Eighty percent of the intelligence likely leaked from those Deans.

Initially thought it was sabotage, but it turned out to be acting; Yu Ziqing felt there was no need to point fingers at the Deans during the research stage.

Secretly investigate, and exclude them from the recruitment list.

Anyway, Yu Ziqing's original goal was to recruit half the people after the project.

If it's impossible to recruit them in name, then initiate a big project to keep them in practice.

Yu Ziqing secretly observed, and upon reaching the new stage, found a spot to make a move. This time, he even actively leaked a small flaw, and the White Water Egg organization accidentally caught this flaw.

The New Five immediately reported to the Divine King, stating that he had begun preparations to sabotage from the outside. Even if he couldn't make the project fail, he could delay it.

The Divine King praised him, but still did not offer any substantial benefits.

Yu Ziqing watched coldly, instructing the White Water Egg organization to proceed by conventional means.

A year later, the same scene unfolded again.

After experiments verified by several bigwigs, it was confirmed that the original direction was problematic and was abandoned, rendering some necessary materials obsolete.

Then, at this time, someone swept a certain material off the market.

Now, Yu Ziqing was completely certain.

Things may happen once or twice, but not three or four times, three consecutive times couldn't be coincidental.

The person providing intelligence to the Divine King was an actor.

To have a Dean provide intelligence, potentially affecting the project.

To provide intelligence to the Divine King.

Able to mobilize forces to discreetly purchase a material from the market.

The guild buying those materials even had cooperation with Jinlan Mountain.

The Deceitful Ghost used his channels to inquire and found that someone wanted to procure; the money was paid, but tracking the specifics was impossible.

With such ability, it couldn't be an individual.

Therefore, Yu Ziqing approached Song Chengyue.

An awkward situation arose; Song Chengyue hadn't even left home, but just by looking at dossiers and reviewing materials, he discovered this matter seemed related to Jinyi Wei.

And related to him, Song Chengyue.

Because the procurement needs of Jinyi Wei this year were approved by him.

He had been lazing around, not carefully reviewing the content of the list, only glancing at the total price and comparing it to last year's figures before approving.

He naturally knew people would exploit benefits within, so he never bothered with details.

As long as it wasn't excessive, he turned a blind eye.

Can't expect everyone to work themselves to death and yet survive only on their official salary, after all.

Otherwise, as a Commander, he feared he might get stabbed in the back.

Song Chengyue didn't investigate closely but confirmed through records that the quantity was indeed slightly higher. However, upon recalculating from the original list, he found the final procurement list had a minor alteration in numbers.

And that was all.

Suggesting it was an accidental mistake, Song Chengyue didn't believe at all.

If it were that simple, Yu Ziqing surely wouldn't ask him about it.

After his conversation with Song Chengyue, the matter rested, and Yu Ziqing turned to find Wen Lingyou.

"Could I trouble you, Senior, to privately ask the Crown Prince if she's recently procured any material..."

Wen Lingyou quickly emerged from the palace.

"Her Highness said no."

"Then there's nothing, thank you, Senior."

"Need any assistance? Her Highness said forces can be mobilized to help.

And you're looking in the wrong direction, this matter has nothing to do with Her Highness."

"No need, it's just to satisfy my curiosity, nothing needs investigating."

Yu Ziqing already had the answer in his heart.

On his way back, he looked towards the direction of the Capital City of Daqian.

No evidence was needed anymore.

Only a few have the ability and power to do such things.

Especially doing the same thing several times.

If not Dali, then it's Daqian, no other possibilities.

Dali's suspicion was not high, so Yu Ziqing directly and straightforwardly inquired.

Not Emperor Qian, then it's the Crown Prince of Daqian.

No, this matter probably has nothing to do with the Crown Prince either; given his recent mindset, it's not that steady.

Emperor Qian?

Yu Ziqing sighed quietly; he had previously thought the Divine King used the Crown Prince as a pawn, and Emperor Qian used the Crown Prince as a pawn, creating a remote contest.

Unexpectedly, Emperor Qian knew much more than he imagined.

Had even contacted the Divine King, playing the Divine King.

No idea for how long this had been ongoing.

Whether it's true or not, the Crown Prince's imminent succession would reveal it.

The previous acts were minor plays, the Crown Prince's succession was the big play.

Recalling how Emperor Qian treated the Crown Prince and other Princes.

Seems he gave everyone hope, but everyone could only watch, unable to grasp.

In such a scenario, wanting to push a Prince to power while Emperor Qian is still alive or hasn't advanced to the Tenth Tier is truly difficult.

But Yu Ziqing didn't understand why.

...

In a blink, twenty years passed.

Yu Ziqing earnestly practiced cultivation, the advancement from Sixth Tier to Seventh Tier was a major threshold.

This time, Yu Ziqing's Refining God reached the limit first, just a step away from advancement.

Slow only because the Body Refinement was slowly reaching the Sixth Tier limit.