You don't want your secret to be revealed by others, right?

"""

He would not forget that the Qingtian Bureau used to be like a dog of the Twelfth Prince, repeatedly targeting him. Now that the Twelfth Prince was gone, how dared they still show their teeth at him?

Wei Tianxian's expression was somewhat unpleasant, and he stated in a low voice, "Seventeenth Prince, this is the Crown Prince's order, the Imperial Decree is here. Do you intend to defy the Crown Prince's will?"

"Oh?" Lin Yue smiled, "You're quite good at invoking authority. Without Prince Cheng's banner, do you now want to use the Crown Prince's?"

He shook his head and said, "I simply said I would go later, and you claim I'm defying the Crown Prince's will. What if I refuse to go? Are you going to arrest me?"

Lin Yue and Wei Tianxian did not deliberately conceal their conversation, so it was naturally overheard by the gathered officials and clan members yet to leave.

Many people slowed their pace significantly, some even stopped, watching the scene with interest.

They were curious too. Wei Tianxian used to be part of Prince Cheng's faction. Now that Prince Cheng had fallen, how dared Wei Tianxian still trouble the Seventeenth Prince?

Even if the Seventeenth Prince was not yet a Sealing King, even if he did not rely on strength to kill Prince Cheng—perhaps he used some kind of trick—but...? After all, he was a prince, not someone a Qingtian Bureau Head could afford to provoke.

Who was backing Wei Tianxian, making him so bold?

On the plaza in front of the hall, the officials stayed on the sidelines with the royal clan.

Lin Yue took note of which princes and princesses had remained.

If Wei Tianxian dared to be so bold, there must be some prince or princess supporting him, perhaps to test him?

"The Grand Princess left without a care, truly independent... The Second Princess looked at me once before leaving, while the Fifth Princess was like a lifeless figure, ignoring it completely... The Third Princess stayed out of courtesy, the Fourth Princess... All the princes stayed..."

He secretly observed but couldn't discern which prince or princess was behind Wei Tianxian.

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"Your Highness truly refuses to go to the Qingtian Bureau with me?" Wei Tianxian said lowly.

"I will not say it a second time."

Lin Yue replied calmly, "If you are determined to create trouble, have the courage to try."

Wei Tianxian furrowed his brows, standing silent and still.

"How dull."

Lin Yue glanced at him, then lifted his foot to walk toward the Imperial Garden.

At this moment—

A Divine Thought Transmission echoed in Wei Tianxian's mind, "Force him to act."

Wei Tianxian took a deep breath, suddenly stepping forward with a burst of aura, and at the same time, the decree in his hand floated up.

"Your Highness, the matter at hand is of grave importance. There can be no delay. Please follow me to the Qingtian Bureau immediately!"

Wei Tianxian's solemn and serious voice rang out, spreading across the plaza in front of the hall.

Lin Yue remained indifferent, his steps uninterrupted.

"Since Your Highness refuses to cooperate... then forgive the offense."

Wei Tianxian's gaze turned slightly cold. After all, he was the Head of the Qingtian Bureau, of Superior Grade rank, with the Crown Prince's decree in hand. How could the Seventeenth Prince so disdain him?

If it weren't for the support of that distinguished person, he would have to reconsider his actions.

But with that person's permission already given to him, what was there to fear?

"Your Highness, please stop."

Wei Tianxian exclaimed lightly, immediately reaching out to grab Lin Yue across the air, while the decree floating beside him unfolded.

In the sky, the Eye of Heaven silently opened, its gaze fixed upon the location.

Endless Heaven and Earth Law infused into Wei Tianxian, causing his aura to surge once more.

In Jingzhou, the Heaven and Earth Law was suppressed, allowing only a fraction of power to be exerted by Great Cultivators and above, unless they possessed an Imperial Decree!

With the decree aiding in the case, Wei Tianxian could already wield his full strength!

He knew this Seventeenth Prince also had a decree, but it could only be activated in the face of danger, so he did not employ other methods, merely intending to prevent the Seventeenth Prince from leaving.

The Heaven and Earth Law instantly manifested, forming curtains of air currents to ensnare Lin Yue within.

Lin Yue seemed unaware, continuing his steps without turning his head.

