News of Song Zining’s breakthrough spread throughout the Empire like wildfire, eliciting a greater reaction than when Zhao Jundu had broken through. The commotion was perhaps even greater than when Qianye walked away unscathed from Frozen Jade Manor.

The Empire was in a resurgence lately, with numerous geniuses appearing from the younger generation. The accomplishment was much greater than the previous generation’s. Some of the major-clan scions who had been hidden as reserves progressed by leaps and bounds, so much so that they could now be placed on the stage. But no one would’ve imagined that the next to breakthrough after the twin stars was Song Zining.

The natural phenomenon produced by Worldly Prosperity was witnessed by tens of thousands of Imperial soldiers. His future was definitely boundless.

People in the Empire reacted differently—some jumped for joy and others sighed in admiration, but there were also people who fell deep in thought. However, everyone who recalled the Song clan—where it used to be and where it was now—felt the same resonating schadenfreude.

…

At the Highland Song Clan’s Enlightenment Manor, Duchess An’s old residence...