The First Prince's voice grew louder. Facing the desperate situation of being surrounded, he spread his arms and looked down at the stunned Seventh Prince.
"Someone like you can't kill me."
"Why..."
"Awaken, Guardian Stone Lion!"
The Seventh Prince was cut off mid-sentence.
Rumble!!
The entire Stone Saint Forest suddenly began to shake violently.
It was as if some enormous behemoth was about to awaken!
"No, impossible!"
The Seventh Prince stared up in shock. His pupils suddenly contracted.
The Guardian Stone Lion, impossibly huge and revered as a Sacred Object by the Qing Kingdom, one that only His Majesty could command, slowly opened its stone eyes.
It moved!
Thick dust, accumulated over countless years, poured down from the Guardian Stone Lion like a torrential rain. Beneath its massive shadow, everyone stood dumbstruck, their minds reeling.
When they finally came to their senses—
Rustle, rustle.
The people of the Purple Hall dropped to their knees.
"Congratulations, First Prince, on earning the Guardian Stone Lion's recognition!"
"Congratulations, First Prince, on earning the Guardian Stone Lion's recognition!"
"Congratulations, First Prince, on earning the Guardian Stone Lion's recognition!"
At this moment, whatever their reasons had been before, whatever their faction or thoughts, everyone adopted the same stance.
They were loyal to the First Prince, loyal to... the rightful imperial authority!
In the heart of every person in the Qing Kingdom, the Guardian Stone Lion represented invincibility.
The First Prince, who commanded the Guardian Stone Lion, was likewise... invincible!
"By my command, seize the rebel, the Seventh Prince."
The Purple Hall guards, who had been allies just moments ago, all sprang up and leveled their swords at the Seventh Prince.
His expression changed. After a moment's rapid thought, the Seventh Prince gritted his teeth and retreated.
The Purple Hall's betrayal was a minor matter. His