in line for the throne

"Boss, someone wants to take me away!" Xu San exclaimed, contacting Lu Yin.

Lu Yin replied calmly, "I've informed the Empire about your situation. You'll undergo reshaping just like Zhang Dingtian and the others. Your future progress depends on your own efforts."

Outside the Zishan Prince's Mansion, Xu San nervously swallowed and spoke into his personal terminal, "Boss, reshaping? I dare not," recalling the painful scene Zhang Dingtian went through.

Lu Yin chuckled, "Who asked you to absorb energy crystals before meeting me? But if you hadn't, you wouldn't have awakened your talent. Alright, that's it. Work hard on your own. In the future, your achievements might not be less than Zhang Dingtian's." With that, Lu Yin ended the call.

All those who came out from Earth had found their own paths. Their future depended on themselves, and Lu Yin needed to become stronger quickly. The arrival of the Tenth Court of the Starry Sky could happen anytime, and with his current strength, joining would be very difficult.

The Zishan Prince's Mansion had training rooms and training grounds, covering a large area, but Lu Yin was the only one using them.

In the training ground was a gravity chamber. Lu Yin habitually set the gravity to forty times normal, crushing a cubic star energy crystal directly before beginning to practice the White Night Fist and the Beast Claw.

Only through star energy practice could combat techniques achieve better effects. For most people, this luxury was beyond reach, but for Lu Yin today, it was nothing.

For seven consecutive days, Lu Yin did not step out of the Zishan Prince's Mansion. Many speculated that he had been reprimanded by the Emperor.

Seven days later, outside the True Universe Star, Second Ring, the residence of the Thirteenth Court of the Imperial Court, Zhang Dingtian arrived. Looking ahead, a large 'Five' imprint caught his eye—this was the Fifth Team.

Zhang Dingtian confirmed his identity and was taken to the Fifth Team's residence.

Feeling the surging power all around, any one of them could easily crush him. Zhang Dingtian's gaze was firm.

The most powerful department of the Great Yu Empire was the Thirteenth Court of the Imperial Court, gathering numerous strong figures of the Empire. At least, official members of the Thirteenth Court possessed the strength of the Melding Realm. Each team had several strong wanderers of the stars, and the captain represented the pinnacle martial force of the Empire.

The captain of the Fifth Team was Huo Qingshan, a powerhouse who had traveled with the Undying Yushan through the inner universe. He was the patriarch of the Huo clan and the father of Huo Xiaoling.

Zhang Dingtian was taken under a huge volcano. As thunderous roars shook the ground, magma erupted into the sky like fireworks, then crashed down, melting the ground.

Zhang Dingtian didn't move, watching as a pool of lava descended toward him. Once hit, he would be reduced to ashes.

Just as the lava was about to touch him, it suddenly disappeared, and the high temperature rapidly receded as if absorbed by an even more terrifying force. "You're from Earth?" a booming voice accompanied the arrival of high temperatures.

Zhang Dingtian was oppressed, his skin burning, but his eyes showed no fear. "Yes, I'm from Earth."

"Why did you come out?"

"To become stronger," Zhang Dingtian declared firmly.

"You will die."

"To be weak is more pathetic than death," feeling the pressure, Zhang Dingtian roared. His legs could hardly bear it, and his clothes were burnt.

"From now on, you join the Fifth Team, and you are under me, Huo Qingshan," Zhang Dingtian couldn't hold back anymore, spitting out blood and falling to the ground.

Inside the volcano, a middle-aged man opened his eyes and looked at Zhang Dingtian. With fiery red hair hotter than magma, he was one of the captains seen by Lu Yin in the morning court, but now, he was truly Huo Qingshan—a man hotter than magma.

Also in the Second Ring, far away was the residence of the Sixth Team of the Imperial Court, where Bai Xue was taken.

The Sixth Team was completely different from the Fifth Team. It mostly consisted of women, with a beautiful environment filled with various pink trees and fragrant flowers.

Bai Xue didn't expect the Sixth Team to be like this and looked around in surprise.

Soon, Taoxiang came out with a tall woman, standing a few meters away from Taoxiang.

"Are you Bai Xue, a friend of the Zishan Prince?" Taoxiang stood suspended in mid-air, curious about Bai Xue.

Bai Xue quickly saluted, "Yes."

Taoxiang nodded in satisfaction, "Indeed beautiful. From now on, you belong to my Sixth Team. Remember, anyone who bullies you, report my name, the great Taoxiang."

