Chapter 0685: A Stick of Purple Incense

The Imperial Mountains and Rivers Palm blotted out the sun and enveloped the skies, exerting boundless pressure on everyone beneath. Before the audience's flabbergasted eyes, it collided with Qin Zhenjiang's Ten Thousand Soldiers’ Fist.

BOOM!

That single exchange almost caused the skies to collapse, and fearsome amounts of energy exploded in every direction like the aftermath of a hurricane, causing a resounding boom that filled the ears of everyone within Xia City.

The massive city was completely shaken up by this scene, causing countless traumatized gazes to be shot towards the royal palace's direction.

The Imperial Mountains and Rivers Palm had manifested countless mountains and rivers, seemingly real objects that continuously smashed towards the white tiger manifestation. As each mountain and river descended, the white tiger was forced backwards, the spirit and energy of the ten thousand soldiers it contained was rapidly dissipating.

The white tiger manifestation roared as warfare vital energy spewed out from its mouth, tearing mountain after mountain to shreds.

Alas, the mountains and rivers seemed endless, and the warfare vital energy eventually ran out.

With that, the Regent indifferently closed his palm before extending out a single finger before pressing down.

A particularly majestic mountain appeared amongst the chain of continuous mountains and rivers. It was completely obsidian black and it emitted a sense of heaviness, as though it was forged from iron essence. With the appearance of this single mountain, the previously manifested mountains and rivers immediately moved aside to allow the obsidian black mountain to strike the white tiger manifestation.

Roar!

The white tiger was clearly in significant pain as it bore the brunt of the assault.

It resisted with all of its might as the ten thousand soldier spirits within clashed violently. Unfortunately, the obsidian black mountain was indestructible. Even with the torrent of attacks, the mountain remained immovable. It was the ten thousand soldier spirits that gradually dissipated, and eventually, the white tiger manifestation shattered in the void with a pitiful whine.

When the white tiger manifestation broke apart, Qin Zhenjiang's body trembled, his expression turned ghastly white, and he stumbled backwards two steps. The majestic amounts of resonant power around him violently undulated.

Qin Zhenjiang had fallen into a disadvantage when he clashed with the Regent.

Still, this was not an unexpected result. The Regent was a fifth-grade Duke and possessed a Soul Ascension-grade Duke Art. He was superior in every way compared to Qin Zhenjiang, so there was no reason for him to not have the upper hand.

When two individuals clashed, the battle was often decided in a single cataclysmic attack.

Now that the Regent held the advantage, the morale of the individuals on his side skyrocketed, their auras sharpening like blades, whereas the people on the First Princess' side held grave expressions.

"General Qin, you are a pillar of the Xia Kingdom. The borders require your stabilizing presence. No matter who the Emperor is, your position is set in stone, so why would you choose to involve yourself in this battle?" The Regent may have been victorious, but he did not give up on persuading Qin Zhenjiang.

His words had already hinted to Qin Zhenjiang that even if he were to ascend to the throne, he would not remove him from his position.

Qin Zhenjiang listened to his words before giving a coarse laugh. "Do you really think I care about this position, Regent?"

The Regent shook his head before he sincerely replied, "I just feel that the Xia Kingdom needs you."

It had to be said that the Regent possessed no small amount of personal charisma. He had remained courteous during the conversation, but it was a shame that Qin Zhenjiang was the sort of individual that would never be swayed by mere words upon making a decision. Thus, his persuasive words were unable to move him.

"I will still beseech the Regent to put the Xia Kingdom's peace before all else," Qin Zhenjiang similarly replied.

The Regent knew that he could not move Qin Zhenjiang's heart and no longer bothered with useless words. Instead, he turned his gaze to the numerous faction leaders in the square and coolly asked, "Who here wishes to support me?"

The Astral Sage College and the Golden Dragon Bank's individuals simply stood aside and did not reply. They were not the intended audience of the Regent after all.

House Jiyan's Zhu Qinghuo was the first to stand up with a slight smile. "The Regent has been the one administering the affairs of the Xia Kingdom for all these years. Its national power has risen as a result, and thus I believe in the Regent's ability. If you are able to rule the Xia Kingdom, I believe that only a bright future awaits us. We can become the strongest kingdom in the East Divine Continent." He had directly demonstrated his attitude towards the situation.

Numerous powers began to cause a commotion. Out of the Five Great Houses today, House Jiyan had become the strongest amongst the pack with the disappearance of Li Taixuan and Tan Tailan. Zhu Qinghuo himself had reached the fourth-grade Duke Stage and could be considered one of the strongest individuals in the kingdom.

Thus, his words had aroused significant surprise amongst the group.

Countless individuals on the First Princess' side had ugly expressions.

House Jinque's Si Qing similarly stood up with a smile. "House Jinque also feels that the Regent is the best choice for the Emperor."

