Zhang Yang was cultivating at the Azurecloud Sect when the King of the South, accompanied by the Flying Dragon Guard, arrived in Anqing City.

The negotiations this time were a success, with the Flying Dragon Guard returning with a deal that was cheaper than expected and without ceding any territory. However, the incident had a significant impact on the Cloudmount Empire, and someone needed to take the blame to bring closure.

The Emperor could not take the blame, and the Third Prince could only bear part of it. Naturally, the other part fell on the City Lord of Anqing.

The King of the South arrived in Anqing City and executed the City Lord on the same day.

The official charge announced was that the City Lord of Anqing had unauthorizedly provoked conflicts with neighboring powers, an unforgivable crime.

It could be said that the City Lord's death was not entirely unjust. Although the Cloudmount Empire had intentions against the Azurecloud Sect, the conflict was indeed instigated by the City Lord.

After dealing with the City Lord, the King of the South visited the Xiao Clan.

Xiao Jianchun was extremely nervous. If even the City Lord was dealt with, what would happen to the Xiao Clan?

The King of the South seemed to notice the Xiao Clan's anxiety and smiled reassuringly, "Since the Azurecloud Sect has agreed to cooperate with your Xiao Clan, then cooperate well! But remember, cooperate sincerely and don't have any ulterior motives. Let the fate of the City Lord of Anqing be a warning, and don't bring trouble to the Xiao Clan."

"Rest assured, my lord, our Xiao Clan will not," Xiao Jianchun promised repeatedly.

The King of the South nodded and returned to the capital with the Flying Dragon Guard.

Upon reaching the capital, the King of the South instructed Xu Bai to settle the Flying Dragon Guard and took the Third Prince to the palace, where they met Emperor Li Shiqing in the inner hall.

As soon as they met, the Emperor pointed at the Third Prince and scolded, "You wretch, look at the trouble you've caused this time!"

His gaze carried a warning.

The Third Prince, already trained, immediately knelt and lowered his head, "Father, your son is guilty!"

"Raise your head and look at me!" the Emperor commanded sternly.

Without hesitation, the Third Prince looked up at the Emperor.

Seeing no resentment in the Third Prince's eyes, the Emperor was finally at ease and coldly snorted, "You've caused such a big mess this time, I haven't decided how to punish you yet. For now, you'll be confined for six months."

Did he not know that the Third Prince was taking the fall for him?

However, some things needed an explanation, a reason that made sense to everyone.

The empire had spent such a vast amount of resources; there had to be a justification.

"Your son accepts the punishment!" The Third Prince first admitted his guilt, then continued, "Father, your son has a request, and I hope you will grant it."

The Emperor's eyes immediately became vigilant, and he asked slowly, "What is it?"

"Through this incident, your son suddenly realized that even with command over thousands of troops, in front of those powerful cultivators, it's still a joke. Therefore, I have no more attachment to the mortal world and wish to pursue immortal cultivation!"

"What? You want to cultivate immortality?" The Emperor was shocked and stood up.

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This answer was something he had never expected.

The King of the South, standing nearby, remained silent, observing everything.

He had participated in the negotiations, which gave him the right to listen to these secrets, but he dared not speak on matters concerning the royal family.

"I've thought it through, I must pursue immortal cultivation!" the Third Prince declared firmly.

The Emperor scrutinized the Third Prince for a long time before slowly sitting down and asking, "Do you know what it means to cultivate immortality?"

"I understand!" The Third Prince smiled slightly, "After cultivating immortality, one possesses the power to move mountains and fill seas, and the body of immortality. What are other matters compared to this?"

In other words, he didn't even want the throne.

The Emperor stared blankly at the Third Prince. He had made the Third Prince take the fall, worried that the child would cause a scene upon returning. In truth, he valued the Third Prince greatly; otherwise, he wouldn't have entrusted him with the command of the Flying Dragon Guard.

But now, this child wanted to cultivate immortality?

He suddenly wondered if making the Third Prince take the fall had saddened him, and after witnessing the power of cultivators firsthand, he had developed this desire?

