"You may be my third brother, but my affairs are not for you to manage!" Prince Yun Hai said coldly, "You want to take him as your advisor, are you perhaps coveting the throne?"
"My brother, you should be careful with your words!" Bai Long narrowed his eyes. "If our father were to learn of such a matter, you would be in deep trouble. Not only do you falsely accuse your own brother, but you also dare to question imperial authority!"
"Did I say something wrong?" Prince Yun Hai sneered. "I never realized that my third brother, who has always stayed out of the struggle for power, has such great interest in the throne. You truly surprise me. It seems this has all been an act!"
"Say whatever you wish. I simply believe Brother Lu has extraordinary talent and wish to recruit him as an advisor. What does this have to do with imperial power!" Bai Long narrowed his eyes, with a hint of hostility.
"You can fool others, but you can't fool me. I see exactly what you're thinking!" Prince Yun Hai smiled. "However, no matter what you're thinking, we can coexist peacefully. But if you are willing to break ties with me because of him, I will not back down easily!"
Prince Bai Long frowned, then laughed heartily. "As I said, he is a friend from Bei Mei, and I will not allow anyone to harm him! After all, if the Ninth Uncle were to find out about this, he would think I failed to entertain him properly, and then he would blame me!"
"So that's how it is. I wondered why you were taking such good care of the Ninth Uncle's only daughter, turns out you want to win over the Ninth Uncle!"
Prince Yun Hai immediately sneered, "It seems among the many princes, you are the one who hides the deepest. Everyone thought you didn't care about the throne, but now it appears it was all a disguise!"
"You talk too much!" Bai Long said coldly. "No matter what, I am still your third brother. If you were to fight me today, and it reached our father, you would likely be in trouble!"
"Are you threatening me?"
Prince Yun Hai said coldly, "I have never been threatened. Just as you said, if this matter reaches our father's ears, I would indeed be in trouble, but so what?"
"It seems you haven't taken my words seriously at all!" Bai Long's expression turned indifferent, then he looked towards Lu Fan. "Brother Lu, come with me. If anyone dares to touch you, I will not stand idly by!"
After speaking, Bai Long grabbed Lu Fan and intended to leave. The reason he acted this way was to gain Lu Fan's approval. As long as Lu Fan was willing to become his advisor, he would surely have a place in the struggle for imperial power, and even surpass many other princes.
To have passed the fifth tier of the Heavenly Road at such a young age was not something ordinary people could achieve. Bai Long knew this clearly, otherwise he would not have offended Prince Yun Hai for Lu Fan.
"Prince Bai Long, thank you for your kind intentions, but I do not wish to become anyone's advisor!"
Lu Fan shook his head, his expression solemn. He saw Bai Long's protection clearly, but at this point, he was unsure how to proceed.
Bai Long stopped in his tracks, his face instantly turning grim. He looked at Lu Fan, utterly surprised by Lu Fan's words, catching him off guard and making him feel displeased.
"Brother Bai Long, please don't be angry!" Princess Bei Mei said repeatedly. "This is just his personality. Besides, it's his decision not to be an advisor. Brothers, please don't argue anymore!"
"I thought my third brother had some real capability! I didn't expect him to stick his neck out for him, and he didn't even acknowledge your favor!"
Prince Yun Hai chuckled faintly. "Why don't we deal with him together? We are princes after all. He dares to put on airs in front of us, then let him not see the sun tomorrow!"
Many people present gasped in awe and shock. Prince Yun Hai's words meant he had something planned, and if that were the case, Lu Fan was likely in for bad luck.
At the same time, many people frowned. If Prince Yun Hai were to make a move, Lu Fan might not be able to withstand it. After all, he was a prince, and even if Lu Fan had strength, he might not dare to act recklessly.
"Brother Lu, I genuinely wish to befriend you. Why are you so resistant to me?"
Bai Long looked at Lu Fan, his expression earnest, even questioning. At least in his eyes, he had stepped forward for Lu Fan, but Lu Fan had shown no gratitude, which made him feel somewhat displeased.
More importantly, Lu Fan's words had also made him feel embarrassed, as if he had offered a warm greeting to a cold reception, which left him feeling even more annoyed.
"I am not rejecting Prince Bai Long, I simply do not wish to be controlled by anyone!"
Lu Fan revealed a wry smile. "I hope Prince Bai Long can understand. Moreover, I am not insignificant. Even if you are princes, you cannot kill me just because you wish to."
"Such arrogant words!" Prince Yun Hai immediately sneered. "This is the imperial capital. As a prince, it is a simple matter for me to kill you!"
"Then has Prince Yun Hai considered what the royal family would think, or what the people of the Heavenly Court would think, if I were to die an untimely death?"
Lu Fan smiled. "I just passed the fifth tier of the Heavenly Road. If I die by your hand, it will likely be detrimental to Prince Yun Hai in the future!"
As soon as his words fell, Prince Yun Hai's face turned ashen, filled with rage.
Just as he was about to make a move, Fei Long quickly stopped him and said to Prince Yun Hai, "What he said makes sense. Your Highness should consider carefully. Perhaps many people within the royal family are already watching. After all, to ascend the fifth tier is no ordinary feat."
Yun Hai's face was ashen, and he frowned. Lu Fan's words had clearly displeased him, but at this point, he was also extremely frustrated.
To be treated this way as a dignified prince was unacceptable.
"Impressive, truly impressive!"
At this moment, a faint, elegant voice sounded. A figure strode over from not far away, appearing quite graceful and handsome.
"Second Prince!"
Many people looked on, somewhat astonished. They hadn't expected Lu Fan's entry into the Heavenly Road to attract the attention of so many princes, drawing them to the Heavenly Road, which caught them off guard.
"Second Brother, I didn't expect you to come join the fun!"
Bai Long looked towards Bei Cheng and smiled. It was widely known that Bei Cheng was the most decadent among the princes, yet he had also come to contend for this person.
"Of course, I have to join the fun. Don't you know? I love joining the fun the most," Bei Cheng said with a light laugh, and then looked at Lu Fan. "Young man, I think very highly of you. To make my two brothers clash over you, you truly have some skill. You've impressed me!"