Chapter 998
The Holy Emperor's Palace, Emperor Fang Qing!
The Heavenly Emperor himself acknowledged that Fang Qing had reached the Shattered Dao Realm, putting him on the same level as the Heavenly Emperor!
This was like a thunderbolt, exploding in the hearts of all the celestial officials and gods, stirring up towering waves.
Those who had secretly envied this lucky ascendant's meteoric rise, those who had held Fang Qing in contempt because of his humble origins, and those who belonged to the Crown Prince faction and the Prince of Zhennan faction and were plotting how to suppress or win over this newcomer—all of them were now deathly pale, their souls trembling violently, as if they were in an icy abyss of boundless fear.
Shattered Dao Realm!
That is the same level of the Great Dao as the current Heavenly Emperor who has ruled the Taihuang Heaven for countless eons. He is a supreme being who truly stands at the pinnacle of the Immortal Realm, whose words carry the weight of the law and whose fate can be decided with a single thought.
This General Fang... no, how should I address him now? Immortal Emperor Fang?
His cultivation speed was simply unbelievable and defied common sense.
How long did it take to go from the first level of Ascension to the ninth level of Shattered Dao?
several years?
In the immortal realm, where time is measured in tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of years, this is as fleeting as a snap of the fingers.
This is simply defying the heavens, a myth, a living legend!
Countless gazes, filled with awe, fear, fervor, or disbelief, focused on the figure in the blue robe.
Fang Qing remained as still as a deep well. Faced with the Heavenly Emperor's approval and the astonishment of the entire hall, he merely nodded slightly, his voice calm yet clear: "Your Majesty flatters me. The Great Dao is boundless, and I have merely happened to be there and taken the first step. The road ahead is still long."
The Thai Emperor's gaze grew increasingly complex. He looked down at Fang Qing and Bi Luo, who stood side by side, their auras merging in perfect harmony, like the yin and yang of Tai Chi.
One is a powerful cultivator at the Shattered Dao Realm who appeared out of nowhere and reached the pinnacle at an incredible speed, whose potential is unfathomable.
One is his granddaughter, who has been intelligent and resilient since childhood and has now entered the Shattered Dao Realm. The union of the two is not only a powerful alliance, but also seems to carry a certain destiny.
The decision that had been lingering in the Heavenly Emperor's heart for so long became completely clear and firm at this moment.
He had long felt that his cultivation was shackled, stagnating at the peak of the Shattered Dao realm for a long time. The ethereal "mythical" realm was like a mirage, something he could only look at but never reach.
Clinging to power and position may not be the best choice for either oneself or the immortal realm.
The appearance of Fang Qing and Bi Luo, especially the terrifying potential Fang Qing displayed and Bi Luo's character and abilities, gave him a glimpse of the possibility of a smooth transition and even leading Taihuangtian to a broader future.
The deathly silence in the hall lasted for several breaths; you could hear a pin drop. All the celestial officials felt an invisible pressure permeating the air, like the calm before a storm, foreshadowing a cataclysmic change.
Finally, the Heavenly Emperor Tai spoke again, his voice carrying an ancient and unwavering resolve. Through the array of the Lingxiao Palace, it clearly reached every corner of the Heavenly Court, and even began to spread to the main star regions of the Heavenly Emperor Tai's Celestial Realm through a special immortal network.
"I, the Emperor of Tai, have ruled by the will of Heaven for 36,000 great eons. I have worked tirelessly day and night, never daring to slacken my efforts. Yet, the cycle of Heaven and Earth continues, and prosperity and decline are inevitable. Recently, I have felt a calling in my heart, and I seem to have glimpsed a glimmer of transcendence on the Great Dao, the threshold of 'mythology.' This opportunity is elusive, and may require me to devote all my energy and exhaust all my years to seek it. Since my heart is set on the Great Dao, I can no longer be distracted by worldly affairs, lest I mislead the people and obstruct the course of Heaven."
