——What he didn't know was that deep in the hearts of these princes and princesses, there were actually schemes. They wanted to meet with the True Man Lingye before making a decision, because they each held their own "trump card."

They originally thought they would meet a Nascent Soul cultivator here, but were somewhat disappointed to only see a Golden Core, and they secretly doubted whether "True Man Lingye" truly had the ability to help them.

Perhaps not everyone thought this way, but they all acted as if they did. They didn't think True Man Lingye would be offended by such a trivial matter—would he really drive them away?

After all, if they could ascend to the throne, they would certainly provide substantial assistance to a Golden Core.

At least they were princes and princesses of the Yunxi Dynasty!

Amid this somewhat awkward atmosphere.

Everyone finally arrived at the reception hall of Ruoquan Island.

In this magnificent hall of gold and jade, Li Ye was seated at the head, and the first thing he said was:

"One would think you were all mute!"

"If you can't speak, you might as well go back to where you came from."

The words were indeed quite impolite.

But even though Li Ye was usually amiable, he was also proud—these people didn't even bother with basic courtesy. Hu Luo had said so much, but they just sat like a bunch of mute gourds, wasn't this looking down on him?

He knew that mere friendliness couldn't earn respect.

A little authority was the best remedy.

With Li Ye's ruthless voice.

"Hoo—"

A violent, spirit power storm exploded in the palace. Though the four princes were all at the Golden Core cultivation level, they couldn't even stand steadily in the storm.

Only then did they realize that even among Golden Cores, this Four Seasons Sect's True Man Lingye was far superior to them.

Second Prince Yun Jianyue stabilized himself and cupped his hands toward Li Ye, sitting at the head: "Earlier, we siblings were dazzled by Your Sect's grandeur and were too astonished to speak."

As he spoke, he retrieved over a hundred treasure chests from his Storage Ring, each intricately carved with dragon patterns and glowing with spiritual light.

The hall was jam-packed with them.

"This is a gift for the True Man. I hope the True Man won't disdain these trivial items!"

It's unclear what these princes and princesses usually studied, but they suddenly became enthusiastic, presenting their respective gifts.

But honestly, as princes and princesses of the Yunxi Dynasty, the precious gifts they could offer were, to Li Ye, merely "interesting."

They were just some spirit stones, spiritual materials, and treasures.

Li Ye simply glanced at them, then instructed the bamboo wood ants to take them all away, and said lightly, "Not bad."

Initially, he intended to show off some skills.

Like displaying his power or something.

But their... stupidity was so tedious that he outright said:

"Why did you all come to my Four Seasons Sect?"

After all, if these didn't work out, he had other ways. The sect had told him as long as the dynasty remained stable, it didn't matter who became emperor.

He really wasn't interested in playing palace intrigue games with these people.

His straightforwardness made the princes and princesses feel heavy-hearted.

They weren't complete fools, and naturally sensed Li Ye's dissatisfaction and perfunctory attitude. But since they caused this situation, they had nothing to say.

Now, they could only try to make amends.

But the problem was, could they really seek help for the throne in such a public place?

Shouldn't such matters be discussed in private?

Didn't True Man Lingye know that by helping them ascended to the throne, they'd surely offer substantial rewards?

Helpless emotions spread through their hearts.

Seeing their continued silence, Li Ye's helplessness deepened: couldn't they even say, "I want the throne"?

Not even hints?

The Emperor of Yunxi Dynasty had surely permitted them to come here knowing what they intended—the key was whether they could gain recognition and support from Four Seasons Sect.

Otherwise, how could they secure their position on the throne and maintain the stability of the Yunxi Realm as demanded by Four Seasons Sect?

Thinking of this, Li Ye truly lost interest.

He waved his hand directly:

"Since you have nothing to say to me, then go and rest. I'll have my subordinates show you around the East Pole Yang Sea, and when the time comes, you can leave."

After speaking.

He suddenly disappeared.

Hu Luo remained smiling, but there was a distinct coldness in his smile, and he gestured invitingly: "This way, please."

He was genuinely amazed today.

Never expected such stupidity.

Clearly, the princes and princesses hadn't anticipated Li Ye to dismiss them without a word as well.

This True Man really didn't care about their status?

Yunxi Dynasty had Divinity Transformation Taoists, and their father was at the Nascent Soul level—nobody dared to treat them this way.

Especially the tenth prince Yun Xiao, who had always been pampered by the emperor. Returning to his living quarters on the dragon chariot, he furiously said:

"That person is just a Golden Core—how dare he!"

He grabbed a nearby jade bottle and smashed it to the ground with a loud "crack." The jade stone, mined annually by laborers, shattered into shards.

The maids around him, terrified, knelt and shivered, saying:

"Master, don't be angry."

"That man just has lowly eyes."

"Don't harm your health by getting angry!"

These maids, whether voluptuous or slender, were extremely beautiful as they hurriedly soothed the handsome tenth prince, coaxing him to sit while kneading his shoulders and waist.

The shards were soon cleaned up.

Amidst such warmth and tenderness, the tenth prince quickly calmed down. He thought this matter surely needed to be reported to his father.

Perhaps his father would even believe he has no intention of vying for the throne and reward him. Yun Xiao was far more sensible than those sibling rivals.

With this in mind, he brushed aside the maids, indifferent to their falls that bruised their tender skin on the hard ground.

He adjusted his clothes independently.

Then took out the mirror to contact his father.

His expression returned to one so handsome it brought delight and perfectly respectful.

When the mirror lit up,

Yunxi Emperor's voice resonated with authority: "Xiao'er, have you met anyone from the Upper Sect Four Seasons?"

Yun Xiao nodded obediently: "Yes, but this True Man seems a bit arrogant, and we..."

He dared not hide anything.

Who knew if his father would learn about the events from other sources, besides, he didn't think he was wrong.

He immediately recounted the matter to his father.

Within the mirror, Yunxi Emperor's authoritative face noticeably twitched. He had to interrupt, saying,

"Did you and your siblings all act like this?"

Feeling a sense of something wrong, Yun Xiao instinctively hesitated.

Just as he was about to answer, the icy voice of Yunxi Emperor came:

"In that case, you are no longer my son. Have his head removed and sent to True Man Lingye as an apology."

As Yunxi Emperor's voice echoed.

The few women who had been kneeling and trembling on the ground suddenly rose, white blades in hand, and swiftly beheaded the tenth prince Yun Xiao.

Blood gushed forth instantly.

Despite being a Golden Core True Man, the prince had no chance to resist.

His expression was filled with disbelief.

The headless body twitched twice before collapsing onto the pile of luxurious treasures, blood soon soaked through his opulent robe, and even his soul was dissipated.

Holding the prince's head, the woman silently knelt before the mirror, presenting it to the emperor without a word.

In the mirror, Yunxi Emperor's voice was calm to the point of cold indifference. Looking at the head of his most beloved son, he said:

"Inform my good children, if they offend True Man Lingye, not only them but all the women in their residences will join them in death."

Upon finishing, the spiritual light vanished.

The woman efficiently cleaned the blood off the prince's head, returned to a normal expression, then placed it into a silk box, making sure to embellish it with jewels and jade stones.

They divided into two paths:

One to convey the emperor's words, the other to carry this still-warm "gift" to seek an audience with Li Ye.

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