Where the dark bird descends is never random.
Its landing site always marks where destiny lies.
Now, the dark bird had landed on Splendid Radiance Hall.
And within Splendid Radiance Hall was the crown prince.
There was no doubt.
Whether it was the collapse of the Sui River or the solar eclipse, neither event could compare to this one.
The dark bird only descended once every several thousand years.
In contrast, while rare, the Sui River collapse and solar eclipses still occurred roughly every few decades.
Throughout history, whenever the dark bird appeared, it was always followed by the rise of a sacred king in the mortal world.
At that very moment—
Inside Splendid Radiance Hall, everyone was stunned by the arrival of the dark bird.
But then, they all began to feel something.
The dark bird's arrival didn't just bring fame—it also brought immense fortune.
According to legends, the dark bird was a manifestation of the Dao.
No one could say if that was true, but as its domain spread across the hall, it indeed contained supreme Dao intent.
Under the influence of that Dao intent, everyone inside Splendid Radiance Hall felt like their consciousness was flowing down the long river of time.
With each passing breath, their minds seemed to pass through ten years of thought.
And during that time, their comprehension grew immensely.
Yang Cheng felt it too.
It was because he knew exactly what the dark bird could do that he had chosen to make it land on Splendid Radiance Hall.
Since the opportunity was so rare, Yang Cheng decided to use it to complete a sword technique he had created in his past life.
This sword technique was called Northern Sea Sword Codex.
In his past life, Yang Cheng had only created the opening of the technique, just half a sword move. After that, his talent and comprehension fell short, and he couldn't push it further.
But in this life, not only had his understanding improved, he now had the support of the dark bird's domain.
He believed he could complete it this time.
After just three breaths, Yang Cheng created the first move.
Northern Sea First Form: In the Northern Sea, there is a fish.
Then came the second through the ninth forms in order:
2. Great Fish Surfaces,
3. Kun Swims the Sea,
4. Transforms to Roc,
5. Spreads Wings in Fury,
6. Clouds Hang Low,
7. Migrates to the Southern Sea,
8. Splashes Through Three Thousand,
9. Soars to Ninety Thousand.
Right then, the hundred breaths the dark bird stayed reached its end.
Everyone outside Splendid Radiance Hall was frozen in shock.
The last time the dark bird had descended was 7,000 years ago.
Before the Great Zhou, the empire was known as the Great Ying.
7,000 years ago, the founding emperor of Great Ying was still a feudal lord when the dark bird appeared.
Soon after, chaos spread through the land. That lord seized the opportunity, rose up, and founded the Great Ying Dynasty that lasted 5,000 years.
The historical records were clear.
Back then, the dark bird had rested on the roof of Founder Ying for 30 breaths.
Now, the dark bird had stayed on Splendid Radiance Hall for 100 breaths.
Didn't that mean the crown prince's future would surpass even that of Founder Ying?
After the daze came excitement.
Especially among the royal clan members.
Courtiers might survive even if dynasties changed.
But the royal clan's fate was tied directly to the empire's.
If Great Zhou thrived, they lived in luxury. If it fell, they would fall with it.
Emperor Qian Yuan was already outstanding.
But now, it looked like the crown prince might surpass even him.
And if that was true, they'd live even more prosperous lives.
"Hahaha!"
Prince Duan burst out laughing. "Who says the crown prince of Great Zhou brings misfortune? It's all just slander by evil cults trying to defile the prince. But the truth is, he's destined by Heaven. No foul rumor can touch him. Even the Dao of Heaven couldn't stand to watch and sent the dark bird to clear the prince's name!"
"Congratulations, Your Majesty!"
"After 7,000 years, the dark bird returns!"
"Great Zhou is bound to usher in an era more glorious than ever!"
"The Sui River collapse? The solar eclipse? They're just little hurdles in the crown prince's path to greatness."
The other royal clan members were equally excited, all congratulating Emperor Qian Yuan.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty!"
"May Great Zhou enjoy eternal glory!"
The ministers paused briefly, then joined in as well.
The impact of the dark bird's descent was overwhelming, like a flood.
In comparison, the Sui River and solar eclipse were mere ripples, swept away in an instant.
"Hahaha!"
Emperor Qian Yuan also laughed heartily. "My lords, let us celebrate—for the crown prince, for Great Zhou, and for the people of the world!"
"For the crown prince! For Great Zhou! For the people!"
Everyone around responded in unison.
Even those harboring hostility toward the prince didn't dare speak out now.
At the same time, under countless eyes, the dark bird took off into the sky.
Its body rapidly expanded, in moments returning to its 100 zhang length, tearing through the clouds as it flew away.
Before half a cup of tea had passed, the dark bird had vanished completely.
All the heavenly signs vanished with it.
The world returned to peace, as if nothing had ever happened.
If not for nearly the entire capital witnessing the dark bird's arrival, people might've thought it was all an illusion.
Then—
Boom!
A terrifying surge erupted inside Splendid Radiance Hall.
A pillar of light shot into the sky, shaking even the clouds above.
"What is that?"
"Someone's advancing to Martial Emperor!"
"It's Her Majesty! That wave of power—it's the empress!"
"They say the dark bird's domain contains supreme Dao intent. Anyone bathed in it gains great fortune in martial cultivation."
