Shanon flicked his wrist.
Light rippled across the pavilion floor as his space ring disgorged its contents. Steel rang softly against marble. Scrolls unfurled and rolled shut on their own. Talisman papers fluttered like restless spirits before settling into silence.
A small mountain formed at William's feet.
"Seventh," Shanon said lazily, though the faint stiffness in his shoulders betrayed the sting of defeat. "Pick four treasures you like. And I still owe you one more wish." He winked, but his eyes were measuring.
Pandit snorted and followed suit. His own space ring shimmered, releasing another trove—denser, more orderly, more deliberate.
"Prince William," he said with formal composure, "as promised, you may take two."
Six choices.
Not gold. Not jewels.
Power.
Weapons of varying auras lay sheathed in restraint. Pill scrolls sealed in jade cylinders. Cultivation manuals bound in beast hide. Spirit talismans humming faintly, as if whispering to the air.
William did not step forward.
It had not even been a full day since he had awakened in the body of the Seventh Prince. He had inherited memories, titles, enemies—and expectations. But he had not yet inherited instinct.
Instinct was earned.
The others did not lack it.
Silver tugged at his sleeve and whispered urgently, "Seventh Brother, you're fortunate. Uncle Shanon and Uncle Pandit are second only to Father in wealth. But don't be reckless. This chance won't come twice."
Opportunity is bait, William thought. The hook is always hidden.
Ashley, the so-called Ice Princess, stood slightly apart. Her usually indifferent gaze sharpened, reflecting the glow of several talismans. For a fleeting moment, desire broke through her cold façade.
Wilson, crimson-haired and blunt in temperament, stared openly at a slender green longsword resting across Shanon's pile. The blade's aura was subdued—but not asleep.
Gon, on the other hand, tiptoed like a thief who had forgotten he was not one. His round fingers reached toward a metallic neck ring resembling the prayer ornaments worn by monks.
Pandit's voice cracked like a whip.
"Hands off, fatty!"
Gon jolted and laughed awkwardly, already withdrawing.
Before he could retreat, a shadow passed over him.
William stepped forward and picked up the ring.
It was heavier than it looked. Cold. Not spiritually loud like the talismans. Not sharp like the swords.
Contained.
"You recognize it?" William asked without looking at Gon.
Gon scratched his head. "No… but my bloodline feels warm when I touch it."
Silence rippled outward.
Silver hurried over. "Stop talking nonsense. That's a Buddhist prayer ring—used for chanting or focusing spirit. And don't try acting pitiful. My brother isn't choosing it for you."
Gon laughed again. Softer this time.
William did not look at him again. Instead, he turned toward Shanon with a faint smile.
"Dear Uncle, thank you for your generosity. But I'm having difficulty selecting four treasures. Could you explain them?"
Shanon didn't hesitate.
"No." He chuckled lazily. "My promise was to give you my best four. Not to teach you what they are."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"But," he added, "you can always use your wish."
There it is.
A trap disguised as generosity.
If William used the wish now, he would waste future leverage for temporary knowledge.
William shifted his gaze toward Pandit—then stopped.
Both uncles were watching him.
Not helping.
Observing.
They weren't offering treasures.
They were measuring judgment.
Fine. I still have Silver. He pondered.
"Silver," William said calmly, "briefly explain these treasures. Skip the useless ones. If you do well, I'll choose one for you."
Before Silver could speak—
"I'll do it."
Ashley stepped forward immediately. Her tone was steady, but too quick.
"Seventh Prince," Wilson added, stepping in as well, "I am well-versed in treasure studies. I am more suitable for listing them."
Gon folded his arms and snorted.
"Interesting. Just moments ago, the two of you were shooting poison with your eyes. Now you want to earn Brother William's favor? Not happening while I'm here."
William ignored them all.
He looked at Silver.
Silver stuck out her tongue at Ashley playfully.
"Sorry, Sister Ash."
Then she grinned confidently.
"Easy. I know all of them. I spend most of my time in the palace library."
Ashley's eyes twitched slightly.
Wilson frowned.
Silver stepped toward Shanon's pile and began.
"This blade is a Rank-Three Wind Severing Sword. Light, fast, suitable for agile cultivators."
"This one is a defensive armguard forged from Black Iron Turtle shell. Strong, but heavy."
"These jade scrolls are mid-tier cultivation manuals. Nothing extraordinary."
She moved quickly, clearly familiar with the items.
Weapons.
Pill formulas.
Body refinement techniques.
Her voice was crisp, efficient.
William listened carefully.
She was knowledgeable.
Accurate.
But when she reached the talismans—
She slowed.
"These are… spirit talismans. Mostly offensive types. Fireburst. Lightning Spear. Earth Bind."
