Qing Emperor is waiting? Who has such honor!

"Hmph, not only were our plans a complete waste, but that monstrous prodigy, so young, already harbors such hostility towards our sects and academies. If he's allowed to grow, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he might wipe us all out!"

The elder from the Purple Sun Thunder Sect, a middle-aged man with an explosive hairstyle and a fiery temper, snorted coldly upon hearing the elder from the Beast Taming Immortal Sect.

Silence fell over the scene.

"Everyone, why so quiet? Let's think of a solution. We can't just sit here and wait to die. One Azure Emperor already has us on the ropes, leaving us breathless. Now, the Azure Emperor has a son with even more terrifying talent. Once he grows up, we might truly have no chance of survival," the dean of Haoran Academy sighed.

"The Eleventh Prince, Lu Chen, must die!"

As the dean of Haoran Academy finished speaking, the old dean of Jishi Academy spoke with a grim expression.

In an instant, the eyes of everyone present flickered.

"It's obvious the Azure Emperor has recognized the Eleventh Prince's talent. He will undoubtedly provide the most thorough protection for him. It will be difficult for us to make a move!"

"If I recall correctly, in a month, the triennial Eastern Cang Region Heavenly Pride Competition will be held. And this year, it happens to be Great Qian's turn to host!" the elder from Taixu Sword Sect said. As he spoke, the elder from Tanyang Sect chimed in.

As their words fell, a look of contemplation appeared on their faces.

"The Heavenly Pride Competition has always been held in the imperial capitals of various nations. Therefore, in a month, countless heavenly prides and heroes from across the Eastern Cang Region will flock to the Great Qian imperial capital. The capital will inevitably be in utter chaos then. We can take advantage of the situation, create a diversion, and by any means necessary, find a way to eliminate him. If the Azure Emperor's Eleventh Prince doesn't die, we won't be able to sleep or eat in peace!" the elder from Taixu Sword Sect gritted out.

The others nodded in agreement.

"This plan is excellent!" the dean of Jishi Academy said.

"In that case, let's conclude our discussion here. Everyone, make your preparations!" The elder from Taixu Sword Sect was the first to stand and leave. The other five exchanged glances and departed one after another.

Meanwhile, Lu Chen was unaware that the four great sects and two great academies had already joined forces with others to put him to death.

At this moment, the Wood Spirit Energy around Lu Chen had condensed so densely it was like water. The phantom of the Five-Clawed Azure Dragon surrounding him exuded a powerful Azure Dragon pressure, as if it were a true dragon.

In the next moment, Lu Chen's eyes snapped open.

At that instant, all the surrounding Wood Spirit Qi surged into the Five-Clawed Azure Dragon.

Roar...

The phantom of the Five-Clawed Azure Dragon, infused with Wood Spirit Energy, seemed to come alive. It let out a long roar before directly charging into Lu Chen's arms, merging with them.

Just then, Lu Chen felt an boundless power surge through his arms, as if he could overturn the heavens and shift the earth.

Instinctively, Lu Chen formed his hands into claws and swung them forward.

However, at that moment, Lu Chen's mind raced. He let out a low growl and forcefully retracted his palms. Lu Chen suddenly remembered. At his Land Immortal realm, if he were to unleash the Azure Dragon Cloud-Roaming Claw, the terrifying power of a single strike would likely reduce the entire Yuan Xiu Palace to ruins.

"No, I need to find a way to leave the palace and establish my own residence outside with my own space. Otherwise, within the confines of the palace, I won't even have room to practice my techniques," Lu Chen muttered to himself with a dejected expression.

Nevertheless, Lu Chen had successfully cultivated the Azure Dragon Cloud-Roaming Palm.

Afterward, Lu Chen took out a wooden sword, intending to practice the first stance of the Roaming Dragon Azure Cloud Sword Art, Azure Dragon Emerges from the Sea.

However, the moment Lu Chen applied force, the wooden sword in his hand turned to dust. The wooden sword's strength couldn't withstand Lu Chen's supreme sword qi.

"This is really a headache!" Lu Chen scratched his head and sighed in resignation.

"I'll cultivate the Nine Revolutions Azure Dragon Art first!" Lu Chen sighed and sat cross-legged on the ground with his palms facing the sky, beginning his cultivation.

The next day...

Lu Chen was still groggily half-asleep when he was woken by the hoarse voice of a eunuch. Checking the time, it was only four in the morning.

"Your Highness the Eleventh Prince, His Majesty has decreed that you are to attend the morning court!" the old eunuch said, bowing respectfully to Lu Chen.

A morning court at four in the morning? Lu Chen was still disoriented. He instinctively looked up, wanting to see the sun in the imperial capital at four in the morning, only to find that the sun was still sound asleep at this hour.

"Being an emperor is really not a human job; it's too exhausting."

Lu Chen muttered to himself.

The old eunuch, hearing such treasonous words, trembled all over. He buried his head in his chest, not daring to say another word, pretending he hadn't heard a thing.

With the frantic efforts of his mother, Consort Yuan, and the maids, Lu Chen finally managed to get ready.

By this time, it was already five in the morning.

Meanwhile, in the Golden Palace Hall, the morning court had already been in session for half an hour.

In fact, the morning court began at four in the morning every day.

The Azure Emperor arranging for a eunuch to wake Lu Chen at four showed his deep care and affection for his son.

He was afraid his precious son would wake up too early and be unhappy.

At this moment, in the Golden Palace Hall, after answering the questions of the civil and military officials, the Azure Emperor sat on his dragon throne, narrowed his eyes, and lightly tapped his fingers on the armrest.

Below, seeing the Azure Emperor remain silent, the officials dared not speak more.

However, the civil and military officials were utterly perplexed.

What was wrong with His Majesty today?

By all rights, His Majesty was a man of decisive action.

After all matters of the morning court were concluded, he would usually announce the end of the session immediately!

Now that all matters were finished, why was he closing his eyes and resting here?

Many officials exchanged glances in secret.

At this moment, a burly man in his forties, clad in black armor and wielding a long saber, the foremost of the officials to the right of the Emperor, could not help but speak.

"Your Majesty, is there anything else? If not, let's end the court. My daughter, Luo Li, is waiting for me to go home for breakfast!"

The man's voice was very gruff.

This was none other than Duke Zhenguo, Luo Zhenshan.

He had grown up with the Azure Emperor, playing together since childhood.

As an adult, he had expanded the empire's territory for the Azure Emperor, and was arguably the foremost general of Great Qian. He had even been bestowed the title of Duke Zhenguo by the Azure Emperor.

In the entire court, perhaps only Duke Zhenguo dared to speak to the Azure Emperor so directly.

Hearing Duke Zhenguo's words, the officials in the Golden Palace Hall fell silent, pretending not to hear.

However, a hint of a smile appeared on the Azure Emperor's face upon hearing this.

"Don't worry, I'm waiting for someone. If little Luo Li gets impatient waiting, you can have her brought here to wait with me for breakfast!"

The Azure Emperor said with a chuckle.

However, as the Azure Emperor's words fell, the entire court was plunged into dead silence.

The civil and military officials present, including Duke Zhenguo, were all inwardly turbulent.

Waiting for someone? His Majesty was actually waiting for someone!

Who could this esteemed person be, who dared to make His Majesty wait here!

Shock appeared on the faces of many officials.

Duke Zhenguo, hearing this, rolled his eyes. He didn't say another word, merely cupped his hands and took two steps back, falling silent.