First Prince Leaves Seclusion

Brandon Xiao bowed respectfully to the Celestial Empress. "Father has been absent all these years, and I should have been the one taking care of state affairs. But everyone kept urging me—ascension comes first, only by ascending early can we truly stabilize the realm. For a while, I believed that too. But today, I've decided: no more seclusion. I will take charge of governance from now on. So, Mother, please leave these matters to me and focus on resting well."

The Celestial Empress sent him a private sound transmission: "What are you thinking? At such a critical moment, you should be cultivating for ascension to Crown Prince! Why bother with state affairs now? If Sean Shaw ascends before you, will you spend your life as his subordinate, handling affairs forever?"

Brandon Xiao kept bowing to the Empress, lowering his head even further, but his tone grew firmer: "Mother, I believe High God Felicity Quinn is absolutely right. Drake Abyss has always been a place of strict laws—if we ignore facts and destroy our own laws, we destroy our own foundation."

"You're listening to her nonsense!" The Celestial Empress was furious. "Listen to your mother—stay out of these matters! Do you really think I would ever harm you?"

Brandon Xiao paused, then replied through sound transmission: "Mother, I really don’t want to summon all the Dragon Lords and have everyone gossip about us fighting for power."

"You—"

"Please give me a chance, Mother!" Brandon interrupted her. "Ascension isn’t just about endless cultivation! My cultivation has long reached the peak of High God, but I haven’t shown any signs of ascending all these years. Let me handle these affairs—consider it a test and training for me."

The Celestial Empress hesitated, finally stepping back and saying aloud, "Since you’ve come out of seclusion, Drake Abyss is yours to command! If you want to release them, then do it!"

Brandon nodded, straightened up, and looked toward High God Felicity Quinn.

Felicity Quinn raised her eyebrows.

"High God." Brandon Xiao bowed deeply to Felicity Quinn. "Your words were a true awakening for me. Thank you, High God!"

Felicity Quinn smiled. "So, First Prince, you’re done with seclusion for good?"

Brandon Xiao nodded.

"Then, can we take Lily Bai with us now?"

Brandon glanced at Lily Bai, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Is she truly unrelated to Lucia Lu?"

"Well, not completely unrelated. They do share the same face, but that's about it!" Felicity Quinn replied.

"If there really is no connection, I can guarantee you won’t be troubled over your looks again." Brandon said. "But Lily Bai, if you’re hiding anything, you’ll have to face the consequences."

Lily Bai replied, "First Prince, I’ll prove it to you with my actions. I, Lily Bai... am absolutely not a bad person, and I’ve never broken the law."

Brandon Xiao was silent for a moment, then nodded. "Go ahead."

"Thank you, First Prince!" Lily Bai supported Clarissa Summers and followed Felicity Quinn out of the hall.

"Lily." Henry Xiao’s voice sounded in her ear through a private transmission.

Lily Bai glanced back at him.

He stood beside Brandon Xiao, staring steadily at her.

"I wanted to stop Mother from issuing the Divine Edict against the White Clan, but I was locked up." Henry Xiao sounded helpless. "I found a way to get my big brother out—now that he’s here, no one will dare trouble you again!"

Lily Bai didn’t answer and walked away without looking back.

She was genuinely grateful to Henry Xiao.

But it was better to cut off contact, so he wouldn’t get his hopes up.

......

Watching the group’s departing figures, the Celestial Empress exchanged a meaningful look with Jenna Summers.

Jenna Summers quietly slipped out from the back hall...