Bellion stared upward in disbelief.
He actually made it through.
The hole in the layers of barriers was already closing, the torn edges fusing together as if alive. This was exactly how Bellion had designed it. If an attack reached the critical threshold, the formation would allow it to pass through, sacrificing a single opening to prevent the total collapse of the barrier. Letting one enemy in was far better than letting everyone in.
"Everyone stay where you are!" Prince Ozan roared. "If anyone dares to cross the portal, I'll kill you first. You got that?"
The final word exploded with terrifying force, shaking the air itself. The pressure swept across the crowd like a storm, forcing countless cultivators to stagger back, their blood turning cold. No one dared move toward the portal anymore.
Leyvi was the first to react.
"Dastan! Come help me deal with him!" he shouted, already leaping toward the crater while summoning his volcanic armor.
"Dammit, Leyvi! This prince already said—"
"Just come, idiot! I can't handle him alone! You only need to suppress his Qi!" Leyvi cut him off mid-sentence.
He landed at the edge of the crater, blocking Prince Ozan's path. Without hesitation, Bodo stepped forward as well, his massive frame planting itself beside Leyvi like a living fortress.
"Tch. Fine! Don't expect this prince to do more than that!" Dastan snapped as he followed.
The moment he activated his Nascent Soul Body, a thick, luminous layer of energy condensed around him, forming a radiant replica of his physical form.
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
Only a handful already knew of this, while the vast majority stared in shock. The Crown Prince of the Howling Kingdom was actually a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator.
At the same time, many were stunned to see Madam Anda's supposedly useless husband ordering the crown prince around so naturally.
What kind of relationship was this?
It could not be helped. Compared to Anda's fame and achievements in Bellion City, Leyvi had always appeared idle, carefree, and unremarkable.
Prince Ozan's gaze fixed on Leyvi, carefully scrutinizing him.
"Hoo… to think someone would dare stand before me." His lips curved slightly. "That armor is formed from three different Qi elements. A triple-element cultivator, huh? Rare. Very rare. I admire those who walk paths different from the masses."
Is he praising me? Leyvi wondered.
Prince Ozan nodded with a smile, as if approving, before switching his gaze toward Bodo. His eyes brightened noticeably.
"What is your name, big boy? How about you come and serve me as my Royal Guard? I can tell that your body cultivation is definitely stronger than mine." He paused, a hint of frustration entering his voice. "I am getting stronger and stronger that my Royal Guards cannot restrain me anymore. You can help them."
"Doo?" Bodo pointed at himself, genuinely surprised to be recruited out of nowhere.
"Sorry, uh, Prince Ozan. I already accepted Brother Leyvi's invitation. I am going home with him. Dohoho!" Bodo rejected the offer with his usual cheerful laugh.
The crowd behind them was stunned.
You stupid idiot! Why would you reject that offer?
Many mentally mocked his decision, unable to comprehend why anyone would choose a nobody over the strongest prince.
"Oh well, it does not matter. I will just beat you up and bring you with me later." Prince Ozan said casually, as if stating the obvious.
He shifted his gaze toward Dastan.
"Ozazaza! Aren't you Dastan Fin Howler?" A wide grin spread across his face. "I heard that you are a piece of trash hated by everyone, whose only good quality is your Legendary Spirit Root?"
He laughed, genuinely amused.
Among everyone in the expedition, Dastan was probably the last person he expected to dare block his way. Except for his cultivation talent, he lacked everything else that would make him worthy of being a crown prince.
"Hmph! This prince had a little bit of character development." Dastan replied without taking offense.
An insult coming from someone hailed as the strongest prince was nothing compared to being insulted by a certain country bumpkin. And even that, he had overcome. It was not wrong to say he had experienced character development.
"Zazaza." Prince Ozan's grin softened into something more thoughtful. "I think I understand now why they would let a Crown Prince like you join this expedition."
He paused, letting his words hang.
"The other kingdoms would not even let their princes participate, let alone their Crown Princes. Their lives are too important. The small handful of princes and princesses who did participate... they were just the ones who would not be missed if they died."
Nearby, Princess Waniwani stood under her Royal Guards' protection. Her lips tightened slightly at his words.
Standing beside her, Anda immediately noticed the turmoil within. I see... so they have low status within their Royal Families. She thought.
"Well, except me of course. They didn't let me come, but I came anyway. I will survive no matter what." He bragged, confident as always.
