Invitation

Leonard Li was so agitated that his whole body trembled. He stared hard at Victor Li and asked, "Fourth, where did this cultivation manual come from?"

"Replying to Father, it was a gift from my sworn younger brother," Victor Li replied.

"Sworn brother?" Leonard Li was momentarily stunned, then smiled. "You mean that kid named Ian Song?"

But his expression quickly darkened. Why would someone gift such an important manual to the Fourth Prince? Did he have some grand scheme, or was he trying to profit from the Tang Dynasty?

Thinking of this, he asked again, "Fourth, do you know his background?"

"He didn't say, but Bada and Uncle Sam analyzed it. They believe he's a disciple of the Phoenix Heaven Church," Victor Li said hesitantly.

"Phoenix Heaven Church... No wonder!"

Leonard Li's expression gradually relaxed. Although he hadn't intervened in his three sons' affairs, he was perfectly clear about everything that had happened recently.

He had also sent people to investigate Ian Song's background, but found nothing. If Ian was truly a disciple of the Phoenix Heaven Church, then it made sense that he couldn't uncover anything.

Even so, Leonard still felt some wariness toward Ian Song and asked again, "Do you know his purpose for coming to the Royal Capital?"

However, his influence absolutely could not be compared to that of the three princes, and many officials were still fully loyal to him.

So, upon hearing this news, those officials loyal to Leonard Li began to wonder if the emperor was sending them a signal to support the Fourth Prince.

If the Fourth Prince's power was still the weakest among the three, even if Leonard Li signaled his support, those officials would hesitate. But now, the Fourth Prince's momentum had already surpassed both the Second and Sixth Princes.

So, that very night, three Vice Ministers came to pay their respects, followed by seven or eight other high-ranking officials holding important posts in the court.

In no time, the Fourth Prince's momentum surged even higher.

Sixth Prince Residence.

Lucas Li's expression was as dark as water. His fingers tapped rhythmically on the table as he muttered, "The Fourth Prince just met with the old man once, and now the old man is backing him. Who knows what kind of bewitching soup the Fourth Prince fed him!"

At this, Lucas Li turned to Shen Xuanji, his voice cold: "Ian Song can't stay at the Fourth Prince Residence any longer. Either he joins me, or he dies. Shen Xuanji, you must come up with a plan!"

Shen Xuanji lowered his head in thought for a long while before saying, "Five days from now, Zilan Pavilion will hold an auction. Your Highness might as well send an invitation to Ian Song!"

Hearing this, Lucas Li narrowed his eyes, killing intent flashing: "Do you mean to make a move at Zilan Pavilion?"

"Your Highness misunderstands me. Zilan Pavilion is the property of the Purple Clan of the High Zhou Imperium. Making a move there would surely offend the Purple Clan. What I mean is to create an opportunity for Ian Song to meet the Eighth Princess there."

Lucas Li hesitated briefly, then nodded. "Fine, I'll give him one more chance. If he doesn't know what's good for him, we'll wipe him out completely!"

............

"Young Master, someone from Zilan Pavilion just delivered an invitation for you. They invite you to attend the auction in five days!"

Raina Quinn hurried in and handed Ian Song a beautifully crafted invitation.

"Auction? You seem pretty excited—so Zilan Pavilion is really that famous?" Ian Song took the invitation, glanced at it, and asked casually.

Raina Quinn explained, "Young Master, you might not know this, but Zilan Pavilion is the property of the Purple Clan of the High Zhou Imperium, and the clan is incredibly powerful. Rumor has it that Immortals sit in town for them.

So even dynasties don't dare offend them lightly. But most importantly, every Zilan Pavilion auction features rare and priceless treasures. Fifty years ago, they even auctioned a cultivation manual that could be trained to late Fusion stage. Anyone who receives an invitation is either of high status, immense strength, or great wealth. Zilan Pavilion invitations come in three grades: Heaven, Earth, and Human. The one you have is Earth-grade—usually reserved for princes, princesses, or late Divine Transformation experts!"

"What about Heaven-grade invitations? Who qualifies for those?" Ian Song asked.

"Fusion-stage experts, sovereigns of nations, or heads of grand churches can receive those!"

"Interesting. Then in five days, I'll have to go see for myself!" Ian Song said with a smile.

Five days passed in a flash.

Ian Song arrived at Zilan Pavilion with Tian Lao, Raina Quinn, and two late Divine Transformation experts.

After presenting his invitation, the Zilan Pavilion attendants led them to a luxurious private box on the second floor.

Just after they entered the box, a stunning young girl in yellow—lively and adorable, with bright eyes and pearly teeth—arrived at Zilan Pavilion accompanied by two late Divine Transformation guards. She headed straight for Ian Song's box, clearly the arranged encounter Shen Xuanji had planned between Ian and the Eighth Princess.