Inside the secret chamber, Xu Yang took the opportunity to thoroughly learn about Liangzhou!

Yie Vajra and Ye Long answered every question without reservation.

Compared to the other states, Liangzhou wasn't so large; the King of Liang was equivalent to a regional governor, his word was law! 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Yet Liangzhou had always been stable. For Can Sutian to be stationed there for years, this King of Liang was without a doubt extraordinary.

After that, Xu Yang left the secret chamber.

"Who would've thought, he actually became the Crown Prince."

After Xu Yang's departure, Yie Vajra was full of emotion.

When compared to Xu Yang's talent and prowess, this new status was far more shocking.

Ye Long said softly, "From now on, when faced with His Highness, better not make any blunders!"

Yie Vajra retorted gruffly, "I may be forthright, but I'm not stupid!"

"Heh!"

Ye Long grinned slyly, neither agreeing nor denying.

Yie Vajra shot Ye Long a glare, then heaved another sigh.

On the other side.

Xu Yang left the capital with ease, heading straight for the Central State.

Initially, he'd planned on returning to the Purple Fire Celestial Prison Forbidden Land for a three-month retreat!

But the Spirit Tribulation Celestial Prison had caught his interest.

Within it, various calamities unfolded, and the sealing force there was unprecedented.

For him, it was an enormous boon.

Three Heaven Locking Seals, lock the will of heaven!

Three months—not that he'd dare hope to grasp even a sliver of Heaven Locking Will—but if he could fuse the three Heaven Locking Seals, a further step forward, it would be a massive boost to his combat strength.

Far surpassing a breakthrough in cultivation or transformations by any other means!

Still, before heading to Liangzhou, he had to make a quick stop back in Central State.

Xu Yang intended to bring Gu Jun along.

After his time in the capital, he finally understood how truly staggering the "Daqian secret" that Zheng Xuan spoke of before his death was!

Even just Gu Hong and Can Yan—those hidden powerhouses—were beyond imagination.

No exaggeration, even the head of the clan—in his prime—Gu Jun may not have been able to match them.

Remember, Gu Jun used to be the Alchemy Emperor, his strength quite formidable!

The secrets he knew were anything but ordinary!

But looking at it now, the things Xu Yang had glimpsed on this trip were all unknown even to Gu Jun.

If not for the "Crown Prince" status, he likely would have never learned of them in his entire life.

The capital was a place of hidden dragons and crouching tigers!

Liangzhou's Spirit Tribulation Celestial Prison!

And the other states?

There were probably even more hidden experts lurking about.

All this made Xu Yang feel that, though Can Sutian's life-and-death closed cultivation was immeasurably risky, he was undoubtedly confident!

So many thoughts churned in his mind—Xu Yang was eager to return!

To be honest, all that he'd uncovered made him quite uncomfortable.

He just wanted to be a pure Martial Artist, climbing toward the summit!

"Three months. If I win in three months, all shackles will be cast off!"

Three days later.

Central State, Purple Fire Celestial Prison Forbidden Land.

Xu Yang first went to check on the Red Fire Flood Dragon.

Roar!

The Red Flood Dragon stared at Xu Yang, shock with an almost human expression swirling in its huge eyes.

It seemed to sense Xu Yang's current strength, making it wary and afraid!

Indeed, with Xu Yang's current abilities, the Red Flood Dragon was no longer his match.

"Senior, interested in venturing deeper with me?"

Xu Yang tossed out a few pills, then coaxed the Red Fire Flood Dragon, which was—unsurprisingly—moved by the offer.

An Alchemy King, an Alchemy Emperor, and so many powerful experts.

Going deeper would just be swapping dens; there were vast stretches of mountains and wilderness nearby that could serve as lairs.

Honestly, though the Red Flood Dragon was formidable, there were now plenty of other powerhouses gathered here—one more or less wouldn't make a difference.

What Xu Yang truly valued was the Red Flood Dragon's intelligence. Together with everyone else, it could seize more opportunities.

In the future, if it reached True Lord level, it would be a major force of battle.

Soon.

Xu Yang led the Red Flood Dragon further back.

When he returned to the original area, Xu Yang was left dumbfounded.

Before he'd left, everything had been crude, thrown together like some reclusive Martial Artist's camp.

But now, inside the vast, fragile space within thousands of meters, swirling spirit patterns crisscrossed—making the region incredibly stable.

