Qian Renxue Ascends the Throne, Empress!

Emperor Xue Ye froze for a moment, as if he hadn't heard clearly.

"You... what did you say?"

Just then, Gu Sheng gently raised his right hand and tapped the air.

An invisible force instantly spread out, isolating the entire bedchamber from the outside world.

To the royal guards stationed outside the bedchamber, everything inside seemed perfectly normal.

"You... what are you trying to do? Qinghe, who is this person?"

Emperor Xue Ye seemed to sense that something was wrong and tried to sit up in a panic.

But his body was far too weak; he struggled for a long time, only managing to twitch his fingers slightly.

Qian Renxue stood to the side, watching Emperor Xue Ye on the sickbed, the concern on her face vanishing without a trace.

In its place was a calm that bordered on indifference.

"Xue Ye, you don't need to wait. Those princes of yours have long since died."

Qian Renxue's voice was no longer the clear, bright male voice of Xue Qinghe, but had returned to her original crisp and melodious female tone.

At the same time, a faint golden light began to ripple around her body.

Under the terrified gaze of Emperor Xue Ye, the figure of the "Xue Qinghe" before him began to change.

The once mediocre features gradually faded away, revealing the stunningly beautiful and noble face of Qian Renxue.

Her long golden hair appeared exceptionally dazzling in the sunlight.

"You... you are not Qinghe! Who exactly are you!"

Emperor Xue Ye widened his eyes, his throat emitting rapid, wheezing gasps as his entire body trembled violently.

"Who I am is not important. What matters is that, starting today, the master of the Heaven Dou Empire is changing."

Qian Renxue looked at him indifferently.

"As for your real eldest prince, he went underground to wait for you many years ago."

Hearing this cruel truth, Emperor Xue Ye let out a puff and spat out a large mouthful of black blood.

"You... you..."

He reached out a withered hand, pointing tremblingly at Qian Renxue and Gu Sheng, but he could not utter another word.

Gu Sheng walked to the side of the sickbed, his expression calm.

"Your Majesty Emperor Xue Ye, rest in peace. We will take good care of this empire for you."

As he spoke, Gu Sheng gathered a faint light at his fingertip and gently tapped it against Emperor Xue Ye's forehead.

That power surged into Emperor Xue Ye's body through his forehead, instantly extinguishing the last remnants of his vitality.

Emperor Xue Ye opened his eyes wide, his trembling hand falling limply onto the bed, and he ceased to breathe.

A generation of emperors of the Heaven Dou Empire had fallen.

Watching the now lifeless Emperor Xue Ye, Qian Renxue took a deep breath and turned to look at Gu Sheng.

"Husband, it is done."

"Mm, next, it is time to prepare for your coronation ceremony."

Gu Sheng patted her shoulder and said gently.

Three days later, the main hall of the Heaven Dou Empire palace.

Bells tolled long and mournfully, and the entire nation was in mourning.

Because Emperor Xue Ye had passed away and no other princes survived, the Crown Prince "Xue Qinghe" logically inherited the throne.

However, at the final step of the coronation ceremony.

As the civil and military officials knelt below, waiting for the new emperor to be crowned.

The tightly shut palace doors slowly opened.

Qian Renxue was not wearing the crown prince's attire, but a magnificent nine-dragon supreme robe embroidered with golden phoenixes.

Her long golden hair was pinned up high, and she wore the imperial crown that symbolized supreme power.

Her stunning and majestic face was, in this instant, revealed to all the ministers of the Heaven Dou Empire.

"What... what is going on?"

"Where is His Highness the Crown Prince?"

"Insolence! Who dares to trespass in the main hall, and wearing an imperial robe at that!"

The officials below fell into chaos, and some generals loyal to the royal family drew the swords at their waists.

However, before they could make a move.

A terrifying, suffocating pressure instantly swept down from the top of the main hall.

Gu Sheng stood beside Qian Renxue, dressed in black with a calm expression.

That aura of pressure forced everyone in the great hall to buckle at the knees, while some of the weaker officials were pinned directly to the floor, unable to move.

"From this day forth, the Heaven Dou Empire shall be governed by Empress Qian Renxue."

Gu Sheng's voice echoed through the hall, every word heavy as Thousand Jun, striking at the hearts of all present.

"Does anyone have an objection?"

Faced with such terrifying power, the hall fell into a deathly silence.

Those generals who had originally intended to resist looked at the black-clad youth above, who stood like a god, and then at Qian Renxue, who sat in her dragon robes, noble and unreachable.

In the end, they slowly lowered their weapons.

"Long live Her Majesty! Long live! Long, long live!"

A quick-witted official was the first to kneel, shouting at the top of his lungs.

Soon after, more and more people followed suit and knelt down.

