Fate-Defying Demon Emperor

Chapter 37: Chapter 37: Emissary of the Seven Stars Sect

The autumn royal examination was an annual grand event for assessing the members of the Imperial Family.

Wang Tianqing had eleven sons and four daughters, in addition to a vast number of imperial relatives, so there were always quite a few participants in the examination each year.

However, this year’s autumn examination became particularly different due to the Great Crown Prince’s meteoric rise.

Beyond the eager anticipation of the citizens within the Imperial Capital, an important figure also made an appearance.

A dazzling light, like a meteor streaking across the sky, arrived directly over the Imperial Capital as everyone below looked up in awe.

At that moment, the robust voice of Wang Tianqing suddenly resounded from within the palace.

”Wang Tianqing, Su Wulie, respectfully welcomes the envoy from the Seven Stars Sect!”

The light halted, revealing a middle-aged man with a clean-shaven face and a scholarly demeanor. He was dressed in a deep blue Law Robe embroidered with five stars on its chest, signifying his status as an elder.

But this elder was far more noble than those from the Lu and Qin Families, for he came from the Seven Stars Sect.

The Tianqing Dynasty was but one of many dynasties in Qingzhou, while the Seven Stars Sect was the overlord of the entire region. All dynasties and sects were its vassals and were required to pay a massive tribute of treasures annually.

This envoy from the Seven Stars Sect had come for a single purpose: to escort the Great Crown Prince into the Seven Stars Sect after the autumn examination concluded.

The Dragon Phoenix Saint Body was ranked one hundred and eighth on the List of Special Physiques and was said to possess the potential of a Great Emperor. Such innate talent was exceedingly rare, even across the entire Desolate Heavenly Ancient Realm.

Therefore, upon learning that the Great Crown Prince possessed the Dragon Phoenix Saint Body, the Seven Stars Sect had immediately dispatched an envoy to recruit him.

Of course, the Empress also played a role in this. After all, her father had once joined the Seven Stars Sect and now held a position as one of the ten great elders. Within the Seven Stars Sect, the Sect Master held supreme command, followed by the ten great elders, which indicated the high status and influence of the Empress’s father. This was also a factor in the Qin Family’s rise to become the second most powerful family in the Imperial Capital.

The envoy who had come this time was not just an Outer Sect Elder; he was also a disciple of the Empress’s father, making their relationship even closer.

WHOOSH!

Two figures soared up from the palace to greet him—they were none other than Wang Tianqing and the Empress.

”Senior Brother Yan Liu, it has been too long. I never expected Father to send you this time.”

The Empress smiled sweetly, clearly acquainted with the Seven Stars Sect envoy named Yan Liu.

”Junior Sister Qin Lan, years have passed, and you’ve grown even more beautiful and charming. Wang Tianqing, your good fortune is truly enviable!” Yan Liu joked with a smile, his familiarity evident.

The Empress had once been a disciple of the Seven Stars Sect herself. In her youth, she was a stunning beauty who had captured the hearts of many men, and Yan Liu had been one of them. However, she eventually chose Wang Tianqing, even at the cost of leaving the Seven Stars Sect.

”Brother Yan Liu, I have already prepared fine tea and spirit fruits. Please, let us speak inside the palace,” Wang Tianqing said, cupping his fist with a slightly humble demeanor.

Even though he was a master of the Heavenly King Realm and Yan Liu was only in the Physique Realm, the latter’s status as an envoy meant he represented the Seven Stars Sect itself. Wang Tianqing dared not show the slightest neglect.

”Senior Brother Yan Liu, the autumn examination is about to begin. Let us watch and reminisce at the same time,” the Empress said with a smile. She held no special feelings for Yan Liu. She simply hoped he would take good care of the Great Crown Prince, as the entire journey to the Seven Stars Sect would depend on his protection.

”Excellent. My master was overjoyed upon hearing that Su Tian had awakened the Dragon Phoenix Saint Body and immediately sent me to welcome him. With Su Tian’s talent and strength, he will surely shine brilliantly within the Seven Stars Sect.”

