Grinding Cultivation Toward Martial Saint

The Beicang King’s expression dramatically changed at this moment.

The appearance of the Dragon Soaring Order means that Jiang Ning’s actions can, to some extent, be seen as representing the will of the comatose Changning Emperor!

This is not as simple as military intervention like theirs, but has the potential backing of a legal basis.

Ji Mingyuan was struck as if by lightning, stumbling backward in disbelief as he looked at the Token, his lips trembling: "No... Impossible... How could Father Emperor... How could he give you the Dragon Soaring Order?!"

"The Dragon Soaring Order is here!" Jiang Ning raised the Order, proclaiming loudly.

The Forbidden Army within Chengqian Palace all knelt in unison, and the Mystic Sky Army on the city walls also knelt in succession.

Seeing this scene, Ji Mingyuan’s face turned completely ashen.

Reaching this point, even with the support of the Beicang King and the Divine Might King behind him, it was to no avail.

Because with the Dragon Soaring Order in Jiang Ning’s hand, it represented righteousness and legitimacy.

For the Beicang King and the Divine Might King to take action, they would have to disregard legal principles.

But at that moment, it would lack the justification and be akin to treason.

If the Beicang King and the Divine Might King forcibly acted, it would shatter the bottom line of the imperial throne struggle, putting them against everyone.

"Enough!"

Suddenly, a low and solemn voice came from deep within Chengqian Palace.

The voice wasn’t loud, yet it seemed to carry a peculiar penetrating power, instantly overpowering all the murmurs and the sound of armor clashing, clearly resounding in everyone’s ears.

Everyone turned toward the voice.

They saw the scarlet gold-arch doors of Chengqian Palace silently sliding open.

A tall figure dressed in a dark dragon-robed garment slowly stepped out from the shadows of the palace into the courtyard illuminated by the morning light.

The newcomer appeared to be around forty, with a square face, a tall and robust physique, and an expression marked by seriousness and grim determination.

His eyes were as deep as pools, and wherever his gaze landed, the air seemed to freeze slightly.

This was none other than the current Regent King, also known as the Side-by-Side King, Ji Xuan.

Jiang Ning turned, glanced back, his gaze slightly serious.

He had heard Ji Xuan’s renowned name countless times.

Considering Ji Xuan as his imaginary enemy was something that had echoed in his heart many times.

Before today, he had already formed a deep and irreparable hatred with Ji Xuan.

After leaving the Demon Country, he could have returned to the Royal Capital long ago but chose not to, making comprehensive preparations instead.

He understood very well, upon returning to the Royal Capital, he would inevitably clash with Ji Xuan, with no room for maneuver.

And Ji Xuan’s strength, reputedly the second in the world, was unfathomably powerful, and like him, practiced both Martial Arts and Immortal Dao, not only reaching the peak of Martial Arts but also progressing far in Immortal Dao.

Even now, facing Ji Xuan, he wasn’t fully confident.

At this moment, with Ji Xuan’s appearance, the already tense atmosphere rose sharply to the peak.

Shen Xiao, Li Tianwen, and the Beicang King, three supreme experts, simultaneously gathered their breaths, looking gravely at this towering pillar of the Great Xia Royal Family.

Even though the three of them were at the peak of the First Grade, unmatched in Martial Arts, facing this second highest mountain in the world, they felt quite heavy-hearted.

"Imperial Uncle!" Ji Minghao and Ji Mingyuan were both shaken, bowing together.

Ji Xuan didn’t immediately respond; his gaze first fell on Jiang Ning, lingering for a moment on the Dragon Soaring Order, then retracted.

Afterward, he looked at the crowd below.

"The struggle for the imperial throne has always been stained with blood in the palace, and I’ve seen many." Ji Xuan spoke, his voice calm, yet carrying an unquestionable firmness, "But today, it has gone too far."

"Imperial Uncle..." Ji Mingyuan spoke, but before he could finish, Ji Xuan raised his hand to stop him.

Ji Xuan’s gaze lingered on the ashen-faced Ji Mingyuan for a moment before continuing: "Mingyuan, acting with thunderbolt methods, eliminating brotherly ties within the palace overnight, decisiveness and ruthlessness, showing a heroic posture. In times of turmoil, wanting to stabilize and consolidate the dynasty sometimes requires such an all-out, iproblem-solving determination."

"You managed to persuade the Divine Might King, bring the Mystic Sky Army to besiege the palace; it’s a means."

