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

Chapter 772: Chapter 773: The Crown Prince’s Scheme
 

“Of course, of course, if you encounter any trouble in the future, feel free to come to me, I’ll have your back.”

Li Xiaobai said cheerfully, his words were gentle, but they somehow left a bad taste in everyone’s mouth.

These were supposed to be mere platitudes of courtesy, yet why did this fellow take the conversation seriously and keep going?

It felt like a small displeasure to be taken advantage of without notice.

“Number Eighteen, did you receive the invitation card I sent yesterday?”

“That servant of mine is clumsy and careless; I hope he didn’t disturb you!”

The Crown Prince rose, smiling, his gaze deep and meaningful. After surveying the surroundings, he noticed that Li Xiaobai was without any injuries, which came as a surprise to him.

The Formation he had set up was no simple matter. Although not exceedingly powerful, an unguarded cultivator at the Human Immortal Realm could still have a tough time with it, even risking blindness in an eye if unlucky. Yet there was Li Xiaobai, unscathed, which was entirely beyond his expectations.

“The invitation from Big Brother was truly creative; I must admit, I was quite startled when I first saw it. To think that I hold such an important place in Big Brother’s heart, I am truly flattered and surprised.”

Li Xiaobai laughed heartily, as if the incident with the Formation the previous day was just a trifling matter.

“If you don’t mind my forwardness, younger brother, please take a seat quickly. Today is your lucky day. I was so eager to share the joy that I completed this Formation not long ago.”

The Crown Prince was exceedingly enthusiastic, but as the saying goes, when a weasel pays a visit to a chicken, it’s not out of good intention. The more courteous and polite he appeared, the more it indicated he had something up his sleeve.

As his gaze wandered around, taking in all the attendees, he recognized several familiar faces.

Yan Xiao and others, who were unintentionally let loose in the Demonic Beast Mountain Range, were now standing behind the Seventh Princely Heir, along with many outstanding Sect Disciples from the Great Flame Dynasty, making a grand gathering.

Earth Immortal Realm cultivators from within the Great Flame Dynasty were mostly on missions abroad year-round, some engaging in cultivation in other Great Sects like the Sword Sect, and others joining the Enforcement Team, busy all day. Only a small number of experts stayed within the Great Flame Dynasty, most of them assuming posts like a position under King Weiwu. For them, they would not attend a gathering for junior cultivators’ training.

Therefore, those who were gathered here were all Human Immortal Realm masters. According to what the true Eighteenth Princely Heir, Yan Liang, said, the Crown Prince had deliberately suppressed his cultivation level to avoid breaking through, in order to successfully enter the Inner Sect of the Sword Sect, making him a standout among those at the Human Immortal Realm.

For Earth Immortal Realm cultivators, there was a stark difference in the levels of difficulty and danger during assessments. The higher one’s cultivation level, the harder the test, with risks escalating dramatically. Therefore, temporarily suppressing one’s cultivation level had become the preferred strategy amongst Disciples of the major sects.

“Crown Prince, I heard that yesterday, prominent Disciples from various sects who came to celebrate vanished in a day. It’s suspected that they were kidnapped by an unknown cultivator who also openly extorted the sects—is that correct?”

After everyone sat down, a cultivator spoke up to inquire.

“Yeah, I even heard that the Saint Heir and saintess from the Sword Dynasty were taken by that thief. Now, all the sects and dynasties are pointing their fingers at our Great Flame Dynasty. Who could have done this, Crown Prince? Any thoughts?”

Ji Wuqing’s audacious act had caused quite a stir in the city yesterday, and with the additional uproar from all the sects, it had become well-known throughout the dynasty.

“Obviously, someone is deliberately framing and setting up our Great Flame Dynasty.”

“With the prestige and strength of our clan, is there any need for such despicable acts? Even if they were to come up to me and ask to be tied up, I wouldn’t do it. Once the whereabouts of that thief are clarified, his head will certainly be severed and hung high above Yan City, vindicating our clan’s honor!”

The Crown Prince spoke with righteous conviction.

“Exactly, exactly, who is the bastard that dares to do such a thing? It’s like smoke billowing from the ancestral grave!”

“Yeah, they must be lacking morals for eight generations. If you’re going to kidnap someone do it, but to act within Yan City? Isn’t that just blatantly opposing us?”

“Sigh, let’s not speak of these things. The Emperor and the Grand Emperor will handle it. We just need to take care of our affairs, the Sword Sect trial!”

The cultivators talked among themselves, berating the thief one after another in their conversation.

Li Xiaobai sat upright and solemn, touched his nose, and although it was Ji Wuqing who had committed the act, he couldn’t shake the feeling that the curses were aimed at him, which was somewhat uncomfortable.

“Hehe, correct, I invited you all here today exactly for this Sword Sect trial!”

“As the Crown Prince of the Great Flame Dynasty, all my actions are taken with the rise and fall of the dynasty in mind. If more of our Sect Disciples can enter the Sword Sect for cultivation, our dynasty’s position will surely rise along with the tide.”

“Hence, once this Formation is completed, I invited all of you to witness it together, hoping that you would take this opportunity to hone yourselves. If you can gain some insights from it, that would truly make your presence worthwhile!”

The Crown Prince said with a faint smile, his words filled with a noble air and a sense of selfless public service, immediately winning the favor of the cultivators present.

Thinking from another perspective, if an ordinary cultivator received such a treasure, they would surely hide it immediately, fearing that others might discover it. But today, the Crown Prince is sharing it with everyone willingly. The reason behind his actions is to make the Great Flame Dynasty stronger, a generosity that truly puts others to shame.

“The Crown Prince’s righteousness, putting the greater good before personal interests, I admire that!”

“Indeed, my clan brother has public interests at heart, serves the people wholeheartedly with due diligence, worthy of being the Crown Prince of our Great Flame Dynasty!”

“This action should be noted in the annals of history; from today onwards, the Great Flame Dynasty might just be on the rise!”

“Thank you, Crown Prince!”

The cultivators were truly grateful in their hearts; such a selfless character was indeed the mark of a natural-born emperor. In the future rivalries among the heirs of the Yan Dynasty, they must support this Crown Prince!

The other princely heirs praised him verbally but felt rather uncomfortable inside. At this moment, they fully understood what their eldest brother was scheming.

By using the opportunity of opening the Formation for the disciples and cultivators in the city to benefit, he aimed to win people’s hearts. If everyone could endure the trial of the Formation, they would undoubtedly feel grateful to the Crown Prince. In the future power struggles among the heirs for the throne, these people would likely side with the Crown Prince.

As royals, gaining the support of the cultivators was also a very important aspect.

Today, their presence was nothing more than a backdrop.

“Without further delay, let us all try this Formation together. To tell the truth, I myself have not yet personally experienced its power, everyone must proceed according to their own abilities!”