Chapter 901: The Ruler

This was a magnificent and imposing palace, the residence of Liu Che, the crown prince of Tianxiang Guo. His estate was no ordinary one; it was vast and grand, comparable to the imperial palace itself.

Yet, despite this, the emperor of Tianxiang Guo dared not punish him, for Liu Che had the support of the Guoshi of Tianxiang Guo—a genuine immortal, before whom even the sovereign had to bow in submission.

At that moment, the crown prince's residence was bustling with activity, both inside and out. Nobles and dignitaries arrived one after another, each bearing gifts, creating a lively scene.

In the great hall, the sovereign of Tianxiang Guo sat facing east, with Liu Che seated below him. The awkwardness was evident: all the well-wishers were there for Liu Che, completely ignoring the emperor.

What a pathetic sight for the sovereign of Tianxiang Guo. He was furious but dared not speak, forced to wear a smile. It was humiliating for him as emperor; if he weren't relatively young, he might have been deposed already.

"Father, why don't you abdicate? Let me take the throne." With Liu Che's words, the atmosphere in the hall became oppressively tense.

Normally, this crown prince was lawless, but at least he didn't make overt moves against authority. Today's actions were outright rebellion! Even the generals who commanded armies felt their hearts pound with fear.

"Che'er, are you staging a coup?" The sovereign of Tianxiang Guo laughed bitterly in his rage, his body trembling.

"That's exactly what I'm doing. Got a problem with that?" Liu Che shrugged casually, a mocking expression on his face, his eyes gleaming with lewd intent. "Don't worry, I'll take good care of your concubines."

"You..." The sovereign choked with anger, spitting out a mouthful of blood. "How could I have fathered such a treacherous beast?"

"This is all thanks to my master—he's been an excellent teacher." Liu Che laughed, baring his white teeth. His mention of "master" made everyone in the hall hold their breath in silence.

"Traitor! Traitor!" The sovereign roared, drawing his sword.

"Your Majesty, please take care of your health!" Two guards stepped in front of Liu Che, exuding a fierce killing aura. They were martial arts experts he had recruited, far beyond what the unarmed emperor could handle.

Right then and there, the sovereign of Tianxiang Guo was subdued, instantly transforming from supreme ruler to a captive.

"Father, you're not well—take him away to rest properly." Liu Che waved his hand dismissively, strode up to the dragon throne, and sat down with a contented sigh, clearly relishing the moment.

"You traitor! You traitor!" The sovereign shouted in fury, but he was dragged out nonetheless.

In the hall, whether they were kings, marshals, or generals, no one dared to speak up. They were angry but powerless.

What could they do? Liu Che had immortals backing him, and he even dared to turn on his own father. Besides, without the Guoshi's approval, would Liu Che have acted so boldly?

"Everyone, do you have any objections to me becoming emperor?" Liu Che looked around the hall with interest.

"No objections at all!" Someone immediately stood up, speaking with conviction. "Your Highness is accomplished in both civil and military affairs, a man of great talent and vision—truly the rightful supreme ruler, a blessing to Tianxiang Guo!"

As soon as those words were spoken, others in the hall echoed in agreement, showering flattery so thick it made Liu Che, seated on the dragon throne, laugh with delight.

The Guoshi has arrived!

With a resounding announcement echoing through the air, an elderly man entered the hall, leaning on a cane and walking unsteadily. His cultivation was only at the Renyuan Realm, but here, he held the status of a king.

We greet the Guoshi!

Everyone in the hall bowed respectfully.

Yet, in their hearts, they cursed the old man a thousand times over. Ever since he came to Tianxiang Guo, he hadn't done a single good deed—just a string of misdeeds. What a "great master" he was called, but it was all nonsense.

"Master, why have you come out of seclusion?" Liu Che hurried over, his usual arrogance melting away as he became as meek as a lamb.

"My disciple is getting married—how could I not attend?" The old man, Ku Chan, spoke leisurely, seating himself on the throne and flicking a pill toward Liu Che. "This is my wedding gift to you."

"Thank you, Master." Liu Che was overjoyed, quickly catching it.

"What a despicable pair." Though the people in the hall smiled outwardly, their hearts were filled with silent curses. This so-called Guoshi, draped in the guise of an immortal and revered by all, was nothing but a vile creature.

But what could they do? He was an immortal, a cultivator who could crush them to dust in an instant.

The bride has arrived!

Another loud announcement came from outside the hall.

Outside, on the ninety-nine stone steps covered with a red carpet, Liu Ruyan appeared in her wedding attire, capturing everyone's attention.

No woman was more beautiful than a bride on her wedding day.

Indeed, Liu Ruyan at that moment possessed a beauty that could topple nations, like an exiled immortal—pure and untouched, her elegance making everyone in attendance, including Ku Chan, show a glint of desire in their eyes.

She was the center of attention, yet her eyes were dim and lifeless, tears still wet at the corners, forever marked with sorrow. Stepping into the crown prince's residence marked the beginning of her tragic fate.

Under thousands of gazes, she entered the hall, standing like an ice sculpture, her face a picture of quiet despair, devoid of any emotion. Her eyes were dull and vacant, as if she were a puppet.

"Beautiful one, don't worry, I'll treat you well." Liu Che stood up, leaned in to inhale her fragrance deeply, then stroked her cheek with a mocking and satisfied expression.

"Spare my family." Her voice was cold and emotionless.

"That depends on how obedient you are." Liu Che bared his white teeth, his eyes flashing with lewd intent.

"Take your filthy hand off her." At that moment, an ethereal and icy voice echoed into the hall.

Before the words faded, a golden light shot into the hall, transforming into a golden figure—it was Ye Chen.

This...!

Everyone in the hall rose to their feet; manifesting as light was the power of an immortal!

Ku Chan had already tumbled from the throne, prostrating himself on the ground, his face pale and his body shaking. "G-greetings, Senior."

If even Ku Chan was like this, the nobles, dignitaries, and generals didn't dare do otherwise, kneeling in droves.

As for Liu Che, who had been so arrogant moments before, he was now like a cowering dog, prostrate on the ground, his face ashen and his body trembling, not daring to make a sound.

It's him! It's him!

Liu Ruyan turned her head; even through the ghost mask, she could tell it was Ye Chen. Her beautiful eyes blurred with tears.

Bang!

In her daze, Ku Chan was sent flying, crashing through the hall and vanishing into the sky. He flew so high that he disappeared from sight.

After a long while, he still hadn't fallen, only drops of blood raining down, staining the hall red.

Amid the crowd's shock, Ye Chen removed his ghost mask, revealing his sharp, chiseled features.

You...!

Liu Che's eyes bulged visibly, his pupils shrinking to pinpoints.

That face was all too familiar to him—he had fed its owner to the dogs just three nights ago. Now, seeing him alive, Liu Che felt as if his body had turned to ice. He was a cultivator, far stronger than Ku Chan.

Ah... ah...!

Overwhelmed by terror, Liu Che screamed, stumbling backward in panic, staring at Ye Chen with eyes full of fear, like a mad dog howling, "You can't kill me! I'm the sovereign of Tianxiang Guo! I'm the sovereign of Tianxiang Guo!"

Ye Chen ignored him completely, took Liu Ruyan's hand, and turned to leave slowly, his voice echoing ethereally and authoritatively behind him: "Tianxiang Guo, from this day forth, will undergo a change of dynasty."