The truth of the matter was that Wang Wei was still in the Dao Opening Sect and was controlling everything behind the scene.
His grandfather True Monarch Yu Zhuang is indeed injured and still healing. As a result, Wang Wei rarely interacted with him and only saw a Projection Clone of him on his fifth birthday. However, he often saw his grandmother from his mother's side, while the one from his father' side had long passed away before his birth.
The reason that Wang Wei did not show up to meet the people of the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty was due to the fact that his situation is not ideal at the moment. After cultivating the [Ten Thousands Things Adapt To One Sutra] for more than two years, he was always in a weakened state.
Wang Wei and the upper echelon feared that something might be discovered if he was to meet a powerful cultivator like Retired Prince Ji Xiang. They worried that the people of Great Zhou might be able to infer their plan based on the condition of Wang Wei.
So, they made up a plausible excuse to explain his absence.
...
Wang Ju walked in the Wang Family Courtyard as usual to report the latest development of the situation with Crown Prince Ji Song.
As soon as she entered, Wang Ju saw the Young Sect Master wiping out a dark green liquid from the corner of his mouth. At the same time, there was another puddle of dark-green blood or bile in the floor emanating a foul odor, looking quite dangerous.
"Damn poisons," muttered Wang Wei, "What brings you out so early in the morning?"
"Young master, there are new developments in the situation with the Crown Prince."
"Oh, I thought I already explained not to allow him to enter the Trial again?"
"According to the Elders, the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty offered a price that is hard to refuse. As such, they wanted to know your opinion on the matter."
Wang Wei was intrigued. The Dao Opening Sect is very powerful and full of resources. If there is something that can actually tempt, it must be extraordinary.
Wang Wei took the jade talisman that explained the price that the people of Great Zhou were willing to offer.
According to this information, when Wang Wei cultivates the [Ancient Desolate Bodyrefining Scripture] to a certain level, he will need material based on the Five Elements to further refine his powerful body.
As such, the Sect's upper echelons made a list of the 5 most powerful materials in the entire Myriad Emperor World that represent the 5 Elements of Wood, Fire, Metal, Earth, and Water.
They believed that only by providing Wang Wei with the best so he can have a higher chance of being victorious during the Heaven Will Battle. However, despite the deep foundation of the Dao Opening Sect, they could only gather two of the five materials.
The other 3 are either too rare to be found, in the hands of another powerful sect or faction, or even might be already extinct in the long river of time.
However, to their surprise, low and below, the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty offered one of the missing materials as an offer to allow their crown prince to participate in the Pagoda Trials again.
After reading the material again, Wang Wei knew the gist of things. He pondered for a moment before replying. "Tell the Elders that they can accept the offer, but the highest level of trial he can participate in is the Fourth. No more than this. If they insist, tell the Elders that they can just refuse the material."
After saying all of this in a single breath, Wang Wei coughed again and spewed out a few more puddles of black blood.
"Also, add a time limit."
Wang Wei was not too worried about this precious material. Since he knew where it was, it was bound to be his. Even if he was not strong enough to take it by force, he could still take it by other means.
From what he learned about Crown Prince Ji Song, he is a very rash and arrogant person. When the time comes, just use the material as the prize for a competition, then arouse him by reminding him of his defeat in the Pagoda trial, then he can legally or openly acquire it. Wang Wei has this level of confidence in himself.
Suddenly, Wang Wei asked: "Did you release our bait properly?"
"Yes, just like you ask, Young master. One of the disciples got drunk and revealed the news that you were not originally going to participate in the Spirit Road Trial, but suddenly changed your mind for no reason."
"That's good," replied Wang Wei, satisfied with Wang Ju's work as usual.
Soon afterward, Wang Ju left the Manor to relay the young master's order to the Elders. Of course she did not forget to remind a few maids to go and clean up after the young master and bring him a few more tonics to ease his pain.
A few days later. In the Guest Hall of the Dao Opening Sect, Prime Minister Zhao Yan was talking to his Majesty Ji Wen through the long distance communication formation.
"How was the result?"
"Your majesty, they accepted our offer. The Crown Prince can participate in Four Trials in the Pagoda. However, they still gave us a time limit of half a year."
"Well better than our bottom line. As for the time limit, it's not necessarily a bad thing. Having more pressure can inspire Song'er to work harder."
"it is a shame that the Dao Opening Sect did not allow his royal highness Ji Su to also participate no matter what price we offered them."
"Well, Su'er will understand like always. Additionally, there are other ways to polish Dao Heart, although not as effective as this Pagoda, it still counts better than nothing. Well, what about the main cause of the visit, did you discover anything?"
"The Brocade Guard could not find any useful information, but we did learn something useful from the discussions of one the disciples."
"According to the information we received, the Young Sect Master did not initially plan to participate in the Spirit Road Trial, but suddenly changed his mind around the same time that the news was released. We have infer that the Dao Opening Sect is truly after something in the Spirit Road trial, but we cannot confirm whether it has anything to do with the [Ancient Desolate Bodyrefining Scripture]."
"No matter the odds or what plan they have, it is worth it to take the risk. We just have to take extra caution this time around. We will use multiple methods to ensure the safety of Song'er during the Spirit Road Trial."
If it was normal times, Sovereign Ji Wen would be extremely cautious and would never allow his most favorite and talented son to take such risks. But recent events have put him on constant edge.
Sovereign Ji Wen realized that this generation's Heaven Mandate Battle will truly be extraordinary. Any advantage that his son can acquire would be of immense benefit.
Furthermore, lately, he has been reminiscing of the Heaven Chosen of his generation--especially Wang Tian, the current sect master of the Dao Opening Sect.
This man's swordsmanship was truly unique and unparalleled. Even through this day, he still has lingering fear when he thinks of that year's unmatched sword cut.
In fact, when he learned that his generation did not have a Heaven Mandate Battle, part of him was truly relieved not to have to face Wang Tian in battle.
This thought has been the greatest shame of his entire life. And he knew that many Heaven Chosen of his generation felt the same way. As such, he did not want his son to be like him; he did not want his son to live in the shadow of his past enemy' son.
So, despite the fact this trip to the Spirit Road might be a trap, as long as there is the possibility of getting such great benefit as the [Ancient Desolate Bodyrefining Scripture], he will still take the bait.