Bai Xue was puzzled. This was the captain of the Sixth Team? A little girl? Really? She felt like she had been tricked.

"What's wrong, don't want to?" Taoxiang was displeased, her voice coming from behind Bai Xue.

Bai Xue's pupils shrank, abruptly turning her head. She then looked back at the previous direction. There was the figure of Taoxiang, slowly disappearing. She didn't understand, but she knew that achieving this was terrifying. "Meet the captain," Taoxiang was proud.

Further away, in the same Second Ring, at the residence of the Eleventh Team, a strange scene was unfolding. The captain, Blind Monk, and Shi Wu Zhang sat facing each other. Without a word, they silently stared at each other...

Many people glanced at each other sneakily, feeling a ghostly feeling. The appearance of the two was more terrifying than one another, especially Shi Wu Zhang. They had followed the Blind Monk for many years, and it was the first time they had seen someone who looked like they were in good shape. Already desiccated and was also capable of, would need to raise?

In the Second Ring, at the Seventh Team's headquarters, Xu San nervously surveyed his surroundings. "Boss, this is too terrifying. I don't want to be here. Please take me away!"

Seven days later, as the sky gradually darkened, Lu Yin left the Purple Mountain Mansion. Balancing training and relaxation was important, and it was time to explore outside.

He realized that staying confined in the gravity room had limited effects on his martial skills, especially the White Night Fist, which required not just practice but also insight into the alternation of white and night.

Not far from the Purple Mountain Mansion was a small yet exquisite bar. Lu Yin entered but quickly retreated, disliking the noisy atmosphere.

Stepping out of the bar, Lu Yin pondered where to go next when a man approached him, bowing respectfully. "My lord, our master invites you to enjoy some wine."

Following the man's gaze, Lu Yin spotted Prince Duke Yushan sitting at a table near the bar, raising his cup in greeting from afar.

Surprised, Lu Yin remarked, "What a coincidence. Alright."

Compared to the bar, the open-air tavern was much simpler, with a chill wind blowing.

Duke Yushan drank alone, eating his meal. No one would believe that the noble Prince of the Empire would be in such a place.

"Greetings, Prince Duke," Lu Yin greeted casually, sitting directly across from him and pouring himself a drink without ceremony.

Duke Yushan smiled faintly. "Didn't expect to meet you while out drinking. Not a fan of the bar?"

Lu Yin shook his head. "Too noisy. This place is more comfortable. Brewed wine, cold wind, and a variety of small dishes."

"I was worried you might find it beneath you. The tavern's owner came from an indigenous planet, not particularly skilled, but his brewing skills are exceptional. You should try," Duke Yushan proposed, clinking glasses with Lu Yin.

After taking a sip, Lu Yin licked his lips. To be honest, he wasn't adept at wine tasting, but this drink was neither spicy nor dry. It felt refreshing, with a cool sensation that rushed straight to his head. "Good wine."

Duke Yushan chuckled and refilled Lu Yin's glass. "As long as you don't find it distasteful."

Curious, Lu Yin asked, "What brings a prince like you to drink here?"

Duke Yushan shook his head. "Tiredness."

Surprised, Lu Yin remained silent.

Taking another sip, Duke Yushan continued, "The struggle for the throne, it's exhausting."

Coughing, Lu Yin nearly spat out his wine, amazed at Duke Yushan's blunt words.

Chuckling, Duke Yushan said, "First time hearing that?"

Laughing himself, Lu Yin replied, "Indeed, the first time. Prince, you're quite straightforward."

Duke Yushan's lips curled upwards. "Not just to you. I've said it to many, even to Father."

Lu Yin was astonished. Was the competition for the throne in the Great Yu Empire discussed so openly? Having spent over a year on Earth, he knew some history—struggles for the throne were always brutal and filled with intrigue, but never had he encountered someone as straightforward as Duke Yushan about it. It took a lot of courage.

"The Great Yu Empire is vast. The royal family, the thirteen teams, the hall of stars, the guard forces, everyone is eyeing the throne, watching us. Currently, there are four people qualified to vie for the throne. The eldest brother is the closest, but some don't want him to ascend. That's why many support me, like Sika. Similarly, some support the Fifth Sister, but unfortunately, her ambitions don't lie within the Great Yu Empire," Duke Yushan explained calmly.

"Four people? Who's the fourth?" Lu Yin asked curiously. He only knew of Crown Prince Dolan Yushan, Duke Yushan before him, and Princess Wendy Yushan. Where did the fourth come from?

Duke Yushan looked at Lu Yin. "You."