Everyone knew that among the three princes, the third prince had the lowest status and was the least likely to become the crown prince. Hence, when the third prince visited them previously, they all tacitly refused to meet him.
Relatively speaking, the eldest prince and the second prince had a ninety-nine percent chance of succeeding while the third prince was less than one percent.
But now, the third prince had invited Senior Shu. Did this mean that Senior Shu had decided to support the third prince?
This news was terrifying.
Senior Shu might only be a legendary figure in the academy, but in the outside world, he was someone who could influence the power of a nation. His identity as a Rank 5 beast appraiser alone was more than enough.
Appraiser Yan and the others exchanged glances. They could tell that the situation between the three princes was about to change.
Outside the banquet hall, the three princes were already standing there to welcome their guests.
The beast appraisers they had invited arrived first, followed by the princess of Thousand Island Country and the envoy.
Currently, the three princes stood to one side, waiting.
The eldest prince, Feng Ziyong, and the second prince, Feng Zishan, stood at the front. There was nothing much to be said between them while Feng Ziqian stood at the back.
Although his two elder brothers were rivals, they both looked down on Feng Ziqian.
To them, Feng Ziqian was the weakest and the least likely to compete with them. Hence, he should be the first to be eliminated. Once he was eliminated, the two of them would be able to face off against each other without any reservations.
This was the consensus between the two princes.
The second prince, Feng Zishan, looked more mature. Unlike the eldest prince, Feng Ziyong, he looked more like a scholar.
"I heard that Big Brother even invited the Royal Preceptor? How generous, "Feng Zishan said with a chuckle, sounding like he was testing the waters.
At this, Feng Ziyong's face lit up with glee.
Being able to invite the Royal Preceptor was indeed something to be proud of.
Everyone knew of the Royal Preceptor's status. Even his father had to treat him with utmost respect. The fact that the Royal Preceptor was willing to attend meant that he would support Feng Ziyong. With the Royal Preceptor's influence, Feng Ziyong had a high chance of becoming the crown prince.
"Second Brother is well-informed. Not bad, the Imperial Preceptor has come to attend this banquet despite his busy schedule. He indeed thinks highly of me. I also hope that Second Brother will support Big Brother and not resist." Feng Ziyong seized the opportunity to speak, and his intentions were very direct, just like his style of doing things.
Feng Zishan smiled. "Of course I support Big Brother. I've always been like this."
Compared to Feng Ziyong, Feng Zishan was much more scheming. He only said that he would support, but did not mention what he would support. Although Feng Ziyong was honest, he was not stupid.
"Second brother, don't laugh at me. You know what I'm talking about. You should know that when it comes to choosing a successor, it has always been to choose the older, not the younger. Why do you have to fight over it? You even have to cherish our brotherhood. Don't worry, when I become the successor, I won't mistreat you. After all, you are my younger brother." This time, Feng Ziyong was quite direct and obvious.
Feng Zishan smiled again. "Big Brother, I'll say it again. I support you, but when it comes to choosing a crown prince, whether it's you, me, or Third Brother, none of us have a say in this. That's Father's decision. I, Zishan, don't dare to say too much and guess Father's intentions."
Feng Ziyong's expression changed.
He knew that he was being too impatient.
According to Feng Zishan, he was the one guessing Father's intentions and interfering in such an important matter.
Feng Ziyong's heart skipped a beat. He glared at Feng Zishan without saying another word. He knew his own personality well. The more he spoke, the more mistakes he would make.
The Royal Preceptor had told him this before.
Feng Ziyong still wasn't calm enough. His second brother was too shrewd.
"A Rank 4 beast appraiser is here."
Someone whispered. Feng Ziyong immediately became spirited. He knew that this time, he had the greatest chance. After all, the Grand State Preceptor personally came to support him. At that time, he would be the most likely to win the heart of the Thousand Island Princess.
Not only would he make the Spiral Nation proud, but he would also be able to marry the princess of another country and strengthen himself. The position of crown prince would definitely be his.
At this thought, Feng Ziyong grew excited again.
Feng Zishan's expression was calm, but he was secretly anxious.
He had been working hard all these years, hoping to surpass Feng Ziyong. He believed that his father liked him more, or else he wouldn't have been so hesitant about choosing the crown prince.
If the crown prince was outstanding and had won his father's favor, Feng Zishan wouldn't have stood a chance no matter how much effort he put in.
Now that there was a chance, it meant that his father was hesitating. His father also thought that Feng Ziyong was all brawn and no brains, so he wasn't fit to rule the country.
This was the reason why the three princes were fighting for the crown prince position.
Of course, as for the third prince, Feng Ziqian, he was only allowed to participate. Feng Zishan didn't see his younger brother as a worthy opponent.
He believed that his father felt the same way. He only allowed Feng Ziqian to participate in the competition to show fairness.
Hence, Feng Zishan knew that his biggest rival was still his eldest brother, Feng Ziyong.
Feng Zishan often visited the Royal Preceptor. He knew how important the Royal Preceptor was to the Spiral Nation and his father. A Rank 5 beast appraiser was one of the major pillars of a nation.
If anyone could gain the Royal Preceptor's support, they would stand a better chance.
Unfortunately, the Royal Preceptor didn't seem to like him and chose to support Feng Ziyong instead. No matter how scheming Feng Zishan was, this was still his biggest weakness.
Fortunately, he managed to invite two Rank 4 beast appraisers this time, so he wouldn't be at a disadvantage.
As for his third brother, Feng Ziqian, based on Feng Zishan's knowledge, he probably wouldn't even be able to invite a Rank 4 beast appraiser.
If that happened, he would definitely embarrass himself.
Just then, the first appraiser arrived at the scene.
It was an old man with an extraordinary aura.
One look and Feng Zishan's heart skipped a beat.
This old man wasn't an average person.
The reason was simple. He was walking at a slow pace, but none of the other beast appraisers behind him dared to overtake him.
What did this mean?
It meant that this old man held great influence in the hearts of the other beast appraisers.
But the problem was, this old man wasn't the Royal Preceptor, Sima Qing. Feng Ziqian didn't even know who he was.
"That's impossible!" Feng Zishan was in disbelief and began to panic. After all, he knew and had met most of the Rank 4 beast appraisers in the Spiral Academy. Even if he hadn't met them before, he still had information on them.
However, this old man was a complete blank to him.
It wouldn't have mattered if this old man was just an unknown beast appraiser. But seeing how the other beast appraisers were walking respectfully behind him, Feng Zishan knew that this old man couldn't be an average beast appraiser.
"What's going on?" Feng Zishan turned to look at his trusted aide behind him. The latter was clearly clueless and at a loss for what to do.
Not only was Feng Zishan dumbfounded, but Feng Ziyong was as well.
He thought that the person walking in front was the Royal Preceptor but upon closer inspection, that wasn't the case.
He didn't even see the Royal Preceptor's shadow.
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