"They've left?"
Ning Tian climbed up to the city wall, walked over to Chen Junting who was gazing south, and leaned into him, answering his question, "They've left. Both Wei Na and Jiujiu are rushing back to attend the celebration banquets."
"Is that so."
Regarding the topic of the three great empires holding celebration banquets, Chen Junting didn't comment much. But then Ning Tian suddenly asked:
"Did you find out anything earlier?"
"No."
Chen Junting shook his head slightly. He wrapped his left arm behind her, threading through her strands of golden hair and resting it on her left shoulder, while saying, "After the negotiations ended, I asked Kong Deming about it, but he said he hadn't had much contact with the Holy Spirit Cult. The main members of the Holy Spirit Cult were also concentrated on the Ming Dou Mountains battlefield."
"That's true."
This explanation gained Ning Tian's approval. "From beginning to end, the Tian Hun battlefield was primarily led by the worshippers of the Sun Moon Empire's Worship Hall; it was very difficult for the Holy Spirit Cult to intervene."
"But that's exactly the problem."
Recalling the battle reports sent back from the Star Luo Empire, as well as Gu Tianchen's oral accounts, Chen Junting felt a trace of helplessness.
"In the final decisive battle, most of the dead Holy Spirit Cult members were low-level soul masters; as for the true Titled Douluo powerhouses, not even a single corpse of theirs was found."
If these people were determined to hide, then... finding them would be like looking for a needle in a haystack.
After all, their side was in the light, while the enemy was in the dark.
Moreover, the most important thing wasn't their surface identity as evil soul masters. After all, even if evil soul masters existed, with the various major factions around, they would always be suppressed. And even if they were eradicated this time, human nature and reality would cause them to spring up again.
They couldn't be wiped out completely!
The real problem was the Holy Emperor behind the Holy Spirit Cult.
He was one hundred percent certain that this was definitely a guy from another plane trying to cause trouble on Douluo Planet. If they weren't rooted out, who knew what kind of mess they would stir up later.
Unfortunately...
He wanted to contact the God of Destruction, but couldn't reach him no matter what. And this Rakshasa God Seal was really of no use at all...
"Why do you seek me?"
Just then, the Rakshasa God Seal on Chen Junting's forehead suddenly shone. This sudden change startled Ning Tian.
"It's nothing."
After quickly calming Ning Tian down, Chen Junting immediately focused his mind, using the Rakshasa God Seal to communicate with the God of Destruction.
From the God of Destruction, he also learned why he hadn't been able to reach him despite his previous attempts to initiate contact.
"This divine seal of yours belongs to the Rakshasa God's divine position, not mine. Unless I actively investigate, you fundamentally cannot contact me." The majestic voice of the God of Destruction echoed in Chen Junting's Sea of Spirit, "And as a God King of the Divine Realm, I oversee about a hundred subordinate planes. It is also my shift right now, and I am busy with a myriad of tasks daily. How could I constantly keep an eye on your Rakshasa God Seal?"
One day in the Divine Realm equaled one year in the mortal realm.
It turned out that after Tang San's shift ended, the God of Destruction was next in rotation. To the God of Destruction, Chen Junting's attempts to contact him every month or two was equivalent to receiving a message every couple of hours. How would he have the time to pay attention to that?
Hearing this, Chen Junting expressed his deep understanding.
This reason was indeed perfectly logical!
He somewhat understood the God of Destruction—he was purely a career-driven workaholic focused on development. Not everyone was like Tang San, who had nothing better to do than monitor the Douluo plane as if he had no real job.
"Also, why have you contacted me multiple times?"
Although he took the initiative to respond to Chen Junting this time, the God of Destruction was still on his shift. This was equivalent to slacking off at work or zoning out in class. To him, this was undoubtedly a "sinful" act.
Because of this, he urged for an answer. In response, Chen Junting explained the entire sequence of events regarding the Holy Emperor clearly.
He seemed to fall silent for a long time...
"I will give you an answer to this matter later."
After speaking, he unilaterally severed the connection.
Seeing this, Chen Junting felt a wave of helplessness.
After pulling his mind back to reality, he saw Ning Tian looking curious. "Brother Junting, what just happened?"
"It's not that big of a deal."
After briefly explaining the situation and letting Ning Tian ponder it, Chen Junting asked, "Xiao Tian, as for Dongyang City, when will the Tian Hun Empire come to take over?"
This question pulled Ning Tian out of her thoughts.
