A Loving Father, a Filial Son

Zhang Yang disguised himself and arrived in the capital of the Cloud Mountain Empire.

After the opening of the Azure Cloud Sect Secret Realm, he became a celebrity throughout the land. Under these circumstances, leaving the Azure Cloud Sect would certainly be extremely dangerous.

Even though he carried the life-saving talisman given to him by his master, it was better to avoid trouble, since his master couldn't easily leave the Azure Cloud Sect.

Therefore, he disguised himself as an ordinary cultivator and entered the Imperial Capital of the Cloud Mountain Empire.

As expected of the capital of a country, although it is not as prosperous as the metropolises he has seen in the past, it is far more prosperous than cities like Anqing City.

People come and go, and cars and horses move about.

Although Zhang Yang's attire was ordinary, Zhang Yang was a cultivator, and no one dared to underestimate him.

Even the gatekeepers of the Imperial Capital respectfully allowed Zhang Yang into the Imperial Capital.

"Excuse me, how do I get to the Third Prince's residence?" Zhang Yang asked the gatekeeper instead.

A year has passed, and he's ready to see how well his cheap disciple has used his political maneuvering.

"You also want to pledge allegiance to His Highness the Third Prince?" The city gate official sized Zhang Yang up and down. "His Highness the Third Prince is now the Wise Prince of our Cloud Mountain Empire. There are too many people who want to pledge allegiance to him. He doesn't look down on ordinary people."

Zhang Yang smiled and said, "I am at the Golden Core Realm!"

"Oh? Then you're in luck!" The city gate official was quite surprised. "His Highness the Third Prince is also seeking immortality. As Golden Core Realm immortal master, you're sure to be able to find a job in His Highness's residence."

The city gate official became much more enthusiastic, almost to the point of being willing to answer any questions he had.

Zhang Yang not only learned the location of the Third Prince's residence, but also gained a general understanding of the Third Prince's return to the Imperial Capital.

Then, he went to the Third Prince's residence.

Upon hearing that a celestial master was coming to visit, the Third Prince hurriedly went to greet him, practically "returning his shoes upside down to welcome him."

The Third Prince invited Zhang Yang into the mansion and smiled at him, Zhang Yang, "Where do you come from, fellow Daoist?"

"A mere Rogue Cultivator, not worth mentioning!" Seeing that there were other people around, Zhang Yang did not directly tell the Third Prince his identity.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, he used his Spiritual Sense to reveal his identity to the Third Prince.

The Third Prince's expression froze, then he looked at Zhang Yang with great excitement.

He forced himself to calm down and said to those around him, "All of you step back. Today, I, the king, will have a proper discussion with this fellow Daoist about immortality and the Dao!"

The other guards tactfully stepped back, but did not completely distance themselves.

Once everyone was alone, the Third Prince whispered, "Master, what brings you here?"

He still respectfully addressed Zhang Yang as his master, truly because he held Zhang Yang in the Celestial Person.

In the past, he and his brothers vied for the throne, but were entangled in various ways and had no chance of winning.

However, after Zhang Yang's training at the Azure Cloud Sect, his situation completely changed.

After returning from the Azure Cloud Sect, he lived a life of unparalleled glory!

First, he took the blame for the emperor, and then he voluntarily went to Immortal Cultivation.

The emperor already favored the Third Prince and felt guilty, thinking he had hurt his son's feelings. In the following events, the Third Prince, following Zhang Yang's teachings, spoke frankly to the emperor, displaying remarkable candor. Furthermore, he showed no interest in power. This behavior made the emperor very fond of the Third Prince, granting him almost everything he desired.

In an instant, the Third Prince became the Emperor's absolute favorite!

Secondly, precisely because he Immortal Cultivation, several brothers who were originally very hostile towards him all abandoned their hostility.

Because the Third Prince was favored by the Emperor and commanded the Flying Dragon Army, the other princes not only did not oppose him, but instead tried to win him over, telling him all their secrets.

However, the Third Prince acted impartially, showing great kindness to each of his brothers and even advising them to love one another. Although each of the princes disagreed in their hearts, they all treated the Third Prince with great respect.

More importantly, in factional struggles, court officials are in great danger. Choosing the wrong side can lead not only to one's own downfall but also to the ruin of one's entire Lineage.

In the past, every minister had no choice but to align themselves with any of the princes.

However, since the Third Prince Immortal Cultivation and no longer participated in the struggle for the throne, all the Third Prince who truly did not want to engage in factional strife sided with him.

It can be said that the Third Prince has become the most powerful person under the Emperor.

And all of this was achieved in less than a month of studying with Zhang Yang!

Under such circumstances, how could the Third Prince not show respect to Zhang Yang?

If it weren't for the conflict between the Azure Cloud Sect and the Cloud Mountain Empire, he would have openly gone to the Azure Cloud Sect to visit Zhang Yang.

Now that Zhang Yang has come to visit in person, the Third Prince is overjoyed.

"Master, I now possess immense power." The Third Prince looked at Zhang Yang earnestly. "It's almost as if, once Father leaves, I will be able to become the Emperor of the Cloud Mountain Empire."

Now I would like to ask Master, what should be the next step?

"Let's just keep things as they are!" Zhang Yang said casually.

The Third Prince said with some distress, "Master, you don't know! Ever since I started Immortal Cultivation, Father has found many spirit medicine to help me Body Refinement."

With the help of many spirit medicine, I am almost ready to successfully Body Refinement.

Next, we will open up the Spirit Sea!

I'm a little worried; my father hasn't even passed away yet, and I'm already at the Golden Core Realm."

Zhang Yang looked at the Third Prince and thought to himself, "You really are your father's good son!"

He asked casually, "You don't really think Immortal Cultivation is that simple, do you? You're already over twenty and only just started cultivating, and after more than a year you still haven't succeeded in Body Refinement... and that's after expending a lot of resources. So, you think Sea Opening of immortality is as easy as it sounds?"

My conservative estimate is that it will take you at least two to three years to Sea Opening.

This was still a case of good luck, despite the significant amount of resources consumed.

However, the most difficult hurdle is actually the Dao Seed!

You are obsessed with becoming an emperor and have no intention of Immortal Cultivation at all; in other words, you don't even have the Dao Heart for Immortal Cultivation!

Under such circumstances, the emergence of Dao Seed becomes extremely difficult.

So there's absolutely no need for you to be in such a hurry.

Just like I told you before, in the struggle for power and profit, stability is the most important thing!

You've now gathered enough power to dominate the scene. One day, you'll find that even if you don't want to be emperor, people will be begging you to be emperor. That's the ultimate way to seize power!

Upon hearing Zhang Yang's words, the Third Prince's agitated mood calmed down once more, and he respectfully bowed to Zhang Yang: "It's all thanks to Master's guidance!"

Then he asked, "Master, is there something you need from me?"

Zhang Yang smiled and said, "I came to the Imperial Capital this time for other business, and just happened to drop by to see you."

"I wonder if there's anything I can do to help?" the Third Prince asked again.

Zhang Yang pondered for a moment and said, "You can indeed be of help, and this matter is even closely related to you. I plan to meet the Emperor; there are some things I'll only know after we meet him."