Chapter 375: Chapter 225: The Crown Prince Enters Seclusion

Within the Jiuli Dynasty, a prince was assassinated, and even his hidden protector at the Middle Stage of Divinity Transformation perished, this news was like a thunderbolt, instantly detonating the Jiuli Dynasty, even overshadowing the Celestial Venerable Tomb in Liangzhou!

Overwhelming news surged in.

In the bustling streets and quiet alleys, teahouses and taverns, without Li Jizhou needing to convey information to Consort Zhen, the entire incident had already been pieced together.

Three days ago, the Ninth Prince’s entourage had just left Yunzhou City when suddenly a blood-soaked blade descended from the sky.

The three-headed Tier Four Barbaric Beast, Blood Jade Hou, pulling the carriage, died instantly.

In a panic, the Ninth Prince dashed out of the carriage frame, and the second blade followed. A protector hidden in the shadows flew out, only to be struck by the blood blade and killed on the spot, body and soul extinguished.

Fortunately, the Ninth Prince decisively activated a Teleportation Talisman, fleeing a thousand miles, narrowly escaping danger...

"Unreasonable!"

After carefully chewing over every detail, Li Jizhou slightly raised his eyebrows!

"Master, the Ninth Prince was just assassinated, let’s not head to Liangzhou, shall we? It’s safer to return to the Imperial City!" Sable’s first reaction was to advise retreat.

"Master, what is unreasonable?" Hong Luan was also quite startled by the Ninth Prince’s predicament.

The Ninth Prince was assassinated within the dynasty’s borders, not to mention their own master, who was less favored by the Saint Emperor.

Li Jizhou pondered for a moment, suddenly looking towards Yunzhou.

"To kill a Tier Four Barbaric Beast with a single slash, the residual force should have shredded Old Jiu inside the carriage."

"Moreover, such a powerful figure capable of instantly killing a Divinity Transformation protector, how could they have allowed the Ninth Prince a chance to flee?"

"It’s clear, the assassin did not truly intend to kill the Ninth Prince!"

"Could this be the Dragon Aspect’s means of dealing with the Crown Prince?"

In an instant, Li Jizhou connected previous information, linking the events together.

Before Li Jizhou could fully probe all the details, the next day, Consort Zhen sent an urgent message.

"The Crown Prince hired a killer for murder, the evidence is irrefutable!"

"As expected!" Li Jizhou smiled faintly, his previous speculations entirely confirmed.

The Dragon Aspect does not wish to see the Saint Emperor prematurely pass on the Quasi-Immortal Artifact, and now the Crown Prince’s Golden Core Dharma Aspect is too dazzling, likely tempting the Saint Emperor.

"Could it be... perhaps Father’s lifespan is not as lengthy as he anticipated?"

That’s why the Dragon Aspect wants to eliminate the Crown Prince,

yet once the Crown Prince is eliminated, the Ninth Prince stands out even more, possibly directly confirming the Ninth Prince’s ascendancy.

Therefore, before dealing with the Crown Prince, they lower the Ninth Prince’s favor first, then they would be on equal footing with the Ninth Prince, allowing for time to drag on, needing at least forty to fifty years before making a decision.

Even forty to fifty years later, if the Ninth Prince and their own Dharma Aspect are evenly matched, it would result in a dilemma.

The Dragon Aspect’s schemes seem increasingly clear.

"I need to find a way to inform the Saint Emperor!"

"But without evidence, if the Saint Emperor proves too obstinate, it might be counterproductive, possibly selling oneself out!" Li Jizhou frowned secretly.

However, fortunately, the Dragon Aspect’s plan currently relies heavily on time, and Li Jizhou similarly requires time to mature.

At least until the Golden Core stage, there is no worry.

"Hasten to Liangzhou!" With this in mind, Li Jizhou released a luxurious carriage from his storage ring.

The carriage is a top-grade flying magical treasure, far surpassing the flying ship piloted during the Qi Cultivation Stage.