"We don't need to worry about that. Word is that a legion commander will be bringing troops to station here, so we can head straight back."
Chen Junting nodded slightly. "Then let's go back."
He really should go into closed-door cultivation next, break through to Limit Douluo, and start working on the power of faith.
After all, becoming a god was not a matter to be taken lightly.
...
Divine Realm, Divine Realm Committee.
The God of Destruction, dressed in a purple robe, sat alone before the round table. The moment he opened his eyes, a brilliant red light shot out from them, appearing exceptionally soul-stirring!
"Invasion from another plane... Hmph—!"
A cold snort rumbled like thunder.
The God of Destruction stood up, overlooking the round table before him.
"Sea God, is this how you monitor things when asked? You can't even keep an eye on the Douluo plane, which you frequently watch over!"
The God of Destruction, who was already displeased with Tang San, criticized him for a few sentences before fiercely waving his grand sleeve. Immediately, starlight flickered above the round table, as if the table itself was a vast universe, appearing profound and mysterious. The next second, the stars on the table's surface shifted.
He extended his index finger and tapped lightly.
The shifting starry sky instantly pinpointed a location, and at the tip of his index finger, a massive planet appeared before the God of Destruction.
And this planet was Douluo Planet.
Without saying a word, the God of Destruction reached out and plucked it.
This somewhat illusory Douluo Planet, like a round ball, was effortlessly pinched in the palm of the God of Destruction.
Accompanying this Douluo Planet was a patch of surrounding starry sky. Although there weren't many other planets around, it contained the entire stellar system where Douluo Planet was located.
"Another plane, huh..."
He rotated the Douluo Planet, making a full circle.
However, the God of Destruction found that there was no planet or plane bordering the Douluo plane in the vicinity of Douluo Planet.
This made him frown slightly, but he then relaxed his brow.
After all, if it were this obvious—if there was a planet or plane bordering Douluo Planet—the Sea God, who frequently monitored the Douluo plane, should have noticed it long ago. But in reality, he was completely unaware, as if kept in the dark.
"That's strange."
The God of Destruction waved his large hand again, magnifying the star system.
Yet, within the stellar system where Douluo Planet resided, there was still no sign of the other plane that Chen Junting had mentioned.
"It seems the two planes do not border each other."
Realizing this, the God of Destruction's brow furrowed slightly.
The best method for one plane to invade another was to make the two planes border each other. Then, after breaking through the plane's autonomous defenses, the invasion could be achieved.
The other method went without saying...
If they didn't border each other, then it was teleportation.
In that case, it would be very difficult for the Divine Realm to help.
Because the number of cosmic planes was as countless as the sands of the Ganges. Even a God King-level powerhouse couldn't claim to understand the vastness of the universe and the sheer number of planes. Therefore, trying to find an invading plane that didn't share a border was completely like looking for a needle in a haystack.
It was simply unrealistic.
"Should I tell the Sea God about this..."
Halfway through the thought, the God of Destruction fell silent. He suddenly realized that handing this over to Tang San wasn't appropriate.
If he handed it over to him, wouldn't he just be giving him an excuse?
Of course, an excuse to "slack off" and "bypass the rules."
This plane wanted to invade the Douluo plane, yet was so secretive about it; plainly speaking, they feared the power of the Divine Realm.
Clearly, their actual threat wasn't that great. Otherwise, they wouldn't have suffered so many setbacks in the Douluo plane.
Since that was the case...
"It would be better to let them solve it themselves."
This way, he could also give Tang San an excuse not to interfere, while taking this opportunity to nurture Chen Junting.
"Let it be so."
The God of Destruction was decisive; once he made up his mind, he went to notify them.
But little did he know, his series of actions had already allowed half a month to pass in the mortal realm. In just this half a month, changes had already taken place below.
Whether in the Sun Moon Empire, or in Tian Hun or Star Luo...
...
Seven days ago in Ming Du, it was now evening. The moon was bright and the stars were sparse, and the entire city of Ming Du was already dimly lit.
At this time, in the study of the Hongchen Mansion.
"Sigh—"
Jing Hongchen sat alone in the study, letting out a long sigh.
Right now, the entire Sun Moon court was a complete mess. Even with his status, backed by the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy and Ming De Hall, there were still many different voices and factions within them. He was, at best, the one with the heaviest voice.
If he wanted Meng to get support, it had to go through Elder Kong.
Just then, "Master."
Outside the door, a servant's voice suddenly rang out.
Jing Hongchen covered his forehead, looking slightly impatient.
"What is it?"
