The Great Martial Saint!

Chapter 984 The Throne is About to Be Settled, the Struggle for the Prince's Position

"Is the Hermit of Baosha here to request an audience with the Prince of Bicang?"

Inside the Qingchi Courtyard, Chen Ping'an, who had just finished his cultivation for the day, also received a message from Baosha Sanren requesting an audience with the Prince of Bicang.

As the highest-level cultivation ground in Bi Cang Prefecture, the services offered on Yunxu Mountain are naturally impeccable.

Some high-level news can often be heard on Yunxu Mountain, and it can also be regularly updated and reported to the court as a specific service.

In the past few days, Chen Ping'an has not gone into seclusion to cultivate, nor has there been any areas that require tackling difficult problems. His overall cultivation has been relatively stable, and he has been receiving a lot of information about this.

However, by the time the news reached his ears, there was still a delay.

However, Chen Ping'an was not a participant in the situation, so this delay did not affect anything.

In the following days, he quietly cultivated in Qingchi Courtyard, occasionally listening to the news and inside stories of the Prince's Mansion that were circulating outside.

In the past few days, the Bicang Prince's Mansion has been making frequent moves, and all its actions have been extremely noticeable.

For example, many of the guest elders of the Prince of Bicang's mansion were sent out to other places. Although there were plausible reasons such as missions, the real core of the matter was obvious to anyone with discerning eyes.

Among the three most promising candidates to succeed to the title of Prince of Bicang, Ji Dongqing has the greatest influence among the guest elders.

This non-legitimate eldest son was known for his respect for scholars and his wisdom and insight.

Among the guest elders and retainers of the Bicang Prince's Mansion, he was the most popular.

However, at such a critical moment in the great power struggle, the dispatch of guest elders and senior officials is tantamount to cutting off one of Ji Dongqing's arms. The intention behind the actions of the Prince of Bicang is self-evident.

Given the current situation, with the support of Baosha Sanren, Ji Dongqing is now the most popular among the three candidates.

But with these moves, his ranking has inevitably declined.

Ji Xuanmo, who briefly ranked second to him, regained his first place amidst this momentum.

Under these circumstances, although Ji Dongqing responded actively, his power and prestige were far less than before.

Fortunately, with the support of Baosha Sanren, a powerful cultivator from the Western Wilderness, he managed to maintain his second-place position. Compared to Ji Shulan, who ranked third, he possessed a negligible advantage.

However, this situation is vastly different from the one before he received Baosha Sanren's support, when he was in a similar situation to Ji Xuanmo.

The actions taken by the Prince of Bicang's mansion go far beyond the simple transfer of guest elders.

There were also a series of supporting actions, such as the powerful intervention of the Prince of Bicang's Mansion in controlling public opinion and refusing all visits from outsiders. There were also the transfers of some key figures, breaking the original stalemate in the power struggle.

This has brought about an unexpected change to the grand game that has lasted for more than a decade.

In the days that followed, Chen Ping'an also learned of the major repairs in the Western Wilderness and the departure of Baosha Sanren from Bi Cangzhou City.

"Baosha Sanren, is he gone?"

The rumors were rampant, and Chen Ping'an found it rather strange.

Previously, Baosha Sanren had strongly expressed his support for Ji Dongqing, frequently interacting with him in public. All these signals indicated an intention to provide further support.

But within just a few days, the situation underwent such a dramatic change.

All of this happened after Na Baosha Sanren visited the Prince of Bicang.

Did these two reach some kind of deal, or was it a forceful move by the Prince of Bicang, acting on his own initiative? Or perhaps...

Chen Ping'an's emotions shifted as he briefly analyzed the cause of the matter.

He wouldn't say he was disappointed by Baosha Sanren's departure, but he was still somewhat regretful.

After all, when he heard that Baosha Sanren had arrived in Bicang Prefecture, he had thought that he might have a chance to test his skills by personally going to Bicang. He also wanted to see what abilities Baosha Sanren possessed now.

But who knew that this idea wouldn't last long before such a change occurred.

Chen Ping'an felt a pang of regret for a moment, but quickly came to terms with it.

Previously, before he had reached the Great Cultivation Realm, such mental calculations were quite strong. However, after he entered the Great Cultivation Realm and became a Celestial Being of the Third Realm, these thoughts faded somewhat.

After all, with his current abilities, he can still predict the outcome of a battle between two people of the same realm, without the support of their peak battle record or top-tier treasures.

It's simply a matter of how fierce the battle was.

but

Speaking of Baosha Sanren's reputation, as a cultivator in the Western Wilderness, his combat strength is not particularly outstanding among cultivators. He is considered the weakest among them, and his methods are mainly for crushing weaker opponents.

If he were to actually fight, the carnage would be somewhat exaggerated. However, the actual combat performance remains to be seen.

