Chapter 1272: Help You Ascend the Throne

Tian Xing looked at the disappearing sword light in silence. He had to admit that he was rather surprised. Ye Guan's strength was truly abnormal—far beyond what someone at his age ought to possess.

At the same time, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of worry. His intuition told him that the young man's background was anything but ordinary. He wasn't someone to make an enemy of; rather, he was someone to befriend.

Yet, there was no way to change that now. That young swordsman had already allied himself with his Ninth Brother. Since that was the case, he was now a sworn enemy.

Tian Xing shook his head, brushing aside his unease. Turning to Tian Chen, he smiled and said, "Ninth Brother, your friend is truly remarkable. He even managed to injure Prime Minister Ji."

Tian Chen glared at him. "Eldest Brother, are you satisfied now?"

Tian Xing nodded slightly. "Not bad. Don't worry, I won't get ahead of myself. Only those who get the last laugh are the real winners. Right now, I'm merely enjoying a momentary victory. Whether I can laugh until the end remains to be seen."

Tian Chen was about to reply when a sudden surge of powerful energy appeared in the distance.

Crack!

A spacetime rift manifested, and a lady emerged from it.

She was none other than Divine Attendant Pei.

Tian Xing was taken aback to see her.

He hadn't expected that she would come here.

Even Envoy Yue was surprised. He hurriedly stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Divine Attendant Pei."

Divine Attendant Pei glanced at the distant end of the starry skies.

"Ye Guan has escaped?" she asked.

Envoy Yue nodded. "Yes, I gave it my all, but I still couldn't stop him."

Divine Attendant Pei remained silent.

Envoy Yue hastily added, "If we chase him now, we can still catch up to him."

Divine Attendant Pei glanced at Envoy Yue, and then she turned her attention to Tian Chen, who stood not far away. "Ninth Prince, you know well that Ye Guan is a sworn enemy of the Genesis Daoist Temple, yet you still chose to aid him. What is the meaning of that? Are you looking down on us?"

Tian Chen sneered coldly and replied, "I act as I please. Why would I need to explain myself to you?"

Everyone was speechless by his boldness.

Divine Attendant Pei's eyes narrowed. "Quite arrogant, aren't you?"

Tian Chen didn't bother arguing further. He turned and began to walk away.

Divine Attendant Pei, however, made no move to stop him. Instead, she said, "Lately, the Ancient Demon Clan has been reaching out to us. Perhaps it's time we had a proper conversation with them."

𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Hearing that, Tian Xing quickly interjected, "Divine Attendant Pei, there's no need for that. My ninth brother is young and impulsive. His actions do not represent the Heavenly Tomb Empire as a whole. We will make sure to provide a proper explanation for this matter."

Divine Attendant Pei gave him a brief look. "We'll be waiting for that."

Tian Xing nodded, then left with Prime Minister Ji in tow.

Divine Attendant Pei turned back to gaze into the vast starry skies, and her brows furrowed deeply. She was genuinely surprised. She hadn't expected Ye Guan to appear here.

After leaving the Guanxuan Universe, she wasn't entirely clear on what had happened there. However, she knew that the Guanxuan Universe had fallen, and that Divine Attendant Fan had survived.

Clearly, Divine Attendant Fan had won the battle.

However, Divine Attendant Pei remained cautious. Logically, Ye Guan was supposed to be dead, but he was still... alive. This was somewhat perplexing.

As Envoy Yue had suggested, she could easily catch up to Ye Guan. However, she deliberately refrained from doing so. She still hadn't forgotten the terrifying strength Ye Guan had displayed in that battle.

They were still enemies, but she decided to avoid a direct confrontation with him. She turned toward the Heavenly Tomb Empire and fell into deep contemplation.

***

"Fool!" Consort Qin yelled, glaring at Tian Chen with blazing anger in Tian Chen's palace.

Tian Chen stood there, silent.

Consort Qin took a deep breath, forcing herself to suppress her fury. "You openly aided him and even went so far as to attack the imperial guards.

"Do you know what that means? Just that one act will give countless censors and officials grounds to criticize you to death!"

Tian Chen lowered his head slightly. "I know. In the worst-case scenario, the throne will go to Eldest Brother."

"Idiot!" Consort Qin roared. "Throughout history, have the losers ever survived the fight for the throne? With your exceptional talent, if your eldest brother ascends to the throne, do you think he'll tolerate your existence? You fool!"

Tian Chen calmly replied, "I just couldn't stand by and do nothing."

Consort Qin tried to calm herself down. After a long pause, she sat down, taking another deep breath. She shook her head slightly. "I understand your loyalty and your sense of justice; I don't think those qualities are wrong.

"But have you ever thought about the bigger picture? You're not alone. Behind you are countless noble families and clans. Every action you take doesn't just bring disaster to yourself but to everyone who stands with you."

"I understand all of that, but Mother, I want to be true to myself."

"True to yourself, and yet you still want to be Emperor?"

"There's no contradiction. Who says an emperor can't be loyal and just?"

