Qian Renxue, the Master Actress

"This is impossible!"

"This is going too far!"

"Spirit Hall is being outrageous!"

"Divine Assessments belong to the virtuous. What right does Spirit Hall have to force the Crown Prince to give it up?!"

"You humiliate His Highness the Crown Prince and act so unreasonably, Spirit Hall!"

Golden Crocodile Douluo's words stirred up a massive uproar in the court.

"Hmph!"

He snorted coldly, and nine Soul Rings appeared at once.

Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, red!

Level 98 Soul Power, carrying the mountain-like might and savage aura of the Golden Crocodile King, bore down upon the entire imperial palace.

The noisy hall fell silent in an instant.

Xue Ye let out a muffled groan, and Xue Qinghe immediately stepped in front of Father Emperor.

A pair of white wings spread from behind him, releasing a gentle jade-green glow that enveloped Xue Ye.

Chen Xin and Gu Rong also shielded Ning Fengzhi, Xue Ye, and Xue Qinghe behind them as they summoned their Martial Souls.

The Seven Kill Sword appeared in Chen Xin's hand, while a phantom Bone Dragon coiled beneath the ceiling.

They struggled to resist Golden Crocodile Douluo's pressure.

Golden Crocodile Douluo's gaze swept over Gu Rong with utter disdain.

But when he looked at Chen Xin, his eyes lit up.

Sword energy brimmed around Chen Xin, and his Soul Power faintly showed signs of stirring.

He was clearly on the verge of a breakthrough.

"This old man has not walked the continent for many years. I never expected to find such an impressive junior.

"Sword Douluo Chen Xin? I have heard of you."

Golden Crocodile Douluo revealed an appreciative expression.

"Not bad. You are close to a breakthrough as well.

"After breaking through, you will be Level 97, only one level below this old man."

At those words, Xue Ye and Xue Qinghe were not only shocked, but also turned astonished gazes toward Chen Xin.

Chen Xin was famed for his sword, and his reputation was illustrious. They had not expected him to make another breakthrough now.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was closely tied to the Heaven Dou Imperial Family. This was tremendous news.

"However."

Golden Crocodile Douluo's smile vanished.

"This one level is the difference between heaven and earth!

"Not to mention that you have yet to break through!"

As soon as his words fell, Golden Crocodile Douluo's might surged!

Chen Xin and Gu Rong, who had barely managed to hold on, immediately broke out in cold sweat.

They pushed their Soul Power to the limit, yet Golden Crocodile Douluo still suppressed them until they staggered backward again and again.

Golden Crocodile Douluo's pressure was about to reach Xue Ye.

Just then, a loud shout rang out.

"Stop!"

Xue Qinghe forced himself one step forward, breaking free of Chen Xin and Gu Rong's protection and exposing himself completely to Golden Crocodile Douluo's pressure.

"Crown Prince, be careful!"

"You must not!"

Ignoring everyone's warnings, Xue Qinghe stubbornly pressed forward beneath the pressure.

Step by step, he walked toward Golden Crocodile Douluo.

His face twisted in agony, his entire body trembling. Every time he gathered Soul Power, the crushing pressure shattered it.

The gentle jade-green light continued to leak away, while the white wings behind him were on the verge of breaking apart.

The strength of a Level 98 Titled Douluo far surpassed everyone's imagination.

Driven by Xue Qinghe's reckless exertion, a massive Swan Phantom appeared behind him, spreading its wings and crying toward the heavens.

"Father Emperor is in poor health. Please withdraw your might, Your Excellency.

"Whatever you want, direct it at me!"

Xue Qinghe stubbornly met Golden Crocodile Douluo's gaze.

Even as his entire body shook and blood streamed from his nose, he refused to retreat even half a step.

Golden Crocodile Douluo's eyes froze.

Then he suddenly chuckled.

His nine Soul Rings vanished at once.

The abruptly disappearing pressure instead left everyone's chests feeling tight.

Ignoring everyone else, Golden Crocodile Douluo stared at the Swan Phantom behind Xue Qinghe.

"The Swan Martial Soul of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family?

"It does have some merit. It does not disgrace the Ancestor's Divine Trial.

"Not bad."

With the pressure suddenly gone, Xue Qinghe could not help coughing up a mouthful of blood.

He endured the discomfort, straightened his back, and looked Golden Crocodile Douluo directly in the eye.

"Thank you for your praise, Senior.

