The oppressive feelings that came from the palace was not one to be ignored lightly. However, Lin Xiao still tread forward and looked around curiously. It was unclear whether he was ignorant or stupid.

By the time he arrived before the hall, a man stopped him.

"We need to announce your arrival first, Your Highness."

"Oh?"

"That's the rules." Fan Ling shrugged. She naturally knew about these so called rules but she never cared too much about it. In her opinion, it was simply there for regulation, though she still normally followed those regulations.

Lin Xiao nodded and allowed the man to announce his arrival. 

"His Highness, Prince Lin Xiao had arrived!"

The moment the words were said, several pairs of eyes turned in their direction. Lin Xiao could sense that they were all looking towards him as if they wanted to take a piece out of his body.

The feelings… were not completely pleasant.

However, Lin Xiao pushed down whatever kind of feelings he had and stepped forward. His eyes were looking at the man who sat on the throne curiously.

Just what kind of place was this to make so many people were willing to spill blood of so many people? Looking at the majestic hall, Lin Xiao could see that it was a really good place.

Not to mention…

The rich Qi in the hall could easily make one feel comfortable. But it was impossible for such rich Qi to gather in one place without using some kind of means.

'Lin Hu, is it Dragon Words?'

'As if! They're all too low in levels to use dragon words!' Lin Hu berated Lin Xiao in annoyance. 'They're only using common Qi gathering array to make sure that the Qi can squeeze here. Hmm, it's really poor.'

Lin Xiao was speechless. He was sure that a lot of people would want to train here and yet Lin Hu was saying that this was bad. But upon thinking about his own lake, he knew why Lin Hu said it.

It was simply because there was indeed sharp contrast between this Qi gathering array with the one Lin Xiao made. Even though Lin Xiao was only using few dragon words, the result was already unexpectedly good.

On the other hand… this array was constructed by countless forms of engravings on the wall.

'Knell on the ground,' Prince Lin Yan sent voice transmission.

Lin Xiao had noticed Prince Lin Yan stood amongst the official but he didn't move forward to greet the other party because he didn't think that it would be necessary. The moment he received the reminder, Lin Xiao stopped and kneeled in accordance to custom.

"Prince Lin Xiao greets His Majesty."

The current Emperor could be considered as his uncle, so it was not that weird for him to greet the other party politely.

Fan Ling, Lin Yun, Princess Lan Yi Hua, and also Lu Jian also kneeled in succession. "Fan Ling/ Lin Yun/ Lan Yi Hua/ Lu Jian, greets His Majesty."

The Emperor waved his hand. He didn't look much different from many other middle aged man aside from the fact that he had some kind of oppressive power around him. As he looked at the group below, his eyes landed on Lin Xiao.

There was slight confusion.

If he was not wrong, Lin Yun's twin was someone who had high Dragon Power inside his body. As the Emperor, he had a treasure that could help him to see through the dragon power inside someone.

But…

The dragon power within Lin Xiao was only slightly better than most princes. It couldn't be compared to many others.

'Was it decreasing during the time he's away from the Capital City?'

The Emperor naturally didn't know the reason, and he had no intention of pestering Lin Xiao about this. "I have heard about you from your older brother, now that I look at you, you don't look bad at all."

Lin Xiao had a blank expression.

Ehm, what should he said?

Prince Lin Yan naturally saw Lin Xiao's dilemma and couldn't help but send another voice transmission. The other officials naturally saw him helping the young brat but they turned blind eyes to it. Not a single one of them didn't know of Lin Xiao's previously poor background.

"Thank you for your kind words, Your Majesty," Lin Xiao replied politely. 

The Emperor looked at Lin Xiao up and down. He then glanced at Princess Lan Yi Hua for a moment but his gaze didn't linger long. It was impolite to look at a woman's body, especially if that woman belonged to someone else.

Princess Lan Yi Hua naturally noticed the Emperor's gaze but he didn't speak to her. Her lips curled up slightly to form a mocking smile as she could guess that even if it was a matter related to her, he would not bother to speak to her. 

He tapped the armrest while his eyes didn't leave Lin Xiao in the slightest bit. "Do you have any request, Prince Lin Xiao."

"Replying to Your Majesty, this prince is satisfied with the arrangement." Lin Xiao's words were in accordance to the tradition. However, his heart was actually complaining. Why in the world did he have to use so many polite words, ah?

It was so…

Ugh.

Lin Hu merely snorted and laughed inside Lin Xiao's head. He was having fun watching Lin Xiao was forced to restrain his speech. 

The Emperor nodded. "Now that you're here. Will you try to open Dragon Pavilion Hall?"

Here we go.

Almost everyone wanted to look at Lin Xiao direction in order to hear his answer. It was a question that many people had long wanted to know. If Lin Xiao could open the door, it meant that there would be another person who could possibly get the throne.

The battle for the throne would be fiercer.

Not that the Emperor would let them run amok, though. The position that they would be given if they won the battle would be the crown prince.

They had to wait until his death first. 

And he had no intention of dying fast. 

Lin Xiao raised his head to look at the Emperor before he gave his answer.