The realm of "myth"!
This word, like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, once again stirred up a thousand waves.
Many veteran immortal lords and generals in the hall had their eyes flash with a mixture of horror and longing.
That is the legendary supreme level that transcends shattering, is nearly immortal and indestructible, evolves the universe itself, and whose words are the law of heaven!
The voice of the Heavenly Emperor continued to echo:
"The fate of the nation is long and cannot be left hanging. My sons, the Crown Prince Qingcang, are diligent, but they are more impetuous than steady. The other sons are either indulging in pleasure or lack the necessary cultivation. None of them are the best candidates to inherit the throne."
"Looking upon all the civil and military officials in the court, and throughout the myriad celestial realms, I find only one person whose virtue shines within, whose prestige extends without, and who possesses both benevolence and wisdom, along with unparalleled fortune. He is capable of shouldering this heavy responsibility, leading my Taihuangtian to carve out a new world for ourselves amidst all these myriad realms!"
His gaze, like the tangible light of stars, moved slowly, finally settling steadily on Princess Biluo, who was dressed in a moon-white palace gown, exquisitely beautiful yet exuding an air of imperial majesty.
"Biluo, my granddaughter, is resilient in nature, like the clear light of the azure sky, cleansing away the dust; she acts decisively, like thunder that purifies the world, sweeping away evil."
He has ruled the Azure Star Domain for millennia, ensuring peace and prosperity within its borders, with all industries flourishing and all spirits remembering his virtue. His cultivation is profound and accumulated, with a solid foundation and boundless potential.
Even more remarkably, by a stroke of divine grace, she has become a Daoist partner with Fang Qing. The two are in perfect harmony, their Daos aligned, enabling them to complement each other and jointly defend against external threats. This is truly a blessing from Heaven upon our Emperor Tai!
"Therefore, today, in this Lingxiao Palace, with all of you as witnesses, I, in the name of the Heavenly Emperor Taihuang, formally issue the final imperial decree—to abdicate in favor of Biluo!"
From this day forth, Biluo is the new Heavenly Emperor of the Taihuang Celestial Realm! His title is 'Emperor Biluo'! He reigns over all heavens and bestows blessings upon all living beings!
Boom!!!
If Fang Qing's previous breakthrough to the Shattered Dao Realm was a thunderbolt, then the abdication of the Heavenly Emperor and Bi Luo's ascension to the throne at this moment are undoubtedly a cosmic storm sweeping across the entire Taihuang Heavenly Immortal Realm.
All living beings who heard this news, whether immortals or mortals, and no matter where they were, felt a roar coming from the depths of their souls!
Inside the Lingxiao Palace, Crown Prince Tai Qingcang's face was drained of color, and his body swayed violently. If his trusted confidants hadn't caught him in time, he would have collapsed to the ground.
His eyes were fixed on the direction of the supreme throne, filled with resentment and bitterness, but even more so with a deep sense of powerlessness and fear.
King Tai Qingyue of Zhennan also had a gloomy face, his fists clenched tightly under his sleeves, his nails digging deep into his palms, from which streaks of golden immortal blood seeped out.
He had planned everything meticulously, but he never expected his elder brother to choose to abdicate in favor of that "little girl," nor did he expect Fang Qing's strength to be so terrifying, completely shattering the balance.
The other princes, princesses, and representatives of various factions all underwent a dramatic change in expression, their minds racing as they pondered the impact of this earth-shattering transformation and which side they should choose.
Biluo herself was slightly taken aback, a hint of surprise and confusion flashing in her clear eyes.
Although she was ambitious and had thought that one day she might be able to gain more power, directly inheriting the throne of the Heavenly Emperor and ruling over the entire Taihuang Heaven was indeed beyond her expectations.
She subconsciously turned her head to look at the figure beside her who gave her boundless peace of mind and strength.