Through the Cangxu Divine Eyes, he could vaguely see between the peaks that exquisite, ancient structures spread across the area.

Each section was clearly divided!

Already, there was a rudimentary base like those of sects and old clans!

"How fast they've built this."

Xu Yang smacked his lips, walking on air as he passed through.

Beyond a warped spirit array, a figure sat cross-legged—none other than Yang Yi.

He suddenly opened his eyes, and seeing Xu Yang, burst out with delight, "Young Master."

Whoosh!

The spirit array unlocked.

Xu Yang and the Red Flood Dragon entered.

"Whoa, that Red Flood Dragon's aura is intense." Yang Yi couldn't help but gawk at the shrunken beast beside Xu Yang, eyes wide.

Xu Yang swept his gaze around, catching a whiff of refreshingly fragrant flowers.

"Everyone's here, right?"

"Young Master, everyone's here."

"Should I gather them?"

"Mm."

Yang Yi hurried off.

Xu Yang walked toward the towering Barbarian God Hall deep within.

He'd be taking this treasure—the Barbarian God Hall—away before long.

Not only was its defense incredible, it could house living beings—Martial Artists and others.

In a pinch, it would be invaluable!

Entering the grand hall, Xu Yang exhaled deeply, settling into a calm seat.

"Feels good to be back."

Here, while everyone knew he was the "Crown Prince," at least things weren't so stiff.

They'd been together for ages—none of that endless etiquette!

Soon after.

Everyone gathered one after another, several dozens in total at the Barbarian God Hall.

The three ladies were present; Su Yun even flirtatiously winked at Xu Yang.

Xu Yang glanced around—three months had passed and everyone had grown stronger.

"This time, I'll be leaving again soon—to Liangzhou!"

"After three months, I'll fight Song Yuanhao as Daqian's Crown Prince, and it's tied to Can Sutian's schemes!"

"We cannot lose this battle!"

As his words fell, everyone's expressions grew solemn.

The three girls especially were full of worry!

Though they trusted Xu Yang's strength, "Can Sutian's schemes" were enough to unnerve anyone.

This was the Emperor of Daqian!

By traveling with Xu Yang, everyone had learned many secrets unknown to outsiders: the plots of Zheng Xuan and Can Sutian—shocking stuff.

This fight was really something!

Seeing their faces, Xu Yang laughed, "What's up? None of you believe in me?"

The room instantly grew lively.

"Young Master is invincible!"

"That punk Song Yuanhao is doomed."

"Ha ha ha ha!"

...

After a round of laughter, Xu Yang grew serious: "From now on, this place is the base camp. Here, we don't need too many rules. You all can develop outside as you wish; now that Wuhou Hall isn't a threat, no need to stay here forever."

"Once I've left, just handle any matters in discussion together."

"Rest assured, Young Master, we won't let you down," Zhang Lingqiao was the first to speak up.

The Bai Family echoed right after.

The others quickly replied as well.

Xu Yang smiled—really, he had no worries.

No need to set any rigid customs now. As for how this place grows in the future, that was for another time.

Three months from now, win or lose, everything would be turned upside down.

Even he couldn't be sure of what was to come.

After some more talk, only Gu Jun remained inside the hall.

"Kid, seems like your trip to the capital yielded quite a haul," Gu Jun sized up Xu Yang, sensing a subtle, ineffable change in him.

Xu Yang gave a bitter smile, "Teacher, I was beyond shocked!"

He briefly recounted everything that had happened.

When he finished, Gu Jun was silent for a long time.

Finally he gave a wry chuckle: "Funny—I used to think, even if I wasn't at my peak, I stood at the summit of Daqian. Turns out, all I ever saw was just the tip of the iceberg!"

Can Yan and Su Tai—these two were almost contemporaries from his time.

Yet he'd never even heard their names.

And those capital experts—more than enough to send chills down his spine!

Add the mystery of the Qian King's Seal and Liangzhou's Spirit Tribulation Celestial Prison—all proved countless hidden marvels lay in Daqian's world!

"Kid, the Emperor's plans—maybe they concern himself, or even the fate of all Daqian!"

Gu Jun narrowed his eyes, murmuring in the gloom.

Xu Yang nodded deeply, "Whatever we guess, none of it matters now. Three months from now, the answer will be clear!"

"Teacher, during this trip to Liangzhou, I may need your help!" Xu Yang said, seriously looking at Gu Jun.

Gu Jun lifted his brow, then broke into a dashing smile, "Alright!"