Yie Vajra looked as if he had seen a ghost, his scalp tingling.

The scene before his eyes was truly terrifying.

The dignified Grand General of the Imperial Guards, a top-tier True Monarch, whose status was hardly inferior to that of the King of Liang, was at this moment actually kneeling on the ground, his head bloodied and battered.

Beside him stood the Director of Imperial Clans!

As for Lin Mo, he was simply ignored.

With such a lineup—what on earth had happened?

Why was Xu Yang here?

"Yie Vajra?"

Xu Yang was also greatly surprised.

At this moment, the Director of Imperial Clans sent a voice transmission: "Yie Vajra is a prodigy of the Liang Prince's estate, with remarkable potential; the middle-aged man at his side is Ye Long, the commander of the Liang Prince's imperial guards!"

"Liang Prince?"

Xu Yang's heart trembled.

Daqian has three princes; apart from King Beixuan, the other two are the Liang Prince and Prince Ning!

Xu Yang only knew these two as royal princes, but the other details were unclear to him.

Of course, with Zheng Xuan's identity revealed, he was not an exalted prince of a different surname, but rather the highest-ranking among the three, and most closely connected to the imperial family.

While the Liang Prince and Prince Ning were both direct members of the royal bloodline, there was a layer of separation between them and Can Sutian.

Especially the Liang Prince, whose seniority was one generation higher!

Seeing the Director of Imperial Clans beside Xu Yang with such a respectful demeanor, Yie Vajra was outright terrified, not daring to utter another word.

"He is Xu Yang?"

Ye Long quietly transmitted his voice, his eyes full of shock and doubt.

Yie Vajra gave a barely noticeable nod.

"What on earth is going on?"

"The Grand General of the Guards, and the Director of Imperial Clans, hiss—"

"Rise, this does not concern you," Xu Yang said to Gu Hong.

"Yes, Your Highness!"

Gu Hong scrambled to his feet, offered a respectful salute, and hurriedly withdrew.

Yie Vajra and Ye Long stood stiffly, twisting their necks with difficulty, locking eyes—each seeing in the other's gaze an endless, overflowing shock!

What had they just witnessed?

Gu Hong actually bowed to Xu Yang?

And addressed him as Your Highness?

That title is not one just anyone may use.

Throughout all of Daqian, those counted on a single hand!

This scene was so incredible that the two wondered if it was an illusion.

Xu Yang looked at Yie Vajra with curiosity: "What have you come to the capital for?"

Meeting Xu Yang's gaze, for some reason, Yie Vajra felt his legs tremble uncontrollably.

Although Xu Yang was powerful, they had no personal grudge—he had even gained an ultra-grade item refined by Xu Yang.

Yet this pressure, as though facing the Liang Prince himself, nearly forced him to his knees.

Could he really be—?

Gulp!

Yie Vajra swallowed hard, his voice trembling: "Xu...Your Highness, I—I have come to the capital under the Prince's orders; there's been an accident in Liangzhou, we require assistance."

"Hmm?"

Can Yunxiao was startled, his eyes suddenly sharp: "What sort of accident is it that even the Liang Prince cannot suppress?"

At this, Ye Long quickly stepped forward and said, "Lord Director, this is not the place to speak."

"Lin Mo."

The Director turned and swept his gaze at Lin Mo.

Lin Mo shivered, snapping out of his daze and promptly said, "Please, follow me."

He quickly led everyone to a secret chamber in the nearby City Defense Camp.

Then personally stood guard outside!

Within the secret chamber were only Xu Yang, Yie Vajra, Ye Long, and the Director of Imperial Clans.

The Director cast a glance at the two men, who were still filled with shock and uncertainty, and said blandly, "King Beixuan is His Majesty's blood brother. Not long ago, His Majesty decreed Xu Yang as Crown Prince!"

"This is the Imperial Edict!"

As he spoke, he raised his hand, and a scroll of imperial decree appeared out of thin air, slowly unfurling in the secret chamber.

Instantly, an aura of absolute supremacy and unparalleled nobility overflowed within the chamber!

Outside, Lin Mo shivered, nearly kneeling down!

This aura made him feel as though His Majesty were standing right before him.

Inside, Yie Vajra and Ye Long dropped straight to their knees.

Their eyes filled with shock, minds churning and roiling with emotion!

"Rise."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

Yie Vajra and Ye Long trembled as they got up slowly, not daring to lift their heads and look directly at Xu Yang.

