5: Is this an opportunity to launch a rebellion?

As Gu Jixiao's words fell, the hearts of those present skipped a beat.

They naturally knew who Gu Jixiao was referring to: the remaining six princes and the ministers who had chosen to side with them.

King Gu Ji and Gu Jiyuan looked at each other, both seeing pity in the other's eyes.

Gu Jixiao was likely going to use this opportunity to cause trouble and expel them from the Imperial Capital.

Inside Xianglan Court.

A young man sat leisurely in a grand armchair, resting with his eyes closed.

Beside him, a trusted aide asked in a worried tone.

"Your Highness, if we don't attend the morning court, will His Majesty use it as an excuse to target us?"

Hearing this, the young man opened his eyes and let out a cold laugh.

"If he wants to make a move, I am ready at any time—provided he can withstand it."

The young man was the Third Prince, Gu Jifeng, who was also a strong candidate for the position of Imperial Lord, backed by three Saints.

Because of this, after learning that the throne had been snatched by the Sixth Prince, he had opposed Gu Jixiao at every turn.

If Gu Jixiao used this to cause trouble, he wouldn't mind making a big deal out of it to pull him down from the throne.

The aide heard this and felt it made sense.

But just then, a Eunuch hurried in from outside, holding a bundle of golden Imperial Edicts in his hands.

"His Majesty has decreed: The Third Prince has shown contempt for the Emperor and is to be exiled to Lingnan!"

The Eunuch walked up to Gu Jifeng, unfurled the edict, and read its contents aloud.

Gu Jifeng practically sprang out of his armchair.

"What!"

Gu Jifeng's face turned grim. Gu Jixiao actually dared to do such a thing; did he not fear a rebellion?

"Damn it! Men!"

"His Majesty would never issue such a decree. I fear there is a Demonic Person causing chaos in the palace. Follow me into the palace to protect the Emperor!"

As if thinking of something, Gu Jifeng's face lit up with joy. With a wave of his hand, two figures suddenly appeared before him—both were Saint powerhouses.

The Eunuch, hearing this, hurriedly spoke up.

"This is a decree personally issued by His Majesty. Does the Third Prince intend to rebel?"

"That's not for you to decide. If I say His Majesty has been bewitched by a Demonic Person, then he has been bewitched!"

Gu Jifeng sneered.

This was the perfect opportunity to take down Gu Jixiao. After dealing with him, he could take the throne and claim to the world that His Majesty had been harmed by a Demonic Person and that he had successfully avenged him.

Once he sat on the throne, he didn't believe anyone could possibly overthrow him.

Looking back at the Eunuch, Gu Jifeng showed no mercy, killing him with a single palm strike.

"Follow me into the palace! Protect the Emperor!"

Meanwhile, the news of the exile to Lingnan reached the ears of the other princes.

The others' faces were equally unsightly, but only three princes chose not to rebel directly, opting instead to accept the decree and head to Lingnan.

In their view, since Gu Jixiao chose to do this, he might actually have some hidden trump card.

It was better to be safe than sorry; they feared failing unexpectedly.

At this time, inside the Imperial Hall.

"If there are matters to report, speak; otherwise, the court is dismissed."

"I ask my two brothers to stay for a moment. I have something to discuss with you."

Gu Jixiao said, looking toward the other ministers.

Soon, only the three of them—Gu Jixiao and his brothers—remained in the Imperial Hall.

Looking at King Gu Ji and Gu Jiyuan, both appeared nervous, no longer as composed as before.

Gu Jixiao looked at them and gave what he considered a very kind smile.

"Brothers, there is no need to be nervous. I asked you to stay because I have something to tell you."

"I wonder which of you is willing to go and take over the Dayan Dynasty?"

As Gu Jixiao's words fell, both men in front of him were stunned.

After a long while, Gu Jiyuan asked hesitantly.

"So, Sixth Brother, you intend to hand the Dayan Dynasty over to us to manage?"

Hearing this, Gu Jixiao frowned slightly and said, "Brother, our statuses are different now. It is better to use the proper titles."

Gu Jiyuan was taken aback but quickly addressed him as Your Majesty.

Seeing this, Gu Jixiao nodded and said,

"Indeed. Do you think our Ancient Heavenly Dynasty will remain huddled in this place?"

As he spoke, Gu Jixiao walked out of the hall and looked toward the vast Heavenly Saint Continent.

"The goal of our Ancient Heavenly Dynasty is the entire Heavenly Saint Continent."

"Sooner or later, I will make it so that the Heavenly Saint Continent only knows the Ancient Heavenly Dynasty and only my, Gu Jixiao's, voice."

Behind him, King Gu Ji and Gu Jiyuan were both intimidated by Gu Jixiao's bold words, their faces filled with disbelief.

But in their hearts, a faint voice told them that Gu Jixiao wasn't just making things up.

Shaking his head, King Gu Ji stepped forward.

"Since Your Majesty has spoken, then let me handle the management of the Dayan Dynasty."

Currently, King Gu Ji had only one thought: to leave the Imperial Capital quickly. If Gu Jixiao ever found out that he was the one who instructed Xiao Chun and Xiao Xia, he might be executed.

"In that case, the Dayan Dynasty will be left to you to manage, Brother."

"By the way, treat the commoners of the Dayan Dynasty as you would the citizens of our Ancient Heavenly Dynasty."

Gu Jixiao turned and instructed.

He wanted everyone to believe in him; only then would he have enough prestige value for his lucky draws.

If he treated the citizens poorly, who would still believe in him?

King Gu Ji nodded, and after accepting the task, he went down to prepare.

He was to go to the Dayan Dynasty with Lin Zilong. With a Great Saint's help, it was estimated they could take down the Dayan Dynasty very quickly.

Only Gu Jixiao and Gu Jiyuan remained in the Imperial Hall.

"Your Majesty, if there is nothing else, I shall take my leave."

Standing before Gu Jixiao, Gu Jiyuan only felt nervous and made an excuse to leave.

But at that moment, several figures appeared above the Imperial Hall, surrounding the palace.

Upon sensing those auras, Gu Jiyuan's expression changed drastically, for they were all Saints.

However, when he looked at Gu Jixiao, Gu Jixiao was perfectly calm.

Right, all of this must be within Gu Jixiao's calculations.

Gu Jiyuan thought to himself, having already filled in the blanks in his mind.

Issuing a decree to exile the other six princes to Lingnan on charges of contempt for the Emperor—they would certainly refuse to comply and might even think of rebelling.

But unfortunately, they had miscalculated Gu Jixiao's strength.

Thinking of this, a trace of pity appeared in Gu Jiyuan's eyes, but it vanished in an instant.

In the Imperial City, everyone was drawn to the Saint powerhouses above the palace and stopped to watch.

Great experts of the Saint Realm had begun to ascend the Saint Dao, their bodies stained with Saintly Rhyme. With a simple gesture, they could easily destroy a city; their strength was terrifyingly profound.

Just as they were speculating whether a great change was about to occur in the palace, the first to arrive, the Third Prince Gu Jifeng, spoke to the Saint Enshrined beside him.

"Elder Ji, please set up a formation so that outsiders do not perceive what is happening here."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Elder Ji was a powerhouse in the Middle Stage of the Saint Realm. With his help, Gu Jifeng had great confidence in seizing the throne.

But just as Elder Ji was preparing to set up the formation, several figures hurried over from a distance and stopped in front of Gu Jifeng.

They were the Fourth Prince Gu Jiju and the Fifth Prince Gu Jilong.