Chapter 11: The Imperial Decree and a Royal Proposal
The victory banquet was a whirlwind of dazzling lights, flowing wine, and the murmuring of a thousand voices, all speaking Ling Tian's name. Yet, amidst the splendor, Ling Tian felt a profound sense of tranquility. The cheers and accolades of the crowd were fleeting, but the warmth of Lin Yue's hand in his was a constant, and that was all that truly mattered. She sat beside him, her simple robes a stark contrast to the opulence around them, yet she was the most beautiful woman in the room.
Across the table, Princess Mei Ling watched them with an intensity that was both a burden and a compliment. Her admiration for Ling Tian was no longer a secret. It was a tangible presence, a heat that seemed to challenge the cool, collected air she had once projected. She had seen him as a curiosity, then as a powerful ally, but now, a new emotion stirred within her—one that felt dangerously close to longing.
As the festivities reached their peak, Emperor Xuan rose from his throne. The hall, filled with the highest-ranking nobles and most powerful cultivators of the Eastern Realm, fell into a respectful silence.
"My people," the Emperor's voice boomed, amplified by a powerful spiritual array. "The Imperial Grand Tournament has come to a close. We have witnessed a martial display unlike any other. Long Wei, the champion of the Azure Sky Sect, has shown the power of his clan. Yet, in the face of true genius, even the greatest power must yield."
His gaze settled upon Ling Tian, a look of profound respect in his eyes. "Ling Tian has not only won this tournament, but he has done so with a grace and a depth of understanding that speaks of a profound connection to the Dao itself. For this, I am indebted. The Eastern Realm has found a new guardian, a new hero."
The Emperor gestured to a eunuch, who approached with a large, silken scroll. "As promised, the victor shall be rewarded. Ling Tian, I bestow upon you the title of Marquis of the Dragon's Rise. You shall be granted a fiefdom of ten thousand miles in the fertile Western province, and your clan, the Ling Clan, will be elevated to a noble house of the first rank, with an annual stipend from the Imperial Treasury."
The hall erupted in gasps and whispers of astonishment. Such a title and fiefdom were unheard of for a young cultivator who had only just appeared on the world stage. It was a clear sign that the Emperor was not just rewarding a champion, but grooming a future pillar of the empire.
Ling Tian, his face a mask of humble gratitude, bowed deeply. "Your Majesty is too generous. This servant thanks you for your grace."
The Emperor smiled, and then a new, more complicated expression crossed his face. "But that is not all," he announced, his voice dropping slightly. "The bloodline of the Emperor must be pure, and our legacy must be secured. I have watched you, Ling Tian, and I have seen the fire in your heart and the wisdom in your mind. I believe you are a man worthy of my blood."
A collective intake of breath swept through the hall. Ling Tian's heart began to beat a little faster. He looked at Lin Yue, whose face had gone pale, and then to Princess Mei Ling, whose serene expression had cracked, revealing a deep vulnerability.
"Therefore," the Emperor continued, his voice resonating with finality. "I decree that you, Ling Tian, shall take my beloved daughter, Princess Mei Ling, as your first and primary consort. Your blood, combined with her royal lineage, will produce a line of cultivation geniuses that will secure the Eastern Realm for a thousand generations!"
The hall erupted into a cacophony of gasps, cheers, and envious murmurs. Ling Tian's mind reeled. A first and primary consort? The implication was clear: he was expected to take the princess as his wife, with Lin Yue being relegated to a secondary, less significant role. It was an honor beyond measure, a political masterstroke, but it was also a direct challenge to his heart.
Princess Mei Ling rose, her face a mixture of emotions he couldn't decipher. There was pride, yes, but also a deep-seated fear and a kind of desperate hope. She had never been given a choice in her life, and now, her entire future rested on the will of a man she had just met.
The crowd's eyes were all on Ling Tian. He had won the tournament, defeated a sect prodigy, and gained a title of nobility. Now, he faced his greatest challenge yet, one that could not be solved with a martial technique. His response would either secure his place as a royal favorite or earn him the ire of an Emperor.
He stood up, his gaze sweeping across the faces of the nobles, the elders, and the Emperor himself. Then, he looked at Lin Yue. Her eyes were filled with tears, but she gave him a small, almost imperceptible shake of her head. She knew what was at stake. She was willing to step back, to sacrifice her own happiness for his future.
But Ling Tian's love for her was not a fleeting thing. It was the foundation of his new life, the reason for his strength. He could not, and would not, betray that for a title or a political marriage. He was a man of his word, and he had promised her that they would face everything together.
He took a deep breath and spoke, his voice carrying a quiet, unwavering conviction that silenced the entire hall.
"Your Majesty," he began, his tone respectful but firm. "I am honored beyond words by your proposal. Princess Mei Ling is a woman of immense grace, talent, and beauty. Any man would be fortunate to call her his wife."
He paused, and a hush fell over the room. Everyone leaned in, waiting for his acceptance.
"However," he continued, his gaze now fixed directly on the Emperor, "I am a man of simple honor. My heart, my soul, and my future are already promised. Lin Yue has been my companion, my healer, and my unwavering support since the day I awoke in this world. She is not just a secondary consort; she is my first and only love. I cannot, in good conscience, take the Princess as my primary consort without first elevating Lin Yue to that same position."
The declaration was a political earthquake. The Emperor's face, which had been so benevolent, now turned to stone. The nobles gasped, and a few of the more traditional elders glared at Ling Tian, seeing his refusal as a direct insult to the royal family. Princess Mei Ling's expression was a mixture of surprise and a strange, budding admiration. She had expected him to accept her, but she had never expected him to stand up for his love so boldly.
Ling Tian, however, did not waver. He had made his stand. He would not trade his heart for power, even if it meant risking everything.
A heavy, oppressive silence hung in the air. The fate of Ling Tian, and perhaps the future of his entire clan, hung in the balance. The Emperor, a man of absolute power, had been publicly challenged. His response would decide if Ling Tian would be a hero or a martyr.