Chapter 136: Approaching Crisis

“The old emperor is absolutely right!” Elder Wei nodded solemnly. “From this war game simulation, it’s clear that Du Long is not only intimately familiar with the randomly selected terrain of Stone Gate Mountain, but also well-informed about the various resources within its borders. For a distinguished general, this knowledge is invaluable!”

“Exactly! Knowing the battlefield’s terrain and topography, as well as having as much detailed intelligence as possible, allows a weaker defending force to turn defense into offense and successfully defeat a stronger adversary. And judging from the various countermeasures he employed, it seems he did not even use that special ability!” the old emperor continued his analysis.

These two elders kept mentioning Du Long’s special ability. Patriarch Du naturally understood what they meant, but Fan Kun, standing nearby, was completely clueless about what special ability that pesky young man could possibly possess.

Having already inquired once and received no answer, Fan Kun didn’t dare to press further. He had no desire to stay and watch these old men’s childish war game simulations. Rising immediately, he cupped his hands respectfully toward the old emperor and said, “Your Majesty, since the competition results are out, I shall take my leave. I have matters at home that require my attention.”

“Very well! There’s nothing else to attend to here. Go on,” the old emperor replied with a smile. Receiving this approval, Fan Kun didn’t even glance at Du and Wei but turned away with a cold expression and left promptly.

The Fan and Wei families had always been rivals with a strained relationship, and the discord with the Du family was even more pronounced. Originally bad due to matters involving their children and the Fengli County gold mine, things had now reached the point of outright hostility.

“Let’s go! The three of us haven’t gathered for quite some time. Let’s take this opportunity to find a place to meet,” the old emperor said after watching Fan Kun’s figure disappear beyond the military academy’s main hall door. Naturally, Elders Du and Wei had no objections and followed suit, understanding his meaning.

At the Tianlong Grand Hotel, in a private and elegant chamber:

“Heh heh! You two, tell me — if we discuss certain matters here, could someone with a special ability like Du Long’s leak our conversation?” The three elders settled in after the dishes arrived and all outsiders were dismissed. The old emperor half-joked as he spoke.

At this moment, their private room was already heavily guarded by several experts; no one could approach unnoticed.

“You jest! If my grandson’s special ability were common, what use would there be for spirit-tier existences like us?” Patriarch Du waved off the concern with a laugh.

“I agree with Elder Du’s view!” Elder Wei said seriously, his face stern.

“Indeed! That’s precisely why I chose to meet with you here, eating and talking under the guise of the Royal Academy. Our gathering won’t draw undue attention,” the old emperor nodded in agreement.

“Then it seems—over the past six months, Your Majesty must have uncovered some important intelligence,” Patriarch Du’s expression grew grave.

“Correct,” the old emperor’s face darkened. “Before, I believed the Fan family was merely somewhat greedy. Though I had received reports of their illicit earnings, I never took it seriously. But to learn that the Fans secretly used their profits to bolster the strength of several military legions—this intent is blatantly clear!”

“Hmph! The Fans’ ambition is indeed considerable,” Elder Wei snorted coldly.

“Ambition is great indeed! Just a family of civil officials, yet they colluded with several legions, drawing them close and willingly funneling their hard-earned gold into expanding those legions’ forces secretly!” the old emperor responded gravely.

“Then the information my grandson heard must be true and reliable! It follows that the three of us must formulate a counterplan. If we cannot secure peace within, how can we repel threats from without?” Patriarch Du pondered deeply.

“Sigh…” The old emperor sighed heavily. “Elder Wei, to be honest, I was once more wary of you. You understand why. But who would have thought that the greatest enemy of the Haotian Empire is that old fox named Fan?”

Elder Wei shook his head with a sigh. “Thank you for your candor, Your Majesty. I, Wei Xuan, would never choose to be disloyal or dishonorable, to be scorned by the world.”

“Excellent!” The old emperor was moved. “Now that Elder Du’s strength has also broken through to spirit-tier, the reason we tolerated Fan Kun’s recklessness before was to maintain balance among spirit-tier powers. Since he has chosen this irreversible path, the three of us must do everything in our power to eliminate this greatest malignancy in the Haotian Empire!”

“We leave all decisions to Your Majesty!” Elders Du and Wei bowed without hesitation. Clearly, they had long been displeased with the Fans. Now that the old emperor was willing to unite with them against that old fox, nothing could be better.

******

At the Fan residence, after hearing Fan De report that the secret plan was progressing smoothly, Fan Kun nodded with satisfaction. “Good! The more we advance, the more cautious we must be not to expose ourselves. As the plan enters its final stages and the number of troops in each legion increases, the risk of leaks grows.”

“Therefore, you must issue strict orders. Not only must the main planners redouble their efforts to maintain secrecy, but the Fan clan members must also restrain themselves. At this critical juncture, we absolutely cannot afford any incidents.”

“Yes! I understand! If there’s nothing else, I will take my leave!” Chancellor Fan De bowed respectfully and then turned to depart.

The first to receive Fan De’s warning within the Fan household was his precious son, Fan Tong. This young man had once performed well but, after being defeated by Du Long on the challenge stage, grew increasingly impatient.

Then came a second humiliation. Though he tried to suppress his hatred for Du Long through diligent cultivation, some feelings only grow stronger the more you try to stifle them. Once unleashed, they become even more destructive.

When he saw Du Long achieve first place in the Martial Cultivation practical assessment, Fan Tong’s suppressed resentment flared anew with jealousy.

Yet he could no longer hope to defeat Du Long in combat, especially now that Du Long was the imperial son-in-law and reportedly had a grandfather who had reached spirit-tier. For Fan Tong, his previous status as the grandson of a spirit-tier expert no longer held weight against Du Long.

Thus, he could not resort to assassination or similar means. Among the empire’s top scions, any attempt at mutual assassination would spell certain death if uncovered—even his grandfather could not protect him.

When Fan De conveyed Fan Kun’s orders to Fan Tong, the young man nodded outwardly in agreement but secretly grew excited, believing his chance for revenge was finally at hand.

******

Du Long, a first-year junior student, had shattered multiple historical records since enrolling at the Haotian Royal Academy, becoming the first junior Martial Cultivation student to achieve first place across all disciplines.

How he accomplished this feat sparked heated debate throughout the Haotian Empire and even astonished neighboring nations.

The name Du Long quickly spread across the Star Continent. Some might say this was exaggerated, but all nations on the continent highly valued Martial Cultivation and had their own specialized academies. Only a handful of prestigious institutions were recognized, and never before had a junior student achieved such comprehensive excellence.

Many speculated whether Du Long had recklessly used second-grade spirit elixirs to gain fame. All eyes watched closely: if he became stuck at the ninth level of Qi Rotation and failed to break through, the outcome would be obvious.

Both the Haotian Royal Academy and Du Long’s grandfather had even spoken with him specifically to investigate whether he had abused the elixirs. Du Long tactfully denied any such misuse, saying the truth would reveal itself once he reached the Qi Sea stage.

The path of Martial Cultivation was a choice each cultivator made. Neither the academy nor Du’s grandfather could force him. The matter was eventually dropped.

Du Long returned to his busy daily routine. Originally hoping to graduate early, he was told by the academy that graduation required reaching the Qi Sea stage.

This answer frustrated Du Long greatly. Despite fiercely winning the practical assessment championship, he was told early graduation was contingent on achieving the Qi Sea stage.

Though reluctant, he accepted this reality. After a lively New Year celebration, the calendar turned to the year 1008 of the Star Era, and Du Long finally turned eighteen.

Starting in the year 1008, the crisis long brewing within the Haotian Empire was beginning to edge ever closer.