Fang Qing felt her gaze and returned a gentle smile, her eyes conveying both reassurance and determination.
He gently squeezed her slightly cool hand, and a warm and vast aura quietly entered her, calming her slightly fluctuating emotions.
At their level, power is certainly a tool, but what's more important is their shared path and intentions. Accepting this position, though carrying immense responsibility, is also an excellent platform for practicing the great way, protecting the region, and exploring higher realms.
Moreover, with him around, the sky won't fall down.
Biluo felt the warmth and strength coming from her palm, and her heart instantly calmed down.
She took a deep breath, and the gentleness and aloofness that belonged to a princess quickly faded from her beautiful face, replaced by an unparalleled majesty that ruled over all heavens and was the epitome of motherhood.
She released Fang Qing's hand, her steps steady and deliberate, pausing as she walked towards the Heavenly Emperor's throne atop the ninety-nine white jade steps.
With each step she took, her aura grew stronger, resonating more and more intensely with the primordial fortune of the entire Lingxiao Palace and even the mysterious Taihuang Heavenly Immortal Realm.
When she finally stood before the throne and turned to face the sea of kneeling ministers below, she seemed to merge with the throne behind her, radiating an overwhelming light that was impossible to look directly at.
"Your humble servants pay homage to the Heavenly Emperor of the Azure Heaven! May Your Majesty enjoy boundless longevity, eternal virtue, limitless rule, and boundless blessings upon all living beings!"
After a deathly silence, led by several highly respected and always neutral veteran immortal emperors, the celestial officials in the hall finally recovered from their extreme shock and prostrated themselves in the most solemn ceremony, shouting homage.
The roaring sound surged into the sky, symbolizing the end of the old era and the beginning of a new one.
The former Heavenly Emperor Taihuang, with a complex expression of relief and satisfaction on his face, solemnly handed over the Heavenly Emperor Taihuang Seal, representing the supreme authority of the Heavenly Immortal Realm, as well as the tokens of the members of the Heavenly Immortal Alliance and other important artifacts to Biluo.
He whispered a few more words about the core forbidden area of the immortal realm, the vital border defense, and some top-secret matters known only to the Heavenly Emperor. Then, without lingering, his figure transformed into a dazzling stream of light and disappeared into the passage behind the Lingxiao Palace that led directly to the Enlightenment Heavenly Palace, in pursuit of that vast and magnificent mythical realm.
Biluo ascended the throne, becoming the first female Heavenly Emperor in the history of the Taihuang Heaven, which shook all the heavens and the myriad realms.
As the Daoist partner of the Heavenly Emperor of the Azure Heaven, Fang Qing's status and power naturally reached an unprecedented height.
Although he did not have a formal title of Heavenly Emperor, everyone knew that this couple was of one mind, shared authority, and jointly explored the Great Dao.
Fang Qing is actually the "Holy Emperor," another uncrowned supreme being in the Taihuang Celestial Realm.
From that moment on, the supreme authority, boundless resources, and countless heavenly soldiers and generals of the entire Thai Heavenly Immortal Realm were completely in the hands of Fang Qing and Bi Luo.
The message, like a supernova explosion, traveled at incredible speed to every corner of the Thai Heavenly Realm and to every star inhabited by living beings.
Within the Azure Starfield and the original Tianxuan military faction's sphere of influence, there was naturally jubilation as they celebrated their leader's ascension to the pinnacle.
Other star regions, especially those originally belonging to the Crown Prince's faction or the Zhennan King's sphere of influence, were filled with fear and unease. They sent envoys with generous gifts to the newly built "Azure Heavenly Emperor Palace" and "Holy Emperor Palace" to express their loyalty and congratulations.
Biluo, with his legitimate status as the new Heavenly Emperor and his gentle and benevolent image, employed appeasement tactics.