"There is a distinguished guest visiting."
"Distinguished guest? Who?"
Jing Hongchen felt puzzled. He asked while opening the study door. When he looked up and saw Kong Deming's face, he was startled, "Elder Kong, how did you return..."
"Eh."
Before he could finish speaking, he was stopped by Kong Deming.
"I learned of the court's turmoil, so I brought a few people back early halfway through the journey. This time I'm back, there is a matter I need to discuss with you."
"Alright."
Hearing this, Jing Hongchen's mind immediately began to race. After dismissing his servant, he hurriedly welcomed Kong Deming into the study.
Yet, the very first sentence Kong Deming uttered upon entering the study completely shocked Jing Hongchen.
"Hongchen, I want your grandson and granddaughter to inherit my mantle. From now on, your granddaughter will be the Empress Dowager, the Grand Empress Dowager of the empire. And your grandson will be the Master of the Worship Hall, the Grand Worship."
"What!?"
Jing Hongchen could hardly believe it.
The implication of these words was...
"Listen to me."
Afterward, Kong Deming explained the entire context and reasoning behind his decision to Jing Hongchen. At the same time, he added at the end, "As long as your granddaughter agrees, I will also guide the Crown Prince's growth after he is born, and your Hongchen family will share the fate of the nation."
After listening to Kong Deming's words, Jing Hongchen calmed his emotions. It took a full half-moment before, under Kong Deming's expectant and unquestionable gaze, he said: "Elder Kong, actually, this matter doesn't require wronging Meng. Because even before the palace was attacked and His Majesty died, my granddaughter had already conceived His Majesty's dragon seed."
"What did you say?"
Hearing this, Kong Deming's eyes filled with surprise.
"Your granddaughter is really carrying the dragon seed!?"
"Absolutely true."
Jing Hongchen guaranteed it. "Before the palace was attacked, His Majesty had already summoned the imperial physician. If you don't believe me, Elder Kong, I can take you to see Meng, and you can confirm it yourself."
"Good."
This concerned the imperial heir; it was not a matter to be taken lightly.
So, led by Jing Hongchen, Kong Deming went directly to Meng Hongchen. After apologizing, Kong Deming investigated Meng Hongchen's pregnancy. Although he was not a doctor, very few things could escape the eyes of a Class 10 Soul Engineer.
"Good, good, good!"
After confirming the situation, Kong Deming was overjoyed.
This way, not only was his momentum strong, but his reasoning was justified!
"Leave this matter to me. Hongchen, go make preparations. Tomorrow, I will support the Crown Prince in your granddaughter's womb to ascend the throne."
With that, he turned and left.
Tonight, he still had to chat with some old fogeys.
Jing Hongchen and Meng Hongchen looked at each other and smiled upon seeing this.
They knew this matter was settled!
Thus, on the second day, Jing Hongchen led Meng Hongchen to appear in the imperial court. The moment Meng Hongchen sat upright on the imperial throne, the entire Sun Moon court instantly erupted!
However, this uproar did not last long.
Because before they could stir up a massive storm, the Master of the Worship Hall, Kong Deming, along with four other Class 9 Soul Engineers from the Worship Hall, suddenly appeared, nipping any potential farce in the bud.
Kong Deming declared that the Worship Hall only supported the orthodox royal heir, His Highness the Crown Prince. Moreover, the returning army, any military force belonging to the Sun Moon Empire, as well as the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy and Ming De Hall, would also announce their full support for His Highness the Crown Prince.
The decision of the Worship Hall, Kong Deming's prestige, the threat of the army, and the presence of Jing Hongchen... with all these factors combined, the situation was completely reversed overnight, leaving the imperial clansmen isolated and helpless, while also feeling a wave of disbelief!
At that moment, they immediately raised questions.
Why!? What qualifications does she have now!?
Also, where did this Crown Prince come from!? After the previous emperor Xu Tianran married Meng Hongchen, they never gave birth to a dragon son!!!
However, the fully prepared Kong Deming called in the imperial physicians, having them prove that Meng Hongchen had become pregnant just before Xu Tianran was attacked, and that the fetus in her womb was indeed Xu Tianran's dragon seed.
This statement left the imperial clansmen stunned.
But there were still some who wouldn't give up and continued to struggle.
The excuses used for their struggle were mostly: the fetus hasn't been born yet, who knows if it's a prince or a princess...
But Kong Deming thoroughly shut them up with just two sentences.
"This is for the future of the empire. Who dares to oppose?"
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