Imperial Scepter

Gao Chun was very efficient; he summoned the three people in just the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

Gao Chengzhi, Gao Chengzhi's nephew, Li Daoqiu, Li Daoqiu, and Wang Hu gathered in the center of the training ground.

With his hands behind his back, his posture was as upright as a pine tree, exuding youthful vigor.

"The four of us will form a team and go to the Southern Wilderness Forest for training!"

Gao Chun's voice was firm and resolute, his gaze sweeping over the three of them with an unwavering determination.

The other three were all stunned at first, and then reacted in different ways.

Gao Chengzhi's eyelids drooped suddenly, his lips pursed, and he thought to himself: Go to the Southern Wilderness Forest? Are they crazy?!

With food to eat at home, the opportunity to cultivate oneself, and plenty of free time to read stories, isn't this kind of life wonderful?

This uncle must have lost his mind; why would he choose to suffer when he could have a good life?

He slightly raised his head, a hint of nonchalant laziness on his face, and was the first to lazily object: "No way! I need to cultivate, I don't have time!"

Li Daoqiu stood calmly to the side, arms crossed.

He actually longed to experience the Southern Wilderness Forest, but he knew all too well how dangerous it was. With only his own three-star Bronze Realm cultivation and the strength of the people in front of him, it would be too risky to go there rashly.

However, he did not object, wanting to hear what Gao Chun had to say next.

Wang Hu's eyes blazed with fighting spirit, and his face carried a hint of innate pride.

He was very interested in his experiences in the Southern Wilderness Forest.

He's fourteen this year, and will be an adult in two more years. It's the age when he needs to be tempered and refined.

However, he did not rush to express his opinion, but stood silently to the side and observed the situation.

When he saw his nephew being the first to stand up and openly contradict him, Gao Chun's smile vanished instantly.

His eyes narrowed, like a sudden flash of cold stars, and his hands clenched into fists, his knuckles turning white and cracking, as he said in a deep voice, "Gao Chengzhi, this is none of your business!"

He stepped forward, exuding an aura of power, his clothes fluttering even without wind.

"On a small scale, I am your uncle, and you have no choice but to obey when your elders speak; on a larger scale, in the world of the mystical, might makes right."

Before he finished speaking, Gao Chun suddenly unleashed a dense, light red Xuan power.

The oppressive aura of the three-star bronze realm spread out like a tide.

The bluestone bricks underfoot were shaken open, creating fine cracks, and a little dust rose up.

The other three were utterly stunned by this sudden burst of cultivation, and were instantly dumbfounded.

His pupils suddenly contracted, almost shrinking to the size of pinpoints.

One by one, they involuntarily opened their mouths wide, their jaws seemingly about to dislocate.

His eyes were filled with undisguised disbelief as he stared intently at Gao Chun, as if he were seeing him for the first time.

Gao Chun's Dao Seed was born only three years ago, and in just over three years, he has advanced to the Bronze Realm Three-Star?

How can his cultivation speed be so fast?

Seeing the three people's surprised expressions, Gao Chun couldn't help but curl a smug smile into his lips.

Hmph, I'm going to give you all a big surprise!

This is merely a display of my three-star cultivation level. If you knew I had already reached the four-star Bronze Realm...

I wonder what your reaction will be.

Hmph, I am a super genius with a unique five-colored Dao Seed!

Having achieved his goal, he immediately suppressed his smile, straightened his face again, and adopted the demeanor of a little adult.

"We cultivators should speak with strength, and the weak should submit to the strong."

"Now the four of us will team up to train in the Southern Wilderness Forest, and I will be the captain."

"Who agrees and who disagrees?"

The three were still reeling from the shock of Gao Chun's advancement to the three-star Bronze Realm, unable to recover for a long time.

Gao Chengzhi was no exception, looking at Gao Chun with a shocked expression.

He knew that he and his uncle Gao Chun were both Four-Colored Dao Seeds.

However, he was born with a Dao Seed when he was just over five years old, and it took him five years of arduous cultivation to reach the third level of the Bronze Realm.

My uncle Gao Chun achieved this in just over three years. How did he do it?

The thought flashed through his mind, but he quickly dismissed it.

Why worry about all that? You might as well just enjoy reading the storybook.

Moreover, he was actually quite happy that his uncle had caught up with his cultivation level.

From now on, I'll have my uncle to protect me.

He even secretly hoped that his uncle's cultivation level could be higher.

That way, I could rightfully ask my uncle for the storybook as a gift.

It is perfectly natural for younger people to ask their elders for gifts.

Thinking of this, Gao Chengzhi couldn't help but secretly chuckle.

Li Daoqiu's eyes froze instantly, and his pupils contracted sharply.

He stared intently at the aura of profound energy surrounding Gao Chun, his fingers unconsciously clenching the hem of his clothes.

As his childhood friend, he knew Gao Chun's background all too well.

Three years ago, the other party had just managed to give birth to the Dao Seed, while I was already a Bronze Realm Level Two Star.

But now, Gao Chun has actually caught up with the results of his six years of hard work.

He was born with the Dao Seed at the age of six and has been cultivating tirelessly from morning till night. It was through countless days and nights of perseverance that he has achieved his current three-star realm.

But what about high purity? It only took three years to reach the same level.

He couldn't help but feel envious, mixed with a touch of disappointment.

