You don't want your secret to be revealed by others, right?

"Of course, since you have been bestowed the title of king and have resonated with the Divine Heart, you naturally are qualified," the spirit of Taihong Hall said, "As long as you have a way to take it, you may extract it as you wish."

He paused for a moment, then added, "However, according to the rules set by the God Emperor, princes and princesses can extract only ten drops of Divine Power from each resonated Divine Heart every hundred years before proving one's Dao."

"Ten drops every hundred years?"

Lin Yue nodded slightly and asked, "Is it ten drops in total or ten drops from each Divine Heart?"

"Each Divine Heart can provide ten drops, as long as you can resonate with it," the spirit of Taihong Hall replied.

Lin Yue revealed a slight smile.

So, adding them all up, there were as many as two hundred and forty drops of Divine Power?

He immediately controlled the Taichu Refining Divine Cauldron to open, simultaneously beginning to slowly draw the Divine Power from the nearest Earth Emperor Divine Heart.

Before long, an earthy yellow drop of Earth Emperor Divine Power slowly ooze out from the Divine Heart, then dispersed back into its original light mist form and was absorbed into the Taichu Refining Divine Cauldron.

"This cauldron of yours is at least a semi-divine artifact."

The spirit of Taihong Hall glanced over and said, "Indeed, it is remarkable. It must have been crafted by a Dao-proving expert who masters part of the Ultimate Path and is very knowledgeable about the properties of Divine Power."

Lin Yue nodded, recognizing this as true.

One drop after another of Divine Power emerged from the Divine Heart, being absorbed into the Taichu Refining Divine Cauldron.

At this moment, he needed this Divine Power to look for opportunities in the future to concoct the result of the Crown Prince's years of research—"Pseudo-Taichu Divine Power."

Although blending Divine Power is something that could only be done after achieving Harmonization, it is best to prepare ahead of time.

Theoretically, actual Taichu Divine Power does not exist.

The concocted Pseudo-Taichu Divine Power was much stronger than his weakened version of Taichu Divine Power.

"Even though only six types of this Divine Power are needed for fusion, I won't leave anything behind. Who knows, I might use the rest later..."

Lin Yue muttered to himself.

Time passed minute by minute, and after half an hour, the two hundred and forty drops of Divine Power were completely encased within the Taichu Refining Divine Cauldron.

Lin Yue tapped his finger, and the Taichu Refining Divine Cauldron spun dizzily mid-air, then flew into his sleeve.

Then he turned and started to walk out of the hall, "I'm leaving."

"May we meet again next time when you have achieved Harmonization," the voice of the spirit of Taihong Hall came from behind him.

...

After leaving Taihong Hall, Lin Yue headed toward the Eastern Palace, intending to take a look at the Crown Prince's Twelve Trials to see exactly what they entailed.

Arriving deep within the Imperial Palace, he soon saw the serene yet majestic Eastern Palace.

"Prince Xia."

On the path outside the Eastern Palace, a man clad in red armor, a military officer, quickly approached Lin Yue with a squad of guards.

"Commander Zhu." Lin Yue nodded slightly.

This Commander Zhu was one of the heads of the Forbidden Army, a Martial Saint in existence.

"I heard that Prince Xia ascended to the top of Tianxia Building right after being crowned king. I admire you greatly."

Commander Zhu respectfully clasped his hands, and these words were truly sincere. Even though this Prince Xia was just a Great Cultivator, his terrifying prowess could probably kill him with a mere flick of a finger.

"I plan to enter the Eastern Palace to see the Twelve Trials," Lin Yue said casually.

Commander Zhu promptly replied, "The Twelve Trials are inscribed on the stone wall in front of the Eastern Palace gates. It also shows the current status of each prince's trials; Your Highness will be able to see it upon arrival."

"Good." Lin Yue nodded slightly.

"In addition..." Commander Zhu further reminded, "It should be Your Highness's first time at the Eastern Palace, so I must remind you."

"What?" Lin Yue looked at him.

"The Heaven Patrol Alliance is founded by the Eastern Palace, hence many of the core members often come and go here."

Commander Zhu transmitted a divine thought, "You may ignore most people, but it is imperative that you avoid any conflict with those wearing black robes embroidered with gold and peculiar gold masks. These individuals are extremely special, answerable only to the Crown Prince, and have rather eccentric temperaments; they do not respect anyone."

"Black robes embroidered with gold? Peculiar gold masks?" Lin Yue raised an eyebrow and transmitted his thoughts, "Are you referring to the 'Heavenly Transmission Officials,' Commander Zhu?"