Of course, to call it tragic would be entirely possible.

However, that's only for Baosha Sanren. In a direct confrontation, Baosha would be the one who suffers the most.

The news about the major repairs in the Western Wilderness and Baosha Sanren's departure from Bi Cang Prefecture City did not linger in public discourse for long before it was quickly quelled by the influence of the Bi Cang County Prince's Mansion.

Some conspiracy theories and situational speculations completely disappeared within Bicang Prefecture, and all measures were geared towards normal discussion.

Even though everyone is fully aware of the situation, at this crucial juncture, no one dares to completely expose the truth.

"Judging by the time, Baosha should be on his way to the Crimson Cloud Alliance by now, right?" A ripple appeared in Chen Ping'an's eyes, still somewhat concerned.

The Great Cultivation of Heaven and Man.

They may be a bit weak, but they can at least spar with each other and test what they've learned over the past few days.

After all, major repairs of the same level are not common under normal circumstances.

Looking across all regions, those who can become Great Cultivators are all rulers of their respective regions. Even in large regions that span dozens or hundreds of states, Great Cultivators are truly the pinnacle of power.

Such existences are, in the eyes of normal people, something that can only be encountered by chance and not sought after.

Fortunately, as one's status rises and one's horizons broaden, some things gradually become clear. People and things that were previously inaccessible become more likely to come into contact with as one's position improves.

As his public status gradually rises, he may one day witness the extraordinary cultivation of a celestial being, a rare sight even for ordinary celestial beings.

Chen Ping'an comforted himself slightly and felt much more at ease.

Like different stages that host different people and events, such situations may seem somewhat detached from reality, but upon closer examination, they are the source of reality.

For a city or town, a martial arts master is someone who is extremely rare and hard to come by.

However, at the state level, such beings, while still known as powerful figures, are no longer considered particularly rare.

But how many ordinary people can reach such a level?

Let alone the height of a state, even within a city, being at the top is a scene that many people strive for their entire lives and dream of.

For the average person in this mortal world, being able to stand out in one's own neighborhood is already considered an excellent life.

For most people in the world, a city, a town, a village, or a lane represents the largest stage they can access in this world. Within this predetermined setting, the powerful and influential figures are legends among legends, not ordinary people.

But if one day, a person with good fortune can rise step by step, and come into contact with a larger and broader stage, and experience a more colorful world.

Then you will find that everything before your eyes is nothing but illusion and delusion.

In a single state, it's difficult to find a celestial being, but what about in a dozen or a hundred states?

Will things still be like that?

This is true for celestial beings, and it is also true for the great cultivation of celestial beings.

The only difference is the size of the stage.

The Great Qian Dynasty, with its vast land and boundless rivers, has a stage far more profound than Chen Ping'an had imagined.

"The Great Cultivation of the Third Realm." Chen Ping'an's eyes flashed, his gaze shining brightly. "I wonder what the Fourth Realm, the Return to the Source, is like!?"

Above the Great Cultivation stage is the Martial Arts Great Celestial Being.

Its imposing presence, like a pillar supporting the sky, can subdue the surrounding lands.

Just as Chen Ping'an was contemplating his cultivation and looking forward to the future, the frequent actions of the Prince of Bi Cang's mansion did not cease.

Inside the Martial Pavilion, Ji Dongqing looked somber, his presence far less imposing than before.

In public, he would try his best to maintain his composure and appear confident of victory.

But in the current situation, surrounded by his confidants, he no longer had the energy to support such a matter.

"First, the guest elders were sent out, and now those who entered the city earlier have been transferred away. This..." A trusted advisor, with a grim expression, objectively analyzed the current situation.

Who could have imagined that the situation would change so dramatically in just a few days?

They were celebrating their victory a moment ago, but now they are feeling dejected and depressed.

Discussions arose around him, but Ji Dongqing's expression was extremely unpleasant.

"With such measures, the Prince probably already has someone in mind."

Everyone knew the meaning behind those words, but no one dared to say it aloud at that moment.

"Berserk Blade!"

Old Man Yan stood to the side, his face also grim.

The whole thing started after the Prince summoned Mang Dao. What exactly did Mang Dao say to the Prince? Or...?

Old Man Yan's eyes were deep and his breathing was low.

What he had previously worked so hard to achieve has now unexpectedly become their fatal blow.

This outcome was something he could never accept.

Not far from him, a middle-aged scholar stood silently observing the situation.

Previously, the dispatch of guest elders and their influence had greatly affected His Highness.

The departure of Baosha Sanren dealt them a fatal blow.

Previously, he had felt that His Highness relied too much on the help brought by Baosha Sanren, and he had many doubts in his heart.

Now it seems that this is indeed the case.

His Highness is too trusting and reliant on this matter; all the promotional efforts revolve around it.

The greater the initial gains, the more severe the current backlash.

