CHAPTER 943: CHAPTER 962: BEICHEN RETURNS

"Hon... Honorable Brother!"

Emperor Ziwei’s eyes were moist. He stared blankly at Ye Xuan in front of him, with many words he wanted to say, but when they reached his lips, only these two words were uttered.

"Brother, please."

Ye Xuan smiled faintly and pulled Emperor Ziwei toward the imperial throne. The Nine Heaven Mysterious Maiden also bowed gracefully, paying her respects to Emperor Ziwei just like Ye Xuan.

"Honorable Brother, this is inappropriate."

Suddenly, before Ye Xuan could seat Emperor Ziwei on the Heavenly Emperor’s throne, he regained his senses with an anxious expression, pushing Ye Xuan away and bowing to him.

"Heavenly Emperor, Ziwei appreciates your kind intentions, but I am absolutely unworthy of the position. I hope the Heavenly Emperor will rescind the command."

Emperor Ziwei was initially too touched, thus allowing Ye Xuan to bring him to the throne. But as he calmed down, he realized he simply couldn’t accept the Heavenly Emperor’s position bestowed by Ye Xuan.

The reason is simple.

What virtue or capability does Ziwei possess? What qualifications does he have to occupy the Heavenly Emperor’s position?

In terms of cultivation, he is merely at the second watershed of Daluo, not even at the Daluo Peak, and the Heavenly Court boasts at least ten thousand with his level of cultivation. Even a minor Heavenly Patrol Immortal Officer might be stronger than him.

In terms of achievements, he has no remarkable merits, not even comparable to some demon kings under Ye Xuan.

If there is anything noteworthy, it would be in the past when Ye Xuan was weak, he risked his life to help Ye Xuan and remained unwavering.

Although Ziwei knows that based on his relationship with Ye Xuan, he could easily take this position, one must have self-awareness. Relying on him, Ziwei, cannot convince anyone sincerely. If he truly sat on the Heavenly Emperor’s throne, everyone would only outwardly comply while inwardly dissenting.

"Brother, do not be modest. You are the only one qualified for the throne. Should anyone dare to harbor dissatisfaction, they may speak candidly."

Though Ye Xuan appeared to speak with Emperor Ziwei, his eyes swept across everyone present, causing a slight change in the faces of the Heavenly Court members, each showing a forced smile.

Ye Xuan’s might was too frightening, too invincible. No one dared to show the slightest discontent because no one dared to defy Ye Xuan’s will, which is an ironclad fact in the Heavenly Court.

"Vassal Kong Xuan pays respects to Ziwei Heavenly Emperor."

Suddenly, Kong Xuan waved his wide sleeves and was the first to bow in salute to Emperor Ziwei. This prompted others to quickly regain their senses, imitating Kong Xuan in paying homage to the new Heavenly Emperor.

"Vassal, Donghuang Emperor Jun greets Ziwei Heavenly Emperor."

"Minghe pays respects to the Heavenly Emperor."

"We vassals kneel before Your Majesty."

The mountains echoed and seas roared as the members of the Heavenly Court bowed in salute. Regardless of their internal thoughts, Ye Xuan had already designated Emperor Ziwei as the new Heavenly Emperor, and they had to express submission. Otherwise, it would be as if they were slapping Ye Xuan’s face, a deed no one dared to commit.

"Brother, this throne is yours. Rest assured and sit upon it."

Ye Xuan smiled faintly, and without waiting for Emperor Ziwei to respond, he directly placed him on the throne. Once again, the members of the Heavenly Court erupted with thunderous acclaim, chanting the name of Ziwei.

"Honorable Brother... I...!"

Before Ziwei could speak, Ye Xuan secretly conveyed a message, saying, "Brother, do not worry. I have everything arranged, and only you shall befit this position as Heavenly Emperor. Do not decline further."

Hearing Ye Xuan’s words, Emperor Ziwei sighed inwardly and decided not to refuse any longer. Yet, sitting upon the Heavenly Emperor’s throne, he felt uneasy, as even the least among them surpassed him in cultivation, adding to Ziwei’s anxiety and discomfort.