Yan Liu had not forgotten his main objective. The Great Crown Prince, Su Tian, was the key to his own advancement within the sect.

Soon, the three of them flew into the palace and vanished from sight, but the arrival of the Seven Stars Sect envoy remained a hot topic of conversation among the citizens of the Imperial Capital.

「Within the Lu Family」

Su Han also witnessed this scene. He knew a little about the relationship between the Empress and the Seven Stars Sect. Seeing the envoy arrive, he instantly guessed the man was here to take the Great Crown Prince away.

This means that if I want to get my revenge, this autumn royal examination is my only chance.

”Fairy Sister Yun Xian, you’re not a member of the Imperial Family, so you can’t participate in the royal examination. Just stay here and wait for my good news!” Su Han said with a comforting smile, unwilling to let her take any risks.

”Little Han, you have to be careful!” Lu Yunxian knew she couldn’t enter the examination’s hunting grounds and could only pray for him silently.

”I will certainly return victorious!”

Su Han pumped his fist, then smiled and waved goodbye to his Fairy Sister Yun Xian. He turned, left the Lu Family estate, and headed straight for the autumn hunting grounds.

Today, Su Han had donned a prince’s Python Robe, a Golden Crown, cloud-striding boots, and a jade belt. This, combined with the slaughtering aura he had honed on the battlefield, made one’s heart tremble. He looked like a decisive young sovereign!

Therefore, when Su Han arrived outside the imperial hunting grounds, no one dared to stop or challenge him.

Su Han walked directly to the Central Square, where many princes, princesses, and other imperial relatives had already gathered.

”Isn’t that the Ninth Prince? I heard he killed Qin Feng in public. His strength is formidable, second only to the Great Crown Prince. Didn’t I hear his Heavenly Dragon Battle Body was crippled? How could he still be so strong? He was at war for many years; perhaps he obtained some kind of treasure. Oh, right, I also heard a rumor that the Great Crown Prince only formed his Dragon Phoenix Saint Body by seizing the Ninth Prince’s Dragon Soul. There’s bound to be a showdown between them in this royal examination. A showdown? The Great Crown Prince is at the peak of his power right now; even the Seven Stars Sect has sent an envoy for him. Even if the Ninth Prince hadn’t been crippled, he could never compete with the Great Crown Prince. In my opinion, his participation in the royal examination is just a way to humiliate himself.”

Strange gazes fell upon him, accompanied by mocking discussion, but Su Han chose to ignore it all. He stood off to one side, waiting quietly as the killing intent in his heart steadily accumulated.

”His Majesty, Wang Tianqing, has arrived!” a eunuch’s sharp, duck-like voice announced, drawing everyone’s attention.

Wang Tianqing, clad in a dragon-embroidered yellow robe, strode forward with the gait of a dragon and the step of a tiger. A sharp light glinted in his eyes as they opened and closed, his presence deeply majestic. Beside him was the Empress, the mother of the nation, her demeanor regal, noble, and composed.

Killing intent surged in Su Han’s heart, but he restrained the impulse. Vengeance against the Empress can wait. Today, the Great Crown Prince is my main target!

Beside the Empress was Yan Liu, the envoy from the Seven Stars Sect. He walked shoulder-to-shoulder with Wang Tianqing, his own bearing extraordinary.

Seeing Yan Liu, many of the princes and princesses looked on with hope in their eyes. To be favored by this important figure and taken into the Seven Stars Sect would be the highest honor.

However, neither the majestic Wang Tianqing nor the extraordinary Yan Liu could overshadow the radiance of one person. Trailing behind the three was the Great Crown Prince, dressed in a purple-gold Python Robe, his bearing magnificent and proud.

Killing intent flared in Su Han’s eyes. The Great Crown Prince seemed to sense it and glanced over. Their gazes met in midair, and the entire world seemed to fall silent. Brother against brother. Who would live, and who would die?