"The empress was already a high-level Martial Saint. Most thought she'd need decades more to reach Martial Emperor… Who would've expected this?"
Outside Splendid Radiance Hall, the crowd erupted again.
In the Wasteland Realm, Martial Emperors were the peak of power.
Every new Martial Emperor was a huge boost to a nation's strength.
Great Zhou originally had 17 Martial Emperors.
Now, with the Empress, it had 18.
First came the descent of the dark bird, then the Empress ascended to Martial Emperor. For Great Zhou, this was joy upon joy.
"Come, enter Splendid Radiance Hall with Us!"
Emperor Qian Yuan couldn't wait.
Now that the dark bird had left, they could finally step inside.
Inside Splendid Radiance Hall—
"Congratulations, Your Majesty!"
The palace maids and eunuchs were full of joy.
Their fates were tied to Yun Liyue.
Now that she had become a Martial Emperor, no one in the palace could threaten her anymore.
This was a huge blessing for them all.
And this time, not only Yun Liyue benefited—everyone else here had shared in the fortune. Each of them had been touched by the Dao aura brought by the dark bird.
Overall, the strength of everyone in Splendid Radiance Hall had taken a giant leap.
The most obvious example was Hu Po.
She, a mere palace maid, had broken through to Martial Saint.
In any other place, that would have been an earth-shaking event.
But now, her aura was overshadowed by Yun Liyue's power as a Martial Emperor, so few noticed her breakthrough.
Yang Cheng was also overlooked.
He was just too young.
No one thought he could possibly comprehend anything.
"We're all blessed thanks to Cheng'er," Yun Liyue said with a smile.
She was a woman without ambition, so destiny had nothing to do with her.
The dark bird's descent must have been for Yang Cheng.
And the benefits she gained were simply enormous.
Although her current cultivation was only just at the Martial Emperor level, that was only due to a lack of accumulated true energy.
In truth, her Dao heart and realm had already reached high-level Martial Emperor.
"His Highness is truly blessed!"
"To serve His Highness is the greatest fortune of our lives," the palace servants said sincerely.
Tap tap tap…
At that moment, a rush of footsteps echoed from outside.
"His Majesty arrives!"
Emperor Qian Yuan entered, leading the royal clan and officials.
Yun Liyue rose to greet him. "Your Majesty."
"Empress."
Emperor Qian Yuan looked at her, his eyes full of relief and excitement.
There was true affection between him and Yun Liyue.
She was excellent in every way, and he was very satisfied with her as empress.
He had been deeply worried when all the negativity had been directed at Splendid Radiance Hall.
But as the emperor, he had to put the empire first.
If it had come to it, he might have had no choice but to depose the crown prince, which would have damaged the empress's standing.
But now, with the descent of the dark bird, all those problems were gone.
He no longer needed to struggle or worry.
"Greetings to Her Majesty."
"Greetings to the Crown Prince."
The royal clansmen and officials all bowed, with far more reverence than before.
One had become a Martial Emperor, the other was marked by destiny.
Splendid Radiance Hall's position had once been unstable.
Lately, it had been on the verge of collapse.
But from this moment on, unless something drastic happened, Splendid Radiance Hall's standing would be unshakable.
While joy overflowed in Splendid Radiance Hall, the atmosphere in Radiant Sunlight Hall was stormy and tense.
Smashing things wasn't enough to vent Noble Consort Zhuang Wanrong's fury.
Gripping a sword, she hacked over a dozen training dummies to pieces.
"Unfair! Destiny is unfair!"
After exhausting herself, she collapsed onto the floor.
Just half a moment ago, she'd been delighted, certain that Splendid Radiance Hall was finished.
Princess Changle's prophecy had been spot on.
Both the Sui River collapse and the solar eclipse had come true in succession.
Zhuang Wanrong couldn't imagine how Splendid Radiance Hall could possibly recover.
Yet something this outrageous had happened.
A dark bird that hadn't appeared in 7,000 years suddenly descended—and landed right on Splendid Radiance Hall.
All the forces working against the crown prince were instantly washed away.
Now, the crown prince's position was more secure than ever.
The dark bird symbolized Heaven's mandate.
From now on, in the eyes of the world, the crown prince bore Heaven's will.
Even if Emperor Qian Yuan wanted to depose him, it would be nearly impossible now.
"Didn't Changle say my son was the true child of destiny? Then why did the dark bird land on Splendid Radiance Hall?!"
Zhuang Wanrong couldn't make sense of it.
Not far away—
Yang Xiu stood frozen, but inside his sea of consciousness, he was communicating with Lin Xinglan.
"The dark bird?"
Even Lin Xinglan looked shocked.
She understood more about the dark bird than anyone in Great Zhou—and she was sure that was the real thing.
"Senior, if the dark bird landed on Splendid Radiance Hall, does that mean the crown prince is the true child of destiny?"
Yang Xiu asked, panicked.
Lin Xinglan fell silent. Her eyes also showed doubt.
When she chose Yang Xiu, it wasn't random.
She had seen the destiny of the Wasteland Realm converging on him.
He was definitely born with great fortune.
So how did this happen?
Why would the dark bird choose Yang Cheng?
Still, Lin Xinglan's thoughts quickly calmed.
Even if she'd calculated wrong—
Even if Yang Cheng truly was the one chosen by destiny—
So what?