If it was the past, Si Qing would not have deigned to participate in such affairs and take sides so openly. However, after House Luolan's Housemeet, he had to choose to rely on the Regent and hide beneath him. This way, if Li Taixuan and Tan Tailan were to ever return, he would have the Regent's aid. What was great was that those two were also a thorn in his eyes. Si Qing's words caused a raucous outburst amongst the audience.

Two of the Five Great Houses had chosen to side with the Regent, so it could be seen that he had considerable support.

Certain glances were shot towards the direction of House Luolan. Similarly, the Regent glanced at Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e with a smile on his face. "House Lord Li Luo, House Luolan and I might have had some differences in the past, but they are not irreconcilable ones. If you are willing to support me, I am willing to apologize for my actions and turn hostility into friendship when Li Taixuan and Tan Tailan return."

Li Luo laughed coldly in his heart. If and when his parents really did return, the Regent might not even have a chance to apologize.

"The matter of the ascension to the throne is a fundamental issue that involves the entire Xia Kingdom. I don’t believe we should make changes so easily, as it would only lead the Xia Kingdom into turmoil." Li Luo's calm words did not have the heaven-toppling momentum the Regent possessed. Now that both parties had chosen to tear apart all pretenses, there was no need to give the other party any face.

Listening to Li Luo's words, the Regent's expression was unchanged, but his eyes turned slightly sullen. Although he had already expected such an answer, being rejected by a brat of the younger generation was an infuriating experience.

At the same time, House Duze's Duze Yan spoke with drooping eyes. "House Duze will not participate in this. This is an internal struggle of the royal family and has nothing to do with me."

His intention was to keep his house out of the fray and help neither side.

At this point, other than House Lanling, who was not present, all of the Great Houses had made their stand clear.

Outside of these houses were also a few peak level clans of the Xia Kingdom. These clans had a veritable foundation, and even though their strength wasn't equal to the Great Houses, they had always opted to act wisely and remain safe. Only the few who had been involved with the Regent since the beginning chose to express their support, whilst the rest remained neutral.

Alas, this was not good news for the First Princess. Neutrality was no different from demonstrating that they acquiesced and indirectly supported the Regent's qualifications to be Emperor!

Looking at the two parties right now, the Regent’s seemed to be meaningfully stronger.

"Luanyu, what I do is for the sake of the Xia Kingdom and not for selfish desire. The importance of the Kingdom Protecting Formation is not lost on you. Now that both you and Jingyao have lost the right to control it, why not take a step back and ensure that the Xia Kingdom does not lose such monumental strength?" The Regent haughtily observed the First Princess, advising her to give up.

The First Princess' beautiful face remained unfazed. She completely ignored the laughable words of the Regent, only choosing to surveil the faces of those around. "Gong Yuan, do you really think you've won?"

The Regent remained indifferent.

The First Princess continued dryly, "Have you forgotten that there is one opinion you have yet to hear?"

The Regent's eyes squinted at this moment. "Are you referring to Pang Qianyuan? He's been guarding the Umbra Cave for years, and I'm afraid he doesn't have the time to be concerned with such minor matters."

The First Princess calmly continued, "When my father, the Emperor, was on his deathbed, I was right by his side. He told me that Principal Pang Qianyuan had once promised him that he would support Jingyao during the coronation ceremony."

These words immediately shocked every single individual present.

In fact, they even looked a little alarmed. That was the Xia Kingdom's strongest expert, and he had actually made the old Emperor a promise?

The Regent clenched the fist within his robes tightly. His gaze turned chilly as he apathetically replied, "Luanyu, stop spouting false words. This is a matter of the Gong family. With Principal Pang's position, he will not interfere with our affairs."

The First Princess then flicked her jade-like hand, and a short stick of purple incense appeared between her fingers. At the same time, she utilized her resonant power to ignite it, and a curl of green smoke lazily drifted into the sky.

The Regent's eyes shrank at this sight as he coldly questioned, "Luanyu, what are you doing?!"

"This is something Principal Pang provided my father. So long as I light this stick of incense, he will make his way over here. In order to prevent the Xia Kingdom from falling into chaos, I inevitably have to invite him over," the First Princess nonchalantly answered.

Everyone felt like they had been struck by a bolt of lightning. The First Princess actually had a method of summoning the elusive Principal Pang, who had not been seen for years?

The Regent despondently watched the stick of purple incense. His face changed through a series of expressions before eventually returning to a state of calm. He did not speak any longer, merely sneering in his heart.

Gong Luanyu was simply too young and naive. She had no idea what Principal Pang was facing.

Wanting him to extricate himself from the situation was a pipe dream.

So be it, then. Once the incense finished burning, it would inevitably shatter any remaining hopes the Luanyu possessed, causing her to descend into the depths of despair. At that point in time, no one would be left to oppose his ascension.