"Naive boy, throughout history, every emperor has been ruthless and pragmatic. They've all prioritized interests above all else. You've only met him a few times, and you're already so loyal to him. That's not loyalty or justice... that's sheer foolishness!"

"Mother, I understand, but I can't be the kind of person who betrays a friend. I want to be the emperor, and I want to surpass my ancestors, but I cannot act against my conscience."

"Then, are you prepared to bear the consequences of your actions?"

Tian Chen was about to speak when an elder appeared outside the hall. The elder bowed respectfully and said, "Your Majesty, Your Highness, His Majesty the Emperor has requested your presence at the morning court."

The morning court!

Consort Qin softly said, "That was fast."

She walked over to Tian Chen and grabbed his hand. "No matter what happens, Mother will always stand behind you."

Tian Chen smiled lightly. "Alright."

With that, the two walked out together.

The core officials of the entire Heavenly Tomb Empire had already arrived within the Imperial Court.

A middle-aged man in a dragon robe sat on the dragon throne at the head of the hall. He wasn't wearing a crown, but his gaze was deep and his demeanor extraordinary.

He was none other than the Emperor of the Heavenly Tomb Empire, Tian Zong.

Divine Attendant Pei was present, but she was seated, unlike everyone else.

Behind her, Envoy Yue looked extremely gloomy.

Tian Xing stood on the left side at the front of the hall. His eyes were slightly closed, his demeanor calm and composed.

When Consort Qin and Tian Chen entered the grand hall, the officials' eyes landed on them.

Tian Chen respectfully bowed to the emperor. "Greetings, Father."

Tian Zong looked at Tian Chen; his gaze was cold and distant as he remarked, "You broke the ancestral laws by secretly taking away a criminal from the borderland.

"Despite knowing that he was a fugitive wanted by the Genesis Daoist Temple, you still chose to help him, and you even went as far as to attack the Imperial Guards. What exactly were you intending to do?"

Tian Zong's voice was calm, but it held an invisible aura of authority that immediately made the atmosphere in the hall even more oppressive.

Tian Chen gave a slight bow and said, "Father, Brother Ye is not a criminal, so I brought him out of the borderland. I didn't violate the ancestral laws, as he isn't a criminal.

"Moreover, he is an exceptionally talented individual. Although he is of similar age to me, he has already slain several beings in the Supreme Ancestor Realm with a single sword strike.

"Father, such a genius is no ordinary person. He must have an extraordinary background. I helped him escape, not only for personal reasons but also for the greater good."

"For the greater good?" Prime Minister Ji scoffed. "Your Highness, what 'greater good' are you talking about?"

Tian Chen said in a deep voice, "If our Heavenly Tomb Empire had ended up killing Ye Guan, it would bring great disaster to our empire."

"

Ha!

" Prime Minister Ji sneered. "Your Highness, are you hearing yourself?"

In the hall, many of the officials shook their heads slightly. Some mocked him, some were disappointed, while others stood up in support of him. One of the elderly officials gave a slight bow and said, "Your Majesty, the Ninth Prince's words are not without merit.

"That young man must be no ordinary person, considering his extraordinary strength. If our Heavenly Tomb Empire were to kill him, it would very well lead to a conflict between two powerful forces."

Some of the officials who supported Tian Chen immediately echoed in agreement. Regardless of whether they believed Tian Chen's words, they had no choice but to take his side at this moment.

Prime Minister Ji smiled and said, "Your Highness, you say his background is extraordinary. Let me ask you, then—where is he from, and what forces are behind him?"

Tian Chen replied, "Since you're so smart, you tell me."

Prime Minister Ji retorted, "Your Highness, this is the court session. Don't make a scene."

Tian Chen ignored him and instead looked at Emperor Tian Zong. "Father..."

"Emperor Tian Zong!" Divine Attendant Pei exclaimed, "For many years, the Genesis Daoist Temple and the Heavenly Tomb Empire have had no grievances between us.

"However, one of your princes has openly provoked us. I ask you to give me an explanation."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone fell silent.

The officials who supported Tian Chen grew even more somber. It seemed that the Genesis Daoist Temple was beginning to pressure the Heavenly Tomb Empire.

Recently, the Ancient Demon Clan had been making some moves, and if the Genesis Daoist Temple were to choose the Ancient Demon Clan's side, it would undoubtedly be a fatal blow to the Heavenly Tomb Empire.

Emperor Tian Zong looked at Tian Chen and asked, "You can contact that young swordsman, Ye Guan, right?"

Tian Chen shook his head. "No."

Emperor Tian Zong narrowed his eyes. "Didn't he give you a transmission talisman?"

Tian Chen's expression darkened. How did Father know about that?

"Tell him to come here," Emperor Tian Zong, "Redeem yourself through your actions."

Tian Chen said, "Father, the Genesis Daoist Temple is using us as a pawn. If that lady had pursued Brother Ye earlier, she would have caught up with him.

"However, she clearly chose not to chase him. Instead, she came to the Heavenly Tomb Empire to target me. She clearly wants to use us to go against Brother Ye. Don't fall into her trap—"

"Ridiculous!" Tian Zong exploded in anger, and a terrifying dragon might forced Tian Chen to his knees. He stood up, looking down at his son. "Contact him and bring him here."

