Qian Renxue Ascends the Throne, the Empress!

Xue Ye was stunned for a moment, as if he hadn't quite heard.

"Y-You... what did you say?"

Just then, Gu Sheng gently raised his right hand and gave the air a slight tap.

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.

"Y-You... what are you trying to do? Qinghe, who is this man?"

Xue Ye seemed to sense that something was wrong. Somewhat panicked, he tried to sit up.

But his body was far too weak. After struggling for a long while, he managed only the faintest twitch of his fingers.

Qian Renxue stood to one side, looking at Xue Ye on the sickbed. The worry on her face vanished in an instant.

In its place was a calm so cold it was almost indifferent.

"Xue Ye, you needn't wait any longer. Your princes are all long dead."

Qian Renxue's voice was no longer the clear, masculine voice of Xue Qinghe. It had returned to her original, crisp and melodious feminine voice.

At the same time, a faint golden glow began to shimmer around her body.

Under Xue Ye's horrified gaze, the figure of "Xue Qinghe" before him began to change.

The rather unremarkable features gradually faded away, revealing Qian Renxue's stunning and noble face.

Her long golden hair was dazzling beneath the sunlight.

"Y-You're not Qinghe! Who are you?!"

Xue Ye's eyes widened. He gasped rapidly, his whole body trembling violently.

"Who I am doesn't matter. What matters is that, from today onward, the master of the Heaven Dou Empire will change."

Qian Renxue looked at him coolly.

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

At this cruel truth, Xue Ye suddenly spat out a mouthful of black blood.

"You... you..."

He stretched out a withered hand and pointed tremblingly at Qian Renxue and Gu Sheng, but couldn't utter another word.

Gu Sheng walked to the bedside, his expression calm.

"Your Majesty Xue Ye, go in peace. We'll take good care of this empire for you."

As he spoke, a faint light gathered at Gu Sheng's fingertip. He then gently touched it to Xue Ye's forehead.

The force flowed through Xue Ye's forehead and into his body, instantly snuffing out the last spark of life within him.

Xue Ye's eyes remained wide open. His trembling hand fell limply onto the sickbed, and he drew no more breath.

Thus fell the emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire.

Looking at Xue Ye's lifeless body, Qian Renxue took a deep breath and turned to Gu Sheng.

"Dear, we did it."

"Mhm. Now we need to prepare for your coronation."

Gu Sheng patted her shoulder and spoke warmly.

Three days later, in the main hall of the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.

The bells rang out, and the entire empire mourned.

With Emperor Xue Ye dead and none of his other sons surviving, Crown Prince "Xue Qinghe" naturally inherited the throne.

However, at the final step of the coronation ceremony—

As the assembled officials knelt below, awaiting the new emperor's crowning,

the doors of the hall, which had been firmly shut, slowly swung open.

Qian Renxue wore no crown prince's attire. Instead, she was dressed in a splendid imperial robe embroidered with golden phoenixes and nine dragons.

Her long golden hair was swept high, and on her head rested the imperial crown, symbolizing supreme authority.

Her stunning yet imposing face was revealed to every official of the Heaven Dou Empire.

"W-What is going on?"

"Where is His Highness the Crown Prince?"

"Outrageous! Who dares barge into the hall wearing an imperial robe?!"

The officials below erupted into chaos. Several generals loyal to the royal family even drew the swords at their waists.

But before they could make a move,

a terrifying pressure, so suffocating it stole their breath, swept down from above the hall.

Gu Sheng, dressed in black and wearing a serene expression, stood at Qian Renxue's side.

The pressure bore down on everyone in the hall, forcing their knees to buckle. Some of the weaker officials were even flattened against the floor, unable to move.

"From this day onward, the Heaven Dou Empire will be ruled by Empress Qian Renxue."

Gu Sheng's voice echoed through the hall. Each word fell with the weight of a thousand jun, striking at everyone's heart.

"Does anyone object?"

Faced with such overwhelming power, the hall fell silent.

The generals who had been preparing to resist looked up at the black-clad youth above, who seemed like a god, then at Qian Renxue in her imperial robe, so noble she seemed beyond reach.