"And thank you for showing mercy. Father Emperor is ill and truly cannot withstand such agitation."

He took a deep breath, turned to look at Xue Ye, who was slumped on the Dragon Throne with a pale face, then continued.

"Xue Qinghe knows his talent is mediocre and is unworthy of the Angel God's attention.

"Spirit Hall's Six-winged Angel Martial Soul stands at the pinnacle of the world.

"How could Qinghe's insignificant Swan Martial Soul possibly compare?"

Seeing Xue Qinghe belittle his family's inherited Martial Soul in public under Golden Crocodile Douluo's pressure, Xue Ye's expression immediately darkened.

Golden Crocodile Douluo did not interrupt. He narrowed his eyes and watched Xue Qinghe expressionlessly.

He appeared utterly unmoved by Xue Qinghe's flattery.

In truth, Golden Crocodile Douluo was already at his limit inside.

Talent is mediocre? Little ancestor, that is enough!

If you keep talking, eldest brother will beat me up when we get back!

After staying in Heaven Dou for so many years, your acting skills are practically godlike!

Everyone's eyes fell upon the Swan Phantom behind Xue Qinghe.

Its outspread wings, its unwilling cry toward the heavens, and its posture of defiance were deeply imprinted in everyone's hearts.

Ning Fengzhi seemed to recall something and suddenly sighed softly.

At that moment, Xue Qinghe spoke again.

"If Senior wants this junior to give up the Divine Trial, I can."

At those words, Xue Ye anxiously sat upright and looked into the hall.

"However! This junior has one condition!"

Xue Qinghe's voice rang out loudly.

Golden Crocodile Douluo's expression remained calm, though amusement flickered in his eyes.

"A condition? Let me hear it."

Xue Qinghe took a deep breath and looked once more at the weakened Xue Ye behind him.

"Spirit Hall has a long heritage and deep foundations.

"Father Emperor is currently unwell. If Spirit Hall can restore Father Emperor's health!

"Qinghe will willingly give up the Divine Trial!"

These words caused an even greater uproar in the hall.

The officials whispered among themselves, yet did not dare to object aloud.

Everyone's eyes darted back and forth between Xue Qinghe and the man seated on the Dragon Throne.

Ning Fengzhi stared at Xue Qinghe's back in astonishment.

He had originally believed that he understood this nominal student of his quite well.

Yet Xue Qinghe's choice still exceeded his expectations.

It is a Divine Assessment! It is the path to godhood!

His Highness the Crown Prince—no, Qinghe—is actually willing to give it up for the Emperor's health!

Who says the Imperial Family is heartless? When Qinghe ascends the throne, it will truly be Heaven Dou's good fortune!

Xue Ye's gaze went blank. The expression with which he looked at Xue Qinghe was filled with utter disbelief.

There was no family affection in the imperial household. Every prince seized the throne through bloody means and emerged victorious in the end.

Even he had risen that way.

As Emperor, he had always taught his children to love and support one another.

Yet he himself did not believe that such affection could exist within the Imperial Family.

He had four sons in total, two of whom had already died young. The greatest suspect had been the First Prince, Xue Qinghe.

But he had remained silent and never investigated further.

He had merely devoted even more effort to nurturing Xue Qinghe, helping him become a qualified Monarch.

Until the day he could no longer hold on.

Perhaps Xue Qinghe had also been eagerly awaiting that day to come sooner.

Xue Ye often thought so.

That day, Golden Light Descended from Heaven, and Xue Qinghe received the Divine Trial.

Xue Ye had been incomparably delighted when he witnessed it.

It meant that if Xue Qinghe could complete the Divine Trial, he would become the greatest Emperor in Heaven Dou Empire's history.

An Emperor blessed by Divine Grace!

An Emperor with the hope of becoming a God!

At that moment, Xue Ye had even wished for himself to die sooner, so that he could clear the path for Xue Qinghe.

End the empire's chaos and sweep aside Star Luo.

Make Heaven Dou Empire great again!

But now, Xue Qinghe was doing this for him, his father.

For the man who had been the final obstacle before he took the throne.

He was willing to give up the Angel God's assessment!

How could Xue Ye not be shaken?

"Qinghe, My Son..." Xue Ye spoke tremblingly.

Xue Qinghe did not respond. His upright back stood tall beneath the heavens, imprinting itself upon everyone's hearts.

Golden Crocodile Douluo looked at the familiar yet unfamiliar youth before him.

His gaze was blank.

Miss! You are incredible!