The two of them were already waiting before the great hall of the Imperial Palace.
As the top three finishers in the Qianyuan Prefecture competition, they would all receive additional rewards. They would be personally summoned by Emperor Xia and gifted precious treasures, but only the champion was qualified to enter the Dragon Transformation Pool.
Both of them had relied on their own opportunities and strength to achieve what they had, unlike Jiang Lan, who depended on the power and influence of his family.
Thus, when Jiang Lan arrived, the two of them simply greeted him with a calm and composed nod.
Jiang Lan, however, didn't mind. Many among the younger generation possessed a proud spirit and the heart of a would-be champion.
Even the young Celestial Prides from the clans and Immortal Sects that served the Prime Minister's Mansion and acknowledged him as their leader didn't do so out of genuine submission to his power. Deep down, they all harbored their own pride.
