At Apricot Blossom Restaurant.
Everyone on Xu clan's side was filled with panic.
No one expected the Royal Guard to appear, let alone arrest Xu An on the spot.
Most people here were terrified of the Royal Guard—but that didn't include Yang Cheng.
"Chen Yu."
Yang Cheng spoke casually.
The Royal Guard were nothing more than dogs raised by the imperial family.
How could he possibly fear them?
"Your Highness, this servant is here."
Chen Yu's cold and sharp demeanor vanished in an instant. He smiled broadly. "Just now I was carrying out the Emperor's orders and failed to greet Your Highness properly. I hope Your Highness can forgive me."
Yang Cheng didn't mind and asked, "I'd like to know, what exactly is Minister Xu's crime?"
Chen Yu respectfully replied, "Minister Xu is a true beast in a scholar's robe. He pretends to be righteous, but behind the scenes, he's done all kinds of evil."
"He's taken bribes, stolen his subordinates' wives, and most importantly, he cut corners during the Sui River dam project and grossly neglected his duties."
"After the dam burst, afraid of being exposed, he murdered all those who knew the truth to silence them."
"His crimes are simply beyond count."
Those outside who had been indignant over the Royal Guard arresting Xu An now looked stunned. Their expressions changed completely, and their gazes toward Xu An turned to disgust.
"I see."
Yang Cheng walked up to Xu An and smiled. "Minister Xu, just earlier you were lecturing me with such righteousness, full of moral speeches and upright fury."
"Turns out, you're the real monster here. A criminal of the worst kind, without a shred of decency."
"Now what did the historians call people like you..."
He tapped his chin, pretending to think.
Zheng Guanbao eagerly chimed in, "Your Highness, it's 'hypocrite.'"
"That's right. Guanbao, you're quite the scholar."
Yang Cheng chuckled. "Minister Xu, you're the perfect example of a hypocrite. A Buddha-faced snake-hearted man, sweet on the tongue but with a dagger hidden. Just looking at you sends chills down the spine."
Xu An's face turned dark with rage.
But Yang Cheng quickly lost interest. He waved his hand. "Alright, Chen Yu, take him away. He's stinking up the place."
"Yes, Your Highness. I'll escort Minister Xu back to report to His Majesty immediately."
With Xu An taken away by the Royal Guard, the whole mood inside Apricot Blossom Restaurant shifted.
"Xu Yanci, didn't you say your father's virtue was praised by all?" one of Yang Cheng's Tiger Generals sneered.
Xu Yanci's face burned with shame. Fear flooded his chest.
"Throw them out."
Yang Cheng said proudly.
His Tiger Generals didn't hold back. They immediately tossed Yang Xiu, Xu Yanci, and the rest straight out the window.
"Here and now, I declare this battle a sweeping victory!"
Yang Cheng announced.
The room went quiet—then erupted in cheers.
"Long live the Crown Prince!"
"Victory!"
The morale among the group of kids soared.
[Unbelievable. Among the host's generals, aside from Shen Muxue and Tang Xingyu, the strongest cultivation is only Martial Sovereign.]
[Yang Xiu's side, on the other hand, had nearly half their number at the Martial True God realm—a crushing advantage.]
[Yet the host's side achieved a total victory.]
[From this moment on, Yang Xiu's foundation in Great Zhou has been completely shaken. The host and his Tiger Generals now command fear throughout the Wasteland Realm and fame across the heavens.]
[Congratulations. Host has obtained the Sacred Battle Technique.]
"Claim."
A flood of information surged into Yang Cheng's mind.
It was a hammer technique, but its combat mechanics could fuse with any martial art.
In short, this technique was born purely for battle.
Time flew.
As the third birthday banquet drew closer, Fengtian City grew more and more lively.
This time, the royal family was hosting a shared banquet for both Yang Cheng and Yang Xiu, and had sent invitations to all major clans across Great Zhou and the nations of the Eastern Wastes.
It was destined to be an unprecedented event.
In the Great Zhao Empire.
Nangong Yi sat cross-legged in a deep cave beneath a seaside island.
Beside him lay a skeleton.
Buzz!
Suddenly, Nangong Yi opened his eyes.
A terrifying aura erupted from his body.
It was the sixth level of Martial Grandmaster!
"Hahaha!"
Nangong Yi burst out laughing.
One year ago, he had been seriously wounded by Yang Cheng and had to use the Other Shore's secret art, Yellow Springs Guide, which damaged his foundation.
But now, all of that was no longer a problem.
Guided by Lu Jingshu, he had come to this place and gained the memories of a Sword God, along with fragments of that god's remaining power.
Over the past year, he had completely absorbed the Sword God's strength and skyrocketed to sixth-level Martial Grandmaster.
On top of that, thanks to gaining the memories of a Pill God, his mastery of the Sword Dao had not only entered the beginner level—it had reached minor achievement.
That's right.
Not minor achievement in sword techniques—but in the Sword Dao itself.
The difference between minor achievement in sword techniques and minor achievement in the Sword Dao was massive. It spanned major achievement in sword techniques, perfection, and then entry into the Sword Dao.
In other words, he had leapt across three major stages of sword cultivation.
If he had followed a normal path, even 30 years might not have brought such progress.
"Yang Cheng, Yang Xiu, Leng Qianyu, Kongxing—you got the sword talismans, so what? I, Nangong Yi, didn't get one, yet I've still surpassed you."
Not only had Nangong Yi regained his confidence, but he had never felt this strong.
Soon after, he returned to the Great Zhao Empire.
At Other Shore Divine Mountain—
"Well well, isn't this the Divine Son himself?"
