[Intertwined Fate 1: Lu Xuan (Red)
Entry 1: Cultivation Feedback.
Entry 2: Realm Comprehension Feedback.]
…
[Intertwined Fate 2: Liu Tianji (Yellow)
Entry 1: Realm Comprehension Feedback.
Entry 2: Cultivation Technique Feedback.
Entry 3: ???]
…
Preparations for the invasion were in full swing. A call to arms summoned hundreds of thousands of monsters from all the races across Tiandu.
This was an expedition spearheaded by the Crown Prince, the future Monster King, and everyone wanted to make contributions.
Moreover, monsters were bloodthirsty by nature and thrived in combat. No motivational speech was required, just the knowledge that they could slaughter and destroy was more than enough incentive.
In the command center near the spatial crack, Wang Mingyuan stood by a sand table, surrounded by several army commanders.
He charted out the territory of the Qin Dynasty in great detail, while also highlighting neighboring territories based on his memory.
While marking the map, he split some of his attention to watch Lu Xuan's movements through the livestream function of his system.
At this point in time, Lu Xuan was preparing to return to the Qin Dynasty with his master keeping him company.
The journey would take three days at most.
"Alright, we can strike in seven days from now," Mingyuan stabbed a steel pin into the marked location for the transfer.
"After we make our move, the powerful monsters need to stabilize the channel from within, buying enough time for the army to march through. At the same time, the Crown Prince will lead the vanguard to subdue the monsters of the Tiandu Rainforest by relying on his bloodline.
"We will move to the edge of the forest. Don't worry about the humans reacting as their attention should be elsewhere. This is our chance to make as many fortifications and array formations as possible."
Mingyuan lifted his head. Well, the commanders weren't paying much attention to him.
It was to be expected, as he lacked both strength and reputation.
Oh well, he couldn't care less. He only needed to lead the army safely to the other side, and his reputation would grow naturally.
Mingyuan highlighted a few key points and left the command center. As he left the room, he heard snickers and taunts, but he didn't mind.
Three days passed quickly and as expected, Lu Xuan descended onto the Capital of Qin.
The floating screen in front of Mingyuan switched to God's eye perspective as he languidly reclined on a lather chair.
…
Inside the Crown Prince's residence.
As the heir to the throne, the Crown Prince Lu Huang was already as busy as could be with handling state affairs.
Now, with cultivation added to the mix, he barely had any time to seek the pleasures of life a qualified prince should enjoy.
Seated and surrounded by a bevy of ministers and a conspicuous old woman with an unfathomable aura.
She didn't mind her disciple seeking secular authority. In the cultivation world, imperial authority and the recognition of heaven for the Son of Heaven are something tangible.
This power can be of crucial help during a critical moment as the fortune of a dynasty can ward off evil, curses, and protect the soul from death.
A mortal dynasty might not have much of an impact, but the Qin Dynasty is a cultivator's dynasty.
Many of the citizens are cultivators who ascended from a micro world before migrating over.
An old minister walked into the splendid courtyard, dressed in ornate blue robes and an official hat.
"Your Highness," he knelt respectfully, dutifully reporting. "His Highness Prince Xuan has returned; he's seeking out those involved from that year. A few officials, guards, and ministers are already dead, and the Imperial Guard isn't interfering…"
Lu Huang paused from reading a memorial.
He put it down lightly and raised an eyebrow, taking the hint that his father had tacitly allowed his younger brother to run rampant.
He snorted.
Was his father unhappy that a transcendent force was meddling with the country's governance?
He couldn't tell what the old man was thinking.
Sadly, one cannot usurp the throne and lie about becoming the new ruler of a cultivator's dynasty.
Cultivators seek the Dao through the heart and the recognition of heaven and earth.
Heaven isn't blind, and the Heavenly Dao is ruthless. Imperial fortune is accumulated over generations—wise rulers conforming to the order of things and farming good karma.
Without the recognition of the old ruler, the citizens, and the Heavenly Dao, the dynasty's fortune won't be recognized by the new ruler.
As such, even if the princes had cultivation and power beyond their fathers, it was pointless.
As Lu Huang's thoughts reached this point, his expression darkened.
'If father wants to pass my status to that foolish brother, or any of my brothers, I'd rather raze this empire to the ground. I can't afford to be lenient with my enemies…'
Lu Huang's thoughts were crystal clear.
…
"I understand," Lu Huang dismissed the official.
As the old man stood up, a rush of footsteps could be heard outside.
A mature woman followed by a host of maids rushed into the courtyard.
Lu Huang frowned, feeling his private space rather suffocating despite the vast area it occupied.
He lifted his head in irritation and asked unhappily, "What is it now?"
The woman, his mother, furrowed her slender eyebrows and shot the officials and ministers a glare.
They understood their situation and departed in haste, leaving the mother and son all alone, together with Lu Huang's master.
"That menace is wreaking havoc all over the place, and it won't be long before he gets here. If I'm not wrong, his priority should be to find that wench in the cold palace."
She approached her son and stood behind him, and when she glanced over at the old woman in the corner, her heart relaxed.
"This is good, he delivered himself to us on his own. Now, we can get rid of this threat in advance, paving your way to the throne…"
Fearing her son's killing intent wasn't enough to strike decisively, she started to pester him.
Little did she know that Lu Huang's killing intent was already boiling, not just towards Lu Xuan, but towards the empire as a whole.
In his opinion, they should either submit or die, no one deserves a third option.
A while later, a strange silence filled the courtyard.
At some point in time, a sloppy old man had appeared in the room, seated across from the old woman.
A chessboard was already placed between them, and the game was halfway through.
When he appeared, when did the game start, and how many moves were made so far—no one in the room could tell.
The old man picked up a white piece and placed it down with a ka sound.
A white piece and a black piece now stood face to face.
Coincidentally, Lu Xuan entered the courtyard, his killing intent locking onto Lu Huang.
Unreserved, unwavering, and thick with rational bloodlust.
Lu Huang glanced up, his gaze harboring no less killing intent, though this gaze held the indifference of a monarch facing his subject.
"Since you're here," Lu Huang spoke with mild benevolence. "You can forfeit your life painlessly. I grant you this kindness."