Chapter 1247: Leaving a Way Out

The sudden appearance of that powerful dragon's aura on the Cloud Peak of Dry Maple Gorge likely also belongs to a capable assistant of His Majesty the Emperor. As for whether there are any others, I still can't be sure at this moment.”

“What? Not so soon, right? We’re a team, boss! Besides, even though we’ve achieved our objective, we have no intention of parting ways with you yet.”

When Big Crab and the others heard Xu Yang say this, their expressions immediately darkened. They really didn’t want to separate from such powerful allies as Xu Yang and Little Flower so soon.

“There’s no other way. In a sense, this can be considered a form of surveillance by His Majesty the Emperor. After all, the Saint Beast Heart is of immense importance. If I were to obtain it and not immediately return it to Xuanyuan Imperial City, but instead attempt to keep it for myself, then there would need to be informants by my side whose movements Emperor Yunlong could control at all times. The best way, of course, is to openly provide me with helpers. This is undoubtedly the most perfect pretext. If Emperor Yunlong had made no overt arrangements and instead sent secret guards to follow me, it would only alert me if I discovered them.”

Upon hearing Xu Yang’s explanation, everyone remained skeptical. Although what Xu Yang said made perfect sense, they felt that openly placing spies like this was a bit too awkward.

However, what truly rendered the Eight Gates team speechless was that even before they had left the spacious main palace square, four figures suddenly appeared before them.

The most striking figure was the young man standing second, who was none other than the White Tiger youth they had previously encountered.

The first person on the left was clad in a long cyan robe. His appearance was very handsome, and his tall, straight physique, combined with an unyielding face, gave him a remarkably unique aura.

Notably, this person’s attire was also quite distinctive; a cyan dragon’s head was attached to his left arm.

The third person was an enchantress dressed in a long red gown, but her face was veiled, making it impossible to discern her true features.

Judging by her figure and the aura she exuded, she was undoubtedly a top-tier beauty, no less stunning than Lady Qingcheng, Little Flower, who was by Xu Yang’s side.

As for the old man on the far right, everyone was quite familiar with him; he was none other than Venerable Xuanwu himself.

However, it is worth noting that due to Venerable Xuanwu’s unique status, his true body had not left Xuanyuan Imperial City; what appeared was merely a clone of his.

Even so, the strength this clone could achieve was quite formidable, enough to demonstrate just how astonishing Venerable Xuanwu’s true power was.

In his hand, he held several imperial edicts, which he read aloud directly in front of everyone. The specific content detailed the arrangements for each member of the Eight Gates team.

Not only did it build upon what had been discussed earlier by restoring the reputation of their families and granting them their own designated fiefdoms and castles, but it also bestowed a specific noble title upon each of the eight individuals!

Although such arrangements could certainly satisfy everyone’s desires, the true sense of loss deep within their hearts could not be compensated for.

The aura each of these four figures emitted was far stronger than that of anyone in the Eight Gates team. There was no doubt that their arrival was to replace them and accompany Xu Yang to the Forbidden Zone of the Far North.

Although the members of the Eight Gates team were reluctant to part with their boss, they also clearly understood that a place like the Forbidden Zone of the Far North was not somewhere they could enter with their current strength.

More importantly, the territory of the savage beasts strongly repelled the presence of human powerhouses, and having too many people would actually hinder Xu Yang and the others’ movements.

The second edict primarily detailed the arrangements for all cultivators across the land to gather at Seven Wonders Mountain, all of which aligned with Xu Yang’s plan. After these two edicts were read,

Venerable Xuanwu’s clone stepped forward and offered a slight smile to Xu Yang and the others.

“His Majesty the Emperor deliberated carefully and decided to send the four of us to accompany you, esteemed Xu Yang, and assist you on your journey to the Forbidden Zone of the Far North.

Esteemed Xu Yang, you have, in fact, already experienced our collective strength to some extent.

Although we are not yet very familiar with each other, we can assure you that during our journey to the battlefield in the Forbidden Zone of the Far North, all commands regarding combat will be issued solely by you, esteemed Xu Yang.

The four of us will absolutely obey your orders, without the slightest hint of disobedience.

If necessary, we can even sacrifice our lives to ensure you, esteemed Xu Yang, complete the final mission.

Of course, please forgive us for speaking frankly, but if you successfully obtain the Saint Beast Heart yet do not immediately escort it back to Xuanyuan Imperial City as originally planned,

the four of us will naturally have other methods and actions. Even if our own strength is far from a match for yours, we can still manage to perish together with you.”

Xu Yang said nothing aloud but couldn’t help but sneer inwardly, thinking, “You think you’re worthy of perishing with me? Truly overestimating yourselves!”

Of course, everything that transpired before them unfolded exactly as Xu Yang had predicted. This indirectly confirmed Xu Yang’s uncanny ability to foresee events, leaving the Fifth Prince full of praise.

“It seems esteemed A-Yang understands Father Emperor’s thoughts better than I do! If he weren’t a cultivator, I fear he would be more suitable to replace us Seven Great Princes and become the successor to the future empire.”

The Prince naturally communicated this playful remark to Xu Yang through a spiritual connection, as it was, of course, impossible to say such a thing openly.

However, this did not affect the current pace of events. Under the arrangements of the Xuanyuan Imperial City’s dedicated guards, the Eight Gates team left the Imperial City that very night to head to their respective fiefdoms.

Before their departure, everyone made a promise to Xu Yang and Little Flower that once the mission to the Far North was complete, they must visit their fiefdoms.

Regardless, these individuals had supported each other and been through a period of time together. The bonds forged on the battlefield were always the purest.

Watching the Eight Gates team’s carriages depart the Xuanyuan Imperial City overnight and disappear into the distance, Xu Yang and Little Flower’s expressions finally returned to normal.

As Xu Yang released a thought, these four nominal helpers, who were in fact spies, materialized before him simultaneously.

“Gentlemen, it seems this isn’t our first meeting. If my judgment is correct, the one who played against me in Dry Maple Gorge before was the Azure Dragon, wasn’t it?”

The handsome young man nodded with a smile. He always maintained a respectful and polite demeanor towards Xu Yang, partly because the superior-subordinate relationship between them had already been established by Emperor Yunlong; these four were meant to serve Xu Yang in completing the mission.