"Hmph, it wasn't merely that our schemes had come to naught. That monster was still so young, yet he already harbored such hostility toward our sects and academies. Once he matured, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he might wipe us all out!"
The Purple Sun Thunder Sect elder was a middle-aged man with explosive hair and an explosive temper. Hearing what the Beast Taming Immortal Sect elder had said, he snorted coldly and spoke.
As soon as his words fell, the entire scene descended into dead silence.
"Everyone, why are you all so silent? Think of something! We can't just sit around waiting for death. One Azure Emperor is already enough to press us down until we can barely breathe. Now he has a son with an even more terrifying talent. Once that child grows up, I'm afraid we truly won't have any chance of surviving."
The headmaster of Haoran Academy let out a long sigh.
"Eleventh Prince Lu Chen must die!"
As soon as the headmaster of Haoran Academy finished speaking, the old headmaster of Jishi Academy spoke with a gloomy expression.
In an instant, everyone present began exchanging furtive glances.
"It's obvious that the Azure Emperor has also seen the Eleventh Prince's talent. He will certainly continue to provide the Eleventh Prince with the most comprehensive protection. I'm afraid it will be difficult for us to make a move!"
"If I remember correctly, the Eastern Cang Region's Heavenly Chosen Tournament, held once every three years, will take place in a month. And this year, it happens to be Great Qian Kingdom's turn to host it!"
The Taixu Sword Sect elder spoke. As soon as he finished, the Tanyang Sect elder immediately continued.
At that, several of them revealed looks of interest.
"The Heavenly Chosen Tournament has always been held in the imperial capitals of the various nations. Therefore, a month from now, countless heavenly chosen and heroes from across the Eastern Cang Region will pour into Great Qian's imperial capital. By then, the imperial capital will inevitably be in complete chaos. We can fish in troubled waters. No matter what method we use, we must find a way to eliminate him. As long as the Azure Emperor's Eleventh Prince remains alive, we won't be able to eat or sleep in peace!"
The Taixu Sword Sect elder spoke through clenched teeth.
The other five people nodded repeatedly in agreement.
"This plan is excellent!"
The headmaster of Jishi Academy nodded.
"Since that's settled, everyone, we'll end things here. Make your preparations!"
The Taixu Sword Sect elder was the first to stand and leave.
The other five exchanged glances before leaving one after another.
Meanwhile, Lu Chen still had no idea that the four great sects and two great academies had already joined forces with others to put him to death.
At that moment, the Wood Spirit Energy around Lu Chen had condensed until it was as thick as water.
The phantom of the Five-Clawed Azure Dragon around him also resembled a true dragon, radiating tremendous Azure Dragon Might.
In the next moment, Lu Chen suddenly opened his eyes.
At that instant, all the surrounding Wood Spirit Qi surged into the body of the Five-Clawed Azure Dragon.
Yin...
After fusing with the Wood Spirit Energy, the Five-Clawed Azure Dragon phantom seemed to come alive. It let out a long cry before charging directly into Lu Chen's arms, merging with both of them.
At that moment, Lu Chen felt that his arms possessed endless strength, as though he could turn the heavens and overturn the sun.
Almost instinctively, Lu Chen formed his hands into claws and swung them forward.
However, just then, Lu Chen's thoughts shifted. With a low growl, he forcibly withdrew his hands.
He had suddenly remembered that, with his Land Immortal Realm cultivation, if he used the Azure Dragon Cloud-Roaming Claw and swung it once, the terrifying force it released could probably reduce the entire Yuan Xiu Palace to ruins.
No. I still have to find a way to leave the imperial palace and establish my own residence outside. Otherwise, I won't even be able to practice my techniques properly inside this imperial palace.
Lu Chen muttered to himself with an annoyed expression.
However, by this point, Lu Chen had successfully cultivated the Azure Dragon Cloud-Roaming Claw.
Afterward, Lu Chen took out a wooden sword and prepared to cultivate the first move of the Azure Dragon Sword Art, Azure Dragon Emerges from the Sea.