Qian Renxue walked slowly to the dragon throne and sat down with a sense of majesty.

"Rise."

Her voice was calm, yet it carried throughout the entire imperial palace.

The Heaven Dou Empire had changed hands.

Deep into the night.

Inside the Empress's bedchamber in the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.

Qian Renxue sat on the edge of the bed, still wearing her heavy and ornate dragon robes.

On the table nearby sat the jade seal, symbolizing the supreme power of the Heaven Dou Empire.

Gu Sheng pushed the door open and walked in, looking at his wife sitting by the bed.

Upon hearing his footsteps, the majesty of the Empress vanished from Qian Renxue's face in an instant.

"Husband!"

She stood up in a rush and threw herself directly into Gu Sheng's arms.

"This dragon robe is too heavy, and the imperial crown on my head has made my neck quite sore."

Qian Renxue complained in a low voice against Gu Sheng's chest; there was no trace left of the Empress who had intimidated the civil and military officials in the court that day.

Gu Sheng chuckled as he held her and walked over to sit on the bed, reaching out to remove the heavy imperial crown from her head.

"Who told you to be so imposing during the day? Now you know what it's like to be tired?"

As her long golden hair cascaded down, Qian Renxue sighed in comfort, leaning lazily into Gu Sheng's embrace.

"It was all for you, husband. If you hadn't wanted me to be this Empress, I wouldn't bother with these mundane affairs of state."

Gu Sheng reached out to stroke the golden dragon robe she wore.

"Still, this outfit looks truly beautiful on you."

Hearing her husband's praise, Qian Renxue's pretty face flushed slightly.

"If you like it, husband, then... then Xue'er won't take it off tonight, okay?"

Her voice was low, tinged with an unusual shyness.

Gu Sheng pinched her chin, gazing at her exquisite face.

"Is the dignified Empress of the Heaven Dou Empire going to beg for mercy under her husband tonight?"

"You're so annoying, husband..."

Qian Renxue pouted coquettishly, wrapping her arms around Gu Sheng's neck and kissing him.

The red candles flickered in the breeze, casting long shadows of the two figures against the screen.

The bedchamber was filled with the warmth of spring.

The morning light pierced through the carved window lattices, scattering across the disheveled bed.

Qian Renxue opened her eyes lazily, her long golden hair scattered across the pillow.

As she turned her head, she saw Gu Sheng watching her quietly, his eyes filled with gentleness.

"Awake?"

Gu Sheng reached out to stroke her soft cheek, his voice gentle.

"Mm..."

Qian Renxue snuggled into his arms with a naive charm, hugging his waist tightly.

The madness of last night left her body still feeling weak, but her heart was filled to the brim with happiness.

"Husband, I have to go handle state affairs today."

"The Heaven Dou Empire has just fallen into our hands, and there are many areas that require reorganization."

Qian Renxue sighed softly; although she was reluctant to part with these tender moments, she knew deep down that now was not the time to relax.

Gu Sheng sat up and pulled her up along with him.

"Go ahead. As for the affairs of the Heaven Dou Empire, feel free to handle them as you see fit."

"As for those disobedient fellows, leave them to me."

Qian Renxue helped Gu Sheng adjust his collar, a flash of brilliance crossing her eyes.

"Husband, I want to officially grant you a title at today's grand court assembly."

"Not only will I let the people of the Heaven Dou Empire know you, but I will make the entire continent remember your name."

Gu Sheng raised an eyebrow slightly.

"A title?"

"I have no interest in the power of the Heaven Dou Empire, as you well know."

Qian Renxue shook her head gently, her expression turning serious.

"No, Husband."

"You are my husband, and furthermore, the most powerful existence in this world."

"Without you, I could never have seized the throne of the Heaven Dou Empire so easily."

"I want to crown you as a King, to stand by my side and share the glory of this supreme sovereignty."

Gu Sheng looked at her earnest expression and shook his head with a chuckle.

"Since my wife wishes to do so, then let it be done."

"As long as you are happy, I don't mind having the title of a Prince added to my name."

A radiant smile appeared on Qian Renxue's face as she leaned forward and planted a light kiss on Gu Sheng's lips.

"Then Husband, please rest for a while. I shall go and prepare for the first grand court assembly following my ascension."

With that, she summoned her maids and began to wash and dress.

Donning that luxurious and majestic bright yellow dragon robe and wearing the twelve-tasseled imperial crown, Qian Renxue transformed once again into that noble and cold empress.

Before leaving, she turned back and gave Gu Sheng a playful wink before heading toward the front hall, surrounded by a retinue of attendants.

Gu Sheng sat on the edge of the bed, watching her retreating figure, and laughed softly.

This girl is becoming increasingly assertive now that she is an emperor.

