Where the Nobles Stood

Several days passed like this.

Over those days, Jin Hao stayed at the First Prince Manor, pretending to be injured and recuperating. Everything seemed exceptionally calm, but what was happening in Heaven Dou City was anything but calm.

Thanks to Lin Cheng's deliberate spreading of the news, the noble households throughout Heaven Dou City all received word that First Prince Xue Qinghe had been attacked while hunting Soul Beasts to obtain a Soul Ring, and his Second Soul Ring had been forcibly fused with a Millennium Soul Ring.

They also learned, of course, that Xue Qinghe had turned misfortune into fortune. Not only had he avoided dying from his body exploding after absorbing a Millennium Soul Ring, but his Martial Soul had mutated during the absorption process, becoming the top-tier Ice Attribute Martial Soul, the Ice Crystal Swan. His Soul Power had even reached Level 26.

As this news spread, and with the Second Prince and Third Prince now dead, the contest for the throne seemed to have already reached its conclusion in the eyes of these nobles. Everyone was thinking about how to get on the First Prince's good side. But since they knew the First Prince was recovering from his injuries, many went to visit Lin Cheng, the First Prince's uncle.

How could Xue Ye, as emperor, not know about this news?

Xue Ye simply did not wish to interfere. There were two reasons. First, he had already decided in his heart that Xue Qinghe would inherit his throne.

Second, Xue Ye still had to deal with the aftermath of his two sons' deaths. More importantly, he had to find out which faction had acted against them. Someone had struck at all three of his sons within a single day, and only one had survived.

Of course, not every noble wanted to align themselves with the First Prince.

There were two other groups. They chose to remain still and do nothing. It was not that they did not want to act, but that they differed from the other ministers and nobles. These people held military authority and real power in their hands.

Thus, they did not dare—or rather, they did not dare openly. Those with actual power could only show favor to one person: the emperor himself. Not even the emperor's sons would do, unless the emperor personally gave his approval.

There was also another group of noble ministers. Unlike those ministers with real power, they chose not to side with the First Prince because they had received an invitation from the greatest noble in the entire Heaven Dou Empire apart from the emperor.

That person was Prince Xue Xing.

After learning this information, Xue Xing's first reaction was relief. He was relieved that he had brought Xue Beng to his residence that day and had him receive Dugu Bo alongside him. Otherwise, Xue Beng would have been assassinated just like the Second Prince and Third Prince.

After learning that Xue Qinghe had turned misfortune into fortune, he was initially delighted that the Imperial Family had produced a Martial Soul with offensive power. Then he began wondering why Xue Qinghe had not died and had instead survived.

After all, among the four princes, Xue Xing naturally favored Xue Beng the most. Xue Beng was originally meant to inherit his princely title and had stayed by his side for the past eight years. Naturally, Xue Xing most hoped that this nephew would inherit the throne.

Thus, after learning of this matter, Xue Xing guessed that many noble ministers in Heaven Dou City would turn to Xue Qinghe. In order to build up strength for Xue Beng, he naturally began recruiting noble ministers.

The reason these noble ministers chose to join this faction was simple. Behind Xue Xing stood the powerful Title Douluo, Dugu Bo. Furthermore, these people were all gamblers, gamblers seeking the greatest possible benefits.

If they sided with the First Prince, then once he ascended the throne, with so many people around him, how much benefit could they possibly receive?

But what about Xue Beng's side? There were few people. What if? What if, with Xue Xing's help, Xue Beng ascended the throne? Then the benefits for people like them would be far greater.

Thus, the Heaven Dou Empire now formed such a division: sixty percent of the noble ministers had entered General Lin Cheng's Mansion over the past few days.

Twenty percent made no moves at all, while the remaining twenty percent had been invited by Xue Xing to dine with him.

During this time, Xue Xing also sought out Xue Beng and specifically told him that he now had a chance to inherit the throne. Therefore, Xue Beng had to shed his current wastrel behavior. Whether dealing with commoners or ministers, he had to show his worth, especially so Xue Ye could see his change.

Although Xue Beng was only eight years old, he was no fool. Before, he had decided that the throne would never be his, so why should he not simply live however he pleased? Now that he had a chance and only one opponent remained, Xue Beng naturally knew what to do.

Soon, the day came for the Second Prince and Third Prince to be buried. Jin Hao also understood that it was time for him to face the ministers of the Heaven Dou Empire.

So Jin Hao pretended to have only just recovered from a serious illness and rode a carriage toward the mausoleum of the Second Prince and Third Prince.

By the time he arrived, many ministers had long since gathered there. When they saw Jin Hao's carriage approaching, those who had chosen to enter the General's Mansion all stirred, their eyes fixed on Jin Hao.

Jin Hao stepped down from the carriage and looked toward the mausoleum ahead with an expression of grief.

Seeing this, Lin Cheng immediately walked over and asked:

"Your Highness, how are your injuries recovering?"

"They have mostly healed, and I can begin cultivating Soul Power again. I tried last night and found that my cultivation speed is extremely fast. At most, I may be able to break through to Level 27 within half a month."

Upon hearing Jin Hao's words, Lin Cheng deliberately cried out loudly:

"Your Highness, it is good that you have recovered. Reaching Level 27 in half a month—that is wonderful!"

As Lin Cheng's words spread, those who had entered the General's Mansion also gathered around and said:

"Indeed. Congratulations to Your Highness the First Prince for turning misfortune into fortune. With you here, the Heaven Dou Empire will be even more stable in the future."

"Lord Wang is right. Perhaps Your Highness the First Prince may even become a Title Douluo!"

"What do you mean, perhaps? Your Highness the First Prince will definitely become a Title Douluo."

For a time, the ministers poured out every flattering and complimentary word they could think of toward Jin Hao.

Watching this scene, Xue Xing and Xue Beng beside him thought, This group only knows how to flatter people.

At the same time, Xue Xing thought that it would be ideal if Xue Beng could take the throne and have Xue Qinghe assist him. That way, the throne would belong to Xue Beng, whom he favored most and was closest to.

And the offensive Martial Soul that had so rarely emerged within the Imperial Family could also be passed down.

But Xue Xing also understood that this was impossible. With the struggle within the Imperial Family, and with so many ministers standing behind Xue Qinghe, Xue Beng could never secure the throne without eliminating Xue Qinghe when the time came.

Then Xue Xing thought that it was fortunate Dugu Bo, a Title Douluo, stood behind him. Otherwise, how could Xue Beng possibly have had a chance with his former wastrel behavior?