377: The Sacred Heart is Unfathomable

Clearly, Prince Lu's mind no longer seemed to be on the succession struggle, but rather leaned toward the path of cultivation!

Prince Ding's thoughts raced as he spoke, "Prepare a private plane immediately; we're going to Xuanji Tower!"

"What? I'm going too?" Zhu Deqin was startled.

"Correct! War Bear Country is currently focusing its attack on Zhenyuan City in the middle of the defense line. There shouldn't be much pressure here at Dingyuan City, but we must also speed up the construction of the defense line here! Go and invite the Deputy City Lord over!" Prince Ding said.

"Yes, Father! By the way, I heard that Third Royal Uncle gave Sabado ten billion xuan coins and a supreme-grade mysterious stone!" Zhu Deqin said.

"Oh? It seems he's really invested a lot!" Prince Ding was startled and sighed.

Ten billion was a massive sum even for a Prince like him, and not something that could be produced at a moment's notice. Although he had many ways to make money, he also had many expenses. Furthermore, for the wealthy, much of their wealth was tied up in fixed assets, while their liquid capital was relatively low. Thus, there were very few in the entire Great Ming who could produce ten billion in cash to give away as Prince Lu had.

But Prince Ding had his own ways. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Go to my private treasury and bring the two Northernmost Ice Lotuses I recently obtained, as well as that five-hundred-year-old Ginseng King!"

"Yes, Father!" Zhu Deqin replied and hurried away.

Two hours later, the father and son, leading a team of personal guards, flew urgently toward Yingtian Prefecture... At almost the same time, the Eldest Prince, Prince Rui; the Eighteenth Prince, Prince Gong; and many newly risen major families such as the Tang Family, Chang Family, Xu Family, Geng Family, Chu Family, Fang Family, and Ye Family, all sent important personnel to Xuanji Tower to investigate. To them, this newly appeared path of cultivation was full of attraction, and it could also be a major variable in the current situation of Great Ming. If their families did not follow up in time, they might very well fall behind in this new round of competition!

To these shrewd individuals, everyone understood one principle: a step ahead means steps ahead, and a step behind means steps behind. The winner takes all, and it is extremely difficult for latecomers to turn the tables. Therefore, seizing the initiative was the top priority!

Somewhere in the "woodworking workshop" of the Inner Imperial Palace, Great Emperor Zhu Zhenxiang sat on a wooden stump, his eyes fixed on a secret report in his hand. His expression shifted between light and dark, and a touch of ashen green surfaced on his slightly aged face!

"Damn it!!!" he suddenly roared, rubbing his hands together and actually crushing the secret report into pieces!

The old eunuch Wu Zhen and the attendants nearby trembled in fear. Thud, thud, thud—one by one, they collapsed onto the ground, shouting, "Your Majesty, please appease your anger! Your Majesty, please appease your anger!"

Wu Zhen hadn't expected the Great Emperor's reaction to be so intense. At first, he thought this was a good thing; after all, it involved cultivation. If he could get an Immortal Pill for the Great Emperor to achieve immortality, wouldn't he also be able to reap some benefits? At the very least, he could maintain his current position forever. Who would have thought the Great Emperor would be enraged by this matter?

No wonder they say the Emperor's heart is unfathomable. Even after following the Great Emperor for so many years, he still hadn't completely figured out what the Great Emperor was thinking... After cursing several times, Zhu Zhenxiang's emotions gradually stabilized. His face was still ashen, but his expression revealed a hint of helplessness!

Because he knew he could not change this trend!

Regarding Xuanji Tower, he was powerless because he knew how terrifying it was. Had it not been for Xuanji Tower stepping in years ago, Great Ming would likely have been swallowed by the Sea Race, and he would never have ascended to the throne. In a sense, Xuanji Tower was also the backer behind him!

However, the current Xuanji Tower seemed unwilling to work silently as before. Sabado actually wanted to sell cultivation information and recruit immortal seedlings on a large scale, drawing many princes, grandsons, and major families to inquire and get involved. If this continued, matters concerning cultivation would become completely public throughout the entire Great Ming!

Such a situation seemed like a good thing for many people in Great Ming, but for a Great Emperor like him, it was an extremely terrible thing, even a disaster!

Because this matter had already exceeded his range of control.

For a Great Emperor, anything beyond his control must be suppressed—either eliminated or forced to surrender. It could never be allowed to develop smoothly. Just like the previous development of martial arts, through the efforts of generations of Great Emperor Mings, Xuan Practitioners were basically brought under official management. Powerhouses within the royal Family also emerged in succession, thus achieving a level of control.

Another example was the current struggle for succession among his sons, which influenced the court. On the surface, the princes were competing happily while he, the old Emperor, hid in the palace doing woodwork, giving the appearance that he was about to abdicate. But in reality, the actions of every prince and the activities of every major Family were basically under his surveillance. The power he controlled reached every aspect of the Empire. It could be said that no matter which prince succeeded in the struggle, they would still need to be trembling with fear before him, because a single word from him could make them lose that position!

However, he could not interfere in the matters of Xuanji Tower!

This was very frustrating... Zhu Zhenxiang saw very clearly regarding Xuanji Tower's upcoming push for cultivation information. If things continued to develop this way, his position as Great Emperor would eventually become optional or even precarious and full of crises. He knew how terrifying Cultivators were; even the powerful Sea Race was completely defenseless before them. If countless Cultivators were born within Great Ming, what would he use to restrain and govern them?

Forget about governing; being able to save his life in front of them would be a blessing... "Is the world going to change again? What should I do? What should I do..." Zhu Zhenxiang murmured, his expression somewhat panicked. He knew that if he didn't find a way to stop this trend, the Great Ming territory might be ruined in his hands... Sabado probably never imagined that the news of three Martial Kings in one day and the War Bear Country invading the north hadn't frightened Zhu Zhenxiang, yet his act of obtaining resources to exchange for Sect points had suddenly plunged this old Emperor into such a helpless state!

Just as Zhu Zhenxiang was anxious and helpless, a voice suddenly rang out, "Father, there is no need to be so worried!"

"Aner?! You've come out of seclusion?!!!" Zhu Zhenxiang looked up, his eyes brightening as he spoke excitedly.

"Yes, I was in seclusion for ten years this time. I heard many things as soon as I came out. I even took a trip to the Northern Defense Line and have only just returned..." Zhu Jian said.

"What? You even went to the Northern Defense Line? How is the situation there now?" Zhu Zhenxiang asked urgently...