"Now, tell me, what exactly happened?" Xu Yang asked, intrigued.

Ye Long's expression grew stern, and he replied respectfully, "Your Highness, some time ago Song Yuanhao and his son seized three Qian King's Seals, causing turmoil in the Qian King's Seal under the Prince's control, resulting in problems with the Spirit Tribulation Celestial Prison."

"Spirit Tribulation Celestial Prison?"

The Director's pupils contracted.

Xu Yang, however, had never heard of this place and asked in amazement, "What is the Spirit Tribulation Celestial Prison?"

The Director explained, "The Spirit Tribulation Celestial Prison is a place His Majesty personally established in ancient times, set within the void itself, anchored by a mighty supreme treasure. Within it are suppressed many ancient existences."

"Ancient existences?"

"For instance, the elders of the previous royal clan who committed heinous crimes, leaders of rebel armies who massacred cities and seized lands a hundred years ago, enormous sea monsters, and other special beings—all at the level of True Monarchs!"

Hiss!

Xu Yang could not help but suck in a breath of cold air.

What a grand undertaking!

"There are probably over thirty still inside. The strength of these individuals, among True Monarchs, is hardly weak; nearly half are of a level comparable to Gu Hong!"

The Director said with deep meaning, "His Majesty attaches great importance to that place, and seems to be preparing for something!"

Xu Yang's heart was stirred.

Could it also be for three months from now?

"What will happen with these mighty figures imprisoned there?" Xu Yang asked quickly.

"Within, the spirit tribulation evolves all manner of calamities between heaven and earth, day and night tormenting those within; if they cannot withstand it, their divine forms are destroyed and they are reduced to pure energy, which is absorbed by the spirit tribulation, further enhancing its power!" the Director explained.

A glimmer appeared in Xu Yang's eyes.

The Spirit Tribulation Celestial Prison was absolutely a part of Can Sutian's strategy!

He was in secluded meditation, perhaps planning to use it in the end.

At this time Ye Long continued, "The void where the Spirit Tribulation Celestial Prison resides has become turbulent, with signs of impending collapse. That is why the Prince sent us to seek help!"

The Director frowned slightly. The Spirit Tribulation Celestial Prison could not be lost, but even the Liang Prince could not stabilize it…

"Mr. Ya cannot be dispatched!"

"That leaves only Su Tai."

The Director sighed, "Mr. Su is another senior within the palace. Although not as strong as Mr. Ya, compared with Gu Hong and myself he is still considerably superior."

"Additionally, with the Prison Suppression Seal in hand, there should be no great problem!"

"With Mr. Su and the Prison Suppression Seal, I believe the Spirit Tribulation Celestial Prison can be pacified!" Ye Long's face brightened with joy.

"What is the level of the sealing and binding forces within the Spirit Tribulation Celestial Prison?" Xu Yang suddenly asked.

"Your Highness, the sealing power within the Celestial Prison is extremely formidable, a world unto itself, with a solidity rarely matched even by secret realms; within it, even a True Monarch like Mr. Gu will find his True Essence and Soul Power suppressed by seventy percent!" said Ye Long.

"Seventy percent…" Xu Yang was shocked within, thoughts surging.

A flash of inspiration crossed his mind; grasping his palm, he mused, "Very well, you and Mr. Su return to Liangzhou first. I will go to Central Province, then proceed to Liangzhou!"

"Your Highness wishes to go personally?"

The three were all surprised.

Xu Yang smiled, "Three months from now I am to duel Song Yuanhao. The power of the Spirit Tribulation Celestial Prison may help me make a breakthrough!"

Hearing this, the three fell into thoughtful silence.

Ye Long and Yie Vajra, naturally, had no objections.

The Director said solemnly, "If Your Highness wishes to go, there is no reason to prevent it, but when you reach the Spirit Tribulation Celestial Prison, caution will be necessary. Watch the Liang Prince's intent!"

The deeper meaning was not lost on Xu Yang.

The Liang Prince is trustworthy!

He nodded lightly, "I will leave the capital to you, Director. In the next three months, let nothing go awry!"

In truth, today with Can Yan's intervention—

And with word of his entry into Guhua Hall spreading, no one would dare try any underhanded moves!

There would be no more trouble!

"If that is the case, then let us waste no time."

"I shall go wake Mr. Su at once."

With that, the Director vanished from the secret chamber as if into thin air.