We Agreed You’d Just Play the Divine Son, So How Did You Become the Forbidden Zone Emperor?

Chapter 20. The Olive Branches of the Three Great Geniuses, Choosing the Third Prince!

The Great Xia Dynasty possessed a long and ancient history, even surpassing that of Great Chu. However, no dynasty could endure forever; decline would come eventually.

If one could obtain Xia Zixuan’s allegiance, it would mean securing the support of the entire Great Xia Dynasty.

Not to mention that Xia Zixuan herself was extraordinarily gifted. Once she matured, her future would be limitless.

Either way, she was of immense importance.

At this moment, the usually reserved and restrained Fourth Prince looked toward Xia Zixuan. Though he was not skilled with words, he took the initiative to speak.

“If you become my follower, then when I ascend as Holy Emperor in the future, you shall be my right hand.”

For him to extend an olive branch so directly was exceedingly rare.

Many were astonished. This Fourth Prince had been born of humble origin and was known for speaking little.

His birth mother had been a palace maid. The other princes all had powerful maternal clans backing them, but the Fourth Prince had none.

However, his talent in the Sword Dao was astonishing. He had even been tested to possess the rare Void Sword Physique. From that day forward, he had revealed his brilliance and earned the royal clan’s recognition and support.

Yet, having been neglected since childhood, he had grown accustomed to solitude. He did everything alone, without even a single attendant by his side.

Still, he understood clearly that in this great era, standing alone was not enough. One needed powerful followers.

Xia Zixuan was an excellent choice.

At this moment, the Fifth Prince, Chu Xinghe, revealed a sharp glint in his eyes. He stared at Xia Zixuan with domineering confidence and declared proudly, “Following me is your true path.”

He did not elaborate further. The Fifth Prince’s maternal clan was powerful, and he had grown up pampered and privileged. He himself was also a top-tier genius.

The Ninth Princess, Chu Mengyao, spoke calmly. “Follow me, and we may become sworn sisters, bound as one.”

Unlike the other two, she did not speak from a position of superiority. Instead, she lowered herself, even offering to become as sisters.

The three great geniuses of the royal clan had all spoken, their presence overwhelming. They clearly regarded Xia Zixuan as a prized treasure, each vying to claim her.

The other royal family members, including certain heirs and princesses of collateral branches, hesitated briefly but did not dare to speak.

It was obvious that Xia Zixuan had been marked as prey by those three great geniuses.

To step forward now would only invite ridicule—and perhaps even enmity.

Xia Zixuan’s expression remained tranquil. Her phoenix eyes swept over the three great geniuses, pausing briefly on Chu Mengyao before withdrawing.

At last, her gaze shifted toward the seating area.

Everyone was filled with confusion.

They followed her line of sight.

Only to discover that she was looking in the direction where Consort Yu was seated.

Then Xia Zixuan spoke in a firm voice:

“I wish to choose the Third Prince.”

The Third Prince!

Chu Feng?

The moment her words fell, the entire arena was stunned.

Who was Chu Feng? Everyone present knew him well.

A wastrel. A hedonist. Indulgent in pleasure and intoxicated by beauty. His cultivation neglected. A disgrace to Great Chu.

If not for the formidable influence of Consort Yu and the numerous powerful and ancient families backing her, Chu Feng would have long since been relegated to the fringes of the royal clan.

He might not even have been qualified to participate in the Heavenly Hunt Ceremony.

Within the Great Chu Dynasty, competition was brutal.

One either possessed extraordinary talent or extraordinary backing.

Yet she had chosen to become Chu Feng’s follower?

Could it be that she valued the power behind Consort Yu?

Everyone present was utterly perplexed.

Xia Zixuan remained calm, unaffected by the astonishment around her.

The Great Xia Dynasty was surrounded by crises, teetering on the brink of collapse.

Her coming to Great Chu was naturally to seek protection by becoming a follower.

