Meng Ruoxue's Goal, The Court's Web of Relationships!

The Sky Demoness left the Prince's Mansion shortly after. He still needed to maintain his disguise as Chu Yuan, so he couldn't stay there for too long.

Chu Yun sat alone in his room, holding the box that sealed the Evil Infant, which Wang Han Cuo and the others had given him.

"Ye Tun, are you sure you can do this?"

"Two Nirvana Realm Evil Infants, and you'll successfully evolve into a Venerable Realm being?"

Chu Yun mentally queried the Evil Infant, Ye Tun.

Ye Tun respectfully replied, "Master, this matter is absolutely true."

"I've been at the peak of the Nirvana Realm for many years, and I've devoured over a dozen Nirvana Realm Evil Infants. I'm already about eighty to ninety percent of the way to evolving into a Venerable Realm being."

"If I can devour two more Nirvana Realm Evil Infants, I will definitely become a Venerable Realm Evil Infant and will not disappoint you, Master!"

Ye Tun guaranteed with conviction.

Chu Yun listened to his words, his expression unchanged. "I hope so."

"If you can reach the Venerable Realm, you'll be able to take human form. Then you won't have to hide in my consciousness all the time."

Venerable Realm Evil Infants no longer needed to exist in their infant form. They could freely transform into various species, such as humans or demonic beasts, with no difficulty.

Moreover, unless someone's cultivation was significantly higher than theirs, even a Venerable Realm expert of the same level would find it difficult to detect their true form without making a move!

After putting away the box, Chu Yun went to the palace with Luo Feng.

There were some things he intended to discuss with his mother and maternal uncle.

Prime Minister's Mansion.

Meng Ruoxue held the list in her hand, her gaze lingering on the names.

The formation she had prepared to deal with Nirvana Realm experts was already set up.

It was located outside the Imperial City, in a place called Crescent Moon Valley.

The area was sparsely populated, quiet, and desolate – the perfect place for planning.

After carefully reviewing the list, Meng Ruoxue finally set her sights on one person.

The Grand Elder of the Yan Family, Yan Song!

The Yan Family was a local influential family within the Imperial City.

Although no one from the family held official positions in court, the Yan Family's foundation could not be ignored. Their ancestors had once produced figures at the Venerable Realm.

Even though they were no longer as prominent as they once were, they were still ranked among the top three influential families in the Imperial City.

Especially the current head of the Yan Family, whose talent was not bad. He only lacked a bit of opportunity to break through to the Venerable Realm.

"It's him!"

"Yan Song!" Meng Ruoxue confirmed her target.

The beautiful woman heard the name and thought carefully. "Miss, Yan Song holds a high position in the Yan Family's hierarchy, but he has no children and often stays within the Yan Family's estate. It might be difficult to lure him out of the city."

Meng Ruoxue's expression was calm. "Having no children doesn't mean he doesn't have anyone he cares about."

"I heard that Yan Song kept several young women outside the family. Follow that lead and investigate."

The beautiful woman replied, "Yes, Miss."

In the Imperial Palace.

Chu Yun, Consort Shi, and Asura Venerable sat together.

"Yun'er, is there something you need?" Consort Shi asked directly.

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"Mother Consort, this son intends to... establish his own network of connections within the Imperial City," Chu Yun said.

Consort Shi and Asura Venerable exchanged a glance. The latter crossed his arms and said calmly, "Tell us more."

"Alright."

"Uncle, Mother Consort, you both must know that if the Crown Prince were to disregard the forces of the Empress's faction, the powers and connections surrounding him are the strongest among all of Father Emperor's sons."

"Therefore, if we rely solely on the Shi Family, it would be like trying to fight a hundred battles with just two fists – our strength is too weak."

"Thus, I want to start building my own network of connections, with myself as the foundation."

"I've come here mainly to ask Mother Consort and Uncle which forces within the Imperial City would be suitable to stand on my side?" Chu Yun said earnestly.

His thoughts were naturally well-considered.

After Consort Shi and Asura Venerable were silent for a moment, the former said, "Yun'er, there are many forces within the Imperial City, and their relationships are quite complex."

"The Crown Prince has managed to win over at least half of the local powers within the Imperial City."

"Of the remaining ones, the only ones worth considering are the Yan Family, Heavenly Treasure Pavilion, Prince Ming's Mansion, and the Prime Minister's Mansion."

Chu Yun had heard of these powers.

The Yan Family was a local aristocratic family whose strength and foundation ranked among the top three in the Imperial City.

As for the Prime Minister's Mansion, there was no need to elaborate. The Prime Minister, the foremost official, was a genuine expert of the Venerable Realm!

Even his uncle would have to show him some respect.

Prince Ming's Mansion was one of the three royal mansions in the Imperial City.

The other two princes were the Black Iron King and Prince Xuan.

The former had long been aligned with the Empress's faction, while the latter had been in strict seclusion for fifty years, unseen by anyone, and thus was out of consideration.

As for the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion.

Before Misty Rain Pavilion entered the Imperial City, Heavenly Treasure Pavilion was the Great Xia Dynasty's premier merchant guild, enjoying boundless glory.

But after Misty Rain Pavilion appeared, Heavenly Treasure Pavilion was suppressed at every turn, and its business suffered severe damage.

This was because its resources, foundation, and even the strength of its upper management could not compare to Misty Rain Pavilion.

Since then, Heavenly Treasure Pavilion had been continuously suppressed by Misty Rain Pavilion, its former glory long gone.

As things stood, they could only open branches in other parts of the Great Xia Dynasty to alleviate the financial pressure on the main pavilion.

However, even though Heavenly Treasure Pavilion couldn't compare to Misty Rain Pavilion, it didn't mean they were completely finished.

After all, they had once been the premier merchant guild; a starving camel is still bigger than a horse!

The pavilion master of Heavenly Treasure Pavilion was still a figure at the Venerable Realm.

It was just that now, due to the existence of Misty Rain Pavilion, they were forced to maintain a very low profile.

"I heard the Crown Prince tried to win over these powers, but they all refused in the end."

The Asura Venerable nodded and replied, "Indeed, Chu Rong not only tried to win them over, but he even attempted to recruit Prince Xuan's Mansion."

"However, the leaders of these powers are all shrewd. Compared to getting entangled in the vortex of imperial power, they desire stability for themselves more."

"After all, in the struggle for imperial power, no party can claim absolute certainty of victory."

"They are all intelligent people and understand the consequences of such actions."

Chu Yun's expression turned serious. "The main reason they didn't accept Chu Rong's overtures, I believe, was because of Father Emperor."

The Asura Venerable and Consort Shi looked at him with surprise. "Yun'er, your insight to reach this point is truly extraordinary."

"You are correct. The primary reason Prime Minister Meng and the pavilion master of Heavenly Treasure Pavilion refused was because of your Father Emperor."

"The current Emperor!"

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