Tian Chen's face turned pale, his fists clenching tightly.

Consort Qin standing nearby hurriedly grabbed his hand. Her voice was trembling as she said, "Quick, contact him..."

Tian Chen shook his head.

Smack!

Consort Qin slapped him in anger. "Contact him. Now!"

Tian Chen stubbornly shook his head.

Consort Qin raised her right hand and was about to slap her again, but when she saw the stubborn look in his eyes, her heart softened. She bent down and hugged him, and her voice shook as she said, "No, this isn't right... Please use the transmission talisman to contact him. I beg you, my child."

Tian Chen remained silent for a moment before taking out the transmission talisman that Ye Guan had given him.

Consort Qin immediately heaved a sigh of relief.

However, Tian Chen squeezed his hand.

Boom!

The talisman was reduced to ashes.

Consort Qin's face immediately changed. She turned to look at Emperor Tian Zong.

"Your Majesty, this—"

Emperor Tian Zong stepped forward and grabbed at something in the air.

Boom!

An illusory dragon claw suddenly appeared above Tian Chen's head. The claw squeezed fiercely, and a terrifying force locked onto him. Then, a gas-like substance floated out of him.

Tian Chen's eyes widened in agony, and so did his face.

His dragon energy was being extracted from him.

Everyone present froze.

Tian Chen was born with ancestral dragon energy instead of ordinary dragon energy. Thus far, the Founding Ancestor of the Heavenly Tomb Empire was the only one with such a rare and powerful energy.

If combined with the special cultivation methods of the empire, it would become even more terrifying.

No one had expected that Emperor Tian Zong would make such a move. Tian Chen's crime was serious, but no one expected his punishment to be

this

severe.

Some of the wiser officials in the hall realized what was happening. They all looked at Emperor Tian Zong, but none of them dared to speak.

Tian Xing was also greatly shocked. He looked at his father in disbelief. At that moment, a wave of sorrow engulfed his heart.

Divine Attendant Pei glanced at Emperor Tian Zong. She had originally thought she was using him, but now, it seemed that he was also using her.

Well, that's fine. We'll both use each other, and we'll both benefit.

The ancestral dragon energy had already merged with Tian Chen, so forcefully extracting it from him was like skinning and dismembering him. The pain was unbearable, and it felt worse than death.

Tian Chen's facial features were so distorted that they seemed unrecognizable.

He tried to scream, but no sound would come out.

Consort Qin stood up and threw a punch toward Emperor Tian Zong.

Emperor Tian Zong casually waved his sleeve, and both Consort Qin and Tian Chen were immediately sent flying out of the grand hall.

They crashed heavily on the ground outside.

Emperor Tian Zong was now holding a mass of dragon energy in his hand. Looking at it, a flash of greed crossed his eyes, but it disappeared quickly.

There was dead silence inside the hall, and no one dared to speak.

Outside the hall, Consort Qin scrambled to her feet. She lifted Tian Chen in her arms and trembled as she said, "L-let's go, quick! L-let's escape—"

Consort Qin froze, and she looked as if she had been struck by lightning. Tian Chen not only had his dragon energy forcefully taken from him, but even his dantian was shattered. He had become a cripple.

Consort Qin clung onto her son, and tears poured out of her eyes as she cried, "I told you not to disobey me! I told you not to disobey me!"

Emperor Tian Zong indifferently declared, "Tian Chen has ignored the greater good, colluding with outsiders to harm the interests of my Heavenly Tomb Empire. For this crime, he shall be demoted and...

"...he is to be executed immediately!"

In Emperor Tian Zong's eyes, one ought to commit to a decision, as hesitation could easily lead to defeat.

Familial ties? There was no such thing here!

While everyone was reeling in shock, two men in black appeared next to Tian Chen and Consort Qin.

Just as they were about to make their move.

Hum!

A resonant sword hum pervaded the skies, and a streak of sword light fell straight down beside them.

Ye Guan was here!

Upon seeing Tian Chen's condition, Ye Guan was stunned, but he wasted no time and rushed over to Tian Chen's side. When Tian Chen saw Ye Guan, he opened his mouth to speak but spat a mouthful of blood instead.

Ye Guan hurriedly grabbed his hand, and his voice was trembling as he said, "Brother Chen..."

Tian Chen's face was pale. "Brother Ye, I can no longer become the emperor."

Ye Guan's expression turned ferocious. He helped Tian Chen to his feet and wrapped his left arm around him. Then, he began walking toward the great hall.

Tian Chen turned to look at Ye Guan, shocked. "Brother Ye?"

Ye Guan stared at the palace, and his face was expressionless as he declared, "Brother Chen, today, I, Ye Guan, will help you ascend to the throne!"

"Sword, come!" he roared.

Hum!

The skies were instantly filled with the sword hums of a myriad swords. Then, every sword throughout the Heavenly Tomb Empire took to the sky, heading straight for the Imperial Palace...

The sky over the Heavenly Tomb Empire was filled with sword lights, creating a scene that resembled a meteor shower.