The Five Dynasties Prodigy Competition, held every five years on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, rotated among the Five Dynasties.
This year, it was the Great Ming Dynasty's turn to host.
Due to the considerable distance, the Great Sui delegation departed on the first day of the third lunar month.
In reality, it would take only a month to reach Jinling, the capital of the Great Ming, from Daxing City by horse.
However, everyone wished to sightsee along the way, so they had set off early.
This delegation, comprising 200 individuals, included many who were venturing out for the first time.
Therefore, when Yang Hong proposed an early departure, almost everyone readily agreed.
The leader of the expedition was Yang Hong's uncle, Yang Ping, who held the title of Prince Zhong Shun.
He was originally only at the Grandmaster cultivation level. According to the initial royal arrangements, his path forward was cut off, and he was destined to leave the imperial city of Daxing and guard the frontiers.
However, thanks to Yang Hong's appearance and the special vegetables and potent wine that enhanced cultivation, Yang Ping was fortunate enough to break through and become a Grandmaster martial artist, revered by all.
Many other members of the Great Sui royal family had also achieved breakthroughs, but most remained in hiding.
Yang Ping, being of a suitable age, exactly forty-five this year, was assigned as the leader of this delegation.
However, this contingent of 200 people consisted only of members of the Great Sui imperial family and martial artists from non-sectarian backgrounds.
Martial artists from the various sects would depart in their own separate groups.
"Little Liu, thank you."
After the delegation set off, Yang Ping rode his horse to Yang Hong's side and said with sincere gratitude.
"Uncle Ping, you are too kind. Your nephew was merely indulging his cravings and did a little more farming."
Yang Hong replied with a humble smile.
Within the royal family, those with similar standing knew that the special plants and the invigorating wine of the Great Sui were Yang Hong's doing.
"Haha—Little Liu, you are truly humorous."
"I just have a fondness for such things."
The uncle and nephew chatted for a long time. It was only after everyone else had surpassed them that Yang Ping spoke in a low voice.
"Your Sixth Highness, do you have any interest in occupying that position?"
"Heh heh—Uncle Ping, if you had the time to visit the palace and see how my father lives, and how I live, you would never ask such a question."
Upon hearing Yang Hong's reply, Yang Ping's eyes lit up. Yang Hong was a prince of the cold palace, and his words implied dissatisfaction and a desire for the throne.
Yang Hong saw Yang Ping's face flush with excitement and knew he had been misunderstood.
"Uncle Ping, you might have misunderstood.
My father rises every day at the hour of the Rooster, has various state affairs to handle, and doesn't rest until the hour of the Rat.
What is the point of being an emperor who toils like that?"
Yang Hong used the word "every day" three times, emphasizing that he did not wish for such a life.
"Your Sixth Highness, if you dislike dealing with state affairs, I and some of your uncles can help you."
Hearing Yang Hong's answer, Yang Ping became even more interested.
"Heh heh, Uncle Ping, if you have such thoughts, you can directly approach my father. I believe he would very much like someone to help him."
"Heh heh, Your Sixth Highness is joking."
Yang Ping's expression stiffened, and a chill ran down his spine. He felt he was likely in for some trouble.
"Uncle Ping, trust me.
My father truly needs help.
Let me give you a hint."
At this point, Yang Hong glanced around to ensure no one was nearby before continuing.
"My father is already in the late stage of the Grandmaster realm. In the future, he might focus entirely on martial cultivation and gradually delegate court matters."
"Really?"
"Indeed!"
While Yang Ping was lost in thought, his expression shifting unpredictably, Yang Hong rode ahead.
He had not lied, but he had omitted the fact that Crown Prince Yang Yong had already begun learning to oversee state affairs.
Throughout the journey, the group rode their horses, encountering no foolhardy bandits, which denied the "female knight" Yang Zixuan, on her first outing, any opportunity to act.
However, the scenery in early spring was indeed beautiful, and the different customs of various regions greatly broadened the horizons of the young novices.
Unlike the young people who wandered aimlessly, Song Yuzhi and the girls from the Zhi Ruo Wang Wen Pavilion were purposefully purchasing specific supplies.
Yang Hong noticed something unusual.
After entering the Great Ming, the lives of the common people were significantly more arduous than those of the Great Sui.
Although high-yield crops had already been popularized among the populace here, the Great Ming's taxes were surprisingly high, even higher than before the Great Sui's tax reforms.
The common people here could eat to their fill, but their complexions lacked a certain vitality.
Simultaneously, there were many wealthy merchants in the Great Ming, and the wealth gap was considerably larger than in the Great Sui.
Yang Hong took the opportunity to educate Song Yuzhi and the others about policies such as tax reform, increasing commercial taxes, and consolidating land taxes.
These policies could be used in the plans he had devised for Song Yuzhi and her companions.
The journey was long, but the time for sightseeing was brief.
On the twenty-fifth day of the fourth lunar month, the Great Sui delegation arrived at the Great Ming's venue for the Prodigy Competition.
