Two days later, after traveling day and night, the three elders of the Spirit Hall who had carried out the assassination of Emperor Xue Ye, along with She Long, returned to Spirit City.
---
Inside the Worship Hall.
After the four reported the situation, Qian Daoliu dismissed the three elders and kept She Long behind.
"She Long, you and Ci Xue have worked hard these past years guarding our precious granddaughter."
Qian Daoliu smiled with satisfaction as he addressed She Long.
"Great Elder flatters me. This is what I should do!"
She Long immediately straightened his back and spoke with firm resolve.
Hearing this, Qian Daoliu chuckled softly, raised his hand slightly, and a right arm soul bone glowing with mysterious light floated in front of She Long.
"A soul bone?!"
Staring at the hovering soul bone before him, She Long couldn't help but exclaim.
Although his strength as Snake Spear Douluo wasn't particularly impressive, he still had an eye for quality. He could tell that this was a right arm soul bone aged around forty thousand years—valuable indeed.
"Take it."
She Long and Ci Xue, as Title Douluos, had silently guarded their precious granddaughter for seventeen years. Even if they hadn't achieved great feats, their efforts deserved recognition, especially since the plan had succeeded. They were entitled to a reward.
"Thank you, Great Worship!"
She Long said with gratitude.
With the help of this high-quality right arm soul bone, there was a good chance that he, She Long, would break through the bottleneck he had been stuck at for years and ascend to Level 93 Title Douluo!
"Go," Qian Daoliu waved his hand.
"I take my leave!"
Having received such a precious soul bone, She Long departed joyfully.
Soon, only Qian Daoliu remained in the hall.
"Young people these days grow up so fast. I'm getting old."
After a long pause, Qian Daoliu, who had just learned that Chu Chengzhou had taken on thirteen opponents and slain thirteen Title-level experts from the Star Luo Empire, let out a self-deprecating chuckle.
Then, after some thought, Qian Daoliu used his soul power to issue orders and left the Worship Hall. He rapidly soared into the northern skies of the continent.
---
The next morning.
Inside Yue Xuan, Tang Yuehua carefully adjusted Chu Chengzhou's attire.
"Yuehua, aren't you coming with me?"
Chu Chengzhou asked Tang Yuehua.
Emperor Xue Ye had been assassinated, leaving the throne of the Tian Dou Empire vacant. Today, Crown Prince Xue Qinghe would hold the coronation ceremony in the palace.
This was precisely why Chu Chengzhou, who had recently advanced to Level 80 Quasi-Soul Douluo after consuming whale brain two days ago, hadn't rushed off to hunt for new soul rings.
"No, I'm not very familiar with Xue Qinghe."
Tang Yuehua shook her head.
If it were in the past, as the eldest princess of the Hao Tian Sect, she might have attended Xue Qinghe's coronation ceremony to strengthen ties with the Tian Dou Empire and contribute to restoring her sect's former glory.
But now, with Chu Chengzhou by her side, she had little interest in even continuing to run Yue Xuan, the Tian Dou Empire's Court Etiquette Academy, let alone cultivating relationships with various powers across the continent.
After all, once Chu Chengzhou's strength grew further, the return of the Hao Tian Sect to prominence would be effortless.
"Alright then~"
Seeing that Tang Yuehua had no intention of attending the ceremony, Chu Chengzhou didn't press her. Instead, he reminded her, "By the way, Yuehua, get ready. We'll go hunting for soul rings in a couple of days."
The effects of the Absolute Control ultimate technique were excellent, and the Domain had helped her better control her newfound strength. After practicing for some time, Tang Yuehua had fully adapted to the surge in her soul power.
While her mastery of soul power might not yet match his level, it was already on par with ordinary soul masters of the same Level. It was time for her to continue advancing rapidly.
Conveniently, he also needed to add his eighth soul ring to advance. At that time, they could make a trip to the Great Star Dou Forest.
"Mm."
Tang Yuehua nodded.
She had already become a Level 70 Quasi-Soul Saint. If her seventh soul ring, which she would soon attach, was another ten-thousand-year one, then combined with her previous accumulation, her soul power level would likely rise directly to Level 80 Quasi-Soul Douluo.
In just two or three months, she had transformed from a Level 9 Soul Trainee to a Soul Saint or even a Soul Douluo. Tang Yuehua felt as though she were living in a dream.
---
Tian Dou Palace.
In the square in front of the Hall of Governance.
Emperor Xue Ye hadn't died of natural causes but was assassinated. Coupled with the terrorist attack launched by the Star Luo Empire three nights ago, which had caused panic throughout Tian Dou City, the Tian Dou Empire urgently needed the crown prince to ascend the throne and stabilize the situation.
Thus, Qian Renxue's coronation ceremony was hastily organized. Aside from the nobles and military generals within Tian Dou City, there weren't many heavyweight guests present.
Aside from Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, Gu Rong representing the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda Sect, and the royal guest Dugu Bo, only Bruce, the Platinum Bishop of the Spirit Hall and head of the Tian Dou Spirit Holy Hall, attended.
However, what Chu Chengzhou didn't know was that there was actually another heavyweight guest observing the ceremony today.
This person wasn't among the audience but was instead seated in an elegant room of a teahouse outside the palace. Even Chen Xin, a Level 97 Title Douluo, failed to sense his presence as he quietly observed through spiritual power.
"Woo, woo, woo—"
A horn with a somewhat desolate tone sounded, its lingering notes echoing across the sky.
Under the blazing sun, the coronation ceremony began.
Surrounded by numerous palace guards, Xue Qinghe, dressed in a magnificent golden-red imperial robe, solemnly ascended the grand altar erected in the center of the square.
Subsequently, Prince Xue Xing held a ceremonial text and began reading it passionately.
The ceremonial text was long, recounting the glorious history of the Tian Dou Empire, and Xue Xing delivered it well. However, Chu Chengzhou, standing among the audience, couldn't focus on a single word.
It was like listening to a leader's speech—rambling on about everything except the one thing everyone cared about, like salary increases. It was annoying.
Of course, Chu Chengzhou maintained his composure and didn't show any signs of impatience, as the person undergoing the coronation ceremony was, after all, his own sister.
As time passed, the coronation ceremony neared its conclusion.
On the altar, Prince Xue Xing personally placed the crown on Xue Qinghe's head and solemnly handed over the golden gem-encrusted scepter symbolizing imperial authority.
In the presence of the Tian Dou Empire's nobles, military generals, and the attending guests, Xue Qinghe accepted the golden gem-encrusted scepter and officially ascended the throne as the ruler of the Tian Dou Empire, adopting the title Emperor Qinghe.
"Hail the Emperor!"
Xue Xing knelt on one knee, leading the homage to the new ruler.
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Ten thousand years of prosperity!"
Instantly, shouts of "ten thousand years" erupted like an avalanche or a tsunami across the entire square, spreading throughout Tian Dou City.
On the square, aside from the attending guests, all the nobles, military generals, and palace guards of the Tian Dou Empire knelt on one knee before the newly crowned Emperor Qinghe on the altar.
Seeing this scene, a smile appeared on Qian Renxue's face.
Years of effort had finally borne fruit.
No, the greatest reward for her more than a decade of hiding in the Tian Dou Empire wasn't the empire's status but the young man watching from below.
'Thank you, my royal consort!'
Looking at Chu Chengzhou, who was smiling at her from below, Qian Renxue silently thought to herself.
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