Chapter 386 - 137: This Is Indeed the Fate of a Tool, Everything Is Ready, So Many Coincidences?

It seemed Xiao Teng’s injury wasn’t merely to his Divine Soul. Conventional treatments were ineffective, and his condition required further study. For now, he could only nourish his Divine Soul with Spirit Medicine.

Prince Zhenbei, Xiao He, was enraged, but there was nothing he could do except watch helplessly as Xiao Teng lay comatose in bed.

If Xiao Teng hadn’t sensed something amiss early last night and crushed the Jade Talisman, alerting the masters from Prince Zhenbei’s Mansion to rush over at once, he likely would have lost his life.

For such an incident to occur on the eve of the Southern Hunting drill naturally sent shockwaves of anger through the court.

Emperor Xia immediately dispatched numerous masters to investigate, determined to find the true culprit.

Many people suspected this was a show of force by the Blood Immortal Sect.

After all, a similar incident had occurred not long ago when the Blood Immortal Sect assassinated a group of young nobles in the Imperial Capital, though it wasn’t nearly as severe as this.

Presumably, Emperor Xia’s recent actions had angered the Blood Immortal Sect, prompting them to target Xiao Teng, the third son of the highly favored Prince Zhenbei.

For a time, an even greater sense of panic swept through the Imperial Capital as treacherous undercurrents surged.

The various Immortal Sect Lineages present to observe the ceremony reacted with a mix of emotions, their discussions fervent. Emperor Xia was furious, mobilizing numerous masters to conduct a city-wide search and ordering the use of tracking magic, vowing to unmask the culprit.

「In a secret chamber within Prince Chong’an’s mansion.」

The current Prince Chong’an, Chongzheng, sat upon a gilded dragon throne, his eyes lightly closed.

Unlike the attire he wore when he met Emperor Xia in the Imperial Palace, today he was dressed in a Five-Clawed Golden Dragon Robe. Its cuffs, collar, and lapels were all embroidered with True Dragons soaring into the clouds, lending him an imposing and majestic air. He possessed a commanding presence without any show of anger.

Behind him stood a silent old man, his figure seemingly cloaked in darkness.

’The third son of Prince Zhenbei... assassinated...’

’Heh, the heavens are truly on my side.’

After a long moment, Chongzheng opened his eyes. As they opened, wisps of golden light streamed out, seemingly wreathed in Dragon Energy.

Emperor Xia had summoned him, told him of her plans, and ordered him to station masters at Dust Landing Hall. She claimed the National Treasure was inside and that the other three halls were merely decoys to mislead everyone.

But Chongzheng had long seen through it. ’That’s just Emperor Xia’s cover story.’

The National Treasure Dragon-Suppressing Seal had always been in Changsheng Hall; it had never been moved.

’Moving the Dragon-Suppressing Seal would cause an enormous commotion. Emperor Xia knows that full well. A lie like that might fool some of the outer court officials, but not me.’ Chongzheng, after all, was counted among the Royal Family and Relatives. Moreover, he had long since planted his own eyes and ears within the Imperial Clan Court.

The current Emperor Xia had neither been recognized by the National Treasure nor been able to refine it.

Furthermore, no related ceremony had been held deep within the Imperial Palace these past few days. The venerable elders of the Imperial Clan Court hadn’t heard a single whisper.

All of this proved one thing: her claims were nothing but lies.

The true National Treasure Dragon-Suppressing Seal would be guarded by Prince Zhenbei’s two sons. The Forbidden Halls guarded by everyone else were merely a smokescreen, meant to draw the Blood Immortal Sect’s fire.

’I never expected the Blood Immortal Sect to approach me and propose a partnership.’

’Still, it’s an excellent plan. I’ve been wondering how to sever Emperor Xia’s arms.’

’She’s been on that throne for several years now. It’s my turn to have a seat...’

Ambition flickered in Chongzheng’s eyes. As Emperor Xia’s own maternal uncle, he was privy to many of the court’s secrets, including her two greatest.

First, Emperor Xia’s true name was Xia Junxi. She was not a man, but a woman who had been disguising herself as male all these years to maintain the court’s loyalty.

Second, Emperor Xia was unable to gain the recognition of the National Treasure Dragon-Suppressing Seal. Though the reason was unknown, it was an undeniable fact.

At present, she could only borrow the power of the National Treasure Dragon-Suppressing Seal to cultivate; she was fundamentally unable to complete its Refinement.

In a way, the National Treasure Dragon-Suppressing Seal was an artifact passed down through generations since Great Xia’s founding. It represented the supreme power and status of the Royal Family, its significance beyond measure.

To be recognized by the National Treasure was to be granted the divine right to rule.

And yet, Emperor Xia... could not gain the National Treasure’s recognition. She had been hiding this fact all along.

If word of this ever got out, it would cause an unimaginable uproar and sensation.

This was a major reason why Prince Chong’an, Chongzheng, had always coveted the throne.

He had always felt that the throne was, in effect, vacant. Emperor Xia might be the nominal ruler of Great Xia, but her true power was limited, and she lacked the recognition of the National Treasure. What right did she have to remain in that seat?

’So why couldn’t he, Chongzheng, fight for it?’

This Southern Hunting drill presented him with a heaven-sent opportunity. Both the Blood Immortal Sect and the Barbarian Race would become his pawns.

「In the blink of an eye, the day of the Southern Hunting drill arrived.」

Within the Qianyuan Cave Realm, the display of power was staggering. The Emperor set out, accompanied by all his officials, their mighty presence stretching for thousands of miles.

An image of a Divine Dragon, as vast and mighty as a great river or ocean, appeared faintly in the depths of the sky. Its Dragon Scales, whiskers, and horns were immense and lifelike, representing the fortune of the current Emperor.