196: Chapter 196 Free Merits and Prestige Arrive? The Stormy March!

"Hmm, the riots in the demon cave of Dragon Body Mountain have certainly happened more than once or twice, but every time it's making a mountain out of a molehill; there is nothing to worry about."

"You can't say it like that; it's always good to be prepared just in case."

"However, the Crown Prince is right. After all, that demon cave has already become a training ground for the Prodigies of the Imperial Dynasty. Why not let the Princes and Princesses go there for training?"

"That's right. Whether they are low-level demons or high-level demons, they all gestate demon crystals within their bodies. These demon crystals are also rare Cultivate resources."

The ministers discussed among themselves.

Listening to the discussion of the surrounding ministers, a faint, imperceptible cold smile curled on Li Junze's lips, and he glanced at the Duke of Wei.

The Duke of Wei immediately understood, stepped out, and said:

"Your Majesty, I believe the Dragon Commander can also enter the demon cave for training."

"After all, the Dragon Commander leads the entire Dragon Suppressing Army and bears a heavy responsibility. If his strength can rise once more, it would also be a good thing for the Dragon Suppressing Army."

【Ding! Congratulations to the Host for triggering a new Heavenly Mandate Mission. Please make the following choices!】

【Option 1: Bah! You old dog, how dare you try to harm This Son of Heavenly Mandate? Pay with your life!】

【Mission: Refuse to go to Dragon Body Mountain and have Meng Qing strike and kill the Duke of Wei on the spot!】

【Reward: 23,000 destiny points, one "Vengeful" halo!】

【Option 2: Coming to deliver merit and prestige to This Son of Heavenly Mandate? He who knows me best is none other than old dog Wei!】

【Mission: Agree to the Duke of Wei's suggestion!】

【Reward: 23,000 destiny points, a Third-Turn Divine-Grade formation — Wind and Rain Marching Formation!】

"I choose option two!"

Lin Ran made his choice immediately.

Just as the system said, since the Duke of Wei was rushing to deliver merit and prestige to him, he would naturally accept it with a smile.

This time, before Li Wuqing could throw the choice to him, Lin Ran stood out himself and said:

"Your Majesty, I feel that the Duke of Wei makes sense. I have just assumed the position of Dragon Commander; I have no prestige in the army and no merit in the Imperial Dynasty."

"It would be better to let me go and hunt the demons in the demon cave to accumulate prestige and merit."

As he spoke, he looked at the Duke of Wei with a half-smile and nodded at him.

The Duke of Wei was immediately unnerved by Lin Ran's gaze, and his buttocks tightened.

Once these words were spoken, the vast majority of the ministers showed expressions of admiration.

After all, Lin Ran had just assumed the position of Dragon Commander, yet he was already so eager for merit and prestige.

As the saying goes, a soldier who doesn't want to be a general is not a good soldier, and a Dragon Commander who doesn't crave merit and prestige is likewise not a good Dragon Commander.

Li Junze watched as Lin Ran fell into his trap so easily, and the cold smile on his lips grew even wider.

"Hehe, Lin Ran, the demon cave is indeed a good place for you to earn merit and prestige, but it is also your burial ground!"

"Fighting with this Crown Prince, what kind of thing do you think you are?!"

Li Junze thought to himself sinisterly.

Li Wuqing narrowed his eyes slightly, looked Lin Ran up and down, and then smiled:

"Good, since Minister Lin has said so, then I shall agree to let you go to Dragon Body Mountain!"

"When Minister Lin returns from hunting the demons, I will hold a banquet for you!"

With Lin Ran's intelligence, it was impossible for him not to see the pros and cons.

In front of Lin Ran, he himself felt inferior.

But if he could see the pros and cons, how could Lin Ran not see them?

However, since Lin Ran had decided to go to Dragon Body Mountain and enter the demon cave, he would just go with the flow and agree to let Lin Ran go to Dragon Body Mountain.

At the same time, he would watch everything from the shadows.

He wanted to see what kind of surprise Lin Ran could bring him by voluntarily going to Dragon Body Mountain this time!

"Additionally, Minister Shi, return to your clan now, awaken your Shi Family's Old Ancestor, and then lead a group of Shi Family experts into the demon cave to investigate the Seal of that ancient coffin."

"Remember, the more people, the better!"

Li Wuqing ordered.

Although the Old Ancestor of the Han Family was at Dragon Body Mountain, he had to guard the heaven burying sword, so he could not leave at will to enter the demon cave.

Therefore, this task was naturally handed over to the people of the Shi Family.

"As you command!"

The Shi Family Head cupped his fists and accepted the order.

"Today's discussion ends here. Court dismissed!"

Li Wuqing left first.

"Court dismissed —"

The ministers left the court in an orderly fashion.

Leaving the court, Lin Ran headed straight for Shou Shen Mountain.

【Ding! Congratulations to the Host for successfully completing the Heavenly Mandate Mission!】

【Reward: 23,000 destiny points, a Third-Turn Divine-Grade formation — Wind and Rain Marching Formation!】

The Wind and Rain Marching Formation is a type of concealment formation.

Setting up this formation allows the army to come like the wind and leave like rain, with no traces visible and no aura exposed; it is an extremely formidable concealment formation.

And this formation perfectly solved the only worry in Lin Ran's heart.

"Dragon Commander, I heard that you are about to go to Dragon Body Mountain and enter that demon cave?"

Sensing Lin Ran's arrival, two experts with Divine Bridge Realm cultivation immediately appeared, their expressions carrying a trace of anxiety.

"Oh? Your information is quite well-informed."

Lin Ran smiled slightly.

"I do indeed intend to do so; after all, this is a good way to exchange for merit and prestige."

Upon hearing this, Fan Bian immediately became anxious and said:

"Dragon Commander, that old dog, the Duke of Wei, has ill intentions. He is in the same camp as the Crown Prince; he definitely wants to harm you!"

Lin Ran waved his hand and smiled: "Senior Fan, watch your words. Some things, you and I know clearly in our hearts, there is no need to say them out blatantly."

"Then, Dragon Commander, why are you still..."

Xie Wujiu wanted to say something but stopped, a trace of helplessness appearing on his face.

"Take out the map of Dragon Body Mountain."

Lin Ran suddenly said.

Xie Wujiu and Fan Bian looked at each other, a trace of confusion appearing in their eyes.

At a time like this, what did Lin Ran need the map of Dragon Body Mountain for?

But they still obediently did as told.

"Dragon Commander, here."

Lin Ran took the map, let the two of them come closer, and pointed at Dragon Body Mountain:

"I heard from Li Huayin that back then, the founder of the Jue Jian Imperial Dynasty set up two layers of Restriction in Dragon Body Mountain."

"The first layer of Restriction is the one suppressing the demon cave. The second layer of Restriction is the one covering the entire Dragon Body Mountain."

"What the founder thought at the time was that if the power of this first layer of Restriction weakened day by day, causing demons to escape the demon cave, then under this second layer of Restriction, they would not be able to escape anywhere."

"And because of the demon cave, the power of the first layer of Restriction is indeed weakening day by day, just as the founder thought. But the power of this second layer of Restriction remains, and even a Heavenly Palace Realm Expert would find it difficult to break."

"And under this second layer of Restriction, it leads to the fact that the road to enter and leave Dragon Body Mountain is actually a narrow path that runs across the entire Dragon Body Mountain."

"Here and here, there are two openings in the Restriction that allow people to enter and exit."

"This time going to Dragon Body Mountain, it won't just be me going alone; your entire Dragon Suppressing Army must also accompany me!"

"At that time, you will wait at this second opening, which is the one closest to the heaven burying sword!"