"However, composure alone is not enough for a ruler."
"You must possess the wisdom to make decisions, the authority to command your subordinates, and, above all, the resolve and ability to safeguard the realm and shelter its people."
"Your cultivation has reached the fifth heaven of Spirit Transformation. Cultivate diligently and glimpse the threshold of the Spirit Transformation peak as soon as possible. Only then can you truly deter threats within and without."
Emperor Huangze delivered his instructions to his son, one after another.
"Your son will faithfully heed your teachings, Father!"
"I will spare no effort and will not betray the great trust you have placed in me!"
Ji Beichen bowed deeply, his voice carrying a slight tremor, but even more than that, the heavy weight of responsibility.
Emperor Huangze then turned to the second prince, Ji Nanfeng, and the third prince, Ji Dongyang. "Nanfeng, Dongyang."
"Your sons are here!"
The two princes answered in unison.
"You two must do all you can to assist the crown prince and defend the imperial house."
"When brothers stand together, their edge can cleave metal."
"If I learn that you covet the throne and turn against your own brother-"
Emperor Huangze left his words unfinished, but his icy killing intent instantly drenched the two princes in cold sweat. They hastily declared that they harbored no disloyal intentions.
Next, Emperor Huangze looked at the three princes of the imperial clan. "Haoyun, Yonglie, Yongchen."
"Your subjects are here!"
The three princes bowed.
"After I depart, the crown prince shall hold supreme authority within the imperial clan."
"As pillars of the imperial clan, you three must put the dynasty's interests first, cast aside selfish motives, and jointly preserve the stability of the Ji Clan's realm."
"Against foreign enemies, you must stand together; against internal unrest,