Equilibrium

Equilibrium...

On the platform, all eyes were fixated on Qin Wentian, who stood at its center. As for Chu Tianjiao, perched upon the Azure Dragon Jadeite Seat, his previously impassive countenance finally displayed a flicker of emotion before swiftly returning to normal. Even before Chu Tianjiao could officially announce the Jun Lin Banquet's rankings, the spectators had already started to disperse. This conclusion was evidently not one he had hoped for.

However, this turn of events did not diminish Qin Wentian's victory in the slightest. The influence of Sikong Mingyue, Xiāo Lǜ, the Ye Clan, and the Ou Clan had already faded, much like Chu Tianjiao himself.

Only those who had a close relationship with Qin Wentian, along with a handful of passionate spectators, remained, seemingly unable to get enough of the Jun Lin Banquet's captivating battles. Several individuals had even rushed onto the platform, crowding around Qin Wentian and creating an exuberant atmosphere.

However, amidst this enthusiasm, Qin Wentian remained remarkably composed. After witnessing Luo Tianya's overwhelming strength, the power of the Nine Mystical Palace, and the might of Gongyang Hong, an intense desire surged within him to become a peerless figure like them.

He harbored the belief that if he could reach the same realm as Gongyang Hong through his own efforts, Chu Tianjiao would undoubtedly come to offer his apologies personally.

Finally, Qin Wentian departed alongside the members of the Emperor Star Academy. The remaining spectators sighed as they slowly left the area.

A radiant smile graced Mo Qingcheng's incomparable countenance. Such a remarkable Jun Lin Banquet would be etched into her memory forever.

"Hey there," another figure appeared beside Mo Qingcheng. She rolled her eyes at the newcomer and chuckled, "Why have you come?"

"Your beloved has become the banquet's champion. I'm here to offer my congratulations, of course," Nolan teased with a mischievous glance at Mo Qingcheng.

Mo Qingcheng found herself taken aback, her face turning as red as a ripe cherry under the intense gaze of her clan members.

"You are so dead, Nolan," Mo Qingcheng muttered through gritted teeth. She extended her hands, attempting to land a palm strike on Nolan, who deftly dodged while laughing and retreating. Nolan continued her teasing, "But seriously, his performance exceeded my expectations. If you really like him, why not just marry him?"

Mo Qingcheng rolled her eyes in exasperation. "If you're so keen on getting married, why don't you marry him yourself?"

The playful banter between the two young women brought smiles to the faces of the other members of the Mo Clan.

In a different direction, Vice President Zuo Yin of the Star River Association wore a visibly disgruntled expression.

"Murin, oh Murin," Zuo Yin muttered with clear frustration. Murin, walking just behind him, kept his head lowered, concealing the cold glint in his eyes.

"Vice President Zuo, although Qin Wentian has undoubtedly showcased his abilities this time, doesn't the Emperor Star Academy's heightened interest in him also mean that he might be inadvertently inviting danger? Many might not allow him to develop freely," Murin carefully suggested, attempting to soothe Zuo Yin's anger.

"What does this have to do with your actions?" Zuo Yin glared at Murin. "If Qin Wentian had joined our Star River Association earlier, given his talents in both cultivation and Divine Inscriptions, it would have been a simple matter for me to help him rise through the ranks."

Murin suppressed a cynical laugh, silently cursing in his heart, "This old schemer wanted to use Qin Wentian as a stepping stone to advance his own interests. How ludicrous his plans are."

Of course, Murin never dared to voice his true thoughts. He remained a compliant yes-man, enduring Zuo Yin's onslaught of words while concealing his genuine sentiments deep within his heart.

The reactions to the Jun Lin Banquet weren't limited to the Mo Clan and the members of the Star River Association. The spectators who had left the Chu Emperor District now harbored a variety of thoughts and attitudes regarding the event.

For those who had placed bets with Heaven's Wonder, their wagers were at the forefront of their minds now that the Banquet had concluded.

The crowd surrounding Drunken Wonder had swelled as people sought to collect their winnings. However, Fatty didn't rush to claim his prize. Heaven's Wonder was a reputable establishment; his winnings were safe and wouldn't disappear. There was no need to jostle in the crowd. Plus, many had witnessed him betting on Qin Wentian, and he didn't want to risk losing his hard-earned spoils to thieves.

Immortal Drunken Wine and his young companion, on the other hand, paid little heed to the fuss outside. After securing their winnings, they returned to their humble wine hut. Although their spoils weren't visible, an interspatial ring adorned each of their fingers, clearly containing their accumulated wealth.

Immortal Drunken Wine pressed his lips to the rim of a wine cup, savoring the aroma as if he were reluctant to drink it.

"This wine is exquisite. Convincing the innkeeper to bring out such a fine vintage couldn't have been easy," Immortal Drunken Wine remarked with a smile. "But since you've made so much money, you should be the one treating me this time."

"What a brilliant idea," the young man chuckled. "I won't deny I made a fortune today, but with your 800 stones, we'll have enough wine to last us quite a while."

"All thanks to that young fellow, Qin Wentian," Immortal Drunken Wine mused with a shake of his head. He couldn't help but smile in amazement. Qin Wentian becoming the champion was a stunning twist he never saw coming.

"This time, he not only claimed the championship but also secured his father's release. I suppose you could call it a happy ending, right?" Immortal Drunken Wine took a small sip of his wine, genuinely pleased for Qin Wentian.

