CHAPTER 563: FIVE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-THREE CHANGES OF THE XUANYUE IMPERIAL FAMILY

"Hey, have you heard? Yun Xiao has made another big splash at the Meridian Refining Master Guild!"

"Who doesn’t know that? I heard he cured a patient that even Vice Chairman Qian was helpless with!"

"Not just that, Yun Xiao also defied the heavens by refining a low-level Heavenly Rank Elixir, so much so that Vice Chairman Qian wanted to become his disciple!"

"Nonsense, could Vice Chairman Qian really take a kid who’s only at the late stage of the Meridian Union Realm as his master?"

"Hehe, looks like you’re out of the loop. When Yun Xiao was refining that low-level Heavenly Rank Elixir, he broke through two levels with the help of the Heavenly Dao Pill Tribulation and advanced to the early stage of the Spirit Vein Realm!"

"Are you talking about that abnormal change in the heavens and earth that day?"

"..."

The events that transpired in the Meridian Refining Master Guild of Baiyue City spread as if they had grown wings, becoming common knowledge in just a few days. Although some stories were distorted with rumors, they were deviations from the actual facts.

For instance, the rumor that Qian Sanyuan wanted to take Yun Xiao as his master was obviously just hearsay. However, aside from that, other rumors were somewhat close to the truth.

The dense thunderclouds over the Meridian Refining Master Guild on that day were witnessed by many, and the big hole that was blasted in the main hall of the Guild has not yet been repaired.

At that time, no one really knew what caused it, but now, everyone understands that it was due to the successful refining of a Heavenly Rank Elixir by someone inside, which led to the Heavenly Dao Pill Tribulation.

A Heavenly Rank Elixir, for the cultivators of the Hidden Dragon Continent, is nothing but a legendary divine medicine, perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime sighting.

As for the bystanders who were unconcerned, certain cultivators connected to Yun Xiao found it hard to stay put, particularly a certain Empress of the Xuanyue Imperial Family, and her beloved Crown Prince.

...

Xuanyue Palace.

Inside a majestic hall, an authoritative figure sat upright at a desk, holding a vermillion brush, seemingly writing something. Not far from him, an incense burning with vivid color wafted its faint fragrant smoke, enveloping the hall.

This imposing figure naturally belonged to Xuan Haoran, the reigning King of the Xuanyue Empire. However, unlike his previous state of a hero in decline, he now appeared more spirited and vigorous.

Thanks to Yun Wei’s methods, Xuan Haoran’s Meridian Qi, which had been stuck at the peak of the Spirit Vein Realm for many years, had suddenly broken through. He was now a genuine early stage cultivator of the Qi Seeking Realm at the Earth Rank.

Once reaching the Earth Rank Third Realm, one’s lifespan greatly increases. A cultivator of the Earth Rank Third Realm can live up to five hundred years, provided they are not killed.

Logic suggests that Xuan Haoran, having broken through to the Earth Rank Third Realm, should have no problem ruling the Xuanyue Empire for hundreds more years. However, after experiencing the cunning of the powers from Tenglong Continent, his once subdued passionate heart seemed to blaze anew.

Especially during this time, Yun Xiao’s various astounding performances made Xuan Haoran feel like a frog in a well. He yearned to ascend to higher planes and witness a vaster universe.

Seven days have passed since the grand event of the Meridian Refining Master Guild, and Qian Sanyuan amongst the great powers from Tenglong Continent had left the Hidden Dragon Continent and returned to the Tenglong Continent after that day.

It’s worth mentioning that Qian Sanyuan and Xue Ningxiang did not take talents like the Mo Qingling Pill with them directly. Instead, they presented a challenge: to break through to the Spirit Vein Realm.

After all, whether it’s the Meridian Refining Master Guild or Xuanyin Hall, they are among the top forces in Tenglong Continent. If the young talents in these forces fail to reach the Spirit Vein Realm, they likely won’t have an easy time.

Putting these talents aside, after seven days of careful consideration, Xuan Haoran had resolutely made a decision. The contents that he was writing at his desk, constituted the entirety of this decision.

"Jiuding, I am sorry. For the future of the Xuanyue Empire, the position of King can only be passed to Jing’er!"

Xuan Haoran speedily wrote, while a sigh escaped from his mouth. It seemed this was the decision he had made, one that altered the succession.

Xuan Haoran did have fondness for Xuan Jiuding, but since the latter had been subjected to Yun Xiao’s Absolute Spirit Stabilizing Pulse Hand and could never break through to the Spirit Vein Realm, how could he pass on the throne to him?

Moreover, Xuan Haoran was somewhat aware of the grudge between Xuan Jiuding and Yun Xiao. Allowing Xuan Jiuding to ascend to the throne could sour relations between the Imperial Family and Yun Xiao.

Since Xuan Jiuding was no longer a possible successor, and Xuan Haoran himself desired to ascend to a higher plane, he naturally had to look for another. Thus, he thought of Xuan Jing right away.

Ever since Yun Xiao cured Xuan Jing of the poison, this Second Prince naturally shared the details of his association with Yun Xiao with his father. Hence, Xuan Haoran felt he understood the relationship between the two quite well.