"The new emperor’s ascension is a grand matter for our Heavenly Court and must be announced to the Three Realms with an inaugural ceremony. I beseech the Heavenly Emperor to choose an auspicious date." Gold Star Taibai bowed to Ye Xuan.

Though Ye Xuan was not keen on these formalities, what Gold Star Taibai said was very true. Passing the throne to Emperor Ziwei was indeed a significant event for the Three Realms, and Ziwei couldn’t become the Heavenly Emperor with a mere word from him; a ceremony was necessary to proclaim this to the Three Realms.

"Then let it be set on..."

"Report!"

Suddenly, just as Ye Xuan was about to set the date, a Heavenly General hurriedly entered the Heavenly Emperor Palace, clearly showing urgency on his face, as if something significant had occurred.

"Presumptuous."

Gold Star Taibai furrowed his brows, looking extremely displeased at the Heavenly General. At this moment, while Ye Xuan was discussing the new emperor’s ascension, this Heavenly General interrupted, naturally incurring Gold Star Taibai’s reprimand.

"Heavenly Emperor, pardon me. This humble immortal has urgent matters to report."

The Heavenly General’s expression shifted slightly as he hastily apologized to Ye Xuan, though the urgency on his face was evident. This made Ye Xuan frown slightly and say, "No matter. What do you have to report?"

"The disciple of the Demon Ancestor seeks an audience outside the South Heavenly Gate, claiming to be sent by the Demon Ancestor to pay respects to Your Majesty." The Heavenly General promptly reported.

"Hiss!"

At these words, gasps could be heard from all around, and the entire Heavenly Emperor Palace fell silent. The mention of the Demon Ancestor was heavy with gravity, and those present were clearly taken aback.

"Heavenly Emperor, the Demon Ancestor is known as the ancestor of all demons. Legend says he is one of the Chaos Demon Gods, and at the beginning of Heaven and Earth, he battled the Dao Ancestor Hong Jun. Though he eventually lost and fled, his cultivation is undeniably earth-shattering." Donghuang Taiyi took a step forward and reported to Ye Xuan.

"Luo Hou created the Demon World, lurking therein for countless aeons. Now he sends a disciple here, likely with ill intent," Minghe Ancestor remarked.

As the two spoke, various opinions arose. Clearly, the dispatch of a disciple by Demon Ancestor Luo Hou to the Heavenly Court aroused suspicion among the Heavenly Court members, leaving them unsure of Luo Hou’s intentions.

Of course, considering the current strength of the Thirty-Three Layered Heaven, even if Luo Hou were stronger, the Heavenly Court members did not take it too seriously. With the two great Absolute Formations of Heaven and Earth present, and Ye Xuan’s cultivation comparable to a Saint, Luo Hou was no threat.

Nonetheless, no one truly knew that Luo Hou’s real cultivation could rival Daode Tianzun Lao Tzu, making him an exceedingly formidable figure. More daunting than his cultivation were Luo Hou’s scheming and wisdom.

"Demon Ancestor Luo Hou?"

Ye Xuan murmured in low tones, a slight smile forming at the corner of his mouth. He looked at the Heavenly General below and said, "Admit the Demon Ancestor’s disciple for an audience."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The Heavenly General hurriedly departed, evidently to summon the Demon Ancestor’s disciple to the Heavenly Emperor Palace.

Soon, a mere moment later, footsteps resounded from outside the Heavenly Emperor Palace. Under the guidance of the Heavenly General, Gu Beichen gradually walked into the Heavenly Emperor Palace.

"Disciple of the Demon Ancestor, Gu Ruochen, pays respects to Heavenly Emperor Ye."

Gu Beichen, clad in black, with a conspicuous scar on his face, presented himself with neither humility nor arrogance, paying respect to Ye Xuan.

"Quasi-Saint? This person is actually a Quasi-Saint?" Emperor Jun muttered in surprise, his eyes heavy as he scrutinized Gu Beichen, constantly assessing his cultivation.

"What a Demon Ancestor Luo Hou, even his disciple is a Quasi-Saint. The depth of Luo Hou’s cultivation is likely unfathomable." Minghe Ancestor weighed in with a solemn tone.