"The Martial Ranking requires a revival match."
"Top scholar, congratulations again. I hope you will bring glory to our Dragon Country in the future!"
The referee sincerely cupped his fists and bowed to Chen Jiuyang.
"We stand with our country and our people. It is only natural."
Chen Jiuyang flicked his blade lightly, sheathed it, and strode towards the spectator stands.
"Well said! We should stand with our country and our people!"
An elder applauded and shouted loudly.
From this moment on, countless people looked at Chen Jiuyang with changed eyes.
A new king was about to be born in the Dragon Country.
Winning the championship of the Martial Ranking was not just an honor, but also a heavy pressure.
But for now, Chen Jiuyang could only enjoy the admiration and cheers of countless people.
He had done it. He had won the Martial Ranking championship, attained the position of top scholar, and earned the title of king!
At the young age of twenty-three!
In the eyes of many, a living legend was being born.
Chen Jiuyang returned to the spectator stands. The head of the Chen family, tears streaming down his face, excitedly clasped Chen Jiuyang's hand and said, "Well done! Well done! Well done!"
Chen Jiuyang smiled calmly, "The Martial Ranking competition is over for me. Family Head, let's go home and rest."
"Good, good, good!"
The head of the Chen family nodded. Everyone associated with Chen Jiuyang had flushed faces and excited hearts.
"My disciple has been crowned king and won the Martial Ranking championship, hahahaha!" Marquis Feng Han laughed heartily, his eyes filled with pride.
The group departed the Martial Ranking arena in a grand procession, each with joyous expressions.
They had arrived through a thousand miles of peril, blocked at every turn, and now they left amidst cheers, congratulating the birth of a new king!
The remaining matters of the Martial Ranking were temporarily irrelevant to Chen Jiuyang.
"Crackling!"
"Crackling!"
Wherever Chen Jiuyang walked, firecrackers and fireworks were set off. These were all initiated by the citizens of Longjing.
With the addition of a new king to the Dragon Country, the country became one step stronger.
Ten miles of homes, a hundred families, celebrating the new king with fireworks!
The Dragon Country's first king, the King of the West, guarded the western border, ensuring its stability.
The Dragon Country's second king, the King of Yan, guarded the north, ensuring the northern border's stability.
The Dragon Country's third king, the King of Zhennan, guarded the south.
The Dragon Country's fourth king, King Huangfu, guarded the east.
The Dragon Country's fifth king, the Night King, guarded the sea.
For decades, every new king added to the Dragon Country meant a stronger nation, improved lives for its citizens, and a higher standing in the international arena.
The kings of the Han family in Huaxia only sought peace and prosperity for their homeland, guarding their territories.
And now, the Dragon Country was about to welcome its sixth king, especially before the national destiny competition next year. This new king was a good omen for the nation and its people.
As Chen Jiuyang left the Martial Ranking arena, everyone he passed looked at him with a mixture of reverence and joy, a joy that came from the bottom of their hearts.
Upon returning to the Chen family's courtyard in Shushan, officials from the Ministry of Rites were already waiting at the entrance.
The official leading them was Kou Huazhou, whom Chen Jiuyang had met before.
Kou Huazhou had officiated Chen Jiuyang's enfeoffment ceremony.
The head of the Chen family asked with surprise, "Lord Kou, is the ceremony for the king's ennoblement to be held so soon?"
Kou Huazhou, dressed in a red robe with embroidered birds, cupped his fists and bowed to Chen Jiuyang, smiling, "Congratulations, top scholar, for winning the Martial Ranking championship!"
"Such an accomplishment is extremely rare throughout history, comparable to Huo Qubing of the Han Dynasty."
"My visit today is not for the ennoblement ceremony. The title for the top scholar's ennoblement has not yet been decided, and the top scholar's cultivation has not yet broken through to the Heavenly Realm, so he cannot officially assume the post."
"I am here today to present the residence for the sixth king of Longjing."
Kou Huazhou handed a red envelope to Chen Jiuyang, saying, "This is the residence befitting the sixth king in Longjing. Since you have won the Martial Ranking championship and earned the title of the sixth king, you must avoid suspicion. It is no longer convenient for you to reside in the Chen family's courtyard in Shushan."
