Chapter 658: Chapter 659: Dispute
“I never expected Li Xiaobai to be playing such a game, is this exploiting a loophole in the Illusionary Realm World?”

“Indeed, he’s actually raising martial artists like cattle and sheep to harvest their Inner Strength. What does he think people are?”

“Such behavior is utterly despicable. This old official will never approve. True powerhouses should emerge from a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood. Only through such trials can a warrior’s heart, fearless of dangers and difficulties, be forged. But Li Xiaobai’s underhanded tactics are a complete departure from the dignity of the strong!”

A civil official frowned slightly, deeply disapproving of Li Xiaobai’s methods. In their eyes, facing and killing enemies on the battlefield should involve fighting bloody battles with honor, even if it means death.

Yet, the other party had imprisoned low-level martial artists one by one, turning them into his nourishment. This type of captivity not only goes against the natural order and morals but also represents the utmost cowardice. Would a person secretly hide in the mountains, quietly absorbing other’s Inner Strength, and then plan to emerge one day with great powers to sweep across the world?

Isn’t that too wretched?

“Hehe, and this man is audacious enough to privately insult our king. I was not wrong before; this Li Xiaobai has not a single shred of respect for the Sea Clan!”

“Moreover, just by looking at the text carved on that stone wall, it is clear that he does not take the little princess’s affair too seriously. I’m afraid he wants to use the power of the Formation to comprehend something, doesn’t he?”

The Tortoise Prime Minister’s eyes gleamed darkly as he watched the scene in the void, scoffing repeatedly. Gui Xuan beside him also showed a face full of hatred.

The words etched on the stone wall sufficed to determine his plan within the Illusionary Realm World. Should he succeed and return with this successful experience, it would be a priceless treasure—a treasure that should have belonged to him!

It was all because Li Xiaobai used his tricks to expel him from the Illusionary Realm World, severing his opportunity!

“Li Xiaobai, I have remembered you. Even if you have incredible abilities, I will surely take your life!”

Gui Xuan’s eyes flickered with hatred. Initially, he had merely seen this as a chance to test the heart of the Formation, not thinking too much about it.

But having witnessed Li Xiaobai’s days of cultivation, if he still hadn’t realized this Illusionary Realm also represented an opportunity, then he truly deserved exile.

In the Illusionary Realm World, everything experienced is real. Decades within may only be a moment to the outside world. This is a chance to enhance a cultivator’s experience and broaden their horizons. The insights gained in this world can also be taken out of the Illusionary Realm, and the benefits obtainable from validating one’s own knowledge and skills are immense.

But because of Li Xiaobai, he was now thoroughly cut off from such an opportunity.

The rest of the civil and military officials saw everything clearly. However, it indeed wasn’t anyone’s fault, who made Gui Xuan give up continuing the plot from the outset?

By placing all hopes in the initial small scene, he naturally did not consider the benefits of continuing forward.

Perhaps this is what people mean by focusing on picking up sesame seeds and losing a watermelon.

“Tortoise Prime Minister, I think the king creating such a complete Illusionary Realm World wasn’t just a whim. If it was solely to test their feelings for the little princess, it would have been enough to create a few different scenes for the test.”

“Going to such lengths to construct a world indicates there might be another meaning behind it aside from testing their feelings for the princess, doesn’t it?”

The silent Long Zhan suddenly spoke.

“Oh?”

“Then enlighten us, what is the other meaning behind this king’s words?”

A glint of light flashed in the Old Dragon King’s eyes as he looked at Long Zhan with great interest.

“Your Majesty,” Long Zhan began, “this humble servant believes that whether it’s Li Xiaobai or Young Master Gui Xuan, by marrying the princess and becoming a son-in-law of the Eastern Sea, he would essentially become a pillar of the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace, inevitably assisting the princess in governing the Eastern Sea.”

“Therefore, we need to observe their vision and scope within the Illusionary Realm to determine who truly has the potential to achieve great things. What this servant did not expect was that the trial would have clearly distinguished the superior from the inferior right at the outset, and up until now, Li Xiaobai has been full of clever tricks, never playing by the rules.”

“Just as it’s said, ‘All warfare is based on deception,’ there are no such rules on the battlefield. As long as one can seize the final victory, the process is not important. Li Xiaobai embodies this principle very well. A true man does not sweat the small stuff; Li Xiaobai does not see his current weaknesses as a disgrace but chooses to face them head-on and quickly resolves the issues, proving himself to be an exceptional talent!”

Long Zhan spoke firmly and confidently, admiring Li Xiaobai for both his cultivation level and the unconventional tactics he displayed within the Illusionary Realm World.

“So you are saying that you approve of Xue’er’s marriage to this Li Xiaobai?”

The Old Dragon King glanced at him, speaking indifferently.

“Indeed, this servant fully supports it. Such a talent is worthy of the title of our Eastern Sea’s son-in-law!”

“If he were to join the Eastern Sea, he would be an exceptional boon to our clan!”

Long Zhan said.

“Your Majesty, this must not be! Even if Li Xiaobai has countless merits, if he does not hold the princess and the Sea Clan in his heart, we must not let such a person lead the Sea Clan in the future. That would be like pushing our people into a pit of fire!”

“General Long only sees this person’s strong side, which this old servant does not deny. However, his underlying flaws and his disdain for the Sea Clan’s authority are also not to be overlooked. Please, Your Majesty, consider this carefully before deciding!”

The Tortoise Prime Minister hurriedly interjected with a grave truth: a young man without a sense of belonging to the Sea Clan, if made the Prince Consort of the Dragon Palace, could potentially cause chaos in the future.

The rest of the ministers also voiced their agreement; Li Xiaobai’s behavior in the Illusionary Realm was that of a maverick, completely unconstrained and nothing like the royal ministers.

“A sense of belonging can be cultivated over time, but such experts are not easily nurtured. Besides, with the princess there, should we fear that he won’t develop a sense of belonging?”

Long Zhan showed contempt for the Tortoise Prime Minister’s remarks. As time passed, his admiration for Li Xiaobai only grew.

“All of your points make sense, and you are indeed considering the well-being of our Sea Clan. But do not forget one thing, what I wish to observe is his integration within the Illusionary Realm World, not his attitude while he remains conscious. The current events are insufficient to judge whether he qualifies to be my Eastern Sea’s Dragon-Riding Groom.”

“My dear ministers, remain calm and watch on. Once his true nature is revealed, we shall then decide if he is fit to be the princess’s Prince Consort!”