The group arrived at the Azure Dragon Courtyard.
The Crown Prince looked at Mu Fusheng, whose face was still somewhat pale, and said with concern, "Why don't you go and rest, Brother Mu? You can have your fellow disciples repeat it later."
Mu Fusheng was about to shake his head in refusal, but then paused for a moment, and nodded, saying, "Alright, then I'll head back now."
Xiao Hei and Fang Qiong seemed to notice that something was wrong with Mu Fusheng, but they didn't say anything.
Seeing this, the Crown Prince glanced at Elder Chu, Elder Chu understood and stepped forward to take out an exquisite wooden box, handing it to Mu Fusheng, saying, "This is a recovery pill of the Ancestor Realm level prepared by the Crown Prince. Perhaps it can help you recover faster."
Mu Fusheng did not refuse, thanked him, accepted the gift, and left Azure Dragon Courtyard.
Following that, the Crown Prince began to recount some details of the military exercises to Xiao Hei and Fang Qiong.
"I only control one army, called the Azure Dragon Army."
"Military exercises are generally divided into three phases. The first phase is a group exercise, and the second phase is a test of troop command. Neither of these two phases requires your expertise."
"However, we'll need your help in the third stage."
At this point, the Crown Prince took out a sand table, pointed to a long, raised area on it, and said, "This is the Nine Dragons Mountain Range, which contains many forbidden areas, which even our Divine Dynasty has not yet fully explored. The location for the third phase is set here."
The Nine Dragons Mountain Range can also be considered the Dragon Vein of the Nine Dragons Divine Dynasty. Every divine dynasty needs a Demigod- level Dragon Vein to be called a divine dynasty.
Demigod- level Dragon Vein can not only increase the fortune of a divine dynasty, but also gather the Spiritual Qi of heaven and earth to enrich the dynasty itself.
"Every ten years, the Nine Dragons Mountain Range nurture nine dragon souls. The rule is simple: whoever obtains the most dragon souls wins."
The Crown Prince looked at Xiao Hei and Fang Qiong, his expression grave, and said, "However, I need to remind you that the Azure Dragon Army's strength is only slightly above average among the various legions. The top-tier legions are almost all controlled by the First Prince, and encountering them could result in significant losses. So, I'd like to ask you one more question: are you sure you want to accept this commission?"
Without hesitation, Xiao Hei replied, "Now that we've taken on the task, there's no reason to give up halfway."
Fang Qiong then asked, "Will the other legions have any outside help?"
The crown prince nodded and said, "Of course there will be."
"Since you've agreed, I'll also make a promise to you: regardless of success or failure, you'll receive the reward for completing the mission," the prince said with a smile.
For the Crown Prince, winning this military exercise was merely a secondary objective.
The most important thing is to gain the friendship of Xiao Hei and the others.
After the last escort mission ended.
The Crown Prince then inquired about Xiao Hei and the others through various channels, and learned that they were special recruits from the Chaotic Spirit Academy, specially recruited by the Grand Elder.
Therefore, their relationship with the Grand Elder was naturally very good.
Gaining their friendship was not only a gamble on their future achievements, but also an indirect way to establish a connection with the Chaotic Spirit Academy.
This is extremely important for the crown prince, whose foundation within the Divine Dynasty is not strong enough.
The factions within the Divine Dynasty have basically been decided.
If the crown prince wanted to further strengthen his power, he would naturally seek the help of external forces.
Therefore, Xiao Hei and his companions, who are already exceptionally talented and have a close relationship with the Grand Elder of the Chaotic Spirit Academy, are excellent candidates for the Crown Prince.
After discussing the details further, Xiao Hei and Fang Qiong left the Azure Dragon Courtyard.
When the two returned to the courtyard that the Crown Prince had arranged for them, they found that Mu Fusheng was not there.
However, this was to be expected.
Given Mu Fusheng's personality, he would never miss such an opportunity to obtain information unless it was something important.
Meanwhile, on a fringe area of Nine Dragons City.
This place is sparsely populated, with almost no trace of other people.
Nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains, beside a stream, stands a small courtyard.
Mu Fusheng arrived here.
There were no sentries along the way, and no one stopped him.
As you approach the courtyard gate, there is a crooked peach tree hanging diagonally beside the archway.
The archway was wide open, as if it had known all along that Mu Fusheng would come.
Mu Fusheng glanced around; the Heavenly Lightning Escape Talisman was already prepared. Only then did he enter the courtyard, looking back every few steps.
Walking on the bluestone path, we soon arrived at a flower bed where a woman dressed in a plain white dress was tending to the flowers and plants.
These flowers and grasses are not precious; on the contrary, they are just wildflowers and weeds that can be seen everywhere by the roadside and in the forest.
Seemingly noticing Mu Fusheng, Jiu Bailu said softly, "With careful tending, don't you think these wildflowers and weeds bloom more vigorously and beautifully than those precious flowers and plants, and their fragrance is more pleasant?"
Mu Fusheng shook his head directly and said, "I don't know anything about flowers and plants. Your Highness specifically sent me here via telepathy, so I don't think you came here to discuss romance, right?"
The Jiu Bailu chuckled softly, and the wild grasses and flowers rustled in response.
He turned to Mu Fusheng and said, "As long as you can move me, talking about romance is not out of the question."
Without hesitation, Mu Fusheng replied, "I can't move them at all; I don't have the ability."
Jiu Bailu put down the kettle, looked at Mu Fusheng with a strange expression, and said, "Your answer is different from other men's; it's a big plus."
Mu Fusheng: "???"
Does that add points?
"How about we try again? I'll give a more common answer?"
"You are indeed different from others. Everyone else tries every means to get close to me, but you try every means to stay away from me." Jiu Bailu covered her mouth and chuckled, staring curiously at Mu Fusheng, the golden light in her pupils reappearing.
Mu Fusheng smiled wryly, "Your Highness, let's get down to business."
Jiu Bailu then gave up on teasing Mu Fusheng and nodded, saying, "I knew you were very cautious, so I sent everyone in the courtyard and the sentries away beforehand."
Mu Fusheng asked in surprise, "Is Your Highness not afraid of being assassinated?"
Who assassinated you? You?
You have no grudge against me.
"That's more like it." Jiu Bailu walked past Mu Fusheng and sat down in a pavilion, brewing tea as she asked, "Do you believe in cause and effect?"
The sudden topic startled Mu Fusheng slightly.
He was stunned for a full three breaths before he came to his senses and shook his head, saying, "I believe it or not."
Jiu Bailu laughed and said, "At first, I didn't believe it either. I thought cause and effect was just an excuse for not being strong enough. But now, I've discovered that no matter how strong you are, you can't sever cause and effect."
Mu Fusheng frowned and asked, "Why does Your Highness say that?"
Inside the pavilion, the bubbling sound of brewing tea filled the air, its aroma wafting through the air. Jiu Bailu's face was slightly obscured by the wisps of steam rising from the tea leaves, and he said mysteriously, "It seems there's an unbreakable karmic bond between us..."