Chapter 655: Chapter 655: Ancient World

Listening to Tai Da’s unhurried narrative, Chang Feng couldn’t identify his emotions.

Is this the shrewdness of an emperor?

The Great Prince was also a talent, one of only two princely heirs to have cultivated to the Great Sacrificial Heaven, but he clearly used his intellect solely for cultivation. In terms of strategizing, he truly isn’t a match for Tai Da, even if he was beating his horse forward.

“Your Majesty is wise and sagacious!” Chang Feng lay prostrate on the ground, his forehead touching the floor tiles, his body drenched in cold sweat.

At this moment, he could not harbor any complaints, otherwise… heavenly power is unfathomable, serving the emperor is like accompanying a tiger.

Tai Da revealed a gentle smile, “Chang, your loyalty is unyielding, a staunch pillar of my reign, I hereby confer upon you the title of Knight General.”

“Thank Your Majesty.” Chang Feng knelt down in gratitude.

Tai Da then turned towards Shi Hao, saying, “You are a smart man, and I particularly like intelligent people. Tell me, what reward do you desire? I shall not be stingy if it is within my power to give.”

Shi Hao was extraordinarily talented; if such a talent could be used by the Heavenly Frost Country, he would certainly be a pillar of the state.

—-Hua Fang Country had always been eyeing Heavenly Frost Country covetously. Although he had now quelled domestic unrest, the nation’s power had sharply decreased due to the turmoil, and for a significant period, he would only be able to take a defensive stance.

He was not an emperor who merely maintained the status quo, but one filled with ambition. The size of his kingdom was not enough to satisfy him!

His ambition was to enlist those who were Ascending to Saint Position or walking the Heaven Connecting Road, to raise Heavenly Frost Country to an Imperial Dynasty within his lifetime, and in the hands of his children and grandchildren, perhaps even further, to a Dynasty!

Shi Hao was amongst those he valued; with a single blow, he had killed Tai Wuji, and his potential future was limitless.

To retain Shi Hao in various ways, to bind him to the chariot of Heavenly Frost Country, where they would share glory and adversity alike.

Who says that an Imperial Dynasty must necessarily have members of the Royal Family Ascending to Saint Position or possessing experts of the Heaven Connecting Road?

He possessed the Technique of Ruling over his Subjects, and with such strong individuals under him, couldn’t he achieve the same?

Shi Hao shook his head, “For the moment, I really can’t think of anything.”

He could ask for cultivation resources, but why would someone give those to him?

Of course, those couldn’t be taken for nothing.

If he had truly saved someone’s son, then his request would have been justified, but now, if he accepted favors from others, he would end up owing them in return.

Tai Da pondered for a moment and then said, “I just thought of something. In some days, the Ancient World will open up. My Heavenly Frost Country has one-third of a spot available, I’d like you to give it a try. Perhaps you might succeed.”

The Ancient World?

Shi Hao was struck with a bit of curiosity and said, “Your Majesty, I request you to elaborate. What is this Ancient World?”

In the palace, those eunuchs, guards, and maids all showed expressions of shock. You actually want the emperor to explain it to you?

Putting on airs greater than heaven itself!

Do you not wish to live?

However, Tai Da just smiled and said, “Legend has it, the Ancient World is the world that existed before our own was born, but it was replaced by our world and is now in ruins, continually moving towards extinction.”

“Nevertheless, that was once a world, and you can still find quite a few treasures there.”

“Even more so, there are some of the most important treasures necessary for lighting the Incense Flame!”

“The Holy Branch!”

“If you could acquire the Holy Branch and use it to light the Incense Flame, you would without a doubt be the foremost in the Supplementing Divine Temple, without equal!”

Shi Hao’s interest was piqued, and he said, “Since Your Majesty is so generous, then I shall be unabashed.”

Really shameless!

Everyone mumbled to themselves, but Tai Da was clearly in a pleasant mood, and of course, they dared not say anything more.

“However, what is this about a third of the spots?” Shi Hao inquired.

“Every celestial body has an entrance to the Ancient World, but these portals are extremely unstable, allowing only a very limited number of people to enter,” Tai Da explained to Shi Hao, whom he regarded highly, not minding playing the role of a narrator.

“As the Ancient World marches toward extinction, the passages become even more unstable, and the number of people who can enter continues to diminish. Therefore, the entry spots available to each kingdom are limited.”

“Currently, Heavenly Frost Country is still a kingdom, so it can only share one spot with Hua Fang Country and Jian Yuan Country.”

“I can send you to fight, but whether you can beat the representatives from Hua Fang Country and Jian Yuan Country depends on your ability,” he added.

Shi Hao broke into a smile, “Thank you, Your Majesty. I am very pleased with this reward.”

Tai Da also smiled. Doing this favor cost him nothing.

—-Heavenly Frost Country had just quelled internal strife, and the balance of interests needed to be considered. This third of an entry spot had ironically become a hot potato.

Who should receive it?

Thus, it was better to give it to an outsider, leaving no room for anyone to complain.

In pursuit of this spot, Shi Hao decided to stay in Imperial Capital.

He found an inn and simply waited to depart.

It wouldn’t be long before they set off.

However, on the second day after Shi Hao’s arrival at the inn, a group of people barged in, their presence overwhelming.

“All unrelated persons, get out!” they bellowed as soon as they entered.

Many, afraid of trouble, immediately fled, but some troublemakers chose to stay.

Damn, I’ve paid to stay at this inn, why should I leave?

“Shi Hao, get out here!” a voice rang out, grating to the ears.

Descending from the upstairs, Shi Hao saw the leader of the group, none other than the “Crown Prince,” who had been saved by him. Of course, this Crown Prince was a stand-in, but he himself clearly didn’t know this and was exceedingly arrogant.

Previously, he was just the Princely Heir of the Fourth Prince with limited power, but now? With his father’s accession, he was the Crown Prince, the future Emperor, swollen with pride.

—-How could he swallow the indignity of being struck by Shi Hao?

Shi Hao had indeed saved him, but wasn’t that what a subject should do? What, was he expecting gratitude?

What a joke!

“Seize him for this prince!” This man, calling himself Tai Pingkang–of course, this was the name he believed to be his own–only Tai Da would probably know his true identity.

Nonetheless, he felt victorious and on top of the world.

—-For so many years before, he had lived in hiding, not daring to reveal his true identity. Having endured for so long, he could finally hold his head high, being second only to one, how could he not feel elated?

At his command, several guards stepped forward and surrounded Shi Hao.

Clang, the guards drew their swords in unison, pointing them at Shi Hao.

Shi Hao looked at Tai Pingkang with a contemptuous gaze, as if viewing a clown.

And indeed, that was the case. With Tai Da’s ascension and the internal turmoil settled, he no longer needed this stand-in son, who would inevitably disappear silently next.

“You’re still so arrogant on the brink of death?” Tai Pingkang was infuriated, “Chop him up for this prince! It doesn’t matter if you cut off his arms and legs, just keep him alive.”

The guards slashed at Shi Hao, avoiding vital points but targeting his arms and thighs.

With a light press of his hand, Shi Hao unleashed a powerful force that subdued them. The guards were as if frozen by a spell, unable to move an inch.