335: My brother-in-law is number one.

Lu Qianqian nodded hurriedly in response: "Senior, in this Trial, I ranked fifth, and my brother-in-law... that is, Feng Ming, ranked first!"

"Oh?" The old man looked at Feng Ming with interest upon hearing this. "Truly, heroes emerge from among the youth."

From the conversation, Feng Ming now guessed the old man's identity. This should be the most accomplished Disciple from the Sect's legends who ventured out.

He had heard that after being conferred a title, this person stayed in the Imperial Capital. However, Feng Ming had previously only treated it as an inspirational story, never imagining that such a person truly existed.

Lu Qianqian also quietly told Feng Ming that the person before them was surnamed Gan, with the given name Lei.

This aligned perfectly with Feng Ming's guess about the person.

Clearly, he had guessed correctly.

Feng Ming was somewhat surprised. Not only had he met this inspirational figure, but Lu Qianqian also possessed a token that could contact him.

From this perspective, when they went to Liangzhou City to participate in the Trial, the Sect Master of the Lingxiao Sect had already anticipated this and foreseen this step.

At this moment, Gan Lei also looked at Feng Ming and spoke, "To take first place, it seems you have some skill, kid!"

"But you sought me out—do you have something you need my help with?"

As soon as these words were spoken, two pairs of eyes simultaneously turned to Lu Qianqian. She was the one who had brought this person here, and Feng Ming was also very curious about why she had sought him out.

Lu Qianqian did not hesitate and spoke directly: "Senior Gan, to be honest, I wish to ask you to help me stay in the Imperial Capital!"

"Stay in the Imperial Capital? Why?" Gan Lei asked, his face full of curiosity upon hearing this.

Feng Ming, however, was utterly bewildered. What? Stay in the Imperial Capital? What's going on!

This girl was determined to become an official in the Court, which Feng Ming could understand, but why stay in the Imperial Capital?

It must be known that even for those entering Court service, staying in the Imperial Capital and being assigned to Various Provinces are different.

Being assigned to other provinces is undoubtedly the easiest—far from the emperor, where even King Haoyue cannot reach.

But staying in the Imperial Capital is entirely different. The capital is crowded with people and affairs, and someone as simple as Lu Qianqian might struggle to cope.

Sure enough, Gan Lei also noticed this point and said, "Girl, have you thought this through? The waters of the Imperial Capital are deep, like a massive vortex. If you stay, I fear you might be swallowed up."

Lu Qianqian nodded and spoke solemnly: "Senior, I have considered it. I am not afraid. Moreover, I have another request—I beg you to take me as your Disciple. I wish to enter the Tianxuan Division!"

"The Tianxuan Division is not involved in regular duties; it only monitors the Officials of the Imperial Capital for King Haoyue, without needing to show favor to anyone. If I can enter the Tianxuan Division, I can naturally stay out of the capital's turbulent currents and focus on improving my own strength!"

Upon hearing this, Gan Lei suddenly understood: "That is indeed a good choice. The Imperial Capital has richer resources and more opportunities! This is why many Cultivators wish to establish themselves here!"

"As the Chief of the Tianxuan Division, your request is not excessive or difficult—it's just a matter of a single word. However, I advise you to think carefully, because once you enter the Tianxuan Division, you will have no time to return home."

"This process is very lonely and isolating. Can you truly endure it?"

After hearing this, Lu Qianqian glanced at Feng Ming beside her. Feng Ming frowned slightly, unsure of what to say.

He had not expected that Lu Qianqian's purpose in meeting Gan Lei this time was to stay in the Imperial Capital.

At this moment, his feelings were also complex—unsure whether to be happy or distressed. According to the System's standards, Lu Qianqian counted as his wife.

Even Feng Ming had feelings for her. He understood this girl's feelings for him, but he couldn't get past the hurdle of Lu An'an in his heart.

Feng Ming thought that given enough time, something might develop between him and Lu Qianqian. But now, Lu Qianqian had chosen to stay in the Imperial Capital. In the future, not only would cultivating feelings be difficult, but even meeting would be hard.

As Feng Ming was pondering, Lu Qianqian spoke up: "Brother-in-law, what about you? Will you stay?"

Before Feng Ming could respond after hearing this, Gan Lei beside them spoke first:

"If you want to stay, I have no objection and can help you stay. But him..."

"I cannot let him stay in the Imperial Capital."

Lu Qianqian and Feng Ming were stunned. Lu Qianqian asked, "Why?"

Feng Ming was also puzzled and hurriedly asked: "Senior, you just said you had heard of my name, and now you say you cannot let me stay. Could it be that you know some inside information about this conferment?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Qianqian also looked at Gan Lei.

Gan Lei laughed: "As expected of the first-place winner of the Liangzhou Trial, your mind works quickly. Indeed, I do know some inside information. Not just you—even the positions for the top ten of the Liangzhou Trial have already been determined. I do know, but Xiao Qian's position is not very important, so I can arrange for her to stay without issue..."

"But your position—unless King Haoyue personally speaks, no one can change your assignment!"

"Senior, what exactly is brother-in-law's position?" Lu Qianqian hurriedly asked.

But Gan Lei shook his head: "I know, but I cannot say!"

"But didn't you say the position is already determined?" Lu Qianqian asked, confused.

Gan Lei smiled: "Little girl, you don't understand. You'll realize later. The positions are determined, but revealing some information isn't for the involved parties to know—it's for certain people in the Court to know."

"According to the rules, before the Conferment Day, no one dares to reveal positions outside the Palace. Those who know now are people with status within the Palace! Once it leaks beyond the Palace walls, it's a beheading offense!"

Lu Qianqian nodded; she understood this principle. "Senior, I can understand you not saying. But brother-in-law is, after all, first place. His position must be quite good, right?"

After hearing this, Gan Lei seemed thoughtful. He looked at Feng Ming and said: "I cannot say too much. I can only say that your position is definitely not as simple as you imagine!"

As he spoke, Gan Lei waved his hand, and a Formation appeared out of thin air, enveloping the three of them.

Seeing Gan Lei being so cautious, Feng Ming grew even more curious about what position he had been conferred.

Gan Lei said: "The reason I say Feng Ming's position is not so simple is because his position will most likely involve him in the Succession Struggle!"

"Succession Struggle?" Feng Ming was stunned upon hearing this. Damn, he just wanted to get an official position to go back and show off.

He never expected King Haoyue would want him to stay for the succession struggle?

Gan Lei said: "But don't be nervous. For now, it's hard to judge whether your position is good or bad. In fact, on the surface, it seems quite insignificant."

"But only those at the core of power can perceive how hot this position is—not the Eye of the Storm, yet worse than the Eye of the Storm!"

Hearing this, Feng Ming grew even more puzzled and helpless. "Senior, really, can't you reveal what position it is? I have no interest in the Princes' Succession Struggle!"

But Gan Lei waved his hand: "No, no. But don't worry. As a Fellow Townsman, I will also point you in the right direction."

Upon hearing this, Feng Ming quickly stood up and bowed: "Please, Senior, guide me out of this confusion."

Gan Lei did not mince words and spoke: "To guide you, I must first explain the current situation. How much do you know about the Imperial Capital's circumstances?"

This question made Feng Ming extremely embarrassed. He scratched his head: "I'm ashamed. I thought I was just here for the conferment and never considered staying, so I haven't looked into the Imperial Capital's situation."

Gan Lei nodded: "It's fine. It's not too late for me to analyze it for you now!"