In Luoyi of Great Zhou, along the same central axis as the Luoyi Imperial City, a grand ceremony is taking place in the Ancestor God Temple, located directly south of Luoyi.
The scale of this ceremony is so immense that even Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long has sent three Princes to witness it.
These three Princes are the Eldest Prince Ji Ao, Fourth Prince Ji Yuany, and Seventh Prince Ji Hee, all sent by Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long to witness the ancient divine ceremony under the Barbarian Spirit Hall in the Ancestor God Temple.
Actually, by the time the ceremony reached this step, it was already a foregone conclusion, and the ceremony was just the final step, having little to do with Ye Zhen.
However, as the newly appointed Left Chief Priest of the Barbarian Spirit Hall by Princess Changle, the Main Hall Master of Barbarian Spirit Hall, Ye Zhen, although not the protagonist of this ceremony, had to be present.
Being present only meant following the directions of many old priests of the Ancestor God Temple, like a puppet on strings, partaking in the intricate and ancient rituals with Great Chief Priest Bai Xiang, Princess Changle, and others.
The most troublesome aspect for Ye Zhen was that the ritual had to start at sunrise and continue all the way until the stars filled the sky in the middle of the night.
Compared to this ancient and tedious ceremony, Ye Zhen was more interested in the three Princes sent by Ren Venerate Emperor.
Previously, during the battles on the Five Immortals Arena of Five Immortals Island, an arrogant eunuch named Luv Rang sought out Ye Zhen, trying to recruit him to serve his master.
He also revealed that his master could join the Holy Emperor and the Eight Council Princes in the ancestral temple of the Royal Family of Great Zhou to pay respects to the Holy Saints.
From that time, Ye Zhen knew that the struggle for imperial succession in Great Zhou had already begun.
And calculating the time, it seemed just about right.
Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long had been in power for over seven hundred years, aged over eight hundred, and no Emperor of Great Zhou, except the founding ancestor and the High Ancestor and Grand Ancestor, had ever exceeded a millennium in lifespan.
Compared to the several thousand, even tens of thousands of years lifespan of Dao Realm experts, and the existence of Creation Realm beings who counted their lifespan in tens of thousands of years, the lifespan of the historical Holy Son of Heaven of Great Zhou was pitifully short.
Yet no one could change it.
The primary reason was associated with the legacy of the Royal Family of Great Zhou.
The national destiny of Great Zhou was tied with the Ji Long royal clan; the founding ancestor, High Ancestor, and Grand Ancestor possessed remarkable Cultivation, all having reached the Creation Realm.
But at the beginning of the founding, to ensure the prosperity of Great Zhou's national destiny, and to suppress the national destiny, the founding three ancestors used their extraordinary Cultivation, combined with the national strength and Heaven and Earth Treasures of Great Zhou, to refine three National Guardian Treasures.
Among these three National Guardian Treasures, two were well-known to the world. The first was the Celestial Spirit Mirror, visible to anyone entering or leaving the four gates of Luoyi.
Yet, the well-known Celestial Spirit Mirror was merely the avatar of Great Zhou's first National Guardian Treasure. The first National Guardian Treasure of Great Zhou was said to be able to monitor and mobilize the changes in the mountains and rivers under the rule of Great Zhou, as well as the Earth's Vein directions.
It was an Innate Spiritual Treasure, inheritable only by one with the bloodline of the Royal Family of Great Zhou who ascended to the throne.
The second National Guardian Treasure was the Universe Seal, which was likewise a treasure to suppress the national destiny of Great Zhou, also an Innate Spiritual Treasure, with unparalleled power, further enhanced by nearly a million years of Great Zhou's national destiny, making its power truly extraordinary.
The first two National Guardian Treasures were well-known throughout the world, while the third National Guardian Treasure was much less famous.
It's said to be a weapon, possibly a sword, perhaps a bow, or even a刀.
Though not widely renowned, this third National Guardian Treasure was definitely an Innate Spiritual Treasure, and regarding its power, it was superior to the previous two National Guardian Treasures.
Despite the world never having seen this third National Guardian Treasure, during the inheritance of Great Zhou's throne over the million years of legacy, crises endangering the throne's survival were not few — there were several instances where Great Zhou might have changed rulers.
Yet every time, it was this third National Guardian Treasure that turned the tides.
