```

"I've changed my mind," Crown Prince Jiang Qun declared composedly, not feeling an ounce of shame in his words.

What do you mean I want to be emperor? Who heard that? Is there proof?

"Hey, I've taught you since you were little to keep your word and be trustworthy; have you forgotten that?" Emperor Xia became agitated. It had not been easy to coax an admission out of him, and was revoking one's word something so easily done?

Jiang Qun looked incredulously at his imperial father. Where was your honesty and trustworthiness when you pretended to be sick just now?

"Your regret is useless; I've recorded it all with the Recording Orb," Emperor Xia, knowing what his eldest son was like, had made thorough preparations.

Just honestly be the emperor, will you?

"I have no shame!" insisted Jiang Qun, stubborn as a pig unafraid of boiling water, a stark contrast to the graceful image he presented to the outside world.

Father and son glared at each other, like two fighting cocks, neither willing to back down.

In the end, it was Emperor Xia who couldn't hold out and conceded first.

He let out a long sigh and said, "Look at you; every family clamors for the throne, but why do you stubbornly refuse to take it?"

"Once you inherit the throne, not only will you reign over the Central Continent, but you'll also become the vessel of the State Destiny. You know the magical benefits of the State Destiny, and how it aids in cultivation."

Jiang Qun also spoke his mind, "Father, you know best how restrictive it is to sit on the throne. Let's not talk about anything else; can you roam around incognito all day like me?"

"Cultivators desire freedom. If I take the throne and become unfree, even with the aid of the State Destiny, if my Mind State falls, how will I be able to continue cultivating?"

"Hmm? Father, why do you have that expression on your face? As a cultivator, have you not even grasped such simple truths?"

Emperor Xia: "..."

𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Don't think that having a higher cultivation talent than your father makes you impressive.

"And about that elder in the forbidden land, I don't know his identity, but I reckon he must have sat on the throne before. Why do you think he abdicated? Certainly, he must have felt uncomfortable too?"

"How about this? You pick someone you like as your successor. I think the Second, Fourth, and Fifth Princes all have the aspiration. They can inherit the throne, and I'll help them to ensure they make no mistakes."

Emperor Xia became irate: "Nonsense, our family hasn't had such a precedent in a hundred thousand years."

"If there's nothing else, Father, I'll take my leave. You just focus on resting and recovering," Jiang Qun said, about to make his exit.

"Hold on," Emperor Xia suddenly had an idea and called out to Jiang Qun.

Jiang Qun reluctantly came back, his hands tucked into his sleeves, and respectfully asked, "What is it?"

"Didn't you say before, when you went among the people incognito and faced injustice, revealing your identity felt especially satisfying?"

Jiang Qun hesitated briefly before telling the truth: "...Yes."

"So, you know all about my habits. Why don't you take on my appearance and handle some state affairs for a few days, while I go out and have some fun?"

Jiang Qun stared at his father in shock, Father, are you even listening to yourself?

Emperor Xia felt his son was right, for cultivators the most important thing is to live freely: "I don't have many days left, can't I enjoy life a bit? As my eldest son and helping your father with his worries, is there any problem?"

"By your command." Since his father had put it that way, Jiang Qun had no choice but to comply.

"Come here, sit down here," Emperor Xia quickly made room, pushing his eldest son onto the throne while he went to the imperial treasury to look for treasures that could hide his identity.

```

Emperor Xia's cultivation level was average, only at the Divinity Transformation Stage. Relaying solely on his own tricks to disguise himself made it quite easy for him to be recognized, but it didn't matter. His methods might have been lacking, but the national treasury was full of means to hide one's identity.

Prince Jiang Qun watched his father's retreating figure, even from the silhouette he could sense his father's joy, as if he had finally been liberated from the throne.

He sighed, feeling that the throne was not at all comfortable, cold and chilling to the heart.

"How come this chair doesn't even have a cushion?"

"And how come after my father sat for so long, it hasn't even warmed up?"

…

Perhaps the news of the Second Prince's banquet for Lu Yang had been spread by someone with an agenda, or maybe the other princes could no longer contain their impatience. Since Fairy Eternity had left the Second Prince's company, she had been receiving gifts from the Fourth and Fifth Princes every day.

Although Lu Yang's wishes couldn't completely determine the outcome, they could play a significant role in the succession of the throne.

Everyone wanted to win over this heavyweight chip.

Fairy Eternity was completely unaware of her own importance and did not care why people sent her gifts, graciously accepting everything as it came.

She used the gifts to help Lu Yang with his cultivation. His sleep quality had improved greatly compared to before, while he himself was competing with the Invincible Nascent Soul in the Spiritual Space.

"One Sword Becomes Ten Thousand!"

Lu Yang shouted, and in the expanse of his Spiritual Space appeared densely packed blades, striking fear into those who saw them.

The Invincible Nascent Soul also performed One Sword Becomes Ten Thousand, with sword Qi turning into tangible blades emerging from the ground.

Both the person and the nascent soul executed their moves at the same time, tens of thousands of blades collided, sparks flew, and the killing intent reached the heavens.

Then Lu Yang and the Invincible Nascent Soul both performed the Village in the Palm. Their palms clashed, thundering like the roar of thunder.

After executing two major moves in succession, Lu Yang was short on spiritual essence. Just as he was catching his breath, the Invincible Nascent Soul charged aggressively and knocked him away.

"Stop, stop, stop, let's not fight anymore." Realizing the Invincible Nascent Soul wanted to continue, Lu Yang hurriedly called a halt.

His total amount of spiritual essence was equal to that of the Invincible Nascent Soul, yet after executing both moves, the latter still had energy to spare. This meant that the Invincible Nascent Soul had used its spiritual essence more efficiently in constructing the moves, without any waste, and this was something he needed to learn.

"Do it again, let me watch."

Lu Yang, by Fairy Eternity's decree, could command the Invincible Nascent Soul at will, not only allowing it to spar with him but also to repeat certain moves for him to observe.

This greatly accelerated Lu Yang's cultivation progress.

"Eh, the Jiang Family's fourth son is inviting this fairy over." One day, as Fairy Eternity was receiving gifts as usual, she found an invitation among them. The Fourth Prince's tone in the letter was full of boldness, expressing his wish for Lu Yang to visit his residence, to fulfill the duties of a host.

Lu Yang had heard that this Fourth Prince had a strong rivers and lakes essence, loved making friends, and didn't care about the status of his friends, mingling with people of all kinds.

Lu Yang hadn't paid much attention to this before, but ever since Master Meng mentioned that the Fourth Prince also had ambitions for the throne, he began to ponder the Fourth Prince's purpose.

Being friends with people from all walks of life, in other words, the Fourth Prince's informants were spread everywhere, a terrifying intelligence network, likely even more meticulous than the information Elder Brother Dai had.

Lu Yang reflected that the Fourth Prince must have felt his gifts were enough to establish rapport, and only then did he send the invitation.

"Fairy, will you go?"

"Let's go." Fairy Eternity had quite enjoyed herself the last time she visited the home of the Second Prince.