"But you, your Royal Family probably sees you as a lost cause, so they sent you here as a last resort, hoping you might graduate from being a trash crown prince." Prince Ozan said bluntly, without the slightest filter.
Dastan frowned. Deep down, he knew this was the truth from the very beginning. That was why Leyvi's harsh words during their early days together had struck him so deeply.
This expedition was his final chance to prove to his Royal Family that he was worthy of keeping the position of crown prince. If he failed, there were still hundreds with royal blood who could replace him at any time.
The only reason he had been given this position in the first place was because of his Legendary Spirit Root. After all, exceptional cultivation talent was the most important criterion for selecting a crown prince in his kingdom.
But if that was the case, what exactly was he supposed to do to prove himself worthy?
There were no clear instructions. No path laid out for him. Perhaps anything significant enough to change everyone's perception of him? To erase his long-standing reputation?
What can this prince do that is significant enough to raise my standing?
Dastan blinked, his gaze fixing on the intimidating figure of Prince Ozan before him.
Right.
Wasn't this the perfect opportunity?
He didn't need to defeat him. He only needed to hold him back long enough for everyone to cross the portal. With Leyvi, Bodo, and the others, this was not impossible.
A sharp resolve flashed through Dastan's eyes.
"Daa hahaha! Prince Ozan! You said that you claimed the portal? Have you ever asked permission from this prince?" Dastan's laughter rang out, loud and unrestrained. "Listen, everyone! When the portal fully opens, cross it as planned. This prince will keep this barbaric Prince Ozan at bay!"
As his words fell, his Nascent Soul Realm aura erupted.
A vast pressure surged outward like a rising tide, crashing into Prince Ozan's overwhelming presence. The air trembled violently. Dust and loose rubble were swept into spiraling currents, and many in the crowd staggered under the sudden clash of powers.
Dastan's Nascent Soul Body expanded, growing nearly a full head taller. Radiant energy condensed around him, thick and luminous, its surface rippling like molten light. The aura he emitted became sharper, purer, and heavier, pressing down on everything nearby.
Gasps spread through the crowd, both inside the city and outside the barriers.
Cultivators from the Protogaea Continent stared in disbelief.
Is this really the rumored useless crown prince?
Is he bluffing?
But as they sensed the depth and stability of that energy, their expressions changed.
No. This isn't ordinary Nascent Soul power.
That is a flawless Nascent Soul.
"Young lady, the crown prince sure has changed," a woman murmured.
Tamina nodded softly, a faint smile curving her lips. Tantan, perched on her shoulder, puffed out her chest with obvious pride.
The woman was one of Tamina's two maids who were supposed to accompany her into the Mystic Realm. Through sheer luck and grit, they had survived and reunited half a year ago, thanks to Anda's careful arrangements.
"Oi, Dastan! You talk big now. Don't chicken out after this!" Leyvi called out.
He narrowed his eyes slightly, watching Dastan's back. Just moments ago, the crown prince had been firmly against facing Prince Ozan head-on.
What flipped that switch?
"Hmph! This prince is serious," Dastan replied, his gaze unwavering, as he stepped forward with deliberate calm.
"OZAZAZAZA!" Prince Ozan's laugh tore through the air, echoing across the battlefield.
"Who would have thought that you would be my biggest adversary in this expedition! Bring it on! Try holding me back! Bring as many people as you see fit! It's thanks to all this chatting that I've had time to recover some of my energy. Now I can fight again!" he roared, every word vibrating with raw power.
The crowd froze. Shock rippled through their ranks.
Damn! No wonder he didn't attack immediately and just stood there! That warning at the start was just a bluff. He had been completely drained after passing through the barriers.
Leyvi's mind raced with regret. If they had struck while he was exhausted, maybe they could have subdued him with far less risk.
"Now come, Crown Prince Dastan! Just because you're a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator, don't think you can beat me! You can suppress my Qi, but not the other two!" Prince Ozan shouted, his voice booming like a storm.
A colossal avatar formed above him, its sledgehammer glinting with deadly intent. The immense figure radiated force, every motion sending ripples through the very air.
In contrast, Dastan's Nascent Soul Body seemed almost fragile, a single luminous figure standing against the towering titan.
Then the two oppressive auras collided.
The atmosphere quaked violently. Dust and pebbles were swept up in spiraling currents. The ground trembled, and even distant onlookers staggered under the raw weight of their powers.