In the end, they slowly lowered their weapons.

"Long live Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty! Long, long live!"

A quick-witted official was the first to kneel and shout.

One after another, more people followed suit.

Qian Renxue slowly walked to the dragon throne and sat down with an air of authority.

"Rise."

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

The Heaven Dou Empire had a new ruler.

Night fell.

In the empress's bedchamber at the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.

Qian Renxue sat on the edge of the bed, still wearing the heavy, ornate imperial robe.

On the table nearby rested the jade seal, symbol of the highest authority in the Heaven Dou Empire.

Gu Sheng pushed open the door and entered, looking at his wife on the bedside.

At the sound, the majesty of the empress vanished from Qian Renxue's face in an instant.

"Dear!"

She sprang up, flustered, and threw herself straight into Gu Sheng's arms.

"This imperial robe is so heavy, and the crown is making my neck ache."

In Gu Sheng's embrace, Qian Renxue grumbled softly. She was nothing like the empress who had intimidated the court officials earlier that day.

Gu Sheng carried her to the bed and sat down with her, then reached up to undo her heavy crown.

"You were so imposing today. Now you're complaining that you're tired?"

Her golden hair fell loose again. Qian Renxue sighed in relief and leaned languidly against Gu Sheng.

"I only did it for you, dear. If you hadn't wanted me to be empress, I wouldn't have bothered with all this worldly administration."

Gu Sheng ran his hand over her golden-yellow imperial robe.

"Still, this outfit really does look good on you."

Hearing his praise, Qian Renxue's pretty face blushed faintly.

"If you like it, then... then I won't take it off tonight, all right, dear?"

Her voice was low, carrying a peculiar shyness.

Gu Sheng lifted her chin and gazed at her beautiful face.

"Will the dignified empress of the Heaven Dou Empire be begging for mercy beneath her husband tonight?"

"You're so mean, dear..."

Qian Renxue pouted, wrapped her arms around Gu Sheng's neck, and kissed him.

The red candles flickered in the breeze, casting their long shadows across the screen.

Spring filled the bedchamber.

The pale light of dawn filtered through the carved windows and fell across the rumpled bed.

Qian Renxue opened her eyes languidly, her golden hair strewn across the pillow.

She turned her head and saw Gu Sheng quietly watching her, his eyes filled with warmth.

"Awake?"

Gu Sheng stroked her smooth cheek, his voice gentle.

"Mhm..."

Qian Renxue nestled against him with a sleepy, endearing air and hugged him tightly around the waist.

Last night's passion had left her limbs weak, but her heart was brimming with happiness.

"Dear, I have to go take care of state affairs today."

"The Heaven Dou Empire has only just fallen into our hands. There are many things that need reorganizing."

Qian Renxue sighed softly. Though reluctant to leave this tender moment, she knew it wasn't time to relax yet.

Gu Sheng sat up and helped her up as well.

"Go ahead. Do whatever you need to with the Heaven Dou Empire."

"As for those who refuse to obey, leave them to me."

Qian Renxue straightened Gu Sheng's collar, a glint flashing in her eyes.

"Dear, at today's court assembly, I want to formally grant you a title."

"I want the people of the Heaven Dou Empire to know you—and the entire continent to remember your name."

Gu Sheng raised an eyebrow.

"A title?"

"I'm not interested in the power of the Heaven Dou Empire, you know that."

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

"No, dear."

"You're my husband, and you're the most powerful being under heaven."

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

"I want to make you a king, so you can stand beside me and share the glory of supreme rule over this realm."

Gu Sheng looked at her earnest expression and laughed, shaking his head.

"If that's what you want, then do it."

"As long as you're happy, I don't mind having the title of prince."

A radiant smile spread across Qian Renxue's face. She leaned forward and kissed Gu Sheng lightly on the lips.

"Then rest for a while, dear. I'll go prepare for the first grand court assembly after my coronation."

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

Once she had changed into the majestic, bright-yellow imperial robe and donned the imperial crown with its twelve hanging strands of beads, Qian Renxue became once more the noble, aloof empress.

