576: Task

Of course, some matters were not for him to decide.

Meanwhile, on the other side.

The Imperial Capital of the Great Wu Imperial Dynasty.

The rear garden of the Imperial Palace.

Dongfang Ming looked at the vibrant fruit tree before him, a thoughtful glint in his eyes.

He didn't know what the Opportunity Wang Dong mentioned was.

It was highly probable that the other party was just speaking nonsense, only trying to extract some crucial information from him.

Currently, he and Wang Dong had not completed their transaction.

Therefore, he hadn't taken Wang Dong's words to Heart-Nature at all.

The Secret Realm was about to open.

Within the Great Luo Secret Realm, there were things far more important than spirit source fruit.

He had to prepare early.

After a moment of thought.

He suddenly sent out a divine sound message.

Not long after.

A young man in luxurious attire walked in.

“Imperial Father, you called for me?”

Dongfang Ming turned around.

He quietly looked at him.

After a long pause, he slowly spoke.

“I have an important task I need to entrust to you. Can you complete this mission?”

The young man’s expression froze.

“Imperial Father, even if the mission involves a mountain of blades and a sea of fire, your son will do his utmost.”

“Good, in that case, I will trust you this once.”

Dongfang Ming walked to the side and gently patted the young man’s shoulder.

“Chen’er, it has been 15 years since your mother left. In these 15 years, I have watched you grow up. In terms of cultivation, talent, and even Heart-Nature, you are considered excellent.”

“If one day I abdicate, the position of Imperial Lord will certainly be yours.”

“It's just a pity that you are not the legitimate son; I'm afraid many in the court will object.”

As soon as these words were spoken, Dongfang Chen’s expression immediately became serious.

“Imperial Father, you flatter me. No matter the final outcome, I will always be loyal to Great Wu.”

Dongfang Ming nodded.

Then he shook his head again.

“There’s no need for such formality between us, father and son. I’ll just say one thing.”

“If you can perfectly complete this mission, no one in the court will question you.”

Dongfang Chen stared fixedly at his father.

He didn’t actually have a deep affection for this Imperial Father.

The other party had always given him the feeling of being high and mighty, and since his mother left, he rarely even looked at him twice.

Today, however, he suddenly gave him an extremely important mission.

If nothing unexpected happened, the danger within this mission would surely be immeasurable.

But he was willing to try.

Just as he himself said,

Even if it meant a mountain of blades and a sea of fire, he was still willing to brave it.

It wasn't that his Heart-Nature was overly greedy, nor was it that he absolutely had to have the position of Imperial Lord.

It was simply that some things were beyond his control.

Because of his exceptionally outstanding performance recently, the First Prince was already quite displeased with him.

He believed that Dongfang Chen was too attention-grabbing, stealing the glory that rightfully belonged to him.

However, Dongfang Chen also had unspoken difficulties.

If he couldn’t demonstrate sufficient value,

He feared that his standing with Dongfang Ming would further decline.

In the future, even maintaining his rightful cultivation resources would be difficult.

He could only keep moving forward, forward, and further forward.

Only by ensuring a continuous supply of resources could he qualify to speak of living.

Now, Dongfang Ming had specifically sought him out to discuss this matter.

It was clear that he had already made up his mind to have him complete this mission.

If he didn't do it, the consequences were imaginable.

Even if there were no overt changes.

He feared that in his Heart-Nature, he had already been given a low score.

And for those important ministers in the court, a slight change was enough for them to understand Dongfang Ming’s attitude.

Under such sycophancy, in a short period, all his influence would be dismantled.

He feared it wouldn’t be long before he became a lone wolf.

And by then, the First Prince would certainly not let him off.

He would surely face death.

Even if the First Prince was relatively benevolent towards him.

But what he didn't trust was this Imperial Father before him.

There was no Bloodline kinship in the Imperial Family.

Especially with this cold-blooded person before him.

When his mother died fifteen years ago, even if she only needed an immortal medicine to prolong her life, the other party was unwilling to give it up.

How much more so for himself, if he defied his orders?

Dongfang Chen actually harbored a trace of hatred for Dongfang Ming in his Heart-Nature.

However, even the most intense hatred should not be displayed before one was strong enough.

Otherwise, what awaited him would surely be a thunderous strike.

Dongfang Ming did not notice his son’s attitude and thoughts towards him.

Or rather, even if he noticed, he simply didn’t care.

What could it matter?

What could it matter? A mere small prince, who had come this far entirely relying on himself.

To him, the other party’s excellence was merely a bargaining chip for his investment.

If he was no longer useful, there was naturally no need to support him.

Of course, the other party’s greatest use was naturally to motivate the First Prince.

It was like raising Gu, constantly stimulating the First Prince to make him more outstanding.

Thereby enabling him to lead the Great Wu Dynasty to a farther place.

But now, Dongfang Chen had a new purpose.

This time, there was an even more astonishing treasure within the Secret Realm.

Far more precious than the spirit source fruit.

If he could obtain it, Dongfang Ming’s breathing involuntarily quickened.

“Chen’er, I don’t know what you’ve thought of me all these years, but your father is truly sincere towards you.”

“Otherwise, this mission is so important, it wouldn’t be entrusted to you alone.”

Dongfang Ming spoke earnestly.

Dongfang Chen’s expression was agitated.

“Don’t worry, I understand everything. Without Imperial Father’s continuous cultivation, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Please rest assured, Imperial Father, I will definitely complete the mission.”

Dongfang Ming nodded in satisfaction.

“After entering the Great Luo Secret Realm this time, I hope you will not contend for the spirit source fruit.”

Dongfang Chen was slightly stunned.

His eyes were filled with confusion.

Based on the publicly available information at the moment.

The purpose of entering the Secret Realm was precisely this fruit.

One must know that this item was extremely precious.

Refining one could elevate one to the True Immortal Middle Stage.

Another one could thoroughly solidify one’s Foundation and Realm.

Yet, Dongfang Ming actually told him not to snatch what they considered a divine object.

Could there be a trick involved?

Or was this inherently a setup?

If that were truly the case… Dongfang Chen’s Heart-Nature trembled fiercely.

The number of people entering this time was definitely not small.

Although, from the many cultivators, only the top three were allowed to enter.

But there were also his several brothers and sisters, totaling nearly ten people.

These nearly ten people each possessed Heaven-Defying combat power.

After entering, the power they could display would naturally be even more astonishing.