First Prince Brandon’s Choice

Brandon Xiao knelt before the Celestial Emperor’s empty divine seat and declared, "Father Emperor, forgive me! I’ve failed you. I am willing to take two Genesis-era Tribulation Bolts to atone for my sins!"

At his words, Liz Li’s eyes widened as she shouted, "Brandon! Are you crazy? Absolutely not!"

His Heir-Consort was present too, and at this, she immediately covered her mouth, shaking her head over and over, tears welling in her eyes.

This is Genesis-era Tribulation Lightning!

It’s not Retribution Lightning, not ordinary tribulation—it’s Genesis-era Tribulation Lightning, the kind no living being can withstand!

It’s deadly!

"First Prince is pure-hearted and truly filial, but honestly, this is a terrible idea!" Lily Bai popped up again, waving her hand like she was raising a flag.

Brandon glanced at her but said nothing.

But the Divine Attendant serving behind him—Eve, who greeted them last night—spoke up: "Lily Bai, the Celestial Empress and the princes are speaking here. It’s best if you don’t interrupt."

Meaning, she wasn’t qualified to speak in the temple.

Lily Bai nodded, but shamelessly pressed on with a grin, "First Prince, would you let this little immortal finish her piece?"

With a frosty expression, the Celestial Empress waved her hand and said, "Take First Prince away! Take good care of him!"

Lily Bai continued, "Genesis-era Tribulation Lightning is terrifying. Even if you survive, you’ll be flat on your back for months—or years! Who’ll run Drake Abyss then? You’re a model son, but more than that, you’re the pillar holding up the whole realm. Don’t trade the big picture for a little gesture!"

Lily Bai sent a voice transmission to Sean Shaw: "Uh-oh, the Empress is about to get rough! What do we do now?"

But no matter what Lily Bai said, the pure-hearted, filial First Prince Brandon Xiao would never punish his own mother.

He could only take her punishment upon himself.

He looked at the Dragon Lords and said, "That’s settled! I’ll go to the Execution Platform now."

The Azure Dragon Lord frowned in silence.

The Guardian Drake Lord shook his head slightly.

Lord Wynn Drake and Lord River Drake exchanged a look but said nothing.

"First Prince!" Lily Bai called out, "Seriously, don’t just patch things up! You should follow the law—only then will you impress the heavens, scare the Three Realms, and really clean things up!"

But Brandon Xiao ignored her and walked up to Sean Shaw. "Fifth Brother, is this enough?" he asked.

Would taking two Genesis-era Tribulation Bolts be enough to make up for their mother’s harm to Sean?

Sean Shaw frowned. "Big Brother, don’t do this."

"Then how about three?" Brandon asked. "Three bolts—I might not survive. Any more would be pointless. Would three be enough?"

Sean hesitated, about to answer, when the Thunder-Heaven Void-Breaking Chain suddenly flew over and tightly bound Brandon Xiao.

Celestial Empress reached out and pulled Brandon to her side.

"Mother! What are you doing?" Brandon asked in shock.

"You’ve been deceived by Sean Shaw and Lily Bai," the Empress said coldly. "You were about to do something self-destructive—hurting your loved ones and pleasing your enemies! I have no choice but to do this."

As she spoke, green smoke suddenly billowed from the Thunder-Heaven Void-Breaking Chain. Brandon collapsed, unconscious.

The four Dragon Lords exchanged glances. They felt this wasn’t quite right, but also breathed a sigh of relief—none of them said a word.

With a frosty expression, the Celestial Empress waved her hand and said, "Take First Prince away! Tend to him well!"

The Empress’s trusted Divine Guards came over and carried Brandon Xiao away.

Lily Bai sent a voice transmission to Sean Shaw: "Uh-oh, the Empress is about to go full boss mode! What’s our move?"