Immortal God of War-Chapter 732 - 697 Eldest Prince_1

"The foremost monstrous talent..."

Shock filled Fatty’s eyes. The foremost monstrous talent of the Imperial Capital was effectively the foremost monstrous talent in the entire Great Qin Empire. And more than a decade ago, this person was already a disciple of the Temple. The Temple, only War Ancestors can enter. In other words, this person had already broken through to War Ancestor more than a decade ago. Perhaps even higher. With such prowess now, just how powerful is he? It’s truly unimaginable!

Qin Feiyang’s gaze flashed slightly, and he smiled faintly. "Did Brother Zhuge also come to find me for the Potential Elixir?"

"Yes." Zhuge Mingyang nodded openly, without any concealment.

"I’ve heard of Brother Zhuge’s indifferent nature, but now it seems... no offense, that reputation is somewhat overstated," Qin Feiyang said lightly.

Zhuge Mingyang was not angered and smiled faintly. "I’m not exceptionally talented, but by my own abilities, I have already unlocked the second level of the Door of Potential."

"What?"

Qin Feiyang’s mind trembled. How is this possible? No one understands the Door of Potential better than him. Nor does anyone understand better than him how difficult it is to open the Door of Potential without the Potential Elixir. But this person actually succeeded. Moreover, he had already unlocked the second level! How astounding is this person’s talent?

Fatty, too, was filled with utter disbelief.

Looking at their expressions, Zhuge Mingyang chuckled. "Don’t misunderstand, gentlemen. I didn’t mean to show off. I just wanted to express that I’m not particularly desperate for the Potential Elixir."

The implication was clear: even without Potential Elixirs, he was confident he could unlock the subsequent stages of the Door of Potential on his own.

Fatty raised his eyebrows imperceptibly. If he didn’t care, why had he sought them out?

At the same time, Qin Feiyang’s gaze flickered, and he asked with a smile, "Then, Brother Zhuge, for whom have you come?"

"The Eldest Prince," Zhuge Mingyang stated.

"Hm?"

Qin Feiyang was surprised. He was here for the Eldest Prince? This response was too unexpected.

Qin Feiyang said, "Brother Zhuge, may I ask if your relationship with the Eldest Prince is one of friends, or of master and servant?"

"Brother Qin, you’re certainly not one for subtlety!" Zhuge Mingyang smiled wryly, shaking his head. "Very well, I admit, both types of relationships exist between His Highness and myself."

"Both friends and a master-servant relationship?" Qin Feiyang asked.

"Yes," Zhuge Mingyang nodded.

Qin Feiyang frowned. He hadn’t expected that even Zhuge Mingyang had taken sides. Viewed from another angle, for his esteemed eldest brother to bring such a monstrous talent under his command... he was truly formidable now!

Zhuge Mingyang smiled lightly. "Is Brother Qin mocking me inwardly?"

Qin Feiyang didn’t deny it. Such a monstrous talent, willingly toiling like an ox for others... where is his self-respect?

"Actually, I don’t wish for this either!" Zhuge Mingyang said. "But the princes are engaged in constant strife, both open and hidden. If I didn’t choose a side, I’d inevitably become collateral damage sooner or later. Comparatively, the Eldest Prince has now been established as the Crown Prince, holding significant power, placing him a cut above the other princes. Choosing to align with him—I wouldn’t call it a wise choice, necessarily—at least ensures my survival."

Listening to these words, Qin Feiyang felt there was more to it than it seemed.

Suddenly, a flicker of understanding crossed his eyes. "Has Brother Zhuge come as an envoy for the Eldest Prince?"

"Brother Qin is indeed perceptive," Zhuge Mingyang smiled. "I sincerely wish to befriend Brother Qin. Of course, this is also His Highness’s wish. I wonder if I will have that honor?"

Qin Feiyang’s eyes glinted. Zhuge Mingyang had laid out so much reasoning; his actual goal was simply to recruit him. That was also his purpose. But the Eldest Prince had only sent Zhuge Mingyang; this left him somewhat dissatisfied.

Qin Feiyang clasped his hands. "Brother Zhuge, please convey to the Eldest Prince that we can be friends, but it depends on his sincerity."

"Sincerity..." Zhuge Mingyang murmured, his head bowed in deep thought.

After a moment, he suddenly smiled, looking up at Qin Feiyang. "I understand. I will relay your words faithfully. But before I leave, might I ask Brother Qin for a Potential Elixir?"

Qin Feiyang smiled faintly. "Wasn’t the first Potential Elixir at today’s auction already secured by the Eldest Prince? Is there still a need for another?"

Zhuge Mingyang paused, then shook his head with a wry smile. "My apologies for the presumption. Farewell."

"I won’t see you out," Qin Feiyang said.

Zhuge Mingyang offered a faint smile, turned, and walked straight out of the alchemy room.

Once Zhuge Mingyang had left, Qin Feiyang closed the stone door.

"Boss, Master Fatty doesn’t understand," Fatty said, looking at Qin Feiyang with puzzlement. "All this you’re doing—isn’t it to attract the Eldest Prince’s attention? Now you’ve succeeded, and he even sent Zhuge Mingyang to show goodwill. Why didn’t you state your position then?"

Qin Feiyang shook his head. "I cannot state my position yet."

"Why?" Fatty was perplexed.

Qin Feiyang sneered. "If I were to compromise and state my position just because he sent Zhuge Mingyang, wouldn’t that make me appear to have little value?"

Fatty asked doubtfully, "What do you mean?"

