Chapter 107: Crisis Resolved

"We are here today on the Grand Elder's command, to seek an explanation from Emperor Xia. If the Northern Barbarian tribes are annihilated, where would the Heavenly Sword Holy Land stand in relation to the Great Xia Dynasty?"

The Emperor pondered for a moment, then exchanged a glance with a high-ranking official from the Fifth Prince's faction.

The old official then presented a document and handed it to the two elders from the Heavenly Sword Holy Land.

"Cooperation and mutual benefit are paramount."

These simple eight characters transformed a seemingly intractable situation into a hopeful one.

Xu Yang wasn't sure what specific terms of cooperation the document offered the Heavenly Sword Holy Land, but judging from the reactions of the two elders, the Great Xia Dynasty had paid a considerable price to eliminate the Xiong Rui tribe.

"We cannot make a decision on this matter ourselves, but I can see that Emperor Xia is very sincere about cooperating with the Heavenly Sword Holy Land. If an agreement is truly reached, we will not provide any refuge or assistance to the Northern Barbarian Xiong Rui tribe. Furthermore, I have one more request, which I hope Emperor Xia can grant."

"Oh? Speak freely."

The white-robed elder smiled, looking at the Fifth Prince and the Eighth Prince.

"Both princes, at such a young age, already possess a cultivation foundation at the Cavern Heaven realm and demonstrate exceptional talent in swordsmanship. If one of them could choose to enter our Heavenly Sword Holy Land for cultivation, it would serve as a crucial catalyst for reaching a cooperative agreement between us."

Xu Yang had clearly anticipated their attitude and simply smiled faintly, sipping his tea.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Xia naturally raised no objections. He genuinely did not wish to offend the Heavenly Sword Holy Land, especially at such a critical juncture. With one prince as leverage, the cooperation would surely be set in stone.

"Fifth Brother, Eighth Brother, what are your thoughts? I wish to hear your opinions. The Heavenly Sword Holy Land's foundation and status need no elaboration; this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Should you miss it, you will never have such a chance again in your entire lives."

The white-robed elder stroked his beard with a smile: "I have cultivated the Sword Dao for a thousand years and have never taken a personal disciple. Should either of you agree to join the Heavenly Sword Holy Land, you would not need to pass any assessments. I would personally accept you as my disciple and impart all my knowledge without reservation."

It was well known that such an offer was unthinkable for ordinary people. The Fifth Prince and the Eighth Prince also understood that this fortuitous opportunity was very likely related to the sword intent Xu Yang had imparted to them.

However, this also meant that the prince chosen to become a successor of the Heavenly Sword Holy Land would effectively relinquish his qualification to inherit the throne.

To reign as emperor in the mortal world, or to enter the cultivation world and enjoy its supreme opportunities—these two distinct paths, heading in completely different directions, plunged both princes into a dilemma.

"Reporting to Imperial Father, this opportunity is indeed rare, but Fifth Brother's swordsmanship talent is clearly superior to mine. I believe Fifth Brother is more suitable for this chance to bring glory to our Great Xia Dynasty."

The Fifth Prince had intended to retort, but he found his path blocked. If he were to defy his Imperial Father at this moment and refuse such an opportunity, and if the Heavenly Sword Holy Land were to direct its wrath at the dynasty, or even tear up the possibility of cooperation because of it, then disaster would befall the Great Xia Dynasty, and he would become a sinner for all eternity, let alone inherit the throne.

"Imperial Father, your son is willing to accompany the two elders into the Heavenly Sword Holy Land!"

The Fifth Prince finally chose to compromise.

The Empress, present in the hall, felt utterly desolate, undoubtedly the most despairing among them. She had painstakingly schemed for the Fifth Prince to inherit the throne, and over a decade of her efforts were now ruined by the Heavenly Sword Holy Land's intervention.

While journeying to the Holy Land was indeed a great opportunity, it also came with significant risks and uncertainties. Should any mishap or accident befall the Fifth Prince in the future, the Empress would be isolated and helpless within the palace, making her future truly unimaginable.

"Hahaha, my good disciple, come quickly and pay your respects to your master!"

The Third Elder seized the advantage by speaking first. The Fifth Prince immediately prostrated himself in the hall, performing the grand ceremony of acknowledging a master, and thus formally became a member of the Heavenly Sword Holy Land.

"Very well, with this matter concluded, we shall take our leave! We might have been a bit abrupt upon our arrival, so I, this old man, apologize to Emperor Xia here and now!"

As the old man spoke, he suddenly waved his hand. The two shattered doorways outside the palace, guided by an incredibly powerful surge of sword energy, seamlessly mended themselves. The harmonious atmosphere inside the hall was instantly restored.

*Whoosh!*

The three transformed into a streak of sword light and vanished into the void.

Before departing, the Fifth Prince left a soul message for Xu Yang, requesting him to protect his mother, the Empress.

Regarding the Fifth Prince's destined path, Xu Yang had long given him pointers. One could only say that the young man was not born with the destiny of an emperor. His journey to the Heavenly Sword Holy Land was fraught with unpredictable fortunes. Xu Yang sighed softly, his mind already contemplating the implications.

The hundred-strong sword contingent, originally brought by the two old men, also left with the elders. They did not actually cause trouble for the Great Xia Dynasty, and this crisis was considered to be over.

After their commotion, the festive atmosphere of the banquet had long dissipated. Emperor Xia dismissed all the civil and military officials from the court, leaving only Xu Yang. Within the vast palace, at this moment, only Emperor Xia and Xu Yang remained.

"Only now do I understand Fifth Brother's intention in inviting you. If I am not mistaken, the sword intent you imparted to my two imperial sons is the fundamental reason for appeasing the Heavenly Sword Holy Land."

Xu Yang chuckled as he stood up: "I am not as mystical as Your Majesty imagines, nor do I have any intention of interfering in these matters; I merely went along with the current. The Fifth Prince's journey to the Heavenly Sword Holy Land was his own chosen path; others cannot change it."

The Emperor sighed softly: "The Heavenly Sword Holy Land is not an entity our Great Xia Dynasty can afford to provoke. This current outcome is likely the best possible, but..."

Xu Yang looked up: "Is Your Majesty concerned about the selection of the Crown Prince?"

"Indeed. Among my imperial sons, the most outstanding are the Third, Fifth, and Eighth Princes. The Third Prince has distinguished military achievements and the strongest abilities, but unfortunately, his background is often criticized, and that truly cannot be blamed on him. The Eighth Prince is my most beloved son, partly due to my affection for his mother, and in him, I often see a reflection of my younger self. However, given his temperament, he is still somewhat lacking for inheriting the dynasty's great enterprise. In contrast, the Fifth Prince, while merely average, is not the most exceptional, yet he was perhaps the most suitable—but now..."

Xu Yang perceived the Emperor's distress and smiled slightly: "Your Majesty is in the prime of your life and the Great Xia's foremost powerhouse. Why are you always so eager to contemplate this matter? In truth, for some things, plans can never keep pace with change. It is better to let nature take its course."

The Emperor gave Xu Yang a profound look.

"Very well. I know that an outsider such as yourself has no interest in court affairs. In any case, as long as I am still in charge of the Great Xia Dynasty, the Sky Mist Sect will surely continue its legacy indefinitely, ensuring its immortal inheritance."

Having achieved his objective, Xu Yang bowed and clasped his hands towards the Emperor, then departed from the great hall.