32: Chapter 32 People from the Holy Land

Three days after the people from the Dixuan Sect left.

The ninth day of the seventh month of the Yuanchun year, according to the Great Yan Dynasty Imperial Calendar.

Night.

Yongan Ward, Crown Princes Mansion.

The first underground level.

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan was analyzing a sand table with Zhang Liang when, suddenly, the figure of Jiang Ziya appeared at the doorway.

His expression was grave, as never before.

"Your Highness, they have arrived."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan looked up.

"Who?"

Jiang Ziya said.

"Those three mysterious factions. They are just outside the mansion."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan raised an eyebrow and set down the wooden rod in his hand.

"How many people?"

Jiang Ziya said.

"Three people. All are in the True God Realm."

He paused, then added.

"Two in the Middle Stage of the True God Realm, and one in the Late Stage of the True God Realm."

The hall fell silent.

Zhang Liang, Strategist Guo Jia, and Strategist Jia Xu all changed color simultaneously.

Three in the True God Realm? Two in the Middle Stage, one in the Late Stage?

What kind of concept was this?

In the Great Yan Dynasty, the Old Ancestors held power: the First Old Ancestor at the Perfection of the True God Realm guarded the Imperial Palace, the Second and Third Old Ancestors at the Late Stage of the True God Realm guarded the East and West Palaces, and the remaining Old Ancestors were scattered elsewhere. However, factions capable of dispatching two Middle Stage and one Late Stage experts simultaneously could be counted on one hand across the entire continent.

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan was silent for a moment, then spoke slowly.

"Invite them in."

Jiang Ziya nodded and turned to leave.

A moment later, three figures walked into the first underground level.

The person leading them was an old man with white hair and a gaunt face, wearing grey Daoist robes. His aura was as restrained as an abyss, but every so often, as it fluctuated, the rules of heaven and earth faintly trembled—he was in the Late Stage of the True God Realm.

Behind him followed a middle-aged man with a burly physique, sharp eyes, and a steady aura—he was in the Middle Stage of the True God Realm.

There was also a woman in plain clothing, with a cold and detached expression, whose age was impossible to discern—she was also in the Middle Stage of the True God Realm.

The three walked in, their gazes sweeping over everyone in the hall before finally landing on Crown Prince Xiao Xuan.

The white-haired old man smiled slightly.

"Your Highness, I have long admired you."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan did not stand up; he merely raised his hand.

"The three of you have come from afar, please sit."

The three sat down.

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan said.

"How should I address the three of you?"

The white-haired old man said.

"Old man Dao Xuanzi, from the Tianxu Sacred Land."

The middle-aged man said.

"I am Lie Shan, from the Huanggu Sacred Land."

The woman in plain clothing said.

"My name is Moon Goddess, from the Yaochi Sacred Land."

Three names, three Holy Lands, like three claps of thunder, exploded in the hall.

Zhang Liang's pupils contracted slightly.

Tianxu Sacred Land? Huanggu Sacred Land? Yaochi Sacred Land?

These were not among the top ten major factions.

These were existences even more ancient and mysterious than the top ten major factions.

Legend had it that they lived in seclusion in the Hundred Thousand Mountains in the far west, never participating in the conflicts of the continent, and had not appeared in the world for thousands of years.

Why would they come here?

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan's expression did not change; he merely nodded.

"Seniors from the three Holy Lands, what brings you to my humble Crown Princes Mansion?"

Dao Xuanzi smiled slightly.

"Your Highness, I will speak plainly."

He paused, his gaze fixed directly on Crown Prince Xiao Xuan.

"We have come for the thing you possess, Your Highness."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan raised an eyebrow.

"What thing?"

Dao Xuanzi said.

"Your Highness should know what we are talking about."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan was silent.

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became tense.

Jiang Ziya stepped forward, shielding Crown Prince Xiao Xuan.

Dao Xuanzi glanced at him, a strange look flashing in his eyes.

"Fellow Daoist, there is no need to be nervous. We are not here to fight."

Jiang Ziya did not speak, just watched him quietly.

Dao Xuanzi smiled and continued.

"Your Highness, three months ago, a strange phenomenon appeared over the capital. Ordinary people could not see that phenomenon, and those below the True God Realm could not see it either. But anyone at or above the Middle Stage of the True God Realm could sense it."

He paused, then said word by word.

"That was the aura of a Child of Destiny."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan's heart shook.

Child of Destiny?

Dao Xuanzi said.

"Legend has it that every thousand years, a Child of Destiny will appear between heaven and earth. This person possesses great Luck; whoever gains them can become the co-ruler of the world. Three thousand years ago, the founding Old Ancestor of the Great Yan Dynasty was a Child of Destiny. Two thousand years ago, the founding Old Ancestor of the Great Xia Empire was also a Child of Destiny. One thousand years ago, the founding Old Ancestor of the Great Zhou Empire was also a Child of Destiny."

He looked at Crown Prince Xiao Xuan with a profound gaze.

"And three months ago, that aura appeared in the capital. It appeared in—"

He paused.

"It appeared in this mansion."

The hall was dead silent.

Zhang Liang, Strategist Guo Jia, and Strategist Jia Xu looked at each other.

They did not know what a Child of Destiny was, but they knew that His Highness indeed possessed great secrets.

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan was silent for a long time, then suddenly laughed.

"Seniors, are you here to capture me?"

Dao Xuanzi shook his head.

"No. We are here to see what kind of person this generation's 'Child of Destiny' is."

He looked at Crown Prince Xiao Xuan, his eyes full of appreciation.

"Seeing you today, Your Highness is truly extraordinary."

