Chapter 928
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The Xu Aiqing referred to by Tian Huangyu was, of course, Xu Donglai, the head of the Xu family, a pillar clan of the Tianyan Dynasty.
During the previous Hundred Kingdoms’ Martial Contest, Xu Donglai’s two sons, Xu Qingtian and Xu Qingfeng, were both slain by Ye Wushuang. The seventeenth prince, Tian Zhihen, whom Xu Donglai had favored, also met his end at the hands of Ye Wushuang.
Upon hearing the emperor’s call, Xu Donglai immediately stepped forward, bowed deeply, and knelt, saying, “Xu Donglai pays his respects to His Majesty.”
“Please rise, Minister Xu,” Emperor Tian Huangyu said with a smile.
Though he was invited to rise, these words sent a cold sweat down Xu Donglai’s back.
The Xu family was indeed a pillar clan of the Tianyan Dynasty. However, within the vast Tianyan Dynasty, which was one of the seven major powers, there were more than just the Xu family as pillar clans. In fact, the Tianyan Dynasty was essentially a grand martial sect, with each major family functioning like a faction led by an elder within the sect. Despite the numerous factions, the imperial family was undoubtedly the strongest and unshakable.
“I heard that you were quite distressed after the seventeenth prince was killed by Ye Wushuang,” the emperor continued.
With a thud, Xu Donglai suddenly knelt down again. “Your Majesty, I am utterly loyal to you and harbor no ulterior motives!” he declared.
What did the emperor mean by such words at this moment? The succession to the throne of the Tianyan Dynasty would certainly be among the emperor’s many sons. By choosing the seventeenth prince, the Xu family had effectively joined the struggle for succession, something every emperor detested.
Seeing Xu Donglai trembling and sweating profusely, Emperor Tian Huangyu smiled and said, “Minister Xu, I am merely having a conversation with you; there is no need for such alarm.”
Despite these words, Xu Donglai continued to sweat profusely and dared not rise.
“Among my sons, there are indeed a few who are quite outstanding, each with high aspirations and pride,” the emperor remarked. “You must think that after the seventeenth prince was killed by Ye Wushuang, I must detest that boy. But in reality, that is not the case.”
Tian Huangyu chuckled and continued, “Their pride and ambition are partly due to my lack of discipline, and partly because you all have been flattering them too much in the past. After the seventeenth prince’s death, I do not harbor any hatred towards Ye Wushuang. On the contrary, I am very eager to recruit him, and I even wish…” He paused for a moment before continuing, “I even wish that Ye Wushuang were my own son.”
As these words left the emperor’s mouth, the expressions of the princes and ministers present changed dramatically. Ye Wushuang’s talent was indeed exceptional, but for the emperor to speak in such a way seemed excessively favorable towards him.
Tian Huangyu went on, “You all think I am exaggerating. But this young man, as I heard from the nineteenth prince, is truly remarkable. He has single-handedly caused great upheaval within an empire, something no ordinary person could achieve. Now that the Heavenly and Earthly Gates are opening, if he survives the trials within, he will surely reach the state of Guiyuan.”
*Guiyuan*!
At present, Ye Wushuang was merely at the ninth level of Tiangang. To reach Guiyuan in just half a year seemed… utterly impossible! Although his progress had been rapid, it could not possibly be this fast. However, since these words came from the emperor, no one dared to contradict him.
Tian Huangyu continued, “Pass down the order that those participating in the trials of the Heavenly and Earthly Gates should not oppose Ye Wushuang. Even though he killed the seventeenth prince, I still admire him. Moreover… I trust Si Yin’s judgment. She has been focusing on cultivating Ye Wushuang, perhaps with the hope that he will one day replace her and carry the banner of Lingjian Mountain.”
When Emperor Tian Huangyu finished speaking, everyone fell into a profound silence. This was an extremely high appraisal of Ye Wushuang. The major powers waited expectantly, making no rash moves. The Heavenly and Earthly Gates hung suspended in the air, with numerous spiritual beasts waiting quietly.
Suddenly, the light emitted by the suspended Heavenly and Earthly Gates began to merge. As the light intertwined, the two gates also started to draw closer together. All eyes were on them, filled with astonishment, confusion, excitement, and anticipation.
And then, in that moment, the two gates merged into one. One by one, the fifth-stage spiritual beasts, the kings among beasts, suddenly went berserk. They leaped into the air and rushed towards the Heavenly and Earthly Gates…
