Chapter 1386: Ambitious Fourth Prince

The Fourth Prince's initial surrender might have concealed a deeper conspiracy. The key to unraveling this web of intrigue likely lies with his mother. While they seemed to have retreated from the center of power, they actually harbored other intentions. Their real ace in the hole was likely their knowledge of the true treasure's location, belonging to the Yun imperial lineage on Yingzhou Continent.

To find answers to the current predicament, Xu Yang immediately dispatched an illusory body to the peak of the Sword Sect to meet with the Fourth Prince. To Xu Yang's surprise, the Fourth Prince's aura had drastically changed from what it was centuries ago. He now exuded a subdued air, and his cultivation had progressed by leaps and bounds, as if he had undergone a complete transformation. He was a completely different person from the one who once relied solely on his Sword Sect master.

"Fourth Prince, it's been a long time. You seem to be doing quite well. I can sense a remarkable increase in your aura. Is this enhancement a result of the cultivators from the various branches of the Sword Sect?"

The Fourth Prince burst into laughter. "Let's be direct. Since you've found me again, you must possess some crucial information. I won't conceal anything from you; I am, in fact, the mastermind behind the impending catastrophe that will engulf the entire Yingzhou Continent."

Xu Yang had indeed received the answer he expected, yet he was puzzled by the Fourth Prince's complete lack of reservation in revealing such a secret. There was only one plausible explanation: he had already made all the necessary arrangements.

"If I'm not mistaken, your mother is no longer within the Sword Sect. She must have departed secretly long ago, and her current whereabouts are likely your greatest trump card."

The Fourth Prince guffawed. "Your foresight is truly uncanny; nothing escapes your notice. Since you're so adept at guessing, perhaps you can deduce what power is concealed within the inherited treasure my imperial father left behind?"

Xu Yang responded without a moment's hesitation.

"It should be strongly connected to the power of the stars. I've observed that the power of the stars can create a powerful resonance with the origin of Yin Sha energy, giving rise to a new form of soul. This soul form is the true source of power behind the impending catastrophe on Yingzhou Continent. I must proceed with the original plan I had with the Fifth Prince that was left uncompleted: gather the bloodline powers of all your brothers to activate that formation and receive further guidance concerning the treasure's secret."

The Fourth Prince, however, shook his head with a cold smirk. "Even if I reveal the treasure's secret, you'll be powerless to change anything. The power within it was secretly unleashed by my mother decades ago. The sealed star power bloodline has been fully released, and the treasure's location is the very place on Yingzhou Continent where the origin of Yin Sha energy is most intensely concentrated. By my estimate, billions of spectral entities must have been gestating there over the past two centuries. How could Yingzhou Continent possibly possess the strength to contend with such an army of specters? The moment I give the command, my mother will immediately release the sealed constraints around the treasure, unleashing all the generated specters, sweeping across the entire Yingzhou Continent. The ultimate fate of this continent is for me to become the new king of the specter clan, inheriting the purest star power bloodline from my imperial father to command and control billions of spectral warriors. Yingzhou Continent, this entire world, will forever kneel at my feet."

Xu Yang had no intention of directly harming the Fourth Prince. This conversation had clarified the true nature of events, and Xu Yang was satisfied with the information gained.

"Excellent. Thank you for clarifying everything. As for how to defeat that spectral army, you needn't trouble yourself. However, before I depart, I will claim your life. You instigated chaos that has entangled all living beings on Yingzhou Continent for your own selfish gain. No one can absolve a sinner like you. I have no intention of wasting more words. Embrace the fate that awaits you."

As soon as Xu Yang finished speaking, he immediately moved against the Fourth Prince. Just as he had anticipated, the prince's strength was no longer what it once was. There was no possibility of him being easily subdued. However, the Fourth Prince had not anticipated that as Xu Yang's movement technique reached its pinnacle, he would suddenly raise a hand and point to the void. In that very instant, at the highest point of the Sword Sect, endless bolts of lightning erupted above the clouds. Each flash of lightning resembled a brilliant sword beam, connecting with others, and with a mere flick of Xu Yang's fingers, a terrifying Sword Dao formation, piercing through heaven and earth, was activated.

Unbeknownst to the Fourth Prince, this very formation was one that Xu Yang had inadvertently comprehended after mastering the Infinite Sword Dao in this location. It was a result of simultaneously gaining control over the ancestral swords of all past Sword Saints and familiarizing himself with their uniquely distinct Sword Daos. In essence, the entire majestic mountain of the Sword Sect had long become one with the surrounding environment. The terrifying Sword Dao formation that Xu Yang now activated, which permeated heaven and earth, could only be commanded at will by someone who had comprehended the Infinite Sword Dao, like Xu Yang himself.

At that moment, the Fourth Prince was utterly stunned. He finally comprehended why Xu Yang had been able to reach such an astonishing level.

"So, you had already laid down contingencies for yourself long ago. On the surface, you made significant contributions by gathering cultivators from across the realm in this location, earning their goodwill. Yet, in reality, this was another trump card you wielded to control them. If these individuals proved uncooperative or refused to follow your instructions to aid the Fifth Prince, choosing instead to support the First and Second Princes, you could at any time influence the entire Sword Sect through your mastery of the Infinite Sword Dao. This is your fate. It seems that compared to your strength, your calculated mind is truly the most formidable. You can calculate so many steps ahead with every single move. I truly cannot compare to you. In your presence, I am clearly still too naive. It's no wonder that we, the princes of the Peerless Imperial Dynasty, are likely mere pawns in your hands."

Xu Yang shook his head with a bitter, helpless smile. "Don't portray me as so sinister. Regardless, today, you are the one embodying the darkness that has brought chaos to all living beings on Yingzhou Continent. And no matter how many methods I possess, my intentions are always righteous. That is the true reason I can rally such support with a single call. Before long, all the top cultivation teams from the five major regions of Yingzhou Continent, who follow my command, will gather at the central domain battlefield. Before that dark cloud consolidates and undergoes its final qualitative transformation, I will lead these warriors of Yingzhou Continent to locate the treasure's ultimate hiding place and eradicate those billions of specters."