"It's nothing."

"That little girl reminds me much of myself back then. If her Innate Spiritual Body were to perish prematurely, it would be a great pity!" Xu Yang's eyes lost their waves and, calming, he said quietly.

Dong Lingyun chuckled and said, "To have Your Highness escort her—it's the child's great fortune!"

"Now, to have even Mr. Tang's favor, it is truly cause for celebration!"

"I ask that Your Highness and Mr. Tang be at ease; our Dong Clan has always conducted itself properly!"

To this, Xu Yang neither affirmed nor refuted!

At least from what he knew, the Dong Clan wasn't too bad!

"Would Your Highness care to visit the Dong Clan for a while?"

"If there is ever anything you need in the future, feel free to command us. The Dong Clan will not dare disobey!"

Having finished, Dong Lingyun gazed at Xu Yang with great solemnity.

As his words fell, a faint ripple surfaced in the void again!

Xu Yang's eyes flashed, a trace of amusement appearing on his face.

"Are you suggesting my position is unstable? That I require support?"

Dong Lingyun's expression shifted slightly, hurriedly saying, "I wouldn't dare!"

"If I coveted that seat, could a mere princess possibly stop me?"

"A moment ago, you claimed the Dong Clan acts properly. Yet, in saying that, I believe you have not."

Dong Lingyun's face changed repeatedly before he clenched his teeth and said, "Please understand, Your Highness, what I meant was absolutely not that!"

"Is that so?"

Xu Yang glanced sidelong at Dong Lingyun, mocking: "Zheng Xuan and the Son of Heaven conspired together, using the entirety of Daqian as their gambling board, even at the cost of three provinces of the Northern Territory!"

"For this, Zheng Xuan lost his life, and Great Hao ascended to the throne!"

Gulp!

Even as a True Lord, Dong Lingyun could not help but swallow convulsively at those words, blurting out, "King Beixuan has fallen?"

No outsiders knew of this matter!

Yet, coming from Xu Yang's lips now, the news rang of such gravity, not a soul dared to call it a lie!

Xu Yang did not answer Dong Lingyun. He continued, "To see me made Crown Prince—even if I do not know what plans that person has, there is certainly more at play beneath the surface!"

"You claim the Dong Clan acts properly. If that statement were to reach his ears, what then?"

"Even if he is in a life-or-death seclusion, do you truly think such things escape him?"

Meeting Xu Yang's playful gaze, Dong Lingyun felt his heart and soul quake!

As a True Lord, even he now felt shrouded in peril, cold sweat soaking his body!

Damn it!

He silently regretted it.

Had he but known, he never should have stepped forward!

Why say a word more?

At this time, all the hidden powers observing in the void were inwardly in tumult! 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

First, utterly shaken by the news!

Second, shaken by Xu Yang's words!

Casually speaking of "Zheng Xuan and that person"—one must know, if that person's true identity were revealed, he would be of direct royal descent!

The old King Beixuan they might once have parleyed with as equals—but with his true status exposed, who would dare now?

"This youth is not to be underestimated!"

"Rumor has it he acts like a madman—now I see it is no exaggeration, but his mind is truly terrifying!"

"He may be mad, yet he is more clear-eyed than anyone!"

"Lucky for us we did not show ourselves recklessly!"

"Heh, Dong Lingyun tried to curry favor by leveraging Mr. Tang taking on a disciple, only to utterly misjudge the situation!"

"That princess may have stayed low-key these years, but she's clearly not simple either. This situation is so convoluted, even I cannot see through it!"

"Still, Mr. Tang is the perceptive one—on learning his identity, he immediately bowed out!"

…

No one dared look down on Xu Yang anymore!

All their secret disdain vanished in an instant!

"Just joking!"

"You are my senior, no need to treat me as anything more!"

Noting Dong Lingyun's sweat-soaked state, Xu Yang let out a hearty laugh, his eyes sweeping through the void, and said coolly, "If in this journey I can shed the so-called Crown Prince title, that would be best."

"Even if I can't, I will not act out the 'Crown Prince' role as others expect!"

Saying this, amidst the assembly's shock, Xu Yang turned to Tang Yan: "Mr. Tang, why not help me refine an artifact first?"

Even Tang Yan could not calm his heart!