However, the young man sitting across from him shook his head with a bitter smile.

"What? Do you see it differently?" Immortal Drunken Wine asked curiously.

"You're oversimplifying things. It's not that straightforward," the young man sighed. "In reality, maintaining a delicate balance is the ideal situation. But once that equilibrium is disrupted, no one can predict what consequences will follow."

"Why do your words sound more bewildering than the ramblings of a drunkard?" Immortal Drunken Wine chuckled wryly.

"How could an outsider like you see the full picture? You're not familiar with the intricacies of trickery and politics, so naturally, you wouldn't grasp it," the young man muttered to himself. "The waters here run deep. Now that Qin Wentian has stirred them up, my younger brother won't simply accept it, and the other powerful clans won't be content either. When that happens, the balance will be shattered."

"Balance?" Immortal Drunken Wine appeared even more puzzled the longer he listened.

"Although the Chu royal bloodline may not be known for their kindness, do you truly believe they would go to such lengths to take action against a loyal subordinate? My younger brother, Chu Tianjiao, is a formidable individual; his patience isn't so limited," the young man said as he emptied his wine cup gloomily and stood to leave.

"Why do you think Chu hasn't completely eradicated the rebellion even after a year? It's not because the Chu Royal Clan is incapable, but because they don't want to wipe out the insurgents entirely. That's the balance, the delicate line," the young man explained.

As he slowly walked away, Immortal Drunken Wine remained stunned. He watched the young man's disappearing figure with a sense of realization dawning upon him.

A moment later, Immortal Drunken Wine let out a bitter laugh and muttered under his breath, "No wonder he chose to be the Unfettered Prince. A life filled with constant plots and schemes against one another, how dull would that be? Getting drunk is still the best option."

Qin Wentian had finally returned to the Emperor Star Academy.

In his courtyard, he found himself surrounded by Ren Qianxing, Mustang, and Luo Huan. Ren Qianxing let out a sigh and said, "Wentian, no one expected you to actually secure the first rank. Why didn't you drop some hints and allow the Emperor Star Academy to be better prepared? If there's a next time, please don't act so impulsively."

Qin Wentian chuckled, his expression wry. "I didn't anticipate that winning the Jun Lin Banquet would be so challenging, nor did I expect the Nine Mystical Palace to play dirty tricks. I was too young and couldn't see things clearly. After all, I'm only 17 years old, and my life experiences are limited."

Ren Qianxing smiled warmly. "Luckily, Senior Gongyang came to your aid, ensuring you made it through the ordeal unscathed."

"When would you like to explore the 7th level of the Heavenly Star Pavilion?" Ren Qianxing asked, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

Qin Wentian's eyes lit up at the mention of the legendary 7th level of the Heavenly Star Pavilion. "I'd like to go after my father is released tomorrow. The Heavenly Star Pavilion isn't going anywhere."

Ren Qianxing nodded in agreement. "Alright, I'll arrange for someone to accompany you. Given your current circumstances, we need to prioritize your safety."

Indeed, revealing his abilities had brought him into the spotlight, and Ren Qianxing knew that this newfound attention could also pose significant risks.

The situation in the Royal Capital was a tangled web of complexities, with hidden depths that few could fathom. From now on, as long as Qin Wentian remained outside the protective walls of the Emperor Star Academy, he would need vigilant protection.

"Indeed," Qin Wentian agreed. "The Nine Mystical Palace and the Royal Clan might not make overt moves against me, but who knows what schemes they'll hatch in the shadows? Moreover, there are other clans like the Ye and Ou Clan eyeing me like a tiger eyes its prey."

Just then, the distant sound of a crane's call reached their ears. Looking up, Ren Qianxing spotted a white crane approaching. A smile graced his face. "I'll take my leave now. Make sure to get some rest."

Ren Qianxing exchanged knowing glances with Mustang before departing.

Perched on the white crane were two women, none other than Mo Qingcheng and Nolan.

"Why are you here?" Qin Wentian greeted them with a smile.

Mo Qingcheng responded, "I thought you might have some free time now, so I wanted to come and congratulate you."

"Why don't you come down and sit with us?" Qin Wentian invited Mo Qingcheng.

Mo Qingcheng agreed, and both women gracefully dismounted from the crane. However, Nolan chimed in, "You, little scoundrel, should know that Qingcheng doesn't visit people on her own accord. Seize this opportunity, do you hear me?"

Qin Wentian blinked in bewilderment. Then, he saw Mo Qingcheng glaring at Nolan. "You were the one who told me to come!"

Nolan feigned innocence, looking up at the sky as if the conversation had never happened. "Huh? I don't recall saying anything like that."

Mo Qingcheng intervened, "Ignore her words." She glanced at Qin Wentian, and as their eyes locked, she blushed. Bashfulness danced in her gaze.

In the eyes of the Royal Capital's elite, Mo Qingcheng had always appeared aloof and indifferent. Given the ulterior motives of those who tried to get close to her, she had good reason to be cautious.

Despite her outward demeanor, Mo Qingcheng was, at heart, a simple and sincere girl. How could her emotions remain frigid in the face of Qin Wentian's intense gaze? Thus, the blush on her face was easily explained.

A hint of awkwardness hung in the air, with a subtle undercurrent of affection. Nolan, ever the troublemaker, couldn't resist teasing. "Do you two need me to make myself scarce?"

Mo Qingcheng was left utterly speechless. If she had foreseen this situation, she would never have brought Nolan along today.