Ye Qian glanced back at Li Luo. "Tell me about your two imperial brothers. This might prove useful for what's coming."
He already knew the Second Prince, Li Fei, was the Child of Destiny. Now he wanted to understand just how different Li Fei truly was.
Li Luo's face brightened with undisguised joy.
He'd assumed Ye Qian would need far more time before discussing such matters, yet here he was, ready to talk now.
Eager, Li Luo fell into step half a pace behind Ye Qian, outlining his imperial brothers' situations as they walked.
The information painted a clear picture.
The First Prince, Li Xun, possessed considerable talent. At nearly thirty, he'd already broken through to the Middle Stage of the Holy Induction Realm.
More importantly, he'd served at court the longest—entering at twenty-two, he'd spent eight years cultivating deep roots throughout the bureaucracy.
Numerous officials rallied behind Li Xun, confident he'd ascend to the throne.
Yet despite his extensive support network and impressive cultivation, Li Xun despised schemes and manipulation. He approached every challenge with straightforward honesty, unable to tolerate even the slightest injustice.
Throughout the succession struggle, he'd maintained an impeccably honorable image, earning genuine respect from countless observers.
The Second Prince, Li Fei, was the Child of Destiny Ye Qian had identified.
What differed slightly from expectation was Li Fei's origin—born to a mere palace maid, his status remained perpetually low. He'd endured constant bullying throughout his childhood.
Unfavored from birth, no one believed this bastard prince qualified to contend for the throne.
Now twenty-six, Li Fei had started cultivation late, reaching only the Late Stage of the Divine Ability Realm.
Yet to demonstrate impartiality, the Heavenly Dragon Dynasty's Emperor had permitted even this son, born of his union with a palace maid, to enter court and participate in the succession struggle.
At twenty-two, Li Fei had successfully joined the political arena.
Though he'd entered court far later than the First Prince, Li Fei's power base had expanded at an astonishing rate.
This meteoric rise struck many as borderline impossible.
Even the First Prince, who'd never considered his half-brother a genuine rival, now felt profound unease.
Li Xun had never imagined this younger brother—this lowborn son of a palace maid he'd dismissed entirely—could develop such formidable influence.
For reasons Li Luo couldn't fathom, the Second Prince seemed to radiate an overwhelming personal magnetism. Countless officials found themselves captivated by his charisma, willingly pledging their allegiance.
The hidden mechanisms behind this phenomenon remained beyond Li Luo's knowledge.
Ye Qian listened, unable to fully envision what kind of Child of Destiny Li Fei truly represented.
The notion of extreme personal charisma alone conquering seasoned officials felt absurd. Something deeper lurked beneath the surface.
Without intervention, Li Fei would undoubtedly become the Heavenly Dragon Dynasty's next ruler.
Ye Qian outlined his arrangements with crisp efficiency.
"For now, follow these orders. When you return, dedicate yourself entirely to building your power base.
Do not fear—so long as I have promised my support, you will have it.
Before you leave, I will send several men with you. Every one of them is a formidable cultivator, and they will obey your every command.
But mark this well: bring every decision to me first.
If you act on your own and drag trouble onto my plans… I will discard you without a second thought."
Wild joy flooded Li Luo's heart.
He'd never anticipated such tremendous gains from this journey—it exceeded his wildest hopes.
He'd secured Ye Qian's genuine support, though admittedly only Ye Qian's personal backing, not yet the Ye Family's institutional endorsement.
Still, he wasn't remotely qualified for that level of support.
Beyond mere promises, Ye Qian was assigning him personnel to command. These would be Ye Family operatives.
Even without meeting them, Li Luo knew their strength would be extraordinary.
"Yes, yes! I'll definitely consult you! I absolutely won't act independently!"
In his euphoric state, Li Luo harbored no conflicting thoughts, agreeing without the slightest hesitation.
He understood that winning the throne demanded the Ye Family's support. With the Ye Family backing him, even a pig could ascend the Dragon Throne.
Ye Qian observed Li Luo's loyalty increase by five points, climbing to seventy.
[Ding! Due to the Host's intervention, a major shift has occurred in the Heavenly Dragon Dynasty's succession. The Third Prince, Li Luo, has gained the Host's support, greatly expanding his power and indirectly affecting the Child of Destiny Li Fei's struggle for the throne. Li Fei loses 500 Luck Value. The Host gains 500 Villain Points.]
Simply choosing to back Li Luo had already damaged Li Fei's Luck.
This was entirely within Ye Qian's expectations.
Having effortlessly harvested 500 Villain Points, Ye Qian's mood improved considerably.
He suddenly found Li Luo far more agreeable—at least the prince wasn't quite so irritating anymore.
…
Meanwhile, within the Heavenly Dragon Dynasty, inside the Second Prince Li Fei's private chambers, Li Fei sat immersed in administrative work.
Without warning, an ominous sensation pierced his chest.
The feeling struck suddenly, offering no warning whatsoever.
His right hand clutched his chest tightly. This inexplicable palpitation brought genuine discomfort.
What is this...?
His brow furrowed sharply, eyes narrowing with predatory focus.
The sensation faded as abruptly as it had arrived.
Yet he couldn't shake the impression that something malevolent lurked in the unseen spaces, waiting for him.
Then he recalled the power he now wielded throughout the court, and arrogance surged through him once more.
Despite entering the political arena far later than his rivals, the influence he commanded had already eclipsed even his imperial brother Li Xun's considerable network.
Given sufficient time, he felt certain he'd become the Crown Prince.
He was merely a commoner—born of the Emperor and a palace maid, subjected to what felt like endless humiliation.
Without accidentally receiving the inheritance of a peerless Great Demon, he never would have achieved his current position.
That's right—Li Fei had accepted a Great Demon's Legacy and now cultivated the Bloodlust Demon Art.
He understood perfectly well what 'Demon' meant throughout the Immortal Realm.
But he had no alternative.
He craved revenge against everyone who'd tormented him, yearned to force those who'd dismissed him to acknowledge his worth.
To seize the throne and climb to the highest peak, one required sufficiently overwhelming strength.
The Late Stage of the Divine Ability Realm cultivation he displayed publicly was nothing but theater.
How could Li Fei, having mastered the Bloodthirsty Demon Art, possess only such pitiful strength?