"The Alchemy Legion?"
Zhang Yu frowned slightly, looking at the seemingly ordinary Crystal Ball in Murong Bai's hand, his doubts deepening.
But such a vital force, concerning the very foundation of a nation's Imperial Authority, is it really going to be so easily given up for a newly confirmed, orphaned Princes to inherit?
That's far too frivolous.
He subconsciously turned his gaze to Zhang Lingyun beside him, hoping to get some information or hints from her.
Unexpectedly, the moment Zhang Lingyun heard the words "Alchemy Legion," her dark purple eyes suddenly lit up, even with a hint of urgency.
"Zhang Yu, don't hesitate, merge now!"
Zhang Lingyun's voice carried an undeniable urgency, and she quickly transmitted her Voice Transmission to Zhang Yu in a secret tone, her voice grave:
"That Alchemy Legion was forged with painstaking effort by the Sheng Family Founding Ancestor. Its power cannot be fathomed by ordinary reason. It is the true foundation of the Sheng Family's nation and State-Protecting Divine Artifact."
Legend has it that wherever the Alchemy Legion goes, even ordinary Immortal must temporarily give way.
She paused, her gaze towards Zhang Yu extremely serious:
"This is the fundamental reason why the Sheng family, despite being utterly useless in cultivation, has been able to firmly hold the throne of the Eastern Sheng Kingdom for a thousand years."
Zhang Lingyun's explanation and urging startled Zhang Yu.
I never expected this Alchemy Legion to have such a powerful background and such terrifying power, enough to rival the strength of immortals and gods.
However, having read countless novels in his previous life and being well-versed in various inheritance traps and the old man's Body Seizure tropes, Zhang Yu's sense of caution was even more taut.
There are no free lunches in life; what falls from the sky is mostly a trap.
Such immense power, yet the process of its transmission is so simple?
He looked at Murong Bai and asked the question that had been bothering him:
"Elder Murong, such an important inheritance, concerning the lifeline of the Imperial Family and the very foundation of the nation, is just... given to me like this?"
No tests required?
Does it not require going through processes like Bloodline Trial, Temperament Test, or Ancestor Recognition?
"This is... way too hasty!"
Zhang Yu's question is perfectly reasonable.
He comes from an era of information overload and understands the principle that what is free is often the most expensive.
Murong Bai seemed to have anticipated Zhang Yu's questioning, and explained:
"In times of peace and prosperity, when the Imperial Family is flourishing, it is natural that they need to go through layers of selection and rigorous tests."
Control of the Alchemy Legion, and the ultimate reward for the victor, requires the approval of the Ancestors spirits and the torment of the Heart Refining Array before it can be granted.
He abruptly changed the subject, his eyes revealing both regret and resolve:
"However, the great upheaval three years ago wiped out the Imperial Family bloodline."
Your Highness is, to this day, the only remaining descendant of the Imperial Family bloodline.
We have no other choice.
"No other choice?"
Zhang Yu's lips twitched, his pride wounded. If there were a choice in matters of the heart, then I wouldn't have a chance.
Zhang Lingyun urged again, "Stop hesitating, this is an opportunity we can't miss."
"Damn it, fortune favors the bold."
Thinking of the Alchemy Legion that was powerful enough to rival Immortal, Zhang Yu gritted his teeth, a resolute glint in his eyes.
Without further hesitation, Zhang Yu extended his right index finger, bit the tip with his teeth, squeezed out a drop of bright red blood, and dripped it onto the surface of the Crystal Ball.
Murong Bai remained calm upon seeing this; this was not the first time he had witnessed this ceremony.
Zhang Lingyun held her breath, staring intently at the Crystal Ball and Zhang Yu.
The blood droplet touched the crystal surface and did not slide off, but was instantly absorbed as if it had been dropped into water.
The next second, the Crystal Ball erupted with a soft yet incredibly vast light, and an indescribably massive flow of information surged violently into Zhang Yu's Sea of Consciousness along the link established by that drop of blood.
"Well!"
Zhang Yu groaned, his body trembled violently, his eyes instantly lost focus, and his consciousness was overwhelmed by the massive flood of information.
"So that's how it is... So that's how it is..."
Zhang Yu understood the Sheng Family's Ten-Thousand-Year Secret and felt a surge of anger. "The Sheng Family has truly raised a nation of ingrates."
"Speaking of which, why has the Sheng Family been willing to make silent sacrifices all these years? Were all the emperors of past dynasties saints?"
Zhang Yu was filled with doubt when suddenly something unexpected happened!
A cold, vast, and pure thought, like a lurking venomous snake, suddenly erupted!
It did not intend to Body Seizure or annihilate, but rather, with a will akin to the laws of Heavenly Dao, it crashed fiercely into Zhang Yu's Divine Soul core!
Brainwashing!
That's right, it's brainwashing!
Or rather, it is a supreme level of Loyalty Brand, rooted in the Origin of the soul!
This idea has only one core, an absolute command that cannot be changed or violated.
In this lifetime, I must protect the Eastern Sheng Kingdom, with the continuation of its Eastern Sheng Kingdom and the well-being of its people as my highest principles. I must not harm any innocent citizen of the Eastern Sheng Kingdom in any form or for any reason.
This force of will was immense, carrying the will of the Sheng Family Ancestor and the core contract power of the Alchemy Legion. It was simply beyond Zhang Yu's relatively weak Divine Soul's ability to resist at this moment.
"What is that?" Zhang Yu was Divine Soul and let out a silent roar.
He felt his consciousness, memories, emotions, and self-awareness begin to waver and become blurred under the onslaught of this cold will!
The brand, like red-hot iron, was meant to be deeply imprinted into the very depths of his soul, transforming him into a "perfect tool" who knew only how to protect the Eastern Sheng Kingdom and had no personal desires!
"Ah--!"
A tearing pain surged through Zhang Yu's Divine Soul, causing his physical body to convulse slightly. Veins bulged on his forehead, and cold sweat instantly soaked his back.
Outside, Zhang Yu stood motionless, showing no other unusual signs except for a slight tremor and a pained expression.
Murong Bai observed this calmly and explained to Zhang Lingyun, who had suddenly become alert:
"Your Highness is receiving the complete royal inheritance, which involves a vast amount of information. Some fluctuations in your Divine Soul are normal."
"This has always been the case when each Your Majesty ascended the throne, so please rest assured, young lady."
He spoke calmly, as if he were used to it.
Zhang Lingyun's eyes were sharp as knives as she stared intently at Zhang Yu, then looked at Murong Bai.
She couldn't detect any sign of lying on Murong Bai's face; he genuinely believed it was just a normal fluctuation in the inheritance.
But the strange fluctuations in Zhang Yu's Divine Soul set off alarm bells in her mind.
However, she did not sense any murderous intent, because the lurking Crystal Ball's intention was not to Killing Intent, nor did it intend to harm Zhang Yu; it was merely performing Mind Hypnosis.
Therefore, even an ancient monster like Zhang Lingyun didn't notice anything unusual.
At this moment, Zhang Yu's consciousness was becoming increasingly blurred.
The icy, branded will surged like a tide, wave after wave, relentlessly assaulting his Divine Soul's defenses.
His self-awareness was fading, and he unconsciously began to murmur, his voice soft yet carrying an undeniable resolve. "To protect the Eastern Sheng Kingdom for life... never to have a second thought... to safeguard... the people..."
His Divine Soul defenses were about to completely collapse, and his ego was about to be completely covered and reshaped by this ancient Loyalty Brand...