"Let go of me!"

Can Yunwu bit her lip until it bled, struggling violently!

At that moment, Dong Xiuling moved.

Her sword pierced through space, appearing before Xu Yang in a flash as if teleported.

In the blink of an eye.

Bang!

A figure crashed down in utter defeat.

Xu Yang moved as swift as lightning, catching the incoming sword with one hand!

Clang!

Dong Xiuling felt as if her sword was trapped in an unbreakable vice; no matter how she struggled, she couldn't pull it free!

"How is this possible?"

"You must be the Dong Clan's top prodigy, aren't you?"

Xu Yang gave a faint smile, suddenly letting go and clenching his fist!

Bang!

A punch!

The ancient sword exploded with a roar, forcing Dong Xiuling to stagger back, stifled.

Buzz!

An overwhelming tide of bloodthirst engulfed the entire garden.

The Asura Blood Saber appeared in Xu Yang's palm, its crimson glow demonic and blinding, suffocating to behold!

Dong Xiuling and Can Yunwu's eyes twitched, staring in terror and shock.

"Or why don't you two come at me together?"

Xu Yang's face was expressionless as he swept a cold glance over them both.

Gulp!

Can Yunwu struggled to swallow, feeling as insignificant as an ant beneath this dreadful power!

"Royal brother, you—"

"Does His Majesty think I dare not kill these two?"

Xu Yang suddenly looked toward a lifeless, rippling palace in the depths and spoke coldly.

Hearing these words, Can Yunwu and Dong Xiuling felt a chill pierce their bones, as if plunged into an icy abyss, instinctively retreating step by step.

It was as if death itself had locked onto them, panic all over their faces!

He truly seemed ready to kill them!

Madman!

At this moment, Can Yunwu was gripped by utter terror.

Only now did she realize she was utterly insignificant before Xu Yang!

Her former arrogance, now utterly laughable!

Buzz!

A strange, indescribable ripple quietly surged forth, shattering the blood fiendish aura surrounding the place like a phantom.

Without the slightest sign of disturbance, the blood mist vanished without trace. Even the Asura Blood Saber quivered slightly, as if sensing a fear unlike any before!

Xu Yang's heart tightened. In this place, such a means must belong to that one person—he couldn't think of anyone else!

At the thought, a hint of delight crossed his face.

Soon after, he put away the Asura Blood Saber, not sparing Can Yunwu or Dong Xiuling a single glance as he walked straight toward the great hall deep within.

Witnessing this, Can Yunwu couldn't help but exhale in relief, her face deathly pale, all trace of regal bearing shattered.

"Your Highness, he's incredibly strong—unimaginably strong!"

Dong Xiuling bit her lip, a bitter smile on her face.

If he truly wanted the Crown Prince's seat, no one would stand a chance!

Can Yunwu, even after rallying all sources of power, would be powerless before him!

Can Yunwu's lips were dry, speechless!

Outside the ancient hall.

Xu Yang paused briefly, then raised both his hands and pressed forward.

Boom!

The great doors swung open abruptly.

Dim light.

Xu Yang narrowed his eyes and strode inside.

The great hall was empty.

Xu Yang surveyed the space, frowning.

What does this mean?

Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly halted, noticing a glint of light.

On the jade dais at the center of the hall, a jade slip suddenly appeared from thin air!

Xu Yang was stunned, then slowly walked over and picked up the jade slip.

"So he really is in seclusion, but what could be in here?"

Xu Yang's mind was a haze of confusion!

The wave that just shattered the blood fiend's aura—he was one hundred percent sure it was the Emperor of Daqian.

That proved the other party wished to see him.

Yet as he arrived, there was only a single jade slip!

Everything about this was strange!

Xu Yang pondered for a long time, then pressed the jade slip to his brow.

Buzz!

A surge of information rushed in, fierce and wild!

Xu Yang's body trembled. Several breaths later, he put down the jade slip, eyes filled with disbelief and terror.

The torrent of information took him dozens of breaths to digest before he returned to himself.

Xu Yang stared blankly at the ground. "So confident?"

"You're certain of success?"

"You can really defeat him?"

He dared not be sure!

