Upon hearing the command, a dozen elite guards clad in heavy armor immediately surged forward. They grabbed Fang Zhe by the arms and escorted him out of the grand and majestic Great Assembly Hall. All along the way to the depths of the palace's underground, Fang Zhe offered no resistance whatsoever. His steps remained casual, and the golden gleam in his eyes behind the black veil was as tranquil as the water of a dead lake.CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!The echoing din of clashing metal filled the isolation cell, sounding utterly deafening. In accordance with the Emperor’s furious public decree, Fang Zhe was now held in the deepest block of the Imperial Dungeon. The place was profoundly dark, freezing cold, and saturated with a dense, ancient Qi-suppression formation.Going all out, they had bound Fang Zhe’s body with thousands of chains made of black meteorite iron, renowned for its absolute hardness. The chains extended from the walls, the ceiling, and the base of the black jade floor, locki

The Emperor of the Heavenly Star State was stunned, staring at Fang Zhe with a gaze that was a tumultuous mix of deep doubt and a final glimmer of hope. The name "Black Dragon Prison" was completely foreign to his ears, proving just how rotten and meticulous the Second Prince’s movements had been right under his nose all this time.However, hearing Fang Zhe’s remarkably structured and confident instructions, the old ruler finally exhaled a long breath. His stalwart shoulders now seemed to sag slightly, releasing the heavy burden that had been crushing his chest."Very well... if this is the only way to save this dynasty, I shall follow your scenario," the Emperor of the Heavenly Star State said in a heavy yet resolute tone."Tomorrow morning, I will issue an imperial decree announcing that a sudden coronation ceremony for the Second Prince will be held in three days. All officials and the military network will be focused entirely on that event."Hearing that agreement, Fang Zhe’s gold

Hearing the cold threat that pierced straight into his soul, the Second Prince’s pupils instantly dilated.At that very moment, a bitter reality struck his brain like a physical blow.‘Damn it... It’s a trap! This coronation... everything from the very beginning was planned and orchestrated by this bastard!’The Second Prince realized that the eerie silence of the inner palace and the ease with which his military faction had surrounded the front courtyard were not because his treasonous plot was flawless, but because Fang Zhe had intentionally cleared the path. He had been left to dance right in the palm of this black-robed youth's hand.However, instead of drowning in paralyzing panic, a cruel smirk slowly crept back onto the Second Prince's face. His fear evaporated, replaced by a surge of superiority stemming from the absolute trump card he still held firmly in his grasp."An extraordinary plan, Fang Zhe. You let me step this far just to drag me down from the highest point?" The Se

"Kill him! Lord Hong, Generals, what are you waiting for?! Quick, mince that arrogant bastard right now! Don't let him draw another breath!" shouted the Second Prince, his voice screeching high, dripping with an uncontrollable hysteria. The volatile mix of rage and terror made his heavily adorned face look horrific.Hearing the order, Lord Hong did not immediately leap forward. Instead, the middle-aged man let out a low chuckle—a heavy sound thick with bloodlust and overflowing confidence. He rested his blazing greatsword upon his shoulder, narrowing his eyes at Fang Zhe with utter disdain."Calm yourself, Your Highness Second Prince. This rat is already locked inside our nest; he has nowhere to run," Lord Hong said, his tone immensely calm yet echoing with grave menace throughout the hall.Lord Hong then took a heavy step forward, allowing his blood-red spiritual aura to press down on the marble floor until it cracked beneath his feet. His gaze locked directly onto Fang Zhe's golden

A few seconds later.Groooaarh!With a blast of high-tension wind, the Tiger of Soul Rending leaped forward to strike. Its sharp energy claws were ready to pulverize anything in its path, surging rapidly through the torn atmosphere of the hall.However, instead of dodging or taking that devastating attack head-on, Fang Zhe crossed two fingers in front of his chest."Shadow Body Technique!"Wuuuush! Wuuuush! Wuuuuush!Three puffs of grayish smoke exploded simultaneously from his body. Suddenly, three shadow clones fully materialized, darting out from three different angles to meet the giant tiger's charge. Each clone emitted an identical Qi fluctuation, causing the manifested monster to completely shift its focus!Craaash! Booooom!The jaws and claws of the Tiger of Soul Rending instantly mauled all three clones. A burst of energy erupted as the three shadows dissolved, absorbing the full impact of the combined technique and triggering a storm of wind and chilling air that blinded the