The Deposed Crown Prince Turmoil

Over the next three days, the Imperial Dynasty was like a deep pool struck by a stone, wave after wave rippling across its lands.

Either the Demon Race took advantage of the opening, or the shadows of the Nine Nether Sect stirred up trouble. News even came that some sects had secretly colluded with the Nine Nether Sect, their intentions unclear.

This unending unrest was like countless fine needles, pricking Emperor Ling Cangqiong until he was mentally exhausted, weariness gradually appearing on his imperial face.

At last, he made a decision that shook both court and country: he entrusted the entire task of quelling the unrest and minimizing losses to Crown Prince Ling Tian, giving him one month to keep the negative impact to the lowest possible level.

If he failed, even his position as Crown Prince would be lost.

The moment this imperial decree was issued, the court exploded into uproar.

Countless ministers moved at the news, submitting memorials one after another in remonstrance. They argued that this was a matter of national importance and could not be left entirely to the Crown Prince alone, much less tied to his position as Crown Prince, lest the foundations of the nation be shaken.

However, Ling Cangqiong's response was simple and brutal.

He directly demoted one minister who had taken the lead in remonstrating and spoken most fiercely, stripping him of real authority and appointing another official to temporarily take his place.

This iron-fisted measure instantly silenced the entire court.

Everyone, whether old ministers of high rank and great power or generals holding military command, felt a chill rise from their spines straight to the backs of their heads.

No one dared utter another word. The Emperor's majesty was displayed in full at that moment.

When Fifth Prince Ling Ji learned the news, a blazing light burst from his eyes—the thrill of ambition being fed.

"Good! Pass down the order," he immediately instructed Wang Zhen beside him in a low voice, unable to suppress the pleasure in his tone. "Have those causing trouble in various regions make an even bigger mess. Stir the waters until they are muddier still!"

At the same time, Ling Xiao, far away in Wuzhou, also received the news. A cold smile tugged at his lips as he likewise gave orders, directing the Forces under him to cause Crown Prince Ling Tian the greatest possible trouble and obstruct his efforts to quell the chaos.

At this moment, however, Crown Prince Ling Tian had already arrived at the Scripture Repository of the Eastern Palace, where he sought out Little Anzi, who was sorting through the texts.

He seemed to be looking for Little Anzi, but in truth...

"Master," he called softly, then briefly told Chen Lin of the Emperor's latest decree, as well as the brief upheaval in court and the current silence.

Chen Lin stood quietly beside Little Anzi. After hearing Ling Tian's account, he merely smiled faintly.

This was somewhat interesting.

Chen Lin stroked his beard, a gleam of insight flashing through his eyes.

He was using this wave of chaos to wear down the foundations of the Forces behind these Princes, making it easier for the imperial clan to centralize power in the future.

I had wondered why he had suddenly taken such a large step, allowing every region to descend into disorder. Now it seemed there was another meaning behind it.

The Crown Prince would not willingly lose his position, so he would certainly devote all his strength to quelling the chaos.

And the various Princes would certainly sabotage him from within, checking and restraining one another.

This was a war of attrition among the Princes.

Chen Lin spoke calmly to Ling Tian. "Disciple, have the people under you take action, but remember: using only one-third of your strength will be enough."

"If the position of Crown Prince is lost, then let it be lost. What truly decides your future is your own absolute strength."

"Think about it. You are the future Imperial Lord, Destined by Heaven, yet your Imperial Father suddenly favors the other Princes and even suppresses you. Behind this lies nothing more than his testing and maneuvering. He simply does not wish to relinquish power."

Chen Lin deliberately sought to awaken his disciple, letting him see the truth behind this game of power. It was also a little needling, lest Ling Tian be worn down until not a shred of strength remained—then how could he speak of suppressing the world?

After all, he was the other party's Imperial Tutor!

Though these words were not stated outright, their meaning was already clear.

Ling Tian's expression turned complicated. He sighed softly. "How could your disciple not understand these principles? It is just..."

In the end, he truly did not wish to see blades drawn and blood relatives slaughtering one another.

However, Chen Lin merely smiled, as if he had long seen through his thoughts. "If you truly had no preparations at all, Disciple, then why would you have Little Anzi recruit those Imperial Guards? You are unwilling, but reality often does not yield to one's wishes."

"Disciple, you are unwilling to truly face it, but this is reality."

As Chen Lin spoke, his gaze suddenly fixed on Ling Tian's face. A sharp glint flashed in his eyes, and an amused smile curved his lips as he slowly said, "However, Disciple, you seem to carry a different scent on you."

Before his words had even faded, Ling Tian sensed something unusual in his Master's gaze and asked instinctively, "Master, what is it?"

"It seems someone is still secretly cursing you." Chen Lin's voice carried understanding, along with a measure of scrutiny.

Ling Tian froze, before he had time to think further.

Chen Lin thought to himself:

Come to think of it, relying on the resources left by my disciple, I have reached the Divine Treasury Realm in just three short days.

So long as resources are sufficient, the speed of advancement is truly astonishing.

This is the marvel of a Great Perfection cultivation technique.

Now, Divine Treasury First Layer!

In the Divine Treasury Realm, severed limbs could regenerate!

With my strength, even ordinary Cultivators at the Divine Treasury Second Layer or Third Layer would likely be suppressed by me.

If he had not also cultivated curse techniques and reached the Divine Treasury Realm, he would certainly have easily overlooked this sinister, obscure fluctuation.

"Mm." After pondering for a moment, his gaze abruptly sharpened. "Disciple, someone has placed a curse on you. The power of this curse runs very deep, and it is hidden quite cleverly..."

He paused, then analyzed, "Judging by the traces of this curse, the caster's cultivation should be no more than the Divine Treasury Second Layer. Yet they managed to place such a concealed curse at your side without being noticed. It seems not every person under your command is clean."

The instant his words fell, Chen Lin's expression changed drastically, and he spoke no further.

He began murmuring an ancient and eerie incantation. His voice was low, carrying a soul-stirring force.

In the next instant, a tiny paper figure condensed in his palm, its entire body glowing with a faint halo of runes.

"This paper figure is already linked to the curse on your body." Chen Lin handed the paper figure toward Ling Tian.

"You need only carry it with you. When you approach the one who cast the curse, it will shine on its own to warn you. He is the target you seek."

Chen Lin lightly tapped the paper figure with one finger, infusing it with a thread of pure mana. "Furthermore, this paper figure contains a trace of this seat's Killing Intent. It will be enough for you to remove the other party silently, without anyone noticing."

After Chen Lin finished speaking, he continued, "Remember! Use only one-third of your strength to 'suppress' those disturbances. Remember, try not to spill a single drop of blood. But at the same time, you must cleanly and decisively uncover and eliminate the hidden sentries around you."

"This is the plan your Master has given you."

Chen Lin's words were calm, yet they exploded beside Ling Tian's ears like thunder.

After hearing them, a chill shot up his spine. His scalp prickled—there were actually such eyes and ears around him!

He had treated those subordinates with such sincerity. How could they...

But... Ling Tian's gaze suddenly became grateful as he stared intently at his Master.