Chapter 583: Chapter 583: The Change of Imperial Power – Part 1
After the war ended, the Douluo Continent began to recover its prosperity at a visibly rapid pace.
However, amidst this peaceful and flourishing era, an event occurred that left everyone on the Douluo Continent baffled: the still-vigorous Tian Hun Emperor abdicated his throne in favor of Princess Wei Na.
Though there were precedents of women ascending to the throne on the Douluo Continent, traditionally, the imperial position was passed down to male heirs unless no direct male descendants remained in a generation.
Although somewhat unconventional, the people of the Tian Hun Empire were more than willing to accept this situation.
After all, the newly enthroned Empress Wei Na was a disciple of the legendary Limit Douluo and possessed godlike strength herself.
Inside the Tian Hun Imperial Palace—
The once triumphant Tian Hun Emperor, who had recently annexed the Dou Ling Empire and was eager to secure his legacy for eternity, now appeared with graying hair, as if he had aged decades overnight.
With a complex gaze, the Tian Hun Emperor looked at Wei Na for a long time before sighing deeply.
"Are you satisfied now, Nana? Can you release your older brothers?"
Clad in the resplendent robes of an empress, Wei Na exuded an aura of coldness and aloofness. She slowly nodded.
"Since I ascended to this throne, I have already released them. After all, my elder brothers and sisters are of little use, and more than half of the nobles in court now support me. Naturally, I wouldn't harm their lives.
Father, you're overthinking things."
Wei Na's words were logical, but having once been emperor himself, the Tian Hun Emperor understood the loneliness of absolute power. In his pursuit of power, he too had killed his own kin.
He didn't take her words at face value, but the thought of his other children being released did bring some comfort to this aging father. Still, one question lingered in his mind.
After much deliberation, the Tian Hun Emperor decided to satisfy his curiosity.
"Wei Na, you're a good child. You wouldn't have coveted my position under normal circumstances. So… can you tell me why you insisted on taking the throne?"
Wei Na lowered her gaze and glanced at her elderly father.
Now that her plans were fully underway and she had consolidated domestic power, there was no harm in revealing the truth.
"Father, I've grown tired of the wars that have persisted for thousands of years, and so has the populace of the Douluo Continent.
It's time to put an end to all of this. My usurpation of your throne is only the beginning."
The Tian Hun Emperor's eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at his youngest and proudest daughter.
To a wise person, few words were needed. From these brief remarks, the Tian Hun Emperor immediately grasped Wei Na's intentions.
Bitterly shaking his head, he gazed at the blue sky outside and sighed.
"You truly are playing a grand game."
Pausing for a moment, the Tian Hun Emperor furrowed his brows in deep thought before asking gravely,
"Wei Na, regardless of your plans, I only want to know one thing: will they harm our family?"
Wei Na gave her father a strange look.
"What do you think of my master, Father?"
At this point, the Tian Hun Emperor finally relaxed, his eyes filled with emotion. Times were changing.
Not long after Wei Na's ascension, Ju Zi, far away in the Sun Moon Empire, gave birth to a prince, prompting nationwide celebrations.
A month later, news of another succession reached the Star Luo Empire.
However, while the Tian Hun Empire's transition from father to daughter caused little controversy, the Star Luo Empire's transfer of power from brother to sister sparked significant debate.
Traditionally, imperial succession flowed downward through generations. A lateral transfer between siblings resembled nothing short of a power grab.
Still, the people of the Star Luo Empire merely murmured amongst themselves. Most nobles, like those in the Tian Hun Empire, had already been won over by Xu Jiujjiu.
Though the former Star Luo Emperor, Xu Tianxing, expressed some dissatisfaction, upon seeing his daughter's formidable fists, he quickly voiced his approval.
"The Star Luo throne belongs to the worthy. Since the founding of the Dai family four thousand years ago, it has not always passed from father to son."
On the day of the coronation ceremony, Dai Hao's cheeks twitched slightly, sensing veiled insinuations from the former emperor.
But faced with overwhelming force and the cessation of hostilities across the Douluo Continent, Dai Hao's status had diminished significantly. He could only stand silently in the corner, observing the proceedings with cold detachment.
His tightly clenched fists betrayed his inner turmoil.
Thus, the Douluo Continent entered an era ruled by two empresses.
Though neither woman joined the Tian Xing Knights in their campaign against evil soul masters, their initial association with the group spread widely, earning admiration from the populace and boosting their reputations.
As disciples of the same master and with Tian Xing Academy's rising prominence, both empresses enacted laws easing border restrictions, fostering greater harmony across the continent.
Far away in the Sun Moon Empire, Xu Tianran felt a growing sense of frustration—and thinning hair.
On one hand, the child Ju Zi bore was not his, which gnawed at him. On the other, the unity of the Douluo Continent weighed heavily on his mind.
Though the Sun Moon Empire considered itself no weaker than either of the two Douluo nations, the previous infighting among the three Douluo powers had provided opportunities for the Sun Moon Empire to exploit. Now, as the Douluo Continent grew increasingly united, the pressure on Xu Tianran mounted.
Staring intently at the map on his desk, Xu Tianran clenched his teeth and muttered bitterly,
"This cannot continue. If those two nations truly unite, my Sun Moon Empire—still recovering from the war—faces the risk of annihilation!
Damn it, of all times for this to happen!
If the Holy Spirit Sect still existed, if Elder Kong's strength remained at Level 10, I wouldn't be in such a passive position!"
Such is human nature—only realizing the value of something once it's lost.
Though the Holy Spirit Sect had caused the Sun Moon Empire much trouble, its unparalleled power had been invaluable.
Ju Zi, handling official matters nearby, said nothing, though her eyes carried a hint of coldness.
Just a month after giving birth, Xu Tianran had already begun using Ju Zi as a tool, showing no regard for sentiment.
In most empires, it was strictly forbidden for the imperial harem to interfere in politics. Yet Xu Tianran deliberately defied this norm, masking his own shortcomings and projecting an image of marital harmony.
As Ju Zi continued processing documents, a faint, chilling smile crossed her lips.
This suited her just fine—it would make her actions easier.
Xu Tianran, deep in thought about breaking the deadlock, suddenly recalled Shrek Academy, which he had neglected for some time. A confident smirk gradually formed on his lips.
"People forget easily. If the Douluo Continent has abandoned you, then let the Sun Moon Empire support you instead."
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