"Two months already, is this little brat ever going to be done? Seriously, is he not planning to wake up?"

Zhou Xiong was practically on the verge of collapse.

Two months was just a drop in the ocean compared to how long he'd been stuck here!

But once hope appeared, he couldn't sit still anymore.

Every extra day was pure torment.

At this moment, the restrictive aura swirling around Xu Yang had already increased severalfold compared to when it started.

And in Zhou Xiong's senses, it was vaguely merging with the binding force of this Celestial Prison, as if about to fuse!

The only thing was, Xu Yang's cultivation was too weak.

If it were a powerful True Lord in his place, reaching this stage would have at least shed a third of the Celestial Prison's binding force in the secret realm, thus regaining some power.

Suddenly.

An intense disturbance surged up without warning.

Zhou Xiong instinctively looked over, only to see Xu Yang's body trembling, the restrictive aura around him destabilizing; then, like a tidal wave, it erupted upward, nearly colliding with the Celestial Prison's binding intent.

"What nerve!"

Zhou Xiong blurted out before he could even think.

If he himself had reached such proficiency, he still wouldn't dare collide head-on with the power of the Celestial Prison.

And Xu Yang actually dared?

Boom!

The void rang out.

The force of restriction centered on Xu Yang shattered as if struck by lightning, collapsing in an instant.

In the blink of an eye, it had completely disintegrated—without a trace left behind!

Pfft!

Xu Yang spat out a mouthful of blood, his body swayed, and he slowly opened his eyes.

"The power of the Celestial Prison is far too strong."

Xu Yang was still reeling in fear.

That fleeting moment of clarity just now had made him feel he'd be obliterated.

Still, it wasn't a conscious decision.

It was instinct!

The power derived from the third Heaven-locking Seal had been suppressed by the Celestial Prison; at this limit, a collision was inevitable!

Sorting through his gains, Xu Yang's face lit up with joy.

Although he'd yet to make any progress with Heaven Locking's intent, the fusion of the three Heaven-locking Seals had already started to show signs!

And now, whenever he cast the three Heaven-locking Seals, their might far surpassed before!

Two months of seclusion and cultivation were not wasted!

"There's still some time left, I'll try to push myself again!"

"Crown Prince."

"Hmm?"

Hearing Zhou Xiong's extremely deferential tone, Xu Yang looked at him in utter bewilderment. What sort of lunacy had possessed this demon?

So respectful?

Under Xu Yang's suspicious gaze, Zhou Xiong chuckled bashfully. Two months of torment had long since made him toss away all dignity and pride.

Besides, when it came to status, bowing and scraping before Daqian's Crown Prince wasn't shameful at all!

Many dreamed of such an opportunity and never got it.

"Your Highness, the cultivation technique you practiced earlier should be something special, right?"

Xu Yang's eyebrows rose; for a moment, he didn't get what Zhou Xiong meant.

Gu Jun reminded him: "This old demon has been about to go mad these two months. The restrictive force you formed during your cultivation shares a certain similarity with the Celestial Prison's binding force. It made him think that, if he could master your approach, he might be able to escape the Celestial Prison someday!"

Xu Yang was deeply shocked. Use this to escape the Celestial Prison's control?

Is he crazy?

Wait a second…

Maybe there really is hope!

Xu Yang's expression grew solemn.

Heaven-locking Seal, Celestial Prison binding!

Both were powers of sealing and restriction.

"Just now, I couldn't shake it even a bit—and that was just a single secret realm's binding force!"

"But if a True Lord mastered the Heaven-locking Seal and merged it with the Celestial Prison's intent, after decades, hundreds of years, or even longer, it might not be impossible to break free!"

As this thought struck him, Xu Yang's eyes flashed, a playful look appearing within.

"What is it you want to say?"

Zhou Xiong rubbed his hands together and said sheepishly, "Your Highness, do you think you could pass that technique on to me?"

"Don't worry, I promise, I swear—I'll never pass it on! Whatever Your Highness needs, I'll give it all to you!"

What would Xu Yang need?

To him, naturally it was overwhelming power!

