Qin Yuan's eyes widened round with shock as he stared at Xu Yang.

Wasn't that line a bit too arrogant?

Although that so-called Pill Emperor was rather formidable, you were clearly disregarding Tang Yan altogether.

As expected!

Tang Yan's brows knit tightly, anger surging in his eyes.

"Boy, you have a lot of nerve—do you look down on me?"

"If you truly want to become an apprentice, even if Gu Jun himself showed up, I could still handle it!"

Xu Yang offered a playful smile, ignored Tang Yan, and turned to address Mr. Qin: "Would you mind dispersing the crowd first, Lord Qin?"

Mr. Qin understood at once and hurriedly looked to the rest.

Just a glance!

The crowd all shuddered in unison.

Immediately, without another word, they turned and left.

Though internally their curiosity was immense, they departed with such haste it was like fleeing!

"Why are you still standing there?" Mr. Qin's face darkened when he saw his son unmoving.

"I have to leave too?"

Qin Yuan gawked like a wooden chicken.

"What do you think?!" Mr. Qin snapped impatiently, "Hurry up and get lost!"

"If Mr. Qin would like to stay, it's no bother!" Xu Yang glanced at him and smiled indifferently.

Qin Yuan, halfway up, paused, and looked apprehensively at his father.

But Mr. Qin never glanced back at him again.

Qin Yuan hesitated for a moment, but in the end, unable to curb his curiosity, stayed put obediently.

"Boy, what else do you have to say?" Tang Yan stared coldly at Xu Yang, though inwardly he felt a fair amount of appreciation.

He's got a temper!

Good!

Only then could one inherit his mantle!

What kind of Artifact Refiner would you be without a bit of backbone?

Xu Yang said lightly, "My name is Xu Yang!"

"Xu Yang?"

"Wait, your father is King Beixuan?"

Tang Yan's eyes suddenly widened.

Lately, Xu Yang's fame had shaken the capital—even if he hadn't met him, how could he not have heard of him?

"Correct!"

Qin Yuan gasped—so it was him!

Such terrifying strength, an otherworldly Pill Master!

He felt a sudden sense of relief!

Thinking of the stories about Xu Yang in the rumors, he couldn't help but let a wry smile surface.

Yet, even if he was the son of King Beixuan, why would it make his father show such deference?

Though King Beixuan's status far surpassed that of Mr. Qin, his son alone—why would Mr. Qin act this way?

Qin Yuan slowly furrowed his brow, feeling there must be some other reason at play here!

"That's it?"

"I'd like to see if King Beixuan would dare show off in front of me like you do!" Tang Yan sneered with disdain.

Mr. Qin's mouth twitched, but he dared not speak!

Xu Yang replied expressionlessly, "Zheng Xuan's real name is Can Xuan—he is the current Emperor's elder brother!"

"..."

Tang Yan jolted as if struck, jaw dropping wide open.

The entire manor suddenly became tranquil, silent and still as death!

The whole world seemed to freeze!

"How is this possible?"

The deathly silence was abruptly shattered by Qin Yuan's exclamation!

His eyes were round as saucers, his face filled with utter incredulity!

"Silence!"

Mr. Qin shot Qin Yuan a vicious glare, then said in a low voice, "Not long ago, the Lord Zongzheng delivered the Imperial Edict, proclaiming Mr. Xu as the Crown Prince of Daqian!"

Thud!

Qin Yuan was so shocked that he collapsed to the floor, his face ghostly white, cold sweat pouring like rain!

The Crown Prince?

His head was spinning.

Now, at last, he understood why his father would act so respectful in front of Xu Yang!

That's the Crown Prince!

Tang Yan staggered, feeling as if it were all a dream!

But with Mr. Qin personally confirming it, there could be no doubt!

Hiss!

Tang Yan couldn't help but suck in a cold breath, and looked at Xu Yang with utter astonishment!

For a moment, he didn't even know how to respond!

Xu Yang continued, "The title of Crown Prince is not something I wanted, but there are some identities I have no way of erasing."

"Ordinary princes, imperial descendants, to take a predecessor as master, that's nothing, even an advantage!"

"But with my status—dare I become your apprentice, and do you truly dare take me in?"

Son of King Beixuan!