Previously uncertain of how the Dragon Aspect would deal with the Crown Prince, fearing being used as a blade, Li Jizhou kept a low profile, fishing for time within the inner six provinces.

At this moment, the Dragon Aspect’s motives are clear.

The Ninth Prince has already been subjected to an assassination, dynasty’s hidden guards would be more vigilant than ever, he is no longer targeted with crisis.

On the carriage, Li Jizhou let out Cang Huang.

"Wu wu, Master, you broke your promise, releasing me only now." Cang Huang cried as he emerged, feeling wronged.

Li Jizhou smiled faintly, took out a large table of delicacies from the storage ring.

"Wow, Master, you are too good to me, I vow eternal loyalty to you, you are my sun, your kindness I can never repay!" Cang Huang lost all resistance upon seeing the food, gobbling it down while profusely pledging allegiance.

Li Jizhou ignored her, merely resting comfortably on the soft couch, with one leg stretched into Hong Luan’s arms, the other into Sable’s, enjoying their massage while casually pulling over Hong Luan’s fluffy tail, using it as a pillow to relax.

Sable continued to massage, continuously sensing for danger.

Hong Luan was bolder, helped Li Jizhou remove socks and shoes, rolled up his long robe, and gently moved her delicate hands upwards.

Five days later, another message from Consort Zhen arrived.

The court issued an announcement, the Crown Prince had encountered mishaps in cultivation, nearly falling into madness, requiring long-term secluded recuperation.

"Tsk tsk!" Li Jizhou clicked his tongue silently; the Dragon Aspect’s methods are indeed formidable.

So effortlessly, they eliminated the previously most hopeful Crown Prince from the succession.

Since the Saint Emperor has already issued such an announcement, the heir to the throne is only between him and the Ninth Prince; it’s beneficial for Li Jizhou.

However, Li Jizhou’s pressure also increased; no matter how dissatisfied the Saint Emperor might be with the Ninth Prince’s reputation during the tribute tour, the succession of the throne ultimately depends on strength and potential.

If during Foundation Establishment Li Jizhou fails to establish a Dao Foundation above the Profound Level, while the Ninth Prince succeeds, he would likely be sidelined, as only those above the Profound Level have hope of Refining Spirit.

The Ninth Prince has the support of Marquis Rong’s Mansion and its millennia-old noble lineage, he may well possess miraculous artifacts enhancing Dao Foundation construction.

In contrast, Li Jizhou genuinely has nothing.

Thus, he must go to the Celestial Venerable Tomb in Liangzhou to try his luck.

Moreover, the Ninth Prince has just survived a calamity, likely needing to recuperate in the Imperial City for a period; if Li Jizhou goes to Liangzhou, encountering hidden guards might allow him first dibs!

After another month, Liangzhou’s territory was faintly visible.

Along the way, encounters with flying cultivators grew increasingly frequent.

"Bad news, danger ahead, turn around quickly!"

On this day, Li Jizhou was comfortably enjoying Hong Luan’s skilled techniques when Sable suddenly shouted.

In the meantime, at the front, Cang Huang, busy gobbling up food while steering the carriage, was choked by a piece of Blazing Fire Carving’s roasted leg, hurriedly invoking magical power to change direction.

Boom!

However, before the turn was completed, a loud bang erupted at the front.

"Which rascal dares to be so bold, attacking me within the dynasty’s territory?" A voice shouted angrily.

The group’s Divine Senses instantly captured the scene ahead.

A flying magical artifact resembling a floral house staggered after the loud bang, struggling to regain balance before steadying.

Then eight people flew out from the floral house, led by a white-robed young man holding a paper fan, glaring angrily ahead.

Beside him were all women, vibrant and enchanting beauty.

Opposite him were five individuals, all shrouded in black clothing, further enveloped in a layer of black fog, making it difficult for the three women, including Hong Luan, to see through.

"Enough with the nonsense, hand over your storage bags, or face death!"