A 15-year-old boy looked at Nangong Yi with a mocking smile.
He was Duan Yue, the second most talented cultivator in the Other Shore Divine Sect, second only to Nangong Yi.
Until now, Nangong Yi had always overshadowed everyone.
But a year ago, Nangong Yi failed at the Eastern Wastes Tower. Not only did he fail to obtain the sword talisman, but his cultivation foundation was damaged too.
That was when Duan Yue began plotting, thinking he had a chance to take Nangong Yi's title of Divine Son.
Nangong Yi's expression stayed calm. "Duan Yue, you've got some nerve to talk to me like that."
"You're still using that arrogant tone? Nangong Yi, do you really think you're still the same as before?"
Duan Yue sneered. "With your foundation ruined, your title as Divine Son won't last. I bet even you know that. That's why you've been hiding this whole year.
But you can't hide forever. The truth catches up eventually. Judging from your return, I'd say you realize that too."
All around them, disciples of the Bian'an Divine Sect were watching.
These people used to treat Nangong Yi with the utmost respect. But now, none of them said a word.
"A frog in a well dares to guess the movements of a dragon."
Nangong Yi didn't waste time talking. He struck first.
He had no need for empty words. The fastest way to shut them up was to crush Duan Yue.
"Bring it on. Let me see how much strength you've got left."
Duan Yue laughed, meeting the attack head-on.
But the next moment—
Boom!
With a single palm, Nangong Yi sent Duan Yue flying into a deep crater.
Silence fell.
"Pathetic."
Nangong Yi calmly retracted his hand.
"Martial Grandmaster? You actually broke through to Martial Grandmaster?! How is that possible?!"
Duan Yue screamed, completely stunned.
"Men, Duan Yue insulted the Divine Son. Lock him in the dungeon. He's not to come out for three years."
Nangong Yi ordered coldly.
Then he turned and left, leaving Duan Yue for the others to handle.
He knew that once the sect saw his value, they'd know how to deal with Duan Yue properly.
Immediately, the surrounding disciples surged forward, eager to gather around Nangong Yi again.
"Anything happen in Great Zhou lately?"
Nangong Yi asked.
He cared so much about Great Zhou because of Yang Cheng and Yang Xiu.
"Divine Son, yes!"
Someone quickly replied, "Great Zhou is about to host a third birthday banquet for the Crown Prince and Sixth Prince. They've already sent an invitation to our Bian'an Divine Sect."
"Oh? Perfect. I'll represent the sect at the event."
Nangong Yi's eyes gleamed with sharp light.
He had been planning to meet Yang Cheng and Yang Xiu again, and now this invitation gave him the perfect opportunity.
In the Skyfeather Empire—
At Taoshan.
A deep, bottomless abyss.
Buzz!
Suddenly, an overwhelming aura burst from the abyss and shot into the sky.
High above, a massive hammer swept out across the heavens.
"What's that?!"
Many on Taoshan looked up in shock.
"It's the Vast Heaven Hammer!"
"That's Tian Congxuan's Dao body divine weapon!"
"What terrifying power! He really broke through to Martial King!"
A wave of startled cries swept through the crowd.
Tian Congxuan possessed the Vast Heaven Dao Body. He was born able to form a Vast Heaven Hammer, known for its destructive power.
Back when he was three, he was tested and found to have the Golden Thread Orchid Dao Body.
Though technically a Dao Body, it was the weakest and most useless of them all—practically worthless.
But two years later, when he turned five, Tian Congxuan awakened a second Dao Body.
The Vast Heaven Dao Body.
From that moment on, he began a path of absolute dominance.
Now, at only fourteen, Tian Congxuan had become a Martial King!
Such talent overshadowed all so-called prodigies.
As soon as he emerged from seclusion, even the highest elders of Taoshan came out to greet him.
But he didn't care about any of that.
"Any news about the Crown Prince of Great Zhou?"
He asked directly.
A year ago, he'd learned that Baili Guan had been killed by Great Zhou's Crown Prince.
At the time, he swore that the Crown Prince would pay for it.
But because he was still in seclusion, he hadn't been able to act. So he had to let the Crown Prince enjoy another year of peace.
Now that he was out—it was time to settle the score.
"Lord Tian Congxuan, the Crown Prince of Great Zhou is about to turn three. The Great Zhou Empire is holding a birthday banquet for him and sent us an invitation."
An elder reported.
"Good. Give it to me."
Tian Congxuan said.
At the same time, from the Extreme North Ice Palace, the Great Buddha Temple of Kunlun, the Jade Zither Pavilion of Wutong Island, and many other sects and forces—people were emerging from seclusion.
Each held an invitation in hand and made their way to Great Zhou's Fengtian City.
Outside Fengtian City—
"Senior sister, the Crown Prince of Great Zhou has unmatched talent in the Zither Dao. I saw it with my own eyes—it's not just some baseless rumor."
Lu Yun said earnestly.
"Pfft, Lu Yun, you're seriously funny."
A 12-year-old girl beside her rolled her eyes. "When it comes to zither talent, who in the world can compare with our senior sister?"
"Exactly. Why do you have to boost someone else while putting yourself down?"
"The Crown Prince is only three. Yet you're hyping up his zither skills? You must be out of your mind."
The other disciples of Jade Zither Pavilion all chimed in mockingly.
Among them, only one 13-year-old girl stayed silent.
She was young, yet already the Pavilion's senior sister.
Because she was born with the 'Spiritual Resonance Zither Heart.'
While the others spoke, her expression never changed.
Clearly, she didn't take Lu Yun's words seriously at all.
In the path of the zither, her world had only ever included herself.
Her only rival—was herself.