While Lin Mu and his companions were fighting in the Spatial Plane, another set of events was happening in the Capital city.
In one of the palaces of the capital, a regal looking man was sitting in a wide open balcony.
Crafted from marble adorned with intricate carvings, the balcony exuded an air of regality and elegance. Its edges were adorned with delicate gold filigree, glinting under the sun's warm rays.
A sweeping staircase led to the balcony, flanked by sculpted stone statues depicting mythical creatures and legendary heroes of the Dao wind empire. A myriad of potted plants and vibrant floral arrangements graced the edges, adding a touch of natural beauty to the already mesmerizing surroundings.
The Balcony was merely one part though, as it further extended into a wide room that might as well be the royal court of a kingdom. It was decorated accordingly with gold and gemstones everywhere.
Such opulence was rare to be seen and even an in immortal would only a few would be able to afford it.
"Crown Prince," A Woman's voice trailed over the air, reaching the airs of the regal looking man.
"Yes, princess?" The man turned to look at the woman dressed in fiery red robes that were laced with green silk.
"You've been silent for a while. Is something on your mind?" Crown Princess Shang asked.
"Hmm… I guess you can say I do have several things." Crown Prince Feng Shun replied.
"Such as?" Crown Princess Shang asked.
"Well, the Tournament would be the first thing I supposed." Crown Prince Feng Shun said lazily.
He lightly waved his hand, causing a cup of wine to fly out toward him.
"Are you thinking about your third brother?" A man dressed in Daoist clothes asked.
"No…" The crown prince shook his head. "Do you remember our new friend, Daoist Chu?" he asked instead.
"Our new friend? Do you mean Daoist Mu Lin?" Daoist Chu replied.
"Indeed. Who other than him?" Crown Prince said with a smile.
"Are you wondering if he'll be able to finish the task you've given to him?" Crown Princess Shang asked, taking a sip of some wine as well.
"Amitabha, with Daoist Mu Lin's capabilities I don't think there is much to doubt. Just what we witnessed at the banquet is enough for me to tell he stands far above the others." The monk sitting next to them also spoke, though his eyes stayed closed.
In his hand, a set of prayer beads were being held. He was slowly fingering each bead as if chanting with them.
"Monk Hushu is correct as well." Crown Prince Feng Shun replied. "For someone who can cultivate the Tyrant Bull Marrow Secrets to that level, I don't have doubt in his capabilities. But… there are other things that might change that." He added.
"Like what?" Princess Shang asked.
"I heard there are some unexpected participants this time. The people they fought against have had to inexplicably withdraw from the tournament too." The Crown Prince replied.
"The people of the Black Fin Island… yes. I did hear about them joining this time too." Princess Shang's expression darkened.
"Aren't those people reclusive and do not live their territory after their past actions were pardoned?" Daoist Chu seemed to have recalled something.
"Being the assassin squad of the Holy Topaz Dynasty does result in that. While they were said to have stopped that work, it seems like someone has brought them out of retirement." The Crown Prince stated, his expression hidden from the sights of others as he gazed out into the distance.
"If it is from the Holy Topaz Dynasty, then there aren't many people that can command them." Daoist Chu said furrowing his brows.
"Other than one… Yao Changying." Princess Shang said with a cold look.
Her tone was sharp and it looked like she wanted nothing more than to snuff the said person out.
"Does the Crown Prince think Yao Changying might have asked the people of the Black Fin Island to interfere in the tournament?" Monk Hushu inquire.
"Might? More like must." Princess Shang replied. "If it is her, she can definitely do it. The Holy Topaz Emperor apparently might favor her too." She added.
"Would that be enough to grant her the authority to command the Black Fin Island's members? Won't that cause issues with the other empires?" Daoist Chu questioned, finding it risky.
"That is what's surprising to me." The Crown Prince answered. "The Holy Topaz Empire is not in a state to do something like this especially when their own land is facing trouble.
First the Demon and the disappearance of the Violet Mystic Life Tree, and then the missing eleventh prince who was said to have turned into a prodigy."
"Hmm… it is indeed strange. Is it possible that Yao Changying is doing this on her own?" Daoist Chu wondered. "Without the Holy Topaz Emperor knowing, perhaps?"
"If its that bitch, she'll be willing to do anything. She's already conned one empire and world, she may as well do the same to her own too." Crown Princess Shang scoffed.
It was clear that the mere mention of Yao Changying was enough to agitate her. It spoke at great length about how much she was bothered and infuriated by the actions of Yao Changying.
"That might be true, but the question still stands what does she gain from it?" Monk Hushu got the crux of the issue.
"What else, she probably just wants to weaken the competition." Crown Princess Shang stated.
"If we think about it, all of us know that she is already strong enough to reach the top three." The Crown Prince spoke again this time his tone a bit calm. "So that might not be it."
"What about the people who had to forfeit? What are their conditions like now?" Daoist Chu asked.
"Let me check." Crown Princess Shang said before sending out a message through a jade slip.
The response was received in just five minutes, as if a report had already been prepared for them in advance and was waiting for their inquiry.
Princess Shang quickly read through it and frowned.
"The ones who had to withdraw have been having unusual issues with their cultivation base. Some are unable to gather Qi correctly, while some are just sick." She informed.
"Hmm… so it was not fatal," Monk Hushu fiddled with his fingers. "Just weakening the competition won't do much."
"That does make sense… even if she didn't get the members of the Black Fin Island to interfere, it would still be the same result. The weaker people would have lost anyways." Daoist Chu agreed.
"All of you are right, but what if Yao Changying's goal isn't the Tournament… What if it's something else that we aren't able to see right now?" Crown Prince Feng Shun expressed his concern.
"There's no saying what that nefarious bitch will do. She might just be doing this for fun too." Princess Shang said.
"Whatever it might be, we should keep an eye on it." Daoist Chu stated. "Especially before the 'expedition'. If this turns into something bigger, it might throw a wrench in our plans." He added in a serious tone.
"Daoist Chu is right… It seems like I should get out of relaxing and get to more serious tasks now." The Crown Prince stated as his expression changed.
He finished the wine in his cup before taking out his personal jade slip. A message was sent through it, its contents unknown.
But then a few seconds later, several figures appeared inside the hall. All of them were dressed in dark green robes that almost bordered on black. Their faces were covered as well and even their eyes couldn't be seen, a thin layer of veil covering them.
"You summoned us Crown Prince?" one of the figures in the lead spoke.
"Look into these people from the Black Fin Island as well as the actions of Yao Changying. Report to us anything that they do and keep an eye on the people affected by the Black Fin Island members.
Report to me whenever you find something." The Crown Prince ordered.
"As you command, Crown Prince." The person in the lead replied.
One of the persons in the back seemed to mutter something though, making the leader notice it.
"I think we have something already, Crown Prince." The leader stated.
"Speak." Crown Prince replied.
"Our team has reported that the Black Fin Island members who have lost the tournament are still in the Capital City. Though their actions have been rather suspicious.
Some of the watchers reported them wandering the city but never interacting with others.
Additionally, there have been reports of a few citizens getting strangely sick. We suspect that the coalition of these citizens and the paths that the Black Fin Island members took match." The leader explained.
Hearing this the Princess and Daoist Chu were surprised.
"See, I told you she's planning something bigger." Crown Princess Shang stated.
"Very well… Capture and bring these people. We'll see what they are doing." The Crown Prince ordered.
