Inside the Imperial Palace, Xu Jiawei and Xu Jiujiu were both astonished by the news. They had never expected Dai Hao's means of appeasement to be so direct and effective.
This amounted to acknowledging Dai Youheng's place in the main line and giving him what appeared to be a fair chance to compete.
Anyone with discerning eyes could see that this was Dai Hao's compromise under immense pressure. The imperial family's firm protection of Dai Youheng prevented him from resorting to force;
unceasing infighting would damage the family at its roots. Moreover, since Zhu Man had indeed caused the disaster, he could only use this method to quell Dai Youheng's fury in exchange for temporary stability in his rear.
Although Dai Yueheng currently held the lead in soul power level, Dai Youheng's astonishing cultivation speed left the outcome of this contest shrouded in uncertainty.
When the bedridden Zhu Man learned of this, rage once again sent blood surging to her heart, and she fainted. Zhu Shu stayed at her bedside, treating her injuries while secretly gritting her teeth. With circumstances stronger than they were, they could only endure for now, placate Dai Youheng first, and plan their next move afterward.
On the very day he issued the statement, Dai Hao acted with lightning speed and departed for the Mingdou Mountain Range. Dai Yueheng and Zhu Lu accompanied him.
Taking Dai Yueheng away served both to protect him, lest Dai Youheng break his promise and attack him, and to keep him close for personal training, ensuring that he would not fall behind in the competition.
Taking Zhu Lu, however, had been Zhu Shu's idea. The tradition of marriage between the Dai and Zhu families could not end with Dai Huabin's death. Since Dai Huabin was dead, Zhu Lu had to follow