Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao

Six days later, the Capital City was enveloped in thick dark clouds, as the fierce wind howled through the city with a mournful sound.

The streets, usually bustling with life, were as quiet as the dead of night. Not a single pedestrian could be seen on the entire street, as countless members of the Nobility gathered their families in the great halls, holding their breath and concentrating their attention. By this moment, sides were mostly chosen, and those who hadn't made up their minds could only wait for the final outcome.

People accustomed to changes in the court also hid in their own secret rooms, silently counting the hours, yet in their hearts, they were desperately praying for this storm to pass quickly.

However, in stark contrast to the silence and stillness of the people, the three Princes vying for succession were particularly lively. Representatives of various forces shuttled in and out of their estates, placing their last bets.

The Crown Prince looked at his gathered subordinates with a cold face and nodded his approval. "Good, no one has backed down. I am very pleased. Since you have chosen me, we are all grasshoppers on the same string, sharing wealth and woe alike. I hope everyone can put aside past grievances and work together sincerely to help me win the throne!" Having finished speaking, the Prince bowed solemnly to them.

Everyone hurriedly protested they didn't dare, but ambitions were stirring within them, and their eyes gleamed with a light called desire—it was, without a doubt, the stage for the ambitious.

The same situation unfolded in the Second Prince's residence. This dark and brooding Prince smiled at the Military Generals kneeling before him, "Once we achieve great success, I shall drink heartily with you all in the grand hall of the Imperial Palace."

The Generals swayed by the Second Prince all wore smiles, but their eyes were filled with a cold killing intent; they were all seasoned killers, itching to drench the Imperial Palace in blood.

In contrast to the crowded and powerful entourages of these two Princes, the Third Prince's residence appeared rather desolate. No one came to pledge loyalty to him in the vast mansion. Having come of age not long ago, many had already chosen their allegiance beforehand, so he could only win over a very small number of people.

At this moment, the Third Prince looked at the empty hall and sneered, "Up to now, which families have not yet responded?"

"Your Highness, those old codgers keep making excuses, simply unwilling to commit. I'm afraid we can't count on them," said a subordinate, clearly aggravated, recalling how he had gone begging humbly without getting even a response, which set ablaze a fierce anger in his heart.

"This is all too normal. Old men who don't die are thieves; all these old foxes won't easily pick sides until the very end, not showing their hand until they see the rabbit. It's good enough they didn't kick you out," the Third Prince responded with a smile.

"As long as they haven't completely sided with those two, it's fine. Everyone thinks I am bound to lose. Today, I will show them what a miracle is," the Third Prince said, looking into the sky solemnly.

The storm was brewing and the building resonated with the wind. On this day of overshadowing dark clouds, Chen Xiang stepped into the city with firm strides, only to see a young man clad in black moving at an easy pace on the main street. Chen Xiang seemed to sense foreboding and death from this young man—it was Xu Fu, who had entered the city today. He had somehow deceived the Qi Cultivators' surveillance and brazenly walked into the city.

Seeing Chen Xiang's face, Xu Fu's expression turned grave. He felt a threat emanating from this young man, a warning from the soul that almost made him leave the city against his will.

Fortunately, Chen Xiang had no desire to create complications—simply nodding slightly at Xu Fu before continuing his way toward the Imperial Palace. He could sense that Zhao Pu was there.

Watching Chen Xiang walk away, Xu Fu quietly breathed a sigh of relief. In his eyes, Chen Xiang was nothing less than a humanoid monster. The Mana lurking inside his body was as deep as an abyss, truly frightening.

"When has this world seen such an existence, even the Immortal Gods I encountered back then rarely possessed such Mana!" Xu Fu murmured to himself, at a loss as to why such a being would come to this world.

He had been waiting for so many years, just to ascertain the attitudes of those lofty Divine Spirits, and only after confirming that those beings truly did not care about the First Emperor's Mausoleum did he take action.

Despite the current situation, Xu Fu was unwilling to give up easily. He had schemed for a millennium to reach this day, enduring untold hardships. How could he give up now? However, the heavy scent that hung over his head like dark clouds loomed in his heart, making him feel waves of unease.

Meanwhile, the three Princes had already arrived inside the Imperial Palace, dressed to attend a ceremony, standing in the great hall, with a wooden curtain hanging above. The person lying behind that curtain was the highest ruler of this world.

The three Princes looked up at that supreme position, and, as if by agreement, their expressions revealed a longing. The wellbeing of the person behind the curtain had already fallen out of their concern. The moment for action was upon them, and even if the Emperor behind the scenes recovered his health, the three Princes would ensure he lay back down. After all, there was only one supreme throne.

"My two younger brothers have arrived quite early!" the Crown Prince said with a smile that did not reach his eyes.

"Father is critically ill, and as his sons, we naturally should attend to him closely. But why is big brother arriving so late? Surely you aren't plotting something behind the scenes?" the Second Prince said bluntly.

"Second brother, I know you've always been dissatisfied with me, but that's no reason to label me unfilial!"

"Big brother must be joking. Whether one is filial or not is not a matter of saying so."

The two Princes were at loggerheads in the great hall but restrained themselves, for they were both waiting—waiting for their own forces to arrive.

This palace had always been under the Emperor's control, not even a fly could get in. But now that the Emperor was faltering, the defenses had naturally become lax, providing an opportunity for the Princes to infiltrate.

Countless figures entered the Imperial Palace by various means, unaware that their actions were being closely observed. In the deepest part of the Imperial Palace, enveloped in darkness, a soft-spoken man was listening to the reports from his subordinates below, keeping a close eye on the actions of the two Princes.

"They really are His Majesty's good sons, unable to restrain themselves so quickly. I'm afraid even if His Majesty regains his health, they would make their move," the soft-spoken man said with a faint cold smile on his face.

"Is there any movement from the Third Prince?"

"Nothing has been detected."

"Impossible. This Third Prince is not a man to sit quietly. Since he has dared to join in this fight for the throne, he must have something to rely on, but who knows where his support will come from," the soft-spoken man muttered to himself.

Elsewhere in the Capital City, countless individuals dressed in ragged clothes, with feverish expressions on their faces, were pouring into the Capital City in great numbers, their mouths frantically shouting, "Mother of the Unborn, Hometown of the Void!"