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Beside them, Gao Weiye, filled with fighting spirit, immediately opposed, saying, "Your Highness, the morale is currently very favorable for our Southern Source Army. We should take advantage of this momentum and march directly west to strike at the imperial city of the Dawson Empire. It would be unwise to negotiate at this time."
The Crown Prince replied slowly, "The old general does not understand. Both we and the Dawson Empire have suffered heavy losses, and in the end, it is the Vast Empire that benefits the most. It would be better for our two small nations to unite, which would give us the strength to contend with the Vast Empire. Otherwise, we are not far from destruction."
Gao Weiye countered, "The Vast Empire seeks to destroy our Southern Source as easily as flipping a hand. The Dawson Empire has never given up on its desire to annihilate us. I urge Your Highness to think carefully."
Jiang Gong coldly said, "The old general need not say more. My mind is made up. I will report this to His Majesty. Please leave!"
Gao Weiye had no choice but to withdraw slowly; he was unwilling to shake hands and negotiate with the Dawson Empire after having fought against them for decades.
Next came the trading time for the two princes. Modai agreed to cede several territories in the Southern Source Empire that had been occupied by the Dawson Empire, but in return, the Southern Source Empire must also return the lands occupied by Jiang Gong's army from the Dawson Empire.
Both sides reaffirmed their mutual support for each other's claim to the throne and agreed to share the Child of Heaven and Earth. Their goal was first to find the Child of the Earth because only by locating the Child of the Earth could they hope to form the Mother of Heaven and Earth.
After three meetings, the two princes signed a ceasefire cooperation agreement on behalf of their respective empires. The two nations finally ceased hostilities.
Soon after, Prince Jiang Gong returned home.
Two days later, Wuma Xiangwei led her subordinates through the battlefield. Seeing how clean it was after such a great battle, Wuma Xiangwei sighed, "It seems that Modai is indeed a talented commander who can enforce discipline; he should not be underestimated."
During this period, Wuma Xiangwei had been searching within the Dawson Empire for traces of the Child of Heaven and Earth and had dealt with several traitors from the Vast Empire based on intelligence.
Her operations were nearly complete; she had received reliable information about the specific whereabouts of three Children of Heaven and Earth from the Dawson Empire.
So when she heard news of a decisive battle between the armies of the Dawson Empire and Southern Source Empire taking place here, Wuma Xiangwei hurriedly rushed over. However, despite her haste, she arrived too late; the battle had concluded hastily after just two days.
Moreover, it appeared that all traces had vanished. There were no specific signs left on the battlefield, making it impossible to determine the exact circumstances of their confrontation.
It seemed that neither side had suffered significant losses.
Just as Wuma Xiangwei was lamenting alone, one of her subordinates brought an injured soldier before her: "Princess, this person has something to report."
"Oh," Xiang Wei looked at him; he was dressed as a soldier from the Dawson Empire and was gravely wounded, on the brink of death.
"Wuma Xiangwei said, 'What brings you here? You seem unwilling.'
The Crippled Monk replied angrily, 'I see now that you are Disciples of the Vast Empire. Let me tell you, the prince of the Dawson Empire is named Modai, and the prince of the Southern Source Empire is called Jiang Gong. They conspired a few days ago to stage a mock battle here, only to negotiate peace afterward and call for a ceasefire. On one hand, they aim to jointly confront the Vast Empire, and on the other hand, they are after the Child of Heaven.'
Child of Heaven and Earth?
Wuma Xiangwei quickly asked, 'How do you know this?'
'A few days ago, Regretless Sage launched a surprise attack on Jiang Gong's residence, and I was one of the attendants. Soon after, Modai arrived as well. They agreed to support each other in claiming their thrones and to search for the Child of the Earth together because only by finding the Child of the Earth can they unite with the Mother of Heaven and Earth.'
Wuma Xiangwei was secretly shocked: Only the Child of the Earth can unite with the Mother of Heaven and Earth? Is it really true? She hurriedly asked, 'Is this true?'
'This is what I heard from Regretless Sage. He already possesses two Children of Heaven and Earth, so he knows quite a bit about them. He also mentioned that using the Child of the Earth can sense other Children of Heaven and Earth.' The Crippled Monk was filled with anger and shared everything he knew without reservation.
Wuma Xiangwei asked again, 'And then?'
'Then the two princes discussed that the Dawson Empire would withdraw from occupied lands while they would share all Children of Heaven and Earth.' The Crippled Monk pointed at what was once a battlefield and said, 'Right here, Prince Modai excluded dissenters and sent his former soldiers into battle for this completely meaningless war. My two brothers died tragically on this battlefield.'
As he spoke, tears filled his eyes.
Princess Xiangwei finally understood why he wanted to inform the Vast Empire.
Do they really think they can confront the Vast Empire? Xiang Wei smiled lightly. She then ordered her subordinates to do everything possible to save this man's life; he was indeed a person of compassion and righteousness.
Xiang Wei gained further understanding of the Children of Heaven and Earth, as well as clearer insights into Modai and Jiang Gong. This trip had not been in vain.
Due to Jiang Gong's successful recovery of lost territory, the emperor was overjoyed and immediately announced to the world that he would confer upon Crown Prince Jiang Gong the title of King of South Side along with a vast territory.
