Bai Ming looked at the contract scroll in front of him and suddenly asked, “What if I’m unwilling to sign this contract?”

This was the palace, his territory. No matter how powerful Bai Di was, he couldn’t defeat his army.

Bai Di said, “I can’t destroy the entire Sun City, but I can use your life to threaten the beasts outside to let us go.”

The star pattern on his waist lit up.

Bai Ming’s expression changed slightly. He sensed his son’s soul beast aura and was stunned. “You actually rose to five stars?!”

When he first returned to the palace, he was only four stars. In just four days, he had actually risen to five stars!

This level-up speed was unheard of. It was too terrifying!

If he was given a few more years, he would definitely become the strongest soul beast in Sun City!

Bai Ming looked at his son with a deep gaze. “If you really attack me, you’ll never be able to return to Sun City again. Is it worth it to give up your noble status as a prince for a female?”

“I can still live well without being a prince, but I can’t live without Huanhuan.”

Bai Ming was speechless.

Bai Di said, “If I had a choice, I wouldn’t want to attack you. You’re my father. I’ve always respected you.”

Bai Ming looked at him steadily for a long time.

When Huanhuan thought that the father and son were really going to fight, Bai Ming suddenly raised his hand and pressed a bright thumbprint on the contract scroll.

The contract was formed!

Bai Di put the scroll away. “Thank you for your understanding, Father.”

“Huanhuan saved me. It’s only right that I give her this promise. I asked you so many questions just now to confirm your feelings for Huanhuan. Now, it seems that the two of you are really in love.”

Bai Ming paused and looked at Huanhuan. “I want to talk to Bai Di alone.”

Huanhuan looked at Bai Di and saw him nod. “Okay,” she said. “I’ll wait for you outside.”

She turned and walked out of the bedroom. The door was closed again.

Bai Ming looked at his increasingly powerful son in front of him and was silent for a long time before saying slowly.

“You’ve already become a five-starred soul beast at such a young age. I believe that in time, your strength will definitely far surpass mine! Moreover, you’re very determined and thorough. If Sun City is left in your hands, I’ll be at ease even if I die!”

Bai Di said, “Your body has recovered. Sun City will definitely be stronger under your leadership. There’s no need to be in a hurry to choose the heir to the throne.”

Bai Ming waved his hand, looking very tired. “My illness doesn’t come from my body but my soul.”

“Father, you…”

“Ever since your mother passed away, I’ve suffered the backlash of the mate contract. I’ve been relying on holy water to survive until now. Even though Huanhuan has cured my body, my soul is already broken. I won’t live long.”

Bai Ming’s voice grew softer, and his eyes dimmed.

His mate was a female tiger. She died in an accident three years ago. Bai Di chose to leave Sun City after that and go out on his own.

After his mate died, Bai Ming was depressed for a period of time, but he survived it and looked no different from ordinary beasts.

Everyone thought that he had endured the backlash of the mate contract. Unexpectedly, he had not. He was only using holy water to delay the backlash.

Now that the effects of the holy water had reached the limit, his soul could no longer withstand it. It was only a matter of time before he collapsed.

Bai Ming looked at his son steadily. His voice was soft, but his tone was solemn.

“Will you be the king of Sun City?”

…

High Priest Wen Qian brought the divine servants back to the temple. On the way, they encountered Bai Luo, who was rushing back to the palace.

As soon as Bai Luo saw Wen Qian, he immediately blocked his way and asked breathlessly, “Aren’t you treating Father in the palace? Why are you here?”

Wen Qian looked at him sympathetically. “His Majesty is about to die. The gods can’t protect him anymore. Third Prince, I hope you can prepare for the worst.”

Upon hearing this, Bai Luo’s face instantly turned pale.

“No! You’re talking nonsense. Father will be fine!” Bai Luo was furious.

Wen Qian waved his hand and asked the divine servants behind him to go away. When they were the only ones left in the corridor, he said slowly,

“You actually know very well that His Majesty’s health has long been compromised. The backlash from the mate contract makes him wish he was dead. It’s a relief for him to leave early.”

Bai Luo wanted to retort, but Wen Qian stopped him.

“I know you love your father very much, but at this point, no matter how uncomfortable you are, you have to face the truth. His Majesty is about to leave, but this beast city can’t live without a king. Between you and the second prince, who will be the new heir?”

Bai Luo clenched his fists. “Father will appoint an heir. The high priest doesn’t have to worry about this.”

“Naive child, do you think His Majesty will pass the throne to you?” Wen Qian’s eyes were filled with sympathy. “Ever since you were young, His Majesty has always been biased toward the second prince. Be it strength, talent, or intelligence, you can only be a foil to your second brother. The difference between the two of you is so obvious. How can His Majesty pass the throne to the youngest son who’s inferior to his elder brother in every aspect?!”

Bai Luo said nothing, but his fists were clenched tighter and tighter. His knuckles even turned white.

Wen Qian paced slowly beside him. “You’ve clearly been working hard too. From the moment you awakened your beast soul to the moment you rose to two stars, you’ve been working hard each step of the way! After the queen passed away, you’ve always been by His Majesty’s side. But why does everyone only have eyes for your brother? It’s as if you can only live in his shadow and be his foil.

“Are you really willing to live like this?”

Bai Luo couldn’t take it anymore and said angrily, “Shut up!”

Wen Qian looked at his bloodshot blue eyes and knew that he had wavered, so he gave one last push.

“Do you want to sit on the throne? I can help you.”

…

Huanhuan sat alone on the stairs outside the house. She rested her chin on her hands and stared blankly at the long corridor in front of her.

She wondered what Bai Di and his father were talking about in the room…

A person walked over from the end of the corridor. She looked over and realized that it was Bai Luo.

He looked like Bai Di, but his hair was shorter, and the emotions on his face were more outgoing and vivid.

Bai Luo stopped and looked at Huanhuan. “Why are you sitting here? Where’s Second Brother?”

Huanhuan pointed to the closed door behind her. “He’s talking to His Majesty in the room.”

Bai Luo stared at the door for a moment and suddenly asked.

“Who do you think is more suitable for the throne, Second Brother or me?”