Heavenly Dao Engine
Chapter 1376 - 1376 0782 There Will Be No Shortage of

Chapter 1376: Chapter 0782: There Will Be No Shortage of Benefits_2 Chapter 1376: Chapter 0782: There Will Be No Shortage of Benefits_2 Qi Tian smiled. The fact that someone like the Second Prince would take the initiative to pledge allegiance to him was indeed a matter worth boasting about. Unfortunately, Qi Tian simply had no regard for a person like the Second Prince at the moment.

On one hand, the Second Prince’s cultivation level was only at the Half-step Nascent Soul, which wasn’t considered low, but neither was it high. In Qi Tian’s eyes, the prince wasn’t capable of providing much assistance. On the other hand, it was the Second Prince’s character that concerned him. When Emperor Rui sought his help, hoping he could aid in advancing his cultivation, the Second Prince came up with such a heinous idea. It seemed to be in Emperor Rui’s best interests and started realistically from his circumstances, but upon closer inspection, was that really the only method the Second Prince could think of? Why did he specifically suggest such a vile plan? It not only led Emperor Rui astray on his path of cultivation, but if Emperor Rui truly followed through with it, he would directly lose three important allies. In the future, Emperor Rui’s position within the Imperial Family Secret Territory would only grow more precarious. Qi Tian did not believe the Second Prince failed to see these consequences, yet he proceeded anyway. This only indicated there was something wrong with the prince. How could Qi Tian feel comfortable keeping such a person by his side?

Qi Tian said, “I can sense your eagerness to pledge loyalty to me. Sadly, I am not in need of more help right now. Do you think a hundred of you could match up to a single Gui Lian? If not, what use would I have for you?”

The Second Prince had intended to argue for himself, but with Qi Tian bringing Gui Lian into the equation, what could he say? Regardless of being at the Half-step Nascent Soul and seemingly only half a step away from the Nascent Soul Stage, that half-step represented a world of difference. They were incomparable. Indeed, one hundred of him might not necessarily match up to a single Gui Lian.

Qi Tian looked towards Emperor Jianwu and said, “Lord Jianwu, are you interested in taking him in?”

Emperor Jianwu had never anticipated that Qi Tian would entertain such a notion and offer the Second Prince to him. Struck by a sudden windfall, he was thrilled and hastily replied, “Master Qi, everything I have was granted by you. I trust you would never harm me. Whatever you ask, I shall do. I will heed your commands.”

Qi Tian chuckled and pointed at Emperor Jianwu before addressing the Second Prince, “Go and serve Emperor Jianwu as your master. Although your cultivation level is slightly higher than his, if we speak of seniority, Emperor Jianwu is of your great-grandfather’s generation. There is no loss in acknowledging him as your master. Moreover, Emperor Jianwu has recently come upon numerous opportunities and there’s a great chance he might advance to the Nascent Soul Stage in the future. By then, his cultivation level will surpass yours. Serving him now would be akin to providing timely help. In the future, Emperor Jianwu won’t mistreat you.”

Emperor Jianwu nodded repeatedly and said, “Since Master Qi has spoken, I shall also express my stance. The Second Prince and I both share the Grand Ancestor’s bloodline; we are family. If you could serve me, we would be closer than kin. In the future, I will treat you as one of my own, never to shortchange you.”

The Second Prince’s eyes reddened. As a proud man, he would never have bowed before Qi Tian if he hadn’t been subdued by Qi Tian’s superiority, knowing he was no match. He had taken the initiative, yet Qi Tian not only rejected him but was also pushing him towards Emperor Jianwu, demanding he acknowledge Emperor Jianwu as his master. This was nothing short of extreme humiliation. Had he not been severely injured and spiritually devastated, he might have charged forward and fought Qi Tian to the death at this moment. He would rather die by Qi Tian’s hand than endure such disgrace.