The all-in investment in the past has left me unable to even react now.

Not to mention, the frequent actions taken by the Prince's Mansion have not stopped and are constantly weakening their influence.

The prince's intentions are probably already clear to him.

Amidst the clamor of conversation, Ji Dongqing suddenly spoke up.

"If things continue like this, the throne is hopeless, gentlemen."

Would you be willing to join me and give it your all?

Upon hearing this, the people around were slightly taken aback, and then immediately expressed their opinions.

"We are willing to stand with Your Highness through thick and thin." By this point, their interests were already deeply intertwined with those of Prince Dongqing. Even if the future was uncertain, they had no choice but to fight with all their might.

"Alright, if that's the case..."

Ji Dongqing, with a stern expression, methodically arranged everything.

By now, the situation is clear. Although no one in the room has explicitly stated their opinion, it is obvious to everyone present that the old prince's heart belongs to someone else.

Even if the guess is wrong, it could never be Ji Dongqing.

Despite feeling utterly helpless, he knew he couldn't just sit and wait to die any longer.

What's meant to happen will happen eventually.

"Haha, then I will follow Mr. Ge's opinion."

Inside the courtyard, Ji Xuanmo was in high spirits, having just adopted a suggestion from his confidant.

In recent days, he has had a smooth run of success. The Prince's ambiguous statements have greatly boosted his prestige and influence. Some previously difficult issues have been resolved with ease, and the entanglements have been thoroughly clarified.

Actually, when he met him that day, his great-grandfather didn't say much, but he asked him about his current situation and offered a few words of encouragement.

But this aspect is of great significance to the outside world.

Especially at this critical juncture, every action carries extraordinary significance and deserves deep reflection.

Such meetings are unlike any other day.

After the great-grandfather woke up, he did not see any of the other crown princes, but summoned him alone.

They met in person and talked for a long time. Although it was just casual conversation, this attention itself is an attitude.

Do we even need to explain their attitude?

Ji Xuanmo was smug and only wanted to hold onto his advantage until the very last moment, waiting for everything to settle down.

"Judging from the current signs, the throne will be secured in a few more months!"

Although he dared not overstep his bounds during their meeting, he was still able to make a general assessment of his great-grandfather's health condition.

His aura was extremely low, and his life essence had almost disappeared, as insignificant as a flickering candle flame.

In this state, he is probably already nearing the end of his life.

Even the most accomplished cultivators cannot defy the laws of life and death. No matter how prosperous and spirited they were in the past, they will eventually return to the world.

Ji Xuanmo sighed softly.

But compared to this sigh, the more genuine and active emotions in his heart now lie in the sense of accomplishment, the excitement, and the joy of about to take over the position.

Do not!

It was ecstasy!

With his great-grandfather nearing his death, these final arrangements are using his influence to clear away the last obstacles for him.

Among all the potential successors, he was the most popular and had the strongest overall strength.

The reason he was briefly overtaken by Ji Dongqing was due to the unknown factor of Baosha Sanren. In addition, Ji Dongqing's meticulous planning and painstaking bets also contributed to his temporary relegation to the back of the pack.

But things are different now. His great-grandfather's support has given him an unprecedented boost to his reputation for righteousness.

Not to mention, his great-grandfather frequently intervened, sending Ji Dongqing's supporters away to clear obstacles for him.

The gap between the two was widened infinitely.

As for the rest, Ji Shulan is even less reliable.

There was already a significant gap between her and the two of them. Now, with his righteous cause and increased prestige, his overall influence has reached a new level.

In such circumstances, the gap between the two will only widen.

His longtime rival has always been Ji Dongqing, but now that Ji Dongqing is being frequently suppressed, what will become of him?

That's his.

Ji Xuanmo looked relaxed and was extremely happy.

This is still under normal circumstances.

Although my great-grandfather had been critically ill for a long time, he had been in charge of the Bicang County Prince's Mansion for so long that he still held a very influential bargaining chip.

Over the years, despite their best efforts to divide the stakes, this bargaining chip remains unshaken and difficult to influence.

For example, the Xuanjia Guards, who were under the command of the Prince of Bicang.

For example, that person

Mr. Dou.

Now that his great-grandfather's heart belongs to him, this help will eventually fall into his lap.

Once he fully masters these powers, his ability to suppress the others will be overwhelming.

Even if he cannot fully control these forces, as long as they are not used to support others, he can still secure victory with his current influence.

but

Ji Xuanmo's emotions shifted, but he still remained cautious.

The power that my great-grandfather possessed wouldn't be a problem if he didn't intervene. However, if it were handed over to other individuals, it could seriously affect his control over the situation.

It could even jeopardize his ambition to become the top official.

However, Ji Xuanmo kept these feelings to himself and did not reveal them at all.

