Chapter 1817 - 163: Ji Minghao’s Purpose

At the gate of the Marquis Mansion.

The black and white rainbow light faded, and Jiang Ning’s figure had just landed.

A man leaning against a tree immediately opened his eyes and looked up.

Then, the man trembled and quickly stepped forward, bowing respectfully.

"Greetings, Prince!"

Jiang Ning glanced sideways. From the attire of the man waiting under the tree, he knew his identity as a palace inner guard.

"What is the matter?" he asked.

"Reporting to the Prince, the Holy Emperor has been at the Li River Palace since noon, waiting for the Prince and hasn’t left yet."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning paused slightly, turning his gaze to the inner guard: "The Holy Emperor is waiting for me at the Li River Palace?"

"Indeed." The inner guard quickly nodded, "Upon hearing of the Prince’s return, the Holy Emperor ordered me to wait at the Dongling Marquis Mansion and report immediately upon the Prince’s arrival. The Holy Emperor has been waiting at the Li River Palace for half a day; I hope the Prince will proceed without delay, lest the Holy Emperor waits too long."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning slightly nodded.

He glanced again at the Marquis Mansion before saying, "Wait a moment, I need to return to the mansion briefly!"

"Prince, the Holy Emperor has already been waiting for a long time!" The inner guard bowed again, with respectful tone.

"I know!" Jiang Ning nodded.

With those words.

He stepped forward, climbed the stairs, and knocked on the door of the Marquis Mansion.

"Young Master!!" Lv Yi’s eyes lit up instantly when opening the Marquis Mansion door and seeing Jiang Ning, "Young Master went to Five Mountains Prefecture for a visit, and returned so quickly!!"

Jiang Ning smiled, nodded, then entered over the threshold with the confectionery bought from the Sky City market in his hand.

Behind him, the bowing inner guard slowly straightened up.

Watching Jiang Ning’s back, his eyes flickered.

Not half a cup of tea’s time.

Jiang Ning reappeared before the inner guard.

"Let’s go!" he said.

"Prince, please get on the carriage!" The inner guard bowed.

"No need!" Jiang Ning shook his head, "There’s no need to keep the Holy Emperor waiting too long!"

With those words, his figure blurred and transformed into a streak of black and white rainbow light.

In just a moment, his figure disappeared from the inner guard’s sight.

"Drive the carriage to the gates of Li River Palace and wait there; I will go ahead first!" The inner guard looked in the direction Jiang Ning disappeared, then turned and instructed the coachman on the carriage.

With those words, he darted forward like a swift wind, heading towards Li River Palace.

"Yes, sir!" came the coachman’s voice accompanying the sound of the wind.

...

Li River Palace.

This palace, half damaged by the battle two days ago.

Now it is under urgent repair. From the outside, it seems unchanged from before, with no trace of the major destruction.

When Jiang Ning landed at the gate of Li River Palace.

He saw the palace gates lined with two rows of Imperial Guards in golden armor, holding long spears, standing solemnly on either side.

As Jiang Ning appeared, the rows of Imperial Guards momentarily stirred, then quickly calmed.

The commander stepped forward, kneeling on one knee, loudly saying: "Salutations, King Luoshui! The Holy Emperor has waited a long time in the main hall of the palace, allow me to escort the Prince inside."

Jiang Ning nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the Imperial Guards, inwardly nodding in approval.

This batch of Imperial Guards, uniformly Fourth Grade experts.

The leading figure was a Third Grade Grandmaster Realm individual.

"Lead the way!" he said.

"Yes, Prince!" The leading commander rose to answer, then led the way ahead.

Jiang Ning followed through the gates of the palace, guided along the stone-paved passageway.

Passing the threshold of the palace, walking a short distance.

He was secretly surprised.

Just outside the palace gate, he noticed that the previously damaged palace structure had been repaired, now looking renewed.

No traces of the major battle from two days prior.

From the exterior, no different from before.

Now entering the palace, he found that not only the exterior matched, but the internal main structure was nearly fully restored, with only slight signs remaining.

Along the way, craftsmen worked on the final repairs and polishing.

Walking within the palace, the image of the Heavenly Venerate from a few days ago surfaced in his mind.

Those two Heavenly Soldiers were the strongest adversaries he had ever faced.

If not for the environmental limitations, it was unclear how they could maintain top fighting strength; the outcome was uncertain in his heart.

For at their peak state, none of his attacks left a trace; all were futile.

Later, when damage was possible, it was due to the severe decline in the Heavenly Soldiers’ state.

But he understood, that was then.

Now, he was different.

The two Heavenly Soldiers, cast from mysterious metal, were all devoured and refined by him.

In just two days, his strength soared dramatically.

Now, facing them again, even in their peak state, he had the confidence and foundation for a frontal clash, possibly even defeating them.

Now, he actually wished for another encounter from two days ago.

The two Heavenly Soldiers could provide him with over a thousand source points of accumulation.

As these thoughts filled his mind, under the commander’s lead, he passed through layers of architecture, with soaring eaves and high gables.

Soon, the guard commander halted before a grand hall, moved aside, bowing: "Prince, the Holy Emperor awaits inside."

Jiang Ning nodded, then stepped over the high threshold.

Entering the hall, he saw traces of renovations inside.

The ground was relaid with black bricks, gleaming faintly, several bronze lamps stood in the corners, the flames flickering, brightening the grand hall further.