overturn the table

Three days later, in the dense forest north of the city.

"His Highness is truly noble! That he would open the Emperor's hidden realm for us to share—how magnanimous!"

"To think, I once believed him to be nothing but an imposter, a master of deception, but now I see how narrow-minded I was."

"In all honesty, if I had control over this place, I'd never be so magnanimous."

"Indeed, exchanging resources for mere entry access is already beyond what most would dare. Yet, the Third Prince…"

From half an hour ago, the entrance to the secret realm had been filled with constant, unwavering praise for Wu Chengqian, every voice steeped in admiration. Little did these fools realize that they were unwittingly enriching the one who had sold them out.

Wu Chengqian's real intention in opening this realm was to lure more unsuspecting pawns into his trap. For when Cao Wenbin was finally slain, the Cao family would surely erupt in rage. If only members of the Wu family entered the realm, they would undoubtedly bear the full weight of suspicion. But with so many other families involved, the Cao family couldn't possibly hold them all accountable.

Another advantage lay in the loyalty it could garner. And so, after gathering these waves of acclaim, Wu Chengqian felt his own strength soar, reaching the very peak of Core Formation—power he restrained with careful precision. If he hadn't, he might even have broken into the mid-stage of the King realm.

"The thrill of manipulating the masses as mere pieces on my board…how intoxicating!" he mused. Standing proudly at the head of the group, his eyes gleamed with satisfaction. Yet soon, his brow furrowed once more.

"Why hasn't Cao Wenbin appeared? Could even the Emperor's resting place not entice him?"

The thought stirred unease in him. If Cao Wenbin, his coveted "big fish," failed to take the bait, it would spell a grievous loss.

Fortunately, Cao Wenbin soon arrived. Yet his actions upon arrival caused Wu Chengqian's eyes to blaze with fury.

"Step back! This relic site is mine alone!" Cao Wenbin declared, his voice cutting through the crowd with force. "No one approaches without my permission, or I will destroy your entire family!"

A hush fell over the crowd, the awe and conversation from moments before dissipating into stunned silence, only to burst into outrage mere seconds later.

"Claiming the site for himself—who does he think he is? The Emperor himself?"

"A lunatic—what cursed luck!"

"We should band together and eliminate him."

Clearly, few in the crowd recognized Cao Wenbin. Meanwhile, Wu Chengqian, as soon as Cao had spoken, slipped into the nearby forest to consult his father, Wu Lingtian, on how to deal with this unexpected gambit.

"Father, Cao Wenbin clearly intends to upend the game!"

"If we can't find a solution soon, everything will be lost!"

With every word, Wu Chengqian's face darkened further. He hadn't expected Cao Wenbin to be so shameless, so dismissive of all rules.

Yet, he grudgingly admitted, for Cao Wenbin, it was the safest choice.

"There is a way," Wu Lingtian said, "but it comes at a high price."

Wu Chengqian's interest piqued. "What price, Father?"

"A Saint-level sacrifice."

The revelation struck Wu Chengqian like lightning. Before he could respond, Wu Lingtian explained, "The woman beside Cao Wenbin is at the very threshold of sainthood."

"To make him retreat, a Saint must intervene."

Wu Chengqian understood: his father planned to exploit a fleeting advantage. The Cao family had Saints in abundance, but none nearby. A Saint's mere presence would force Cao Wenbin to yield. Yet he knew well what fate awaited that Saint.

"Father, if a Saint must fall, then why not…"

But Wu Lingtian merely shook his head, rejecting the suggestion outright.

"Cao Wenbin can die, but only within the relic. Should anything happen outside, we would face certain death."

Without further ado, Wu Lingtian raised his hand, sending a streak of silver light flashing across the sky, its trajectory aimed directly at the Tianwu Imperial Palace.

"Father, may I ask which Saint you've summoned?"

It was a question Wu Chengqian had long pondered, for to his knowledge, aside from the ancient Patriarchs, the Wu family had no other Saints, and surely it would be too costly to involve one of them.

"Wang Tao."

At this, Wu Chengqian's confusion deepened. "Wang Tao? But he's only a near-Saint, isn't he?"

Wu Lingtian's smile was cunning. "He is indeed near-Saint…because he suffered mortal wounds. But if he fights as if his life depends on it, he can manifest Saint-level strength for a short time."