She personally met with representatives of various forces, soothed their emotions, affirmed the achievements of the veteran officials of the previous dynasty, granted Crown Prince Tai Qingcang the honorary title of Prince and generous rewards, transferred him from a position of real power, and moved him to a wealthy star region far from the center of power to live out his days in comfort.
As for Prince Tai Qingyue of Zhennan, he was entrusted with the important task of "inspecting the southern border and assisting in the defense of the frontier." It seemed like he was being given an important position, but in reality, he was being transferred away from the core fiefdom that he had cultivated for many years, and some of his elite troops were being dispersed and incorporated into the Holy King's Army.
Other princes, princesses, and powerful families were also properly arranged, either by granting them honorary positions with generous salaries or by transferring them to non-critical posts, thus minimizing the pain and backlash of the power transition.
At the same time, Biluo promoted a group of middle and lower-level celestial officials who had shown loyalty and talent during the previous turmoil. In particular, he focused on selecting some cultivators from humble backgrounds but with real abilities to fill various departments of the Heavenly Court, gradually replacing those old officials who were either lethargic or outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant.
Fang Qingze was primarily responsible for military deterrence and border defense consolidation.
He reorganized and integrated the Holy King Army, which he had personally created, with several of the most elite Central Imperial Guards of the Heavenly Court, eliminating the weak and retaining the strong, and personally trained them, setting up more peerless battle formations that he had deduced and improved.
He was stationed in the southern border, using his terrifying divine sense at the Shattered Dao Realm to survey the heavens and the earth. No unusual movement from the Ten Thousand Demon Mountains or the Dark Demon Realm could escape his perception.
Two border generals who refused to submit to the new dynasty secretly colluded with foreign enemies in an attempt to create trouble. As a result, Fang Qing struck them with a palm strike that crossed several star regions, wiping out the two generals and the demon strongholds they had colluded with, destroying them completely.
This move thoroughly deterred all those with ill intentions and demonstrated to the outside world the iron-fisted rule and invincible strength of the new Thai King.
The couple, one governing domestic affairs with gentleness and benevolence to resolve conflicts, and the other guarding the borders with iron-fisted military force to deter both internal and external threats.
The combination of strength and gentleness is seamless.
In just a few decades, the Thai Royal Celestial Realm not only quickly weathered the turbulent period of power transition, but also exhibited an unprecedented vitality and cohesion.
The circulation of spiritual energy became smoother, and some blessed lands and secret realms that had been dormant for many years were revitalized. Auspicious omens and strange phenomena were reported from various places, as if the fortune of the entire immortal realm had been improved due to the ascension of the new emperor.
Fang Qing did not slacken his cultivation despite having power in his hands.
Deep within the newly built "Holy Emperor Palace," he continued his secluded cultivation, constantly consolidating his cultivation at the Shattered Dao Realm. He completely fused the original divine patterns of the numerous "Ancient Serpent Talismans of the Supreme Emperor" with the chaotic inner world, making the inner world increasingly solid and vast, and it began to spontaneously generate some simple innate laws.
At the same time, he and Biluo jointly comprehended a vague fragment of memory about the "Chaotic Divine Embryo" and the "Origin of Mythology" that they had obtained from that soul fusion. Although the progress was slow, each gain deepened their understanding of the Great Dao.
Of course, he never forgot his brothers in the lower realm.
He enhanced the stability of the ascension passage between the Thai Emperor's Celestial Realm and the lower realm's "Thai Emperor's Academy," and left a trace of his own divine sense imprint to closely monitor the passage's movements.
On this day, Fang Qing was in the "Chaos Dao Chamber" at the core of the Imperial Palace, using his divine sense to deduce a composite defensive array that combined the will of "Devouring Heaven" and the power of "Azure Purification" when a thought suddenly struck him.
The several sensory imprints he left near the ascension passage in the lower realm were triggered almost simultaneously, and the auras emanating from them were familiar and welcoming, carrying the unique sharpness of the lower realm.
"Finally... everyone's up?" (End of Chapter)