C122 The Ming Dynasty Emperor Ying Qian!

Despite his internal gripes, Hee Yan couldn't help but feel elated by the teachers' and students' fervor. He swiftly retrieved his Sound Transmission Jade Talisman and relayed the situation to Qin Buyi. He then proposed to Qin, "Mentor Qin, would it be possible to allow these enthusiastic teachers and students to observe the battle in the first area?"

Each high-level mentor's domain within the College of Ming Dynasty was akin to personal territory, not even the College Chief could make decisions there without prior consent.

Qin Buyi, stationed in the first area, received Hee Yan's message and succinctly responded, "Certainly, and let Dean Hee Yan officiate as the judge."

Qin Buyi's prompt agreement was a delight to Hee Yan, who was more than willing to extend this courtesy to Qin. "Very well, I'll serve as the judge."

After concluding the transmission, Hee Yan addressed the eager crowd outside his office, "Instructor Qin Buyi has granted your request to witness the battle, and I will preside as the judge for this contest."

Upon hearing Hee Yan's announcement, excitement washed over the faces of the waiting teachers and students. "I can hardly wait for the battle in three days. Instructor Qin Buyi is truly formidable," one remarked.

Another chuckled, "I'm equally excited, and to think that Dean Hee Yan himself will act as judge!"

"Yes, it's been years since Dean Hee Yan has judged anything. Instructor Qin Buyi must be quite influential."

For the next three days, the entire College of Ming Dynasty was abuzz with conversations about Qin Buyi.

Meanwhile, in the Third Prince's mansion, Ying Zhi had just completed his strategic countermeasures against the First Prince Ying Ye's power. It was then that he learned of Qin Buyi's impending challenge to the five senior mentors.

"Mr. Qin, you're always on the move, aren't you?" he mused.

"It's for the best. The more esteemed you are at the College of Ming Dynasty, the better for us all."

Laughing, he added, "I've long anticipated leveraging your influence, Mr. Qin, to accomplish certain goals. I never imagined that opportunity would arrive so soon."

Without delay, Ying Zhi dispatched his men with supplies to assist Qin Buyi in the first area. He then penned a letter and summoned Nan Tianlong.

"Deliver this letter to Mr. Qin, and inform him that if he has any doubts, he'll find his answers upon reading it. Afterwards, please stay and assist Mr. Qin."

Nan Tianlong responded, "Understood, Young Master."

Meanwhile, following Qin Buyi's declaration of a challenge to the five mentors, he summoned Lan Wenhao.

After briefing Lan Wenhao on the matter, Qin Buyi stated, "The Lan family will take charge of setting up the battlefield."

Lan Wenhao, elated by the news, promptly replied, "The Lan family will surely live up to the task."

While they were talking, Nan Tianlong arrived with personnel and supplies.

Upon reaching Area No. 1, Nan Tianlong rubbed his eyes in disbelief at the transformed landscape.

He surveyed the landmarks and murmured to himself, "This is definitely the place, but it's only been a few days since I helped Young Master Qin move... How has it changed so drastically? And where did Young Master Qin find all these people?"

Nan Tianlong and his group entered Area No. 1.

Surrounded by towering skyscrapers and flashing neon lights, he was dazzled by the modernity of Blue Star and the array of contemporary items.

The architecture, so different from that of the Ming Dynasty and the Heavenly Desolate Realm, left him momentarily speechless.

"Good heavens, what on earth has happened here?" wondered Nan Tianlong, his mind swirling with questions.

Sensing Nan Tianlong's presence through his Divine Consciousness, Qin Buyi, accompanied by Lan Wenhao, greeted him.

Upon seeing Qin Buyi, Nan Tianlong offered a respectful bow, "I pay my respects to Young Master Qin."

Qin Buyi helped Nan Tianlong to his feet, saying, "There's no need for such formality, City Lord Nan."

Nan Tianlong replied with earnest gravity, "Given Young Master Qin's esteemed status and position, he fully deserves my respect."

Since Honglian had taken control of Qin Buyi's body and executed the fiery deed, the revealed celestial aura had significantly elevated Qin Buyi's stature.

Even when the First Prince Ying Ye was reduced to a state of folly, the royal house of the Ming Dynasty held no inquiry.

Such is the cascade of privileges that come with great power.

"Ha, allow me to introduce you, City Lord Nan. This is Lan Wenhao, the Patriarch of the Lan family."

"The individuals you've encountered in Area No. 1 are all members of the Lan family," Qin Buyi explained to Nan Tianlong.

He turned to Lan Wenhao and said, "Brother Wenhao, this is City Lord Nan Tianlong, the one I've mentioned to you."

Lan Wenhao reached out his hand, saying, "I've long admired your reputation. It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person."

Nan Tianlong shook his hand, responding, "You flatter me, Patriarch Lan."

After exchanging courtesies, Nan Tianlong got down to business and produced a letter from Ying Zhi.

"Young Master instructed me to deliver this to Young Master Qin."

Qin Buyi accepted the letter with a puzzled look. "Why send a letter when he could have used a Sound Transmission Jade Talisman?"

Nan Tianlong explained, "The Young Master said that everything would be clear once you read the letter."

Qin Buyi opened the envelope and scanned the contents.

He chuckled and cursed affectionately, "That rascal Ying Zhi, making me read a letter when a simple message would do."

The letter essentially advised Qin Buyi to go easy on Ying Le during their duel, reminding him that they would soon be family and to be gentle with his future sister-in-law. Wounding Ying Le would make things awkward for him as her big brother.

Ying Zhi had wisely foreseen that his words wouldn't be well-received through a direct message, hence his decision to pen a letter.

This way, even if Qin Buyi wanted to rebuke him, he'd have no one to address.

Hearing Qin Buyi's comments about Ying Zhi, Nan Tianlong kept his head down, not daring to interject, and wondered to himself what the letter contained to elicit such a reaction from Young Master Qin.

Setting the letter aside, Qin Buyi instructed Nan Tianlong, "City Lord Nan, please assist Brother Wenhao in constructing the arena."

Nan Tianlong nodded, "I'll follow Young Master Qin's orders."

Meanwhile, in the Royal Palace of the Ming Dynasty, Ying Zhi and Ying Ye's father, Ying Qian—the true power behind the throne—paced thoughtfully through the halls.

As the imperial physician emerged, he quickly approached and inquired, "Shih Ci, how fares Ye?"

Shih Ci, the imperial physician, shook his head and replied, "Your Majesty, despite my utmost efforts, the First Prince's condition has not improved."

Having said this, Shih Ci suddenly fell to his knees, pleading, "Please forgive my failure, Your Majesty."

Ying Qian had braced himself for this news, yet it still pained him to hear it.

He lifted Shih Ci to his feet, offering words of comfort, "Shih Ci, you are the finest healer in our great Ming Dynasty. This is not your fault."

"This was the act of an immortal, after all."

"Immortals wield enigmatic powers, and to them, we might as well be ants."

"What has Qin Buyi been up to lately?"

Shih Ci responded, "The latest reports say that he's set to consecutively challenge five senior mentors at the College of Ming Dynasty."

Ying Qian's eyebrows lifted in intrigue. "Oh? If my memory serves, it's only been a few days since the battle that left Ye in this state."

"You remember correctly, Your Majesty," confirmed Shih Ci. "It has been precisely three days."