"That's right, let's push harder and find that Monster Beast at the third level of the Transforming Realm!"
Everyone was filled with fighting spirit as they chased in the direction where the Monster Beast had fled.
However, just as they were speeding along, Julian Xue suddenly spoke up with some hesitation, "Crown Prince, I think we should be more cautious."
"What do you mean?" The Crown Prince immediately stopped. It could be said that the biggest difference between him and the Third Prince was his ability to listen and value others' opinions.
Julian Xue looked around and said, "I have a feeling that this valley is surrounded by mountains on all sides, with very narrow entrances and exits, like a big sack. I'm worried we might become trapped."
"You mean someone might be manipulating things from the shadows, trying to ambush us in this valley and catch us all at once?" The Crown Prince was no fool and immediately understood Julian Xue's point.
"Exactly, I just took a look at the terrain. This valley has only one entrance, which is also the exit. The whole valley is like a bag, and we've already entered it," Julian Xue explained.
The Crown Prince hadn't expected Julian Xue, who seemed rough on the outside, to have such a meticulous side.
"If someone blocks the entrance to the valley, we'll be like fish in a barrel, easy prey for them."
Understanding this, the Crown Prince's expression changed slightly. In such terrain, if someone were to block the entrance and maliciously attack them, their situation would be extremely dangerous.
Although the chances of this happening were slim, if it did occur, it would be a fatal blow to the Crown Prince.
Moreover, although the autumn hunt explicitly forbade mutual killing, the Crown Prince couldn't guarantee that no one would attempt such a thing, with the primary suspect being the Third Prince.
Killing him quietly and making it look like a monster beast attack was something the Third Prince might indeed do.
Thinking of this, the Crown Prince felt uneasy. The results of the autumn hunt were important, but not as important as his own life.
After all, the Third Prince, with his close blood ties to Marquis Anyang, had already gathered more young talents than the Crown Prince. Even in this autumn hunt, the Third Prince's team was larger and stronger.
If it came to a fight, the Crown Prince wasn't confident.
Moreover, he had promised Terra Su to take care of Julian Xue and couldn't let Julian Xue fall into danger with him.
After much thought, the Crown Prince finally wavered and made a decision: "Abandon the hunt for that Monster Beast at the third level of the Transforming Realm. Everyone, withdraw from this valley with me."
His cautious nature ultimately led the Crown Prince to choose safety.
Without hesitation, the Crown Prince led all his men toward the valley's entrance.
As they reached the entrance and were about to leave, one of the Crown Prince's men suddenly perked up, his face turning cold as he shouted, "Who's there?"
Immediately, several men surrounded the Crown Prince protectively, watching their surroundings warily.
"Hahaha, who would've thought the hunting grounds for this autumn hunt would be so small. Brother, we actually ran into each other here."
A laugh rang out, and then the figure of the Third Prince appeared before them.
"Third Brother, it's really you!"
The Crown Prince frowned, warily eyeing the group behind the Third Prince.
The Crown Prince had only two men at the third level of the Transforming Realm, plus himself, making three. The Third Prince, however, had four, plus himself, making five.
In terms of strength, the Crown Prince's team was no match for the Third Prince's.
"Third Brother, we're just hunting monster beasts in this valley. You wouldn't be thinking of interfering, would you?" The Crown Prince looked at the Third Prince with some caution, then suddenly smiled, "However, this Monster Beast at the third level of the Transforming Realm is indeed tough. If you really want to join, we can discuss the distribution of spoils."
The Third Prince chuckled, "Brother, stop pretending. Do you really think I came all the way to this valley just to hunt monster beasts with you?"
"Then what do you want?" The Crown Prince's face darkened.
The Third Prince didn't rush to answer. Instead, he looked around theatrically before saying, "Brother, don't you think the scenery in this valley is quite serene? It would make a nice resting place for you, don't you think?"
"Oh? So that's your intention?" The Crown Prince sneered.
"Hmph, if you weren't competing with me for the heir position, I wouldn't have to take action against you. But since you keep trying to outshine me and win people over, don't blame me for being ruthless," the Third Prince said coldly.
The Crown Prince's aura intensified, "Since both of us were chosen by the Marquis as potential heirs, we should compete fairly for the throne. Don't tell me, Third Brother, that you lack such magnanimity?"
"What magnanimity? Does this have anything to do with magnanimity?" The Third Prince retorted angrily, "You should look at your own background. You're just a lowly branch of the royal family. What right do you have to compete with me for the throne? I am the rightful heir, not you!"
Since they were in the hunting grounds, not Anyang City, the Third Prince decided to drop all pretenses.
The Crown Prince countered, "If you were truly the destined heir, why choose other princes as candidates? Why not just appoint you as the heir? The Marquis's intention is to have all outstanding children compete on an equal footing, not based on who's from the main or branch family."
"Hmph, what do you know about the Marquis's intentions?" The Third Prince snorted, but the killing intent in his eyes didn't diminish.
The Crown Prince remained calm, "So, you're determined to take action against me today?"
"What do you think?" The Third Prince sneered, "But, considering we've been brothers, I'll give you a chance to end it yourself, to spare you suffering. That's the best I can offer. If you don't appreciate it, don't blame me for being merciless."
"Fine, fine, you're just as I expected, Third Brother," the Crown Prince said, his tone growing somber, "Today, I've truly seen through you."
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