Rise to God with Life Skill Professions

Chapter 666 - 600: Second Prince, Plan_2

Qin An shook his head slightly and said, "I’m just a minor Forbidden Land Envoy, hardly worth mentioning in front of the two of Your Highnesses. Second Prince, why bother making such a move?"

"Heh." The Second Prince let out a cold laugh and said, "You don’t understand how brutal the royal succession struggle is. The three of us have already reached the point of the fiercest competition. Anyone the Third takes a liking to, anyone the Third values, is for this prince a chance to deepen my own foundations. That is this prince’s method."

At this point, the Second Prince paused slightly.

"Speaking of the Eldest and the Third, the two of them have dug up quite a few talents over these past years, and this prince has likewise poached no small number of talents from their hands. I truly have to thank them for allowing this prince to reap these people so easily."

Hearing this, Qin An already understood what the Second Prince meant.

He finally knew what the Second Prince’s true goal was.

After a brief moment of thought, Qin An slowly shook his head.

"Second Prince, this trip may have been for nothing."

The Second Prince frowned. "You mean you’re refusing?"

Qin An said, "Since I’ve already entered into a cooperation with the Third Prince, I currently have no intention of switching allegiance to anyone else’s banner."

He had just considered it for a moment and made this choice.

First, because the Second Prince had left him with a poor impression; second, because he had already cooperated with the Third Prince.

If he were to commit such a treacherous act now, he would end up pleasing neither side.

The Second Prince sneered. "Then what if this prince offers you three times the benefits?"

At these words, a look of certain victory appeared on the Second Prince’s face.

In his view, everything in this world could be negotiated; the only difference was the amount of profit.

Once the利益 was large enough, once it reached a certain level, so-called loyalty became worthless.

Three times the benefits—anyone he had poached before would have agreed without hesitation.

Qin An stroked his chin and suddenly said, "The Third Prince gave me a hundred Demon Profounds, plus several Cultivation Techniques. If Second Prince is willing to give three times that, the expense would be enormous."

At these words, the Second Prince’s expression changed abruptly.

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

That kind of quantity would be extremely difficult to produce even for a Prince.

The Second Prince absolutely did not believe the Third Prince would give that much.

Qin An shook his head and said, "It’s the truth. If Second Prince can produce three times that amount, I could indeed give it some thought."

Only then did the Second Prince come back to his senses. He realized that while Qin An spoke, there had been a hint of mockery in his tone, and he finally understood Qin An’s meaning.

This was a reverse mockery, ridiculing him for absolutely not being able to come up with that kind of quantity.

"If I really grit my teeth, I might be able to put it together..." The Second Prince’s gaze gradually cooled. "But are you worth that price?"

Qin An said mildly, "The Third Prince believes I am. If Second Prince believes I’m not, then I must ask Second Prince to leave this place."

"I’ve given you a chance." The Second Prince stood up. "If you don’t cherish this Crown Prince contest, once I ascend to the position of Crown Prince, you will never have a good time."

Qin An leaned back against the chair, speaking leisurely, "We’ll talk after Your Highness actually becomes Crown Prince. If Your Highness fails to become Crown Prince, I imagine the one who’ll be having a hard time will be Your Highness."

"You really aren’t afraid of death, are you." The Second Prince’s tone turned sharp. "If you refuse, then forget it. Just treat it as this prince having taken a stroll here."

As a member of the royal family, though the Second Prince acted arrogant and domineering, he was also clean and decisive in his methods.

From Qin An’s words, he could hear that Qin An truly had no interest in him.

Since that was the case, there was no need to stay.

Not long after, the Second Prince rose and left, and the place grew even quieter.

Qin An picked up the teacup on the table and shook his head slightly.

"I really hadn’t wanted to get involved in these royal succession struggles. Unfortunately, I was indeed short on resources back then. I thought it was just a simple transaction, but now it seems the spearheads are all being pointed at me."

Qin An pondered silently.

However, from the looks of it now, the Second Prince also seemed to fear the Third Prince and hadn’t pushed things too far.

The full picture would have to wait until he truly reached that height.

Right now, although Qin An possessed Tripod Aspiration Realm Great Success strength, to be frank, his reputation existed only as rumor within this Celestial Cloud Path.

The Third Prince’s regard for him could actually be seen as an investment—an investment in future possibilities.

The Second Prince, on the other hand, believed only that the Third Prince had a keen eye.

Whether it was their royal succession struggle, or the peak-level power games of the Daqian Kingdom,

in Qin An’s view, none of it was as important as improving his strength right now.

After all, for him, he had to first eliminate the dangers he currently faced.

Having thought it through, Qin An no longer hesitated and headed toward the nearest slaughterhouse.

His proficiency still had a long way to go; he needed to continue cultivating, striving to raise both Butcher and Blacksmith to level twenty-two as soon as possible, then push his Blade Skill and Fist Skill to Tripod Aspiration Realm Great Success.

Only then could he make up for his shortcomings in Cultivation Techniques.

...

Time flowed on. In the blink of an eye, several more months passed.

During this time, the Celestial Cloud Path sank into a strange calm.

Whether those of the Evil Extermination Bureau or the various martial world forces, all believed that the Celestial Cloud Path was now calm and tranquil.

Yet at this very moment, in the Ten Thousand Poison Cloud Peak far, far from the Celestial Cloud Path—

Leng Qing sat upon the throne, resting the back of her hand against her chin, lost in thought.

Below her was a large group of Defenders from Ten Thousand Poison Cloud Peak.

These Defenders bent slightly at the waist, looking extremely respectful, not daring to meet Leng Qing’s gaze.

After a long time, Leng Qing slowly opened her eyes, a complex, unreadable emotion flashing within them.

"I didn’t expect Qin An to be exposed so soon. Now those traitors can’t wait to kill him. If Qin An truly faces attacks from three Forbidden Areas, even if I go to help him, I fear I won’t be able to turn the tide."

Just a few days ago, Leng Qing had paid a great price to contact several large Forbidden Areas among the Defenders. After discussing with the leaders of those large Forbidden Areas, and again paying a tremendous price, she finally figured out what exactly the Celestial Demon Envoy’s side had done.

But once they understood the cause, they all felt a sense of powerlessness.

A Defender below slowly rose and said, "Now that Qin An is both a Savior and a Forbidden Land Envoy, it’s very likely he’ll receive another mission as Forbidden Land Envoy and head to a certain Forbidden Area."

"If the Forbidden Area he goes to is one controlled by the traitors, he will face a siege by Defectors from four Forbidden Areas at once."

"If he goes to a Defender’s Forbidden Area, then even with the current Forbidden Area’s Defenders helping him, he still can’t stand against Defectors from three Forbidden Areas. This is a dead end."

Many Defenders nodded and said, "Calling it a death game is putting it lightly. It’s a situation of certain death with no life left, utterly impossible to overturn."

Leng Qing fell into deep thought.

At this moment, the space was as silent as death.

Everyone was waiting for Leng Qing’s answer.

After a while, Leng Qing finally slowly lifted her head.

The poisons swirling around her body encircled her as though guarding their sovereign.

Leng Qing straightened her back and said slowly, "A long time ago, we Defenders once had a major plan. Now it is time to put that plan into action."

At these words, everyone present showed looks of shock.

One of them spoke up, "If we activate that plan, the price will be enormous, and it might not succeed. If it fails, those traitors will have no one to restrain them, and this world will be plunged into carnage."

Leng Qing could no longer afford to worry about that. Solemnly, she said, "In a time of crisis, we must be decisive. Besides, we still have Qin An."

"We’ve already made our decision. From now on, all of you must start moving, and I will contact Qin An at once."