Why has no one ever seen this third National Guardian Treasure?
Because those who have seen this third National Guardian Treasure are all dead.
With the suppression of Great Zhou's national destiny by these three National Treasures, Great Zhou's national destiny prospered naturally.
However, the founding ancestor, High Ancestor, and Grand Ancestor, who had refined and wielded these three National Guardian Treasures, were all gods of creation involved in the wondrous Creation.
Their Cultivation and strength to control these three treasures suppressing the national destiny of Great Zhou was naturally unquestionable.
But the problem was, each of the founding three ancestors was an extraordinary genius, but their descendants, regardless of talent, could not match the founding three ancestors.
Moreover, they did not have the encounters and fortunes of the founding three ancestors.
Thus, no Emperor of Great Zhou succeeding the founding three ancestors could break through to the realm of Creation God.
Even though Great Zhou was rich across the Four Seas, with countless Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, and numerous Secret Divine Abilities, at most it could only forcibly promote each Holy Son of Heaven's Cultivation to the Dao Realm.
Beyond the Dao Realm, each Holy Son had to rely on their own fortune.
Since the Cultivation level could not reach that of the founding three ancestors, what could be used to control the three National Guardian Treasures they had refined together?
Due to the bloodline restrictions, these three National Guardian Treasures of Great Zhou could only be held by successive Holy Sons of Heaven of Great Zhou.
Insufficient Cultivation meant drawing from each Holy Son's Essence Blood Origin Power, equivalent to each Holy Son of Heaven being daily drained of Essence Blood Origin Power by the three National Treasures.
An extended lifespan under such conditions is impossible.
Yet even if each Holy Son doesn't live long, the position of Holy Son of Heaven remains sought after by the Royal Clan of Great Zhou.
Initially, Holy Sons with low perception and low Cultivation because of excessive Essence Blood Origin Power extraction sometimes didn't even live to five hundred years.
However, one generation of Great Zhou's Holy Son, originating from the most mysterious Blood Spirit Hall of the Ancestor God Temple, through painstaking research, developed a method of using the bloodlines of all male royals of the Great Zhou Ji Clan to extend the lifespan of each generation's Holy Sons.
Through mysterious bloodline secret method, the Essence Blood Origin Power extracted by the three National Guardian Treasures was partly shared among the male descendants of the Ji Clan of the Royal Family of Great Zhou.
This situation slightly increased the lifespan of each generation's Holy Son, allowing it to reach a thousand years, but simultaneously caused another adverse consequence.
The lifespan of Ji Clan members of the Royal Family of Great Zhou was substantially reduced, unless their Cultivation broke through to the Creation Realm.
Thus, it resulted in the current situation.
Every generation's Holy Son of Great Zhou does not live beyond a millennium; tenure ranges from one to two hundred years to seven or eight hundred years.
Presently, Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long has lived to 834 years old, reigning for over seven hundred years, considered a long life. Though limited to a thousand years, he may not necessarily reach a full millennium.
Therefore, despite Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long having over a hundred years to live, the act of succession has subtly begun, and the Crown Prince's position has started to be deliberated.
The position of Crown Prince is immensely important.
A century ago, Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long roughly narrowed down the range.
This is evidenced through the distribution of noble titles among the Princes.
Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long has seventeen Princes in total, all of whom have been bestowed noble ranks.
Among the seventeen Princes, eleven were given the third-class prince rank, merely titular.
Another four Princes were given the second-class prince rank, involved in governmental affairs, considered capable Princes.
Only the three Princes sent to witness the ceremony today — Eldest Prince Ji Ao, Fourth Prince Ji Yuany, Seventh Prince Ji Hee — were bestowed the Prince rank.
Throughout the court and the land, these three Princes have the highest calls to be made the Crown Prince.
Fundamentally, Eldest Prince Ji Ao, himself quite talented with a good reputation, has great potential to be made Crown Prince by tradition, as it would honor the elder.
Fourth Prince Ji Yuany, being the eldest legitimate son, also falls within the tradition of honoring the elder and legitimate line; thus, his call is high as well.
Seventh Prince Ji Hee, being the direct younger son of Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long, is widely renowned across the Great Zhou court and beyond; several improvements in welfare policies were spearheaded by him and he is known for recruiting talent, earning the title of a wise King, with many supporters inside and outside the court.