These words sounded like a critique, with a tone striving to be calm, but phrases like "heroic posture" and "all-out" Evaluation, when falling into Jiang Ning’s ears, made his eyes slightly dim.

Then, Ji Xuan’s gaze shifted to the pale-faced Ji Minghao.

"Minghao, compassionate in nature, mindful of siblings, did not lose his dignity in the face of danger, choosing to resist even self-sacrifice instead of using his sister as a bargaining chip; this is the heart of a benevolent person, the heart of a benevolent ruler, but... also... the air of a scholar."

Ji Xuan paused, his tone calm and without waves, yet the evaluation of "air of a scholar" in Ji Minghao’s ears caused his expression to change dramatically.

Subsequently, Ji Xuan continued, "Minghao, being caught in the whirlpool of the imperial throne, relying only on compassion and dignity, struggles to grasp the authority of decisive action. General Shen supporting you shows that you also have commendable qualities, but unfortunately..."

Ji Xuan shook his head, continuing: "Great Xia is now in turmoil, the Nine States showing signs of falling, chaos rising. What is needed now is not a benevolent ruler who could preserve the nation, but a decisive and ruthless king."

These words fell, instantly causing Ji Minghao’s expression to change again; by this moment, he understood the implication of this Imperial Uncle.

He opened his mouth but found he had nothing to say.

In front of such a figure, any argument or defense seemed so blank and powerless.

Ji Xuan’s gaze swept over Shen Xiao, swept over Li Tianwen, swept over Beicang King, finally landing on Jiang Ning.

His voice suddenly turned deep, with an irrefutable decision: "A country cannot be without a king for a single day, and the chaos in the palace cannot be prolonged. The prince fight will eventually need a conclusion. Whether it be means, courage, or the current controlling situation... I believe that the Fifth Prince Ji Mingyuan, is fit to take on the great inheritance!"

As this final decision fell, Ji Mingyuan, who was just in despair and hopeless desolation, his face instantly surged with ecstasy and disbelief, and his body trembled slightly with excitement.

Shen Xiao’s face turned ashen, fists clenching unconsciously, Beicang King’s brows tightly knitted, while Li Tianwen looked at Ji Xuan with a complex gaze.

Ji Minghao’s body swayed, the longsword in his hand clattered to the ground with a "clang," the last bit of strength that supported him seemed to be drained, leaving only desolation and resignation in his eyes.

At the same time.

Jiang Ning, standing on high ground, took everyone’s reactions into his eyes, his lips subtly curling into a cold arc.

Ji Xuan’s seemingly impartial yet biased decision, ultimately pointing towards Ji Mingyuan, was seen clearly by him.

What heroic figure in chaos, what benevolent scholar, were merely excuses.

The real reason lies in Ji Xuan’s calm gaze with a nearly imperceptible hint of chill deep within, which explained everything. This was aimed at Jiang Ning.

Because he had gotten close to the Eighth Prince Ji Minghao, if Ji Minghao ascended the throne, given his relationship with Ji Mingyue, his influence would increase significantly, making it much troublesome for Ji Xuan to act against him later.

"Well then!!" Jiang Ning thought to himself.

He had come back to the Royal Capital this time, intending to confront Ji Xuan.

He disliked too much beating around the bush.

Previously, he thought too much, did too much, because his strength was insufficient.

But now, it was different.

After achieving the realm of the Primordial Spirit Immortal, his strength has made another great leap forward.

In the past, he already had confidence in facing Ji Xuan.

Let alone reaching this step today.

"Ha!" A light laugh suddenly broke the dead silence of Chengqian Palace.

Facing Ji Xuan’s sharp gaze, Jiang Ning said loudly, "A fine Regent King, to decide with a single word, do you really think of yourself as the ruler of the world?"

"It seems that Dongling Marquis has an opinion of this king!" Ji Xuan said calmly.

Jiang Ning smirked, and the Yin Yang Mysterious Light quietly circulated around him, causing the energy in Chengqian Palace to suddenly stagnate.

"In the end, it still comes down to showing true strength!"

"Are you confident?" Ji Xuan asked.

"Without confidence, why would I intervene in the imperial power struggle!" Jiang Ning took a step forward, the primordial spirit’s pressure began to spread.

He continued, "I owe the Eighth Prince a favor, so the throne should be inherited by the Eighth Prince."

"You are indeed confident, daring to stand against my will!" Ji Xuan spoke.

In the next moment, an earthen yellow light suddenly expanded from Ji Xuan’s body.