Seeing the Second Prince reluctant to agree, Emperor Jianwu’s eyes narrowed, and he gave a respectful gesture to Qi Tian, saying, “Master Qi, while the Second Prince’s account of his affairs seemed logical, there are aspects worth questioning. If he hasn’t concealed anything, then he must have altered certain details. To obtain the true information, perhaps I should employ the Soul Searching Skills. The results of a soul search would not lie to us.”

When the Second Prince heard Emperor Jianwu’s words, he nearly spit blood. Was this his ancestor? Threatening him with such despicable tactics to force his submission. Did he think the Second Prince lacked dignity?

“Great-grandfather, please calm your anger,” the Prince said. “I was simply too overjoyed earlier, and I forgot to immediately express this joy, leading to your misunderstanding. I shall acknowledge you as my master right now and serve you devotedly from here on. Please, do not cast aside your descendant.”

The Second Prince struggled to get up from the ground and knelt towards Emperor Jianwu in submission.

Emperor Jianwu laughed heartily, knowing that by following Qi Tian, there would surely be benefits. Now, he had gained a subordinate at the Half-step Nascent Soul stage. With the Second Prince at his side, his standing within the Imperial Family Secret Territory would undoubtedly become more secure.

The Second Prince and Emperor Jianwu didn’t take long to complete the process of forming a subservient contract. Qi Tian patiently waited on the side until the process was over. After that, Qi Tian beckoned to the Second Prince, signaling him to come over.

To Qi Tian’s surprise, the Second Prince did not move. The first thing he did was look towards Emperor Jianwu, waiting for the Emperor to instruct him.

Sweat broke out on Emperor Jianwu’s forehead. With a swift step, he moved to the Second Prince’s side and kicked him in the rear, cursing loudly, “Are you blind? Didn’t you see Master Qi summoning you? Hurry up and listen to Master Qi’s order! Remember, from now on, Master Qi’s word is my word. Whatever Master Qi tells you, you must obey. Even if Master Qi’s commands conflict with mine, you must prioritize Master Qi’s orders. To put it bluntly, even if Master Qi orders you to kill me, you must obey.”

The Second Prince had already suspected that the relationship between Emperor Jianwu and Qi Tian was unusual, and this confirmed his guess even further. Promptly taking advantage of the force from Emperor Jianwu’s kick, he hurried to Qi Tian’s side, with a servile expression, and asked, “Master Qi, what are your instructions?”

Qi Tian inquired, “You said quite a bit just now, can you now tell me exactly where Emperor Tian Rui has taken Master Xiao and the others?”

The Second Prince answered, “When I made the suggestion to Father Emperor, I told him that to transfer the power of others to oneself, the location must be right. This place must be where Yin Meridian converges, and it also needs the nourishment of Yang Meridian. As for exactly which location in the Imperial Family Secret Territory fits these conditions, I am not quite sure. But if there is such a place, I believe Father Emperor and the others must have gone there.”

Once again, Qi Tian looked towards Emperor Jianwu, who thought for a moment and said, “I actually do know of such a place. Let’s go now. Master Qi, allow me to lead the way.”

Qi Tian nodded, then soared into the sky with Emperor Jianwu, while the Second Prince also wanted to follow, but Emperor Jianwu didn’t allow him. Although the Second Prince was now his servant, the fact that the Second Prince’s cultivation realm was higher than his own was indisputable. If they went together and the Second Prince managed to establish significant merits in front of Qi Tian, and Qi Tian took pity on the Second Prince and released him, then wouldn’t all his efforts be in vain? Even without that possibility, if the Second Prince accompanied them, he would surely have many tasks to do, which would reduce his own importance in front of Qi Tian. How would he then be able to perform well in Master Qi’s presence?

Emperor Jianwu simply instructed the Second Prince to stay in Southern City and wait; he would come back to take him away after handling the matters at hand.

Qi Tian could guess Emperor Jianwu’s cautious thoughts and couldn’t be bothered to expose them. To him at this moment, whether the Second Prince accompanied them or not was of little significance. On the contrary, if they encountered danger, the Second Prince might become a liability—it would be better not to bring him along.