The struggle for imperial succession among the Princes of Great Zhou should take place among these three Princes.
It's just that Ye Zhen does not know which of these Princes that arrogant Grand Eunuch Luv Rang belonged to.
Nonetheless, while Ye Zhen knew the curtain on the struggle for succession had been drawn, he was aware that it was essentially a vortex.
There's no place for him to exert himself, and he would absolutely avoid getting involved.
By chance, while the grand ceremony at the Ancestor God Temple continued, far away in the Holy City of the Demon Clan, behind the Ten Thousand Saints Mountain within the Demon God Palace, a grand event of monumental scale was also taking place.
Looking around, not just within the Demon God Palace, but throughout the Ten Thousand Saints City except for the surroundings of the Demon Palace, was filled with all sorts of clans of peculiar appearances, all dressed in formal wear.
Everyone extended their necks, crowding toward the direction of the Demon God Palace; it's said that even a glance from the Prophet Demon Master would bestow supreme blessings.
If it weren't for the full activation of the restrictions within the Holy City today, even an assault on the Demon God Palace might have happened.
However, the main event was on the vast square before the Demon God Palace.
The chiefs and elders of the major royal families and war demon clans of the Demon Clan were all here in splendid attire, waiting for that legendary Prophet Demon Master to appear.
Longnu, the Bull Demon, and Great Demon Master Yue Dao were also present, and today, these two were the heroes in the hearts of countless Demons.
It is said that before today, countless Demon beauties were sent by their families to propose marriage to them, with some families willing to concede even to a minor position as a concubine.
The reason is quite simple.
Over half a month ago, five bold heroes of the Demon Clan accomplished the feat of annihilating a branch temple of the mortal enemy, the Heavenly Temple.
This matter has been verified, and intelligence suggests that the Heavenly Temple is about to take retaliatory action.
And on the Demon Clan's territory, this event has become well-known.
The warlike nature of the Demon Clan often exaggerates achievements, so under the spread of this news, the five young demons who annihilated the branch temple have already become the pride and heroes of the entire Demon Clan.
These five young demons who annihilated the branch temple are Yue Dao and Yue Si from the Moon Demon Clan, Longnu and Niu Zhen from the Bull Demon Clan, led by the Soul Demon Sovereign, Demon Marshal!
Why do these five become known for the temple's annihilation?
This is related to Longnu and Great Demon Master Yue Dao.
The two of them did not hold significant status within their own clans.
Accomplishing such a sensational deed, without anyone orchestrating it, especially without much solid evidence, it is difficult to gain any benefits.
After negotiating with their respective clans, benefits could be secured for them, but on the condition of adding a core member from the clan to the list of those who annihilated the Luo Prefecture branch temple.
Anyway, the Heavenly Temple also does not know which demons actually annihilated the Luo Prefecture branch temple.
To be honest, without the deterrence of that external Soul Demon Sovereign, coupled with the fact that a branch temple is not something ordinary people can obliterate.
In the Bull Demon Clan of Longnu, even some elders had ideas of eliminating Longnu and having their direct lineage bloodline take his place on the list.
After all, the benefits are too significant!
Unfortunately, the rumors about the Soul Demon Sovereign's presence on the Demon Clan's territory have been incredibly exaggerated and astonishing in recent years, yet no one has seen the true body.
As for attempting to coerce Longnu and Great Demon Master Yue Dao into revealing the Soul Demon Sovereign's whereabouts, these two had a simple answer.
The Soul Demon Sovereign had long made them swear before the Demon God's statues never to disclose his identity.
Even when the Demon God Palace inquired, it was the same answer.
Furthermore, this was no lie!
Because before coming, Yue Dao and Longnu took a blood oath in front of hundreds of Demon God's statues, never to reveal the Soul Demon Sovereign's identity.
Of course, this vow was voluntarily made by them, with no one forcing them, just to cover up inconsistencies.
Coincidentally, due to the Soul Demon's clan's long decline, the emergence of a Soul Demon Sovereign would certainly alter the current interests.
Therefore, if the Soul Demon Sovereign chooses to remain hidden, it would be quite normal.
Thus, today's Prophet Demon Marshal meeting was exclusive to these four.
When noon arrived, the grand gate of the Demon God Palace suddenly opened wide, and a gentle sun slowly flew out from the palace gate.