"Little girl, I see you have remarkable bone structure. Become my disciple."
Just as Yang Hong and his group entered the designated accommodation area for the Great Sui, before they could encounter any troublemakers, a cultivator descended before them, intending to take a disciple.
"Me? Us?"
The speaker was Jia Xichun. Now sixteen years old, Jia Xichun had already grown into a young woman.
Furthermore, under Jia Yuanchun's tutelage, she had already reached the fourth level of Foundation Establishment.
However, the cultivation she displayed was only at the Xiantian Grandmaster level.
"Indeed, it is you. I have detected a 'Painting Bone' constitution on you, which is very suitable for cultivation in my Danqing Sect."
An old woman with white hair smiled kindly at Jia Xichun.
Her gaze towards Jia Xichun was as if she were looking at a rare treasure.
"However, I am the Sixth Prince's palace maid and must serve the Sixth Prince."
Saying this, Jia Xichun looked at Yang Hong, her small face filled with innocence.
"The Sixth Prince? Is that you?"
The old woman looked at Yang Hong, her gaze calm, devoid of the usual arrogance of cultivators.
"This junior is Yang Hong, the Sixth Prince of the Great Sui Dynasty, and also a disciple of the Xiaoyao Pavilion. May I ask your esteemed name?"
Seeing that the old woman did not resort to pressure, Yang Hong cupped his hands in greeting.
"This old one is Ge Hongping, an Outer Elder of the sixth-rank Danqing Sect.
May I ask if young friend is willing to grant this maid her freedom?"
Ge Hongping's tone remained very gentle, which greatly impressed Yang Hong.
"It is Xi Chun's fortune to be favored by Senior. I am also very happy for her.
Xi Chun, you shall accompany this Senior to cultivate."
Yang Hong had already made preparations for them to leave and carry out their prearranged plans.
If they could join a sect now, it would be even better.
"Yes, this servant obeys."
"First, go bid farewell to your sisters."
Yang Hong asked Jia Xichun to bid farewell, but in reality, he was instructing Song Yuzhi to reiterate the mission to Jia Xichun.
With a glance, Song Yuzhi immediately understood.
Then, he turned back to Ge Hongping and politely asked,
"Senior, my maids are all quite capable. Would you like to take a look at them?"
"Then I shall take a look."
Ge Hongping actually took Yang Hong's polite offer seriously and selected Jia Tanchun, as well as the maids Miaomo and Ruhua.
Yang Hong was rendered speechless.
Next, Ge Hongping produced a communication talisman and sent a message to a friend.
Less than fifteen minutes later, another old man with a red nose arrived and selected the maids Qingwen and Shuyue.
Most outrageously, this red-nosed old man also called for his friends.
Within two hours, all the maids around Yang Hong had been selected.
Even Song Yuzhi, the primary consort's woman, was sought after by a cultivation sect.
Under Yang Hong's coordination, and after soliciting the opinions of Song Yuzhi and the others, according to the standard of three people per sect, a total of 75 women and girls from the Zhi Ruo Wang Wen Pavilion were distributed among 15 sects.
These 75 individuals had all been tempered by Yang Hong's Su Nu Gong true qi, guaranteeing their loyalty as [Shadow Phoenix].
Yang Ping and the others in the Great Sui delegation were all astounded by this.
Could it be that everyone around Yang Hong possessed cultivation talent?
How could they not have talent?
Among the 75 people, three were already at the Integration realm: Jia Yuanchun, Wang Xifeng, and You Daxiang.
The other 72 were all at the Foundation Establishment cultivation level.
They had also practiced the advanced breathing techniques taught by Yang Hong, with all their meridians unobstructed.
Such bodies were the best constitutions for cultivation. Even if their spiritual roots were lacking, they were still good seedlings for cultivation.
Although they had hidden their cultivation using the advanced breathing techniques, the condition of their meridians could not be completely concealed,
naturally attracting the eager competition from cultivators.
Later, a few more fifth and sixth-rank sects heard the news and wanted to poach disciples, but there were no longer any opportunities.
However, these individuals then turned their attention to the other members of the Great Sui delegation.
"Although this little doll's aptitude is a bit lacking, she is still a virgin. She should be trainable."
"This little girl's body is so sturdy, she's practically born for body refinement."
"Hmm—this one is also not bad."
Finally, a rather dramatic scene unfolded.
The Great Sui Dynasty's delegation, including Yang Hong, numbered 200 people. Before the Five Dynasties Prodigy Competition had even begun, 137 of them had already been earmarked.
Among them, 150 were members of the Yang family from the imperial family, and 131 of them were chosen.
This sight made other factions' eyes gleam with avarice.
Anyone, even a fool, could see that the Great Sui Yang family would be as stable as Mount Tai for the next several hundred, even thousand, years.
Upon learning of this situation, other dynasties, whether royal or martial, rushed to seek alliances with Yang Ping.
Yang Hong, while Song Yuzhi and the others had not yet departed, quickly met with them to finalize and refine their previous plans.