Become a king right from the start, beginning with receiving rewards from all the heavens.

At this moment, everyone in this hall felt an intense hatred for the Sima family, which had already been wiped out.

Everything is because of the Sima family that the sect is in its current predicament.

These people have simply chosen to forget!

If it weren't for their greed for officialdom, they wouldn't have stood up for the Sima family.

"Emperor Taizu, I really don't know how to resolve the current situation."

The Heavenly Sword Sect Master had a bitter expression on his face, and he looked gloomy and listless.

Suddenly, someone muttered something under their breath.

"Perhaps the Crown Prince still doesn't know what we were involved in..."

"Otherwise, why hasn't he come knocking on our door after all this time!"

Everyone immediately looked at the speaker, their eyes revealing as if they were looking at an idiot.

The Heavenly Sword Sect Master sneered, "I forgot to tell you some bad news."

"Not long ago, people from the Heavenly Punishment Division started appearing around our sect."

This news struck everyone like a thunderbolt from the heavens.

Indeed, there were people like that person before, who were thinking, "What if?"

But the sect leader's news instantly plunged everyone into despair.

At this moment, the Heavenly Sword Ancestor said anxiously:

"When was it discovered?"

The implications of this news are far too significant.

"Emperor Taizu, it was discovered ten days ago."

...

"So that means they've been monitoring and investigating us for at least ten days?"

"With the current strength of the Heavenly Punishment Division, ten days is more than enough time to investigate most of our situation."

"If I were the crown prince, I would definitely investigate the target's situation before taking action."

"It seems that he's preparing to attack our Heavenly Sword Sect!"

This speculation left everyone breathless!

After all, everyone here has a long lifespan.

There are still 10,000 years until the cycle of reincarnation, there's still plenty of time.

Nobody wants to die right now!

"Gentlemen, we now only have one way out."

"It's even worse than the Sima family back then; at least they had another path to choose from."

"Therefore, I believe the most important thing right now is to obtain the Crown Prince's forgiveness immediately!"

I'm willing to pay any price!

The sect leader stood up and said slowly, "Everyone's mind is in chaos at this moment, and they are unable to calm themselves down."

"Therefore, the only option is to learn from the actions of the Shi family and choose a way to save ourselves."

Self-rescue?

The group exchanged bewildered glances. "Sect Leader, how can we save ourselves?"

At this moment, the sect leader stood up and paced back and forth, saying, "First, send this generation's Holy Maiden of the sect to the Crown Prince's residence."

"She's a celebrity on the list of beauties."

No one here voiced any objection; compared to life and death, what was a sect's holy maiden?

"But one saintess might not be enough for them to let us go!"

The Heavenly Sword Sect Master shook his head, looking incredulous, and said, "At a time like this, you're still thinking about such good things."

"The saintess was just a stepping stone we sent her!"

We only hope that the Crown Prince will give us face and be willing to listen to our explanation and conditions.

"Otherwise, without this stepping stone, we wouldn't even know where their door is."

At this moment, the Heavenly Sword Ancestor said quietly:

"Your method of self-preservation is to prepare to explain and apologize to others?"

"Oh, and let's add a saintess!"

...

"Of course not," the sect leader said slowly, shaking his head.

"If explanations and apologies can lead to forgiveness, then you are seriously underestimating them."

"My idea is that from now on, our Heavenly Sword Sect will become a force under the Crown Prince's command."

"No, to become a sword in his hand, doing all the dirty and tiring work for the Crown Prince!"

...

"Another Baiyujing..." Someone's eyes lit up.

If he were to become another Bai Yujing under the Crown Prince's command, his future would be far brighter than it is now.

Emperor Taizu shook his head and said, "Don't expect your status to be equivalent to that of Baiyujing!"

That was personally established by the Crown Prince; in his mind, its status was comparable to the Heavenly Punishment Bureau!

...

On the back mountain of the Heavenly Sword Sect, a beautiful figure sat cross-legged with a sharp sword lying across her lap.

She appeared to be cultivating at the moment, with many young disciples watching her from a distance.

These people had adoring expressions in their eyes.

As the saying goes, even heroes can't resist the charms of a beautiful woman, let alone a beauty who's made it onto the list of most beautiful women.

Suddenly, the space behind the mountain distorted, and a figure slowly appeared.

A powerful aura filled this world.

The beautiful figure sitting cross-legged slowly opened her eyes, a hint of surprise flashing in them.

"Disciple greets Sect Master!"

That's right, the Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Sword Sect is one of the sect leader's disciples.

Looking at this intelligent and outstanding disciple, the Heavenly Sword Sect Master sighed inwardly...

For the sake of the sect's survival, I have no choice but to ask you to do this.

"Disciple, come with me to the ancestral land!"

Having said that, he waved his hand, his true essence swept up the other person, and he turned around and stepped into the spatial passage behind him.

...

In the imperial city, the Heavenly Sword Sect Master and his entourage discreetly arrived at a mansion.

"Your subordinate respectfully welcomes the Sect Master, the Holy Maiden, and all the Ancestors."

...

"Is everything arranged?"

The Heavenly Sword Sect Master looked exhausted; the closer they got to the final moment, the more anxious and fearful they became.

"Reporting to Sect Master, everything is arranged. The Holy Maiden can now take the visiting card to the Crown Prince's residence to pay her respects."

Upon hearing this, the Heavenly Sword Sect Master looked at the Holy Maiden and said, "Disciple, the fate of the sect rests in your hands!"

The saintess appeared calm, but in reality, she was filled with disappointment.

However, she herself knew that she couldn't blame the sect or her master for all of this.

After all, from the moment they entered the sect, the sect clearly told its disciples...

For the rest of my life, besides diligently cultivating, I will dedicate myself to the sect.

Otherwise, who would spend so many resources to raise a complete stranger with no blood relation?

The saintess nodded and said, "Don't worry, Master. Although I am disappointed, I know that I will be affected if the sect is destroyed."

At this moment, the Holy Maiden suddenly became a stranger in the eyes of her master, the sect leader.

...

Suddenly, a guard rushed in to report to the Crown Prince.

"Your Highness, a female cultivator has come to see you outside the manor."

"They said she was the Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Sword Sect, and that she held a formal letter requesting an audience with His Highness."

The girls, who had been joking around, immediately fell silent, their gazes involuntarily drawn to the guards who had entered.

A series of auras enveloped the guard, causing him to break out in a cold sweat!

At this moment, the guard felt extremely regretful and wanted to slap himself a few times.

No wonder those guys were so polite, entrusting me with the task of meeting His Highness.

It was only then that he realized he had seemingly overlooked the women in His Highness's household.

As everyone knows, the Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Sword Sect is listed on the list of beauties.

Her sudden visit must have seemed to Xia Zhaoyan's many female admirers as an attempt to become one of them!

Xia Zhaoyan accepted the visiting card from the guard but did not open it to read its contents.

"Your Highness, this is a beauty on the list of beauties; how can we not see her?"

"Hehe...that's it..."

The women's teasing voices rang out from the side!