In everyone's perception, that figure was like a sun bringing infinite warmth, with his gentle rays illuminating every corner of Ten Thousand Saints Mountain and Holy City, instilling inexplicable peace in every Demon.
"Prophet Demon Master!"
"Prophet Demon Master!"
The cheers rose wave upon wave, and even Longnu and Yue Dao were deeply moved and joined in the chorus.
After a while, as that sun-like figure gently raised his hands, the cheers instantly subsided.
"To hear of five young heroes in our clan who single-handedly annihilated a branch temple of the Heavenly Temple fills this old man with unspeakable joy. Thus, I awakened from Silent Cultivation to witness the grandeur of our young heroes!" The gentle voice penetrated into every heart.
In that instant, Longnu felt an impulse to rush forward and confess to the Prophet Demon Master about deceiving him.
Fortunately, they had long prepared for the overwhelming influence of the Prophet Demon Master and bit their tongues to regain composure.
"That Soul Demon Sovereign, Demon Marshal, still hasn't appeared?" The lowered gaze swept the surroundings, and Prophet Demon Master Jiu Xi seemed somewhat disappointed.
Actually, his emergence was not solely due to the temple's annihilation but also the news that it was achieved under the lead of a Soul Demon Sovereign.
That's why he came out.
In his era, the Soul Demon Sovereign was among the closest to divinity.
"Reporting to the Prophet Demon Master, we have already announced to the world that the Prophet Demon Master would personally meet him, but...." replied a chief of the Demon God Palace, looking embarrassed.
"Humph, it stems from your past excesses and misdeeds."
With a cold snort, ignoring the embarrassed chief, Prophet Demon Master Jiu Xi moved and was instantly before Great Demon Master Yue Dao!
"How did you ensure none from Luo Prefecture Branch Temple could escape?" Jiu Xi's gaze burned with inquiry as he looked at Yue Dao.
"Reporting to the Prophet Demon Master, the Soul Demon Sovereign, Demon Marshal, continuously used several secret techniques to greatly diminish the strength and speed of the branch temple's members, allowing us to descend like a tiger into a flock of sheep..."
"Hmm... I hope in the future, without the Demon Marshal's help, you can also descend like a tiger into a flock of sheep...." At these words, Yue Dao's heart suddenly contracted; for an instant, the gaze of Prophet Demon Master Jiu Xi made him feel exposed.
However, in the next moment, the Prophet Demon Master Jiu Xi's hand gently stroked Peng Tao's head, "My child, the Demon God will bless you...."
Amidst the murmurs, as Prophet Demon Master Jiu Xi's hand moved over him, blazing golden light burst forth from Great Demon Master Yue Dao's body, causing his form and hair to grow visibly.
A small crescent moon mark rapidly formed on Yue Dao's forehead, eliciting admiration from all around, as Great Demon Master Yue Dao trembled with excitement.
The Moon Demon Clan, part of the royal bloodline within the Demon Clan, held high status in the Demon Clan, while a core member belonged to the Moon Demon Imperial Family.
The unwelcome addition of Yue Si was a core member of the Moon Demon Clan.
But now, with the formation of the crescent mark on his forehead, it pronounced Great Demon Master Yue Dao as a core member of the Moon Demon Imperial Family.
No, he was now to be addressed as Divine Master Yue Dao of the Demon Clan.
In that fleeting instant, the aura of Great Demon Master Yue Dao soared, breaking through the long-standing barrier at the Peak of Ninth Stage Dark Palace Realm, and his cultivation instantly advanced to the Realm King Realm.
Realm King Realm First Stage.
Realm King Realm Second Stage.
Realm King Realm Third Stage.
The surge of power directly vaulted Great Demon Master Yue Dao's cultivation to the Fourth Stage of Realm King Realm before halting.
Simultaneously infused into him were massive amounts of Martial Arts insights, cultivation, and combat experience.
Yue Dao recognized that this breakthrough resulted from the Prophet Demon Master's assistance, propelling his long-built potential forward.
Moreover, due to Prophet Demon Master's infusion, Yue Dao believed that his future cultivation speed would be extraordinarily swift.
He would elevate his cultivation to the peak of the Ninth Stage of the Realm King Realm in no time.
Amidst Great Demon Master Yue Dao's beaming gaze, Prophet Demon Master moved towards the kneeling Bull Demon Lord Longnu!

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