But for him, the contents of the message left no other choice.

About Great Hao, about Song Yuanhao and his son!

They were already his mortal enemies—no stopping until death.

After a long time.

Xu Yang exhaled, gazing around the empty hall and muttering, "When it's over, I want to know everything— even news of realms beyond!"

"And when the time comes, cancel my Crown Prince title!"

After the words fell, no reply came for a long time!

Xu Yang turned and walked out of the old hall!

Meanwhile, from the secret chamber beneath the hall, a faint, ethereal whisper sounded.

"Agreed!" 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Outside the ancient hall, Can Yunxiao had arrived at some unknown point.

Staring at Xu Yang, shock filled his heart.

This ancient hall could not be opened in normal times.

Unless, His Majesty wished to grant an audience!

Seeing Xu Yang emerge from within, Can Yunxiao suppressed his agitation and spoke in a deep tone, "Your Highness, does His Majesty have any directives for us?"

Xu Yang replied solemnly, "Irrelevant to you all. Next, have the Grand Preceptor make preparations. In three months' time, I will, as Daqian's Crown Prince, challenge Song Yuanhao!"

Can Yunxiao's pupils contracted.

"Your Highness, a fair and open fight?"

"Correct!"

"Please set your defenses, Your Highness. I will see to all preparations myself!"

"And one more thing..." Xu Yang glanced at the plaza: Can Yunwu and Dong Xiuling had yet to leave.

"For the next three months, these two are forbidden to take a single step out of the palace. Violate this order—death without pardon!"

Killing intent flooded out!

Can Yunxiao's expression shifted; he looked long and hard at Xu Yang yet dared not speak further, his words taking on a note of deference: "Yes, Your Highness!"

To him, Can Yunwu and Dong Xiuling posed no real threat!

He simply wished to avoid any further entanglements or trouble!

Making the princess behave herself was, without doubt, the best outcome!

Want the throne?

Dream of becoming Empress?

Wait until all this is over—then do whatever you please!

"Your Highness, as for the Dong Clan..." Can Yunxiao probed tentatively.

The Dong Clan?

Xu Yang thought of Dong Yue.

But now that Dong Yue had taken Tang Yan as her teacher, there was nothing to worry about!

As for the rest, he believed Dong Lingyun was not a fool!

"Ignore them!"

"But if Noble Consort..."

At these words, Xu Yang couldn't help rubbing his brow.

The thought of becoming Crown Prince, let alone Emperor—with all the considerations and troubles—made his head spin!

"Including the Dong Clan—should there be any improper moves during this time, execute them all without mercy!" Xu Yang said blankly.

Just don't cause me trouble!

Dare to try?

Then die for it!

As for what Can Sutian would think once he emerged from seclusion, Xu Yang believed he simply wouldn't care!

Can Yunxiao took a deep breath, nodding silently, while storms raged in his heart!

If word of this got out, the whole capital would be thrown into uproar!

Ruthless—truly ruthless!

Yet he did not hesitate in the slightest!

Xu Yang's Crown Prince title was decided by Can Sutian himself!

And now, regardless of whether Xu Yang had actually met Can Sutian, the mere fact that he came out of that ancient hall already signified a certain decree!

So no matter how outrageous Xu Yang's orders, he was bound to obey unconditionally!

As Xu Yang turned to leave, Can Yunxiao hesitated before calling out, "Your Highness, where are you headed?"

Xu Yang didn't turn back as he replied, "Central State!"

"No matter what happens, do not disturb me!"

"I will return in three months!"

Can Yunxiao opened his mouth, forcing a bitter smile.

Elsewhere.

Can Yunwu intercepted Xu Yang and, gritting her teeth, said, "Did you meet Father?"

"Guess," Xu Yang grinned.

Can Yunwu's face froze, forcing down grief and rage. "Xu Yang, don't go too far!"

Xu Yang said coolly, "There's worse I could do."

"For the next three months, if either of you two dares step out of the palace, you die—no pardon!"

"What did you say?"

Can Yunwu's face changed dramatically, eyes wide in shock and fury at Xu Yang.

Dong Xiuling, too, stared at Xu Yang in disbelief.