At that very moment, inside Prince Dorek’s residence, the envoy from the Holy See had only just departed.

The halls were still filled with the treasures and ceremonial rewards that had been delivered in the emperor’s name.

Crates of rare materials, sacred medicines, and exquisitely forged artifacts stood in ordered rows beneath the light of the palace lamps.

By any ordinary measure, it was a reward grand enough to make an ambitious prince rejoice.

Dorek, however, looked unusually gloomy.

He stared at the treasures in silence for a long time. There was no excitement in his eyes, only suspicion and unease. Finally, he turned toward Daniel.

"Teacher, what exactly does Prince Alvin mean by this? Why would he suddenly reward me at a time like this? Is he truly preparing to move against me?"

Daniel nodded, a faint smile appearing on his face.

"That is precisely what is happening, Your Highness. Alvin has finally realized that your existence threatens everything he has built. In his eyes, you have become one of the greatest dangers to his position."

Daniel leaned back calmly, as though he were discussing someone else’s fate rather than the final struggle for control of the Eternal Empire.

"You must remember what you currently command. The most elite military forces in the empire are gradually falling under your influence. You already possess enough raw Strength to destroy the forces behind the other princes by direct military action. If they do nothing now, they may never have another opportunity to reverse the situation."

Dorek’s expression grew heavier.

Daniel continued, "Alvin’s public reward is only a disguise. Wait and see. Barring an unexpected change, an envoy from the Holy See will arrive no later than tomorrow. They will invite you to a celebration, a private audience, or a meeting with some important official. The excuse will sound honorable, and the conditions may appear generous. But once you enter the Holy See under their arrangements, there is a very real chance that you will never return."

Dorek drew in a sharp breath.

"Then no matter how attractive their invitation sounds, I must refuse. Going there would be no different from delivering myself to my executioners."

"No." Daniel shook his head. "You are still thinking too simply."

His eyes narrowed slightly as he patiently explained the true danger.

"In several days, the imperial ancestral temple ceremony will be held. This is one of the most important rites of the Eternal Empire. You are a prince, and more importantly, you are already regarded by many as a possible successor to the throne. You must attend. If you refuse, your enemies will accuse you of disrespecting the imperial ancestors, rejecting the traditions of the empire, and lacking the virtue required of an emperor."

Daniel tapped one finger against the table.

"Once we begin from that fact, the location of their trap becomes obvious. They do not need to force you into the Holy See. They only need to wait for you at the imperial temple."

Dorek’s face changed again.

Daniel gave a slight nod. "If I were in Alvin’s position, I would make the same choice. The imperial temple is sacred ground. No ordinary legion is permitted to set foot there. No matter how numerous or elite your forces are, protocol will prevent them from entering with you. The moment you arrive without an army at your back, you will be entirely at their mercy."

The image of entering the imperial temple and being surrounded by Alvin’s people flashed through Dorek’s mind. Fear appeared in his eyes.

"Teacher, please save me."

Daniel could not help feeling somewhat helpless when he saw Dorek’s panic.

"Dorek, have you forgotten what I taught you? Never lose your composure when facing a crisis. More importantly, I instructed you long ago to begin moving the legions toward the Imperial City. Those forces are already assembling. We possess the advantage, and the path to victory is clear. The people who should be panicking are not us. They are the ones trapped by the changing situation. As long as everything proceeds according to plan, we have no reason to lose."

Dorek slowly steadied his breathing. The fear in his heart faded, replaced by renewed confidence.

Daniel smiled.

"In truth, the situation has already become much simpler. We only need to deal with the factions that continue to waver and refuse to cooperate. Those who have approached us voluntarily must be held firmly in our hands. As for the supposedly neutral powers, neutrality is merely indecision dressed in respectable clothing. We can pressure them, threaten their interests, and force them to choose. Once they understand the cost of remaining outside our camp, the entire situation will fall under our control."

Daniel placed his palm lightly upon the table.

His expression remained calm, but the words that followed carried unmistakable killing intent.

"Now we must give the other princes a warning they will never forget. The Duobao Starfield, the maternal power supporting Prince Kane, must be completely destroyed."

Dorek’s eyes widened.

Daniel continued without hesitation. "Its destruction will intimidate every faction in the empire. The wavering powers will understand that supporting you offers survival, while standing with Alvin or the other princes may bring annihilation. Fear is not enough to build a lasting empire, but at this stage, fear is the fastest way to end indecision."

Dorek felt his blood surge. For an instant, he wanted to issue the order immediately.

Daniel looked directly at him.

"Once Duobao Starfield is eliminated and the uncertain factions have made their choice, we can enter the Imperial City openly. We will suppress every rebellious power within the capital and prevent them from causing further trouble. When the capital, the legions, and the imperial institutions are all in our hands, the rest of the universe will naturally submit."

Dorek nodded firmly.

"Teacher, I understand. From this moment onward, everything will proceed according to your plan."

At the same time, within Duobao Starfield, the territory behind Prince Kane’s faction, rows of powerful imperial warriors advanced like an unstoppable iron train.

They smashed through checkpoints and charged directly toward the starfield’s headquarters. Along the way, disciples and local defenders rushed forward, attempting to stop the imperial army that had entered without warning.

"Where did you people come from?" a Divine-grade expert shouted as he blocked the legion’s path. "Do you possess an official deployment order? How dare you force your way into Duobao Starfield! Do you even know which prince our starfield supports? We are the power of Prince Kane’s maternal clan. Do you truly dare provoke us?"

The legion commander did not retreat by so much as half a step.

"Have you never heard that everything beneath the heavens belongs to the Eternal Empire? Duobao Starfield lies within imperial territory. Why would an imperial legion require your permission to inspect imperial land?"

The Divine-grade defender nearly blacked out from anger.

"Your duty is to suppress Tribulation-Ash disasters, not to invade loyal imperial territory and act without restraint. This is a blatant dereliction of duty. I will report everything that happened here to the Holy See. The Holy See will investigate your misconduct and hold every one of you responsible."

The commander sneered.

"Unfortunately for you, we came here precisely because of the Tribulation-Ash disaster. According to reliable intelligence, traces of a Tribulation-Ash Source are hidden within the headquarters of Duobao Starfield. We are required to enter, conduct a complete search, and determine whether the information is true."

"You are truly lawless."

A cold voice suddenly shook the surrounding space.

A T9 Oracle-grade powerhouse appeared above the battlefield. He was the Lord of Duobao Starfield and Prince Kane’s maternal uncle.

"Do you know who I am? Prince Kane is my nephew. I am a relative of the imperial family, and Duobao Starfield ranks among the ten greatest powers of the empire. Yet you dare trespass upon my territory, fabricate accusations, and demand a forced search. How absurd."

The legion commander remained unmoved beneath the T9 pressure.

"There is nothing absurd about it. If you obstruct an investigation into Tribulation-Ash corruption, your actions will be treated as concealment of Tribulation-Ash Monsters. If that happens, do not blame the imperial legion for acting against you personally."

The Starfield Lord frowned.

"You dare threaten me?"

The commander slowly raised the blade in his hand.

"You are about to discover exactly what we dare to do."

He turned toward the waiting army and roared,

"All troops, hear my command! Duobao Starfield is concealing a Tribulation Source. Destroy the entire starfield!"

In the next instant, countless weapons rose into the void.

The imperial legion surged forward like a steel flood, pouring into Duobao Starfield without the slightest hesitation.