"Although Zhuge Mingyang was once the foremost monstrous talent in the Imperial Capital, he has since fallen from grace; otherwise, he wouldn’t have aligned himself with the Eldest Prince," Qin Feiyang explained. "Therefore, his ’face’ naturally isn’t worth much anymore."

Fatty’s eyes lit up. "Master Fatty gets it! You’re determined that the Eldest Prince himself must come to you."

"Correct," Qin Feiyang nodded.

"Are you so confident he’ll come personally?" Fatty furrowed his brow. He’s the Crown Prince, after all. Would he really condescend to visit personally?

"Rest assured, no one in this world can resist the temptation of Potential Elixirs," Qin Feiyang said with a confident smile. "Besides, I still control the Potential Elixirs and Nine-Bend Yellow Dragon Pills."

"True," Fatty nodded, then asked, "What about the other Princes?"

"I will not meet any of them." With that, Qin Feiyang led Fatty into the ancient castle to continue transcribing the Killing Art.

Apart from the Eldest Prince, he had no interest in any of the others. Now, all he had to do was wait for the Eldest Prince to arrive in person.

However, although he had no desire to meet them, the other Princes were very keen to see him. After Zhuge Mingyang’s departure, many sons of Marquises also came to call, one after another, all representing various Princes. But Qin Feiyang ignored them all.

「Elsewhere in the Imperial Palace!」

A black-haired young man with a golden crown sat upon a throne crafted from gold and glazed tiles. He stood about 1.85 meters tall, with sword-like eyebrows and an imposing bearing. His figure was well-proportioned, and he wore a pale gold Dragon Robe, his aura exceptionally distinguished! Upon closer inspection, one would notice the dragon on his robe lacked claws on its belly.

Indeed, this was the current Crown Prince, the Eldest Prince!

WHOOSH!

Suddenly, a young man with a dignified presence materialized within the hall. It was Zhuge Mingyang!

Zhuge Mingyang put away his folding fan and bowed. "Greetings, Your Highness."

The Eldest Prince quickly rose, smiling as he approached. "Big Brother Zhuge, I’ve told you, there’s no need for such formality in private."

Zhuge Mingyang smiled. "Proper etiquette must still be observed."

The Eldest Prince rolled his eyes and asked, "Well? How is Qin Feiyang’s attitude?"

Zhuge Mingyang shook his head. "His attitude is somewhat difficult to discern."

"What do you mean?" the Eldest Prince frowned.

Zhuge Mingyang replied, "He neither refused nor agreed; he simply said it depends on Your Highness’s sincerity."

"Sincerity?" the Eldest Prince questioned. "Does he want wealth? Or power?"

Zhuge Mingyang shook his head and smiled. "Your Highness, you must not treat him as an ordinary person. Could someone capable of concocting Potential Elixirs possibly care for mere wealth and power? Obviously not."

The Eldest Prince was baffled.

Zhuge Mingyang pondered for a moment, then said, "By my guess, the ’sincerity’ he speaks of likely means he wishes for Your Highness to visit him personally."

"Visit him personally?" The Eldest Prince was immediately angered. "Are you joking? I am the Crown Prince of the Great Qin Imperial Palace! Who does he think he is? A mere Temple Disciple!"

"Your Highness, if I may be blunt," Zhuge Mingyang said. "You can afford to ignore other Temple Disciples, but Qin Feiyang... you must win him over, no matter the cost."

"Just because of the Potential Elixirs?" the Eldest Prince raised an eyebrow.

"Not just the Potential Elixirs," Zhuge Mingyang said. "According to my inquiries, he can also concoct a type of elixir that allows a cultivator to break through several cultivation realms at once."

"What kind of elixir? The Vermilion Glazed Pill?" the Eldest Prince asked.

"No," Zhuge Mingyang replied. "The Vermilion Glazed Pill is only effective for cultivators below the Martial Ancestor realm. But this elixir he concocts is effective even for War Kings and War Emperors. If Your Highness could obtain one, you might ascend to the War Ancestor realm overnight. At that time, your position as Crown Prince will undoubtedly be even more secure."

The Eldest Prince was flabbergasted by what he heard. Was there really such a miraculous elixir in this world?

"Setting aside the elixirs for a moment, let’s consider his strategic mind and character," Zhuge Mingyang continued. "Your Highness, it is no exaggeration to say that even I might not be his equal in terms of intellect. If you can win him over, he will undoubtedly be a great asset in helping Your Highness achieve your grand ambitions."

The Eldest Prince was once again profoundly shocked. Zhuge Mingyang is renowned as a genius in the Imperial Capital, yet he now admits he’s not Qin Feiyang’s equal? Moreover, Zhuge Mingyang and Qin Feiyang have only met once. Yet, after just one meeting, Zhuge Mingyang held him in such high esteem. Just how terrifying could this person be?

Zhuge Mingyang said, "I’ve said what I needed to say. Your Highness should consider it carefully."

"Very well, I will consider it seriously," the Eldest Prince nodded.

"Then I shall take my leave." After saying this with a bow, Zhuge Mingyang opened a portal.

"Wait," the Eldest Prince said suddenly.

Zhuge Mingyang asked, puzzled, "Is there anything else, Your Highness?"

The Eldest Prince instructed, "After you return to the Temple, investigate his background thoroughly. I hope to find his weakness."

"I will do my best," Zhuge Mingyang nodded before stepping into the portal.

As the portal vanished, the Eldest Prince murmured, "Qin Feiyang..." then returned to his throne and sank into deep thought.

「Twenty days passed in the blink of an eye.」

On this day, HUM! Qin Feiyang’s arm trembled, and the first stroke of the Killing Art beneath his fingertips began to radiate a brilliant light.