To better integrate himself into their group, Daniel deliberately delivered an impressive speech filled with noble sentiments.

At this moment, he brought out acting skills worthy of an award.

After all, this concerned the objective of his mission. He could not afford the slightest carelessness.

Prince Dorek and Chief Steward Foster were clearly deeply moved by his words, nodding repeatedly in agreement.

Daniel then continued,

"That said, the Fated Human Race is indeed a valuable source of support. We cannot simply abandon their assistance."

Prince Dorek already obeyed Daniel without question.

He hurriedly asked,

"Please enlighten me, Teacher."

Daniel nodded.

"Do not be impatient. Listen carefully."

"The current Eternal Emperor is a half-step Eternal powerhouse. His attempt to overcome the tribulation cannot possibly be completed within a short period."

"Even if he fails and begins to turn into tribulation ash, that process will still take time."

"During that period, we will need the assistance of the Fated Human Race."

At this point, Daniel turned toward Chief Steward Foster.

"Chief Steward Foster, if I remember correctly, you were also born into the Fated Human Race."

"You should return to the Destiny Star System immediately."

"If you travel alone, the enemy should be less likely to target you."

"Return to the Fated Human Race and bring back several experts, along with a large quantity of wealth and resources."

"The Imperial City is currently in a state of turmoil. Many paths can be opened with money."

"Without sufficient wealth, there is very little we can accomplish."

Chief Steward Foster strongly agreed and immediately nodded.

"Senior is absolutely correct. I will make the arrangements at once."

However, he soon looked toward Prince Dorek with some hesitation.

"But if I leave, then His Highness..."

Daniel smiled and waved his hand.

"Do not worry. I will watch over the Prince."

"You may leave without concern."

"You need only ensure your own safety."

"After all, I do not yet fully understand Prince Kane’s temperament."

"Although I believe he may not pursue you, no one can say for certain what he might do if he has truly gone mad."

"We will await your good news within the Imperial City."

Chief Steward Foster nodded.

His figure immediately flickered and vanished as he departed to request reinforcements from the Fated Human Race.

...

After Chief Steward Foster left, Daniel questioned Prince Dorek about the various structures and districts within the current Imperial City.

This information would be extremely useful for his future plans.

According to Dorek, the Imperial City was actually an independent planar space.

Although it appeared to stand upon the surrounding wilderness, the city and the outside world had long since been separated into two distinct regions.

Without imperial blood or permission from the guards stationed at the city gates, entering it was virtually impossible.

Furthermore, the plane could expand at any moment.

Once fully expanded, it would become even larger than an entire star system.

In Daniel’s memory, perhaps only the headquarters of the Golden Holy Mountain could compare with a plane of this scale.

Although undercurrents were surging throughout the Imperial City, its security had grown even stricter.

The Eternal Emperor was preparing to undergo his tribulation, so every defensive measure had been raised to the highest level.

After explaining the situation, Prince Dorek asked impatiently,

"Teacher, are you planning to take action now?"

Chief Steward Foster had already departed, and Dorek had only recently survived an assassination attempt.

At present, he desperately wanted to take some action to calm his nerves.

Daniel answered calmly,

"There is no need to rush."

"We will wait until Chief Steward Foster returns with a group of veteran retainers."

"Once he brings back reinforcements and wealth, there will be far more we can accomplish."

"Our influence within the Imperial City is currently far too weak."

"We need a great deal of money to buy informants and turn them into our eyes and ears."

"Prince Dorek, the first lesson you must learn if you wish to become Emperor is patience."

After hearing Daniel’s instruction, Prince Dorek drew in a deep breath and obediently answered,

"I understand, Teacher."

Daniel then asked for more information regarding the Eternal Emperor.

It turned out that although the Eternal Emperor was a peak half-step Eternal powerhouse who had ruled this universe for countless years, even the strongest existence would eventually face a tribulation.

Furthermore, Great Dao tribulation clouds existed throughout this realm.

The stronger a person became, the more rapidly signs of tribulation-ash corruption would emerge.

As the supreme powerhouse of the empire, the Eternal Emperor now faced only two possible outcomes.

He could take the final step, successfully overcome the tribulation, and attain the position of an Eternal Lord.

Or he could fail, be reduced entirely to tribulation ash, and have his Divine Soul destroyed.

Throughout history, the Eternal Emperor had fathered several hundred children.

However, one hundred and eighty of them had died under mysterious circumstances for various reasons.

Among the remaining hundred or so descendants, only seven princes truly possessed the qualifications to inherit the throne after considering their talents, bloodline purity, and various other factors.

Each of those seven princes was now supported by a major faction.

If the Eternal Emperor fell one day, the seven would inevitably wage a brutal struggle to seize the throne.

The first was Prince Alvin.

Behind Prince Alvin stood an enormous faction within the Holy See.

Several trusted ministers of the Holy See’s Elder Council shared close blood ties with him.

His birth mother also wielded considerable influence within the imperial harem.

His faction was undoubtedly a force that could not be underestimated.

The second was Prince Silas, Prince Alvin’s biological younger brother.

However, the two brothers did not stand together.

Their relationship had always been hostile.

Prince Silas was currently serving in one of the Eternal Empire’s military legions.

It was said that he was now attempting to leave active service and return to the Imperial City.

After operating within the army for many years, he had already established a powerful military background.

The third was Prince Felix.

Behind him stood the largest merchant organization in the empire—the Eternal Chamber of Commerce.

Its wealth was virtually immeasurable.

The fourth prince was Felix’s biological brother, Lucian.

He was currently cultivating within the Oracle Hall.

Among the seven heirs, he possessed the highest cultivation Rank and the greatest personal strength.

At present, he had already reached Divine-grade.

The power supporting him naturally required little explanation.

It was the Oracle Hall itself.

The Oracle Hall was the highest military institution within the entire empire.

Even the Eternal Emperor treated it with caution and respect.

Most of the empire’s Oracle-grade experts were gathered within the Oracle Hall.

From first-stage experts all the way to T9 powerhouses, experts of every level could be found there.

Most importantly, Prince Felix and Prince Lucian shared an exceptionally close relationship.

Together, the two brothers represented an overwhelmingly powerful faction.

As for the fifth heir, it was naturally Prince Kane—the man who had recently dispatched assassins after Dorek.

Several major factions stood behind Prince Kane as well.

Although their combined influence was slightly inferior to that of the Oracle Hall, they still possessed enormous power.

Unlike the Oracle Hall, which received constant attention from the imperial family and was regarded warily by every faction, Prince Kane’s supporters enjoyed far greater freedom.

Moreover, each of them was completely loyal to him and devoted to helping him ascend the throne.

It was precisely because of this support that Prince Kane could hunt down other members of the imperial family as he pleased without being held accountable.