However, that is quite fine.

In the Heaven Dou Great Hall, the atmosphere today was exceptionally solemn.

Civil and military officials stood on both sides of the hall, each with their heads bowed, their expressions filled with trepidation and panic.

At the coronation ceremony three days ago, the terrifying pressure that had nearly crushed them all remained a nightmare to this day.

"His Majesty has arrived!"

Following the sharp announcement of the eunuch, Qian Renxue walked with steady steps toward the dragon throne.

She looked down at the assembled officials below, her gaze sweeping across the crowd, though her brows furrowed slightly.

At today's grand court assembly, Ning Fengzhi, the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, had not appeared.

Not only Ning Fengzhi, but even Sword Douluo Chen Xin, who should have been attending at her side, was nowhere to be seen.

Qian Renxue withdrew her gaze, her expression devoid of ripples as she spoke calmly:

"All officials, rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

After the officials rose, they all kept their eyes fixed on their own noses, not daring to breathe too loudly.

Qian Renxue raised her hand slightly, and the imperial eunuch at her side understood immediately, stepping forward to unfurl a scroll of bright yellow imperial edict.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees."

"There exists a remarkable man named Gu Sheng, whose power reaches the heavens and who possesses both virtue and talent."

"He has rendered meritorious service to the Heaven Dou Empire, propping up the crumbling edifice of the state."

"He is hereby conferred the title of 'Saint Spirit King', ranking above all other princes, exempt from kneeling before the monarch, and sharing equal honor with the Emperor!"

"His fief shall be a radius of five hundred miles outside Heaven Dou City; to see the Saint Spirit King is to see me in person!"

The eunuch's sharp voice echoed through the vast hall.

Upon hearing the words "Saint Spirit King," and especially the phrase "exempt from kneeling before the monarch, and sharing equal honor with the Emperor," the officials below erupted into a commotion.

"This... sharing equal honor with the Emperor? This is somewhat..."

"That is the Saint Spirit King! Three days ago, it was that very lord who single-handedly suppressed us all!"

"Who would dare to object? Anyone who steps out would likely be left without even a scrap of bone remaining."

Although some veteran officials harbored minor grievances in their hearts, the moment they recalled the god-like methods of Gu Sheng, they forcibly swallowed the words that had reached their lips.

"Announcing, the Saint Spirit King enters the hall!"

Following the eunuch's proclamation, the heavy doors of the great hall slowly creaked open.

Sunlight spilled in from outside, casting a silhouette of a slender, upright figure that appeared as if he were a deity.

Gu Sheng, dressed in luxurious royal robes of black with gold patterns, walked slowly into the hall.

His expression was calm, yet his eyes revealed a depth that sent shivers down one's spine.

As he moved, an invisible but suffocatingly heavy pressure began to permeate the great hall.

Thump!

A weak-willed official could not withstand the pressure; his legs went soft, and he collapsed to the floor.

Immediately following, as if triggering a chain reaction, the entire court of civil and military officials—even including several powerful Spirit Master generals—knelt down one after another.

"Greetings, Your Highness the Saint Spirit King! May Your Highness live for a thousand, a thousand, ten thousand years!"

A mountain-toppling, sea-draining roar of voices erupted within the hall.

Ten thousand people bowed in worship, the momentum shaking the heavens.

Gu Sheng walked all the way to the foot of the dragon throne and came to a halt.

He looked at Qian Renxue, who sat high upon the dragon throne, and a gentle smile curled the corners of his lips.

Qian Renxue gazed at her husband below, the majesty in her eyes melting into endless tenderness at this moment.

"Rise."

Gu Sheng turned around and gave a faint wave of his hand to the officials below.

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

The ministers stood up, looking at the young man in black standing at the very front, their eyes filled with nothing but awe and fear.

They knew that from this day on, the sky of the Heaven Dou Empire had truly changed.

The grand court session proceeded smoothly; almost no one dared to raise any objections at such a time.

After the court was dismissed, Qian Renxue brought Gu Sheng back to the imperial study.

The moment they stepped through the door, Qian Renxue shed the dignity of the Empress without a moment's hesitation and trotted over to Gu Sheng's side.

"Husband, how was my performance today?"

She looked at Gu Sheng as if seeking praise, her eyes sparkling.

Gu Sheng took the opportunity to pull her into his arms and pinched her nose with a chuckle.

"Majestic and imposing, my Empress."

"However, it seems a few people were missing today."

Hearing Gu Sheng's words, the smile on Qian Renxue's face faded slightly, and a cold glint flashed through her beautiful eyes.

"You are referring to Ning Fengzhi, aren't you, Husband?"

"Not a single person from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect came today."

"It seems this former 'Crown Prince's Tutor' has already sensed something."