Compared to the stalemate between Xuan Jiuding and Yun Xiao, perhaps entrusting Xuan Jing with the throne of the Xuanyue Empire would be more advantageous for the future development of the empire. This is the most genuine thought in Xuan Haoran’s heart.

Alas, Xuan Haoran greatly underestimated that mother and daughter pair. His decision might never see the light of day. Years of peace in the Xuanyue Imperial Family had made Xuan Haoran a bit too complacent.

"Uh?"

While furiously writing, Xuan Haoran suddenly felt a heaviness in his mind, followed by a drastic change in his complexion. The cultivation technique of Xuanyue Baodian (Xuanyue Treasure Manual) was circulating, but the meridian qi he had just broken through to the Qi Seeking Realm of Earth Rank abruptly vanished without a trace.

The shock that hit Xuan Haoran was extraordinary. He tried to push himself up with his palm on the desk, intending to stand, but ultimately, he collapsed back into his seat, powerless. Glancing around, he suddenly noticed something different about the incense burning not far away.

"Who exactly is it?"

After all, as the king, Xuan Haoran quickly steadied his mind. But when a figure flashed through his mind, he vaguely understood what was happening.

Tap tap tap!

Just as Xuan Haoran was catching a glimpse of a figure, a burst of footsteps came from outside the hall, drawing his gaze away from the strange incense. He immediately saw three familiar figures enter together.

The man and woman leading the way were not strangers to Xuan Haoran, for they were his long-time company, the Empress Nie Yi, and his own son, Xuan Jiuding.

As for the old, black-clothed figure beside the mother and son, Xuan Haoran also had some impression. Wasn’t that Ran Xing, the low-level Meridian Refining Master of Earth Rank who had been outwitted by Yun Xiao and hence wanted across the entire empire?

"Father Emperor, Father Emperor, what’s wrong with you?"

Xuan Jiuding, who had just entered the hall, swiveled his eyes and saw Xuan Haoran leaning weakly against the desk. His face showed a hint of panic. With a slight movement, he was about to rush forward to check on him.

"I’m fine, stand there and don’t move!"

Xuan Haoran, harboring some speculations in his heart, endured the weakness in his body to sit up straight and then spoke sternly. It seemed he did not want these few people to see his current state.

At Xuan Haoran’s words, Xuan Jiuding paused mid-step, turning his head in confusion to glance at Ran Xing, who then spoke with a slightly ominous tone, "What, does Crown Prince doubt Ran’s methods?"

After speaking solemnly, Ran Xing turned his gaze to Xuan Haoran, and after carefully sensing for a moment, finally revealed a smile, "The ’Spirit Corrosive Binding Fragrance’ I took a whole year to concoct, how can an old fellow who just stepped into the Qi Seeking Realm possibly counter it?"

"It really was you!"

Hearing Ran Xing’s words, Xuan Haoran’s suspicions were confirmed. He glanced covertly at the burning incense, yet he was somewhat puzzled in his heart.

"Empress, Jiuding, this is... why?"

Xuan Haoran always believed he had been fair to the mother and son pair. In the past, he even entrusted half of the Xuanyue Empire in the hands of Xuan Jiuding.

However, as Xuan Haoran posed this question, he suddenly felt guilty and discreetly smoothed the Emperor’s Decree that was not yet finished on the desk. Then he saw the Empress Nie Yi boldly stride forward.

Whoosh!

The decree that Xuan Haoran had folded halfway was flung open by Nie Yi, and then she read aloud with a deep voice, "Depose Xuan Jiuding from his position as Crown Prince, to be succeeded by Second Prince Xuan Jing. Tsk tsk, Xuan Haoran, you really are a treacherous backstabber!"

As Nie Yi read out certain key contents of the decree, the last bit of reluctance in Xuan Jiuding’s eyes disappeared, replaced by profound resentment.

"Father Emperor, in what way am I inferior to that youngster Xuan Jing that you treat me this way?"

Being the Crown Prince of Xuanyue Empire from birth, Xuan Jiuding was second only to one, above millions, and displayed considerable governance skills growing up, managing the empire in an orderly fashion.

Therefore, Xuan Jiuding couldn’t understand. After a Countries Hidden Dragon Conference, why was his position as Crown Prince being stripped away? Simply because he could no longer break through to the Spirit Vein Realm?

But isn’t ruling a country based on extraordinary political talent and astute political strategy, not necessarily top-level cultivation, right? With great power and wealth, one can surely win over powerful individuals to serve one’s cause.

Yet, Xuan Jiuding, who had been brought low by Yun Xiao, considered only himself, utterly overlooking that in a world where martial power is supreme, relying solely on external forces will likely result in being utterly devastated by others.

"Why treat you this way?"

At this moment, Xuan Haoran became calm instead, asking with a touch of heartache before his eyes blazed with intensity, and he yelled, "You are unworthy to be the ruler of the Xuanyue Empire based on your actions today. I, Xuan Haoran, do not have such a son!"

"Tsk tsk, Xuan Haoran, what are you pretending for now? Do you still think you are the lofty and esteemed ruler?"