Removing the Firewood from Under the Cauldron

Half an hour later.

Ian Song walked out from the inner hall, joined up with his group in the front hall, and then they all left the Imperial Palace together.

At that moment, besides Emperor Leon Vance, there was now a beautiful middle-aged consort standing right next to him in the inner hall.

"Do you think Evan Chu can handle the Ji Clan?"

Leon Vance asked the middle-aged consort.

The consort smiled. "Whether he can or not, he'll definitely cause the Ji Clan plenty of trouble!"

"That's true enough!"

Leon Vance narrowed his eyes, a cold gleam flashing within them. "Evan Chu may be exceptionally smart and powerful, but he might not be able to outplay that old fox Jasper Ji. So, we'd better have a backup plan!"

"Your Majesty is wise!"

The consort praised, "With Evan Chu drawing the Ji Clan's attention, it'll be much easier for us to act behind the scenes!"

"But that kid's no pushover either!"

Leon Vance mused thoughtfully, "Evan Chu was able to obtain the Thunder Hell Astral Canon, which means he must have some connection with the remnants of the previous dynasty. I hope he doesn't do anything to disappoint me!"

The consort apologized, "Forgive me for speaking out of turn, but someone like Evan Chu shouldn't be allowed to exist for long—ideally, he'd take the Ji Clan down with him!" Her eyes flashed with a hint of ruthless intent.

...

Back at the estate, Ian called Chloe Snow into the study.

"Brother, did you get the key?" Chloe asked. Though she was innocent, she was also quite clever.

"Yes. Follow me into the Divine Temple!"

The next moment, Ian brought Chloe to a star-world inside the Divine Temple, took out the Treasure-Vault Secret Key, and Chloe cooperatively produced her jade pendant, which had already fused with two other keys.

As soon as the two pendants touched, they glowed softly and began to merge.

Just like before, the Radiant Emperor's Remnant Soul inside the key sensed danger and tried to hide within the pendant. Ian didn't bother being polite—he yanked it out, wiped away its consciousness, leaving only the purest spiritual power and intact memory, then handed it to Chloe to absorb.

Once Chloe fused that spiritual power, her soul would get a massive boost. With enough energy, she'd break through to late Soul Division in no time—maybe even hit the Fusion realm!

He cranked the time dilation up to a thousand, letting Chloe take her time with the fusion. Ian sat cross-legged nearby, diving deep into the Thunder Hell Astral Canon.

His martial cultivation was still stuck at Saint Sea Realm. If he could break through to Demigod Realm, his strength would explode again.

After about a 'year' inside the Divine Temple, Chloe finished fusing the spiritual power—her soul got a huge upgrade. Ian handed her some top-grade spirit crystals and told her to keep training here.

Tonight, his chat with Emperor Leon Vance seemed friendly enough—the emperor even gave him a Treasure-Vault Secret Key and dropped the hint that the last key was with the Ji Clan.

It was clear the emperor wanted him and the Ji Clan to go head-to-head so he could sit back and scoop up the spoils.

Maybe the emperor was hoping both sides would wreck each other, so he could swoop in and take everything for himself.

Too bad he underestimated Ian. No matter how strong the Ji Clan was, they weren't even close to being able to drag him down with them. The emperor's plan was doomed from the start.

A few days later—

The Ji Clan sent over an invitation.

The invitation was personally penned by Jasper Ji, asking Ian to come to a banquet at the Ji estate.

Ian raised an eyebrow. "Guess the Ji Clan can't wait any longer."

Ian pondered to himself.

"Husband, I doubt Jasper Ji has good intentions inviting you!" Lynne Ward warned.

"That's right, young master. The Ji Clan's foundation runs deep, and their estate is bound to be incredibly dangerous. If you go, I'm afraid..." Lena Wei also fretted, clearly hoping Ian wouldn't attend.

Although she'd originally become Ian's maid with ulterior motives, after everything they'd been through, her heart had long since turned loyal—now she was utterly devoted to him.

"Boss, the ladies are right—Jasper Ji's definitely up to no good!" Drake Liu chimed in. "If you really have to go, take me along. The Ji Clan might try to assassinate me in the dark, but they'd never dare kill me openly. If they did, my cheap old man would never let them off!"

Next, Flora Thrall, Rosie Ning, and the others all tried to persuade Ian not to go to the banquet.

Finally, Ian raised his hand. "The Ji estate might be a dragon's-den and tiger's-lair, but it can't trap me. I have to go this time!"

There was one thing Ian didn't mention—the fifth key was in the Ji Clan's hands, and he had to get it.

"Master, we'll go with you too!"

Muse and Winnie chimed in together, "Even if Jasper Ji had the guts, he wouldn't dare offend both the Dragonfolk and our Blood Demon Race at the same time!"

Evening.

Ian arrived at the Ji estate's front gate in a carriage driven by Bella Bai.

A golden carpet had already been laid out, and beautiful young women stood on either side of the gate to welcome Ian.

Standing at the entrance was the Ji Clan's number-three figure, Second Master Ji.

As for the Ji Clan's number-two, Fifth Master Ji, he'd already been killed by Ian.

"Young Master Chu, your arrival truly brings glory to our humble abode!"

As soon as he saw Ian, Second Master Ji hurried forward, all smiles and enthusiasm, with no trace of enmity.

"Greetings, Second Master Ji!"

Ian smiled.

"Please, Young Master Chu—our patriarch is already waiting inside!" Second Master Ji said with a bright smile, making a welcoming gesture.

Walking along the golden carpet, Ian arrived at the main hall. There stood Jasper Ji, the current Left Minister, dressed in casual clothes and smiling. Behind him were the Ji Clan's top elders, and among them was Blake Ji, ranked second on the Hatchling Dragon Ranking.

"What's the meaning of this?"

Seeing the scene, Ian couldn't help but wonder—was this a dagger hidden in a smile, or was the Ji Clan truly trying to bury the hatchet?

After some perfunctory pleasantries, everyone entered the hall.

Exquisite delicacies and fine wine were served, but what surprised Ian was that Jasper Ji had Blake Ji act as his personal wine-pouring attendant.

For a moment, Ian really couldn't figure out what Jasper Ji was up to.

Still, since he was already here, Ian wasn't in a hurry—he wanted to see what tricks they'd use against him.

"Young Master Chu, we've had some misunderstandings before—let me toast you!" Jasper Ji said.