"I understand, I understand. It was my oversight," said the head of the Chen family excitedly, his ears turning slightly red. He instinctively wanted to lead Chen Jiuyang back to the Chen family's courtyard in Shushan, but Chen Jiuyang's status was now entirely different.
Chen Jiuyang smiled, "It's alright. Since Lord Kou has said so, I will bring my friends and family to see my new home."
"Please, Lord Kou, lead the way."
Kou Huazhou smiled, "It is my duty. Everyone, please follow me."
A grand mansion in Longjing, with eight courtyards and a history of several hundred years, appeared before Chen Jiuyang.
"This is the residence bestowed by the Dragon Country upon the top scholar. The furnishings inside are complete. Top scholar, please enter." Kou Huazhou said.
Chen Jiuyang nodded slowly, walked forward, and pushed open the grand gate. An atmosphere rich with history greeted him.
The decor was ancient and elegant, yet extraordinary everywhere, with carved beams and jade pillars, dragon eaves and phoenix pavilions. The splendor made one feel much happier.
Immediately, Yao Zixuan, Lin Yuexian, Ji Lengyue, Qiu Yihan, and others followed Chen Jiuyang into the mansion, and then came the head of the Chen family and the others.
The head of the Chen family sighed, "This mansion is wonderful."
Elder Han said, "The Martial Ranking matters have concluded. From now on, Jiuyang should redouble his efforts in cultivation and advance to the Heavenly Realm as soon as possible to officially assume his kingly duties."
The head of the Chen family said sternly, "Indeed, Jiuyang, you have won the Martial Ranking championship and now hold the title of the sixth king, but your cultivation is still at the fourth level of the Earth Realm. You must reach the peak of the sixth level of the Earth Realm soon. With the blessings of the Martial Ranking's destiny and the king's destiny, you should be able to break through to the Heavenly Realm without any obstruction."
"Next year, you will be participating in the Martial Ranking World Championship. If you do not have Heavenly Realm cultivation, it might be very difficult."
Elder Han said, "Next year is the Jiazi year, the battle of destiny. If our Dragon Country achieves great victory, our Dragon Country's martial arts world will flourish, and the secret realms will be opened. If we lose... the secret realms of our Dragon Country's martial arts world will be suppressed again..."
"Currently, all five kings achieved breakthroughs to the Heavenly Realm by following the Martial Ranking, receiving the King's Decree, and being blessed by destiny."
The key was the blessing of the Martial Ranking's destiny that enabled the breakthrough to the Heavenly Realm.
Chen Jiuyang smiled, "I am aware of all this. I have my own plans, so you don't need to worry too much."
"Family Head, the Martial Ranking matters are concluded. Tomorrow, we will pack up and leave Longjing."
"Longjing is good, but it is not my home."
Chen Jiuyang said vaguely.
He had come to Longjing for the Martial Ranking. Now that his mission was accomplished, he intended to retreat and return to his hometown.
The head of the Chen family pondered, "So soon?"
"...There are still matters in Fengcheng that need to be handled urgently."
The matter concerned the lives of Yao Zixuan's family and the great conspiracy in Fengcheng, which could not be delayed.
After saving Yun Tiancheng and his awakening, Chen Jiuyang thought this matter was no longer his concern. However, after the third king visited yesterday and he learned the truth, he could not stand idly by.
"Alright," the head of the Chen family thought for a moment. With his current status and identity, he had to listen to Chen Jiuyang's arrangements in certain matters.
Everyone moved into the Sixth King's mansion. Yao Zixuan, Lin Yuexian, Ji Lengyue, and Qiu Yihan, the four women, were the happiest and most delighted.
As night fell, Gong Luque paid a visit, "Congratulations, Brother Chen, for achieving the triple crown and securing the top scholar position. You will ascend to the throne of king soon!"
"There is a good show I would like to invite Brother Chen to watch."
Chen Jiuyang's eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a hint of killing intent. He smiled faintly, "Since that is the case, please lead the way, Brother Gong."