The emperor organized a grand welcome ceremony to celebrate the crown prince's victorious return from battle. The entire nation celebrated for three days with a general amnesty, bringing joy to all.
As a result, the crown prince's prestige soared even higher.
As soon as he returned, his cousin Jiang Tianlan came to pay a visit."
The Crown Prince heard that Jiang Tianlan had been stripped of his cultivation and had become a commoner, so he developed an interest in recruiting him. As a commoner without martial skills, there was no fear of him causing trouble, and besides, he could be considered a relative, making him reliable to use.
Thus, Jiang Gong met with Jiang Tianlan.
When Jiang Tianlan heard the Crown Prince say he was preparing to reuse him, he was overjoyed.
Jiang Tianlan had already devised a strategy that would win the Crown Prince's favor while also striking at Guan Yue: to praise Ouyang Shaohua and He Bi, Huangfu Jiayin, Naijia, and others as unparalleled beauties, rare even in the heavens.
Initially, the Crown Prince did not think much of it, but those around him remarked, "I heard that Dragon Lake Academy produced a celestial being-like beauty; it turns out the Fifth Prince wanted to take her as a concubine."
Jiang Gong then recalled that the Fifth Prince had his eye on this woman. He was delighted: with such a celestial being-like beauty, it was only fitting that he enjoyed such fortune.
However, the Fifth Prince had been harmed by the Fire Red Girl, Hu Hui; this grudge must be avenged.
Jiang Tianlan repeatedly mentioned that Ouyang Shaohua was the jewel of the Ouyang Family. If the Crown Prince could marry into the Ouyang Family, it would greatly assist his succession plans. Moreover, Ouyang Shaohua was naturally beautiful and possessed extraordinary grace, having already reached the Pinnacle of the Marvelous Realm in cultivation.
The Crown Prince thought this made perfect sense.
Thus, he ordered someone to arrange for a marriage proposal to He Bi and the Ouyang Family. Adding two more concubines would certainly not bother Jiang Gong.
The Crown Prince made a bold declaration!
With Jiang Tianlan's matchmaking, both He Bi and Ouyang Shaohua's families quickly took action.
Of course, He Bi's interests were represented by Dean Kintian of Qilin Academy. Upon hearing this news and after some consideration, he felt it was acceptable; if she could marry the Crown Prince, He Bi would enjoy a peaceful and happy life thereafter. Therefore, he agreed to the Crown Prince's proposal on behalf of the family.
The Ouyang Family received this proposal but did not respond immediately. One elder promptly informed Ouyang Shaohua to return home for her opinion. The Ouyang Family was already aware that Ouyang Shaohua was currently involved with Guan Yue and that their elder held Guan Yue in high regard; they were not afraid of the royal family.
When Ouyang Shaohua hurried home in a flurry, she found all the prominent figures of her family gathered in the family hall. It was then she realized it was because the Crown Prince had proposed to her, and her family wanted to hear her personal opinion.
The family also informed her that the Crown Prince had simultaneously proposed to He Bi and that He Bi's head had already agreed.
Now at the peak of Attainment, Ouyang Shaohua could speak her mind within the Ouyang Family. She certainly did not wish to marry the Crown Prince.
The elder of the Ouyang Family, who is also Ouyang Shaohua's grandfather, is named Ouyang Chongyang. He looked at Ouyang Shaohua seriously and said, "Child, please consider this matter carefully. Although Guan Yue is a genius and can help you greatly, he will not bring you wealth and glory. Following him means you will only fight for your life. Have you thought this through?"
"Elder," in the family hall, Ouyang Shaohua could only address her grandfather as Elder according to family customs. "Since I began cultivating at the age of five, I have stopped seeking enjoyment and instead pursued power and immortality. This is what you taught me. Therefore, I am not interested in the royal consort. Let me fight for my entire life. At the very least, I want to reach the peak of the Eternal Realm."
Influenced by what Guan Yue had said, Ouyang Shaohua's greatest aspiration at this moment was to reach the peak of the Eternal Realm. This goal must be achieved. She was a cultivation genius, truly exceptional.
Ouyang Chongyang also knew of Ouyang Shaohua's talent and her bright future ahead, so he did not want his granddaughter to be bound by anything. However, there were some things he needed to tell her:
"Ouyang Shaohua, you should know that our Ouyang Family has come this far with great difficulty. As heirs, we must protect the hard-earned benefits we have gained. You must make a choice: will you compromise for the family, sacrificing yourself for the greater good, or will you strengthen yourself to protect the family's safety?"
Ouyang Shaohua understood that her grandfather was speaking to appease everyone with this choice. If it were anyone else, her grandfather would not be so easy to talk to!
Ouyang Chongyang continued, "As a disciple, you should cultivate your Combat Power; however, more important than Combat Power is character—a heart willing to sacrifice everything for the family. This is the spirit that has been passed down through generations in our Ouyang Family.
You are nineteen years old now and should consider marriage; however, if someone unfavorable to our Ouyang Family comes along, they must never be brought into our family.
If you decide on a suitable partner, our family will not oppose it; but there is one condition: they must contribute significantly to our family. Only then can they take you away. Moreover, when our family faces danger, they must fight for our family's safety."
Tears filled Ouyang Shaohua's eyes as she realized that her grandfather was personally agreeing to her marriage with Guan Yue.
At that moment, her emotions were overwhelming.
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