At nine in the morning.
A piece of news suddenly spread throughout Jinling, or rather, caused a huge stir in the entire city.
The Yan royal family had made an appearance, and the person who appeared stated that they had been in Jinling for several days.
This immediately made many elder figures in Jinling recall past events.
Back then, when Murong Renjing was a young man in his twenties, the Great Xia was not as peaceful as it is now. Various regions and families controlled countless resources, warlords were rampant, strong individuals formed their own factions, and chaos was unending.
At that time, the Murong royal family was not a royal family, but merely a family, and a second-rate one at that.
It was during that chaotic period that a branch of the Yan royal family was targeted by a powerful individual, pursued from a small town in Jiangnan all the way to Jinling, where they encountered Murong Renjing, who had returned after completing his studies.
At the age of twenty-three, Murong Renjing had achieved the Martial Spirit realm, and was ranked among the top ten on the Heavenly Pride list at that time.
It was also then that Murong Renjing met the love of his life, Yan Fengqing.
Later, it was said that a major internal conflict occurred within the Yan royal family. After the conflict subsided, a year had passed. During this year, Yan Fengqing's branch emerged as the ultimate victor, ascending to the position of family head, and Yan Fengqing naturally became part of the head family.
When the Yan royal family found Yan Fengqing, she was already ten months pregnant!
The Yan royal family was furious. Before the internal conflict was completely resolved, they launched a frenzied retaliation against the Murong family, with all sorts of rumors spreading.
However, what was strange was that the Murong family actually managed to withstand the Yan royal family's offensive!
Not only did they withstand it, but their overall strength also increased. Murong Renjing broke through various dragon-elephant stages, successfully succeeding the Murong family head position. After a negotiation with the Yan royal family, a marriage alliance was reluctantly established.
There was no other way, as during the period of their conflict, Yan Fengqing had already conceived their second child.
They had no choice but to agree, as things had already progressed to this point. Regardless of how one looked at it, the matter was settled, and both sides could only maximize their benefits.
And this was the smartest decision the Yan royal family had ever made!
Under Murong Renjing's influence, the Yan royal family gradually transformed into the Murong royal family, becoming the second royal family in the entire Jiangnan region!
If there were a selection for legendary figures in Jinling, and Murong Renjing was ranked first, no one would dare to say anything.
Because it was a fact.
Among the legendary figures of the entire Jinling region, Murong Renjing was unparalleled!
With his own strength, he single-handedly elevated the Murong family to the royal family status. Furthermore, his son was also exceptional, seizing an opportunity in the new era and establishing a foothold in the capital. Moreover, one of the ten prestigious seats at the pinnacle of power belonged to a Murong!
"I will wait for you on Dragon Mountain, Ye Xingchen."
After Yan Wuji's declaration, he once again fell silent. The entire Jinling was shaken, and countless people flocked to Dragon Mountain, awaiting this battle.
Dragon Mountain was also a peak in Jinling named for its shape.
It was named Dragon Mountain because the summit closely resembled a dragon's head.
"The Yan royal family? In front of my Ye family, they are nothing more than mere ants. Who gave you the courage to challenge me?"
"Since you are seeking death, I shall grant it. It should be somewhat interesting for the Yan royal family to lose a crown prince."
News of Ye Xingchen's acceptance of the challenge also spread throughout Jinling, drawing numerous martial artists. This peak battle might be the most sensational one before the martial arts competition for marriage.
On one side stood the Ye family, the foremost among the ten great families, and on the other, the veteran royal family of the Jiangnan region.
Who would emerge victorious?
"What do you all think of this arranged battle?"
In the old residence of the Murong royal family, ten grand tutor chairs represented the ten high-ranking officials of the Murong royal family.
Murong Renjing appeared to be asking everyone present, but in reality, he was only asking one person, Murong Hongjun.
Murong Hongjun was the family head of the Murong family in the capital.
Originally, the family head of the Murong family in the capital should have been Murong Ye, but events from the past led Murong Ye to sever ties with them completely!
"The Ye family has been revolving around Ye Xingchen for years. Looking at the Ye family's affairs in recent times, they all trace back to these three words, Ye Xingchen. Many in the ten great families wonder if Ye Xingchen is merely a facade put up by the Ye family to conceal their truly cultivated talent.
However, it cannot be denied that this is a game within a game, designed to make us believe the Ye family is cultivating someone else, thereby overlooking Ye Xingchen. Although we have two conjectures, we cannot verify them. This battle can also serve as a way to see what the Ye family is truly planning."
Murong Hongjun spoke slowly, rubbing his forehead. He had not expected that he and Ye Xingchen would arrive in Jinling almost simultaneously.
He hoped this battle would also provide them with a clearer understanding of the Ye family's involvement in this murky affair.
"Father, you shouldn't have agreed to Murong Yuhan's proposal to hold this martial arts competition for marriage. The impact is too great. Now that Ye Xingchen has entered the fray, and Yan Wuji has also entered, it is very disadvantageous for us.
If certain individuals in the capital exploit this, they will definitely find fault with us. The alliance of the two major royal families in the Jiangnan region has an impact on the capital as well. We have been distancing ourselves from the Yan royal family for so many years; we cannot afford to have issues at such a critical juncture."
Murong Hongjun had other concerns.
His son, Murong Yuze, had already informed him about Ye Longlin, and this matter could not be disclosed.
Murong Yuze had told him that Ye Longlin himself was personally handling this matter. Therefore, if he were to speak of it, and it caused any deviation in the other party's plans, their alliance with Ye Longlin would end there.
This was not what Murong Hongjun wanted.
"You mean, cancel the martial arts competition for marriage now?"
Murong Renjing snorted, expressing his displeasure.
Murong Hongjun shook his head. "Father, that's not what I mean. I mean that the outcome of this matter might exceed our expectations. My intention is to let things develop naturally. Even if changes occur, let them unfold freely."
He had given very clear reminders, and it was up to his father to understand his intentions.
However, given his father's intelligence, he would surely grasp his implicit meaning.
As expected, Murong Renjing fell silent for a moment, his eyes narrowing. "Do you know something?"
He became quiet.
This implied that he definitely knew something but did not elaborate further.
Murong Renjing understood his son thoroughly, so he spoke calmly. "Let's stop here for today. Hongjun, come with me; I have something to discuss with you."
While they were discussing here, Murong Yuze had already found Ye Longlin.
They had each other's contact information.
"Brother, you really can't be serious, can you? With your status, as long as it's the Murong family, there isn't anyone who wouldn't take it seriously. You shouldn't have caused the current situation, right?"