Before leaving, she glanced back and playfully winked at Gu Sheng, then headed toward the front hall surrounded by attendants.

Gu Sheng sat on the edge of the bed and watched her go, smiling softly.

This girl had certainly grown more and more decisive since becoming emperor.

Still, that was a good thing.

The Heaven Dou main hall was especially solemn today.

Officials filled both sides of the hall. Every one of them kept their head lowered, fear and trepidation written across their faces.

The terrifying pressure that had nearly crushed them at the coronation three days earlier still haunted their nightmares.

"Her Majesty has arrived!"

At the eunuch's shrill announcement, Qian Renxue walked steadily up to the dragon throne.

She looked down at the officials and scanned the crowd. Her brow furrowed slightly.

Ning Fengzhi, sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, hadn't come to today's grand court assembly.

Nor had Sword Douluo Chen Xin, who should have been attending him.

Qian Renxue withdrew her gaze, her expression unchanged, and spoke calmly:

"Rise, my subjects."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Once the officials were on their feet, they all stared straight ahead, hardly daring to breathe.

Qian Renxue raised a hand slightly. The eunuch standing beside her immediately understood, stepped forward, and unfurled a scroll of bright-yellow imperial edict.

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

"Gu Sheng is a man of extraordinary ability, with strength that reaches the heavens and virtue and talent in abundance."

"He has rendered great service to the Heaven Dou Empire, saving a crumbling realm from collapse."

"We hereby bestow upon him the title of 'Saint Spirit King,' ranking above all other kings. He need not bow before the emperor, and shall hold equal status with the sovereign!"

"His fief shall be an area extending five hundred li in every direction from Heaven Dou City. To see the Saint Spirit King is to see Us in person!"

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

When the officials below heard the title "Saint Spirit King," and especially the words "need not bow before the emperor, and shall hold equal status with the sovereign," a commotion broke out.

"Equal status with the emperor? Isn't that a little..."

"That's the Saint Spirit King! Three days ago, that lord alone subdued every one of us!"

"Who would dare oppose it? Anyone who stood up would be lucky to have even scraps of bone left."

Some old ministers had misgivings, but the moment they thought of Gu Sheng's godlike methods, they forcibly swallowed the words that had risen to their lips.

"Announce the arrival of the Saint Spirit King!"

At the eunuch's announcement, the great hall's heavy doors slowly swung open.

Sunlight poured in from outside, setting off a tall, straight figure like a deity.

Gu Sheng wore a luxurious black royal robe embroidered with golden patterns. He walked slowly into the great hall.

His expression was calm, but his eyes held a profound darkness that made one's heart tremble.

As he moved, an invisible yet crushing pressure spread through the great hall, so heavy it took the breath away.

Thump!

One fainthearted official couldn't withstand the pressure. His legs gave way, and he fell to his knees.

Then, as if a chain reaction had begun, the assembled officials—and even several Soul Master generals of considerable strength—knelt one after another.

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

A roar like a landslide surged through the great hall.

All bowed before him, their voices shaking the heavens.

Gu Sheng walked all the way to the foot of the dragon throne and stopped.

He looked at Qian Renxue, seated high upon the throne, and a gentle smile touched his lips.

Looking down at her husband, Qian Renxue's sternness melted into boundless tenderness.

"You may rise."

Gu Sheng turned and casually waved to the officials below.

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

The officials rose. Looking at the black-clad young man standing at the front, their eyes held nothing but reverence and fear.

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

The grand court session went smoothly. Almost no one dared voice an objection at a time like this.

After court was dismissed, Qian Renxue brought Gu Sheng back to the Imperial Study.

As soon as they entered, Qian Renxue couldn't wait to shed the poise of the Empress and hurried over to Gu Sheng.

"Husband, how did I do today?"

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

Gu Sheng pulled her into his arms and, with an amused smile, gave her nose a playful pinch.

"Magnificent and awe-inspiring, my Empress."

"But it seems a few people were missing today."

At Gu Sheng's words, Qian Renxue's smile faded a little, and a chill flashed through her beautiful eyes.

"You mean Ning Fengzhi, husband?"

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

"It seems that this former 'Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince' has already sensed something."