However, just as Lu Chen exerted force, the wooden sword in his hand shattered into pieces.
The wooden sword's strength was simply incapable of withstanding his supreme Sword Qi.
"This is giving me one hell of a headache!"
Lu Chen scratched his head. Helpless, he could only let out a long sigh and compromise.
"I'll cultivate the Nine Revolutions Azure Dragon Art first!"
Lu Chen let out another long sigh, sat cross-legged on the ground with his five hearts facing the heavens, and began cultivating.
The next day...
Lu Chen was sleeping groggily when he was awakened by a eunuch's shrill, duck-like voice.
He checked the time. It was only four in the morning.
"Eleventh Prince, His Majesty has ordered me to escort Your Highness to attend the morning court!"
The old eunuch bowed deeply to Lu Chen and spoke respectfully.
The morning court at four in the morning?
Lu Chen was still somewhat dazed.
He subconsciously raised his head, wanting to see the sun at four in the morning in the imperial capital, only to discover that the sun was still sleeping soundly at that hour.
"Being an emperor really isn't a job for humans. It's far too exhausting."
Lu Chen muttered to himself.
Hearing such treasonous words, the old eunuch trembled from head to toe and lowered his head to his chest, not daring to say another word. He simply pretended not to have heard anything.
Amid the chaotic bustle of Consort Yuan and the palace maids, Lu Chen finally finished getting ready.
By then, it was already five in the morning.
At that moment, the morning court in the Golden Palace Hall had already been underway for half an hour.
In truth, morning court began at four every morning.
The Azure Emperor ordering a eunuch to wake Lu Chen at four already showed his deep care and affection for Lu Chen.
He was afraid his precious son would be unhappy if he woke too early.
At that moment, in the Golden Palace Hall, after answering the questions of the civil and military officials, the Azure Emperor sat on the dragon throne with narrowed eyes, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest.
Below, the assembled officials saw that the Azure Emperor was not speaking, so none of them dared say anything either.
However, the civil and military officials were all deeply puzzled.
What was wrong with His Majesty today?
Normally, His Majesty was a decisive and swift man.
Once all the matters of the morning court were concluded, he would immediately announce the court's dismissal!
Now that everything had already been settled, why had he begun sitting here with his eyes closed, resting?
The officials exchanged glances in secret.
Just then, the burly man at the head of the five officials on the right side of the Hall of Martial Might could no longer hold himself back. He was over forty, dressed in black armor, and held a saber in his hand.
"Your Majesty, is there anything else? If not, let's dismiss the court already. My daughter, Luo Li, is still waiting for me to go home and eat breakfast!"
The burly man's voice was extremely gruff.
This man was Duke of Zhenguo Luo Zhenshan.
He had grown up playing with the Azure Emperor, and the two had fought side by side since childhood.
After growing up, he had opened up new territories for the Azure Emperor. He could be called the foremost military commander in Great Qian, and the Azure Emperor had even bestowed upon him the title of Duke of Zhenguo.
Throughout the entire court, perhaps only Duke of Zhenguo dared to speak to the Azure Emperor so directly.
Hearing Duke of Zhenguo's words, all the officials in the Golden Palace Hall shut their mouths and pretended they had heard nothing.
However, when the Azure Emperor heard this, a trace of a smile appeared on his face.
"Don't be so hasty. I'm waiting for someone. If little Luo Li gets tired of waiting, call her over later and have breakfast with Us!"
The Azure Emperor spoke with a hearty laugh.
Yet as soon as his words fell, the entire court fell deathly silent.
All the civil and military officials present, including Duke of Zhenguo, were surging with turbulent emotions.
Waiting for someone? His Majesty was actually waiting for someone!
What sort of divine person could dare make His Majesty wait here?
Shock appeared on the faces of the officials one after another.
When Duke of Zhenguo heard this, his eyes shifted. He did not say anything else, merely cupping his fists and taking two steps back before falling silent.
Before you continue