The superior Dao seed indeed gave them the upper hand.

But he felt no jealousy whatsoever; instead, he secretly encouraged himself.

There may be differences in one's Dao seed, and different levels of talent. But hard work never lies. As long as one cultivates more diligently, one can definitely make up for deficiencies in talent and Dao seed.

It's high purity, don't worry.

I, Li Daoqiu, will never fall behind you. We have a long future ahead of us!

Of the three, Wang Hu's gaze was the most complex.

He was born with arrogance. Before Gao Chun and Li Daoqiu had their Dao seeds, he was the recognized number one young genius in Gaojia Village.

As the first person of his age to awaken the dual-color Dao Seed, he was full of vigor and arrogant at that time.

He always believed that geniuses should follow the path of geniuses, and that ordinary children and those who are profound are not on the same track.

Therefore, he looked down on the ordinary children in the village from the bottom of his heart, which naturally included Gao Chun, who had been unable to give birth to the Dao Seed for a long time.

In his eyes, all ordinary children were not worth mentioning.

But he never expected that Gao Chun would later give birth to a three-colored Dao Seed.

He only reluctantly acknowledged Gao Chun, regarding him as someone who belonged to the "genius camp" alongside himself, and that was all.

Later, when the two were both at the second level of the Bronze Realm, they fought each other in the training ground. In that duel, he used all sorts of schemes and tactics, giving it his all, but in the end, he was still barely defeated by Gao Chun.

At that time, he was filled with resentment, but also with a hint of undisguised envy.

A three-colored Dao seed is ultimately more advantageous than a two-colored Dao seed.

He had also lamented the unfairness of fate: if he could also possess the three-colored Dao Seed, he would definitely be even more powerful now.

But now, looking at Gao Chun, who has been promoted to the third level of the Bronze Realm, he did feel a bit convinced.

He turned to look at Gao Chengzhi beside him, who also possessed a three-colored Dao Seed. It took the other five years to advance to the third level of the Bronze Realm, while Gao Chun, who also had a three-colored Dao Seed, achieved this feat in just three years.

This speaks volumes: Gao Chun was diligent and hardworking in his cultivation, while Gao Chengzhi was too engrossed in the storybooks and didn't put any effort into his cultivation.

Both being geniuses, he clearly favored Gao Chun, who had always been diligent and hardworking, over Gao Chun.

Gao Chun was unaware of the three people's inner thoughts, and saw that they had not responded to him for a long time.

His brows furrowed suddenly, forming a knot, and a hint of impatience flashed in his eyes.

He immediately raised his voice and shouted, causing the surrounding air to tremble slightly.

"What are you all standing there for?"

"I want to be the team captain. Who agrees? Who disagrees?"

This roar was like a thunderclap that exploded in the training ground.

The three of them instantly snapped out of their reverie and looked up at Gao Chun, their gazes differing.

Gao Chengzhi's eyes lit up, and without thinking, he was the first to raise his hand.

He raised his hand high, his face beaming with undisguised approval: "I agree! I'm a hundred percent willing for my uncle to be the team leader!"

As long as he doesn't have to take on the responsibilities of the team leader, anything is fine.

His uncle was appointed as the team leader, and he not only had no objections, but was even secretly pleased.

Being a team leader is so tiring.

He had to both command the team and constantly worry about their safety.

He couldn't be bothered with such a chore; he'd much rather stay home and read stories—that would be much more pleasant.

Wang Hu clenched his fist, his knuckles turning white, a hint of resentment flashing in his eyes.

He really wanted to be the team captain, but he knew perfectly well that he had no chance.

Although he was the oldest among the four, in the world of Xuanzhe, people always speak with their fists and their cultivation.

Among the four, he had the lowest cultivation level, only at the two-star bronze realm, and was not qualified to compete for the team captaincy.

Therefore, he simply lowered his eyes and remained silent, his lips pressed into a tight line, ultimately offering no objection.

Only Li Daoqiu's eyes suddenly blazed with intense golden light, shining with astonishing brilliance.

He wasn't picky about who was the captain; his real purpose was to have a good fight with Gao Chun.

He had never seriously fought his childhood friend before and had long wanted to test Gao Chun's strength.

His aura surged, and his clothes fluttered and rustled even without wind.

A strong fighting spirit rose straight up, like a burning flame, unstoppable.

He immediately stepped forward, and the bluestone bricks under his feet vibrated slightly, making a dull sound.

He announced loudly, "Gao Chun, let's have a competition!"

His tone was firm and resolute, carrying an unquestionable determination and expectation.

"If you win, I will recognize you as captain!"

After saying that, he clenched his fists, his knuckles cracking, and his eyes gleamed with a cold light.

His gaze was fixed intently on Gao Chun, his eyes sharp as blades, his fighting spirit almost tangible, emanating from him.

Upon hearing this, Gao Chun smiled, his eyebrows slightly raised, and a hint of approval and excitement flashed in his eyes.

This suited his mind perfectly: to be the captain, he naturally had to win everyone's respect.

He must exert all his strength in combat; only then will they truly be convinced.

Only when they go to the Southern Wilderness Forest for training will they truly recognize themselves, cooperate with themselves, and obey their own commands.

His chest throbbed with fighting spirit, and his eyes became unwavering: he had to win this battle!