King Beixuan is the Emperor's own brother!

This is an earth-shattering secret!

He is the Crown Prince!

The Emperor is presently deeply secluded in closed-door cultivation.

Now, with the complicated situation between Daqian and Great Hao...

A torrent of information surged through Tang Yan's mind, his face twitching uncontrollably.

He had to admit, just as Xu Yang said—with his status, ordinary princes were nothing to worry about!

But given the current circumstances, piled onto Xu Yang's identity—he truly dared not accept him!

To accept him was to leap into a terrifying whirlpool!

Tang Yan gazed at Xu Yang in silence for a long time, all anger and frost in his eyes vanishing without a trace.

At last, he sighed bitterly with a wry smile: "With a status like yours, just dealing with the Alchemy Dao will drain who knows how much of your energy—how could you possibly inherit my path of artifact refining?"

Catching the step Tang Yan left for him, Xu Yang immediately smiled and said, "Elder, how wise you are!"

Wise, my ass!

Tang Yan cursed angrily in his heart, jaw clenched tight in frustration!

Watching Tang Yan's clenched features twitch, Xu Yang secretly let out a sigh.

"Senior, have you ever heard of the Thunderfire Dominating Body?"

"Hm? The Innate Thunderfire Dominating Body?"

Tang Yan was startled, then his eyes brightened. "Boy, what do you mean by this?"

Xu Yang said with a smile, "This boy knows someone—she's twelve years old and possesses the Thunderfire Dominating Body. I was thinking, with such a physique, inheriting the art of refining should grant some advantages, shouldn't it?"

Earlier, when wielding the hammer and comprehending the Chaotic Void Celestial Hammer, her manner was wild and domineering!

With a Thunderfire Dominating Body—the innate thunder and fire are not just impressive, but also extremely overbearing!

So, the idea suddenly sprang to mind!

Even if the Dong Clan had more schemes, it couldn't compare to being taken in as Tang Yan's disciple!

"Twelve years old?"

"A rough gem!"

Tang Yan's eyes shone, exclaiming with excitement, "The Thunderfire Dominating Body is not just an advantage—it's a great blessing! The spirit fire nurtured by thunder is far superior to most of the world's spirit fires, and it holds an innate edge in tempering impure and evil forces!"

"Such a physique is not only perfect for refining, but a peerless prodigy in combat as well!"

"Boy, where is she?"

Though she's not as monstrous as Xu Yang—

She is without question a foremost prodigy of her generation!

If he couldn't get Xu Yang, getting a Thunderfire Dominating Body wasn't a loss, either!

"Dong Yue of the Dong Clan!" Xu Yang smiled.

With Tang Yan's reaction, there was no longer any suspense!

That little lass would never refuse such a blessing!

With Tang Yan as her master, even if the Dong Clan harbored some schemes, they'd have to pipe down!

"So it's the Dong Clan's." Tang Yan was surprised.

The Dong Clan already has the capital's top prodigy!

And now, another Thunderfire Dominating Body!

Give them a few decades, they'll likely become an untouchable colossus!

"Boy, what's your relationship with this Dong Yue?" Tang Yan suddenly asked.

"Just happened to bring her to the capital on the way, there's nothing special between us," Xu Yang replied mildly.

Tang Yan breathed a little easier, then said solemnly, "Let me make this clear up front: If I take her in, it has nothing to do with the Dong Clan—the Dong Clan better not try to use my name!"

Bear in mind, Xu Yang is the Crown Prince! 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Xu Yang said indifferently, "That's nothing to do with me!"

"Humph!"

Tang Yan snorted and said no more.

Just then, a figure suddenly descended from the sky.

"Oh my, the main act has arrived," Tang Yan sneered with a twitch of his mouth.

Xu Yang arched a brow at the newcomer.

The visitor was an elderly man—thin and wiry, his face ruddy, breath full and vigorous!

A True Lord!

"Dong Lingyun greets Your Highness!"

Dong Lingyun clasped his hands in salute toward Xu Yang, saying, "Many thanks to Your Highness for escorting Dong Yue safely to the capital. Some family matters must have made Your Highness laugh!"

Upon hearing these words, Xu Yang already guessed the other's identity!

This was indeed the Dong Clan's sole True Lord expert!