Austin felt kindly disposed towards Theon, as the latter had taken sides with him and even stood up
against the Flaming Sun Valley, Peripatetic Sect, Bloody Hero Gang, and Blood Wolf Team. As a result,
Austin showed him great respect.
"Okay," said Denali.
She bade Austin goodbye and returned to Theon.
Austin sauntered forward, about to leave the square.
Dewey, Maria, Iris, and Anna didn't follow after Austin; their families were here, and they wanted to
spend more time with them.
"Austin, I didn't expect you to return safe and sound. You are indeed much more powerful than before.
Congratulations!"
As Austin reached the edge of the square, a group of people approached him.
The head of them was Prince Reuben.
Since the young cultivators' return from the Mysterious Nether World, the ten princes had immediately
instructed their men to make contact with those cultivators working for them.
After all, whether or not these cultivators had found the soul-recovering fruit was the ten princes'
foremost concern.
The ten princes had then asked each of the cultivators about the soul-recovering fruit one after another,
but to their disappointment, no one had retrieved any soul-recovering fruit.
The grand prince had been full of bright hope at the very beginning. He had eagerly asked the
cultivators working for him about the soul-recovering fruit one after another, including Graham, Bruce
and their men. But their answers proved so disappointing.
Eventually, all the princes became disappointed as they deduced that none of the cultivators had
brought back any soul-recovering fruit from the Mysterious Nether World.
Although Graham and Bruce was at the Sky Realm, and was the strongest among the cultivators, they
had failed too. The ten princes didn't believe that the rest of the cultivators could have claimed the soul-
recovering fruit.
Now that it seemed that no one had successfully brought back the soul-recovering fruit, the competition
between the ten princes had drawn to a stalemate. They would have to battle each other in another
way next time.
The grand prince had thought for sure that he would win. He had even begun imagining that he would
become the crown prince and perhaps even the next emperor of the Violet Orchid Empire.
However, this result was a slap in his face. He was now boiling over with rage.
The other nine princes were not as deeply disappointed by the result. They were even discreetly glad
that no one had returned with the soul-recovering fruit.
After all, they had mentally prepared for the event that the cultivators of the grand prince would return
from the Mysterious Nether World bearing the soul-recovering fruit.
And now, the reality exceeded all their negative expectations and they were overjoyed.
"Prince Reuben, you are flattering me," Austin said coolly as he looked around to see all the princes
standing at the edge of the square with their guards.
Austin immediately realized why they had all remained here and waited so expectantly—they were
looking for the soul-recovering fruit.
When the grand prince had told Prince Reuben that he had asked Bruce and Graham to kill Austin,
Prince Reuben had thought Austin was likely doomed. But to his intense surprise, Austin had returned
safe and sound. What was more, he was much stronger than before—he defeated the Blood Wolf
Ancestor with only one move.
Prince Reuben was stunned into disbelief at first, and then he was thrilled. Austin worked for him, and
Austin's performance proved that he hadn't bet on the wrong horse.
"Man, you told me Austin would be killed in the Mysterious Nether World. But now you're doomed to
disappointment.
Austin is here, safe and sound.
Haw-haw! You know what? One shouldn't speak in absolute terms; otherwise, he will likely be slapped
in the face by what he has said," Prince Reuben said to the grand prince. He clapped Austin's shoulder
happily and gave him a broad smile.
"Dude, don't say it like that. You know our eldest brother is always such a confident man.
He just clapped his chest and boasted that he was going to win.
But we'd better stop talking right now. Otherwise, he will be pissed off.
Look! His face is already as dark as ink. Hah!"
taunted another prince, who was on bad terms with the grand prince too.
"Austin! I didn't expect you to return alive.
You've played quite a few tricks.
But don't celebrate so soon for you won't be so lucky next time!" roared the grand prince.
Upon hearing the mean words from his two brothers, he was unable to restrain his anger any longer.
"Really?"
Austin turned to look at the grand prince. There was murder in his dark eyes.
'Seems like he's planning to get rid of me. The best defense is an effective offense. I'll have to wipe him
out first!' Austin made up his mind.
"Austin, do you really think that I'm at the end of my resources? You think you are somebody, huh?
Just wait and see.
As long as I'm enthroned, I will hunt you with all of the imperial resources.
Humph! The Blood Wolf Team's power can't hold a candle to imperial power. It'll be a piece of cake to
kill you," the grand prince said arrogantly as if the throne was ripe for picking.
Austin was equally enraged by him.
He was no longer even afraid of Emperor Arthur, let alone the grand prince. If the grand prince wanted
to kill him, Austin would just unleash the evil ape. Austin believed that he could eliminate the whole
imperial family with the help of the evil ape.
"Damn! Man, are you that sure you will be the next emperor, huh?
You act like you don't have nine other brothers," Prince Reuben retorted before Austin could say
something.
"Hah! I have to admit that this time, the competition didn't go as I expected. Bruce and Graham failed to
retrieve the soul-recovering fruit from the Mysterious Nether World.
But soon, our father will hold yet another competition to decide who will be the crown prince.
I believe that with my resources and connections, none of you can seize the position from me.
You know what? I've also won half of the dukes and high ministers over to my side.
Brothers, I hope you all have a clear estimation of yourselves. You can't take me on. So stop fighting
against me.
If you surrender to me now, I will spare your lives. If you don't, then I'm sorry, but I won't spare any of
you once I become the emperor," the grand prince threatened in an arrogant tone.
Upon hearing that, Austin flashed a scornful smile.
"Ahem! Your Highness, I forgot to tell you something," Austin said to Prince Reuben.
"I picked three fruits while I was in the Mysterious Nether World. They sort of look like the soul-
recovering fruits. Your Highness, would you please check if they are soul-recovering fruits?"
He stretched out his hand, on which rested three black and white fruits with a strong fruity flavor.
All the princes turned to look at the fruits on Austin's hand. They stood transfixed as if they were frozen.
Their eyes widened, and their mouths gaped.
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