Thinking of this, his heart softened, and he slowly said, "I understand! Go back to your residence, and I'll give you three days to consider. After three days, I'll make arrangements."

"Father, I've thought about it for a long time; I don't need three days. I've even found a master."

"Who is it?"

"I've worked with Commander Xu Bai for a long time and have witnessed his strength. So, if you allow it, I wish to take Commander Xu as my master. Another reason is that such a powerful force as the Flying Dragon Guard must remain under our control. I am willing to share your burdens, and once I have achieved success in cultivation, I will help you suppress any enemies." The Third Prince expressed his intentions sincerely, just as Zhang Yang had taught him.

He feared the Emperor might be apprehensive, but to his surprise, the Emperor merely glanced at him and said, "Since you insist, I will allow it, but don't regret it later."

"I will never regret it!"

The Emperor looked at the Third Prince and then turned to ask, "Eunuch Hong, do you think you can guide this child of mine?"

A eunuch in a purple robe appeared like a ghost, smiling at the Emperor, "Your Majesty, this old servant's body is incomplete, and my cultivation techniques are somewhat peculiar, not suitable for the Third Prince. However, I have achieved some results in cultivation, and when the Third Prince embarks on the path of immortality, I can assist him in certain aspects."

The Emperor nodded and signaled to the Third Prince, "I approve. I will summon Xu Bai later to teach you immortal cultivation."

He was actually worried that the Third Prince might pretend to cultivate immortality while secretly plotting to seize the throne.

But since Eunuch Hong had guaranteed it, the Emperor was reassured.

The Third Prince got what he wanted and left the palace.

He left the palace with a smile on his face.

After the Third Prince left, the Emperor looked pained and turned to the King of the South, "How did it go?"

The King of the South seemed to wake up from a trance, quickly stepped forward, and whispered to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, Qing Prefecture has been preserved!"

The Emperor was taken aback and quickly asked, "Tell me, how did you negotiate?"

In his view, losing Qing Prefecture was inevitable, but it was preserved?

"I negotiated with the Azurecloud Sect for a long time, refusing to agree to their excessive demands. After much argument, they finally agreed to compromise. Besides the spirit stones and resources I brought, the remaining part can be repaid within ten years.

However, the Azurecloud Sect also made a condition; they want to sell talismans and magical treasures produced by Azurecloud in our Cloudmount Empire. I thought this could be beneficial for our empire, and since Azurecloud compromised, we should too, so I agreed privately. I beg your pardon, Your Majesty."

The Emperor laughed, "You've done a great job; what crime is there? You deserve a reward."

The King of the South smiled wryly, "Your Majesty, I haven't finished reporting. The Azurecloud Sect is quite reasonable. Although they want to sell in our empire, they are willing to pay taxes, only asking for some concessions. Additionally, we were mining in the Azurecloud Sect's territory... Azurecloud agreed to continue cooperating with us. They might have found our talks amicable and agreed that if there are people with cultivation potential in my family, they can be sent to Azurecloud for training."

"Ah?" The Emperor laughed even more joyfully, "Since you negotiated it, you will continue to handle the cooperation! Tell the Azurecloud Sect that I'm not stingy; they won't have to pay any taxes on their sales."

What are those taxes worth?

Besides, if the Azurecloud Sect doesn't pay taxes, would they dare to act? Just like the Heavenmyst Sect never pays taxes, would they dare to collect? So, why not be generous?

"As for sending disciples for cultivation... arrange it yourself." The Emperor smiled slyly, "But I also have two candidates; let them go to Azurecloud under the guise of being your descendants!"

Previously, they could only send people secretly; now they could do it openly, so why not?

The King of the South then reported in detail the Third Prince's performance at the Azurecloud Sect to the Emperor.

The Emperor, knowing the Third Prince had suffered such grievances, felt a sense of affection for him.

A prince who had already embarked on the path of immortality was someone he could trust.

He just hadn't expected that this prince, having honed his skills in strategy, was now different.