The world rejoiced, and a general amnesty was declared throughout the land!
Ji Wutian's decree spread far and wide, simultaneously announcing his return. Numerous factions, each with their own agendas, learned that the Silver River Empire's Emperor was not only in good health but had also advanced his power to the peak of the third-tier Dao Ancestor realm.
For a moment, all fell silent!
Were they joking?
Even if they were fools, they understood that the Ji family's old ancestor, backing Ji Wutian, had annihilated the Jiang clan. This was a thunderous warning and a stark example, meant to caution all minor powers and make a statement to the many factions of the Haotian Immortal Kingdom.
It was evident that while the Silver River Empire's strength might not match theirs, it was not a force to be trifled with. If provoked, they would spare no expense to make those who targeted them pay a bloody price.
Furthermore, the Second Prince had relinquished his claim to the throne. After Shangguan Xuanming had spoken, no matter how great his ambition, it was in vain. He also realized that the supporter of his least favored third brother was someone whose influence even brought the Shangguan family of the Guiyuan Sect under their wing.
Knowing his bid for the imperial throne was futile, the Second Prince had to settle for a lesser prize. He chose to maintain a good relationship with his third brother, Ji Yulong. Thus, he secretly made his intentions known to the Third Prince, stating he would no longer contend for the throne.
As for the Sixth and Seventh Princes, they remained silent and adopted a wait-and-see attitude, neither opposing nor agreeing.
However, Ji Wutian soon issued an imperial edict, delivering a decisive blow to the Sixth and Seventh Princes: "In view of the Third Prince Ji Yulong's pure nature, excellent character, and the great trust he has earned from Us, he is hereby enfeoffed as Crown Prince of this court! Respect this decree!!"
As the announcement resounded from the imperial palace for all to hear, the various powers were once again shaken!
My goodness!
They truly hadn't expected that the little-known Third Prince Ji Yulong, with the weakest faction, would ultimately become the Crown Prince of the Silver River Empire, thereby signifying him as the future heir to the throne.
As for the Ji family's old ancestor, who supported the Sixth and Seventh Princes, to prevent internal strife within the Emperor's lineage, he directly met with them. Upon learning of the Third Prince's formidable backing, both were filled with bitterness.
They couldn't help but feel a lingering fear. They had personally witnessed the fate of the First Prince. If they persisted in their stubbornness, their outcome would likely be no better than his.
And so...
The struggle for the imperial throne came to an end, with Ji Yulong undoubtedly being the greatest beneficiary.
Naturally!
When Ji Yulong learned that Ye Xuan was a benefactor to their imperial lineage, he understood why he had become the Crown Prince of the Silver River Empire. It was all because of Ye Xuan.
Of course, he was unaware that another part of the reason was that the Ye Xuan he spoke of was his father's sworn brother.
Meanwhile, at the Burning Heaven Sacred Land.
Deep within the Sacred Land's main hall.
"What!"
"The Grand Elder can't be reached either!?"
The Burning Heaven Sacred Master was instantly enraged, for not only was the Grand Elder unreachable, but his direct disciple, the Burning Heaven Sacred Land's Saint Son Tantai Xuanming, was also missing. Following past precedents, they had likely met the same fate as the Third Elder and others.
*Crack~*
"Silver River Empire, Ji Wutian, you are seeking death!!"
At that moment, the Burning Heaven Sacred Master crushed the teacup in his hand. The spiritually rich tea poured onto the ground, yet he felt no regret, for the Burning Heaven Sacred Master Nangong Chongtian's attention was entirely elsewhere.
In an instant, the aura of a ninth-tier Dao Ancestor peak surged. It turned out that the Burning Heaven Sacred Master Nangong Chongtian was a peak ninth-tier Dao Ancestor, significantly more powerful than Ji Xuanyuan, the Ji family's strongest elder, before the latter used the [Ancestor Breaking Pill].
Of course... at this moment, the Burning Heaven Sacred Master was not Ji Xuanyuan's match.
After all!
Ji Xuanyuan had now broken through to the absolute peak of the ninth-tier Dao Ancestor realm, only one step away from the Immortal realm above.
"Scoundrels!"
"After the Haotian Immortal Kingdom Grand Competition, I will personally lead my people to the Silver River Empire!"
"You dare kill those from my Burning Heaven Sacred Land, Silver River Empire? If you seek death, this Sacred Master will fulfill your wish!!"
A killing intent permeated the air. He then turned his gaze towards the Haotian Immortal Kingdom's Immortal City and declared, "Pass down my order: the matter of the Grand Elder and the Third Elder's disappearance is not to be leaked by even half a word. Those who violate this will be dealt with according to sacred law!!"
"Yes, Sacred Master!!"
At that, the seventh-tier Void Ancestor powerhouse standing below respectfully responded. He understood clearly that if this news spread, their Burning Heaven Sacred Land would become the laughingstock of the entire Haotian Immortal Kingdom, and the Haotian Immortal Kingdom Grand Competition would surely be affected.
...
Time flew by in the blink of an eye.
Until this day!
Above a certain location in the Silver River Planet, a rift spanning over a thousand zhang opened, filled with incredibly dense energy. However, only the Silver River Empire's Imperial Seal could fully open the Silver River Secret Realm.
"I declare, the Millennium Silver River Secret Realm is now open!"
Following Zhuge Ming's command, the Silver River Secret Realm opened, and countless Void Ancestor realm powerhouses rushed into it. To enter the Silver River Secret Realm, one not only needed the Silver River Token but also had to be below the Dao Ancestor realm.
Gazing at the thousand-zhang entrance to the Silver River Secret Realm, Ye Xuan's lips curved into a smile. Holding the [Silver River Token], he entered the Silver River Secret Realm without disturbing anyone, as too many people were entering at this moment.
Immortal Crystals!
Those were... incredibly important things for cultivators. How could they not be focused on them!
Precisely because of this, each time the Silver River Secret Realm closed, many would seize the opportunity to break through to the Dao Ancestor realm, becoming genuine Dao Ancestor powerhouses, and at the same time, obtain opportunities that many envied.
"Not exceeding the Dao Ancestor realm, huh?"
Sensing the numerous Void Ancestor powerhouses around him, Ye Xuan chuckled. Although many were peak ninth-tier Void Ancestors, in Ye Xuan's eyes, they were merely slightly stronger ants.
Now at the ninth-tier Void Ancestor realm, he was virtually invincible within the Silver River Secret Realm. Let alone the strongest here being peak ninth-tier Void Ancestors, even a first-tier or second-tier Dao Ancestor might not be Ye Xuan's opponent.
Upon arriving at the Silver River Secret Realm and seeing the powerhouses vying to rush towards the distance, Ye Xuan smiled faintly. Before entering, he had received a message from his eldest brother. There were two most important things within the Silver River Secret Realm.
One was Immortal Crystals; of course, top-grade Imperial Crystals were found everywhere. The other, as important as Immortal Crystals, was spiritual medicine.
One must know!
After accumulating over countless years, no one knew what aged spiritual medicine grew within the Silver River Secret Realm.
"Right..."
Ye Xuan suddenly thought of something and then called out, "You Nai, help me scan the spiritual medicine and Immortal Crystals in the Silver River Secret Realm."
"Beep! Host, You Nai's version level is too low. Do you wish to upgrade You Nai to version 5.0!"
"Reminder to Host: Upgrading You Nai to version 5.0 requires consuming 1 million Silver River Coins from the Host!"
You Nai's voice echoed in his ear. Ye Xuan couldn't help but pause, then looked at the surroundings of the Silver River Secret Realm with surprise. "Good heavens... You Nai needs to upgrade again!?"