Seven or eight minutes later, Elder Archie led three people into the backyard.
In the center was a man dressed in golden robes and wearing a golden crown-it was the Emperor of the Martial Dynasty. Compared to before, the Emperor’s face was paler, and he no longer had the commanding presence he once did.
The Crown Prince, with Prince Caspian’s help, had usurped the throne and deposed the Emperor. Now, the Emperor’s dantian was destroyed, leaving him without spiritual power, a mere mortal.
To the Emperor’s left stood a young man in silver robes with a white jade belt-Prince Caius of the Martial Dynasty. On the right was a slender girl in a snow-colored dress. Her eyes were clear and bright, her face fair as snow, with a gentle demeanor that evoked sympathy.
The girl was not unfamiliar to Leo; she was Princess Lyra.
“Lord Leo, I come uninvited, please do not take offense,” the Emperor said, cupping his hands as he approached Leo.
The Martial Dynasty Emperor was very humble in his demeanor.
“Your Majesty’s visit brings honor to Lord’s Manor,” Leo replied with a smile.
Leo had a good impression of the Martial Dynasty Emperor.
“Greetings, Lord Leo!” Salvador and Princess Lyra, with a gentle and shy expression on her face, both saluted Leo.
“Prince Caius and Princess Lyra, there’s no need for such formality,” Leo said with a smile.
“Thank you, Lord Leo, for eliminating Prince Caspian and that unfilial son. I am deeply grateful,” the Emperor said with gratitude.
Leo replied, “Your Majesty is too kind. Those two attacked Clearwind Town; it was my duty to eliminate them.”
“In any case, thanks to Lord Leo, I can see the light of day again,” the Emperor said, then turned his gaze to Prince Caius beside him.
Understanding the cue, Prince Caius took out a Storage Sack from his robe and presented it to Leo with both hands.
“Lord Leo, this is a token of my appreciation. Please do not refuse,” the Martial Dynasty Emperor said.
Leo accepted the Storage Sack from Prince Caius and scanned it with his spiritual sense, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
Inside the Storage Sack were two hundred quasi-seventh-grade treasure herbs, dozens of seventh-grade treasure herbs, many rare minerals, over a hundred top-grade spiritual weapons and supreme spiritual weapons, and numerous ancient secret manuals.
“Your Majesty, there seems to be quite a lot inside,” Leo remarked.
“Prince Caspian committed treason. After Lord Leo eliminated him, I ordered his residence to be confiscated.”
“Most of these treasures were found in Prince Caspian’s residence; others I took from the royal treasury.”
“These items are my heartfelt gift. I hope Lord Leo will not refuse; otherwise, I will not be at ease.”
The Martial Dynasty Emperor spoke earnestly.
From his words, Leo discerned some underlying meaning. Not being one to stand on ceremony, he said, “In that case, I will accept them gratefully.”
Currently, the Seven Stars Sect was in a period of rapid development. The contents of the Storage Sack were equivalent to the foundation of an entire sect and were like a pillow offered to someone in need of sleep for Leo.
Seeing Leo accept it, the Emperor seemed relieved and continued, “Lord Leo, I can no longer cultivate. I wish for Prince Caius to inherit the throne. What do you think?”
Hearing this, Leo felt a stir in his heart.
Holden, Jennifer, and others nearby also had flickers of light in their eyes.
Matters of succession were typically decided without consulting others. The fact that the Martial Dynasty Emperor sought Leo’s opinion spoke volumes.
In today’s Martial Dynasty, the original top forces-the Everlasting Trade Association, Runecarver Sect, and Yin Shadow Gate-had been eradicated, and Diamond Fortress severely damaged.
It could be said that across the entire Martial Dynasty, no force was stronger than Clearwind Town’s Lord’s Manor.
It was no exaggeration to say that if Leo wished it, he could change the royal family of the Martial Dynasty with just a word.
This was why the Martial Dynasty Emperor personally came with generous gifts and sought Leo’s opinion on succession.
Leo looked at Prince Caius, who returned his gaze with apprehension.
“Prince Caius is indeed the best candidate for succession,” Leo said with a smile.
“Thank you for your approval, Lord Leo. In the future, your matters will be those of the royal family,” Prince Caius said joyfully, bowing respectfully to Leo.
“I also thank Lord Leo for your recognition,” the Martial Dynasty Emperor said with a slight sigh of relief, cupping his hands toward Leo.
Leo merely nodded slightly.
“Lord Leo, I have one more request,” the Martial Dynasty Emperor said solemnly after some contemplation.
“Please speak, Your Majesty.”
“My youngest daughter, Lyra-would Lord Leo consider taking her as a disciple?” The Emperor glanced at Princess Lyra and addressed Leo.
Hearing this request surprised Leo; he hadn’t expected such a proposal from the Martial Dynasty Emperor.
However, upon reflection, he understood that the Emperor wished to establish a connection with him.
Leo turned his gaze to Princess Lyra. After a moment’s thought, he addressed her tense yet hopeful expression: “Princess Lyra is talented and has great potential for future achievements. However, I have important matters to attend to in the future and may not be able to teach Princess Lyra.”
“I see…” The Emperor’s expression darkened immediately.
A hint of disappointment flashed across Princess Lyra’s delicate face as she respectfully bowed to Leo: “Lord Leo need not trouble himself; it is my misfortune. My life was saved by Lord Leo, and I will always be grateful.”
Seeing Princess Lyra’s obedient and understanding demeanor made Leo feel reluctant. After some thought, he smiled and said: “Although I don’t have much time to teach Princess Lyra directly, if she’s willing, I can take her as an honorary disciple and offer guidance when needed.”
These words brightened both the Emperor’s and Princess Lyra’s eyes immediately.
An honorary disciple might not hold as much status as a direct disciple but still established some connection.
With the decline of the Martial Dynasty royal family and their most loyal guards-the Golden Lion Guard-nearly wiped out, having this connection meant other families and forces within the Martial Dynasty would have to think twice before acting against them.
“Lyra is willing to become an honorary disciple under Lord Leo,” Princess Lyra said joyfully with a slight blush on her cheeks.
After speaking, she knelt before Leo with grace and performed a formal disciple ceremony. “Lyra greets Master!”
“Rise,” Leo gestured with an open hand.
He accepted Princess Lyra as an honorary disciple because she was kind-hearted and intelligent-a promising candidate for spiritual cultivation-and also to reassure the Martial Dynasty Emperor.
Subsequently, Leo introduced Violet, Holden, and others to both the Martial Dynasty Emperor and Princess Lyra.
After introductions were complete, Leo considered asking about sect location selection-perhaps consulting with the Martial Dynasty Emperor would be beneficial.
“I intend to establish a sect within the Martial Dynasty territory. Now I need to find an ideal location rich in spiritual energy for its headquarters. Does Your Majesty know where within the Martial Dynasty has such abundant spiritual energy?” Leo asked directly.