Divine War Pill Emperor

Leaving the training grounds, Jiang Chen returned to the reception hall to wait for the Third Prince.

Da Pao looked utterly dejected. However, he was a man who knew when to yield and didn’t hold a grudge. He just wasn’t ready to admit defeat.

"Give me one more month, and I’ll defeat you for sure."

Da Pao declared, though his face was pale, he was panting for breath, and his chest even felt a little tight.

But his words showed no sign of weakness.

"In a month, you’ll still be losing to me."

Jiang Chen retorted just as sharply, giving Da Pao no quarter.

"The Third Prince has arrived."

Just then, a voice called out from outside.

The Third Prince had arrived.

Jiang Chen and Da Pao both rose to their feet.

Soon, a fair-skinned young man in a purple brocade robe walked in.

A burly, armored man followed close behind him.

It was none other than the Third Prince.

Upon seeing the Third Prince, Da Pao immediately bowed. "Greetings, Third Prince."

Jiang Chen, however, merely gave a slight nod.

The Third Prince waved his hand dismissively. "There’s no need for such formalities."

"I heard Jiang Chen arrived. Where is he?"

He spotted Jiang Chen at once, without anyone needing to point him out.

A look of pleasant surprise crossed his face. "Jiang Chen, you’re finally here!"

More than ten days had passed since he’d extended the invitation, and he’d been worried Jiang Chen might not show up.

He was well aware of Jiang Chen’s strength. As someone who possessed the Black Fire, he couldn’t be judged by his Cultivation level alone.

Jiang Chen offered a polite explanation. "I was held up by a few things recently. My apologies."

The Third Prince, for his part, was quite magnanimous.

He laughed. "It’s no matter. I’ll host a welcome banquet for you today."

He then turned to Da Pao. "Da Pao, arrange a banquet to welcome Jiang Chen."

Da Pao grimaced, clearly unhappy about it.

But he still went to have the banquet arranged for Jiang Chen.

The general who had arrived with the Third Prince noticed Da Pao’s slightly pale face and immediately followed him out.

Once outside, he asked curiously, "Da Pao, you look injured. What happened?"

Da Pao looked ashamed and was reluctant to say anything, but he knew this man well and they were on good terms.

He was Cao Yang, a commander in the City Defense Corps. As one of the Third Prince’s men, he was a general who held real power in the military.

Cao Yang and General Huo Wu, another of the Third Prince’s top commanders, were known as his "Two Great Generals." It was thanks to them that the Third Prince, despite his difficult circumstances, had managed to maintain a stable position.

Da Pao gave a bitter smile. "I just sparred with that newcomer, Jiang Chen. I’m ashamed to say I lost."

What?

Cao Yang’s expression darkened.

Da Pao, he, and another general were the Third Prince’s most capable commanders.

They were naturally very close, so he was shocked to hear Da Pao had been injured by someone.

Cao Yang’s anger flared. "Dammit! Jiang Chen, was it?"

"A newcomer dares to be so arrogant? He’s courting death!"

"Don’t worry, I’ll go teach him a lesson right now."

Da Pao quickly grabbed Cao Yang to stop him. "Don’t. I was the one who challenged him to a spar. I lost because my skills were inferior."

"Don’t cause trouble for the Third Prince."

But Cao Yang was still furious.

Da Pao explained, "I just saw him, a mere newcomer, and thought about how the Third Prince went out of his way to personally invite him. I felt he wasn’t worthy of such treatment from the Prince."

"That’s why I decided to test him."

"So?" Cao Yang pressed. "What do you think? Is he actually talented?"

"I’d hate to think our Third Prince invited a good-for-nothing."

Da Pao pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "His Cultivation is the same as mine, Martial King Third Layer Heaven. He’s only a little bit stronger than me. He’s nowhere near your level."

"I think our Third Prince might have misjudged him. The kid doesn’t seem to have any special abilities."

He sighed after he finished speaking.

They all knew the Third Prince was currently caught between the Crown Prince and the Second Prince. He couldn’t gain any ground and was constrained at every turn.

They were anxious, hoping to find someone who could change the situation.

None of them, however, were the kind of person who could turn the tide single-handedly. They could only hope the Third Prince would find such a talent.

If Jiang Chen were truly such a person, they would have been completely convinced. But after hearing what Da Pao said, Cao Yang grew even more indignant.

"To think he’s just some incompetent fool, and our Third Prince even went to invite him personally."

"Forget about avenging you. I have to find a way to drive him out, if only to expose him for what he is."

The more he thought about it, the more upset he became.

A newcomer injures Da Pao the moment he arrives. And the crucial part is, he was personally invited by the Third Prince.

He couldn’t accept it.

Da Pao went to see to the banquet arrangements.

Cao Yang, however, returned to the room.

He scrutinized Jiang Chen. Seeing how utterly ordinary and unremarkable Jiang Chen looked, his anger swelled.

Especially when he saw Jiang Chen shamelessly bragging to the Third Prince, and doing so with great enthusiasm.

For now, however, he held back.

"Your Highness, the banquet is arranged. It will be ready to begin in about an hour."

Da Pao returned.

The Third Prince nodded, continuing his pleasant conversation with Jiang Chen.

A dozen or so people attended the banquet. All were experts at or above the Martial King Cultivation realm, and they appeared to be the Third Prince’s most trusted subordinates.

The Third Prince was the first to stand and raise his cup. "Everyone, today I am hosting this banquet to welcome Jiang Chen. From now on, he is one of us. And now, I’d like to propose a toast to him."

He then raised his cup and gestured toward Jiang Chen.

Jiang Chen hastily stood as well, raising his cup. "Thank you, Third Prince."

Then, both men drained their cups.

The Third Prince’s gesture immediately took his dozen or so confidants by surprise.

Aside from Da Pao and Cao Yang, everyone else was meeting Jiang Chen for the first time, and their faces showed a variety of expressions.

After all, Jiang Chen was a newcomer. It was only natural that he would be tested by the Third Prince’s men.

However, the Third Prince couldn’t show favoritism. He raised his cup again. "All of you are my most trusted followers. You have all toiled endlessly for my great cause. Today, I toast all of you."

Everyone raised their cups and drained them.

No sooner had they put down their cups than a Martial King Second Layer Heaven expert stood up. "I have long heard of Jiang Chen’s great name. This humble one is untalented, but I would like to witness your skills for myself."

Just as expected, someone was already making things difficult for Jiang Chen.

Everyone looked over. It was Wang Yong, one of the Third Prince’s subordinates.

The moment Wang Yong spoke, all eyes turned to Jiang Chen.

Even Da Pao and Cao Yang watched Jiang Chen with amusement, waiting to see if he would dare to accept the challenge.

Although Da Pao knew Jiang Chen was a Martial King Third Layer Heaven expert, Cao Yang was still unclear on his actual strength.

From his seat at the head of the table, Wen Shixi waved his hand. "Wang Yong, do not be rude. Harmony is what’s important here."

But then, Cao Yang spoke up.

"Your Highness, since we’re all on the same side here, a little sparring would be a good way to liven up the banquet."

"What’s the harm in letting Wang Yong and Jiang Chen have a friendly match?"

The Third Prince looked toward Jiang Chen, a bit embarrassed.

He knew Jiang Chen possessed the Black Fire, but he truly didn’t know the specifics of his strength.

Just then, someone from the very back of the room stood up.

"There’s no need for my young master to get involved," the person declared. "Let me face you instead."

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