C7 The Calmness of the Empress!

Emperor Lee and his courtiers were assembled, with Wu Zhi among them. The Spiritual Energy in the vicinity surged wildly into Wu Zhi's body, leaving the onlookers utterly astonished. Some of the less powerful individuals even felt the spiritual energy within them being drawn out, as if it were escaping their bodies. Even Emperor Lee, a man of vast experience and knowledge, had a look of shock in his eyes.

"This creature's talent is truly frightening!" he exclaimed.

"In my decades of experience, I've never encountered a mutated beast with such incredible talent!"

"What in the world kind of mutated beast is this?!" The shock was palpable.

Even Emperor Lee's aged eyes sparkled with a hint of excitement. "With this beast, the royal family's resurgence is within reach!" His statement made everyone present gasp.

The royal family's revival was at stake, and Emperor Lee's high regard for the beast only intensified the crowd's fervor. Many were red-eyed with anticipation, understanding the implications: possession of this beast could catapult someone to great heights.

Prime Minister Cao stepped forward, bowing to Emperor Lee, his voice filled with excitement. "The appearance of such a mutated beast in our dynasty is a divine blessing! Our young generation is brimming with talent. Let this beast be a prize, challenging our heroes to vie for it based on their merit. After all, only the most exceptional among the youth deserve such a magnificent creature!"

His words, however, were met with sneers from some in the crowd. They knew all too well that Prime Minister Cao's son-in-law was considered the strongest among the Li Dynasty's younger generation. The talk of distributing the beast to the worthiest was nothing more than a farce, a ploy to benefit his own family. Yet, no one could openly challenge his proposition, as it seemed fair on the surface.

Amidst the murmurs, Prince Ann spoke up. "If you ask me, such a divine entity should not be entrusted to just anyone. It must remain under royal control to ensure the public's peace of mind."

As soon as he spoke, heads nodded in agreement around the room. Prime Minister Cao's expression, however, turned sour. The implication of those words directly challenged the likelihood of his son-in-law owning such a creature!

Moreover, Prince Ann, who was on good terms with the Seventh Prince—the most skilled cultivator among the royals—had a clear agenda with his statement.

Shortly after their exchange, others chimed in with their own suggestions. Yet, beneath the surface, each harbored their own cunning plans. The value of the mutated beast was beyond their wildest dreams, and whoever claimed it was sure to rise to unprecedented heights.

Amidst the heated debate among the court's elite, a figure stepped forward, making a beeline for Wu Zhi. It was none other than Zhuang Banxue! She positioned herself in front of Wu Zhi, who was fervently absorbing the Spiritual Energy around him, and swept a cold gaze over the assembly of power brokers.

"Excuse me, everyone," she said with an icy edge. "This panda is my spirit beast, Zhuang Banxue's. It will not accept another master."

Her declaration left the crowd momentarily dumbfounded, but their confusion quickly gave way to laughter. Prime Minister Cao, in particular, chuckled and shook his head, saying, "Childish talk, just childish talk."

His words seemed affectionate, as if an elder were indulging a younger relative, but his eyes betrayed a profound contempt. Indeed, disdain was the shared sentiment among those present. In this empire, only the strong commanded respect.

Despite her status as the Seventeenth Princess, Zhuang Banxue's noble title could not mask her reality. She was someone who, after three years, had yet to achieve Foundation Establishment—a failure in their eyes.

Prime Minister Cao showed some restraint, but Prince Ann was brazen. He scoffed and barked, "Ridiculous! How could a cultivator as inept as you lay claim to such a spirit beast? You must understand that only the worthy should possess it!"

Prince Ann's words were blunt and unfiltered, showing no deference even in the presence of Zhuang Banxue's father, his own brother, Emperor Lee.

This wasn't a display of arrogance.

Rather, he understood his elder brother, Emperor Lee, all too well.

Emperor Lee was a formidable figure who staunchly believed in the absolute supremacy of the royal family and that their interests outweighed all else!

He would certainly not consent to a mutated beast falling into the hands of the worthless Seventeenth Princess Zhuang Banxue.

Sure enough.

As Prince Ann spoke, not a flicker of emotion crossed Emperor Lee's face.

It was as though he had implicitly affirmed Prince Ann's statement.

This only emboldened Prince Ann further.

He shot Zhuang Banxue a furious glare before taking a step forward.

It was merely a single step, yet the aura emanating from Prince Ann swelled dramatically!

It was as if a towering presence had burst forth from him!

With such a commanding aura, it wasn't just Zhuang Banxue who was affected; many of the courtiers nearby couldn't help but feel their hearts race!

Some of the lower-level cultivators felt their minds reel and their knees nearly buckle, instinctively moving to kneel!

However...

Against all expectations...

At the heart of Prince Ann's overwhelming presence.

Zhuang Banxue showed no signs of stepping back or falling!

Her expression remained as frosty as ever, coldly observing Prince Ann without a trace of fear!

This was the aura of the Empress Zhuang Banxue from her past life!

Even after reincarnation had scattered her cultivation.

Her disdain for the world and her domineering spirit...

Still remained!

"What?!"

Prince Ann was taken aback.

He couldn't fathom how the Seventeenth Princess, who hadn't managed to achieve Foundation Establishment in three years, could remain so composed under his pressure!

It wasn't just him; the surrounding officials also wore expressions of astonishment.

They had firsthand knowledge of Prince Ann's formidable presence.

Even they felt it was like an overwhelming tidal wave, immensely terrifying.

And Zhuang Banxue, whom they deemed worthless!

Yet...

There she stood, before Prince Ann, her demeanor unflustered.

She had accomplished what they all deemed impossible!

Even Emperor Lee, who had yet to take a stand, abruptly looked up at that moment.

A sharp gleam flashed in his eyes!

"Excellent!"

"Excellent!"

"Excellent!"

Emperor Lee exclaimed three times in succession!

It was just a trio of simple words.

Yet, when the courtiers around him heard it, they were taken aback!

As the foremost unparalleled expert of the current dynasty, there were very few individuals Emperor Lee held in high regard.

Extremely few!

Even the Seventh Prince, who was highly esteemed by Prince Ann for having the highest level of cultivation among all the princes and princesses, had received nothing more than a "passable" from Emperor Lee.

And the strongest of the Li Dynasty's younger generation, wholeheartedly endorsed by Prime Minister Cao, had only managed to elicit a "not bad" from Emperor Lee!

But now, Zhuang Banxue, once deemed worthless, had received such high praise!!!

While everyone was still processing this surprise.

Zhuang Banxue made her move.

Despite the overwhelming pressure, she walked with an air of ease towards Prince Ann...

Taking a deliberate step forward!