A pause.
"This one… I'm not sure."
William noticed it immediately.
Silver knew weapons.
She knew cultivation.
But spirit talismans were her weak point.
Interesting.
He shifted toward Pandit's pile.
That was when he saw it.
A yellow talisman paper.
Thin.
Ordinary looking.
But the moment his eyes landed on it—
His pupils contracted slightly.
It was identical.
Identical to the one Father had used during the duel.
The same kind that had instantly suppressed Shanon.
William's gaze lingered for half a breath too long.
King Midas noticed.
Shanon noticed.
Pandit noticed.
"You want the Earth Bound Talisman?" Shanon asked lightly. "Then what are you waiting for? It's excellent against powerful opponents."
His smile was wide.
His tone was not sincere.
William looked at him.
"No."
Flat. Immediate. No hesitation.
The air shifted.
Even Silver blinked.
When she finished explaining the final item, King Midas spoke coldly,
"Choose quickly. None of us here has as much free time as you."
Pandit added calmly, "Have you decided?"
William nodded.
Then he moved.
He picked three items first.
Ashley froze.
Wilson's brows furrowed.
Gon leaned forward.
William turned—and handed the three items to the three youths.
"Consider this a small gift," he said calmly. "For choosing my camp."
Silence.
No one refused.
Their eyes were glued to the treasures in their hands.
Political loyalty always begins with tangible weight.
Now three items remained for him.
William stepped forward again.
He ignored the Earth Bound Talisman.
Ignored the high-grade manuals.
Ignored the rare weapon.
Instead—
He picked a pair of boots.
Low aura. Mid-tier at best.
Then an umbrella.
Strange. Defensive. Not flashy.
Lastly—
A pill scroll.
Dragon Core Pill.
He had been about to ignore it.
But at the last second, the dragon inside his pendant stirred.
Take it.
The voice was faint—but urgent.
William did not question it.
He picked it up calmly.
The pavilion fell silent.
Disappointment was not hidden.
Shanon shook his head openly.
Pandit said nothing—but his eyes said enough.
King Midas exhaled slowly.
"Seventh. This opportunity will not come again. You chose poorly."
The verdict was heavy.
William didn't react.
Silver didn't either.
Ashley's fingers tightened.
Wilson's jaw stiffened.
Gon, however, was beaming as he adjusted the prayer beads around his neck.
Ashley finally snapped.
"This," she said sharply, pointing at William, "is exactly why I didn't want to join your team. These rewards cannot even be considered bribes."
Wilson nodded immediately. "We could earn such items with a few contributions. They're nothing special."
In truth—
They didn't care about the value.
They wanted an explanation.
After all that analysis—
Why choose trash?
William smiled.
Relaxed. Almost amused.
"Calm down," he said lightly. "Those were gifts. Not bribes."
He paused.
"If after today you still believe I'm not worth following, you're free to leave. But remember one thing."
"I did not keep the best for myself."
That hit harder than the treasures.
He bowed to his uncles.
Then to the king.
And walked out.
Silver and Gon followed immediately.
Outside the Duel Pavilion—
Silver finally asked,
"Why?"
"Why those three?"
William patted her head.
"Little sister," he said gently, "no matter how powerful those treasures look, they are shortcuts."
His eyes were calm.
"And I hate shortcuts."
"Shortcuts create dependency. And dependency is how you get killed."
Inside the pavilion—
The jade pot shimmered faintly.
Water rippled across its surface, reflecting the image of William outside the arena gates.
The king and his two brothers watched in silence.
They heard everything.
Shanon was the first to break it.
He burst into laughter.
"Haha! I take it back. He's definitely the one you've been searching for all these years."
King Midas did not smile.
Instead, his eyes shifted toward Pandit.
"What do you think?"
Pandit folded his sleeves calmly.
"His composure is remarkable. His restraint… rare."
He paused.
"Such temperament is suitable for the throne."
Another pause.
"But qualification requires more than temperament."
His gaze did not waver.
"I still favor the First Prince."
Shanon snorted.
"That's not evaluation. That's bias."
"He's your student."
Pandit did not deny it.
The water mirror flickered.
William's figure disappeared from view.
King Midas finally spoke.
"Seventh is correct about one thing."
"Shortcuts create dependence."
His voice lowered.
"And dependence creates weakness."
The air in the pavilion tightened.
"For this Crown Prince Selection…"
His gaze sharpened.
"I forbid both of you from taking sides."
Shanon's grin faded.
Pandit bowed slightly.
"Remain neutral," the king continued.
"No secret resources."
"No hidden guidance."
"No private protection."
"Let them compete."
Silence filled the chamber.
The king's final words were soft—
But absolute.
"If he is worthy… he will rise without your hands."