In the current situation, his composure and confidence, his attitude, are the best source of encouragement. They can inspire unwavering loyalty among his subordinates and also guide those with ambiguous neutral stances to understand the right course of action.

Some things can only be truly understood and supported when you tell others that you are destined to win.

As for whether victory was certain before that, that's not important.

When everyone believes you are destined to win, then you

We are destined to win!

Furthermore...

This matter was merely a minor concern that Wan Quan had considered thoroughly; things might not be as he thought.

Given the current situation and the influence of my great-grandfather, there's no need for him to play these games.

If you support Ji Dongqing or Ji Shulan, simply express your support directly, or even participate in the event to show your support.

There's no need to summon him specifically and do these unnecessary things out of thin air.

With this thought in mind, Ji Xuanmo felt resolute.

Even in the worst-case scenario, he still has extra cards to play.

As long as his great-grandfather's power remained intact, he would be able to decisively and easily establish the entire situation.

Without those guest elders and without Baosha Sanren, Ji Dongqing is no longer a force to be reckoned with.

Ji Shulan alone cannot suppress him!

But even now, Ji Xuanmo knows that the more critical the moment, the more he must hold his breath and not relax in the slightest.

Despite the circumstances, he still made the most detailed arrangements.

While Ji Xuanmo was making all the arrangements, Ji Shulan finally made up her mind to go to the Bi Cang Palace to request an audience with the Emperor.

Given the current situation, she has completely lost the initiative.

Although Ji Dongqing's support was frequently suppressed, Ji Xuanmo's overall strength had been unprecedentedly enhanced thanks to his great-grandfather's tacit approval.

If she doesn't do something, she'll only face a slow death.

Once Ji Xuanmo has completely gained the Emperor's approval and obtained his support, the throne will remain just a pipe dream for her.

No matter how much you struggle, or how many cards you hide, it's all in vain.

To break this deadlock, she has no choice but to take a desperate gamble and seek the support of Emperor Gaozu.

If she could obtain the power held by the founding emperor, gain the loyalty of the Xuanjia Guards, and even Mr. Dou, then with her strength, she would be able to turn the tide and secure victory.

Do not!

She doesn't need Mr. Dou's loyalty; all she needs is for Mr. Dou to remain inactive and sit idly in his high-rise building. Then she will be confident enough to fight Ji Xuanmo to the death.

Under these circumstances, Ji Shulan made up his mind to go to the Bi Cang Palace to request an audience with the Emperor.

To ensure the trip went smoothly and to maximize her chances of seeing Emperor Gaozu, she specially invited Qingyu to accompany her.

He requested an audience in Qingyu's name, and Emperor Gaozu...

Yes, there will be a meeting.

After all, Qingyu had always been the most beloved bloodline descendant of the Emperor Gaozu, and had been pampered and enjoyed all kinds of honors since childhood.

If it weren't for the fact that Qingyu's cultivation level was too low to reach the Celestial Realm, she would even have considered Qingyu as an opponent to be wary of.

After all, given how much Emperor Gaozu doted on Qingyu, if Qingyu were to truly achieve the status of a Celestial Being, it would be entirely possible for him to support her and allow her to compete with the others for the throne.

However now

It's just a thought.

After all, no matter what, the factions, relatives, and elders of the Prince's Mansion would place their hopes for the future and the honor of the mansion on a junior who is not even a martial arts master.

No matter how much Emperor Gaozu supported it, it was useless.

Even if the Prince's Mansion approves, the royal family may not.

The royal bloodline is divided into fiefdoms, and the future leader of the Bi Cang County Prince's Mansion must, at the very least, be a martial arts master.

This is a game played out under the overall situation, and it is also a tacit understanding among all parties.

If one is not even a celestial being, how can one safeguard the enormous interests of the Bicang Prince's Mansion amidst the infighting of various factions, let alone lead the Prince's Mansion to a more glorious tomorrow?

In fact, if there is no hope of reaching the Great Cultivation Realm, even if one has the strength of a Celestial Being, one may not be able to uphold the prestige of the Prince's Mansion.

Whether it's her, Ji Xuanmo, or Ji Dongqing, they all have the potential to become great cultivators!

Ji Shulan's emotions shifted, further solidifying her resolve.

She gazed at the towering Azure Palace in the distance, her skin glowing with a crystalline sheen. Her cloud-blue dress fluttered gently in the breeze, like a beautiful cloud.

"Great Ancestor, you..."

You'll support me, right?

She took a deep breath and walked towards the Azure Palace.

If she were a prince, she would become a great strategist, leading the Bicang Prince's Mansion to an even more glorious future.

Just as Emperor Gaozu said when he first met her, "Come closer, let me see my son, the unicorn of my family."

A prodigy, destined to bring glory to the family, assume the great responsibility of leadership, and become the head of the clan. (End of Chapter)