“T-this…”
“Did the First Prince… just use a single fist to kill a green ice leopard?!”
“How is that possible? I thought he was a waste. Where did this strength come from?!”
Everyone’s eyes darted back and forth from Xia Yan to the dead green ice leopard.
The shock was plain on their faces. Their breaths had caught in their throats, preventing words from escaping.
The title of “waste” had always been Xia Yan’s symbol.
In this world where strength and power were placed above all, the waste Xia Yan would have been considered lower than a beggar if not for his royal lineage.
But now, Xia Yan had killed a green ice leopard of the Core Realm 1st stage with a single fist.
How could they not be shocked?
“Protect the Emperor!”
“Protect the Second Princess!”
As they groped for words, the general and imperial guard experts already inside of the hall surrounded the Emperor and Second Princess in a solid ring of protection.
Soon, a squadron of soldiers threw open the double doors leading into the hall and swarmed inside carrying long spears. Some ran to the Xia Emperor and a few to the dead leopard’s position in fear that it might rear its head and attack once more. The others went to check on the state of the ministers, officials, and imperial princes.
Meanwhile, the 100 summoned beauties still in the hall tripped over themselves as they retreated further backward, faces pale from the horrifying scene they had just witnessed. As they slowly recovered, the looks they had once given Xia Yan changed completely.
Didn’t everyone say the First Prince was a waste?
If he had the strength to kill a Core Realm spirit beast with one punch, didn’t that mean his strength went far beyond the other twelve imperial princes?
“Are you hurt, Second Princess?”
The Xia Emperor, unable to remain seated, rushed over to Tang Xun’er. He gazed down at her, full of concern.
“Thank you for worrying, Emperor, but I’m all right.”
Remember, she was royalty herself. So although she had just faced the threat of death, she was quickly able to regain her composure. She mustered a reassuring smile at the Xia Emperor’s concern.
“Good…good…it is good that you are well…”
The Xia Emperor’s shoulders slackened as he let out a giant sigh of relief. Only the rivulets of cold sweat trickling down the base of his spine reminded him of how terrified he’d truly been.
Tang Xun’er was the Second Princess of Tang. By marrying into the Xia imperial family, a long-term friendly alliance would be built up between their two kingdoms. But if she had been injured or died, Xia would not only lose face, it would be forced to confront the thunderous anger of the Tang.
A light punishment for their mistake would’ve seen them ceding over territory, but a heavy one would’ve seen their destruction by daybreak.
It could be said that Xia Yan’s actions had inadvertently saved the Xia from extinction.
With that horrible thought churning in his mind, the Xia Emperor’s cold, burning gaze fell onto Xia Yangqi’s body.
“Someone come and restrain the Thirteenth Prince! I want him publicly flogged 500 times and then thrown into the ice prison so he may reflect on his mistakes!”
“Imperial Father! T-this is not my fault. I’m telling you the truth. I had nothing to do with this!”
The blood visibly drained from Xia Yangqi’s face. He pleaded and sobbed, his voice cracking.
He did not understand how it had turned out like this. One moment everything was going as planned, and then terribly wrong in the next. The green ice leopard, whom he’d thought had been completely removed from its more savage nature, turned wild all of a sudden, almost injuring the Second Princess.
“Your Highness, we apologize for having to offend you!”
Two imperial guards of the Small Extremity Realm, ignoring the Thirteenth Prince’s cries, dragged him to the center of the main hall and began flogging him.
Xia Yangqi’s pitiful screams seemed deafening as they echoed off the walls.
The Xia Emperor hoped this public lashing would both settle his anger and appease the Tang. Certainly, this didn’t mean he wasn’t showing his son any favor or leniency. He would have beheaded any ordinary minister on the spot for making such a mistake.
Some of the other imperial princes took pleasure in Xia Yangqi’s sudden misfortune. But while they were now short of one less competitor, they had discovered a more powerful one. Each of them looked to the serene Xia Yan standing beneath the throne.
“I’ve never heard or seen him practice any cultivation methods. How did he become so strong?”
“Maybe he’s been hiding his strong points so we would underestimate him until now.”
“But I still don’t feel any spiritual Qi coming from his body. How did he kill that green ice leopard with one punch?”
“No matter the reason, I used to think Second Brother was the strongest one among us not First Brother. It seems I was wrong.”
“…”
Obviously, the attitudes the twelve imperial princes once held for Xia Yan had shifted.
They were unable to fathom how Xia Yan, who was previously regarded as a waste, had suddenly become an existence that dominated above them.
To kill a green ice leopard in a single strike required strength that exceeded the Core Realm 4th stage. And since Xia Yan hadn’t used any cultivation methods or spiritual Qi, they estimated that he was at least at the Core Realm 7th stage. If they were right, the 22-year-old had a latent aptitude for cultivation associated with King-level physiques.
In the cultivation world, having a Mortal physique meant the farthest you could reach was the Yuan Realm, while having a Yuan physique meant you could reach the Core Realm. The following cultivation aptitudes–Core, Heavenspan, King, and Emperor–worked in much the same way.
The twelve imperial princes themselves had Heavenspan physiques, meaning they had the chance to achieve the True King Realm. If anyone of them could become a True King, the Xia would finally be able to enter the rank of grand kingdom. So they understood the significance of Xia Yan exhibiting the signs of a King physique.
“First Prince, I would like to thank you for saving me!”
“Xun’er will forever engrave this kindness in her heart.”
Tang Xun’er gracefully stepped in front of Xia Yan. Her beautiful eyes sparkled as she bent her knees with the deepest courtesy a princess could perform.
“You need not be so polite, Second Princess. As a distinguished guest in our kingdom, it is my duty to keep you safe.”
Xia Yan was with little expression even as he smiled back in response. He hadn’t intended to take action at first. The plan had been to reveal his strength gradually over an extended period, giving himself time to adapt to his new abilities. He wasn’t sure why he had finally made a move, whether it had been for the sake of humanism or Xia. The only thing he knew for sure was that he hadn’t been able to sit back and watch Tang Xun’er die.
“Your Majesty!”
Tang Xun’er suddenly turned to face the Xia Emperor.
“I’ve heard that the First Prince and I are of a similar age and that he is still unmarried. If he doesn’t dislike me I, Xun’er, am willing to join hands with him in marriage. I only ask that Your Majesty approve of this union!” she said respectfully, a smile hanging off the corners of her mouth.
“Whish!”
As soon as the princess finished speaking, the entire hall exploded into another round of noise and chaos.
