I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, So I’ll Max Out My Defense

Chapter 767: 768
 

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“Hehe, I understand what you all mean. The whereabouts of these individuals will be decided by me alone. You needn’t bother yourselves inquiring further,”

“The temple is too small to accommodate the great Buddha, and even my Great Flame Dynasty cannot contain their talents. I will send them to a place more suitable for them. We old-timers should just dutifully nurture the disciples of our own sects, shouldn’t we?”

The Grand Emperor chuckled, his gaze filled with a touch of disdain.

These people were not on the same intellectual level as him. Among the many dynasties, only he had ventured beyond the Eastern Continent in his youth and had thus gained knowledge far surpassing that of ordinary cultivators.

The situation of those few individuals from the Earth Spirit Realm matched exactly with certain rumors he had heard in his youth. He was sure that these geniuses from the Earth Spirit Realm would become remarkable figures in the future, and perhaps in just a few years, their cultivation levels might even surpass his.

Rather than fostering resentment by tying them to the Great Flame Dynasty and inviting undeserved calamities, it was better to do a favor and send them to the truly powerful forces. In this way, not only would he help the geniuses reach higher places, but it would also be an opportunity to forge good relations with the major powers. Moreover, once these prodigies achieved accomplishments in the future, they might even be grateful to the Great Flame Dynasty.

In the Grand Emperor’s eyes, all these people from the dynasties and sects were nothing but frogs at the bottom of a well, without exception.

They only saw the immediate trivial benefits but failed to see if they could truly swallow what they desired.

“So that’s how it is.”

“Even the Great Flame Dynasty can’t accommodate these geniuses? Are they really that remarkable?”

“The Grand Emperor himself has said it. His word is as precious as gold and jade; there’s no need for him to deceive us over such a matter.”

“Does that mean that these individuals will not participate in the Sword Sect’s trials?”

“If so, our disciples have a better chance now.”

The cultivators whispered amongst themselves, quietly exchanging thoughts. This was indeed good news. It was clear that there wasn’t any intention to keep these geniuses for the surrounding major powers. If even the Great Flame Dynasty could not hold onto them, it would take giants like the Sword Sect to be able to accommodate them.

“For the Sword Sect trials, my Great Flame Dynasty naturally will not use outsiders to vie for spots. You can all rest assured about this,” the Emperor also spoke up.

“His Majesty and the Grand Emperor are truly magnanimous, willing to sacrifice personal interests for the group’s benefit. I admire this a lot!” said the elder from the Sword Sect with a cheerful laugh.

As the banquet progressed, the cultivators with their own ulterior motives had achieved their goals and prepared to take their leave.

The Grand Emperor simply waved his hand dismissively. He didn’t care about these matters; he had already received the offerings he was due, and there was no point in keeping these people around to freeload any longer, especially when he was eager to return and slowly nurture his pitch-black little flame.

Everyone stood up to take their leave, including the Princely Heirs, except for Li Xiaobai, who was left behind alone.

He clearly saw the other Princely Heirs casting wary glances at him. At such a critical moment, to be singled out for an audience surely meant there was an important matter to discuss. Normally, everyone considered the Eighteenth Prince to be a good-for-nothing, yet who could have anticipated that this seemingly insignificant person would suddenly rise sharply in prominence and make a name for himself in one battle, unsettling their hearts with a sudden imbalance.

In the royal household, they now had one more rival to contend with!

The Seventh Prince and the Ninth Prince glared at Li Xiaobai with venomous eyes, leaving without a word, their hearts seething. They had attempted to entrap Li Xiaobai today and failed; instead, they had only implicated themselves. It was likely that for a considerable time to come, they would not be favored by the Emperor or the Grand Emperor.

“Eighteenth brother, congratulations. You have made the Great Flame Dynasty proud at the birthday banquet. As your elder brother, I must thank you. It is your fortune to be favored by the Grand Emperor; you should grasp this opportunity well,” said the Crown Prince with a faint smile, casting an approving look that quietly asserted his supremacy, insinuating that no matter how outstanding Li Xiaobai’s performance was, in the end, he was the boss and the future ruler of the Great Flame Dynasty.

“Big brother, you’re thinking too small. The Great Flame Dynasty is but a speck of dust. I am not interested in such trivialities. My journey is the Universe!”

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Li Xiaobai stood with his hands clasped behind his back and spoke indifferently.

“Ambitious.”

The Crown Prince was neither warm nor cold; his face revealed no joy or sorrow, but a cold gleam flashed in the depths of his eyes as he slowly walked away.

Inside the hall.

Only Li Xiaobai, Yan Nian, and Grand Emperor were left.

Ergouzi had put on a show and fell back into a deep sleep, snoring sweetly as he lay sprawled in front of the door.

“Old Eighteen, your performance today was quite good; you didn’t let down the face of the Great Flame Dynasty and impressed this old man,” the Grand Emperor said, his voice warm and friendly. However, Li Xiaobai knew that this old man’s kindness was all an act, and he had likely kept him around only to extract more valuable things from him.

“Receiving praise from Grand Emperor, this grandson feels unworthy and fearful,” Li Xiaobai replied, showing great respect. The Grand Emperor wanted more information on the treasure’s whereabouts, and Li Xiaobai was equally eager to learn the whereabouts of his fellow disciples and Long Xue.

“Can you tell Grand Emperor where you found this flame and where you encountered your Buddhist friend? The Grand Emperor suspects that place might contain a great treasure worth exploring,” the Grand Emperor said with a smile.

“I found it in the Demonic Beast Mountain Range by accidentally entering the core area and was fortunate enough to discover it,” Li Xiaobai replied honestly and casually mentioned a hazardous region deep in the Demonic Beast Mountain Range.

“Indeed, the depths of the Demonic Beast Mountain Range are mysterious and unpredictable. To encounter something good there requires great fortune. Many disciples have been there, but only you discovered the existence of Hellfire; you truly are a blessed person,” the Grand Emperor said, nodding as he took Li Xiaobai’s words to heart.

“However, the Sin Value on Old Eighteen still poses a problem and should be cleansed soon to avoid misunderstandings,” Yan Nian said as he looked at Li Xiaobai, his gaze as if seeing a disciple who had performed well, with no trace of familial concern.

“There must be numerous people in the world who commit murder and evil deeds. Could it be that all cultivators with a Sin Value over five thousand have been captured?” Li Xiaobai asked, voicing his doubts. Disciples of his level did not know of such matters, and perhaps the Grand Emperor might know something.

“Nonsense, you are the Princely Heir and represent the face of the Great Flame Dynasty. If you are covered in sin, how will the public view us in the future?”

“Do you intend to smear the Great Flame Dynasty with the name of the Demon Path?” Yan Nian said angrily. He had always looked down on his youngest son, but today he felt that this child was cunning, deceiving the world with his limp-waisted facade while secretly cultivating, waiting for such an opportunity to astonish everyone. The fact that he could not accurately control every Princely Heir’s actions felt like a challenge to his authority.

Although Li Xiaobai had done a deed of merit today, Yan Nian was extremely displeased.

However, Li Xiaobai might still have some valuable things in his possession, so to extract information, Yan Nian had to temporarily restrain his dissatisfaction.

The Grand Emperor’s brows furrowed slightly, then relaxed as he nodded and said, “There’s no harm. If you wish to walk the path of killing in the future, just hang your name in the Enforcement Team, and it won’t be a problem.”

“As I know, even within the Sword Sect, there are many with towering Sin Values. As long as they put their names in the Enforcement Team and take on fixed tasks each year, they can maintain an external position in the team. Even if your Sin Value is high, no one will touch you. Many cultivators do this.”