So, what could be converted into power?

Zhou Xiong said in a low voice, "Your Highness, I know countless cultivation techniques, divine abilities, and secret techniques—some demonic, some orthodox, and many extremely unique little tricks."

"Though I don't have any treasures, my own body is a treasure!"

"My flesh and blood, my essence blood, all contain curse marks and curse insects, boasting astonishing might!"

Having said this, he looked at Xu Yang nervously.

This was all he had.

To anyone else, it would be a huge temptation!

To be honest, Xu Yang was indeed quite interested in Zhou Xiong's curse marks and curse insects.

Strange and unfathomable!

However, according to what Zhou Xiong had said earlier, if he didn't practice that special cultivation technique, even without any underhanded moves, at best he could only use Zhou Xiong's essence blood for some sneaky ploys!

Those tricks could surely be effective.

But in fact, Xu Yang didn't really need them that badly!

And besides, were Great Hao and Song Yuanhao just fancy ornaments?

Thinking thus, Xu Yang gave a faint smile. "It's not impossible to pass it on to you!"

Zhou Xiong was instantly overjoyed. "Your Highness, please be straightforward!"

Xu Yang rose to his feet. "Come play with me first."

"Huh?"

Zhou Xiong stared in astonishment.

What does that mean?

A fight?

He frowned. "Your Highness, no offense, but although my divine power is sealed, my physical strength remains."

A True Lord's body—even without True Essence and Spiritual Power—wasn't something those below his level could withstand.

"No worries!"

"Just hold back a little."

Xu Yang wasn't just being arbitrary.

Two months of enlightenment still needed to be tempered in real combat!

Especially the Chaotic Void Celestial Saber and Heaven-locking Seal!

And there was still close to a month left; in this last stretch, he had to go all out.

So real combat experience was even more vital!

A True Lord in person?

Obviously, the pressure was immense!

"Your Highness is sure?" Zhou Xiong asked tentatively, "No use of the spirit seal?"

Xu Yang nodded slightly.

Zhou Xiong was quite interested as well.

After being tormented day and night, a friendly sparring match was actually a nice change!

But in his heart, he didn't dare scheme anything.

Previously, his curse insects had been suppressed without the slightest ripple, which had shocked him deeply.

And now, since Xu Yang—Crown Prince—didn't need the spirit seal and even took the initiative to challenge him, who knew what kinds of treasures he might be hiding?

A Crown Prince appearing here—honestly, whatever kind of relics he had wouldn't be surprising!

"Please, Your Highness."

Zhou Xiong took a step forward and looked at Xu Yang.

Xu Yang flicked his palm.

The spirit seal instantly appeared in the distance.

Seeing this, Zhou Xiong squinted. "Your Highness isn't afraid of any mishaps?"

Xu Yang's face was calm as he replied blandly, "You can give it a try!"

"..."

Zhou Xiong's eyelids twitched, then his muscles spasmed—like hell I'd try!

If you, as Crown Prince, dare put your life on the line, you think I'm an idiot?

Buzz!

A monstrous blood fiend aura suddenly swept across a thousand-zhang radius.

Zhou Xiong's pupils shrank sharply as he stared mortally at the Asura Blood Saber, unable to restrain a compliment: "Excellent blade!"

That was no exaggeration!

Back before he'd been sealed here, of all the divine weapons he'd seen, only a handful could compare with this blood saber before him!

Especially that dense blood-fiend aura; it brought back memories of brutal slaughter, making him both nostalgic and excited!

Xu Yang's expression was grave as he gripped the Asura Blood Saber, power within his body surging fiercely!

Facing a True Lord, there could be no holding back!

Boom!

With a thunderous roar erupting from his body, Xu Yang's eyes turned completely dark gold, unleashing the Cangxu Divine Eyes.

Then, True Essence gushed forth, Spiritual Power tightly scanning the surroundings, his mind taut, every bit of focus engaged!

Boom!

Whoosh!

He suddenly sprang forward, speed like lightning, a single saber strike warping the air—appearing before Zhou Xiong in a flash, the blade coming down brutally for Zhou Xiong's head!