Hearing Shen Xuanji's analysis, the Sixth Prince Lucas Li's face grew especially gloomy.
After a long moment, he asked, "Is there any way we could imitate the Heaven-Arts Pavilion and create a similar organization?"
Shen Xuanji shook his head. "I wouldn't advise it, Your Highness. First, people would think you're just copying others—after all, you currently have an absolute advantage among the three princes.
If you really set up a similar organization, it would undermine the confidence your supporting officials have in you—they might even think you're not as capable as the Fourth Prince. Second, the Fourth Prince has already taken the lead and seized the initiative, so even if we create something similar, it won't measure up to the Heaven-Arts Pavilion. Most importantly, we can't produce more Godbreaking Pills. You should know, the reason the Heaven-Arts Pavilion Outer Branch has become so famous is largely because of those Godbreaking Pills!"
Lucas Li's expression grew even gloomier as he suppressed the anger burning in his chest. "Is there any way to destroy the Heaven-Arts Pavilion Outer Branch?"
At this, Shen Xuanji bowed his head and considered the question in silence.
After a long pause, he finally said, "Your Highness, I do have a strategy. But if it ever leaks out, it could seriously damage your reputation."
"Speak!" Lucas Li said after a moment of thought.
Shen Xuanji hesitated and said, "Send people to ambush and kill the cultivators who take missions from the Heaven-Arts Pavilion Outer Branch. If you wipe out several groups, people will naturally stop accepting missions there for fear of their lives!"
Hearing this, Lucas Li's eyes lit up. It was indeed a good idea, but Shen Xuanji was right—if the plot was exposed, his hard-won good reputation would collapse.
Suddenly, an idea struck him. With the Fourth Prince making such a huge splash, surely I'm not the only one worried—most likely the Second Prince is just as troubled. If the Second Prince carries out this plan, then even if it gets exposed, it’ll ruin his reputation, not mine.
Thinking this through, he shared the idea with Shen Xuanji.
Instantly, Shen Xuanji's eyes lit up with admiration. "Your Highness is truly brilliant! We have someone embedded in the Second Prince's think tank—we can arrange for him to suggest this plan to the Second Prince!"
In fact, when he first thought of this strategy, he felt the Second Prince was the best candidate to execute it—but he deliberately didn't mention it. Sometimes, it's not wise to appear too clever; you have to give your master a chance to shine, or else he might feel stupid and grow resentful.
"Right!" Lucas Li nodded proudly. "But my Second Brother is a bit indecisive—he might not go through with it!"
"Then Your Highness might as well give him a little push!" Shen Xuanji said with a faint smile.
"How do we push him?"
Shen Xuanji lowered his voice and said, "Your Highness, we can do this... and also this!"
After listening, the gloom on Lucas Li's face vanished, replaced by a smile. "Xuanji, you truly deserve to be my number one strategist!"
That afternoon.
The Sixth Prince Lucas Li sent a batch of fine wine to the Fourth Prince Victor Li's manor.
"Sixth Brother, you really do know me well. In return, it would be rude not to reciprocate—after court, I'll have someone deliver ten Godbreaking Pills to you!"
But when the Second Prince Nathan Li heard the news, he was deeply frustrated. In truth, what angered him most was that he'd listened to those useless advisers and failed to recruit Ian Song.
Nathan Li was so furious at Lucas Li's words that he nearly blew his top. This was just too much.
Eight thousand! To put it in perspective, Nathan Li's own residence had only a little over five hundred Nascent Divinity experts—a result of centuries of effort.
What upset him even more was the founding of both the inner and outer branches of the Heaven-Arts Pavilion. Though he was indecisive by nature, he wasn't stupid; he could clearly see what benefits the Heaven-Arts Pavilion would bring the Fourth Prince.
Originally, the Fourth Prince was the weakest among the three brothers, with not even a sliver of hope for the throne.
Now, his momentum had briefly overshadowed Old Six. If this kept up, he might even surpass him, while Nathan Li would become the weakest of the three.
Thinking of this made him increasingly irritable.
So, he summoned all his advisers to discuss countermeasures.
"You're all aware of that Heaven-Arts Pavilion the Fourth Prince set up, right?" Nathan Li asked in a gloomy tone.
Everyone nodded, but no one spoke.
"So, what do you think we should do about it?" Nathan Li's gaze slowly swept over his advisers, his tone still dark.
Everyone could see their master's mood was sour.
So, nobody wanted to risk bad luck—they all chose to keep quiet.
"What's the matter, cat got your tongues? Back when you argued against recruiting Ian Song, your reasons were plenty. But now, with the Fourth Prince outshining me thanks to his help, what do you have to say?"
Nathan Li's tone dripped with sarcasm. Unable to hold back his anger any longer, he slammed his palm onto the tea table, shattering it instantly.
At the sight, everyone flinched.
After venting, Nathan Li's anger subsided a bit. He glared coldly at the crowd. "Tell me, what should I do now? Did I keep you all around just so you could play dumb in front of me?"
"Your Highness, why don't we send people to smash up that damn Heaven-Arts Pavilion!" one adviser finally spoke up.
Hearing the suggestion, Nathan Li couldn't help but curse, "Are you an idiot? Do you really think the experts in the Fourth Prince's manor are just for show? Besides, if I did that, wouldn't it be obvious I'm inferior to Victor Li?"
In the end, the meeting broke up on a sour note.
The next morning at court.
The three princes met outside the main hall.
Ordinarily, Nathan Li would greet his two brothers warmly, but today, he simply wasn't in the mood.
"Fourth Brother, were you satisfied with the wine I had sent to your manor yesterday?"
Lucas Li walked right past Nathan Li and approached Victor Li, his face full of enthusiasm.
"Satisfied—extremely satisfied!" Victor Li replied with obvious pride.
The two then began chatting away as if no one else were present, leaving Nathan Li completely ignored.
Despite his status, Nathan Li was treated like air. He wanted to join in but couldn't bring himself to; the more he watched, the worse he felt, and his expression grew increasingly sour.
Lucas Li shot a covert glance at Nathan Li's gloomy face, then deliberately raised his voice, "By the way, Fourth Brother, my men recently caught several Level 7 spirit beasts. Interested? I can have them sent to your manor!"
"Sixth Brother, you really do know me well. In return, it would be rude not to reciprocate—after court, I'll have someone deliver ten Shatter-God Pills to you!"
"Ha! That's wonderful, thank you, Fourth Brother!" Lucas Li then turned pointedly to Nathan Li, feigning surprise. "Oh, Second Brother, when did you get here? I didn't even notice—my apologies!"
Nathan Li was so furious at Lucas Li's words that he nearly exploded. It was simply too much.
Still, while he hated Lucas Li's mockery, he despised Victor Li even more.