However, deep within her heart, Xia Zixuan was exceedingly proud. She disliked entrusting her fate to another’s control.

Before coming here, she had deliberated repeatedly before ultimately choosing to become Chu Feng’s follower.

Her purpose was simple.

Chu Feng was a wastrel with meager strength. Relying on Consort Yu alone, it would be impossible for him to control her.

Becoming Chu Feng’s follower was merely a temporary measure. Once she grew strong enough, she would not be overly constrained.

After all, she possessed the Nine-Five Imperial Physique. Once fully developed, it would be incomparably terrifying.

By contrast, if she were to become the follower of the Fourth Prince, Fifth Prince, or Ninth Princess—these top-tier geniuses—

Even if she matured in the future, she would still face certain restraints. That was something Xia Zixuan was unwilling to accept.

Among the seats—

A trace of surprise flickered in Consort Yu’s eyes. She had not anticipated that Xia Zixuan would ignore the three great geniuses and instead choose Chu Feng.

But soon, Consort Yu’s fox-like eyes narrowed slightly, and a faint smile curved her lips, as though she had guessed something.

“Feng’er, a follower like Xia Zixuan may not be easy for you to control,” Consort Yu said with a soft laugh.

Indeed, she was Consort Yu. With a swift turn of thought, she had already surmised some of Xia Zixuan’s intentions.

“Is that so?”

Chu Feng’s expression remained calm as he idly twirled a golden goblet in his hand.

He was not a fool.

Did Xia Zixuan truly take him for a wastrel?

The Fourth Prince’s gaze deepened. Always taciturn, he merely cast a long look at Xia Zixuan and Chu Feng before saying nothing.

As a sword cultivator, words were unnecessary. Though it was a pity, it would not affect his Dao.

The Ninth Princess was also surprised. She shook her head gently and remained silent.

At this moment, the Fifth Prince’s face darkened.

To reject his olive branch and instead seek out that wastrel—what was the meaning of this?

Boom.

The Fifth Prince, Chu Xinghe, stepped forward. An overwhelmingly domineering aura burst forth. With his hands clasped behind his back, he said coldly,

“Chu Feng, a follower like this would only be wasted on you. Refuse her.”

His tone was imperious, offering Chu Feng no face whatsoever.

As the Fifth Prince, he should by rights have addressed him as Third Brother, yet he called him by name.

Technically, Chu Feng could refuse Xia Zixuan’s request and allow her to seek another.

However—

Upon hearing these words, Chu Feng slowly rose to his feet.

At this moment, his bearing was entirely different from before.

“This woman is pleasing to the eye. Having her as my follower would naturally be a fine thing.”

“My personal maid has not been replaced for quite some time. Now that one has delivered herself to my door, how could I possibly refuse?”

With that, Chu Feng gave a wicked smile, displaying the very image of a pleasure-seeking wastrel.

If he showed weakness at such a moment, would that not contradict the Third Prince’s established nature?

From the memories he had previously examined, the Third Prince was obsessed with beauty. When encountering a fairy-like woman, he could barely walk straight.

How could he possibly let a peerless beauty like Xia Zixuan slip away?

Upon hearing this, a wave of revulsion rose within Xia Zixuan’s heart, though she did not reveal it on her face.

The other members of the royal clan also displayed expressions of disgust.

The Heavenly Hunt Ceremony was solemn and sacred. His Majesty the Holy Emperor was present.

Such crude words were a disgrace to the Great Chu royal clan.

Chu Xinghe’s face darkened further. “You!”

He was deeply displeased. Even before the ceremony began, he had learned that Xia Zixuan would be attending.

He knew her talent well.

She possessed a supreme divine physique. If she did not fall prematurely, she would at the very least become a Mighty Expert—perhaps even have the chance to break into the Saint Realm, or beyond!

And yet, she wished to follow Chu Feng, this piece of trash?

Chu Xinghe’s voice turned sinister.

“A disgrace like you—how could you possibly be worthy of such a follower?”