"Do you really think I won't dare to capture you?" Wei Tianxian's eyes chilled, immediately controlling the curtain to descend.

Meanwhile—

"Step... Step..."

Lin Yue's footsteps suddenly grew heavier. In that moment, all other sounds seemed to vanish, leaving the world silent and void, only his footsteps echoing in the space.

Underfoot, it was as if he trod upon a lake, causing ripples to spread through the Heaven and Earth Law, as if each step touched upon the rhythm of the world.

The ripples expanded rapidly, quietly erupting through some peculiar connection.

The curtains of Heaven and Earth Law shattered instantaneously, dissolving into nothingness within a blink.

Wei Tianxian felt strange waves engulfing his body, turning his face pale, forcing him to step back several paces before stopping.

"Impossible..."

He looked at Lin Yue in disbelief.

He could command the decree, employ Heaven and Earth Law, and yet this Seventeenth Prince did not invoke his decree, and being merely a Great Cultivator, did not even glance his way, effortlessly neutralizing his maneuver, even causing him minor injury?

Without using a Divine Artifact, without the decree, was he defeated in such a mundane manner?

Even those most unparalleled among the Saint realm did not easily achieve this!

How could a Great Cultivator possibly manage it?

Fear suddenly gripped Wei Tianxian's heart.

He had thought that the Seventeenth Prince might have used some clever method to kill Prince Cheng, like... perhaps Prince Cheng was surrounded and killed when grievously injured and vulnerable?

But now it seemed that this Seventeenth Prince's personal strength alone was truly terrifying!

Perhaps... the Twelfth Prince was indeed killed by the Seventeenth Prince himself?

Merely a Great Cultivator already wielded such monstrous power; how terrifying would he become after Harmonization?

The mere thought sent shivers down Wei Tianxian's spine.

Thus, though he had already spoken, he could only watch Lin Yue's retreating figure vanish into the distance, not daring to act further.

The plaza in front of the hall fell silent.

Yet in the shadows, Divine Thought Transmission buzzed like a whirlwind among the officials.

"What was that technique just now? Despite being a Saint, able to wield the Heaven and Earth Law, Wei Tianxian should have held his own, even against a peerless Saint."

"Traveling Heaven and Earth, sound of the Grand Dao... just happened to counter Wei Tianxian's tactics."

"Even if it counters, wouldn't only a peerless Saint manage it?"

"Seventeenth Prince, possessing such prowess? A Great Cultivator comparable to a peerless Saint?"

"Could it be...?"

The officials watched the Seventeenth Prince's departing back, scarcely believing their eyes.

At that moment, though many still did not understand the situation, several had already speculated a possibility.

"Could it be the Ultimate?"

The Third Prince smiled as he watched Lin Yue's departing figure, "If so, it is indeed frightening."

He glanced at the Fifth Prince and said, "Fifth Brother, you seem to have found a good ally, but at this rate, you might not contend well against Seventeenth Brother."

The Fifth Prince remained silent for a moment, then quietly chuckled, replying, "No need to worry yourself, Brother Prince Jing. Even so, I am merely his last rival; it's Brother Prince Jing who should be careful."

The Third Prince's mouth curled into a smile before he turned to the Sixth Prince, saying, "See Seventeenth Brother's threat, yet you still don't wish to Prove and Transcend?"

The Sixth Prince, with a demeanor as pure as celestial bones and white hair, merely replied calmly, "Thank you for your concern, Brother Prince Jing, but this humble brother cannot yet escape this world."

"Stubborn," the Third Prince shook his head slightly, lamenting, "The Grand Princess and Second Princess remain indifferent, Fifth Brother allies with him, Fourth Brother... hehe, does that mean only I will stand against Seventeenth Brother in the future?"

"Prince Jing, you are looking far ahead," the Fifth Prince said, "Is this why you had Wei Tianxian test Seventeenth Brother?"

"This is what the Crown Prince wishes to see. Otherwise, why grant the decree?" the Third Prince laughed.

The Fifth Prince fell silent.

...

"Second Brother."

In the Imperial Garden, Lin Yue approached the wheelchair, slightly bowing to the Second Prince, who was observing the flowers.

The Second Prince turned around, scrutinizing him, surprised as he said, "Has your Dao Heart reached perfection?"

"""