The second prince, the banquet approaches

The little white beast Taiyi wore a look of shock.

"Holy crap, boss, how can the schemes out here run so deep? Thank goodness we're brothers, not enemies."

"If someone were your enemy, they wouldn't even know how you schemed them to death." After hearing everything today, even Taiyi felt a chill down his back.

Beside him, the corners of Ye Wanwan's lips also rose involuntarily, approval and amazement showing in her eyes.

It could be said that the Heavenly Son chosen by the Lineage for this era had already won her over.

He was a perfect man who combined strength, looks, intelligence, and character.

Not only did he have handsome looks and the strength to defeat enemies with a raised hand, he also had the strategic mind to control the entire situation, and even a protective streak that made him stand up for those around him.

The personal charm Ye Wushuang exuded made people involuntarily want to follow him.

Ye Wanwan smiled. "The fifth prince sent us invitations. In three days, several princes will jointly sponsor a gathering."

Ye Wushuang also saw through the fifth prince's little scheme at a glance.

The fifth prince wanted Ye Wanwan and him to appear, letting the prodigies who had yet to choose sides see that the Ye Lineage's prodigies had chosen the fifth prince and stood behind him.

With this gathering, the fifth prince would use that to continue recruiting talent.

Ye Wushuang's expression remained calm, without a ripple. "It seems this grand feast to clear the board will advance another step."

Shen Lingyue, beside him, had also received an invitation. Looking rather surprised, she said:

"I didn't expect the second prince to be involved among the princes hosting this banquet, besides those few good-for-nothings."

The second prince was different from the other princes who had lacked the support of any factions early on.

From the beginning, he had already gained the support of the emperor-level faction Immortal Feather Mountain.

The second prince's mother was also deeply favored by the ruler of the Heavenly Star Imperial Dynasty, and her maternal clan was a powerful aristocratic family within the dynasty as well. (To save trouble, the ruler of the Heavenly Star Imperial Dynasty will be called the Heavenly Star Sovereign from now on.)

Many ministers stood behind the second prince. He could be considered one of the few most likely to win the position of crown prince.

Ye Wushuang looked composed as he pondered something.

It seemed this second prince had caught wind of something and could no longer sit still.

He wanted to recruit prodigies through this gathering while also sounding out the other princes.

Ye Wushuang drained the wine in his cup, a gleam flashing in his eyes.

"Then let me see what this second prince is like."

Inside the sixth prince's residence.

By now, Xie Qianli had already eaten until grease covered his mouth. To win over this prodigy of the Xie Family, the sixth prince had catered to his tastes and spared nothing in the service provided.

"Brother Xie, thank you for helping me out of that predicament today. Having you as a guest retainer in my residence is truly the good fortune of three lifetimes," the sixth prince said politely.

"Of course, of course. That Ye Lineage brat is truly hateful, cutting in with a blade to steal another's love. I will certainly give Your Highness my full support," Xie Qianli said with a hearty laugh.

After saying this, Xie Qianli even glanced around, afraid Ye Wushuang might suddenly appear and hear him speaking ill of him behind his back.

His counter-surveillance awareness was exceptionally strong!

It's fine, it's fine. Brothers are there to take jabs at each other. Someone as magnanimous as Brother Ye certainly won't mind! Xie Qianli comforted himself inwardly.

Xie Qianli was already drinking and chatting merrily with Ming Ji, getting along famously.

Xie Qianli's knack for treating strangers like old friends was certainly no empty boast.

Ming Ji had originally been rather resentful that Xie Qianli had stolen the credit for his resistance against the Netherdark Dragon Claw.

Xie Qianli then said he had only been able to break it because Ming Ji had already borne most of the divine ability's power beforehand.

As soon as he said that, the two quickly began drinking like blood brothers reunited after years apart.

Seeing his guest retainers getting along so peacefully, the sixth prince could not help feeling fortunate.

"My two brothers, there will be a gathering in three days. I will attend with you both."

"When the time comes, sorry for troubling you both to display some of your strength and help me attract more prodigies." The sixth prince also brought up the gathering.

"Of course, brother. There'll surely be plenty of fine food at this gathering too. I'll certainly do my utmost."

Xie Qianli gave a perfunctory reply without even raising his head, his voice muffled because his mouth was stuffed full.

Looking at this prodigy who still remembered to hold a chicken drumstick in his hand, the sixth prince could not help the twitch at the corner of his mouth.

Looking at this utterly unreliable Emperor Clan prodigy he had acquired for nothing, the sixth prince inwardly wondered whether this was his good fortune or his misfortune.

Inside the second prince's residence.

At that moment, a scholarly-looking man was playing a board game with a man of imposing bearing.

These two were Li Shubai, a disciple under the master of Immortal Feather Mountain, and the second prince of the Heavenly Star Imperial Dynasty.

Neither spoke. Only the sound of pieces being placed could be heard. After a long while, the second prince's helpless voice rang out.

"Shubai, it's been a long time. I never expected your skill at the game to have surpassed even what it was before."

Hearing this, Li Shubai smiled serenely and said softly, "Brother, it isn't that my skill has improved so much. Rather, your heart is unsettled. Your thoughts are no longer on the board."

The second prince made no attempt to conceal his thoughts either. "I'm rather ashamed. I've always wanted to seize the position of crown prince. Shubai, have you come this time to lend me a hand?"

"In the end, I'm still a worldly man, yearning for power."

Li Shubai picked up a piece and placed it again. "Naturally. In coming down the mountain this time, I am following not only my own wishes, but also the will of Immortal Feather Mountain."

The second prince smiled slightly. "Come with me to the gathering in three days."

"I hear they've all found support of their own. Then this time, let me see what waves these useless younger brothers of mine can stir up."

Li Shubai agreed and said softly, "Brother, your temperament is rather restless now. Once the dust settles, remember to read a few more books by the sages."

Inside the first prince's residence.

The young sister and brother of the Ji Clan had also arrived in the Heavenly Star Imperial Dynasty and paid a visit to this first prince they had heard about.

The first prince did not come out to welcome them personally. Only the steward received them.

Even this situation was within their expectations.

The first prince of the Heavenly Star Imperial Dynasty was a true martial fanatic, his ears closed to worldly affairs as he devoted his entire being to the martial path.

Even his contact with other factions to contend for the succession was probably only for the resources he would gain after becoming emperor, making his cultivation more convenient.

This was also why the Heavenly Star Sovereign had not directly appointed him crown prince.

The first prince's talent was what the Heavenly Star Sovereign acknowledged most, yet his mind was not on the nation.

The steward smiled at the Ji Clan's young sister and brother. "Banquet invitations were delivered to our residence. Our first prince certainly won't participate in such matters, so I shall give them to you two to attend."

The Ji Clan siblings smiled. "We happened to want to look around the Heavenly Star Imperial Dynasty as well. Thank you, Steward."

Inside the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion.

The woman possessing the Heavenly Secrets Divine Eyes stared intently at the Heavenly Secrets Diagram, watching the ever-shifting scene upon it.

She frowned slightly. "So many outside factions are participating this time. These outside factions have thrown the divinations of our Heavenly Star Imperial Dynasty's future into complete chaos."

Her expression was somewhat helpless as she said softly, "The strife is about to begin."