Xu Yang's every word carried a pressure upon him!

He took a deep breath, then nodded solemnly: "Of course, Your Highness, this way please!"

Tang Yan gestured towards a stone wall!

Xu Yang smiled faintly and walked forward without hesitation!

Approaching the stone wall, Tang Yan flicked his sleeve; the two vanished into it together, without a trace!

Watching the now empty stone wall, Dong Lingyun's eyes flickered, and he promptly turned and left.

The Dong Clan!

Dong Yue stood stiffly in the great hall, listening to several Dong Clan elders discussing.

"Innate Thunderfire Dominating Body—potential limitless! Once matured, battle power will be shocking. I cannot agree to letting Xiaoyue go out to find a master!"

The speaker was the Dong Clan's Grand Elder.

The Clan Leader said placidly, "Grand Elder, what is your suggestion?"

The Grand Elder smiled, "Presently, the family's most outstanding is Xiuling. Beyond her, it is Dongyang. Clan Leader, do not forget Dongyang's constitution!"

Dongyang, his own son!

The Clan Leader's gaze flickered as he replied quietly, "Dongyang's constitution is Yin in nature. True, it is greatly beneficial in the future, but it may do harm to Xiaoyue!"

The Grand Elder waved it off, "It's only slight harm. With the Dong Family's resources, it can easily be remedied!"

"Then, with two more True Lord seeds—wouldn't that be ideal?"

"Xiaoyue, what do you think?"

The Grand Elder beamed as he looked at Dong Yue.

Dong Yue raised her head slightly and said obediently, "I will listen to the Clan Leader."

The Grand Elder smiled, turning to the Clan Leader.

The Clan Leader's expression shifted several times before, after a long silence, he said, "Let us not rush for now. Let Xiaoyue begin her cultivation to rid herself of the torment of her Dominating Body. As for specifics, I'll decide after consulting Lord Lingyun!"

The Grand Elder's face darkened slightly.

Still, recalling the benefits, a smile spread across his face again.

"I trust Lord Lingyun will make the most fitting choice!"

"There's no need to wait!"

A stern voice suddenly rang through the hall.

"Lord Lingyun!"

The Clan Leader, Grand Elder, and the rest immediately rose and stepped down, looking with utmost respect to Dong Lingyun as he entered!

Dong Lingyun swept his gaze across the group, pausing briefly on the Grand Elder before turning to Dong Yue.

He took a deep breath, saying gravely, "From this day forth, Xiaoyue is to be Mr. Tang Yan's disciple!"

"What?"

The Grand Elder's eyes bulged, exclaiming in disbelief.

Without waiting for his reaction, Dong Lingyun continued, "All resources of the family are to be allocated to Xiaoyue. If anyone harbors any schemes, do not blame me for being ruthless!"

He fixed a cold stare on the Grand Elder.

The Grand Elder felt as though thrown into an ice cellar, his whole body chilled, cold sweat breaking instantly across his brow.

"Moreover, do not think that just because Xiaoyue is Mr. Tang's disciple, you can act recklessly."

Dong Lingyun spoke word by word, chillingly, "Mr. Tang will not bother arguing with you."

"Additionally, Xiaoyue was personally sent here by the Crown Prince."

"What?"

This time the Clan Leader exclaimed in shock.

"The Crown Prince?"

All in the hall were struck dumb.

When did Daqian have a Crown Prince?

They saw Dong Lingyun's lips move, but no sound emerged!

After several breaths—

All drew in a sharp breath, their faces filled with shock!

In the stunned silence, Dong Yue looked at Dong Lingyun in delight: "Grandfather, did you see Mr. Xu?"

Mr. Xu?

Hearing this address, the Grand Elder's face twitched, blood draining away!

If what they'd discussed were to reach his ears… how would he die?

Dong Lingyun replied gently, "I did. His Highness is busy at the moment, but he will come see you later."

Dong Yue's eyes glimmered; she nodded docilely!

"Dongsen, from this day, you are relieved of your position as Grand Elder." Dong Lingyun suddenly declared.

The Grand Elder trembled; before, even facing Dong Lingyun, he would at least resist a little!

But now, he had not the slightest will to resist—he just bowed his head, his vitality utterly depleted, seeming to age decades in an instant!