold on for much longer..."
Divine Thought Transmission silently passed between them.
Baili Fengzhi was also stunned.
She stared at Lin Yue in disbelief, unable to understand why he was so impulsive. Was it for her sake?
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Duke Heng was even more taken aback. He then looked anxiously at Lin Yue and couldn’t help but transmit a Divine Thought: "Your Highness, what are you doing? If you admit to being a prince now, I’m afraid even I..."
"No need to worry."
Lin Yue directly spoke, his expression remaining calm as he looked up at Duke Heng, saying indifferently, "Lord Qi, just watch."
Duke Heng was silent for a moment. Seeing him so calm and composed, he sensed his confidence and immediately nodded slightly.
The Twelfth Prince was also somewhat caught off guard.
His original intention was just to prevent Baili Fengzhi from entering the Inner Hall, but he didn’t expect Lin Yue to directly step forward and admit his identity, creating such an unexpected reward.
While he was delighted, he also found it a bit strange.
He scrutinized Lin Yue again, then smiled warmly and said, "So it’s my Seventeenth Brother. I didn’t recognize you earlier, nor did I expect you to have such a temperament. You’re full of surprises for your brother."
Even the Twelfth Prince called him Seventeenth Brother, so those unaware in the Ancestor Hall were even more shocked.
He really was the legendary prince?
"Brother Cheng, you’ll have plenty of surprises."
Under many focused gazes, Lin Yue’s demeanor remained as calm as still water. He simply glanced at the Qingtian Bureau’s Cai Jue and said indifferently, "However, please keep your dog leashed, Brother Cheng. Don’t let it bite people randomly."
Cai Jue’s face flushed pale and livid, looking very unpleasant.
Although he was at the bottom among the Great Cultivators, he was still a Great Cultivator. Being publicly called a dog was an extreme humiliation.
But what could he do?
If it had been anyone else daring to insult him like this, he would surely retaliate for insulting a court official.
However... the one who insulted him was a prince!
He dared not do anything.
He could only endure it.
Moreover, he didn’t have an Imperial Decree, couldn’t invoke the Heaven and Earth Law, and was probably no match for Baili Fengzhi with just his cultivation.
"Seventeenth Brother."
The Twelfth Prince’s smile remained warm. "Lord Cai didn’t know of your princely status; the ignorant are not guilty. You shouldn’t hold it against him."
Their interaction seemed like they were indeed close-loving brothers.
"Since it is His Highness the Prince," the Hall Master of Heaven’s Light looked at Lin Yue and said, "what about Baili Fengzhi?"
"The Hall Master need not mind, Baili Fengzhi is my personal servant."
Lin Yue looked at the Hall Master of Heaven’s Light, slowly raised a hand, and saw crimson lines emerging on his palm. Simultaneously, matching crimson lines appeared on Baili Fengzhi’s fair forehead.
Household Blood Contract.
Everyone sighed in private.
They didn’t know whether to admire Baili Fengzhi for becoming a prince’s personal servant or envy the Seventeenth Prince for finding such a talented subordinate.
"Since she is a prince’s servant, she need not be considered."
The Hall Master of Heaven’s Light nodded slightly and said, "Seventeenth Prince, shall we begin the Inner Hall assessment?"
"Please begin, Hall Master," Lin Yue nodded.
The surrounding examiners couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
Though they were all examiners, the attitude of the Hall Master of Heaven’s Light towards the Seventeenth Prince was nearly equal. He even asked beforehand before the assessment.
However, many examiners inwardly snorted.
What about being a prince?
With his current cultivation, joining us in the assessment, he was merely at the bottom and would be suppressed by us; he could not even pass the Inner Hall assessment.
Of course, they knew in their hearts that this was merely self-consolation...
"Then, the Inner Hall assessment begins."
The Hall Master’s voice resounded throughout the square of the Ancestor Hall.
The examiners waited solemnly.
"The Inner Hall assessment of our Ancestor Hall is a life-and-death battle. The array of the Ancestor Hall will only protect your life if you are on the brink of death, but it cannot prevent you from losing limbs or becoming disabled."
The Hall Master said indifferently, "The first round of the life-and-death battle is against the puppet controlled by the Martial Arts Soul of our Ancestor Hall’s Inner Hall Elders. Naturally, the Inner Hall Elders cannot invoke the Heaven and Earth Law, and the power and speed of the puppet body are equivalent only to a Martial Cultivator who has just entered the Four Symbols."
"The life-and-death battle rules are as follows."
"First, falling into a near-death state causing the Ancestor Hall’s array to activate will be considered elimination."
"Second, if unwilling to suffer severe injury, voluntary surrender is also considered elimination."
"Third, in the life-and-death battle, the use of True Treasures, Heavenly Rank Talismans, and implements beyond the realm of the Four Symbols is prohibited. Once used, it will also be considered elimination."
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