Lie Shan said in a muffled voice.

"I originally didn't believe in any Child of Destiny; I thought it was just good Luck. But after seeing you today, Your Highness, I believe it. To be able to topple five princes within half a year, to make the Dixuan Sect yield, and to have a powerhouse like Jiang Ziya follow you—this is not Luck, this is strength."

Moon Goddess did not speak, just watched Crown Prince Xiao Xuan quietly.

That gaze was as cold and detached as the moon, yet it seemed to hide something.

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan was silent for a moment, then spoke slowly.

"Seniors, what do you intend to do?"

Dao Xuanzi said.

"We would like to invite you, Your Highness, to the Holy Land for a discussion."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan raised an eyebrow.

"Go to the Holy Land?"

Dao Xuanzi nodded.

"Yes. You are this generation's 'Child of Destiny', Your Highness, and you are qualified to enter the Holy Land to undergo the Holy Land's trials. By passing the trials, you will be able to gain the recognition of the Holy Land and obtain the support of the Holy Land."

He paused and continued.

"You should know, Your Highness, why the top ten major factions have been able to pass down their legacies for ten thousand years? Because behind them, they all have the support of a Holy Land. Behind the Great Xia Empire is the Tianxu Sacred Land. Behind the Great Shang Empire is the Huanggu Sacred Land. Behind the Great Zhou Empire is the Yaochi Sacred Land. Behind the Great Qin Empire is the Taichu Sacred Land. The six major Sects also each have the support of a Holy Land."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan's heart shook.

So that was it.

The top ten major factions had Holy Lands behind them.

This was the true landscape of this world.

"What if I do not go?"

Dao Xuanzi smiled slightly.

"That is fine too. But you should think clearly, Your Highness—the support of a Holy Land is not something everyone can obtain. If you miss this opportunity, who knows when the next one will be."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan was silent.

Zhang Liang suddenly spoke.

"Senior, how long would it take for His Highness to go to the Holy Land?"

Dao Xuanzi said.

"At least three months, at most one year."

Zhang Liang said.

"His Highness has just been named Crown Prince, and there are many affairs in the court; how can he leave?"

Dao Xuanzi smiled.

"Little friend, are you afraid that I will whisk His Highness away?"

He shook his head.

"Rest assured. His Highness can go to the Holy Land and can also return at any time. The Holy Land's trials are not imprisonment, but training. If His Highness passes, he will be an ally of the Holy Land. If he doesn't pass, it doesn't matter; the Holy Land will not make things difficult for him."

Zhang Liang looked at Crown Prince Xiao Xuan.

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan was silent for a long time, then spoke slowly.

"Seniors, allow me a few days to consider."

Dao Xuanzi nodded.

"Very well. We will wait in the capital for seven days. Seven days later, please give us an answer, Your Highness."

The three stood up, bid farewell, and left.

The first underground level returned to silence.

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan sat in the main seat, remaining silent for a long time.

Zhang Liang, Strategist Guo Jia, and Strategist Jia Xu were also silent.

Finally, Crown Prince Xiao Xuan spoke.

"Zifang, what do you think?"

Zhang Liang pondered and said.

"Your Highness, I believe that what they said might be true."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan said.

"Why?"

Zhang Liang said.

"Because they have no need to deceive you, Your Highness. Three in the True God Realm, two in the Middle Stage and one in the Late Stage—to kill you would be as easy as turning over one's hand. But they did not take action; instead, they extended a polite invitation. This shows that they truly do not want to be enemies with you."

Strategist Guo Jia said.

"Strategist Zhang is right. Moreover, what that Dao Xuanzi said is logically consistent. The fact that the top ten major factions have the support of Holy Lands explains many things."

Strategist Jia Xu said.

"Your Highness, what I am worried about is—if you go to the Holy Land, what will happen at court?"

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan was silent.

Indeed.

He had just been named Crown Prince, and his Foundation in the court was unstable. If he left for a year, what would happen?

Would the Eighth Prince's supporters take the opportunity to counterattack?

Would those factions that had been intimidated stir into action?

Would people from the top ten major factions cause trouble?

He looked at Master Jiang.

"Master Jiang, what do you think?"

Master Jiang was silent for a moment, then spoke slowly.

"Your Highness, I sensed it. That aura of a Child of Destiny indeed exists. Three months ago, on the night you summoned Strategist Guo Jia, I sensed it. I just wasn't sure."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan's heart shook.

Three months ago? Wasn't that when he summoned Strategist Guo Jia?

Could it be that every summoning produced the aura of a Child of Destiny?

Master Jiang continued.

"Your Highness, the people from the Holy Lands will not harm you. Because a 'Child of Destiny' is someone favored by heaven and earth. Whoever harms a 'Child of Destiny' will suffer divine retribution. This is a rule passed down from ancient times."

He paused, then added.

"But whether you go or not, Your Highness, I dare not speak rashly. This is your own path."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan was silent.

He stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the moonlight outside.

Child of Destiny.

The invitation from the Holy Land.

The secrets of the top ten major factions.

This world was far more complex than he had imagined.

He turned around and looked at the eleven people.

Zhao Gao, General Lu Bu, Strategist Jia Xu, Xiao He, Chen Qingzhi, Di Renjie, Master Lu Ban, Zhangsun Wuji, Jiang Ziya, Strategist Guo Jia, Zhang Liang.

Eleven confidants, eleven arms.

They came from Earth to this world, following him, loyal to him, risking their lives for him.

If he went to the Holy Land, what would happen to them?

If he stayed in the capital and missed the support of the Holy Land, what would happen in the future?

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan took a deep breath.

"I need to think about it."