"Yes." Commander Zhu nodded slightly, "Your Highness has heard of them."

"I've heard a bit." Lin Yue nodded.

The Heavenly Transmission Officials.

They were akin to the cabinet of ancient dynasties from past lives, with quite a few differences.

In simple terms, the Heavenly Transmission Officials had great power, partaking in decisions on many major matters, yet they could not leave the Eastern Palace.

However...

Lin Yue did not quite understand why the Crown Prince, who possessed the ability of Heavenly Calculation, needed the Heavenly Transmission Officials when he could manage all affairs of the state with little effort.

It was said that most of the Heavenly Transmission Officials were merely Great Cultivators, yet each held a special status.

It seemed as if the Crown Prince deliberately nurtured a group of privileged individuals with little to no purpose.

However, the Crown Prince had overseen the nation for over a thousand years, and while these Heavenly Transmission Officials had not shown any definitive use, they had not caused any trouble either, always remaining in the Eastern Palace. Hence, nobody paid them any mind.

"Your Highness understands, and that is enough."

Commander Zhu did not say more and took his leave with his men.

"Heavenly Transmission Officials..."

Lin Yue knew that since Commander Zhu thought it was worth mentioning, they must indeed have exceedingly peculiar temperaments.

He shook his head lightly and continued toward the direction of the main gate of the Eastern Palace.

After passing through a shaded path, he soon arrived at the imposing main gate of the Eastern Palace, where he saw the wall that Commander Zhu had mentioned.

On this entirely black wall, line after line of golden characters could be seen carved.

On top of which read,

[Upon passing the Twelve Trials, any of the Twenty-four Heavenly can ascend to become the new Divine Emperor]

Lin Yue looked below.

[First Trial: Ascend the Illusory God Steps]

Below it were the names of princes and princesses who had ascended the Illusory God Steps. Unlike him and the Second Prince, all other prince's names were listed there.

Lin Yue had heard of the Illusory God Steps, which was one of the forbidden areas of the Imperial Palace. It was said that anyone who set foot upon it would experience all kinds of illusions, becoming more lost the higher they climbed. Moreover, the illusions would become reality, requiring a strong level of power.

Either one needed to have an incredibly strong Dao Heart or be skilled at resisting illusions, with considerable strength as well, so to speak, ordinary Saints would almost have no hope of reaching the top.

"For me, it's not difficult..."

Lin Yue was unconcerned and continued reading.

The subsequent trials were all kinds of unique challenges, with massive difficulty, almost requiring a god-defying Saint to pass.

Except for him and the Second Prince, all the other princes and princesses had passed them.

Before long, he reached the Ninth Trial.

[Ninth Trial: Pull out the broken sword at the center of the Heavenly Weapon Pool]

Below this Ninth trial were few names, with only the Crown Prince, the Third Prince, the Fourth Prince, the Fifth Prince, the Sixth Prince, the Eldest Princess, and the Second Princess having passed.

These princes and princesses were mostly in existence that had attained proving and transcending.

Even the Sixth Prince, who had reached the last level in the Heart Tribulation and deliberately suppressed it without transcending Heaven and Earth, was close to proving his Dao.

"A broken sword?"

Lin Yue was hearing about it for the first time and was quite curious, planning to check it out later.

He continued reading.

[Tenth Trial: Find two identical leaves, any kind of leaf will do]

"Two identical leaves?"

Lin Yue was a bit perplexed, not quite understanding what this trial implied.

Compared to the Ninth Trial, this one was missing only the name of the Sixth Prince.

It seemed that true Dao-proving experts could complete this Tenth Trial?

He continued further.

[Eleventh Trial: Leave your name on the Heavenly Destiny Stele in the First Forbidden Land]

Below this trial, there was only the Crown Prince's name.

"Only the Crown Prince can do it?"

Lin Yue raised an eyebrow.

He recalled what the Second Prince had said and then shook his head: "Or perhaps, other capable princes and princesses are unwilling to do it? Heavenly Destiny Stele?"

Continuing to the final trial.

[Twelfth Trial: Merge with any Divine Heart in Taihong Hall]

This trial's section was empty, devoid of any names.

"The Crown Prince hasn't done it either? Can't do it or unwilling?"

Lin Yue pondered over this final trial.

Suddenly—

"The Crown Prince only demonstrated the first eleven trials to other princes and princesses, so he naturally would not truly merge with the Divine Heart."