That afternoon, Wang Chen walked home in an excellent mood. He hadn't expected that today's visit to Baibao Tower would yield such a great reward—he had unexpectedly obtained news about the Gold of Life.
However, Wang Chen believed this was something he deserved. As the saying goes, opportunities favor the prepared.
Every time he visited Baibao Tower, he would use his VIP access to check the Sun Moon Empire's latest information. Even if he hadn't come today, he would have returned in a few days or next week. Sooner or later, he would have learned this news. This was heaven's reward for the diligent.
Carrying this cheerful mood, Wang Chen soon returned to the Wang family estate. His first order of business upon arrival was to meet with the clan patriarch, Wang Yan.
Not for any particular reason—just to report on the task he had been given. Although Wang Chen believed in his heart that Wang Yan didn't care much about the task at all, as the one assigned to carry it out, he still had to appear diligent and responsible.
No matter how half-heartedly he had actually done it, when reporting he had to make it sound good. After all, Wang Yan spent his days lounging in his chair; it's not like he'd personally confirm the details with Jing Hongchen, right?
Clan Hall.
Wang Chen clasped his hands and bowed.
"Grandfather, this grandson greets you. The task you assigned me… I failed to complete it. Please punish me."
Wang Yan, reclining lazily in his chair, tapped the armrest with his finger and asked casually, "Speak. What happened?"
Seeing that Wang Yan wasn't angry or impatient, Wang Chen grew more certain of his guess—Wang Yan clearly didn't care about the task.
Confirming that, Wang Chen began his performance with confidence.
With a pitiful expression, he said,
"Grandfather, this grandson intended to visit Meng Hongchen today to strengthen our relationship. But before I even entered the Hongchen Clan's territory, I was stopped by their guards.
They wouldn't allow me in to meet her at all… This grandson tried every possible method, but nothing worked."
As Wang Yan listened, his expression didn't change much—just a look that said as expected, as though he had foreseen this outcome.
And indeed, he had. Jing Hongchen had long been wary of such schemes, cutting off any chance for outsiders with ulterior motives to approach his granddaughter.
To Wang Yan, this kind of crude tactic was useless. Did anyone really think an old fox like Jing Hongchen could be fooled so easily? If he were that stupid, how could he have reached his current status or level of power?
If not for the Second Prince's personal interest in the matter, Wang Yan wouldn't even have bothered to instruct Wang Chen to approach Meng Hongchen. Such childish ploys were laughable—enough to make the old foxes of the court sneer.
Wang Yan said, "Enough. Since the Hongchen Clan has refused visitors, you don't need to go again. Return and focus on your cultivation."
"Yes, Grandfather. This grandson takes his leave."
Wang Chen bowed, then slowly backed out of the hall and made his way home.
——————————
Meanwhile, in a luxurious garden on the outskirts of Mingdu.
The garden covered more than a hundred acres. From the outside, it looked grand and imposing, but within, it was full of charm—arched bridges over flowing water, pavilions and towers, a refined air of classical beauty.
Exotic flowers and rare plants filled the area, and under the sunlight, a hazy mist rose, adding an ethereal, almost celestial quality to the place.
At the center of the garden, inside an elegant pavilion, two young men sat facing each other.
One appeared to be about twenty years old, the other around eighteen.
The slightly older man wore a long crimson brocade robe embroidered with eight vivid purple flood dragons. Though not particularly handsome, his eyes were sharp and full of the authority of one born to rule.
The younger man resembled him somewhat and wore the same style of robe—except his was blue, and the dragons upon it were silver. His whole bearing exuded nobility.
These two were none other than Crown Prince Xu Tiannan and the Third Prince Xu Tianshi.
Behind each of them stood a powerful expert with deep, restrained auras, making the atmosphere thick and heavy.
In this tense stillness, Xu Tiannan remained calm, composedly lifting his teacup to take a sip, moistening his throat.
Then he smiled faintly and said, "Third Brother, ever since Father became Emperor, we brothers have hardly sat down together to drink tea. Moments like this make me quite nostalgic."
Xu Tianshi eyed him warily, then snorted coldly.
"If you have something to say, say it. Don't tell me you secretly asked me here just for tea. If that's the case, I'm leaving."
He knew very well how things stood between them. The princes had fought openly and secretly countless times for the position of Crown Prince. Whoever eventually ascended the throne—none of the others would be allowed to live comfortably.
And as for Xu Tiannan's nature—did he, as a brother, not know it well? Though he appeared upright and magnanimous, he was in truth cunning, calculating, and ruthless. One had to stay alert at all times, lest they walk into his trap without realizing it.
Seeing his brother's bluntness, Xu Tiannan didn't bother with pretense. He got straight to the point.
"Third Brother, the reason I asked you here today is because I want us to work together."
Xu Tianshi frowned in suspicion. "Work together?"
Xu Tiannan nodded. "That's right—cooperate. Together, we'll deal with Second Brother."
His expression grew serious. "Second Brother recently gained the full support of the Marquis Wang family. His power now far surpasses ours.
If this continues, more and more will flock to him. When that happens, the position of Crown Prince will be his.
Surely, Third Brother, you don't want Second Brother to become the Crown Prince, do you?"
At these words, Xu Tianshi's face darkened, his thoughts shifting rapidly.
Seeing him hesitate, Xu Tiannan said nothing further, simply waiting in silence.
He knew his younger brother would agree. After all, the relationship between the Third and Second Princes was notoriously bad. Forced to choose between him and the Second Prince, the Third would, without a doubt, choose him.
As Xu Tiannan waited quietly—
Xu Tianshi's mind churned with calculations.
He thought to himself,
"If that bastard Second Brother becomes Crown Prince and one day Emperor, he'll never spare me.
He'll humiliate me, torment me—dying would be a mercy. Now that his power is growing, I must ally with Xu Tiannan. Once we defeat Second Brother, I can deal with Xu Tiannan later and fight him for the throne myself."
Second part coming later.