The palace was silent. Senyan sat on the throne, expressionless.
The ministers below transitioned from silence to murmurs.
"Yes, the Crown Prince's spirit body was ruined during that attack!"
"I wonder if he has any spirit power left."
"What are you thinking? If his spirit body is ruined, there's no way he has any spirit power. This old man is just looking for trouble because his son is also at the age to enter Rade Academy this year! Last year, he missed enrollment due to following his father on an expedition. Moreover, Rade Academy's involvement in the Upper Realm opening means each kingdom only gets one slot! The admission happens every three years, and giving it to a prince without spirit power is a waste," one of the ministers said passionately.
"With the enrollment period for Rade Academy approaching, the Crown Prince's spirit power being ruined, it would be best for his health not to enroll this year," said General Su Tao, the Wuwei General of the Sen Kingdom.
The Wuwei Army was the second largest military group in Sen Kingdom. The largest was the Royal Guard, the most elite and powerful unit with fewer members, but all were at least in the Seventh Spirit Body level. The Wuwei Army, while weaker and mostly at the Spiritual Energy level, had larger numbers and varied strength, with some not even being cultivators but just physically strong men. With the peace era, the Wuwei Army grew to become the most crucial military force in Sen Kingdom, even overshadowing the Royal Guard.
However, Senyan wasn't worried about the balance of power. He allowed the Wuwei Army to grow unchecked, leading to General Su Tao's increasing arrogance. Su Tao himself was at the Eighth Stage of the Tao Mirror, only one stage below the emperor.
In the court, Su Tao's influence was evident.
"How dare you question the Crown Prince's authority? What are your intentions?" National Advisor Wei An stood up.
Su Tao sneered, "How could I dare? However, if the Crown Prince's spirit body is indeed ruined, he may struggle to command respect! We don't want other kingdoms to laugh at us. Please consider carefully, Your Majesty!" After saying this, Su Tao bowed to Senyan.
Several ministers from Su Tao's faction also knelt, saying, "Please reconsider, Your Majesty." Wei An, the National Advisor, angrily flicked his sleeve.
The Crown Prince was educated by the National Advisor and held a special place in his heart, almost like a son. Due to recent state affairs, he could only meet the Crown Prince briefly in court.
"Who said I'm ruined?" A youthful voice rang out in the hall.
Silence fell again.
Senlei stood up, slowly descended the steps, and approached General Su Tao.
Su Tao stood up, glaring at the prince's youthful face, sneering, "Everyone knows the Crown Prince's spirit body is ruined. Are you trying to cover up the truth?"
The National Advisor wanted to speak but saw the Crown Prince's reassuring gesture.
"Oh? Everyone knows? Well!" Senlei smiled, "It's widely known your son is also eligible for academy admission this year. If I can't enter the academy, then besides your son, no one else has the strength or background to get in. Isn't that right?"
Su Tao stared into the prince's dark eyes and nonchalantly said, "The Crown Prince's strength has greatly declined. To avoid embarrassment, my son, who is among the top young talents in neighboring kingdoms, is naturally the best choice. I'm not thinking for myself but for the entire kingdom."
Su Tao's confident speech left the ministers below frustrated but silent. No one wanted to cross the Wuwei General, who had just returned from the border.
Senlei turned to Senyan, "Father! Rumors are rampant that my spirit body is ruined. To clear things up, let's set up a stage at the palace gate. Any young person eligible for admission, regardless of background, can challenge me. Whoever wins gets to enter Rade Academy. Please approve this, Father."
As soon as Senlei finished, Senyan uttered a single word, "Approved!"
Senyan had already gauged Senlei's strength before. Though uncertain about the changes in Senlei's left hand, he knew there was no immediate danger.
"In some time, I will send you to Rade Academy. Regardless of opinions, I will secure your place because this is all yours," Senyan patted Senlei's right shoulder.
"Rade Academy?" Senlei asked, puzzled.
Senyan smiled kindly, the first time Senlei truly felt fatherly love, "Rade Academy is the sacred place of Rade Continent, the source of all methods and techniques. Most strong figures from the continent's kingdoms and families come from there. Anyone who graduates from Rade Academy reaches at least the Tao Mirror stage."
Senlei was shocked. He had only seen his father in the Ninth Stage of the Tao Mirror. Each kingdom had around ten Tao Mirror level practitioners. And this academy guaranteed Tao Mirror level for all its graduates?
Seeing Senlei's shock, Senyan smiled, "Also, those with better talent don't return to their kingdoms but ascend to the Upper Realm."
"Upper Realm? Could it be the world I remember?" Senlei wondered.
Senyan recalled, "When I was Crown Prince…"
Senlei listened as Senyan recounted, visualizing the scene:
Brilliant lights shone like sunlight on the largest square of Rade Academy. Countless figures descended from the sky, accompanied by roaring sounds. The academy's elders, usually aloof, bowed in greeting to three figures in the void.
These three stood proudly, indifferent to the elders' respect. The memory was vivid for Senyan.
"Who are they?" Senlei asked.
"They are from the Upper Realm, gods!" Senyan's face turned solemn.
"Gods?"
"Yes! They possess divine power, beyond the peak of the Tao Mirror stage," Senyan explained.
Senlei pondered, "Divine power?"
"But their divine power feels strange," Senyan muttered.
"Enough! For now, focus on entering the academy. I'll handle your admission. You once lost your spiritual root because someone in the academy interfered. Your current strength is at the Seventh Spirit Body level, though your spirit power is unclear. Your blood energy is unusually strong, your advantage. Born with a spiritual body, it's not easily destroyed!
"People rarely train their blood energy now. Your biggest obstacle in entering the academy is General Su Tao's son, Su Qianyi. Four years older, also at the Seventh Spirit Body level, but with a solid foundation built from years of experience. He resents you over the blood spirit stone issue. It's my oversight. With the Upper Realm opening, each kingdom gets one slot. So…" Senyan looked at Senlei thoughtfully.
When the academy reopened, it didn't know who had the born spiritual body, giving Feng Kingdom an opportunity. Once identified, it was too late, and a promise was made to allow the Crown Prince a guaranteed spot, smoothing things over.
Though Senyan accepted this, he resented it, swallowing his anger for the kingdom's sake. Rade Academy promised to support Sen Kingdom against Feng Kingdom if they caused trouble. But Feng Kingdom's Crown Prince was off-limits as he was the academy's Grand Elder's disciple.
The same age as Senlei, his cultivation was terrifying at the Eighth Stage of the Spiritual Sea.
Senlei patted Senyan's right shoulder, "Don't worry, Father, I have a plan. Just agree when I propose it."
Senyan, deep in thought, replied, "Hmm."
Although the guaranteed spot was promised, Senyan couldn't decide it alone. Seeing his understanding son, Senyan felt a pang of emotion.
…
In the hall, Su Tao, feeling triumphant, bowed to the Crown Prince, "The Crown Prince is truly wise. For the kingdom's sake, I thank you on behalf of my son, Qianyi!"
"Wait, I never said I'd give it to your son," Senlei stopped Su Tao.
Su Tao laughed, "Yes, yes! I understand!"
The ministers below sneered. Wasn't it the same as giving up? Su Qianyi, with his solid foundation, could easily win. How could the ruined prince stand a chance?