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

Before coming here, King Heng thought about many things alone...

He recalled his mother's doting affection for him and the support he received from his maternal lineage within the Burning Heaven Sect.

To have reached the Grandmaster level at the age of one hundred is all thanks to the unwavering support of her maternal clan.

Knowing full well that his mother clan was in danger, he couldn't pretend not to see it.

Therefore, when Emperor Taizu revealed the final solution, Prince Heng was neither surprised nor disappointed.

"Great Ancestor, esteemed ancestors, I will announce my withdrawal from the competition upon my return."

"I cannot stand by and watch you perish at the hands of his powerful subordinates."

The leader of the Burning Heaven Sect reddened his eyes and stepped forward to pat Xia Hengkong on the shoulder.

"Hengkong, you've grown up and matured!"

"Sigh...it's all because we're not strong enough..."

Xia Hengkong quickly comforted him, "Ancestor, you are already powerful enough."

"Otherwise, how could it have become one of the top forces in the cultivation world!"

"There's nothing wrong with becoming a carefree prince in the future."

"The pressure and consequences of that throne are too great."

"I am not capable of taking on that responsibility."

Everyone felt a pang of sympathy, knowing that Xia Hengkong was trying to comfort them.

Which prince doesn't want to be emperor?

"Your Majesty, should I personally visit the Crown Prince's residence to explain the situation to you?"

"Don't worry, my relationship with him is much better than with the other princes!"

Everyone was tempted; having an extra layer of insurance would certainly be better.

Only with a personal promise from the Crown Prince would they be completely at ease.

No one wants to become another Demon-Sealing Lord or another Heavenly Sword Sect member.

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Heng'er."

...

The day after Xia Hengkong returned from his mother's clan, he went directly to the Crown Prince's residence.

This scene instantly attracted the attention of countless people in the capital.

This is Prince Heng, a powerful prince second only to the crown prince.

...

"Your Highness!" Wanwan walked over in a hurry, arousing the curiosity of the other women.

"Your Highness, Prince Heng requests an audience outside the palace!"

Xia Zhaoyan, who had been lying dead, suddenly opened his eyes, a glint of light flashing in his pupils.

His body then separated from Shi Guanyin's legs, "Eternal King..."

"Wanwan, go and greet him yourself!"

The women were all surprised; no one had ever been worthy of such a grand treatment from His Highness.

...

At this moment, King Heng was sitting in his chariot when suddenly, he heard the voices of his subordinates outside.

"Your Highness, the Crown Prince's attendants have come out to greet you."

Upon hearing this, Xia Hengkong immediately came to the car and saw the woman on the steps at first glance.

Of course he knew her; who in the world wouldn't know her?

At this moment, Wanwan walked down the steps and bowed slightly.

"Your Highness Prince Heng, my Crown Prince requests your presence!"

Xia Hengkong also clasped his hands in thanks and said, "Thank you, Miss Wanwan."

He then instructed his staff and guards to wait for him there.

Wanwan came out to greet them personally, a scene that surprised all the forces in the city!

"The Crown Prince is dressed in such a grand manner?"

Everyone knows the status of the women around the Crown Prince. They are outwardly called maids, but they will definitely become one of the Crown Prince's concubines in the future!

When Xia Hengkong saw Xia Zhaoyan, the atmosphere here became incredibly quiet.

In the end, Xia Zhaoyan smiled calmly and said.

"Welcome, Your Majesty, to my residence."

At this moment, Xia Hengkong also came to his senses, and then clasped his hands and bowed slightly.

"Greetings, Your Highness!"

...

"Please sit, Your Majesty!"

Xia Zhaoyan was always very polite, referring to his elder brother as "Royal Brother" at every turn.

This made Xia Hengkong feel much better.

At least the other party still respects me to this day.

"Speaking of which, I should thank my elder brother for his help back then."

Xia Hengkong understood after a moment's thought, and then waved his hand and said.

"That doesn't count as helping, after all, the other party provoked you at the moment of being crowned king..."

This is tantamount to provoking us princes and slapping the face of our royal family.

He sighed inwardly, never expecting that after so long, the other party would still remember this underhanded act of help.

It seems that I should be able to easily achieve my goal today.

The two then began to talk about everything under the sun.

Xia Zhaoyan had come to a new understanding of his elder brother, and secretly sighed that the royal family did not support useless people.

As a prince with profound background, he would be a strong contender for succession in any top power.

At this moment, Xia Hengkong said solemnly:

"Your Highness, I have come to visit you today with two matters on my mind."

Xia Zhaoyan's expression was also serious. "Speak frankly, Your Majesty!"

A hint of sadness flashed in Xia Hengkong's eyes as he spoke.

"Your Highness, I will announce my withdrawal from the struggle for the throne tomorrow!"

"From now on, I'll be a carefree prince, focusing solely on cultivation. I also want to see the scenery of the Dragon Transformation Realm!"

A hint of surprise flashed in Xia Zhaoyan's eyes, and the women around him also showed expressions of shock.

The King of Heng's withdrawal from the competition had a much greater impact than the King of Wu's withdrawal.

"Has Your Majesty made up your mind?"

...

"I've made up my mind. With a prodigy like you around, I know I can't compete with you no matter how hard I try."

King Heng's bitter expression was completely undisguised.

Perhaps he has made a decision, which is why he is no longer hiding his feelings.

It would be a lie to say Xia Zhaoyan wasn't excited, after all, one less competitor had been eliminated.

"My brother's decisiveness exceeded my expectations."

When I ascend the throne, I will allow you free access to our ancestral lands.

"Brother, do you have any requests? Please speak them!"

Since King Heng withdrew from the competition, there was no need for him to come here in person.

Therefore, Xia Zhaoyan could guess that the other party must have some kind of request.

Xia Hengkong stood up, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and spoke before Xia Zhaoyan could stop him.

The voice carried a hint of pleading and entreaty.

"Your Highness, I implore you to spare the Burning Heaven Sect."

"From now on, they will only focus on cultivation and no longer concern themselves with matters of the cultivation world."

"So that's how it is," Xia Zhaoyan thought to himself.

Without the slightest hesitation, he replied, "Yes!"

Xia Hengkong asked in surprise, "Really?"

...

"Rest assured, I am a woman of my word and would never stoop to deceiving you."

"I never intended to eliminate the Burning Heaven Sect; it's just that the Heavenly Sword Sect harbored ambitions they shouldn't have!"

Xia Hengkong can finally relax!

It felt as if a huge burden had been lifted from my heart, and I even felt a slight sign of breaking through to a higher realm.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty! You're about to become a Grandmaster!"

...

The next day, just as people were about to begin their busy day, King Heng's voice echoed throughout the capital.

"I am King Heng, Xia Hengkong, and I have an announcement to make today."

"From this day forward, I withdraw from the struggle for the throne!"

In an instant, the entire imperial city fell silent!

This scene felt incredibly familiar to everyone; a prince had experienced something similar back then...

Inside the Crown Prince's residence, the sound of a cup falling and shattering rang out, and Xia Qiming's pupils widened in shock!

Inside the Qiong King's mansion, Xia Tianqiong suddenly clenched his fists, his face deathly pale!

...

All the princes could not believe their ears at that moment.

"You are King Heng, how can you surrender so quickly!"

...

"If you surrender and withdraw, what are we princes supposed to do?"